Pink wedding at The Thomas Bennett House

PHOEBE & DEREK

A Thomas Bennett House wedding in Charleston, SC

PROPOSAL: It wasn’t until after Derek, a software engineer, worked up the courage to talk to Phoebe, who was out on the town with some girlfriends, that the two realized they worked at the same company. He made such an impression that when he gave her his number, she was sure to keep it! In December of 2015, Derek suggested that he prepare a special Christmas dinner for just the two of them. During dinner, among the Christmas lights and decorations, he dropped to one knee and proposed. As Phoebe joyfully accepted, the smoke alarm in their apartment building went off, adding a moment of levity to their happy tears.

BRIDAL PARTY STYLE:  Accompanied by her mother, sister, and the maid of honor, Phoebe began her search for the perfect gown at Pure English in Virginia Beach. The ladies were greeted with champagne and began a dreamy afternoon of pulling a myriad of dresses for the bride-to-be. Phoebe wasn’t sure about Hayley Paige’s subtle “Lily” design while it was on the hanger, but once she put it on, she knew it was the one! On the big day, Lashes & Lace completed her elegant look with a loose, romantic up-do accented with a silver and pearl clip. The bridesmaids wore long LulaKate dresses in a lovely dusty pink shade while the groom and groomsmen wore crisp black suits with pink boutonnières and custom pink and blue argyle socks.

AESTHETIC + COLOR PALETTE: “Overall we wanted a romantic, fun party for our guests to feel like they truly experienced Charleston’s beauty,” the couple remarked. Derek & Phoebe both worked closely together with each vendor to carefully weave personal touches and authentic Charleston character into every detail of the day.  A custom invitation suite by Dodeline Designs included a hand-drawn map of the city and highlighted the wedding venues as well as Charleston landmarks. The Gov. Thomas Bennett House, with its expansive piazza and lush gardens, won the couple over for their reception venue. Inside the house, displayed among the existing elegant décor, were family photos of their parents’ and grandparents’ wedding days. A clear-topped tent strung with twinkling lights enclosed the piazza where tables were draped in the dusty pink and light blue color palette and highlighted with flowers and warm candlelight. The weathered bar boasted two signs hand-painted by the bride’s mother, showcasing the evening’s signature cocktails. Outside the tent were two custom cornhole sets — one set served as a guestbook — and a plush seating area in the garden, complete with the groom’s décor suggestion of hanging golden lanterns and cascading flowers. Bright, exuberant floral arrangements in warm colors and greenery added playful charm throughout the venue.

The Gov. Thomas Bennett House, with its expansive piazza and lush gardens, won the couple over for their reception venue. Inside the house, displayed among the existing elegant décor, were family photos of their parents’ and grandparents’ wedding days. A clear-topped tent strung with twinkling lights enclosed the piazza where tables were draped in the dusty pink and light blue color palette and highlighted with flowers and warm candlelight. The weathered bar boasted two signs hand-painted by the bride’s mother, showcasing the evening’s signature cocktails. Outside the tent were two custom cornhole sets — one set served as a guestbook — and a plush seating area in the garden, complete with the groom’s décor suggestion of hanging golden lanterns and cascading flowers. Bright, exuberant floral arrangements in warm colors and greenery added playful charm throughout the venue.

DINNER + CAKE: Cru Catering sustained guests during cocktail hour with passed hors d’ oeuvres of mini crab cakes, spicy ahi poke, red deviled eggs with pimento cheese mousse, and beef tenderloin with horseradish crème fraiche on toast. Dinner was served at stations that included beef tenderloin and roasted vegetables, a mac & cheese bar, and shrimp & grits. The three-tiered cake, simply frosted in white with gold lace and floral accents, consisted of the groom’s choices of chocolate, vanilla almond, and lemon layers. Miniature cannolis, key lime pies, and peanut butter chocolate cups were served alongside the cake, and guests were later treated to a late-night snack of pulled short rib sliders and chicken and waffle sliders.  
 

CHARLESTON WEDDING VENDORS - Ceremony Venue: Cathedral of St. John the Baptist  ll  Reception Venue: Governor Thomas Bennett House  ll  Photographer: Jenna Marie Weddings  ll  Planning: Cayleigh Hopkins for Sage Innovations  ll  Florist: Branch Design Studio  ll  Bride’s Gown Designer: Hayley Paige  ll  Dress Shop: Pure English in Virginia Beach  ll  Bridesmaids Dress Designer: LulaKate  ll  Hair & Makeup: Lashes and Lace Bridal Hair & Makeup  ll  Men's Attire: The Quality Shops in Norfolk, VA  ll  Shoes: Bella Belle  ll  Cake and Sweets: ABCD Cakes and Cru Catering  ll  Catering & Bar: Cru Catering  ll  Rentals: Snyder Events  ll  Invitations: Dodeline Design  ll  Linens: Snyder Events, BBJ Linen Rental  ll  Lighting: Technical Event Company  ll  DJ: Darby Events  ll  Favors: Olde Colony Bakery Benne Wafers  ll  Rehearsal Dinner: Indaco  ll  Rings: Long Jewelers in Virginia Beach  ll  Officiant: Father Sean Prince of Hampton, VA   ll  Trolley & Getaway Vehicle: ACW Limo Service

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