Jillian Attaway Eversole (that's her to the far left in the selfie shot above) wears many hats: second-grade school teacher, fashion and travel blogger (her
Rhyme & Reason has nearly 13K followers), and now, newlywed. To kick off her ever-so-stylish wedding to Edwin Eversole, her mother and sister, Sarah, hosted a Friday bridal luncheon at
Cannon Green while the gentlemen competed in an offshore fishing contest. The guest list started with female relatives, then grew to include bridesmaids, bachelorette party invitees, the MOB’s best friends, and on. Jillian says she learned a lot of things along the way—not the least of which was “I could never be a planner because it is so much work.” Here, she imparts what made the celebration such a success.
TOP TAKEAWAYS
Get what you need from your guest list. Bridal luncheons are inherently about women supporting women during a major milestone. Thus Jillian’s celebrants included friends from all chapters of her life and a variety of generations—“I love my mom’s friends and have known them forever,” she says.
Pick the three most important things for your party and branch out from there. For Jillian, her trifecta included a Charleston theme, vivid color, and location. That translated to a pineapple motif, cheery greens, and Cannon Green, one of her and Edwin’s favorite restaurants.
Work in your wants. If you have a hand in the planning, like Jillian did, use your luncheon as a canvas for ideas, colors, and elements that might not have been worked into the wedding or, since this really is your day, may not be representative of your groom.
Carry any theme throughout the celebration. From pineapple juice at the mimosa bar to golden pineapples on the lounge pillows and cocktail napkins, and dwarf pineapples in the florals, Charleston’s symbol of “welcome” popped up here and there in subtle ways.
Mingle before and after. Break the ice with cocktails but also leave time for chatting after your meal. Jillian’s luncheon concluded with a coffee bar.
Hire a photographer. Of course a blogger like Jillian would want to document her shindig, but you’ll want some snaps, too, of this once-in-a-lifetime collection of besties.
VENDORS
Planning & design: A Charleston Bride, www.ACharlestonBride.com
Venue, catering, bar service: Cannon Green, www.CannonGreen.com
Photographer: Virgil Bunao, www.VirgilBunao.com
Florals: Out of the Garden, www.OohEvents.com
Rentals: OOH! Events, www.OohEvents.com
Stationery: Studio R Design, www.Studio-R-Design.com
Calligraphy: J.Lily Design, www.JLilyDesign.com
Signage: Studio R, www.Studio-R-Design.com; J.Lily Design, www.JLilyDesign.com
Linens: La Tavola, www.LaTavolaLinen.com
Bride’s attire: Tory Burch (dress), available in Charleston through Gwynn’s of Mount Pleasant, www.Gwynns.com; Stuart Weitzman (heels), available in Charleston through Gwynn’s of Mount Pleasant, www.Gwynns.com; Pearls by Shari (earrings), www.PearlsByShari.com ; Chanel (handbag), www.Chanel.com
