Welcome Home

Fall/Winter 2015

WRITER CREDIT:

PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT:

Welcome Home | A couple proves a backyard reception South of Broad (for nearly 400!) can be as gracious as it is blockbuster

Charleston Wedding The Grocery wedding wedding cake Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal Big Day Daniel Island White veil dresses Cru Catering Corbin Gurkin Snyder Events gown Lettered Olive lulakate Shoes

Stationery by Lettered Olive. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Jewelry from Croghan's Jewel Box. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Jewelry from Bauble Bar. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Shoes by Jimmy Choo. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Bride's gown by Amsale (available locally at White on Daniel Island). Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Florals by Tara Guerard Soiree. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Bride's gown by Amsale (available locally at White on Daniel Island). Florals by Tara Guerard Soiree. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Florals by Tara Guerard Soiree. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

“I wanted a formal wedding but nothing stuffy,” says Katie. “Having the wedding at my parents’ house certainly helped.” Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Florals by Tara Guerard Soiree. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Katie’s mom regularly decorates the “dogs” that flank their home, so floral collars were a must. Florals by Tara Guerard Soiree. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Bride's gown by Amsale (available locally at White on Daniel Island). Menswear by Michael Kors. Florals by Tara Guerard Soiree. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

A deconstructed Amsale gown took on a Grace Kelly air when Jodi Moylan from White on Daniel Island customized it for the bride. For his part, Wes cut a dapper figure in a tuxedo by Michael Kors. Bride's gown by Amsale (available locally at White on Daniel Island). Hair by Kristy Cuthbert, Sola Salon Studios. Makeup by Deidre Outlaw, Studio M. Menswear by Michael Kors. Florals by Tara Guerard Soiree. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Bride's gown by Amsale (available locally at White on Daniel Island). Hair by Kristy Cuthbert, Sola Salon Studios. Makeup by Deidre Outlaw, Studio M. Menswear by Michael Kors. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

“There is nothing more feminine than a bridesmaid,” says the bride, who chose LulaKate little white dresses with custom overskirts. Bride's gown by Amsale (available locally at White on Daniel Island). Bridesmaids' dresses by LulaKate. Florals by Tara Guerard Soiree. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Menswear by Michael Kors. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Florals by Tara Guerard Soiree. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Florals by Tara Guerard Soiree. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Florals by Tara Guerard Soiree. Vintage plates by Polished! Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Vintage plates by Polished! Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

French-style wrought iron furniture with linen cushions  offered the perfect respite for party-hearty guests. Wedding design and linens by Tara Guerard Soiree. Rentals by Snyder Events. Florals by Tara Guerard Soiree. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

n lieu of a  formal, sit-down meal, café-style lounges dotted the garden. Wedding design and linens by Tara Guerard Soiree. Rentals by Snyder Events. Florals by Tara Guerard Soiree. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Wedding design by Tara Guerard Soiree. Florals by Tara Guerard Soiree. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Wedding design and linens by Tara Guerard Soiree. Florals by Tara Guerard Soiree. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Florals by Tara Guerard Soiree. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Wedding design and linens by Tara Guerard Soiree. Rentals by Snyder Events. Florals by Tara Guerard Soiree. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Rentals by Snyder Events. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Tent by Snyder Events. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Wedding design and linens by Tara Guerard Soiree. Rentals by Snyder Events. Florals by Tara Guerard Soiree. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Wedding design by Tara Guerard Soiree. Florals by Tara Guerard Soiree. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Bouquets of white lilies, ‘Million Star’ baby’s breath, and pink roses topped off every spare surface inside and outside the home. Wedding design by Tara Guerard Soiree. Florals by Tara Guerard Soiree. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Florals by Tara Guerard Soiree. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Wedding design by Tara Guerard Soiree. Catering by Cru Catering. Florals by Tara Guerard Soiree. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Wedding design by Tara Guerard Soiree. Rentals by Snyder. Florals by Tara Guerard Soiree. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Wedding design and linens by Tara Guerard Soiree. Bar service by Spike by Snyder. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Bar service by Spike by Snyder. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Catering by Cru Catering. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Cake by Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

“The cake was about as modern as I went,” says Katie of the flower-covered creation from Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal. The party flowed inside and outside the home throughout the evening to foster intimacy. Cake by Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Low-reaching live oak tree limbs meant Tara’s team couldn’t tent the entire garden but luckily the weather held, so the only thing between guests and the wide open sky were the twinkling lights that mingled with branches. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Bride's gown by Amsale (available locally at White on Daniel Island). Dance floor by Snyder Events. Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Photograph by Corbin Gurkin.

Photographs by:

Corbin Gurkin

Katie Morgan & Wes Lyon
June 13, 2015
First (Scots) Presbyterian Church & Private Charleston Residence

Talk about a meet cute: when Katie Morgan got separated from her friends (and found herself in a dead cell zone) after a University of South Carolina football game, she plopped down on a golf cart to wait it out. Then-stranger Wes Lyon struck up a conversation, and the two ended up chatting for hours until going their separate ways ... or so they thought. Later that night they ran into each other again at a party. “What are you doing here?” asked Katie. “This is my house!” answered Wes.

Four years and eight months after their “love at first golf cart ride,” as Katie calls it, Wes let their pup Oliver escape her family’s Rockville house. She chased outside after him and saw that his collar read “K8, will you marry me?” Moments later, Wes, his fiancé, and his accomplice retreated inside to another surprise: an entourage of congratulatory family and friends.

