All About the Details

BY VICKIE MCINTYRE | PHOTOS BY PHILIP CASEY

“I never grew up dreaming about my wedding,” said Beaufort native Caroline Kinard Roberts, “so I didn’t expect it to be perfect.”

Aiming for “beautiful but not stuffy,” her October 2021 nuptials to Al Roberts, of Anderson, S.C., resulted in a unique blend of formality and fun, which she calls a “highlow” celebration.

The dress code was black-tie optional, but the setting was her parents’ marsh-front backyard in Beaufort.

Her designer bridal gown, fashioned from raw silk with a thin row of buttons down the back and an optional lacey bolero jacket, came from White on Daniel Island, while her sturdy heeled shoes (hidden from sight) came from Target.

And although the country-rock band, Tailgate Homeboys, pulsed with gaiety, the quiet prayers of the Reverend Dr. Janis J. Kent, Caroline’s co-worker and mentor, brought everyone to tears.

“Everything was such a juxtaposition,” laughs Caroline. “It didn’t make much sense, but we had the most fun you could imagine, far exceeding my expectations.”

A quintessential wedding is full of planning and constantly reviewing a checklist, but it is often the sentimental choices that pull everything together.

Caroline and Al’s wedding is a prime example.

Every detail — from the lightest of blue bridesmaids’ dresses to the classic white and green ceremonial flowers that blended with the landscape, as well as elegant

bamboo folding chairs, table settings that featured plate linens embroidered with a Lowcountry crest by a family friend, and Al’s mother’s vintage farm truck filled with flowers and beer — reflected the couple’s goal of creating a relaxed, authentic ambiance.

Consulting tide charts, the couple chose the only Saturday in the fall when high tide was at 5 p.m., an ideal time to exchange vows with a sunset cocktail hour to follow. Shea Abramo, a painter, captured the iconic setting on canvas as the couple’s chocolate lab, Gumbo, strutted down the aisle with Al as the ceremony began.

“I’ll always remember the intense emotions of that moment, walking down the aisle with my dad,” says Caroline.

Embracing the feel of a family dinner party, Caroline also chose to use the blue-and-white pattern dishes she had grown up with and her great-grandmother’s cake stand.

Caroline’s aunt and grandmother adorned the cross stationed by the marsh with flowers, while her parents, owners of Jeweler’s Bench in downtown Beaufort, handcrafted Caroline’s pearl earrings as well as the wedding bands. Al, forgoing the usual knife to cut the cake, chose his Citadel sword.

Caroline raves about Amanda Rose Weddings, her dayof coordinator, and Melissa, from Farm City Flowers, who created an installation over the head table featuring sprawling greenery adorned with small glass globes containing candles.

Noel, from Lowcountry Produce, coordinated food stations serving everything from mounds of fancy seafood to downhome BBQ sliders, fries, and Grapefruit Gumbo, his signature cocktail for the event.

Caroline ended the evening wearing a short, white party dress. As the couple said their goodbyes, they spontaneously were hoisted into the air and carried on the shoulders of some of Al’s Army buddies.

When their feet touched ground again, they sped off in a large ATV, shocking the crowd waving sparklers.

“No one saw that coming,” quips Caroline, still smiling about her perfectly memorable day.

Sentimental choices pull everything together

What to know when honored as best man or maid of honor

BY NINA GREENPLATE

Standing up as one’s best man or maid of honor is both a sweet tribute and a time-honored position of responsibility.

Weddings are as unique as the happy couple themselves, yet much of the ‘to-do’ list comes standard.

The honor of the titles comes with some notable practices, both before and on the wedding day. Here’s to calm leadership, and a few reminders on how to help the bride and groom’s big day unfold effortlessly.

FOR THE GROOM. Prior to the wedding, the best man helps select the groomsmen’s attire and keeps the others on task with fittings and pick up. Organizing a bachelor party falls under his scope of duties.

Decide if the festivities will be close to home, a short drive, or an all-out trip away, including flight reservations. You’re the point person, so stay on top of all details. Remember to coordinate a gift from all the groomsmen unless everyone chooses to go out on their own.

Finally, prepare and practice the wedding toast. This is traditionally given by the best man but may be shared with the maid of honor.

FOR THE BRIDE. Prior to the wedding, have fun helping select the bridesmaid dresses and accessories. There will be countless varieties and styles to choose from.

The maid of honor will usually host or co-host a bridal shower, depending on, and working with, the bride’s mother on specifics. Planning a fabulous bachelorette party also falls under her responsibilities, and details should be discussed with the bride and other bridesmaids.

She can organize purchasing the bride’s gift from herself and the other bridesmaids, and consider helping to address wedding invitations as another kind gesture.

THE BIG DAY. On the wedding day, the best man and maid of honor should keep the happy couple, well, happy.

Assure them that all is going smoothly, and work to make that happen. No adorable ring-bearer? The rings can be held by the best man until the I Do’s are read.

During the ceremony the bride may need a hand with her veil, gown/train, and perhaps her bouquet after walking down the aisle and moving around. Her maid of honor should be alert for this assistance. The best man should also stay aware to keep the groom’s attire slick.

Both would also do well to have an emergency kit on-hand. Pack mints/gum, a small sewing kit, cologne/ perfume, Advil, Tide-to-go pen and deodorant.

THE PERFECT SPEECH.

A memorable speech is a genuine sentiment from the heart. Here are a few tips.

DO:

• Practice before the big day. • Keep the toast between 3-5 minutes. • Identify yourself and your connection to the couple. • Thank your hosts. • Consider including a small joke, advice, or a sweet anecdote in your opener. • Tell how you feel about them now that they’re together. • Be humorous. • Give your blessing. • Lift your glass and toast the happy couple.

DON’T

• Bring up past relationships. • Have too many inside jokes. • Be long-winded. • Be toasted during the toast.

There will be plenty of time to enjoy a few cocktails after the speech.