Town & Country

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Town & Country | Elegance marries earthy when this mix-and-match couple say “I do” overlooking the Ashley River

SUMMER WHITES: Julie wanted to enhance Lowndes Grove’s natural beauty with only white flowers, so A Charleston Bride and florist Tiger Lily Weddings decorated the ceremony with simple, lush hydrangea arrangements and hung flower streamers from the trees to form the altar space.

Groom and groomsmen’s suits by Hardwicks. Bow ties by Southern Proper and Bird Dog Bay. Photograph by Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay at Lowndes Grove Plantation.

Groomsmen’s suits by Hardwicks. Bow ties by Southern Proper and Bird Dog Bay. Photograph by Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay at Lowndes Grove Plantation.

BAND OF BROTHERS: Lee picked different bow ties from Southern Proper and Bird Dog Bay for his groomsmen.

Photograph by Elizabeth Fay + Sean Money.

Groom and groomsmen’s suits by Hardwicks. Bow ties by Southern Proper and Bird Dog Bay. Photograph by Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay at Lowndes Grove Plantation.

ON THE HUNT: Julie found Lee and his groomsmen shotgun-shell cuff links by Diesel Lace Design on Etsy.

Ring bearer’s suits from J.Crew. Photograph by Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay at Lowndes Grove Plantation.

Ring bearer suit from J.Crew. Photograph by Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay.

Flower girl dress from Tutully Cute Designs (Etsy shop). Photograph by Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay.

IN HAND: All-white bouquets of hydrangeas, garden roses, and ranunculus by Gayla Harvey of Tiger Lily Weddings offset the bridesmaids’ navy dresses.

WEET TRIO: Flower girl Ann Hobson, Julie’s goddaughter, wore a dress by Tutully Cute Designs from Etsy. Julie’s nephew Landon Daubenspeck served as ring bearer, while his older brother Noah carried Julie’s late grandmother’s Bible.

Bride’s gown by Vera Wang. Father of the bride’s suit by Hardwicks. Floral by Tiger Lily Weddings. Photograph by Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay at Lowndes Grove Plantation.

PERFECT BLEND: “Instead of juxtaposing styles to combine different aesthetics,” says Lindsey, “try marrying the concepts simply.” Case in point? Using classic white blooms to accentuate an already picturesque setting.

COOL DOWN: In Charleston, hot temperatures are a given in August, so each guest was gifted a fan on their seat.

Florals by Tiger Lily Weddings. Rentals by Event DRS. Wedding design and coordination by Lindsey Shanks of A Charleston Bride. Photograph by Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay at Lowndes Grove Plantation.

Florals by Tiger Lily Weddings. Wedding design and coordination by Lindsey Shanks of A Charleston Bride. Photograph by Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay at Lowndes Grove Plantation.

ON THE HALF SHELL: The couple loves hosting oyster roasts in the winter, so Lindsey Shanks of A Charleston Bride called on Sweet Magnolia Paper to design a heart motif inspired by oyster shells and surprised the couple by featuring it on the programs.

Ceremony programs by Sweet Magnolia Paper. Décor rentals from Ooh! Events. Photograph by Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay. Photograph by Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay at Lowndes Grove Plantation.

THE MODERN SOUTH: Julie donned a Vera Wang gown with a flowing skirt while Lee chose gray seersucker.

Florals by Tiger Lily Weddings. Photograph by Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay.

CONVERSATION STATION: “We tucked seating all throughout the setting for a bit of discovery on the part of the guests,” says Lindsey of the lounge areas that dotted the reception tent and overflowed onto the grounds. “It was formal but spread across the open landscape for ease and flow.”

TOUCH OF GLAM: Mercury glass vases and tea light votives added luxe shimmer to tablescapes without overpowering the elegant simplicity.

AL FRESCO: Cocktail tables and chairs were placed throughout the grounds so guests could enjoy the outdoors.

SOUTHERN SETTING: Lindsey designed vignettes inside the tent to create small, well-appointed “rooms” for gathering.

Wedding cakes by Fish Restaurant. Florals by Tiger Lily Weddings. Wedding design and coordination by Lindsey Shanks of A Charleston Bride. Photograph by Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay at Lowndes Grove Plantation.

SWEET TOOTH: Patrick Properties Hospitality Group’s pastry shop made a pair of red velvet cakes; a carrot cake; a chocolate and peanut butter mousse cake; and a chocolate cake with bacon and maple syrup buttercream.

Signage by Sweet Magnolia Paper. Photograph by Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay.

Bridal gown by Vera Wang. Groom’s suit by Hardwicks and bow tie from Bird Dog Bay. Photograph by Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay at Lowndes Grove Plantation.

GREEN ACRES: “We always joke that we are the real-life Green Acres—that old-time TV show about a New York lady moving to live on a farm with her man,” says Julie, who grew up in urban Raleigh, North Carolina, while Lee heralds from bucolic Greenville, North Carolina.

SHINE ON: “Having such an amazing place to start with made decorating easy,” says the bride. Lindsey erected a simple frame and topped with gauzy navy fabric, which accented rather than hid the setting.

Photograph by Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay at Lowndes Grove Plantation.

