The intersection of refined Southern hospitality and deeply personal touches defined a breathtaking wedding celebration that seamlessly blended timeless traditions with playful, modern elements. From the quiet, unhurried moments of anticipation in the morning to a high-energy dance floor that lasted late into the night, every element of the weekend was thoughtfully curated to reflect the couple, their families, and the places and personalities they hold dearest.
Food & Drink
The food and beverage experience, expertly crafted by Cru Catering, was designed to unfold organically throughout the evening, balancing sophisticated culinary presentation with lighthearted, comforting favorites.
Dinner began with a delicate butter lettuce salad layered with poached pears, candied pepitas, goat cheese, and a honey-sherry dressing. This refreshing opening course was followed by a main pairing of New York strip served with heirloom baby carrots and green peppercorn jus, presented alongside roasted butternut squash ravioli accented with wild mushrooms, sage, and white truffle-infused olive oil.
As the evening progressed, the culinary program shifted toward a more playful tone. Housemade donut holes and raspberry tarts were served family-style, paving the way for late-night favorites that included fried chicken and waffle cones, shoestring French fries, and miniature Chicago-style hot dogs—a delightful and nostalgic nod to the bride’s Chicago roots.
The bar experience served as an extension of the couple’s personal story. Signature cocktails introduced two beloved members of the family in a charming and unexpected way: "The Crew," a Negroni-inspired drink named for the couple’s dog, and "The Louie," a dirty martini honoring the bride’s family dog. Other selections rounded out the menu, including "Aperol in October," the Southern Spritz, and classic espresso martinis. As dancing got underway, an attended martini cart circulated through the dance floor, while late-night Green Tea and Lemon Drop cocktails were presented in tall shot glasses on custom trays.
The paper details added another layer of personalization throughout the weekend. Kara Anne Paper designed the invitation suite and produced the custom bar menus, establishing the visual tone from the very first impression and carrying it through to the reception. Meanwhile, Emily Baird Design created custom illustrations of Crew and Louie that were featured on bespoke matchbooks and bar signage. This playful imagery transformed functional details into thoughtful keepsakes while weaving the couple’s beloved pets directly into the visual narrative of the wedding.
Florals & Decor
The floral design embraced a lush, garden-inspired aesthetic, intentionally crafted to feel abundant yet beautifully unstructured. Antique hydrangeas in faded greens and blush tones established a rich textural foundation. These blooms were layered with classic garden roses, delicate seasonal flowers, and sculptural accents in a sophisticated palette of ivory, dusty pink, mauve, terracotta, rust, and deep burgundy.
Wedding Cake
The wedding cake, created by pastry chef James Smeal Cake Design, embraced a charming sense of tradition. Opting for a smaller scale and petite tiers rather than an oversized statement cake, the design possessed an intimate, almost nostalgic quality. It was finished with an old-school bride-and-groom cake topper as a playful nod to weddings of generations past. This timeless detail introduced a touch of sentimentality to the celebration, demonstrating that classic traditions often leave the most lasting impression.
Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs
Music formed an integral part of the celebration from start to finish. A ten-piece string orchestra and pianist, provided by Kiral Artists, established an elegant and emotive backdrop for the ceremony. Among the most meaningful moments was a surprise curated by the bride’s mother: the bride walked down the aisle with her father to "Liz on Top of the World" from Pride & Prejudice by Dario Marianelli, imbuing the processional with a deeply personal and cinematic quality.
Following the ceremony and cocktail hour, a five-piece Second Line band led guests in a spirited parade from the cocktail area to the reception tent, injecting a distinct Southern energy into the transition.
Inside the tent, Village Theory by Aragon Artists took over the musical duties for the evening. The bride and groom made their grand entrance to "Alive" by Empire of the Sun, which transitioned directly into their first dance to "Warm Love" by Van Morrison. The groom and his mother then shared a dance to "You’ve Got a Friend in Me" by Randy Newman. For the father-daughter dance, the bride and her father began with "Harvest Moon" by Neil Young before the music shifted unexpectedly into "Move On Up" by Curtis Mayfield. At the conclusion of their moment together, guests were invited onto the dance floor, officially transforming the traditional dance into the start of the evening’s celebration.
Special Details
For the bride, some of the most memorable moments occurred during the quiet hours before the ceremony. The morning carried a remarkably calm and intimate atmosphere, making those initial moments in her wedding dress alongside her mother, sister, and bridesmaids deeply meaningful. Seeing her father for their first look provided another unforgettable memory—a quiet pause together before the official festivities began. Surrounded by her closest circle, these unhurried moments of anticipation and connection became some of the most cherished highlights of the day.
For both the bride and groom, arriving at the venue and witnessing their vision come to life for the very first time was unforgettable. The wedding party arrived aboard a charming vintage bus provided by Lowcountry Valet, traveling beneath the property’s sweeping live oaks to heighten the sense of occasion. The chapel created a breathtaking first impression, with the scale of the floral installation transforming its exterior by framing the entrance and extending into the surrounding landscape. After months of planning and visualization, seeing the chapel, reception tent, and welcome party fully realized offered the couple a rare opportunity to absorb the beauty and magnitude of the weekend they had created.
The energy surged once more when the couple walked into the tent together and saw their guests gathered around them to kick off the dancing. Surrounded by everyone they loved, the atmosphere shifted instantly from dinner to an all-night celebration. Later in the evening, that energy reached a peak when family members joined the band on stage, turning the performance into a full-room singalong and capturing the spontaneous, joy-filled spirit of the entire event.
