Top of the Class



WRITER CREDIT: 
PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT: 
Top of the Class | Fresh flowers take over a country club venue for an A-plus garden party
Shannon Thornhill & David Summers, Jr.
April 8, 2017 / The Daniel Island Club
 
When David came to “Meet the Teacher” night with his first-grader, he met his future wife in Shannon. “After that, he was early to every parent conference and field trip, and he always brought treats,” Shannon laughs. David was equally gung ho about planning their nuptials, and together, the two envisioned an outdoor celebration. To maximize the wedding’s site, though, they split the difference with a ceremony overlooking the marsh and a ballroom bash. “I worried if we came inside, the magic would be lost,” Shannon says, “but our planner brought the outside in.” Thanks to giant planters, farm tables, and a massive hanging installation of flowers, greenery, and string bulbs, the couple had their very own garden party. And how did the teacher grade the day? She gave it an A-plus, of course.
 
Shannon & David’s Tips
Commit to a bold palette. Shannon and David chose dark purple and deep green. To temper those, lighter hues of the same colors were worked in via linens and blooms.
Incorporate personal elements. Chalkboards—used for table assignments and as a partition—spoke to Shannon’s profession.
Give boxy rentals an organic vibe with florals. To mellow the look of boxy rental bars, greens and flowers were woven into the lattice front of each.
Contrast with your surroundings. Farmhouse tables in the ballroom eased the formal tone of the space.
Pick a statement linen. Cocktail tables wore pale lilac linens woven with scrollwork. Inside, curvy dinner plates echoed the classic motif.
 
Vendor List
 
Wedding design: WED, www.designedbywed.com 
Cake, catering, bar service, venue: The Daniel Island Club, www.danielislandclub.com
Photography: Theo Milo, www.theomilophotography.com
Florals: SYG, www.sygdesigns.com
Rentals: Snyder Events, www.snyderevents.com
Linens: Nüage Designs, www.nuagedesigns.com
Stationery, signage: Mac and Murphy, www.macandmurphy.com
Calligraphy: The Town Serif, www.thetownserif.com
Music: Bob Williams Duo (ceremony), www.charlestonduo.com; JukeBoxx (reception), www.eastcoastentertainment.com/artist/Jukeboxx
Videography: Life Stage Films, www.lifestagefilms.com
Bride’s attire: Ashley & Justin, available in Bluffton through Chica’s Bridal and Formal Wear (gown), www.chicasofhiltonhead.com; Badgley Mischka (shoes), www.badgleymischka.com; Anne Belen (jewelry), www.annebelen.com
Beauty: Wedding Hair by Charlotte, www.weddinghairbycharlotte.com
Groom’s attire: Jos A. Bank (suit, tie), www.josbank.com
Bridesmaids’ attire: Bella Bridesmaids, www.bellabridesmaids.com
Photobooth: Shutter Booth, www.shutterbooth.com

 

The Wedding Row

February 20 2019
The Wedding Row: Tell us about how you met. Rachel: It was in Nashville, and Shaun was there on weekend trip for a University of Georgia-Vandy football game. I was there on a whim, on an impromptu...

February 19 2019
Ryan and Paxton chose Charleston for their engagement photos because the city holds a special place in the heart—if he hadn’t been a Citadel cadet, the two may never have met. Here’s how they came to...

February 18 2019
Allison and Josh met at a two-stepping bar, so we would expect nothing less than a seriously Southern wedding from the two, and as you can tell from the photos, they did not disappoint. After Josh...

February 15 2019
North Carolina natives Taylor and Bennett met when the two were sophomores at N.C. State. Five years after they had become an item, they were in Manhattan where, says Bennett, “The ring was burning a...

February 14 2019
After going to the same high school in Spring Lake, New Jersey, Carly and Chris’s paths finally intersected long after graduation at a mutual friend’s house. “Late nights drinking and playing games...

February 13 2019
Trust us when we say that you won’t find a more low-key pair than these two. Nashville, Tennessee couple Emily and Daniel wanted an intimate, family-only wedding for their Big Day, and they chose to...

February 12 2019
OK, prepare yourselves—this is a sweet one. It began when Stephanie was working at the front desk of a chiropractor’s office in the Philadelphia area, one that Bryan’s father frequented. Bryan’s dad...

February 11 2019
You really can’t beat Charleston’s sunset views over the water, and Katie and Zane’s nuptials at Harborside East took full advantage of just that with the gorgeous harbor as their backdrop. The...