2023-24 Southern Coastal Weddings

A real wedding at Sea Island Resort, page 53

Jacob and Itzel Dease // May 13, 2023

// Photographer: Hannah with Sloan Design Company

James and Sabrina Wright // May 6, 2023

// Photographer: Colleen Zelinski

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Ashley & Arjun’s Wedding

PHOTOS : 5D Photography

PLANNER : Sincerely Yours Events

FLORALS : Kato Floral Designs

VENUE: Palmetto Club at The Landings

CAKE: Wicked Cakes

Ashley & Danny’s Wedding

PHOTOS: Esther Griffin Photography

PLANNER: Spectacular Saturdays Weddings and Events

FLORALS: Kato Floral Designs

VENUE: Olde Pink House

Brooke Roberts Photography

CONTENTS

WEDDINGS

53 NICOLE & ALEX

This Manhattan couple escaped the hustle of New York to say “I do” underneath The Cloister’s storied oak and terracotta canopy.

Written by Margaret Daniel

Photography by Kelli Boyd

65 KATELYNN & TYLER

A year after marrying in a private ceremony on Daufuskie Island, a New York City couple returns for a second destination wedding complete with family and friends.

Written by Allison Stice

Photography by Tim Willoughby

73 CAROLINE & VINCENT

A go-with-the-flow couple ties the knot on the Wilmington Island waterfront.

Written by Allison Stice

Photography by Meredith Ryncarz

81 MARK & LOGAN

After two pandemic-related delays, a Savannah soirée was written in the stars.

Written by Jessica Lynn Curtis

Photography by MDB Photography

88 VICTORIA & GREGORY

A Northern couple flew south for a sophisticated winter wedding with tropical accents.

Written by Amanda Brown

Photography by Esther Griffin Photography

96 CLAIRE & PAUL

A rock-and-roll elopement turns wedding dreams into reality for a stylish Savannah couple.

Written by Jessica Lynn Curtis

Photography by Ashlee C. Photography

ON THE COVER: A real wedding at Sea Island Resort, planned by Tara Skinner Weddings & Events and photographed by Kelli Boyd. See more on page 53.

KELLI BOYD

MISSION STATEMENT:

Southern Coastal Weddings draws upon the natural beauty and unique charm of the Coastal Georgia and South Carolina region — Savannah, Tybee Island and the Golden Isles in Georgia; Bluffton, Hilton Head Island and Beaufort, South Carolina, and surrounding counties. With an eye toward empowered wedding planning, Southern Coastal Weddings offers an elevated and authentic view of the region’s wedding culture … ever after, circa now.

6602 Abercorn St., Ste. 202, Savannah, GA 31405 southerncoastalweddings.com

@southerncoastalweddings facebook.com/SouthernCoastalWeddings

CUSTOMER SERVICE: 912.652.0293

ORDER A COPY: shopsavannahmagazine.com

SUBMIT AN IDEA: editor@savannahmagazine.com

REQUEST ADVERTISING INFORMATION: Call Jane Townsend, director of advertising, at 912.652.0294 or email jane.townsend@savannahmagazine.com

COURTESY OUTSIDE BRANDS

page 32

CLAY AUSTIN PHOTOGRAPHY

ASH & MILES

COURTESY SAVANNAH BEE COMPANY

page 127

page 41

page 45

Located

I’VE ALWAYS BEEN A SUCKER FOR A GOOD LOVE STORY. As a ’90s kid, I first fell for the romantic comedies of the early aughts. Again and again, I watched actors play out a familiar tale with a predictably happy ending. What really kept me hooked, however, were the little details that made the couple’s love story uniquely theirs, albeit fictional.

Now in my 30s and married myself, the only thing better than a cozy evening of watching movies on the couch with my husband is seeing friends and family vow to spend forever with their own perfect match.

As a wedding guest, my favorite parts of the festivities are listening to the speeches — hearing love stories told from the couples’ nearest and dearest — and seeing how elements of those stories show up in days-long itineraries (page 26), design styles, cultural traditions, menus and playlists.

When selecting the real weddings to include in this year’s edition, I looked closely for those special details that make the big day feel authentic, one of a kind and a little magical.

Replicating the same event would be impossible. Rather, I hope readers planning their own nuptials find inspiration to make their celebrations ring true to them (pages 53-100).

Still, there’s one thing that all the weddings in this issue have in common: exuberant joy.

After years of pandemic-related delays, cancellations, social distancing and nights on the couch, it’s clear that people are still making up for lost time. Couples are going all out with colorful blooms, maximalist tablescapes, mix-and-match bridesmaid dresses and curated experiences for destination weddings. Disco balls, cowgirl hats and glow sticks that look straight out of a Beyoncé or Taylor Swift concert are showing up on reception dance floors — and at the afterparties (page 45).

And, in turn, these memories star in the social media recaps we repeatedly watch and the better-than-fiction stories we tell for years to come.

Colleen Ann McNally Editor

Photo by KATIE MCGEE

CHURCHILL’S

Publisher Anita Hagin

EDITORIAL & DESIGN

Editor Colleen Ann McNally

Art Director Rebecca Hrizuk

Graphic Designer Melanie Schmermund

Digital Editor Andrea Burg

Guest Copy Editor Andrea Goto

Editorial Intern Zachary Hayes

ADVERTISING

Director of Advertising

Jane Townsend

Advertising Account Managers Jill Strauss & Lane Pelliccione

Advertising Account Executives

Morgan Crolley & Catherine Wooditch

10 Downing Room

A recently renovated event space on our third floor adjacent to our rooftop terrace. The architect in 10 Downing combines Old Savannah charm with some modern design touches to provide the ideal space for larger gatherings like Weddings, Corporate Events, Hail & Farewells and more.

