When their love of all things retro inspired Holly and Jeremy Collins to DIY their Charleston wedding back in 2018, Sawdust and Sweetgrass was born, and today their rental and event company specializes in funky, handcrafted installations that break the mold. They recently headed to Folly Beach to whip up a sassy shoot at Wiki Wiki Sandbar. Say hello to this faux elopement meant to inspire the new wave of smaller weddings on the horizon.
Charleston Weddings: You’re giving us all the beachside vibes; how did you come up with the hip concept?
Holly Collins: Our hair and makeup stylist had showed me her grandmother’s vintage beaded minidress and asked if I could create some looks in its vein. That’s when I thought of Wiki Wiki Sandbar; its ’50s Hawaiian theme was perfect and pre-COVID-19—when this was photographed—they had been hosting a lot of events in their Sunset Room (named for the mural by local artist Suzanne Allen), so that’s where we staged our reception.
CW: Can you talk about the geometric shapes? Those have been a motif in event rental décor for a bit, but you all have a fresh take on the trend.
HC: The diamond backdrop is one of our newest structures, and we wanted it to be larger than life. One of the biggest moments of a wedding is the ceremony, so it’s important to really make those moments shine. Our floral designer thought to incorporate a floral hoop for the bridesmaid and circles are obviously a symbol that represents eternity, unity, and wholeness.
CW: And the hexagons?
HC: Details feed the bigger picture and the hexagon nameplates, photobooth tile backdrop, hexagon shelf (not pictured), and the cake—especially with the rust-infused palette—all made for a retro look.
CW: We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the menu.
HC: It’s amazing! You’re looking at sweet onion potato chips, sliders, and coconut shrimp. Try their P.O.G. Punch, Stone God, and Bora Bora Belle drinks, too.
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