Illustration by Jill Hooper. Image by Corbin Gurkin Photography.
Lightfoot looked on in the couple’s Ansonborough home as Martha readied for the ceremony, which was just down the street at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.
Lightfoot’s portrait graced an invitation suite with vintage stamps from the couple’s original home states, as well as South Carolina.
Image by Corbin Gurkin Photography.
Calligraphy by Elizabeth Porcher Jones. Image by Corbin Gurkin Photography.
Stationery by Sideshow Press for mac & murphy. Image by Corbin Gurkin Photography.
Bouquet by Charleston Stems. Image by Corbin Gurkin Photography.
Charley’s daughter, Annie (left), and Martha’s besties were attendants.
Flower girl's dress from J.Crew. Image by Corbin Gurkin Photography.
Berries, hydrangeas, and fruit made for bucolic florals.
Ring bearer's suit from J.Crew. Boutonniere by Charleston Stems. Image by Corbin Gurkin Photography.
Flower girl's dress from J.Crew. Hair wreath by Charleston Stems. Image by Corbin Gurkin Photography.
Children's attire from J.Crew. Florals by Charleston Stems. Image by Corbin Gurkin Photography.
Image by Corbin Gurkin Photography at St. Stephens Episcopal Church.
Car from Absolutely Charleston. Image by Corbin Gurkin Photography at Yeamans Hall Club.
“Most of our guests had not been to Yeamans,” says Martha of the private club, “and we were so lucky to have such a pretty day to showcase the natural beauty out there.” Martha wore Monique Lhuillier and had a suit made as Charley’s groom’s gift. Other stylish treats? One of the matrons of honor had a baby girl a month before the wedding, so godmother Martha gave the new mom a gold bangle from Croghan’s Jewel Box inscribed with all three of their initials.
Martha wrote to each guest and tucked the 170 notes into escort envelopes; she owns this was slightly insane given the numbers.
Wedding design by Easton Events. Florals by Charleston Stems. Image by Corbin Gurkin Photography at Yeamans Hall Club.
Wedding design by Easton Events. Florals by Charleston Stems. Velvet ribbon from MOKUBA. Rentals and napkins from Festive Fare. Glassware from Snyder Events. Linens from La Tavola. Place setting from Yeamans Hall Club. Image by Corbin Gurkin Photography at Yeamans Hall Club.
The Sacred Bird and Butterfly pattern was first noted in Charleston in 1808 at the Nathaniel Russell House; Yeamans Hall Club serves on reproductions of the china. Martha gathered luxe velvet ribbon in the same rusty hue to bind napkins.
Tent by Sperry Tents Southeast. Wedding design by Easton Events. Image by Corbin Gurkin Photography at Yeamans Hall Club.
Wedding design by Easton Events. Florals by Charleston Stems. Tent by Sperry Tents Southeast. Chiavari chairs and tables from Festive Fare. Linens from La Tavola. Image by Corbin Gurkin Photography at Yeamans Hall Club.
The floral chandeliers were so striking, says Martha, that even the men remarked on them.
Martha, a disability attorney for the Social Security Administration, and Charley, a partner in a mortgage trading company, chose the 1670s rice plantation Yeamans Hall Club for their reception because, says Martha, “It’s in such a pretty, natural setting.”
For the morning after, guests toted home biscuits made by the Yeamans Hall Club chef. “We figured they would help soak up the extra wine the next morning,” Martha laughs.
Marzipan fruit spilled over the four-tiered dessert finale. The bride’s favorite flavors? Layers of almond cake with lemon curd filling.
Bar service by Yeamans Hall Club. Image by Corbin Gurkin Photography.
Florals by Charleston Stems. Image by Corbin Gurkin Photography at Yeamans Hall Club.
Cake by WildFlour Pastry. Image by Corbin Gurkin Photography at Yeamans Hall Club.
The goal: a grand and sumptuous dinner party with candlelight, says the bride.
Wedding design by Easton Events. Tent by Sperry Tents Southeast.
Menswear by Martin Greenfield Clothiers and Hermes. Bride's gown by Monique Lhuillier (available locally through Maddison Row). Image by Corbin Gurkin Photography.
