Caroline and Thomas have this incredible appreciation for beauty that surround us, and I wanted that to come through in the design. I chose to vocalize this mantra through the esthetics of rich traditionalism in English culture and the simplicity and wildness of the Sea Islands.
Somewhere along the way I was inspired by two specific iconic brands in my mind. India Hicks and Ralph Lauren. Both are masters of storytelling through collected pieces without making anything feel too overwhelming. The layering and organizing of like-minded objects in the most beautiful way. They both represent a true appreciation for personality and timelessness. They both give you a sense of warmth when you approach a space, yet airy. It paid homage to the surroundings, while standing on its own in beautify.
The custom Schumacher linen was made to give structure in the piping and pleats. The place setting began with a rattan charger, then a Ralph Lauren tortoise shell and gold rim plate. I then layered with a mix of blue and white hand blocked napkins of countryside imagery, and a delicate glass salad plates to keep in place. The torn edged paper and indigo ink where balanced with a tortoise wrapped detail on the left side of the menu card. It felt airy, yet structured. Bamboo flatware and clean glass details finished the look.
Throughout all the printed material, Brent of Dear Eloise, created a magical portrayal of texture and femininity. Delicate and layered with a simplicity in the text, and a layout that made it feel all the fresh.
The floral was a mixture of traditional and uninhabited. Foraged greens from the landscape made tame with delicate garden roses and ranunculus. We added bougainvillea, pitcher plants, and elephant ears to oval sprawling arrangements on the table. The ceremony floral was an asymmetrical grouping on the front right and back left that perfectly framed the Oaktree background and cast-iron water fountain.
The welcome bags were presented in a live edge wood bowl with summertime favorite treats (like sparkling lemonade and shortbread cookies) and custom linen napkins for a keepsake.
The passed hors d'oeuvres were a perfect light bite. Scallop Ceviche with grapefruit chili and lime, Shrimp Tacos, and Mini Lobster rolls with a lemon aioli and tarragon-whole grain mustards.
One of my favorite touches of the day was the specialty cocktail; the bees knees It was a recipe from The Ned Hotel in London I found on a recent visit, and Thomas and Caroline loved it. The recipe consists of Star of Bombay, Bane de Bresil, Honey Water, Lemon Juice, a dash of orange bitters, and Champagne.
Thomas and I met at Washington & Lee University. I was a freshman and he was a junior. Strangely enough, Thomas was the first guy I met on campus! My roommate and I went to a fraternity party and I remember feeling like a fish out of water. Thomas came right up to us and started chatting away. It wasn't love at first sight. We became good friends for my first year of college and hung around in the same circles. It wasn't until my sophomore year that we both started to think we might be something more than just friends. We started dating casually and then Thomas was hurt in a really bad accident during a tennis match. He was captain of the tennis team at W&L and he put his leg through a window at the indoor tennis center during a match. It was a pretty awful accident and he almost lost his leg that day. I think we truly fell in love in those weeks and months after his accident. We spent so much time together and I was very much a part of his recovery process. Sometimes in the face of adversity and bad times, something really beautiful can come out of it.
Thomas and I got engaged in Oxford England at Blenheim Palace! Thomas and I were living in the UK at the time for our respective jobs. I was in London and he lived in Oxford. Blenheim is a beautiful palace just outside of Oxford in the Cotswold's that we frequented on weekends. We used to go for walks there and attend lots of local events. It is such a beautiful spot that Thomas felt it would be the perfect place to propose. He needed someone to bring the ring over from the US, so he enlisted his parents to fly over for a visit to bring the ring and plan a surprise. We went to tour the estate with his parents and then he pulled me aside to go for a walk around the lake. He got down on one knee right beside the lake and in the middle of rolling English fields. It was such a beautiful backdrop for the occasion. We then met up with his family for a champagne brunch at a pub to celebrate. I later learned that the night before, he dropped the ring in the sink of my apartment trying to look at it. After it almost went down the drain, he wanted to put the ring on my finger as soon as possible.
Designer @hostandhaven
Photography @simplysarah_photography
Florals @vero.designs
Venue @kiawahriverchs
Paper Goods @dearelouise
Rentals @snyderevents
Welcome Box @asignaturewelcome
Bridal Stylist @lnowakstyle
Dress @katemcdonaldbridal
Catering @crucatering
Hair + Makeup @wildivorybeauty
Bicycles @seaside_cycles
Cutlery @potterybarn
Napkins @marigoldliving
Custom Linen @schumacher1889
Plates @ralphlauren
Jewelery @croghans @emmakatzkabridal
