Under the Trees

Summer 2012

WRITER CREDIT:

PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT:

Under the Trees | Two born-and-raised Southerners celebrate their love for the Lowcountry, summertime, and one another

Charleston Wedding JoS. A. Bank Priscilla of Boston red letter events Backyard Wedding wedding Big Day Lowndes Grove Plantation bouquets EventWorks gown Fish JCrew Lotus Lowndes Grove MUSC Wedding Rings yellow roses

DOWN BY THE RIVER: Majestic oaks paired with breathtaking waterside scenery made Lowndes Grove the perfect spot for the ceremony and reception.

POP OF COLOR: Yellow roses with blue delphinium accents made for simple, bold bouquets.

JUST PICKED: In keeping with the wedding's casual feel, blue thistle, delphinium, freesia, and hydrangea were loosely dropped into metal buckets.

HANGING OUT: Wedding designer Stacey Fraunfelter of Red Letter Events hung garlands of white dendrobium from blue ribbons looped around three branches.

ICY DELIGHT: Paper umbrellas and martini glasses dressed up classic summer snow cones.

SIT BACK: Comfy wicker furniture and custom-made throw pillows gave the outdoor lounge areas a homey feel.

PUPPY LOVE: Furry friends Moose (Sarah's rescue doggie) and Rusty (Jamie's Pembroke Corgi) were decked out in wreaths by Lotus Flower.

BEST DRESSED: Sarah's linen Priscilla of Boston frock and Jamie's pinstriped JoS. A. Bank suit were as comfortable as the atmosphere.

FEAST YOUR EYES: Fish restaurant served upscale Southern brunch fare—shrimp and grits cakes drizzled with chorizo gravy and fried green tomato eggs Benedict.

SMART CHOICE: With its sweeping trees and serene view of the marsh, the plantation's surroundings drove the light-touch approach to décor. Here, Stacey placed understated centerpieces atop small reception tables and hung Chinese lanterns overhead.

GROOVE THING: Triple Lindy's folksy tunes got guests dancing.

TUTTI FRUTTI: For favors, Sarah's mom assembled fabric-lined baskets, which were filled with peaches her dad brought from a local farm.

WEDDING SHOWER: "Absorb the day," advises Sarah, who changed into this Aidan Maddox dress before leaving the reception."Seeing all your loved ones is something you'll want to remember!"

SOMETHING BLUE: Post-reception, the couple zoomed off in a 1976 Caddy and headed to the airport. Within 24 hours, they were honeymooning in Hawaii.

Sarah Spurr & James Yonn
May 14, 2011
Lowndes Grove Plantation

When James (“Jamie”) Yon surprised Sarah Spurr with homemade cookies during their Christmas Eve shift at MUSC, she knew he was special. “I would have been an idiot to pass him up!” she laughs. The sweets were unexpected, but less than a year later, the proposal wasn’t: Sarah was en route to happy hour at Triangle Bar & Grill when a gal-pal hinted that there might be something sparkly in Jamie’s possession. Seeking answers (and a certain question), she hurried home, and soon Jamie was phoning his girlfriend’s parents for permission and requesting Sarah’s hand.

The two wanted a casual wedding inspired by their favorite season-and-place combo: summertime in the South. The city was a no-brainer: “Charleston is where we met, where we went on our first date, where we fell in love, and where we live,” Sarah explains. As an outdoor venue by the water was a must, they chose Lowndes Grove Plantation, and Stacey Fraunfelter of Red Letter Events brought their romantic backyard wedding and brunch reception to life.

On the Big Day, sapphire and goldenrod paper lanterns danced in the breeze as if suspended by magic, while bouquets of yellow roses scented the morning air. Sarah and Jamie swapped vows beneath the shade of century-old oaks, then slipped on rings borne by Moose and Rusty, their dogs. Next came a Southern-style meal, followed by pies in lieu of cake (a key lime “margarita” treat was the favorite), and everyone boogied to bluegrass until, at last, the couple made their getaway in a bright blue convertible.

Vendor List
Baker: 3.14 Pies; www.314piescharleston.com
Bridal gown: Priscilla of Boston; www.priscillaofboston.com
Bridesmaid attire: J.Crew; www.jcrew.com
Caterer: Fish restaurant; www.fishrestaurantcharleston.com
Florist: Lotus Flower; www.lotusflowercharleston.com
Groom attire: JoS. A. Bank; www.josbank.com
Groomsmen attire: JoS. A. Bank; www.josbank.com
Music (ceremony): Helen Greenfield/Unwind Duo; www.helengreenfieldcello.net
Music (reception): Triple Lindy; www.triplelindy.net
Photographer: Tim Willoughby, Timwill Photography; www.timwill.com
Planner: Stacey Fraunfelter, Red Letter Events; www.redletterevents.com
Ring Bearer Wreaths: Lotus Flower; www.lotusflowercharleston.com
Rentals: Eventworks; www.eventworks.com

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