Julie + Jeremy met back in 2007 when the two college students were working at a local grocery store in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Fast forward nine years later and the two tied the knot at Charleston's Harborside East on a romantic September afternoon. Julie said, "It was truly a special day, and I would plan the exact same one over if I could. Special thanks to our amazing photographer (Judy Nunez Photography), too!" Check out Julie's gorgeous lace gown, her marvelous bouquet of pink, ivory and green from On A Limb Florals and Bubbies Bakery cake.
Proposal details: Jeremy planned a day full of adventures for Julie throughout Charleston. He sent her and her best friend on a scavenger hunt that started with a massage in Mt. Pleasant, then to the Ravenel Bridge, the SC Aquarium, Angel Oak, Botany Bay, and finally to Edisto Beach where he proposed at sunset! He then led her to a beach house where there was a surprise engagement party with family and friends. He even had her family from Michigan there for an additional surprise!
The Bride's gown, accessories and bridesmaids attire: The gown was from Memories Bridal in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It was from the Venus Sweetheart collection. The earrings were Desiree collection from Kvbijou. Bridesmaids wore Donna Morgan full length dresses in the color chantilly.
Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Rented from Men's Wearhouse. Groom with bow tie and black, and groomsmen in petal with neck ties. They also wore shotgun bullet boutonnieres.
Ceremony + Reception Venue: We selected Harborside East in Mt. Pleasant for many reasons. Mostly because of location by the water, and the Arthur Ravenel Bridge backdrop. Many of our wedding guests were from out of town, it was wonderful they were able to view the Charleston harbor & skyline, and see the USS Yorktown and bridge in the distance. It was also nice we would be able to hold the ceremony and reception at the same place. They also had plenty of close parking, table and chairs to use, a beautiful spacious patio and bar, and a curfew of music at midnight which a lot of venues do not.
Aesthetic and color palette: Light pink, gold, khaki, and black. Classic feel for a timeless look.
The decor: Head table dressed with gold sequin table runners, as well as cake table, and guest seating chart table with round gold sequin table cloths. Each table was long and rectangle. They had DIY spray painted votive candles from AC Moore, and rose bowl vases alternated with small single stem vases in between. Cotton Candy lined the bar for guests to enjoy but also added color and fun! The patio had chalkboard welcome sign. And the card/gift table had some of our engagement pictures displayed.
Personal touches: Instead of table numbers, we chose to name them with a Charleston, SC theme. For example, we had the Angel oak table, loggerhead turtle table, the starfish table, the palm tree table etc. A local graphic design student Kirsten Holt designed the matching sketches for these, and printed a display chart to guide guests. We also had a few chalkboards, one a welcome sign, & another for the guest sign in book. Instead of a traditional sign in book we did a shuttterfly picture book for guests to sign in and leave a message with their name.
Guest Count: 110
Lowcountry elements: The menu included Southern flare including shrimp and grits, as well as appetizer chicken & waffles, pulled pork sliders with fried green tomatoes and crab cakes. The venue location itself had lots of key low country charm as well!
Catering: Just Eat This catering! They provided family style dining for our guests, which was just what we wanted, no buffet line for guests to wait in, or to find space for! And you still were able to pick your portions! It also encouraged the guests to interact together more.
The Cake & Sweets: Bubbies Bakery of Summerville, SC! They provided individual cupcakes for each guest that also doubled as wedding favor/placecard with name flag placed in them at their seat. Guests RSVPd to the wedding and selected 1 of 6 choices for their cupcake. The 2 tier wedding cake was small and also served if guests wanted more. Cotton Candy was from Carolina Cotton Candy of Summerville, SC.
Other key element: Our videographer Mathew Peet, with Re-Peet Productions provided a same day edit highlight video. He and his assistant were with us the whole day getting ready, for the first look, for the pictures and fun before the wedding, etc. Then while everyone was eating dinner he created a same day edit/highlight video for our guest to watch and enjoy at the reception! He provided the equipment to display the video right after the bouquet and garter tosses so it didn't disrupt the dance party either, and added to the sentimental moments getting to relive the day!
Best piece of advice for couples planning their Lowcountry wedding: Find vendors who truly care about you! We met several times and corresponded through email with all of our vendors. They all went above and beyond to make sure our timeline was smooth, our guests were happy, and most of all that we were! I would replan my wedding, and select all the same vendors all over again if I could!
Ceremony + Reception Venue: Harborside East // Photographer: Judy Nunez Photography //
Planning: Bride// Florist: On A Limb Floral // Videographer: Re-Peet Productions // Cake: Bubbies Bakery // Catering: Just Eat This! // Bar: Creek Club Beverage & Catering// Gown: Venus Bridal // Dress Shop: Memories Bridal of Kalamazoo, MI// Bridesmaid Dresses: Donna Morgan // Hair stylist + Make up: Rachel Brewer of Charleston// Accessories: Earrings by Desiree for Kvbijou// Grooms + Groomsmen: Men's Wearhouse // Rentals + Linens: Snyder Rentals // Invitations: Kayla Taylor Designs// Transportation: Lowcountry Valet & Shuttle Co. // Ceremony Music + DJ: Ascend Entertainment - AJ Snow// Favors: Carolina Cotton Candy + Bubbies Bakery // Rehearsal Dinner: The Granary, Mt. Pleasant// Rings: Kay Jewelers// Officiant: Coastal Hospitality - Steve Vickers
Check out more of our favorite weddings in Charleston, SC below...
