A Modern Garden Party Wedding in the Heart of the Lowcountry
The Planning
Design / Vibe / Vision
Rachel and Jack’s modern garden party wedding in Bluffton, South Carolina, was a whimsical and chic affair! With the expertise of the planning team at Hewitt Oaks, the bride curated a design that beautifully balanced the natural charm of their venue with modern elegance. The al fresco cocktail hour unfolded beneath the draping Spanish moss, perfectly embracing the essence of Southern charm while guests listened to a live saxophonist player. The reception, set beneath a clear-top tent, featured a soft glow from abundant candles and bud vases, with Pantone's Peach Fuzz adding a playful touch throughout.
Hailing from Chicago, the couple welcomed friends and family from across the country, all eager to celebrate their vision of a springtime garden party infused with elements of South Carolina’s coastline. The wedding party was dressed to complement the palette, with groomsmen in light tan linen suits and bridesmaids in flowing champagne silk gowns. The floral arrangements, predominantly white with delicate peach accents, enhanced the various spaces across the Hewitt Oaks property, creating an understated yet striking ambiance.
Upon arriving at Hewitt Oaks, guests were greeted with champagne and an acoustic guitarist before taking their seats under the Promise Tree, the landmark Spanish moss covered oak tree on the property. After the heartfelt ceremony, the celebration continued with a lively cocktail hour featuring an array of charcuterie, a stunning 360-degree bar, and crystal chandeliers suspended from the ancient oaks. The evening culminated under the clear-top tent, where long, family-style tables encouraged mingling, and a white-and-tan checkered dance floor set the stage for an unforgettable night of dancing and celebration.
Proposal Story
From the bride, “We first met in the very beginning of Covid - May 2020! Our mutual friends decided that we needed a break from the locked-down city life in Chicago, so we escaped 6 hours north to Wisconsin. Before that weekend, Rachel had given Jack a sneaky follow on Instagram, so Jack was aware that there may be some interest on her end... After a weekend of getting to know each other, we both agreed on a first date, and then started "officially" dating down the road.
Our engagement took place while Rachel's family was visiting Chicago! Jack took her to their favorite nearby park with the beautiful city skyline and lake in the background, and he surprised her with a ring. Later that night, Rachel's best friend (and now maid of honor) also surprised her by flying in from out of town, and Jack also planned an engagement party at our apartment with all of our mutual friends and family."
Getting Ready
Bridal Portraits
Flat Lays
First Look
The Fashion
Wedding Gown
Rachel’s desire for a modern Lowcountry wedding was found throughout their wedding day, including in her wedding dress choice! The bride’s crepe wedding gown by designer Sarah Seven featured a plunging neckline, open back in a ‘V’ shape, and a trumpet silhouette skirt with a flowing train. The crepe material was the perfect balance of contemporary and comfortable, allowing the bride to dance the night away with friends!
Bridesmaid Dresses
To accentuate the couple’s color palette of tones of peach, champagne, and white, the bridesmaids wore silk floor-length gowns in a champagne tone from Show Me Your Mumu. Each gal opted for a a different style of dress in the same silk champagne material, creating a cohesive, peachy look!
Groomsman Attire
The groom and groomsmen kept things classic in two piece light tan linen suits, completed by a white shirt and peach toned tie.
Wedding Party
Ceremony
Cocktail Hour
The Details
Food & Drink
In keeping with the theme of their Lowcountry wedding weekend, the couple worked with the team at Hewitt Oaks to concoct a delicious menu fit for the occasion. Cocktail hour was filled with charcuterie spread tables for guests to snack on, as well as passed hors d'oeuvres including bacon-wrapped scallops. Signature cocktails were at the ready for guests entering cocktail hour, which featured a ‘Lowcountry Mule’ and a ‘Southern Sangria’. Their sweet dog Rufus, though not present for the wedding day itself, was present in their day-of paper and napkins. Guests were treated to a plated dinner under the main tent of their choosing.
Florals & Decor
From the very outset of the design process, the bride collaborated closely with her planning and design team at Hewitt Oaks to create a modern, refined floral aesthetic. White roses and lush greenery were the dominant elements throughout the ceremony and bouquets, accented by soft peach tulips and roses for a subtle pop of color. The ceremony, held beneath the majestic Promise Oak Tree, was framed by two elegant white pillars adorned with overflowing compotes of white roses and delicate greenery, creating a romantic yet minimalist backdrop. To further elevate the scene, aisle markers featuring similar florals were placed at the start of each row, where guests sat in clear-backed white chairs.
For the reception, Rachel and Jack sought to highlight the grandeur of the oak trees encircling the venue. They chose a clear-top tent that allowed guests to dine beneath the stars, illuminated by twinkling café lights and chandeliers draped with greenery. The ambiance was intimate yet airy, a perfect reflection of their modern garden party vision. Guests were seated at long, king-style tables draped in luxurious white silk linens, with clear Chiavari chairs adding a touch of contemporary elegance. The place settings featured crisp white flatware, paired with peach-toned silk napkins that tied in the soft tones of the day’s palette. For the table design, single-stem bud vases, each holding a carefully selected bloom, were artfully placed along the center of each table, interspersed with pink and white taper candles, casting a soft glow over the scene. This thoughtful design created an understated yet sophisticated atmosphere, where every detail contributed to the couple’s vision of modern elegance intertwined with natural beauty.
Wedding Cake
In keeping with a modern theme, the couple chose a cake that paid homage to vintage cake design. A single tier, white buttercream cake in the shape of a heart, complete with hand piped icing throughout saying ‘I do!’ across the top, was the perfect nod to ‘something old’ to kickoff their reception celebration with. Instead of having a large, multi-tiered cake for all their guests, the couple chose to incorporate a fun dessert wall into their reception, filled with cookies, cupcakes, and treats galore for guests to enjoy as the sun set!
Special Detail #1
The couple welcomed their guests to the dancing portion of the evening with a heartfelt thank you toast, complete with passed espresso martinis for each guest! It was the perfect caffeinated sip to start off a night filled to the brim with tearing up the dance floor.
Couple Portraits
Reception