Indulging in Romance



WRITER CREDIT: 
PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT: 
Indulging in Romance | Crystal Hardwick & Matthew Herring, June 16, 2012, The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort

When Crystal Hardwick’s best friend was nervous for her first face-to-face with an online suitor, Crystal faithfully tagged along as her wingman. Turns out great minds think alike: the guy brought along a friend, too—Matt Herring—and the second stringers hit it off. “We each knew we had met someone special,” says Crystal, “and we’ve been together ever since. In a few short months, I realized Matt was my soul mate.”

One May afternoon, the couple, who lives on Daniel Island, was taking a stroll downtown with their shih tzu, Lily Ann, when Matt suggested they stop to sit on a park bench near Colonial Lake.
The pleasant break turned into a heartfelt proposal with a ring, but the surprise wasn’t over. “Matt had made reservations at Halls Chophouse, where we’d celebrated our one-year anniversary,”
explains Crystal. “Everyone at the restaurant met us at the door with champagne and congratulations. It was perfect!”

When it came to wedding planning and décor, Crystal wanted romance, lace, and pearls. She decided on a venue—the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island—and a palette of blush, champagne, and peach. Then she entrusted Tara Guérard Soirée to take care of the big picture while she got crafty with the personal details, like vintage music sheets (for the ceremony programs), old frames (for family photos), and lace doilies (for table runners).  As guests arrived at Kiawah on the Big Day, they were greeted with champagne and chocolate chip cookies, and after the “I dos,” everyone took their seats for a dinner at sunset. Says Crystal, “The entire day was a dream come true.”
 

Vendor List

Baker: Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal; www.weddingcakesbyjimsmeal.com
Bridal attire: Amsale, White on Daniel Island; www.whiteondi.com
Bridesmaid attire: Bari Jay; www.barijay.com
Caterer: The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort;
www.kiawahresort.com/golf/the-ocean-course/
Florist, linens, planner, and rentals: Tara Guérard Soirée;www.taraguerardsoiree.com
Groom and groomsmen’s attire: Express; www.express.com
Musicians: Who’s Bad; www.whosbadmusic.com
Photographer: Virgil Bunao Photography; www.virgilbunao.com
Stationery: Lettered Olive; www.theletteredolive.com

The Wedding Row

February 24 2020
Molly and Chris’s colleagues at J.P. Morgan in New York had a feeling the two were perfect for each other and tried for months to set them up. When they finally met up at an event? Cue: magic. Over...

February 24 2020
After Long Islanders Tom and Danielle met in chorus class during their freshman year of high school, it took him a full year to build up enough courage to ask her to be his girlfriend. Her response...

February 24 2020
On the first day of college at the University of Georgia, a complete stranger tried to convince Sarah to drop freshman English; he’d heard the professor was terrible. Turns out the professor was,...

February 14 2020
To all the single ladies (and gents): Valentine’s Day isn’t only for those already in love. As Alex and Pete’s story proves, it may be the perfect day for a meet-cute. Pennsylvania-born Pete was in...

February 12 2020
Four days before Allison and Brendan’s dream Charleston wedding, Hurricane Florence was making its way toward the Lowcountry and the city was under evacuation orders. The Dallas-based couple pulled...

February 11 2020
Courtney wasn’t looking to settle down, but when friends convinced her to take Kristen on a date, something felt different. Before long, they found themselves in a long-distance relationship—Courtney...

February 7 2020
Bumble may be responsible for introducing this couple, but it was a magical first date filled with sushi, hours of conversation, karaoke, and endless laughter that truly brought together Michelle and...

February 6 2020
Maggie and Mike’s story puts a whole new spin on bro-mance. It all started in Chicago when her boss, who was dating a fellow named Eric, wanted to set Maggie up with her boyfriend’s younger brother....