Love at First Site



WRITER CREDIT: 
PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT: 
Love at First Site | A Northern bride's dream Big Day—a Southern soireé complete with ancient oaks and draping Spanish moss—comes to life

Shelley McLaughlin & Kent Scott
September 20, 2014
Middleton Place

 

Shelley McLaughlin may live in New York City, but she says she always knew she wanted to get married under a mossy oak tree.  (Her mother’s from South Carolina, so the woman knows her live oaks and “mossy” to her equals Spanish moss). After a Central Park proposal from beau Kent Scott, the pair flew South and headed to scope out Middleton Place for their special day. It was the first venue on their itinerary, but they were so smitten with it they cancelled all other site visits and headed downtown for celebratory drinks with planner Lauren Fox of Fox Events—a childhood friend of the bride’s. As for aesthetics, “I wanted it to feel like you were in a garden,” says Shelley, who got just that. Tree slab cake stands, wooden lanterns, and leafy garlands wrapped around poles and rafters did the trick in charming, homespun style.

Top Tips
Take It from the Scotts ...

• Cakes from family friend Libby Murdock are a longtime McLaughlin family tradition on visits to South Carolina. The bride enlisted her to bake the wedding desserts.
• While it’s common practice to showcase family wedding photos at a reception, Shelley put a spin on that idea by displaying her mother and grandmother’s wedding gowns.
• The bride was so smitten with her Etsy-found crystal bouquet she skipped fresh flowers for herself. Faux florals are a great option for cold weather months when blooms are priciest.

 

Vendor List:

Wedding design, florals: Fox Events, www.AFoxEvent.com
Venue, wine, and bar service: Middleton Place, www.MiddletonPlace.org
Greenery: Nancy’s Exotic Plants, www.Facebook.com/Nancys-Exotic-Plants-116283035052515/timeline/
Bouquet: Bridal Bouquets by Ky, www.Etsy.com/Shop/BridalBouquetsbyKy
Photography: amelia + dan, www.ameliaanddan.com
Catering: Cru Catering, www.CruCatering.com
Cake: Libby Murdock (family friend)
Rentals: (chairs, lounge furniture) Snyder Events, www.SnyderEvents.com; (farm tables, bar) Eventhaus; (vintage pieces) 428 Main Vintage Rentals
Tent, stage, dance floor: Sperry Tents Southeast, www.SperryTentsSoutheast.com
Lighting: Innovative Event Services, www.IESProductions.com
Bride’s gown: Jenny Packham, available locally through White on Daniel Island, www.WhiteOnDI.com
Beauty: Meg Workman, Wedding Hair by Charlotte, WeddingHairByCharlotte.com
Bridesmaid gowns: Jean’s Bridal, www.JeansBridalCharleston.com/
Groom’s suit: Charleston Tuxedo, www.CharlestonTuxedo.com
Music: (ceremony) Charleston Virtuosi, www.CharlestonVirtuosi.com; (reception) Drivetrain, www.DrivetrainBand.net
Transportation: LowCountry Valet & Shuttle Co., www.LowCountryValet.com
 

The Wedding Row

January 23 2020
Both our bride and groom grew up along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, but in cities over 700 miles apart—Anna in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, and Jeff on Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey. When...

January 22 2020
Their story plays out like a romantic movie. We will title scene one “Young Love.” 10-year-old Abby holds hands with her cousin’s friend, 10-year-old Greg, on the couch. Scene Two “Grown Up.” After a...

January 21 2020
Sometimes Cupid himself works his magic, and sometimes puppies have to step in and act in his stead. Without the canine dynamic duo of Stella and Bella and there matchmaking at the dog park, their...

January 20 2020
Not even rain could ruin this love parade! Despite Morgan’s type-A planning precision in creating a classic, timeless affair, Charleston decided to celebrate this bride and groom with … a blustery...

January 17 2020
Thank goodness it’s Friday. Can we get an amen? We aren’t sure about you guys but this week has seemed extra long and we are so happy that it is coming to a close and that the weekend is...

January 15 2020
Kyle and Kate attended the same college (and both hail from the Windy City) but it was the Holy City that stole their hearts as quickly as they stole one anothers. The pair, who met postgrad while...

January 13 2020
Anyone else out there a superfan of the movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding? Such a cute rom-com, right? Well, Kelly & Elias’ wedding at Runnymede Plantation was kinda, sorta the same (groom Elias is...

January 9 2020
One of the nicest comments one can ever receive may be, “You have a beautiful smile.” Welp, for Karen and Andrew, we reckon they can say that to each other on the daily. Why? These two met in dental...