Kelsey + Lance’s garden party wedding day in Charleston, South Carolina was nonstop rainy day romance.
A little rainfall couldn’t possibly stop this magical tented outdoor celebration under the mossy live oak trees at sprawling estate venue Wingate Place. With umbrellas and parasols at the ready, Kelsey + Lance didn’t mind getting a little damp.
The couple teamed up with event designers and planners from Parte Events & Design to bring their dreamy, old-word, springtime wedding to life. The couple’s excitement was built into all of the day’s countless thoughtful details. Bridesmaid bouquets and escort cards and accessories and reception table decor—everything creatively and meaningfully chosen.
And photographer Peyton Byford was snapping away all day, capturing Kelsey + Lance’s totally contagious joy!!
We love a last-minute twist in a wedding dress search story!! Especially when it leads to this dreamy gown with its airy tulle skirt and floral appliqué details. A perfect mix of modern bride and garden party fairytale princess.
A little rain can’t stop this crew! Check out our guide to handling a rainy wedding day to be prepared for any weather!
The Ceremony
LOVE that Kelsey’s full-length veil features floral appliqués just like her wedding gown’s bodice! Take a look through the best wedding veils for every bridal style!
Our Musical Choices Processional: "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles (acoustic version played by Logan Thomas)
Recessional: "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)" by Natalie Cole
First Dance: "Sweet Symphony" by Joy Oladokun and Chris Stapleton
The Reception
“We spent an entire year writing personal letters for every single wedding guest as their escort
cards for the reception,” say Kelsey + Lance. “The seating chart wall featured envelopes with every guest/couple’s names and tables on them with letters inside. This is probably the most talked about detail from the wedding day because guests were so surprised, and while it took a lot of time and effort, it’s one detail we would choose to do over and over again.”
Check out 36 unique seating chart ideas we’re obsessed with to start dreaming up your own unforgettable way to get your guests to their seats at the reception.
So into the old world charm of the ornate cut glass details and floral candlestick holders that Simply Elegant brought to the reception tabletops.
Custom hand painted taper candles like the ones Kelsey + Lance chose are such a sweet way to personalize a tablescape!
Chug A Lug Wagon provided bubbles and drinks for Kelsey + Lance’s guests all night long.
Is there anything cuter or more festive than a pale pink ribbed champagne coupe?! Shop the Esme Fluted Champagne Glass Set from West Elm.
Kelsey’s tulle sleeve reception dress from BCBG was a chic and playful way to end the night. “I highly recommend getting the second dress for anyone who’s main dress is a bit heavy,” says Kelsey, “because it was very important to me that I’m able to kill it on the dance floor that night and not be held down!”
Our Advice To Those Planning Now Be prepared for anything, and if you are prepared, you are going to be the best version of yourselves and able to fully enjoy the day no matter what! We did so much scenario planning, which ultimately is how we ended up so well prepared for a very rainy weekend. Bad weather or changes in plans can easily shake up a couple if they feel unprepared, so you have to have a plan and do your very best to think through every scenario possible. For example, we talked for hours with one another, our families, and our planners about how/where to set up the rain tent, how many umbrellas we should get, etc. to make sure we had every basis covered. Ultimately, because of all of that planning, Lance and I knew that everything was going to be perfectly fine and we could just relax and have the best day ever. Something we were constantly complimented on was the attitude we had the whole weekend because we were just so full of life and our best selves, which is what guests want to see and how you want to remember your wedding day!!!
Congratulations, Kelsey + Lance! So glad the rain couldn’t stop your charming Charleston garden party wedding!! All the best form GWS!
photography: Peyton Byford Photography // venue name: Wingate Place, Charleston, SC, USA // event design: Parte Events and Design // planning: Parte Events and Design // florals: Festoon Charleston // bride’s shoes: Bella Belle // hair stylist: Brianna B Adams // makeup artist: Cheryl Quinn // videography: Michael O Loughlin // paper goods: Three Strands Stationery // calligraphy: Three Strands Stationery // handmade details: atozcustombuilds // catering: Salt House Catering // cake: Ashley Bakery // desserts: Gelati Moto // tabletop rentals: Simply Elegant Rentals // furniture rentals: EventWorks Rentals // linen rentals: Stradley Davidson // specialty rentals: Curated Events Charleston // music: ML Event Entertainment // cocktails: Chug A Lug Wagon // ceremony music: Logan Thomas // embroidered bridal gloves: Kerry Parker Atelier