IT’S IN THE BAG: On arriving to Charleston, the couple’s 125 guests were greeted with a canvas of goodies including a CD of the Jersey Boys soundtrack, two personalized water bottles, sweets, and paper pretties from the Lettered Olive.
SPHERE OF INFLUENCE: Ashley carried a bouquet by Soirée of white roses, peonies, spring tulips, lisianthus, and stephanotis. A monogrammed silk ribbon garnished the bundle
SMART START: A ring of patterned paper added eye-catching appeal to the welcome glasses of champagne.
THE RIGHT INVITE: With its color scheme, calligraphy, and intricate detail, the invitation suite, crafted by The Lettered Olive, matched the feel of the formal fête.
EN PLEIN AIR: The couple chose Lowndes Grove Plantation for its “beautiful and magical” old oaks, says Ashley, pictured here with her father as they approached the ceremony.
A WELCOMING WREATH: The Soirée team stuck roses, spray roses, peonies, lisianthus, stephanotis, spring tulips, and stock flowers into rings of flower foam to dress up the brick entrance of Lowndes Grove.
DUAL FOLD: Rather than distributing ceremony programs, the couple had the information printed on cocktail napkins for a money-saving touch. Guests were given the napkins, along with a glass of champagne, upon arrival to the venue.
ROAD OF GOLD: The couple’s monogrammed aisle runner was designed by Tara Guérard Soirée and crafted by Anne Melvin with Boutique Tents.
JUST ENOUGH: Tara Guérard Soirée arranged a pretty and petite bouquet of white spring tulips for the mother of the bride.
HANGING ADORNMENT: Soirée strung yard stakes with ribbons and tassels for a traditional touch that was more affordable than flowers.
AISLE STYLE: Kate Badger Little of Soirée says the gold and champagne-colored ribbon draped alongside the aisle “looked lovely blowing in the breeze” of the outdoor ceremony venue.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION: Soirée set the altar under a canopy of oak trees. Held the first weekend in June, temps for the day neared 100 degrees, so the shade was necessary for keeping the bride, groom, and guests cool.
HANGING GARDEN: Chandeliers adorned with roses, peonies, lisianthus, and tulips were hung with champagne-hued ribbon to frame the open-air “altar.”
FLOWING FANCY: Yards of champagne-colored ribbon adorned the aisle—an inexpensive, traditional-looking touch.
TRADITIONAL TONES: All-white bridesmaid bouquets popped against their full-length Jenny Yoo frocks from Bella Bridesmaid.
HAND IT OVER: The mothers of the bride and groom carried classic bouquets of white spring tulips tied with champagne-hued silk ribbon.
PICTURESQUE PLACE: “It was perfect that the Ashley River ran right behind our ceremony site,” says Ashley of their venue.
IT’S OFFICIAL: The couple sealed their vows with a kiss in front of their bridal party and 125 guests.
BLACK & WHITE: Ashley wore a Legends by Romona Keveza gown from Maddison Row while Tony suited up in black tails and a white bow tie from Grady Ervin & Co.
PATTERNED PRETTIES: Wooden serving trays were lined with paper that matched the reception’s palette and décor. Thick rings of the same paper dolled up the champagne cocktails.
GET THE GLOW: Sheer white curtains allowed natural light to fill the tent; when the sun set, candles and flame-lit chandeliers brightened the space.
INITIAL REACTIONS: A sweetheart table for the bride and groom cozied up next to the monogrammed dance floor.
MAKE A MARK: The bride and groom’s dinner chairs were decorated with monogrammed seat covers.
CLASSIC TOUCH: Ashley says she wanted the décor to paint a “traditional and timeless” picture of the day. “I chose to do all white flowers and champagne and gold accents,” she says.
ICED, ICED, BABY: This towering treat from Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal was embellished with tone-on-tone patterns and the couple’s monogram. “It was a work of art on the outside and it tasted fabulous on the inside!” says the bride. Hundreds of ivory petals carpeted the table linen for a decadent, delicate effect.
FOUR-COURSE FARE: Fish restaurant served wedge salad, grilled swordfish, roasted chicken, and champagne sorbet.
COMPLEMENTARY DÉCOR: Gold candlesticks matched the appointment rentals from Snyder Events, giving the tables a uniform feel.
NAME DROPS: Die-cut butler cards helped guests find their seats.
SEEING DOUBLE: Décor from the ceremony was tied into the reception—panels of sheer fabric were held back by silk ribbon accented with tassels.
DANGLING DIGITS: Hanging table numbers were easy to spot and filled the air between the chandeliers and table settings.
TRAVELING CELEBRATION: “I wanted to keep the guests moving all night, so they didn’t get bored,” says the bride. “We were married outside, had cocktail hour inside the plantation house, had dinner inside a formal tent, and then partied in a separate lounge tent with a large dance floor.”
SWEET TREAT: On their first trip to Charleston, the couple stayed at the Charleston Place Hotel, took a carriage ride, and ate pralines. They commemorated the latter in their favors for guests.
FAUX FOUR TOPS: The Valli Boys, a Jersey Boys cover band, were booked through East Coast Entertainment.
JAM BAND: Weaved gold and white fabric gave the ceiling of the dancing tent a rich yet spacious effect, while six-armed chandeliers and spotlights lit the large space.
TAKE A BREAK: The dancing tent offered a lounge area with comfy couches.
SHIMMERING CHEERS: Glasses of wine and champagne were served throughout the night and tea light votive candles soaked tables in the dancing tent in a romantic glow.
LAYERED LOOK: The night’s dessert was comprised of vanilla cake with strawberry filling and traditional Italian almond cake with custard filling.
TAKE A SEAT: Velvet sofas and loveseats made for a lush and comfortable setting.
COMFY NAMESAKE: Pillows in the lounge area were marked the couple monogram, which was custom-designed by the Lettered Olive.
RAVE REVIEW: “We had the best wedding planner ever!” says Ashley. “Tara made the wedding day so much more than we could have ever envisioned.”
LATE NIGHT NOSH: Toward the end of the night, Fish Catering served up pralines, barbecue pork biscuits, doughnuts, and truffle fries.
A YUMMY TIP: Tara packed to-go boxes with food from the reception, including late night treats like the truffle fries, for the couple. “I would definitely recommend that everyone does that!” says Ashley.
SPOTLIGHT STARS: The Valli Boys, a Jersey Boys cover band, provided the night’s tunes, including the song for the couple’s first dance. “Everyone was singing, dancing, and laughing,” says Ashley.
PLANNED AND DELIVERED: The bride took on planning the pre- and post-wedding festivities, including a cocktail welcome party, a Breakfast At Tiffany’s-themed bridesmaids luncheon, the rehearsal dinner, and a farewell brunch.
BRIGHT IDEA: Chandelier-shaped cards bound a monogrammed matchbook and set of sparklers together for the couple’s end-of-evening send-off.
PERSONALIZED PLATES: The sign swathed across the couple’s getaway car read “Capi 4 Ever,” a play on Ashley’s license plate, which, during the couple’s engagement, said “Capi 2 Be.” The newlyweds rode off in a vintage Rolls Royce, rented from Absolutely Charleston.
