Hot and Cold

Spring 2013

WRITER CREDIT:

PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT:

Hot and Cold | Julie Sonkin & Michael Belgraier, May 26, 2012, Runnymede Plantation

Charleston Wedding Apple wedding wedding cake Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal Snyder Event Rentals Cru Catering Jazz Flowers runnymede

Hot and Cold

DETAILS MAKE IT: “The tonal stationery suite by Dauphine Letterpress was the first thing I fell in love with when planning our wedding, and the envelope’s orange chevron liner eventually inspired the coral in our color palette,” says Julie. “I liked that hit of color.”

LUSH BLUSH: Bridal attendants carried bouquets of peach-hued tree peonies, protea, Pink Finesse roses, and hypericum berries.

HAT TRICK: The couple offered male guests gray linen yarmulkes monogrammed with their initials and wedding date.

PRETTY PAPERS: Emilie Dulles at Dulles Designs worked with Julie and Michael to incorporate the laurel wreath logo from their invitations onto a program to be handed out prior to the ceremony. “We felt a program was important for guests who weren’t familiar with a Jewish wedding ceremony,” explains the bride.

SITTING PRETTY: During the short ceremony, guests perched atop benches painted Charleston green. The charming seating choice seemed a natural fit with Runnymede’s plantation grounds and respected the vista that Julie and Michael had selected as the setting for their nuptials.

SAVVY SHOPPING: “The bridesmaids’ dresses were a happy accident,” says the bride, who chose a simple and flattering draped dress from the Wedding Library’s ready-to-wear collection after Badgley Mischka discontinued her original selection a month before the Big Day.

SACRED GROUND: Nestled under a grand live oak draped in Spanish moss, Julie and Michael exchanged “I dos” just before sunset on the banks of the Ashley River.

SHORE THING: Julie's Badgley Mischka gown stood out against the dramatic riverside setting, as did Michael's Kenneth Cole tux.

SWEET AND SPICY: At a cocktail hour following the ceremony, servers (donning coral ties to complement the event) offered guests Cajun spice spiked lemonade, a tip of the hat to the bride and groom’s New Orleans connection, courtesy of Cru Catering.

COLOR WATCH: “People can be scared of colorful flowers,” notes event designer Calder Clark, “but you can keep them from looking garish by staying monochromatic.”

PATTERN PLAY: A trellis-patterned fabric, which wended its way into throw pillows and a runner for the head table, inspired the gray in the color palette.

I'M HOOKED: Tucked into a lushly planted wooden box, galvanized calligraphied garden tags pointed guests to the appropriate table. “Tented paper cards wouldn't have withstood the Ashley River breezes,” says planner Calder Clark. Menu cards made of tin carried the medium over to the tables.

SET THE TABLE: “Nothing provides a punch like repeats,” explains planner Calder Clark, who layered the 32-person head table with nickel lanterns, loose blooms, an assortment of Roost votives, and ivory candles in varying heights. To prevent the centerpiece from blocking conversation, Calder kept everything lower than 11 inches.

WELCOME WARMTH: Calder selected a coral underlay for the head table and softened its strong statement with a gray patterned runner.

MIXED MATCH: Set against a muted Tuscany linen tablecloth, coral napkins and blooms gave the dining tables spring appeal; white eyelet plates from Snyder Event Rentals and white blown glass votives added crisp contrast.

STAKE YOUR CLAIM: To direct guests to their seats, a calligraphed seashell with a tinge of pink waited at each place setting.

THE LIGHT FANTASTIC: “The lighting scheme was kind of outrageous,” jokes Calder, who made sure to include task, ambient, and overhead lighting inside the tent. Working with Technical Event Company, she hung the vintage string lights slightly askew, uplit the columns, and used triple pinspots to cast dappled light onto the tables. “Pinspotting prevents the flowers from falling into black once the light dies down,” she explains.

PARADISE FOUND: A Sperry sailcloth tent, with pennant flags waving at every peak, provided a festive and graceful shelter for the reception. “At one point early in the evening, Calder sent Mike and I away from the tent with instructions to turn around and take it all in,” says Julie, grateful for the memory of that solitary moment.

BUSSING THE TABLE: The couple shared a toast and sweet kiss at the close of a joint congratulatory speech given by the maid of honor and best man.

DANCE, PARTNER: Beneath the amber glow of vintage string lights and a rustic chandelier, father and daughter danced to long-cherished lullaby.

MODERN MARVEL: Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal constructed the cake's buttercream chevron and laurel wreath pattern, which was derived from the stationery suite. "The tone-on-tone effect presented the bold design in a subtle way," says event design Calder Clark.

SHORT AND SWEET: Just before cutting the cake, Julie changed out of her gown and into a white shift dress by Siri. “A dress with that many layers gets hot on a warm evening, and I wanted to move,” laughs Julie.

UP AT ARMS: Friends and family joyfully hoisted the bride and groom into the air for the traditional Hora (chair dance) that kicked off the party. The newlyweds each held an end of a tie to symbolize their bond.

KEYS FOR HOPE: To show their gratitude for all Charleston had given them, Julie and Michael incorporated decorative keys purchased from the Lowcountry nonprofit Keys for Hope, which donates proceeds to Crisis Ministries, into wedding favors. The couple attached the handcrafted art keys to Rewined candles, which are produced locally from repurposed wine bottles and had been stamped with custom coral-colored wax seals.

RUN THE GAUNTLET: At evening’s end, guests treated the newlyweds to a spectacular sparkler sendoff. “Watching everyone whooping and hollering and shouting their congratulations, I remember the overwhelming urge to break ranks,” says Julie, “to run to each of our guests, throw my arms around them, and thank them—for being there, for loving us, for so genuinely sharing in our joy.”

