Making Waves

Spring 2015

WRITER CREDIT:

PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT:

Making Waves | Kick off your wedding weekend like Annie and Davis did, with a stylish supper on the harbor

Charleston Wedding wedding wedding week White rehearsal dinner Yacht Corbin Gurkin Snyder Events Lettered Olive rehearsal Shoes

Image by Corbin Gurkin.

WATER’S EDGE: “We wanted guests to feel like they were on a beach vacation,” says Annie regarding Davis and his parents’ choice to host the rehearsal dinner on the harbor.

HAVE A SEAT: A runner printed with ships and compasses offered a maritime backdrop for blue-and-white china, napkins edged in royal blue, and mini burgee-flag place cards calligraphed by Elizabeth Porcher Jones.

ALL TOGETHER NOW: “Seating all 65 guests at one table was a priority,” notes planner Tara Guérard, who placed Snyder Events banquet tables from end to end to achieve just that.

TREASURE CHEST: Blue-and-white welcome boxes were stocked with an itinerary, “recovery kit,” and water bottles customized by Lettered Olive.

PRETTIES: To drive the nautical theme home, Lettered Olive designed two custom crests: first, a set of interlocking anchors and then a pair of oars and anchors.

Image by Corbin Gurkin.

TRAY CHIC: Guests were greeted by champagne served on platters sporting the classic nautical pattern: stripes.

Rehearsal dinner and floral design by Tara Guérard Soirée. Rentals by Snyder Events. Image by Corbin Gurkin.

Calligraphy by Elizabeth Porcher Jones. Image by Corbin Gurkin.

Image by Corbin Gurkin.

Stationery by Lettered Olive. Calligraphy by Elizabeth Porcher Jones. Rehearsal dinner design by Tara Guérard Soirée. Image by Corbin Gurkin.

Floral design by Tara Guérard Soirée . Image by Corbin Gurkin.

Rehearsal dinner and floral design by Tara Guérard Soirée. Image by Corbin Gurkin.

Image by Corbin Gurkin.

WHAT KNOT: Paper liners with sailor knots, maritime flag-shaped tags, and monogrammed “Ws” dressed desserts.

COAST TO COAST: The night before the couple moved from the West to the East Coast, Davis proposed. Annie says for three days thereafter she reveled in his undivided attention while they drove a U-Haul cross-country and she—a one-time event planner—hashed out wedding details.

Bride’s attire by Issa. Hair by Kristy Cuthbert of Sola Salon Studios. Makeup by Kori Mahoney of Cos Bar. Groom’s attire by Tom James. Image by Corbin Gurkin.

Bride’s attire by Issa. Groom’s attire by Tom James. Image by Corbin Gurkin.

Rehearsal dinner design by Tara Guérard Soirée. Image by Corbin Gurkin.

Bride’s attire by Issa. Hair by Kristy Cuthbert of Sola Salon Studios. Groom’s attire by Tom James. Image by Corbin Gurkin.

Bride’s attire by Issa. Image by Corbin Gurkin.

Rehearsal dinner design by Tara Guérard Soirée. Image by Corbin Gurkin.

Image by Corbin Gurkin.

Photographs by:

Corbin Gurkin

Annie Smith & Davis Warlick
September 5, 2014
Private Downtown Yacht Club

For Charlotte, North Carolina, natives Annie Smith and Davis Warlick, the Holy City is synonymous with the sea. After all, she grew up enjoying long weekends here aboard her family’s boat, and he spent summers vacationing on Sullivan’s Island. So when the couple got engaged in 2013 (five years after meeting at a friend’s nuptials), they asked planner Tara Guérard Soirée to work a nautical vibe into their wedding weekend here. “To us, the aesthetic goes hand-in-hand with Charleston,” says Annie. While a navy and white palette lent a subtle seafaring feel to the actual wedding, Tara and team worked nautical accents aplenty into the rehearsal dinner held at a private yacht club downtown—from hemp-wrapped vases to oyster shell salt-and-pepper cellars. “We wanted both events to feel cohesive without being repetitive,” says Annie. “So this was perfect.”

Vendor List:

Bridal Accessories: (shoes) Tory Burch, www.ToryBurch.com; (necklace) Holst + Lee, www.HolstAndLee.com

Bridal Attire: Issa, www.IssaLondon.com

Calligrapher: Elizabeth Porcher Jones, www.ElizbethPorcherJones.com

Décor: Tara Guérard Soirée, www.TaraGuerardSoiree.com

Hair: Kristy Cuthbert of Sola Salon Studios, www.SolaSalonStudios.com

Getaway Vehicle: Absolutely Charleston, www.AbsolutelyCharleston.com

Groom’s Attire: (blazer) Tom James, www.TomJames.com; (shoes) Ferragamo, www.Ferragamo.com

Makeup: Kori Mahoney of Cos Bar, www.CosBar.com

Photographer: Corbin Gurkin, www.CorbinGurkin.com

Rehearsal Dinner & Floral Design & Coordination: Tara Guérard Soirée, www.TaraGuerardSoiree.com

Rentals: Snyder Events, www.SnyderEvents.com

Stationery & Signage: Lettered Olive, www.LetteredOlive.com

Venue, Catering, Bar Service, & Baker: Private Downtown Yacht Club

Videographer: Siegel Films, www.SiegelFilms.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

Cheers to That

With help from her family and husband-to-be, a crafty Summerville bride pulls together an exquisite—and mostly handmade—reception at Harborside East

Feature

Orange Twist

Kristen Reavis & Chetan Patel; June 20, 2009, Second Presbyterian Church & The William Aiken House

Feature

All Tiered Up

Who says newlyweds can’t have their crêpe and eat it, too?

Feature

A Perfect Start

A friendship leads to a very romantic day at Runnymede Plantation

Feature

Knock 'Em Off

7 great wedding wedding ideas worth stealing

Feature

Meant to Be

An army lieutenant from Burlington, Wisconsin, and a fashion designer from Hickory, North Carolina, host a modern fête amid centuries of history

Feature

Kismet Connection

A pair of meant-to-be Auburn Tigers swap “I do’s” surrounded by crisp sea breezes and an even cooler color palette

Feature

Amazing Lace

As lace makes a bigger statement in bridal couture, Jean Brueser, owner of Jean-Paul’s Creative Cakes, artfully incorporated the intricate, delicate, and oh-so-feminine embellishments to these inspired confections.