Glenn is from Charleston and I (Helen) am from Lincoln, Nebraska – so we wanted everything, from the save the dates, invitations, and programs, to the food at the reception, to be a fusion of Nebraska and South Carolina. Our main colors were Nebraska “Husker red” and Charleston “haint blue.” Our menu included shrimp and grits to represent Charleston, as well as beef tenderloin, to represent Lincoln, Nebraska. We both wanted to have a traditional, downtown, Charlestown wedding and getting married in a church was important to both of us. We chose Glenn’s childhood church, First Baptist Church, the oldest Baptist church in the South. For the reception, we wanted a historic and stately venue, and we were lucky to use the Spoleto Festival USA building, where I work. The grandiose and historic setting made the contrast even more fun when our amazing band, Mike & The Mixers rocked our socks off with great shag and 80’s music. One of the most important elements to me was my wedding dress: I was able to wear my grandmother’s (Mimi) 1954 Cahill of Beverly Hills wedding dress for the ceremony! I purchased another reception dress that I fell in love with from the Gown Boutique. It was even called the “Mimi” dress. My grandmother unexpectedly died one week before the wedding, but she was able to see pictures of me in the dress, and we know she had the best seat in the house, looking down at us from heaven. We were able to sneak a couple yellow roses (her favorite) in my and my mother’s bouquets. We just loved our wedding and hope you do too! – the Bride
What is your favorite wedding day memory?
My favorite memory is the blending of families and traditions. From the color scheme (Nebraska red and Charleston “haint” blue) to the menu (beef tenderloin and shrimp and grits), it was a true fusion of our upbringing. Also high on the list is riding in bike taxis from the church to the reception, our first dance to James Taylor “How Sweet it Is” played on a grand piano in the ballroom of the 1796 Charleston mansion, and our sparkler exit to the groom’s late father’s white Mercedes before cruising through downtown in our wedding wear, honking at passerbys.
What did you DIY for your wedding?
We tried to make good use of our time and skills and not DIY things that would be hard for us to do. Certain elements like our guest book (poster of our actual thumbprints), new married monogram napkins, and bridesmaid/groomsmen gifts were important to us, but we chose to pay other creative people on Etsy that could do the job much faster than us. Having signature touches was important to us as well, so we took time to come up with a creative cocktail and mocktail for the reception. We did DIY the programs and were really pleased with how they turned out. Having a “happy tears” envelope with a kleenex was a sweet touch that we wanted to include even before my grandmother passed and we knew it would be a more emotional wedding than we had originally thought.
Something old, new, borrowed and blue?
My wedding dress from grandmother as well as gold clutch from great-grandmother; haint blue was the color we used throughout the wedding flowers, invitation, decor, etc.
Any advice for brides currently in the planning process?
Be productive in spurts and then enjoy the downtime. We planned fast and furious for the first month after getting engaged by picking the venues, caterer, photographer, band, and our and the bridal party clothing, then were able to take a week-long ski trip without feeling guilty. Outside of your down time, try to enjoy the process and spending time with the people you love most. – Helen, the Bride
Event Credits
Photograper: Karson Photography // Videography: Sugar Peach Productions // Transportation: Charleston Bike Taxi // Ceremony: First Baptist Church, Charleston // Reception: Spoleto Festival USA's Murray Center // Officiants: Roy Jacques and Steve Kloter // Ceremony dress: Brides grandmothers // Reception dress: Watters and Watters // Shoes: Kate Spade // Men's Attire: Jos A Bank // Invitations: Designed by the Bride, printed by The Laughing Owl Press // Bridesmaid dresses: Girls choice // Florist: Charleston Flower Market // Cake: Whole Foods Bakery // Catering: Stono Cafe and Catering // Bar: Mix Charleston // Hair and makeup: Tease Blow Dry Bar // Rentals: All Occasions Party Rentals // Bridesmaid totes: Nnichols // Bridesmaid necklaces: SimplyQcollection
