EMILY + DAVE
Private Estate weddings are truly some of the most memorable for so many reasons. Clients get to see their homes in a completely different way. A way that helps them to build meaningful future memories on top of existing ones that resonate in the space for their lifetime. We are able to design an event that is uniquely constructed to compliment the flow of the energy in the home that already exists. I also find that having the ability to take our time in the installation process helps the event take shape in such an organic and purposeful way. These types of events are truly my favorite reveals.
Emily and Dave imagined all of their closest friends and family members gathered in their home enjoying good food and togetherness.
When we first met over video chat Emily shared with me a photo of a lavender wisteria covered dinner table on a terrace that must have been plucked out of a tuscan fairy tale. She said “I want that feeling in that photo”. Honestly, I don't know that there was much more direction but I also can’t remember needing any.
Emily was in the wedding industry and she understood the power of giving the professionals a clear, single focus and letting them go. She owns a Lovely Bride bridal shop in Charleston, SC and often, as we have all heard, brides don’t settle on the dress they first intended but they always get what they ultimately wanted - magic.
Now that I had a clear feeling from Emily I needed to see what was important to Dave. He had been very open about wanting to get married near the pool so that he could be near the water since fishing and the outdoors were a part of his identity. I had asked him to provide images of spaces that represented his esthetics to get a better idea of what he really connected to. Over and over he sent deep wood tones, rich fall colors and closed cozy spaces. So, that's what I had to promise him. That I would identify him in the design better than his connection to the water near the pool.
What we came up with was a cozy lush fall forest growing over the repeating arches of their Spanish styled home and covering the aisle in such a variety of tones that it hardly had a specific palette at all. It was wild, warm and welcoming.
Emily processed through large arched wooden double doors and as they exited the ceremony guests rang brass bells to celebrate and signify new beginnings. We then ushered guests to cocktail hour with a freshly muddled sangria in hand as we turned over the space to create the most lovely 32 foot feasting table full of ambient candlelight, decadent charcuterie displays and golden pears that held raw silk ribbons with each guests name handwritten in gold ink.
There was a Spanish guitar playing in the background as guests began dining on an appetizer of smashed pea lobster timbale and moved to beef tenderloin with a variety of accoutrements shared across the table through echoes of laughter and toasts to the adoring couple.
After a four course meal the guests were invited to continue the evenings celebrations making themselves at home while we quickly cleared and leaving them to dance and celebrate the new Mr. and Mrs.
Images by Kaity Brawley