His & Hers: “He wears camo and I wear five-inch heels,” says Julie. “While I dreamed flowers, chandeliers, and china, he would have been happy in a field with a pig picking! Since the day was about us, we put it all together.”

BOOGIE NIGHTS: “When it came to the reception, we wanted everyone to enjoy themselves...and party!” says Julie.

Groom’s suit by Hardwicks and bow tie by Bird Dog Bay. Bride’s hair and makeup by Elysium Salon and Wedding Hair by Charlotte. Photograph by Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay at Lowndes Grove Plantation.

Wedding cakes by Fish Restaurant. Bride’s dress by Reem Acra. Wedding design and coordination by Lindsey Shanks of A Charleston Bride. Photograph by Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay at Lowndes Grove Plantation.

: Bride’s dress by Reem Acra. Bride’s shoes by Jimmy Choo. Groom’s suit by Hardwicks. Photograph by Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay.

Bride’s dress by Reem Acra. Bride’s shoes by Jimmy Choo. Reception entertainment by Liquid Pleasure and Kenny Mann through OtherBrother Entertainment. Photograph by Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay.

Bride’s dress by Reem Acra. Photograph by Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay.

FROCK OUT: For dancing and departing, Julie slipped into a short Reem Acra dress (available in Charleston through Maddison Row).

Julie Bartholomew & Lee Edwards
August 23, 2013
Lowndes Grove Plantation

Good things certainly came at their own sweet pace to North Carolina natives Julie Bartholomew and Lee Edwards. After 10 years of friendship, courtship, and even a broken engagement, Julie and Lee reconnected one night over dinner. “The minute we saw each other again, we knew this was it,” says Julie. “We knew we were truly each other’s person.”

Lee proposed six months later while on vacation in the Dominican Republic, and when the couple returned stateside to plan their Big Day, they went with Charleston because they had loved a friend’s wedding here. The pair connected with Lindsey Shanks of A Charleston Bride to plan a day that blended Julie’s “girlie” side with duck-hunter Lee’s outdoorsy tendencies. “I will never forget the conversation Julie and I had about her rhinestone shoes and then Lee’s decision to go barefoot!” says Lindsey. (In the end, the groom’s party—and even Julie’s dad—followed Lee’s barefoot path.)

Lowndes Grove Plantation’s stately, elegant façade, which is framed by palmettos and old live oaks, fit their town and country bill. When the day came, Julie took her father’s arm and, following a tip from a friend, she paused to soak up the scene before walking the aisle to meet Lee. Later, the couple made their debut as husband and wife at the reception as a string quartet played “Dixie,” before sampling from Fish Restaurant’s food stations that featured everything from a Lowcountry Boil to Spanish paella.

“The most rewarding part was that after almost 11 years of many ups and downs (but always loving each other), we were finally a married couple,” says Julie. Now settled in Kinston, North Carolina, the newlyweds are expecting both the opening of Lee’s distillery, Sugar Hill, and their first baby. Seems like their happily ever after is just beginning.

Vendor List:

Bridal Gowns: Vera Wang, www.verawang.com (ceremony); Reem Acra, www.reemacra.com (reception)

Bridal Shoes: Mui Mui, www.miumiu.com (ceremony); Jimmy Choo, www.jimmychoo.com (reception)

Bridesmaid Attire: Jenny Yoo from Gown Boutique of Charleston, www.gownboutiqueofcharleston.com

Cakes: Fish Restaurant, www.fishrestaurantcharleston.com

Catering: Fish Restaurant, www.fishrestaurantcharleston.com

Ceremony Music: Charleston Virtuosi, www.charlestonvirtuosi.com

Ceremony Programs: Sweet Magnolia Paper, www.sweetmagnoliapaper.com

Ceremony and Reception Location: Lowndes Grove Plantation, www.pphgcharleston.com

Décor Rentals: Ooh! Events, www.theartofcreating.com

Florist: Tiger Lily Weddings, www.tigerlilyweddings.com

Flower Girl’s Dress: Tutully Cute Designs (Etsy shop), www.etsy.com/shop/TutullyCuteDesigns

Groom and Groomsmen’s Attire: Hardwicks (suits); Southern Proper, www.southernproper.com, & Bird Dog Bay, www.birddogbay.com (bow ties); DieselLaceDesign, www.etsy.com/shop/DieselLaceDesign, (cuff links)

Hair and Makeup: Elysium (www.elysiumsalon.net), Wedding Hair by Charlotte www.weddinghairbycharlotte.com)

Lighting: Technical Event Company, www.technicaleventcompany.com

Linens and Rentals: Event DRS (www.eventdrscharleston.com), Ooh! Events (www.theartofcreating.com)

Photography: Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay, www.seanmoney-elizabethfay.com

Reception Entertainment: Liquid Pleasure & Kenny Mann, www.otherbrotherent.com

Ring Bearers’ Suits: J.Crew , www.jcrew.com

Stationery: William Arthur, Charlotte’s Jewelry & Gifts

Transportation: Absolutely Charleston, www.absolutelycharlestonwedding.com

Videography: Hart to Heart Media, www.harttoheartmedia.com

Wedding Design and Coordination: A Charleston Bride, www.acharlestonbride.com

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