Jessica and Jay met online and dated long distance (she was here in Charleston, he was in Connecticut) before she made the move up North. The two came back to visit the Holy City often, though, and...
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
