Want to include non-traditional elements on your wedding day, in a curated way? This charming Charleston wedding is your perfect blueprint! WED balanced playfulness with the simple sophistication of the venue’s waterfront view to bring this gorgeous day to life. The bride and her maids’ made bold fashion statements from head to toe – even donning gingham, feather accented pajamas while getting ready! The bride changed into an embroidered, mock-neck Elizabeth Fillmore gown while her girls donned dresses to match their distinct personalities. The full gallery is filled with all the whimsical details that Anne Rhett captured with perfection!
How did you meet?
From the Bride… We met freshman year of college at a NYE party in Charleston through mutual friends. We both went to different colleges so figured it would never work. Summer going into Senior year of college we ran into each other at a bar in Atlanta and the rest was history.
Tell us about the proposal!
My parents have a house in 30A and we made plans to go for NYE. Unfortunately, it was the end of 2020 and Thomas got covid that Christmas. I told him it may be best for us to stay home, but he said after his 10 day quarantine he was “ready to get out of the house”. Once we got to the beach, we took the dog on a walk during sunset. Halfway through our walk, he got down on one knee and proposed. Once we got back towards the house, both of our families were there to celebrate. The next day, our families went to dinner and when we got back to the house all of my best friends were there to celebrate our engagement and ring in the New Year! It was all a surprise and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
How did you choose your wedding venue and aesthetic?
We chose Lowndes Grove for the reception because I wanted to get married somewhere that portrayed the beauty of Charleston and was close to where I grew up. I wanted the aesthetic to be simple and fun, nothing too fancy or floral. I didn’t want anything to take away from the waterfront view and beautiful oak trees. We went with a green and white color scheme to compliment the surrounding greenery. We brought in custom Schumacher and Thibaut pillows for the seating areas to bring in some fun prints and even had a few pillows with our dog Otis on them! WED brought my vision to life and made all my wedding dreams come true!
What was the date of your wedding?
January, 8, 2022
Talk to us a little bit about the wedding attire!
Wedding – I had a sample of an Elizabeth Fillmore wedding dress shipped from her showroom in NYC to Mandi Jackson in Atlanta, GA. I went by myself to try it on and immediately knew it was the one. It was the first and only dress I ever tried on. For my shoes, I wanted something simple and classic so they didn’t compete with the dress and wore nude Christian Louboutin pumps. For jewelry, I wore my mother in laws pearl drop earrings for my something borrowed and my mom’s art deco sapphire and diamond ring for my something blue. Thomas wore a custom navy Sid Mashburn suit with Crockett and Jones loafers and Rolex GMT Master II
Rehearsal – I wanted to wear something unique that I could wear again. I wore a floral Lee Matthews dress with Amina Muaddi pumps. Right before the rehearsal, Thomas sent me on a scavenger hunt in my hotel room and a few clues led me to the most beautiful diamond studs that I wore that night. He wore a Kiton jacket with a custom Zenya shirt, Miller Brothers tie, Cobbler Union loafers, and a Rolex Hulk Submariner
Bridal Party – I wanted my wedding party to feel comfortable and confident in what they wore, so I let them choose whatever they wanted!
Ceremony details, please!
The ceremony was held at my childhood church, Saint Mary of the Annunnciation, in downtown Charleston. Having all of our best friends and family under one roof is a feeling I can never describe. Thomas and I didn’t do a first look, so I was most excited to see his reaction when he saw me for the first time walking down the aisle.
And the reception…
We had a cocktail hour throughout the home with an open bar and passed Hors d’oeuvres (Spicy tuna poke, lamb lollipop, tomato pie, chicken and waffle and burrata w/ fig jam) and then everyone moved out to the reception tent for first dances. After first dances, there were different food stations for people to choose from -Carbonaro, Braised Short Rib, Ricotta Gnocci, and Petite chicken breast. We did a cake cutting with family inside the house, where there was also a coffee bar set up for guests. Our cake was a vanilla cake with salty caramel buttercream. After dinner, our band, Atlanta Rhythm and Groove, had the people dancing all night! Thomas and I left in a white Rolls Royce that took us straight to the bar.
What song did you dance your first dance to?
Love & Happiness by Al Green
What was your favorite part of the reception?
How do I even choose! I loved incorporating our dog, Otis, into some of the details. But even more so I loved dancing with my friends and family all night long. I didn’t leave the dance floor once!
Any after party plans!?
One of the shuttles dropped people off at the Blind Tiger downtown. Thomas and I didn’t want to miss out on the fun, so we went out and I never changed out of my wedding dress. You only wear it once!
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
We ate and drank our way through Paris and Reims France!
Photography: Anne Rhett Photography | Event Planning: WED | Floral Design: Sara York Grimshaw Designs | Dress: Elizabeth Fillmore | Reception Venue: Lowndes Grove | Shoes: Christian Louboutin | Rings: Tiffany & Co | Makeup: Classic Beauty SC | Hair: Patrick Navarro | Suit: Sid Mashburn | China- Rehearsal: Herend | Draping: The Social Spool | Music: Atlanta Rhythm And Groove | Pillows: Schumacher | Pillows: Thibaut | Rehearsal Dinner Venue: The Dewberry Charleston | Rentals: Snyder