Good Tidings

Fall/Winter 2016

WRITER CREDIT:

PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT:

Good Tidings | Let the holidays fill your winter wedding with a cozy, festive look

Charleston Wedding Croghan’s Jewel Box wedding Snyder Event Rentals Bella Bridesmaid Big Day Hibernian Hall White calligraphy wine Cypress gown maddison row joanna august Monique Lhuillier Shoes

Opt for hardy, everlasting evergreens—like these pine and magnolia leaves—which stay crisp out of water. (Image by Ashley Seawell Photography)

(Image by Ashley Seawell Photography)

Photographs by:

Ashley Seawell

Amy Leatherman & Merritt Smith

December 12, 2015

Bethel United Methodist Church & Hibernian Hall

“Truthfully, Merritt and I chose December for our wedding because football season would be over, and we wanted as many attendees as possible,” laughs Amy. The added bonus of a holiday-season affair like theirs? “It allows you to utilize the seasonal décor that’s already in your venue,” says planner Heather Barrie of Gathering Floral + Event Design. Indeed, Hibernian Hall came with a 20-foot tree adorned in gold and silver ornaments, while the couple’s church (which Lowcountry native Merritt has attended since birth) ordered white poinsettias instead of their usual red to fulfill Amy’s “White Christmas” vision. Come December 12, it was good-bye, Big Game and hello, Big Day for wedding-goers, who sipped champagne in a winter wonderland complete with soft candlelight, ivory blooms, and cedar, magnolia, and pine scenting the air. Touchdown.

Words from the Wise

• Think local. The bride wished to incorporate seasonal, indigenous greens into wedding décor, so Gathering relied on magnolia, pine, cedar, and cypress for a Lowcountry look.

• Use lighting as décor. Tiny white lights twinkled romantically around Hibernian’s entrance and spotlights at the base of the columns made a majestic sight after sundown.

• Temper holiday colors. Red was limited to the edible strawberry “tree,” while blush, silver, gold, and white accents were peppered throughout.

Vendor List

Wedding design, planning, florals, linens: Gathering Floral + Event Design, www.GatheringEvents.com

Photography: Ashley Seawell Photography, www.AshleySeawellPhotography.com

Venues: Bethel United Methodist Church, www.BethelCharleston.com (ceremony); Hibernian Hall, www.Millshouse.com (reception)

Catering, bar and wine service: Aberdeen Catery, www.AberdeenCatery.com

Cake: Jim Smeal, www.WeddingCakesbyJimSmeal.com

Rentals: Snyder Event Rentals, www.SnyderEvents.com

Stationery: Danielle Nance, DanielleBNance@gmail.com

Calligraphy: Ashley Sellars, AshleySellars@gmail.com

Bride’s attire: Monique Lhuillier, available in Charleston at Maddison Row, www.MaddisonRow.com (gown); Croghan’s Jewel Box, www.CroghansJewelBox.com (jewelry); Jimmy Choo, www.JimmyChoo.com (shoes)

Bridesmaids’ attire: Joanna August, available in Charleston at Bella Bridesmaid, www.BellaBridesmaids.com

Beauty: Canvas Salon, www.CanvasHair.com

Flower girls: Southern Belles, www.SouthernBellesChildren.com

Menswear: Men’s Wearhouse, www.MensWearhouse.com

Transportation: Absolutely Charleston, www.AbsolutelyCharleston.com

Music: Greg Jones, www.Bethelcharleston.com/Staff (ceremony); Loose Chain, www.EastCoastEntertainment.com (reception)

Videographer: KLC Productions, www.KLCWeddingVideos.com

The Wedding Row

February 14 2022

Botanical Designs Set the Tone for Springtime Vows at The Bend

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...

December 29 2021

Lowcountry New Year’s Eve Wedding Inspiration & Real-life Tips

An Elegant Affair Proves New Year’s Eve Might Just Be The Perfect Time To Start A New Life Together By Joanne O’Sullivan | Images by Brandon Lata Photography Few people anywhere in the...

