Oh, Happy Day

WRITER CREDIT:

PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT:

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

Charleston Wedding wedding Snyder Event Rentals race Daniel Island White Make-up Fat Hen florida inspiration Tabula Rasa

AMERICAN ROMANCE: For a couple with a shared love of boats, their 1959 wooden-hulled Lyman Boat with its classic look and patriotic spirit was the perfect choice for a getaway vehicle (and post-ceremony pictures).

ROADSIDE WELCOME: A chalkboard sign and balloons directed guests to the wedding venue.

CREEKSIDE CHARM: The marsh, creek, and Wadmalaw Sound in the distance made a picturesque backdrop for the reception dinner underneath the live oaks.

CHALK ART: Blue Planet Green Events repurposed an old shutter as chalkboard signage for the ceremony.

CALM SEAS: Sunny blue skies and warm temperatures made for a pleasant journey as Lindsey took her last cruise as a single woman.

DOCKSIDE DELIGHT: Lindsey’s journey to the altar was nothing short of adventurous, gracefully exiting the boat with the help of groomsmen.

GRAND ENTRANCE: The wedding party led the procession from the dock to the altar.

NATURAL BEAUTY: On her Big Day, Lindsey held a timeless elegant look in her Amsale gown complete with a lace-edged veil and bouquet of wild flowers.

SOUTHERN GRACE: For the ceremonial arch, a piece of white fabric draped over the tree’s branches adding a simple yet formal touch to the outside setting.

SEALED WITH A KISS: The couple sealed their “I do’s” with a kiss in front of the ancient oak tree.

MR. & MRS.: Lindsey and Christopher give off a newlywed glow posing for a picture with the officiant.

SUNNY SHADES: Bridesmaids wore different styles of yellow dresses, a bold yet cheery complement to Lindsey’s vintage-styled gown

FASHIONABLE ENSEMBLE: For the occasion, Christopher and his groomsmen pulled off the quintessential Lowcountry get-up: light seersucker suits and brightly colored bow ties.

TREE LIGHT: A nice touch for a couple who loves camping, lanterns strung from the tree branches and gave off a shimmering light once the sun set.

LOWCOUNTRY FEAST: Following the ceremony, guests sat down for an alfresco dinner, enjoying conversation and Southern fare prepared by The Fat Hen.

SUBTLE SPLENDOR: Neutral-colored table linens offered a clean, crisp look adding a casual elegance to the outdoor space.

NEIGHBORLY HAND: The Fat Hen restaurant, a John’s Island favorite, prepared several Southern dishes like fried green tomato sliders and shrimp and grits.

COLOR ME PRETTY: Punches of color like these yellow pompom dahlias brightened up the neutral palette and complemented the yellow bridesmaids’ dresses.

BARK MY WORD: Chalk-written wooden directional posts blended with the tree bark for a playful, outdoorsy effect.

TREASURE BOX: Blue Planet Green Events created centerpieces with locally grown flowers and succulents arranged in boxes made from recovered wood of 100+ old Charleston homes. In addition, the tables’ candleholders were made from repurposed stair rails.

BENEATH THE TREES: The reception hosted a variety of activities for guests including outdoor games and swings—a wonderful way to enjoy the scenic setting.

OUTDOOR PLAYGROUND: The private venue was perfect for bringing family and friends together, of all ages.

FIRST (MATE) DANCE: Naturals on the water, the bride and groom proved this to be equally true on the dance floor enjoying a first dance as the sunset gleamed through the trees.

TREE OF LIFE: In lieu of a traditional guestbook, the nature-loving duo had family and friends stamp their fingerprints and names on a customized tree canvas.

PIECE OF THE PIE: Twenty Six Divine whipped up peach and mixed berry pies adding to the sweet list of confections.

TASTY TRIO: The bride’s cousin Elizabeth Guimont created a trio of cakes for the reception: coconut cake with pistachio mousse, carrot cake, and white cake.

WINDOW DISPLAY: Blue Planet Green Events designed a chalkboard sign out of an old wooden window to highlight the decadent desserts.

SAILORS' SWEET TOOTH: Twenty Six Divine prepared specialty rum 'n coke cake pops for the skippers—displayed in wood boxes decorated in moss for an earthy effect.

It’s been said that every sailor needs a first mate. For Lindsey of Englewood, Florida, and Atlanta, Georgia, native Christopher, this saying came true and then some. What began with a competition on the water—they sailed against each other at the 2009 Charleston Race Week Regatta—unfolded into romance once back on land at the after-race festivities. Following a two-year courtship, Lindsey joined Christopher on a camping trip in the mountains to launch his newly finished wooden boat. After setting up camp beneath a waterfall, Christopher presented Lindsey with a ring and asked her to be his wife. Of the moment, “It was perfect, just the two of us doing the things we love, and a total surprise,” says Lindsey.

When choosing a venue, the pair turned to Christopher’s parent’s private property located on John’s Island’s Church Creek. With their shared interest in both nature and boats as inspiration, they turned to eco-friendly experts Toni Reale and Lori DeNicola of Blue Planet Green Events. A palette of neutral shades with pops of happy hues—yellow, green, and orange—enhanced the venue’s natural beauty, while the designers’ method of using reclaimed wood for décor worked seamlessly with the bride’s passion for architectural preservation. On April 28, Lindsey arrived by boat and joined Christopher on the bank beneath the rich live oaks where they said “I do.” Following an alfresco Southern feast, things heated up with sailor-inspired specialty rum cocktails, outdoor games and swings, and a long night of dancing to the music of The Sneakers. The night ended with a bang as fireworks lit up the sky and the newlyweds sailed off in their wooden-hulled 1959 Lyman boat.

Vendor List

Baker: Twenty Six Divine and Elizabeth Guimont (the bride’s cousin); www.twentysixdivine.com;
Bar Services: MIX Premier Bartending; www.mixcharleston.com
Bridal attire: Amsale from White on Daniel Island; www.whiteondi.com
Caterer: Fat Hen Restaurant and Catering; www.thefathen.com
Ceremony and reception location: Groom’s family’s property on John’s Island
Florist: Toni Reale and Lori DeNicola with Blue Planet Green Events; www.blueplanetgreenevents.com
Getaway vehicle: Bride and groom’s 1959 Wooden Lyman Boat
Hair & Make-up: Ashley Burg, Tabula Rasa Salon; www.tabularasacharleston.com
Lighting: Stage Presence; www.stagepresencellc.com
Photographer: amelia + dan photography; www.ameliaanddan.com
Reception music: The Sneakers
Rentals: Snyder Event Rentals; www.snyderevents.com
Stationery: dodeline design; www.dodelinedesign.com
Wedding planners: Toni Reale and Lori DeNicola with Blue Planet Green Events, LLC; www.blueplanetgreenevents.com

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