A Modern Twist on Tradition at the Charleston Gaillard Center

Liba and Myles wedding embraced a whimsical garden party feel, seamlessly blending the charm of traditional elegance with a modern twist, all while evoking subtle Bridgerton vibes. The theme was modernized traditional, with classic elements refreshed by contemporary touches reminiscent of the Regency-era glamour. Spring is the couples happy season! They set the wedding date exactly 12 years and 7 days from their high school dating anniversary. They wanted the wedding weekend to encapsulate the colorful, fun & fresh feeling of spring with classic, southern details. Liba focused on creating memorable guest experiences, incorporating thoughtful decor like custom paper goods that guests could take home as keepsakes. This attention to detail added a personal, intimate touch, making the celebration both a stylish and refined soiree.

Liba and Myles had been together for 12 years, often discussing marriage and their relationship over the years. Having started dating as young adults (18 and 20), they grew up together and became partners in life long before Myles popped the question. For them, tying the knot was about taking a moment amid their busy lives to celebrate their relationship with those who mean the most. In typical Myles fashion, he began planning the proposal just a few weeks before it happened. After picking up the ring on a Wednesday, he secretly enlisted the help of Liba’s closest friends to plan the engagement for Saturday night, just three days later. With the support of their dearest friends, Myles managed to surprise Liba with a beautiful proposal in Old Town, Amelia Island, one of their favorite spots. He also organized a surprise engagement party at their home, gathering friends and family (some who traveled over six hours with just two days notice). Liba was completely shocked by the surprise and they celebrated with everyone, having the time of their lives.

Liba wanted maintain a classic silhouette with some texture and fun details. For her wedding, she chose the stunning "Claremount" gown by Allison Webb. This ivory Italian jacquard gown featured a fit-and-flare silhouette with a modified scoop neckline. It was adorned with a removable pearl-trimmed bow, a pearl-trimmed waistband, and elegant buttons that extended to the end of the train. Liba instantly fell in love with the floral pattern, pearl details, and bow that could be easily added to the back of the dress after the ceremony for a reception/transformation reveal. She purchased the gown from White Magnolia Bridal, making it a perfect choice for her special day.

Liba’s bridesmaids wore a charming mix of blue and white printed dresses from Smith & Quinn. The variety of patterns and styles added a delightful and cohesive touch to the bridal party's look, complementing the overall aesthetic of the wedding.

The groomsmen looked sharp in black suits from Joseph A. Banks, complemented by white pocket squares and black bow ties. Their classic attire added a refined and elegant touch to the wedding party.

Charleston is Liba and Myles favorite foodie city! For the welcome party and rehearsal dinner, they chose one of their favorite Italian eateries, Le Farfalle. Guests enjoyed classic pasta dishes paired with wine, along with passed desserts and specialty cocktails, including the featured espresso martini. For the reception, they curated a menu featuring their Lowcountry favorites, starting with specialty cocktails: his Bourbon Mule, her Hugo Spritz, and the Pug Paloma, named after their favorite little fur-baby. Cocktail hour featured charming passed champagne with bow details, alongside Lowcountry classic hors d’oeuvres like crab cakes and refreshing summer tastes like watermelon bites topped with balsamic caviar. Dinner included entree selections of blackened grouper or roasted beef tenderloin, with white and red wine pairings on the table to complement each choice. Late-night bites were a favorite, with passed French fry boxes in several varieties, served in custom boxes reading "Fry-nally married," ensuring guests could enjoy a late-night snack while never leaving the dance floor!

Flowers played a central role in bringing Liba and Myles wedding vision to life. Liba worked closely with Charleston Flower Girl to create stunning floral arrangements that added an air of romance and elegance to the day. The ceremony featured a breathtaking floral arch composed of roses and spray roses in soft white, blush, and peach tones, beautifully accented with delicate baby's breath. For the aisle and reception tables, a vibrant mix of daisies, delphiniums, hydrangeas, roses, and carnations created a lush, garden-like atmosphere, perfectly complementing the event's modernized traditional theme. Liba's favorite floral addition were the bridesmaid baskets! For decor, they aimed to infuse as much whimsy and color as possible by mixing patterns and textures. This vision led Liba and Myles to choose a variety of linens to mix and match, incorporate textured placemats, and feature playful details like butterfly and floral designs throughout their displays.

For the cake, Liba and Myles added a personal touch to their wedding by choosing Publix sheet cakes for their guests, ensuring everyone had a sweet treat to enjoy. For themselves, the couple opted for a special, personal cake from Le Farfalle, their favorite Italian restaurant in Charleston. This cake happens to be their favorite dessert, one they shared frequently on many visits to Le Farfalle. Liba and Myles spent so many dinners dreaming and discussing life while fighting over the last bite of their delicious chocolate cake. They knew they wanted to share this dessert on their wedding day and were thrilled when Le Farfalle agreed to make it. Myles enjoyed every minute of the cake cutting, stealing several extra bites before sharing the fork.

During the ceremony and cocktail hour, the elegant sounds of Palmetto Strings filled the air, setting the perfect tone for Liba and Myles wedding day. The live performance added a timeless touch to the celebration, featuring classics and also mixes of fun renditions from todays hits. For their first dance, Liba and Myles swayed to the classic tune "At Last" by Etta James, a romantic choice that highlighted the joy and love they felt as they began their journey together as husband and wife.

One of the most special details of Liba and Myles wedding was the personalized escort board. In lieu of a traditional seating chart, they worked with Barnett Crafted & Luxe Design Co. to create a display featuring individual thank-you notes for each guest, paired with their escort cards. Liba and Myles took the time to handwrite each note, making sure every guest felt appreciated for being a part of their lives and for traveling to share in the special weekend. This heartfelt gesture not only guided guests to their seats but also added a deeply personal and memorable touch to the celebration, allowing them to reflect on cherished moments and adventures shared with their favorite people.

Liba and Myles also wanted to highlight their beloved fur-baby, Brooks. Although he couldn’t be there in person—it was an adults-only event, and he's just a 7-year-old pug—his presence was felt throughout the celebration. Brooks was featured on the escort card display, the invitation suite, and the bar menu. One of the couple’s favorite touches was the custom "Brooks Bills" (the most valuable currency on the market!).

As a tribute to her grandmother, a woman who embodied the grace and elegance of a traditional garden party hostess, the bride wore her grandmother's emerald ring as her "something borrowed." Though her grandmother could not be physically present, her spirit was felt throughout the weekend, and she was fondly remembered during every moment of the classic Southern celebration—a gathering she would have cherished deeply.