Backyard Beauty



Backyard Beauty | <p>Take one bride, pair her with a dear family friend with a flair for design, and a backyard reception goes from quaint to quite fabulous</p>
Lea McCallum & Cooper Lott 
May 2016
Wadmalaw Island Home
 
When your grandparents’ place on Wadmalaw Island has played host to your love story—from the first utterance of those three little words to the proposal—it’s only fitting to host your Big Day there. “We loved that we would be able to revisit our reception site for years after our wedding, making even more memories with our future family,” says Lea McCallum, who wed Cooper Lott last May. Lea dreamt up an upscale backyard fête, and then partnered with family friend Allison Doares of Callie Weddings & Events, who “led the way while letting me be as hands-on as I wanted,” says Lea. (Allison was also assisted by Lea’s sister, who interned with the planner at the time.) On the day, golden chandeliers and candelabras and the palest of blush linens bolstered the beauty of the land already resplendent with blooming confederate jasmine and towering live oaks. To reinforce the palette, Branch Design Studio added delicate arrangements of pink fluffy blooms and leafy flora. “Twinkling lights, spilling florals, candles, and the sun setting over the creek … It was magical how everything came together,” says Lea.
 

TIPS TO TAKE IT UP A NOTCH

 
Keep it classy ... and cool. The couple enlisted Royal Restrooms to set up temporary restrooms, power generators, and fans.
 
Enlist family. Lea’s landscaper uncle provided ferns and accent florals. “It cut costs while also ensuring that we were working with a team we trusted,” says Lea. Her grandmother had the house power-washed and guaranteed the grounds were immaculate.
 
Splurge on statements. A sailcloth tent; a sweetheart table with gold-embroidered linens, crystal and brass candle holders, and specialty chairs; chandeliers; and a curved bar took the soirée into sophisticated territory.
 
Be a fashion director. Guests were instructed attire was “springtime fly,” which the bride translated to linen suits and chiffon frocks. She even shared the wedding palette in case attendees wanted to coordinate.
 

Vendor List
 
Wedding design, planning, specialty rentals: Callie Weddings & Events, www.CallieWeddings.com
Photography: Dana Cubbage Weddings, www.DanaCubbageWeddings.com
Florals: Branch Design Studio, www.BranchDesignStudio.com
Additional rentals: EventHaus (old Dutch wooden garden chairs, infinity chairs, farmhouse tables, bars, tent), www.EventHausRentals.com; 428 Main (Dorothy gold polka-dot chairs, Herbert bar cart used for cigar bar, coffee table), www.428Main.com; The Rental Center (dance floor, stage, tables, basic linens, glassware, silverware, gold-rimmed china, www.TheRentalCenterSC.com
Linens: Nüage Designs (high top tables), www.NuageDesigns.com; La Tavola Fine Linens (cake table, sweetheart table, and guest table linens), www.LaTavolaLinen.com
Catering, bar service: Corley’s Market & Grill, www.CorleysMarket.com 
Cake: Declare Cakes, www.DeclareCakes.com 
Stationary, cocktail napkins: Reaves Engraving, www.ReavesEngraving.com
Signage: Cori Steele (bride’s friend)
Calligraphy: Kit Hassold Batson (bride’s friend) 
Bridal attire: Watters (gown, available in Charleston through Lovely Bride), www.LovelyBride.com; Voila Bridal & Formal (veil, jewelry), www.VoilaBridal.com
Bridesmaids’ gowns: Nouvelle Amsale from Bella Bridesmaids, www.BellaBridesmaids.com
Beauty: Lashes and Lace, www.LashesAndLaceCharleston.com 
Menswear: The Black Tux (tuxes), www.TheBlackTux.com; Brackish (groom’s bow tie), www.BrackishBowTies.com 
Ceremony venue: The Citadel’s Summerall Chapel, www.Citadel.edu/Chapel 
Ceremony directors: Jean Ann and Keith Polatty
Lighting: Custom Audio and Lighting, www.CustomAudioAndLighting.com
Transportation: Lowcountry Valet & Shuttle Co., www.LowcountryValet.com 
Restrooms: Royal Restrooms, www.RoyalRestrooms.com
Koozies: SipHipHorray (Etsy), www.Etsy.com/shop/SipHipHooray 
Music: Anna Mills Polatty (ceremony soloist); Nancy Lefter of The Citadel (organist); The Carolina Bagpiper (bagpiper), www.TheCarolinaBagpiper.com; The Jake Bartley Band (reception), www.TheJakeBarkleyBank.com