Pastel wedding in Charleston inspired by an award-winning garden

Southern pastel reception

Corey and Emily have always been passionate about snorkeling and scuba diving, so swimming with whale sharks was high on their bucket list. In December 2022, they traveled to the Maldives, and after an incredible day of diving, Corey arranged for photos on the beach and proposed at sunset. Their wedding day embodied a classic Charleston vibe, blending timeless elegance with an English garden theme inspired by Emily’s grandmother’s award-winning garden. Captured by Kelsey Halm Photography and Two Fly Guys, and planned with the help of Ash Events, this wedding that can only be described as "lovely" from start to finish is an absolute must-see for any bride planning her own garden party wedding.

custom watercolor invitations

Romantic color palette

The wedding colors featured a beautiful mix of pastel pinks, whites, blues, and purples, with pops of yellow to add vibrancy. The use of greenery throughout the décor brought a natural, fresh feel that complemented the romantic palette. “We really wanted the colors to match the natural elements—the flowers, water, and greenery,” Emily shared.

Charleston wedding venue

pastel floral decor minimal stem centerpieces

Design inspo: the bride's grandmother's garden

The design was based on Emily's grandmother’s lush garden, with colored candles adding playfulness and pieces of lavender incorporated into the place cards for a fragrant touch. Emily made the place cards herself as a tribute to her grandmother, who was present at the wedding from across the pond. Each dried lavender sprig had a pink or green ribbon to note dinner choices.

classic ballgown

blue wedding shoes bow-accented wedding dress

Featured designer: Justin Alexander

Emily wore the stunning "Harper" Mikado ball gown by Justin Alexander, complete with a square neckline, chapel train, and an attachable bow on the back. For Emily’s something old, her grandmother gifted her a necklace that had been passed down through generations, which she tied around her bouquet as a tribute.

blue bridesmaid dresses

Moody blue Azazie bridesmaids

The bridesmaids wore mix-matched dresses from Azazie in the same shade of “moody blue,” allowing for individual style while maintaining a cohesive look.

classic wedding suit anemone boutonniere

Custom suit with embroidered initials

Corey looked sharp in his Balani custom all-black suit, paired with a crisp white undershirt, black bow tie, and a white pocket square. He had his initials embroidered on the sleeve for a personal touch. “We always joked that the groom doesn’t get enough room to shine, so his outfit was designed to be slightly different, giving him his 'star of the show' moment,” Emily said.

classic black tie groomsmen

Herbs & greenery boutonnieres

The groomsmen wore sleek all-black tuxedos from The Black Tux, with different lapel styles and low-cut vests to differentiate them from the groom. Corey’s boutonniere matched Emily’s bouquet, while the groomsmen wore boutonnieres made of herbs and greenery.

whimsical mini floral arrangements for aisle

ground floral installation bow wedding dress

outdoor southern wedding

Grounded floral installation

The same floral vision was carried throughout the day, with Willow Event Designs creating six grounded floral arrangements that formed an arch for the ceremony and lined the aisle. Emily’s favorite flowers, such as forget-me-nots, garden roses, and peonies, were used in soft shades of white, pink, light orange, blue, and green, creating a natural yet elegant atmosphere.

dock wedding portraits

Custom cocktail bar & menu

The bar featured a variety of wines and liquors, including a mojito for Emily, which was a nod to the Maldives, and a blackberry smash for Corey, inspired by their favorite cocktail at a local restaurant.

wallpapered seating chart

Wallpaper-covered seating chart

The seating chart was a beautiful wallpaper-covered column with custom gold seals.

structured tent reception

mirror welcome sign sweetheart table with ground floral arrangements

Gold-plated and garden-inspired

The décor at the reception was simple and elegant, with gold-plated mirrors as welcome signs and pastel candles in chimney tubes on the tables. String lights chosen by Corey were wrapped in greenery to enhance the garden theme without overpowering the natural beauty of Lowndes Grove. “We kept everything simple, natural, and timeless,” Emily said, ensuring that the venue’s beauty took center stage.

blue watercolor table numbers

Pastel blue table numbers

Table numbers, made of pastel blue glazed coasters, were accented by blue napkins and gold-trimmed plates. The table numbers were handmade by Emily’s mother and her best friend, who had taken a pottery class together. Emily loved that it kept with the natural theme, adding a personal touch to the décor.

dried flower place settings draped greenery

Plated dinner inspiration

The food, catered by PPHG, was a delicious experience, with hors d'oeuvres like mini chicken and waffles, burrata with fig jam, lamb loin with herb sauce, and seared sea scallops. The plated dinner featured a Greek goddess salad, followed by braised short ribs or the seasonal catch, with a vegetarian option of spiced caulettes.

floral accented wedding cake

Couple's only garden-inspired cake

Emily and Corey cut into a single tier couple's-only cake from Ashley's Bakery with abstract icing flowers in shades of pastels.

post card guest book

Postcard guest book

Guests left messages and well-wishes for the newlyweds in their vintage-inspired postcard guest book.

wood and white checkered dance floor

Extra special father-mother-daughter dance

Emily also made sure her mother had a special moment at the wedding. “I decided to have my father-daughter dance be a mother-daughter dance too,” Emily said. After dancing with her dad, Emily surprised her mom by bringing her into the dance. They danced to "Slipping Through My Fingers" from Mamma Mia, a family favorite. It was a beautiful and emotional moment, capturing the love and gratitude Emily felt for both of her parents.

oceanfront wedding reception