After that, the groundwork for their Big Day was easy—First (Scots) Presbyterian Church is the bride’s family’s home church and since Katie’s parents’ downtown house is just a few streets away on Murray Boulevard, it seemed like a natural choice for the reception. But a nearly 400-strong guest list was at odds with the couple’s wish: a celebration with an intimate feel. Enter Tara Guérard Soirée. While Tara and team dressed the church simply in ‘Million Star’ baby’s breath, they did an all-out transformation at the Morgan home—even covering the pool with a black-and-white dance floor with the help of scuba gear-clad staff from Snyder Events.

(If, at this point, you’re thinking an open-air party of such proportions might not sit well in the tony South of Broad area, rest easy. Neighbors were gracious, especially after each received party packages with earplugs, chamomile tea, and a personal note from the hosts.)

After an evening of drinks, dining, and loads of dancing, the open-air reception ended with the traditional departure—the couple hopping into a getaway vehicle. But this was not just any set of wheels: a few months before their nuptials, Wes tracked down the golf cart that started it all. It had been sitting broken down on a farm outside Atlanta for years, but the make-it-happen groom fixed it up, and today, they drive it all over their Avondale neighborhood. “You can see us cruising on it up to the grocery store or getting frozen yogurt,” laughs Katie.

Vendor List:

Wedding, linens, florals: Tara Guérard Soirée, www.TaraGuerardSoiree.com

Venues: (ceremony) First (Scots) Presbyterian Church, www.First-Scots.org; (reception) private home

Photographer: Corbin Gurkin, www.CorbinGurkin.com

Rentals, bar service: Snyder Events, www.SnyderEvents.com

Caterer: Cru Catering, www.CruCatering.com

Baker: Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal, www.WeddingCakesbyJimSmeal.com

Vintage plates: Polished!, www.PolishedTabletop.com

Stationery, signage, paper goods: The Lettered Olive, www.LetteredOlive.com

Ceremony Musicians: (ceremony) Classical Charleston, ClassicalCharleston.com,

(trumpet) Susan Sievert Messersmith (www.TrumpetSusan.com), (choir) St. Philip’s Church Children’s Choir, www.StPhilipsChurchsc.org; (reception) Big Blast and the Party Masters through East Coast Entertainment, www.EastCoastEntertainment.com

Bride’s attire: (gown) Amsale, custom altered by White (www.WhiteOnDI.com); (veil) White on Daniel Island, www.WhiteOnDI.com; (going away suit) Armani, www.Armani.com

Day-of bridal dresser: Cacky’s Bride + Aid, www.CackysBrideAid.com

Bridesmaid’s attire: (white dresses white with custom pink skirts) LulaKate, www.lulakate.com; (necklaces) Bauble Bar, www.BaubleBar.com

Beauty: (hair) Kristy Cuthbert, Sola Salon Studios, www.SolaSalonStudios.com; (makeup) Deidre Outlaw, STUDIO M, www.StudioMCharleston.com

Groom’s attire: (suit) Michael Kors, www.MichaelKors.com; (shoes) Gucci, www.Gucci.com

Flower girl attire: Southern Belles Children’s Boutique, www.SouthernBellesChildren.com

Fans: All-Mist Cooling System, www.All-Mist.com

Restroom trailer: Nature’s Calling, www.NaturesCallingInc.com

Transportation: Absolutely Charleston, www.AbsolutelyCharleston.com; ACW Limo, www.ACWLimo.com

The Wedding Row

January 23 2020

Anna & Jeff | Regatta Inn

Both our bride and groom grew up along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, but in cities over 700 miles apart—Anna in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, and Jeff on Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey. When...

January 22 2020

Abby & Greg | Historic Rice Mill

Their story plays out like a romantic movie. We will title scene one “Young Love.” 10-year-old Abby holds hands with her cousin’s friend, 10-year-old Greg, on the couch. Scene Two “Grown Up.” After a...

January 21 2020

Brittany & Joe | Legare Waring House

Sometimes Cupid himself works his magic, and sometimes puppies have to step in and act in his stead. Without the canine dynamic duo of Stella and Bella and there matchmaking at the dog park, their...

January 20 2020

Corey & Morgan | Wingate Plantation

Not even rain could ruin this love parade! Despite Morgan’s type-A planning precision in creating a classic, timeless affair, Charleston decided to celebrate this bride and groom with … a blustery...

January 17 2020

Colorful Styled Shoot | The Gadsden House

Thank goodness it’s Friday. Can we get an amen? We aren’t sure about you guys but this week has seemed extra long and we are so happy that it is coming to a close and that the weekend is...

January 15 2020

Kate & Kyle | Legare Waring House

Kyle and Kate attended the same college (and both hail from the Windy City) but it was the Holy City that stole their hearts as quickly as they stole one anothers. The pair, who met postgrad while...

January 13 2020

Kelly & Elias | Runnymede Plantation

Anyone else out there a superfan of the movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding? Such a cute rom-com, right? Well, Kelly & Elias’ wedding at Runnymede Plantation was kinda, sorta the same (groom Elias is...

January 9 2020

Karen & Andrew | Engagement Session

One of the nicest comments one can ever receive may be, “You have a beautiful smile.” Welp, for Karen and Andrew, we reckon they can say that to each other on the daily. Why? These two met in dental...