Modern Hues

Fall/Winter 2013

WRITER CREDIT:

PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT:

Modern Hues | An early-autumn affair marries the best of both Vietnamese and Charleston wedding tradition

Charleston Wedding The Mighty Kicks wedding wedding cake Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal Big Day Bridge Run Hannah Alexander weddings wine gown Paulo Geiss Wedding Rings WED

SNEAK PEEK: Guests were introduced to the bride's picks for the color palette—coral and navy—via the invitation stationery suite by Studio R.

FINISHING TOUCH: The groom's papaya-hued boutonnière popped against his gray suit, and the navy blue tie echoed the hue of the bridesmaid frocks.

DIY DETAILS: To cut costs, Linda crafted the ceremony programs and dinner menus herself. The bride printed programs on linen card stock from www.PaperAndMore.com and assembled them with coral grosgrain ribbon from a local craft store.

DAPPER DUDS: For the ceremony, Linda wore a Wtoo gown from Gown Boutique of Charleston; Vu sported a suit from Suitsupply.

ALL HANDS ON DECK: White hydrangeas (Linda’s favorite bloom) cooled off a floral and décor palette dominated with bright, bold hues.

PAST PRESENT: Linda and Vu changed from modern wedding wear into traditional Vietnamese áo dài garments in vivid silks.

CENTER OF ATTENTION: Blooms with varying textures and shapes in shades ranging from orange to peach accented simple clear glass hurricane vases to form sophisticated centerpieces.

TABLE TOPPERS: The bride requested the customary wedding palette also include coral and navy.

BRING IT ALL TOGETHER: An outdoor lounge tied together the wedding’s varied palette: yellow orchids harkened the event’s golden elements; coral pillows echoed its blooms.

FLORAL NOTES: Tall, branch-filled arrangements accented with white hydrangeas filled the airy reception space.

WORDS OF WISDOM: When Linda found herself overwhelmed by the wedding planning process, wise words from her husband-to-be helped: "While it is great to have a beautiful wedding, having a beautiful marriage is all that truly matters in the end."

SEEING RED: Red is a must-use color in many Asian celebrations, so table assignments were scripted on red craft paper.

BEST BUDS: Petite drop vases holding yellow orchids added golden touches to reception florals.

HAPPY DAY: Sara York Grimshaw tucked dainty, bold-hued blooms into glass vessels for cheery table décor.

THE TABLES ARE SET: Deep gold Chiavari chairs and round cocktail tables draped in navy linens from Snyder Event Rentals offered patio seating in keeping with the wedding's rich palette.

A PERFECT 10: The navy-printed menu featured 10 courses from Georgia’s Happy Valley Catering. “Food is very important in Vietnamese celebrations,” says Linda.

DIG IN: For one course, Happy Valley Catering served roasted quail.

KEEP 'EM COMING: Other reception dishes included baked lobster, pan-fried sea bass, shark fin soup, and rambutan.

NOVEL NOSH: On the reception fare, including the lightly battered crab claws pictured here, Linda says, "It was a fantastic surprise for our non-Vietnamese friends—they raved about the exotic food choices."

FLOWER POWER: Sara York Grimshaw Designs filled arrangements with hydrangeas, protea, tulips, dahlias, and orchids.

ABOVE AND BEYOND: Panels of coral fabric added color to the dance floor's clear-top tent, while a crystal chandelier provided an oh-so-elegant finishing touch.

COPY CAKE: Jim Smeal replicated the intricate lace detail from the corset of Linda's gown onto the towering confection, which alternated between amaretto- and lemon-coconut-flavored cake tiers.

Photographs by:

Marni Rothschild Pictures

Linda Nguyen & Vu Nguyen
September 22, 2012
Blessed Sacrament Church & Founders Hall at Charles Towne Landing

Vietnamese weddings incorporate the color red for good luck, but it seems like Vu Nguyen and Linda Nguyen specialized in good fortune long before their Big Day. Proof? They met at the 2007 Cooper River Bridge Run where Vu skinned his elbow after slipping on the slick pavement; his on-site medic turned out to be Linda, and after she tended his wounds, they began a courtship that led to a ceremony at Blessed Sacrament Church and reception at Founders Hall at Charles Towne Landing. The two pharmacists (who now live near Washington D.C.) returned to the birthplace of their relationship for a day rich with culture. Hannah Alexander of WED took classic Vietnamese celebratory colors like red and gold and added Linda’s modern picks of coral and navy to the mix. “Everything came together beautifully,” says Linda. “Our Vietnamese guests respected our traditional customs, while our non-Vietnamese guests appreciated being a part of a unique wedding experience.”