February 2013

Real-Life Weddings

Receptions

Though Michael Belgraier and Julie Sonkin hail from New York City, they first met at Tulane University in New Orleans and didn’t begin dating until both had returned to the Big Apple. When the two were engaged, they turned toward the South again, specifically toward the Lowcountry, where the bride had vacationed since childhood. Calder Clark of Calder Clark Designs introduced Julie to Runnymede Plantation’s marsh view then planned an evening ceremony there with a cool tone-on-tone gray palette punched up with a hot coral that evoked sunset hues. In addition to the warm shades of the flowers and linens under the Sperry reception tent, a spectacular firework show added color to the night. “Every element that we love about the Lowcountry was incorporated into the day,” says Julie. “More than anything, though, all the love, joy, and excitement made it so special.”

Vendor List

Baker: Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal; www.weddingcakesbyjimsmeal.com
Caterer: Cru Catering; www.crucatering.com
Ceremony and reception location: Runnymede Plantation; www.eventsatrunnymede.com
Fireworks: Southeastern Pyrotechnics; www.southeasternpyrotechnics.com
Florist: Blossoms Events; www.blossomsevents.com
Linens: La Tavola; www.latavolalinen.com
Musicians: Charleston String Quartet, Tulane Jazz Ensemble, Infinity Show Band; www.infinityshowband.com
Photographer: A Bryan Photo; www.abryanphoto.com
Rentals: Snyder Event Rentals, Skyline Tent Company; www.snydereventrentals.com, www.skylinetentcompany.com
Stationer: Dulles Designs; www.dullesdesigns.com
Wedding planner: Calder Clark Designs; www.calderclark.com

The Wedding Row

April 21 2020

Liz & Patrick | The Gadsden House

A Globetrotting Courtship When Patrick (United Kingdom native) met Liz (Mizzouri born) in Atlanta, they hit it off … and then realized they only had a few weeks to get to know each other. Five...

April 15 2020

Dena & Drew | Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina

A Charleston Pup-Posal Dena moved to Charleston from New York City and Andrew (Drew) moved to Charleston from Columbia, South Carolina … then eHarmony worked its magic to bring the pair together....

April 14 2020

Meghan & Robert | The Gadsden House

Swipe Right On a Sunday afternoon in Michigan, Meghan downloaded Tinder … and there was Robert (Rob). “He was SO handsome, like movie-star handsome, and his profile was interesting and genuine,” she...

April 9 2020

Charleston Coronavirus | Our Wedding Community Gives Back

One of the blessings amidst the worry and tragedy of COVID-19 has been stories of everyday people serving their communities. The Lowcountry is filled with good-hearted helpers doing what they can....

April 8 2020

Kierstin & James | Lowndes Grove

Hello There James moved to Chicago from Ireland to experience life American-style; Kierstin had moved to Windy City from Atlanta to pursue her PhD in childhood special education. His roommate knew...

April 7 2020

Hayley & Collin | Middleton Place

The year: 2009. The setting: a high school homecoming dance in Columbus, Ohio. The cast: Hayley, a junior and Collin, a senior. The sparks: flew. That sweet start propelled today’s cuties into a 10-...

April 3 2020

Getting Married and Freaked About the Pandemic? Here’s Your COVID-19 Chill Pill

First, take a deep breath. Lisa Thomas, the guru behind Charleston, South Carolina’s Ooh! Events (an event goliath that’s part planning hub, part florist, part rental house, etc.) and owner of the...

March 31 2020

Pandemic Elopement Package Rescues Rescheduled Weddings

We can’t say it enough during these worry-filled days: a planner sure takes the worry off your wedding planning plate. Not only do they thrive in the middle of fast-paced crises, their fix-it selves...

Feature

A Wheel Good Time

Get on the beauty bus thanks to Vanity Salon

Feature

Isle Romance

A bride’s family vacation spot proves the perfect place for a Big Day at the beach

Feature

Secret Garden

Feature

Earthy Elegance

There’s nothing like an at-home wedding for sentimentality … and to save your bottom line!

Feature

Snap It Old-School Style

Turn to tintype for keepsake portraits and photo booths that are as poetic as it gets

Feature

Keep It Classy!

Have the perfect bachelorette weekend in Charleston

Feature

Gimme S'more!

Entertain guests with a gourmet version of the sweet treat

Feature

Rock of Ages

Feature

Real-Life Fairy Tale

See what happens when a local wedding insider dreams up her own princess-worthy celebration

Feature

How Charming!

Add sentiment to your Big Day with these treasured keepsakes

Feature

Cool Thinking

A Florida pair's florabundant summer wedding marries an outdoor garden-party feel with the cool comforts of an indoor venue

Feature

Oh, Happy Day

Lindsey Wagener & Christopher Stang, April 28, 2012, Family’s Private Property on John’s Island

Feature

In the Moment

Picturesque Palmetto Bluff played host to a multiday celebration of love

Feature

Break the Mold

Jessica Morse & Ryan Roberts April 13, 2013 William Aiken House

Feature

Get Onboard

Custom Airstreams bring creature comforts (and a touch of cool) to even the most remote Lowcountry wedding venues

Feature

A Shore Thing

Margaret Mueller & Christopher Hall; May 30, 2004, Isle of Palms

Feature

Crush on This!

With child photographers, a dog in a floral collar, and custom pillows, this waterside wedding will slay you

Feature

Pastel Perfection

Close to a decade after they began dating, a Colorado couple exchanges vows in an easy, airy seaside ceremony on Kiawah Island

Feature

Prints Charming

When an interior designer bride and an A-list event planner collaborate on a wedding that meets the missus’ aesthetic for graphics and patterns paired with foliage, the results are a visual feast for the senses