INSIDE OUT: “We envisioned old, reclaimed pews and a simple altar with a cross,” says Kat of the ceremony site overlooking Middleton’s Butterfly Lakes. The intent—and effect—was to create an outdoor church.
WHITE WEDDING: Dusty miller, lamb’s ears, lilac, peonies, ranunculus, spray roses, tetra anemones, and Queen Anne’s Lace dressed an altar from Snyder Events. Colors were kept simple so as not to detract from the natural beauty.
NEAT SEATS: Charleston Stems dressed up seating from P.E.W.S. with beribboned greenery garlands.
Bridal gown by Mark Zunino. Veil by Pnina Tornai. Bouquet by Charleston Stems. Image by KT Merry Photography at Middleton Place.
Wedding design by Karson Butler Events. Florals by Charleston Stems. Image by KT Merry Photography at Middleton Place.
Image by KT Merry Photography at Middleton Place.
Gown by Mark Zunino. Veil by Pnina Tornai. Bouquet by Charleston Stems. Image by KT Merry Photography at Middleton Place.
Gown by Mark Zunino. Bridesmaid attire from Rent the Runway. Image by KT Merry Photography at Middleton Place.
Bouquet by Charleston Stems. Image by KT Merry Photography.
Hair styling by Roberto Alarcon. Makeup by Studio M and JONNY Cosmetics. Jewelry by J.Crew. Image by KT Merry Photography.
Bouquet by Charleston Stems. Bridal gown by Mark Zunino. Image by KT Merry Photography.
FAIRY TALE: Kat’s ladies-in-waiting fawned over her “unicorn dress” and Pnina Tornai veil. The maids had just walked the aisle to Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance,” one of the groom’s favorite songs.
Bouquets by Charleston Stems. Gown by Mark Zunino. Bridesmaid attire from Rent the Runway. Image by KT Merry Photography.
Gown by Mark Zunino. Image by KT Merry Photography at Middleton Place.
Gown by Mark Zunino. Florals by Charleston Stems. Image by KT Merry Photography at Middleton Place.
Gown by Mark Zunino. Veil by Pnina Tornai. Image by KT Merry Photography at Middleton Place.
THE REST IS HISTORY: Once they discovered that Middleton Place heir Arthur Middleton had signed the Declaration of Independence, Kat and Chip were sold on the venue. “We’re both very patriotic,” says the bride.
Florals by Charleston Stems. Image by KT Merry Photography.
Reception jewelry from J.Crew. Shoes by Christian Dior. Image by KT Merry Photography.
Wedding design by Karson Butler Events. Image by KT Merry Photography.
Stationery by The Dandelion Patch. Image by KT Merry Photography.
Image by KT Merry Photography.
FLY AWAY: Karson Butler Events adorned envelopes with vintage stamps related to aviation and the couple’s home states of California and Minnesota. Calligrapher Laura Hooper added the final flourishes.
GOOD OL’ BOY: After the couple passed beneath the official Arch of Swords, Maj. Chip’s former roommate Capt. Kyle “DWIMM” Reilly customarily slapped the bride on the backside with the unofficial comment, “Welcome to the Marine Corps, ma’am!”
OPPOSITES ATTRACT: Kat’s a Type-A businesswoman and fashionista, while Chip, in his own words, is “just happy to be here.” Says planner Emily Butler, “They’re about as different as you can imagine, but couldn’t be more perfect for one another.” The 130 guests who attended their Lowcountry soirée couldn’t agree more.
Ceremony programs by The Dandelion Patch. Wedding design by Karson Butler Events. Image by KT Merry Photography at Middleton Place.
PRESSED FOR TIME: “We wanted our first impression to be a lasting one,” says Kat, whose wedding suite, including this program, was designed by a shop in the Alexandria, Virginia, area where she and Chip live.
“X” MARKS THE SPOT: Upon arrival, guests were met with drinks sporting handmade swizzle sticks and a custom map to guide them through the gardens to the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception sites.
Bar and wine service by Middleton Place. Image by KT Merry Photography at Middleton Place.
Catering by Cru Catering. Image by KT Merry Photography.
Butler cards by Laura Hooper Calligraphy. Wedding design by Karson Butler Events. Florals by Charleston Stems. Image by KT Merry Photography at Middleton Place.
Butler cards by Laura Hooper Calligraphy. Image by KT Merry Photography.
Signage by The Dandelion Patch. Linens by La Tavola. Wedding design by Karson Butler Events. Image by KT Merry Photography.
Menu by The Dandelion Patch. Linens from La Tavola. Place cards by Laura Hooper Calligraphy. Image by KT Merry Photography.
Florals by Charleston Stems. Linens from La Tavola. Place cards by Laura Hooper Calligraphy. Image by KT Merry Photography.
Wedding design by Karson Butler Events. Florals by Charleston Stems. Linens by La Tavola. Wedding design by Karson Butler Events. Image by KT Merry Photography.
Florals by Charleston Stems. Wedding design by Karson Butler Events. Image by KT Merry Photography.
KICK BACK: Planners Amber and Emily paired extra pews with coffee tables for shaded lounge areas.
Cake by Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal. Image by KT Merry Photography at Middleton Place.
Florals by Charleston Stems. Linens from La Tavola. Image by KT Merry Photography.
PRETTY IN PINK: Cocktail tables in Middleton’s Octagonal Garden shimmered in sequin-covered rose-gold La Tavola linens.
Chairs from EventHaus. Linens from La Tavola. Wedding design by Karson Butler Events. Image by KT Merry Photography at Middleton Place.
Cake by Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal. Wedding design by Karson Butler Events. Image by KT Merry Photography at Middleton Place.
LAKE PLACID: Upon the couple’s first visit to Middleton Place, they saw a pair of swans gliding across its reflecting pond; their guests were greeted with similar serenity.
Rentals from Snyder Events. Image by KT Merry Photography at Middleton Place.
Chairs from EventHaus. Linens from La Tavola. Florals by Charleston Stems. Image by KT Merry Photography at Middleton Place.
Wedding design by Karson Butler Events. Rentals from Snyder Events. Florals by Charleston Stems. Image by KT Merry Photography at Middleton Place.
THE DINNER CLUB: “It felt as though we had stepped into an opulent supper club with all of our favorite people at the table,” says Kat.
LOVE ETERNAL: The couple sat in EventHaus’ Infinity chairs placed at the center of a kings’ table alongside their parents, the wedding party, and more. They loved the party-watching vantage it afforded, says Kat.
FIRE POWER: Kat lured Chip from the festivities, telling him they needed to take night photos by the altar. Seconds after the couple returned to the Butterfly Lakes, where they had exchanged vows, fireworks took over the sky, a surprise from the bride for the groom. (Kat got special clearance for the rare show by hiring a Middleton-approved pyrotechnics expert.)