Hillary Hall & Hunter Gay
April 29, 2023 • Thomas Bennett House & Merchants Hall
Finding a wedding planner isn’t unlike finding a mate—shared values and aesthetics, good communication, and trust are all key. Hillary Hall and Hunter Gay had found the perfect partner in each other and had a solid 10 years of dating to prove it. But deciding on a planner for their spring 2023 nuptials at the Thomas Bennett House in Charleston took less than 10 seconds. They turned to Hillary’s mom, Laura Hall, who’d spent 30 years planning weddings and major galas in New York City and Charleston. She was the ideal person to bring their chic coastal celebration to life.
Hillary and Hunter had met during their senior year at Wake Forest University and clicked instantly. After school, though they parted ways—she pursued fashion in New York and he finance in Charlotte—they kept the relationship going long-distance. Hillary eventually moved to Charlotte, which also put her closer to her parents, who’d migrated from the Big Apple to the Holy City. The couple would visit Charleston regularly and got engaged there in 2021.
For their wedding, the most important aspects for Hillary were her dress, the flowers, and the party itself. The rest she left to her mom and a day-of planner. “I wanted the wedding to feel like a big party and to have my guests up and dancing the entire time,” says Hillary. And party they did!
Foregoing a traditional rehearsal dinner, the couple followed their practice run with a harbor dinner cruise welcome party aboard The Carolina Girl for all 130 guests. The next day during their ceremony, Laura surprised everyone with a performace by gospel choir, which set a festive tone for the rest of the evening—cocktail hour, dinner, and lots of dancing, followed by even more moving and grooving at a stellar after party at Merchants Hall.
For such a long evening (the party went until 1 a.m.), Laura knew feeding people was a must. They had dinner and a dessert bar at the reception, followed by a late-night meal, which included some of the couple’s favorite snacks like sandwiches from Chick-Fil-A. There were plenty of activities throughout the night as well, including glitter face-painting, Polaroid cameras, and an After the Tone vintage phone for guests to leave messages for the happy couple. Uber vouchers ensured everyone’s safe ride home, and take-and-go bags of Callie’s Hot Little Biscuits were the next morning’s send-off from a perfect celebration enjoyed by all.
Vendors
Planning & Design: Laura Hall Events
Day-of Coordinator: Peper Events
Photography: Anne Rhett Photography
Venues: Thomas Bennett House (ceremony/reception), The Carolina Girl (welcome party), Merchants Hall (after party)
Florist: Petaloso
Paper: Paige Spearin Studio (designer), J Lily Design (calligrapher), SAS-E Ink (signage)
Catering: Salthouse Catering (wedding), Duvall Catering (welcome and after party)
Cake: Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal
Bridal Attire: Monique Lhuillier (gown and after-party dress)
Beauty: Meg McMillion
Groom’s Attire: Canali (tuxedo), Brackish (bow tie)
