Sweet Southern Soirée



WRITER CREDIT: 
PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT: 

May 31, 2025 / Old Wide Awake

Emily Garcia met Massimo Biscardi on a night out, “thanks to a serendipitous twist of mutual friendships,” she says. While celebrating a friend’s birthday, Emily ran into a childhood bud who happened to be in town with her boyfriend—and her boyfriend’s best friend, Massimo. As soon as Massimo and Emily started chatting, their connection was undeniable, as if they were the ones who’d known each other for years. Just seven months into dating, the couple knew they were ready for forever. Among the resplendent gardens of Middleton Place aglow at sunset, Massimo popped the question. 

Choosing to wed in the Lowcountry seemed a no-brainer, as it’s the place the couple calls home. And the two fell for the timeless charm of the first site they visited, the historic Old Wide Awake property along the Stono River in Hollywood. “We were captivated by its sweeping, moss-draped oaks, peaceful pathways, and picturesque white house standing proudly in the center,” Emily says. Elegant and impossibly romantic, the venue proved the perfect backdrop for their May nuptials. Emily personally executed her vision of an elegant Southern soirée, creating detailed inspiration boards and utilizing her own décor before bringing on Patrick & Co. Events as the month-of coordinator.

An airy palette of soft blues and greens—her favorite colors—anchored the aesthetic and carried over to patterned table linens and arrangements of delphiniums, anemones, roses, and hydrangeas. Personal touches were plentiful, including the bridesmaids’ monogrammed bouquet sashes, linen napkins bearing the newlyweds’ last initial, and personalized cornhole boards for playing on the lawn. Even the signature drinks offered a snapshot of the pair: Emily’s an orange crush, the drink she was holding when she met her future groom, and Massimo’s an old-fashioned, a classic cocktail that fit his style to a T.

Top Tips:

  • Soak it in. The couple relished the moments when they pressed pause and felt truly present, including when their pastor had them turn and face their guests during the ceremony and when they closed the celebration with a private last dance.
  • Embrace color. Who said a wedding cake must be all white? Emily’s love of Wedgwood inspired their lemon-flavored confection, which incorporated the day’s signature green hue. 
  • Roll with it. Some details didn’t quite go as the couple envisioned, but they didn’t let disappointment dominate the day. “The small imperfections are usually the moments you end up laughing about later,” Emily says.
  • Plan a few surprises. Emily delighted her mom with a mother-daughter dance, which became one of the sweetest moments of the entire evening. 

Vendors:

  • Month-of Coordinator: Patrick & Co. Events
  • Venue: Old Wide Awake
  • Photography: Christina Baird Photography
  • Florals: Charleston Flower Girl
  • Catering & Bar Service: Hamby Catering & Events
  • Cake: Bonnie Brunt Cakes
  • Signage: Graceanna Judy Art
  • Linens: Stradley Davidson, Snyder 
  • Rentals: Snyder, Aaron’s Lowcountry Event Rentals
  • Entertainment: Bunn DJ Company
  • Bridal Attire: Madison Carolina Bridal (gown and veil)
  • Beauty: Adore & Co.
  • Bridesmaids’ Attire: Azazie Atelier
  • Groom’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse (tux), Brackish (bow tie), Tecovas (shoes)
  • Bouquet Sashes: ThreadsandHoney (Etsy)

The Wedding Row

January 8 2020
Wedding Wednesday is in full swing over here at The Wedding Row office and we’ve got a stunning styled shoot to prove it. When photographer Leigh Heyward submitted this gallery to us, it stuck out...

January 7 2020
Bride Meagan is a gal who certainly has her priorities straight. Besides finding the man of her dreams in fiancé Derek, she was pretty adamant about what was most important to her on her Big Day at...

January 6 2020
Welp, ladies and gentlemen, our holiday hiatus is officially over and we are back at it once again on the blog. To kick off 2020 we are sharing a super (duper) special post, something “outside the...

December 19 2019
The Wedding Row: So, how did you two first run into each other? Caitlin:We worked together on a tennis tournament in California; I was an intern and Patrick has worked for my boss the three years...

December 18 2019
Although they met as freshmen at Clemson University, it took four years of undergrad and plenty of greek life functions for South Carolina natives Lisa and Jack to realize they were destined to be...

December 17 2019
Jessica and Casey’s first date involved the both of them, obviously, and a very fluffy third wheel (wait for it). After meeting on Memorial Day weekend through mutual friends, Casey became smitten...

December 16 2019
Katie and Gil are just too cool. For starters, just look at their Big Day ensembles. Him, a burgundy suit and floral button-down shirt for their September wedding at Founders Hall and her, a beyond...

December 12 2019
Caroline and Robert are a special couple for many reasons but one of them is that miss Caroline was born in France, right outside of Bordeaux (hello, vino). She’s European, you all, and there...