CAROLYN & GEORGE
Lowndes Grove Plantation
Charleston, South Carolina
THE PROPOSAL: Carolyn Niemann & George Broadbin initially met at a Bon Jovi concert but it wasn’t until a few months later that they truly found a connection. Fast forward to December 19, 2015, when George took Carolyn to the New York Botanical Gardens train show- “I had been wanting to go for years,” remembers Carolyn. After wandering throughout the sprawling gardens and enjoying some of the scenery, they made their way to a gorgeous greenhouse where George surprised Carolyn with a beautiful proposal, followed by dinner at the same restaurant where they had their first date!
THE GOWN: Carolyn was keen on finding a gown that would easily transition from ceremony to reception. But after six months of searching, she was still coming up empty. Eventually, she stumbled upon a Romona Keveza number – with the perfect lace bolero - that fit the bill. To complete her timeless ensemble, she wore her hair in a chignon bun with light makeup and a glossy pink lip.
THE BRIDAL PARTY: Much like her own gown, it took Carolyn months to find the bridesmaids’ dresses she was envisioning. But the search was worth the wait when she locked eyes with a long Monique Lhuillier dress in the perfect shade of blush. George and his groomsmen took a hint from the season—and a page right out of Carolyn’s parent’s wedding album—and sported Summer tuxedos.
THE CEREMONY: The ceremony took place in St. Mary’s Catholic Church— the oldest Catholic church in the Carolinas & Georgia—where 225 of their guests filed in to witness their traditional nuptials. “It’s unique and stunning. I personally think that if you are getting married in a beautiful church you want the beauty of it to speak for itself,” says Carolyn, “which is why we only did arrangements on the altar.”
THE DÉCOR: As an event planner and floral designer by trade, Carolyn knew just what she wanted for her Summer celebration and selected the team at The Burlap Elephant to execute her vision. The couple selected Lowndes Grove Plantation, thanks to its waterfront views and stunning main house, and designed an evening with colorful blooms and polished details. “I wanted it to reflect my personal style,” recalls Carolyn, so they paired heirloom flowers with watercolor details and ginger jars to create a romantic late June evening.
The escort card display set the tone for the overall design where vintage vases filled with monochromatic florals deconstructed from the night’s centerpieces made a stunning statement. Tabletops were covered in crisp white linens and surrounded by gold chivari chairs. Summer arrangements in mixed silver pieces lined the tables while airy white draping and chandeliers laced with greenery hung overhead. Instead of a traditional lounge set-up, they decided on a porch swing vibe and opted for greenery-adorned bed swings where guests could kick up their feet when they took a break from dancing. Vintage blue and white porcelain plates sat atop hemstitch napkins monogrammed with the couple’s initials. Dinner menus, hand-lettered with each guest’s name, featured the couple’s custom watercolor crest. Carolyn and her sisters run the popular Instagram account @foodintheair (check it out!), so the stakes were high to deliver a menu deserving of a shout out. They were in luck because the culinary team at Patrick Properties Hospitality Group does not disappoint. They cooked up a menu for the evening truly worthy of their insta-praise! Dinner featured spicy tuna on crispy rice and watermelon with feta, mint and balsamic glaze—ideal for warm June temps—followed by braised short rib with blackberry au jus and Lowcountry risotto.
Ceremony Venue: St. Mary’s Catholic Church ll Reception Venue: Lowndes Grove Plantation ll Photographer: Ryan Ray Photography ll Event Planning: The Burlap Elephant ll Design: The Burlap Elephant & Curated by Carolyn ll Floral Design: Charleston Stems ll Gown: Romona Keveza ll Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Monique Lhuillier ll Hair Stylist: Union Studio ll Makeup: Pamela Lesch ll Men’s Attire: Brooks Brothers ll Catering & Cake: Patrick Properties Hospitality Group ll Rentals: Ooh Events, Blossom Events ll Stationery: Tying the Knots, Arzberger Stationers ll Linens: La Tavola ll Lighting: TEC – Technical Event Company ll Ceremony Music: The Charleston Symphony Orchestra String Quartet ll Cocktail Hour Musician: Seth G ll Band: Sol Fusion ll Videographer: Hart to Heart Media ll Officiant: Father Dan McClellon ll Bridal Assistant: Cacky’s Bride Aid