December 16 2021

Jacqueline Savage & Nicholas Harris | Legare Waring House

A Match Made in Heaven Classic white blooms, greenery, and wooden elements set off this stunning Charleston wedding under the oaks When it comes to love and marriage, couples who pair well...

December 2 2021

Chelsea Koontz & Tanner Swayne | Lowndes Grove

A Charleston Winter Wedding Embraces the Season with Sophistication and Glamour Just a few hours before sunset in mid-winter, Charleston takes on a certain golden glow, unparalleled at any other...

November 17 2021

Amy Bronston & Trevor Pittman | The Gadsden House

Take Cues from this Intimate Dreamy Blue “I Do” Amy Bronston and Trevor Pittman’s love story reads like a romantic movie. It was during the 2019 holiday season in Washington DC, where...

October 28 2021

Madison Clark & Brian Ruther | Lowndes Grove

This Halloween matrimony perfectly plays up the holiday—with a dash of fun and plenty of class in a scenic coastal Charleston setting By Joanne O’Sullivan | Images by Anne Rhett Photography...

October 11 2021

Fabulous Flowers for Fall Charleston Weddings

By Melissa Reardon | Images by Kelsey Halm Photo Expert Advice for a Beautiful Fall Bouquet With seasonal change comes an exciting rich color palette and tons of texture with which to design....

September 29 2021

Alexandra Nelson & Erik Korianski | Boone Hall Plantation

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work Photos by Dana Cubbage Weddings | Written by Melissa Reardon They say the greatest marriages are built on teamwork. And indeed, it’s one of the marital building blocks...

Feature

Pretty, Sweet, & Southern

Jordan McLain & Jason Padgett; August 15, 2009, Second Presbyterian Church & Lowndes Grove

Feature

A Perfect Start

A friendship leads to a very romantic day at Runnymede Plantation

Feature

Blending Your Brood

Follow these tips from this been-there, done-that newlywed couple whose wedding seamlessly melded mom, stepdad, and sons into one happy family

Feature

Au Naturel

Logan Stout & Mark Chandler, October 15, 2011, Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church & RiverOaks

Feature

Pretty as a Picture

Elise Yardley Cobb and Tim Hussey, November 5, 2011, Private Downtown Home

Feature

A Wheel Good Time

Get on the beauty bus thanks to Vanity Salon

Feature

Tied Up

Check out the spring’s dandy new bow tie options from local designers and Lowcountry shops

Feature

The Cush Life

Add locally made bespoke style to your Big Day (and newlywed nest) with Motif Pillows

Feature

Say Cheese!

Pump up the fun with one of the area’s most sassy, silly, and stylish photo booths

Feature

Pearls of Wisdom

We’re over-the-moon for this wedding that’s run through with oysters. Learn how to flavor your wedding with just such a theme without going overboard

Feature

Garden Party

Heather Hipp & Blake Byrnes, July 7, 2007, Brookgreen Gardens

Feature

Bold & Bright

Feel the love—and soak up one pretty palette—at this happiest of weddings on the Ashley River

Feature

Charmed, I’m Sure

A resourceful bride dresses her Big Day in pretty little details

Feature

On the Road

Two Upcountry natives migrate to the coast for a celebration replete with personal traditions and touches

Feature

Listen Up, Ladies

Cool new rentals and favors, services and shops—all these Charleston finds are perfect for brides and fans of all things weddings

Feature

The Perfect Blend

Learn how, despite cultural or religious differences, tying the knot can pay homage to your individuality as well as your union

Feature

Camera-Ready

Bridal portraits make a comeback, especially for the theatrically minded

Feature

Blush & Bashful

Summer never looked so sweet as on this Mount Pleasant couple's wedding day, which was dressed in pale blush florals, gold accents, glittery linens, and warm lighting