Written By Melissa Reardon
Photographs By Lucy Cuneo
A transplant from Virginia, Weston “Wes” McAfee vividly remembers the first time he saw his future bride-to-be. Charleston native Dana Elaine...
Jenny Jackson & Ryan Abbate
September 13, 2014
McCrady’s Restaurant
Jenny Jackson and Ryan Abbate are no strangers to humidity—their three-year long-distance relationship found them shuttling between Charleston and Florida, after all. So when it came to a summer wedding here, they knew an outdoor reception was not for them, especially since Ryan’s two “95-years-young” grandmothers were coming. The couple aimed indoors and selected McCrady’s not only for its foodie status but equally for its brisk air-conditioning and across-the-street proximity to The Vendue, the equally cool hotel where guests could retire with ease. As for the setting, Jenny craved a garden-like style that, she says, Sage Innovations and Branch Design Studio nailed. The effect was romantic enough to warm the newlyweds’ hearts and cool enough to keep the party going for hours on end. Proof? One of the nonagenarians closed things down at 11 p.m.
Top Tips
Learn from the Abbates...
• If elderly guests attend, ensure that your venues have elevator access and air conditioning.
• Book hotels within easy walking distance of events.
• Be seasonal by bringing abundant greenery and florals inside.
• Schedule first-look photos a few hours before the ceremony to give yourself cool-down time before the real festivities.
• Challenge your florist to innovate. We’ve never seen McCrady’s look this lush!
• Ask your planner to reinvent some favorites.
Vendor List:
Wedding design: Sage Innovations, www.Sage-Innovations.net
Ceremony location: First Baptist Church of Charleston, www.FBCharleston.org
Reception location, catering, wine, bar service: McCrady’s, www.McCradysRestaurant.com
Florals: Branch Design Studio, www.BranchDesignStudio.com
Photography, cinematography: Timwill Photography, www.TimwillPhoto.com
Chairs, lounge furniture: Snyder Events, www.SnyderEvents.com
Flatware, china, chargers: EventWorks, www.EventWorksRentals.com
Lighting: Technical Event Company, www.TechnicalEventCompany.com
Linens: I Do Linens, www.IDoLinens.com
Stationery: Seventh&Gray, www.SeventhAndGray.com
Calligraphy: Elizabeth Porcher Jones, www.ElizabethPorcherJones.com
Cake: Chocolate Cake, www.ChocolateCakeCharleston.com
Bride’s attire: (gown) Legends by Romona Keveza (available locally at Maddison Row), www.MaddisonRow.com; (jewelry) Levinson’s Jewelers, www.LevinsonJewelers.com; (shoes) Jimmy Choo, www.JimmyChoo.com
Hair: Patrick Navarro, (917) 880-6639
Makeup: Elizabeth Quinton, www.ElizabethQuinton.com
Maid-of-honor’s dress: J.Crew, www.JCrew.com
Menswear: Jimmy Au, www.JimmyAus.com
Children’s attire: (flower girl) Isabel Garreton, www.IsabelGarreton.com; (ring bearer) Gordon & Company
Music: (ceremony) The Unwind Duo, www.HelenGreenfieldCello.net; (reception) Yacht Rock Revue, www.PleaseRock.com/Tributes/Yacht-Rock-Revue
Transportation: Charleston Black Cab Company, www.CharlestonBlackCabCompany.com
Guest accommodations: The Vendue, www.TheVendue.com
Dog nanny: Dog Tired, www.DogTiredSC.com
Wreath sign, envelop liners: Bon Vivant, www.Be.net/BonVivant
Gold table numbers: Z Create Design, www.Etsy.com/Shop/ZCreateDesign
Draping: JLV Creative, www.JLVCreative.com
