Backyard Beauty

Summer 2013

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PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT:

Backyard Beauty | Join us for a garden wedding at one of Charleston’s most storied addresses and get tips for hosting your own haute affair

Charleston Wedding Charleston Place Hotel Leigh Webber Photography wedding Snyder Event Rentals White food gown Gaillard Garden ideas RENT Teal

Backyard Beauty

PLEASE BE SEATED: This home's garden features a series of outdoor "rooms" that make dining outside easy, thanks to level lawns, privacy fences, and lovely vistas.

SWING SET: A garden of floating white daisies nestled in glass spheres suspended with gold ribbons dressed the ceremony site.

TABLE TALK: Clustering three vintage vessels together created as much impact as one large centerpiece.

NIGHT LIGHT: Candlelight—via lanterns, candelabras, and votives—added to the organic feeling of the evening’s garden décor.

NATTY THREADS: In keeping with the night’s European style, Renee wore a beaded gown by London’s Jenny Packham from White on Daniel Island.

BOX SEATS: Small boxes of chocolate tied off in the wedding’s accent color awaited guests.

TOUCH OF HOME: Renee’s mother shared a set of gold candelabras with Duvall Events’ Shannon Hardy for the dining tables.

CLEAR SKIES: Two days before the Saturday event, the forecast was clear, so the tent backup plan was put aside.

SEAT YOURSELF: Placing the seating in the shade ensured the comfort of guests. Chair “shoes” (painted gold) from Snyder Event Rentals protected the lawn.

OPEN SKIES: Duvall Event’s Shannon Hardy’s advice for the perfect backyard reception? “Always have a rain plan, keep it simple, don’t forget lighting,” she says. Two days before the event, the forecast was clear, so the tented rain plan was cast aside; as for simplicity, a mellow dinner for 30 is about as easy as things get; and for lighting, a mix of lanterns and candlelight took over when the sun went down.

OOPS A DAISY: Simple fresh, blooms, including seasonal roses, freesia, zinnas, and daisies—were all the decoration the dessert from Declare Cakes required.

A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME: Shannon Hardy from Duvall Events used tabletop bud vases and hanging globe vases to add a light floral touch to the reception dinner and ceremony, instead of typically elaborate, overly formal, and inevitably overwhelming arrangements.

WANDERLUST: The couple had visited the Gaillard-Bennett House on a home and garden tour; they followed up with the owners to see if they might rent out the garden for their ceremony. To see more about the house, visit www.PreservationSociety.com.

NAME THE PLACE: Calligraphed place cards float when you slip them into glass spheres. A great favor (from www.LunaBazaar.com), some versions double as bud vases.

LEAFY GREENS: Serving fresh, seasonal fare was a priority for the couple, who worked with Duvall to source local produce and foods. Here, they offered an arugula, gorgonzola, and walnut salad with a balsamic glaze. Hammered platters and plates added texture to a white-clad tabletop.

SHINY OBJECTS: Hanging crystal streamers alongside glass vases had the effect of an ethereal chandelier, and reflected sparkling light into the tree boughs.

SMOOTH OPERATOR: In addition to a cocktail hour with hors d’ouevres, the foodie couple also offered pre-dinner appetizers, like these chilled oysters on the half-shell garnished with pickled leeks and red bell peppers, and bacon, diced shallots, and herbs. Having only 30 attendees meant there was more room to splurge and experiment with the menu, says catering coordinator Alecia Brewer of Duvall Events.

LIGHT BITES: Want to cool off with a refreshing treat? Caprese salad—tomatoes, basil, fresh mozzarella, and extra virgin olive oil—does the trick.

SEA OF LOVE: A table elegantly draped in a jacquard floral and dressed with a sea of crystal needed a few statement pieces, like these candelabras. To add dimension, Shannon Hardy of Duvall Events draped them in smilax and crowed each with roses before adding tapers.

June 2013

Do It Yourself

Real-Life Weddings

OK, let’s be real. Not everyone has a backyard like that of the Gaillard-Bennett house, a private 1800 manse with a 1.25-acre manicured garden in downtown Charleston. But we can safely say that most every homestead in the Lowcountry does have its charms, be it grand live oaks, crepe myrtles laden with Spanish moss, or grandmother’s heirloom lilies all abloom. No matter what “backyard” you’re working with, you can learn from Renee Patey and Donald Hayden’s intimate wedding, crafted by Shannon Hardy from Duvall Events. The couple, who lives in San Francisco, longed for an outdoor affair here with a low-key ceremony and grand gourmet dinner for their 30 guests. When the day arrived, the tradition-bucking pair greeted arriving family and friends together in the shadow of the estate’s wrought-iron gates. Attendees sipped cocktails, then took their seats so local notary (and Charleston Place hotel concierge) Rick Burton could shepherd the two through the ceremonial exchange of vows. Once Renee and Donald were pronounced husband and wife, everyone celebrated with a four-course meal by Duvall Events’ caterers, including chilled oysters on the half-shell, eggplant involtini, and cured salmon carpaccio while basking in the splendor of one of Charleston’s crown jewel gardens. To get such a slice of heaven for you and yours, read on for Shannon’s top-notch advice.

OUTDOOR IDEAS

1) Play off the existing surroundings.
Here, green foliage, white columns, and pale peach stucco informed the palette, which was supplemented with gold and teal.

2) Complement—don’t compete—with nature.
Place subtle floral arrangements and topiaries so they accent your garden’s beauty.

3) Mind your candles.
Keep candles in a cool, shaded spot until the last minute as they melt easily in hot or sunny weather. Use glass sheaths and votives to prevent live wicks from snuffing out and lit candles from starting fires. If you don’t sheath flames, ask servers to monitor candles.

4) Maximize your views.
Set tables, chairs, and lounge areas in spots with the best vantages.

5) Hire pros.
Professionals excel at steadying tables so florals, food, and flames won’t topple.

6) Skip the shuffle.
Rent enough seating to avoid shifting during the event. Here, that allowed the waitstaff to serve guests hors d’oeuvres after the ceremony rather than having to move furniture.

Vendor List

Bridal Gown: Jenny Packham; www.WhiteOnDanielIsland.com
Cake: Declare Cakes; www.DeclareCakes.com
Catering and bar: Duvall Events; www.DuvallEvents.com
Ceremony and reception music: Charleston Virtuoso; www.CharlestonVirtuosi.com.com
Event design, flatware, and florals: Duvall Events; www.DuvallEvents.com
Linens: Connie Duglin Specialty Linen and Chair Cover Rental; www.ConnieDuglinLinen
Officiant: Rick Burton; www.Facebook.com/Rick.Burton.75098/about
Photographer: Leigh Webber Photography; www.LTWebber.com
Tables, chairs, china: Snyder Event Rentals; www.SnyderEventRentals.com
Topiaries: Nancy’s Exotic Plants; www.Facebook.com[Nancy’s Exotic Plants]
Transportation: Charleston Rickshaw Company; www.CharlestonRickshaw.net
Venue: Gaillard-Bennett House; www.PreservationSociety.org

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