Written By Melissa Reardon
Photographs By Lucy Cuneo
A transplant from Virginia, Weston “Wes” McAfee vividly remembers the first time he saw his future bride-to-be. Charleston native Dana Elaine...
We gave Ooh! Events a challenge: how would you transform a dull corner at a reception into something spectacular? Owner Lisa Thomas, known here and beyond as something of a craftacular genius, came up with this dessert table setup. “The awning,” she says, “was a great way to soften a hardscape.” As for the rest, she imagined a buffet that would appeal to a fun-loving couple who share a love of sweets. The main takeaway here, she says, “is not to be afraid of color; you can always make it pop and coordinate by accenting one shade with its opposite on the color wheel.”
S’MORES FOR SURE
(above) Since cooler months are upon us, s’mores beckoned the Ooh! Events team. Here, they gathered locally made gourmet Sweeteeth chocolate bars and paired them with an array of 240sweets’ artisan marshmallows. Placing the ingredients in mismatched apothecary jars and atop cake stands created a candy store vibe. In lieu of a roaring fire, the team hollowed out slices of birch with holes large enough to hold Sterno tins. To finish off the setup, they dropped skewers into a pretty vase, and had Charleston artist Kristen Solecki paint signs announcing the various flavors.
BOUQUET MAGIC
(above) Ask your florist to create a handful of small bouquets that are wrapped into a larger one. After the ceremony, unwrap the break-apart bouquet and gift the posies to female guests. A second option: Unwrap the larger break-apart bouquet for the toss, and suddenly several single women are in the running to catch the good luck.
TO-GO BOX
(above) Lauren Mitterer of WildFlour Pastry tinted macaroons in a minty shade that suited the tablescape perfectly. To guide your guests to their gifts, paint a sweet sign, then decorate cardboard doggie bags in the event’s colors as Holy City painter Kristen Solecki did here.
Cake, Macaroons, & Parfaits: WildFlour Pastry, www.WildFlourPastryCharleston.com
Cake Stands, China, Crystal, & Silver: Polished, www.PolishedTabletop.com
Candies: Candy Warehouse, www.CandyWarehouse.com
Chocolate Bars: sweeteeth, www.SweeteethChocolate.com
Event Design & Florals: Ooh! Events, www.OohEvents.com
Marshmallows: 240Sweets, www.240sweet.com
Table, Awning, Accessories, Décor, & Apothecary Jars: Ooh! Events, www.OohEvents.com
Signage & Painting: Kristen Solecki, www.KristenSolecki.com
