Kiawah Island, South Carolina Wedding from Virgil Bunao
As a SMP wedding blogger, it probably goes without saying that I'm a hopeless romantic. Love stories of all kinds tend to leave me beside myself in bliss, so after reading about this couple's incredible chance encounter, I just knew their wedding would be wonderful. And with a vendor dream team of Virgil Bunao and Tara Guérard Soiré, they had all the components for the perfect day. Grab your coffee and get cozy in the gorgeous full gallery here.
From the bride...Although neither of us ever used online dating, Matt and I actually did meet indirectly through match.com! Two of our best friends met though match.com, and when they planned to meet each other in person, they both wanted to bring a friend along. He brought Matt, and she brought me! We have been inseparable ever since that night!
For the wedding, I envisioned a vintage feel, lace and pearls, and neutral colors with touches of light blush, champagne, and peach tones. I collected lace doilies and pink depression glass form local antique shops. We displayed old family photos in vintage frames. I sewed lace doilies together to make table runners. I made the flower girl basket and crocheted the ring bearer pillow. As a surprise to my Mom, I wore her veil. We used the lace design from her veil on the invitations and on the wedding cake! I found unique vintage hair pins for the Mother of the Bride, the Mother of the Groom, the Bridesmaids, and the Flower Girl. I had my great grandmothers brooch pinned inside my gown (my something old and something blue!) Matt has been a musician his entire life. We used vintage music sheets throughout the décor. I designed the ceremony program covers with vintage music sheets and vintage lace. The Groom recorded our first dance song – a version of The Beatles “In My Life.”
We wanted to have the wedding outdoors with a view of the ocean. We loved how secluded it was at The Ocean Course. We had the entire property all to ourselves. It felt very private and very serene. The flowers were a mix of ivory and soft pink roses and hydrangeas. The guests were welcomed to Kiawah Island with champagne and cookies from Charleston Cookie Company. Dinner was served both by stations and as served hors d'oeuvres which included a variety including filet minion, swordfish, crab cakes, a sushi bar, chicken kabobs, and much more. Because I love all banana desserts with a passion, we had a banana’s foster station, crème burlee with caramelized bananas, and a southern style banana pudding. The wedding cake consisted of three separate cakes. The two smaller cakes were a wonderful summery strawberry cake and a delightful inventive peach cake. The larger center cake was a delicious almond amaretto cake. All three cakes had a rich butter cream icing. In lieu of traditional wedding favors, a donation was made in honor and loving memory of the Groom’s father to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation.
I remember the moment my Mom realized I was wearing her veil. I remember the tears in my Dad’s eyes when he saw me the first time. I remember how the world around us seemed to disappear while we said our vows. I loved that my new husband recorded our first dance song for me. I remember how much fun we had dancing with our friends and family during the reception. It is true; it was absolutely the best day of my life!
Wedding Photography + Cinematography: Virgil Bunao | Wedding Venue: The Ocean Course | Wedding Design, Planning + Floral Design: Tara Guérard Soiré | Invitations: The Lettered Olive, Soiree | Wedding Dress: Amsale, Blue Label |Veil: Bride's Mother's | Bride's Shoes: Bespoke | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bari Jay | Men's Attire: Express | Band: Who is band | Hair + Make up: Stuart Laurence, Charleston | Flower Girl's Dress: Laurie's Tutu Boutique
For the wedding, I envisioned a vintage feel, lace and pearls, and neutral colors with touches of light blush, champagne, and peach tones. I collected lace doilies and pink depression glass form local antique shops. We displayed old family photos in vintage frames. I sewed lace doilies together to make table runners. I made the flower girl basket and crocheted the ring bearer pillow. As a surprise to my Mom, I wore her veil. We used the lace design from her veil on the invitations and on the wedding cake! I found unique vintage hair pins for the Mother of the Bride, the Mother of the Groom, the Bridesmaids, and the Flower Girl. I had my great grandmothers brooch pinned inside my gown (my something old and something blue!) Matt has been a musician his entire life. We used vintage music sheets throughout the décor. I designed the ceremony program covers with vintage music sheets and vintage lace. The Groom recorded our first dance song – a version of The Beatles “In My Life.”
We wanted to have the wedding outdoors with a view of the ocean. We loved how secluded it was at The Ocean Course. We had the entire property all to ourselves. It felt very private and very serene. The flowers were a mix of ivory and soft pink roses and hydrangeas. The guests were welcomed to Kiawah Island with champagne and cookies from Charleston Cookie Company. Dinner was served both by stations and as served hors d'oeuvres which included a variety including filet minion, swordfish, crab cakes, a sushi bar, chicken kabobs, and much more. Because I love all banana desserts with a passion, we had a banana’s foster station, crème burlee with caramelized bananas, and a southern style banana pudding. The wedding cake consisted of three separate cakes. The two smaller cakes were a wonderful summery strawberry cake and a delightful inventive peach cake. The larger center cake was a delicious almond amaretto cake. All three cakes had a rich butter cream icing. In lieu of traditional wedding favors, a donation was made in honor and loving memory of the Groom’s father to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation.
I remember the moment my Mom realized I was wearing her veil. I remember the tears in my Dad’s eyes when he saw me the first time. I remember how the world around us seemed to disappear while we said our vows. I loved that my new husband recorded our first dance song for me. I remember how much fun we had dancing with our friends and family during the reception. It is true; it was absolutely the best day of my life!
Wedding Photography + Cinematography: Virgil Bunao | Wedding Venue: The Ocean Course | Wedding Design, Planning + Floral Design: Tara Guérard Soiré | Invitations: The Lettered Olive, Soiree | Wedding Dress: Amsale, Blue Label |Veil: Bride's Mother's | Bride's Shoes: Bespoke | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bari Jay | Men's Attire: Express | Band: Who is band | Hair + Make up: Stuart Laurence, Charleston | Flower Girl's Dress: Laurie's Tutu Boutique