Vendor List

Bridal Gown: Wtoo by Watters, www.gownboutiqueofcharleston.com
Bridal Reception Gown: Tadashi Bridal, www.tadashishoji.com
Bridesmaid’s Attire: Carol Hannah, www.bellabridesmaid.com
Cake: Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal, c http://www.bellabridesmaid.com
Caterer: Happy Valley Gourmet, (678) 218-0888
Ceremony Location: Blessed Sacrament, www.blsac.org
Draping: Loluma, www.loluma.com
Florist: Sara York Grimshaw Designs, www.sygdesigns.com
Hairstylist & Makeup Artist: Kelli Hoff, www.elysiumsalon.net
Lighting: TEC,www.te chnicaleventcompany.com
Music: The Mighty Kicks, www.themightykicks.com
Photography: Marni Rothschild, www.marnipictures.com
Reception Venue: Founders Hall at Charlestowne Landing, www.foundershallcharleston.com
Rentals: Snyder, www.snydereventrentals.com
Transportation: Charleston Black Cab Company, www.charlestonblackcabcompany.com
Wedding Design & Signage: Hannah Alexander, www.charlestonevent.com
Wedding Rings: Ritani through Paulo Geiss Jewelers,www.geissjewelers.com
Wine & Bar Service: www.snydereventrentals.com

The Wedding Row

July 23 2021

Rethink the Traditional Bridal Portrait

Been wondering why go the extra mile for a bridal portrait shoot? While the tradition began in Southern Europe, at a time when affluent families would hire an artist to paint the picture, we’ve come...

July 8 2021

Alice DuRant & Quinn Foster | Runnymede Plantation

Like any solid relationship, Ali DuRant and Quinn Foster’s foundation began in friendship. They met at a July Fourth party on Sullivan’s Island in 2013. But it was a fated bus ride to a USC vs. UGA...

June 24 2021

Lauren & Bo | The Parsonage

You can’t have your cake and eat it too. Or can you? The old adage implying you can’t have it both ways didn’t ring true with Lauren Margaret Snyder and Robert “Bo” William Bledsoe’s May 1st...

June 14 2021

Wedding Color Palette | Add Panache with Metallic Rose Gold

Need ideas for your wedding color palette? If you missed this bold and beautiful mock wedding (inspired by a to-die-for metallic rose gold Shelby Cobra convertible) in the latest installment of...

April 29 2020

Brittany and Philip | Magnolia Plantation & Gardens | Carriage House

Love’s Timeline New Yorkers Philip (Phil) and Brittany (Britt) Mcphail’s first brief meeting was at a concert. Five years later, at Britt’s cousin’s house, the two happened to...

April 28 2020

Laura-Brooke & Ryan | Charleston Rehearsal Dinner

A Charleston Rehearsal Dinner | Introductions Laura-Brooke and Ryan both grew up in Florence, South Carolina, but they didn’t meet until a college spring break trip to Myrtle Beach in 2015. The S.C....

April 23 2020

Krista & Tony | Magnolia Plantation & Gardens | Wedding Rain Plan 101

But What If It Rains? Anybody who has ever planned a wedding has asked themselves this question. When you’re spending big money and planning for months, nobody wants the forecast to quite...

April 22 2020

Stacy & Andrew | Historic Rice Mill

“Falling” In Love Picture this. You’re in college, on your way to class. Your crush steps out of the building door two feet in front of you … and you immediately trip over your shoes. You...

Feature

Wedding Shower

In October 2015, it was the 1,000-year flood. This year, it was Hurricane Matthew. Bummer for Big Days? We think not. See how this couple—one of many—proves love trumps any storm that rolls into Charleston

Feature

Modern Love

Clean, contemporary decor popped against the natural landscape at this stunner

Feature

Under the Oaks

See how this laid-back, color-laden event on Wadmalaw Island can inspire your own with loads of easy-to-emulate ideas

Feature

Family Ties

Heirloom elements and family favorites come together for a spectacularly sweet—and Southern—wedding

Feature

Pin Up, Girls

Give your gown some sparkle, fasten your sash in place, or simply dress up your bouquet wrap. However you enlist them, these keepsake brooches are ready to report for duty