Bailey Lynn Jones & Raymond Evan Villani
May 27, 2023 / Kiawah Island Sanctuary Chapel & River Course
From North Carolina to opposite coasts to their current home of Chicago, Bailey Jones and Ray Villani have spent time in many places, including Kiawah Island where the bride’s parents have vacationed since she was young and where the whole family hunkered down during the pandemic. “It was some of the best family memories,” recalls Bailey. So when Ray popped the question on a rainy night outside their first home—which they were about to close on—it was a joyous celebration of their new life together in Chi-town, but there was no question where they wanted to get married. Kiawah Island Golf Resort fit the bill, and the couple enlisted Chloe Ewing from A Charleston Bride for planning and design. Classic, clean, and
romantic accentuated with the colors of Kiawah is the look Bailey wanted. They chose a lovely shade of blue, natural greenery, and white and played up the personalized details to set the wedding apart. Hydrangeas, butterflies, and clover—meaningful symbols to the couple—and were woven into the custom crest, stationery, round die-cut menus, and linens. The escort display cards by Studio R featured 21 different places that represented the couple and the guests at each table. Even the sugar flowers that mimicked Bailey’s wedding gown took the classic white cake from simple to wow. It did rain on their wedding day, just as it did during their engagement celebration, but the couple sees it as luck—a perfect rainy day and all smiles.
Top Tips
• Keep it classy. If a classic look is your thing, own it. Trends come and go and can really date your wedding. But classic and timeless always win, and it’s the personal touches that will make your special day one to remember.
• Place up the plain. The couple saved money by opting for the River Course’s in-house white china, but chose die-cut round menu cards to create a custom look.
• Chase rainy day blues away. Your guests will mimic your response to bad weather. If you’re all smiles and embrace the rain, so will they.
Vendors
Planning & Design: A Charleston Bride
Photography: Emily Baucom
Florals: Tupelo Honey
Venue, Catering, Bar: Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Cake: Flowerchild
Stationery: Studio R
Rentals: Snyder Events
Linens: Nüage, BBJ La Tavola
Entertainment: DJ Natty Heavy, Bob Williams
Transportation: SC Coach
Videographer: Hart to Heart
Bridal Attire: Sassi Holford
Beauty: Paper Dolls
Bridesmaid Attire: Amsale