Winston’s Wine Cellar

Winston’s Wine Cellar is the epitome of old Savannah charm with a full private bar and warm, enchanting lighting. This room is the ideal venue for Rehersal Dinners, Holiday Celebrations, Bridal Showers, Bachelorettes, Business Cocktail Hours and more.

Advertising Coordinator Holly Todd

EXECUTIVE

President Tina Battock

Vice President, Finance & Operations Scott Ferguson

Director of Manufacturing & Production Sherry Brown

Accounting Manager Veronica Brooks

Circulation Business Manager Michelle Rowe

MORRIS COMMUNICATIONS

Chairman William S. Morris III

CEO Craig S. Mitchell

A PUBLICATION OF SOUTHEASTERN NEWSPAPERS COMPANY, LLC

Southern Coastal Weddings magazine is published annually by Southeastern Newspapers Company, LLC doing business as Savannah magazine, 6602 Abercorn St., Suite 202, Savannah, GA 31405. The cover and contents are fully protected and may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without the written consent of Savannah magazine. We are not responsible for loss of unsolicited inquiries, manuscripts, photographs, transparencies or other materials. They will not be returned unless accompanied by return postage. Address letters and editorial contributions to Southern Coastal Weddings magazine, 6602 Abercorn St., Suite 202, Savannah, GA 31405. Copyright © 2023–24 by Southeastern Newspapers Company, LLC. All rights reserved. Savannah magazine and Southern Coastal Weddings magazine are trademarks owned by Southeastern Newspapers Company, LLC.

Breathtakingly beautiful, Mollie Stone’s scrumptious wedding cakes will captivate your palate as well as your heart.

MollieCakes combines only the very �inest ingredients with her renowned artistic talent to create the wedding cake of your dreams.

MollieCakes was showcased in the wedding scene of Hollywood blockbuster Forces of Nature, Local celebrities Paula Deen and son Jamie also selected MollieCakes for their weddings. Call MollieCakes and add a touch of perfection to your special day.

Helping

Something New

On the wedding morning, chic-yet-comfortable clothes are a must for a bride and her maids while getting pampered and polished before the big day. That’s why LAKE — the purveyor of luxury pajamas founded in Savannah — is making loungewear dreams come true. With the company’s new concierge service, a personal shopper curates and coordinates orders for the entire bridal party. Consider those bridesmaid gifts checked off your to-do list.

In case you missed it: The Starland District’s historic Gingerbread House recently received a modern refresh. Jen Jenkins, the owner of the neighboring Foxy Loxy Cafe, purchased the picture-perfect Savannah landmark and enlisted Amy Lind of Amy Lind Interiors to update the short-term rental and event venue (managed by Lucky Savannah Vacation Rentals and Swanson Signature Events, respectively) while still preserving the home’s inherent character. With three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living area and a breakfast nook, The Gingerbread House makes a stylish home base for bachelorette weekends or wedding parties. … Next, The Mansion on Forsyth Park is undergoing a multi-million-dollar renovation and expansion. The newly rebranded Hotel Bardo Savannah is slated to reopen in February 2024, just in time for spring and summer weddings. ... The flagship location of Syd Nichole Fashion & Flowers is now open at Eastern Wharf. The retail storefront is part clothing boutique and part florist studio, where the team creates custom floral designs for weddings and events. SCW

To Have and to Hold

> Looking for the perfect way to welcome guests to the Hostess City? The Savannah Destination Wilson Market Tote from R. Riveter doubles as a carryall bag and city map with illustrations of iconic places like Forsyth Park, Bonaventure Cemetery and The Olde Pink House. Fill the tote with favorite snacks and beverages or personalized party favors, and have it ready for guests upon arrival. Best of all, guests will truly want to take home this keepsake and use it again. $140, available at rriveter.com

> Known for statement handbags made from upcycled Hermès scarves, men’s neckties and more, Savannah-based LOVE & MOXiE also makes custom designs upon request. Think handcrafted clutches for brides and bridesmaids made from vintage wedding dresses or a loved one’s tie. Or, after the nuptials, couples can repurpose their own wedding attire into a sentimental bag or dopp kit to use daily. lovenmoxie.com

Hotel Bardo Savannah

R. Riveter

COURTESY AMY LIND INTERIORS

MOXIE COURTESY

THE We ingTIMELINE

Whether hosting an intimate micro-wedding with your nearest and dearest or throwing a big bash with hundreds of relatives and friends traveling far distances to attend, pick and choose which events are right for you — or include them all! Your celebration can be whatever you want it to be.

MEET AND GREET

BRIDAL LUNCHEON

THE REHEARSAL

ARRIVAL

Surprise and delight your guests as soon as they check in to their accommodations.

A welcome gift waiting at a hotel front desk or in their room can set the tone for the days ahead, while also including key information to help out-of-towners navigate the locale, treats that offer a taste of the local flavor or even simple creature comforts to help them feel at home.

Introduce your family and friends to the wedding location and each other with a festive welcome party. Looking for creative ways to get everyone acquainted? Flip to page 32 for unexpected group activities to add into your itinerary.

Brides often carve out time for an elegant lunch or other daytime excursion with their bridesmaids and other special women in their lives. Looking for something more relaxed? Plan a day at the spa or nail salon instead.

Now, the feelings of excitement and anticipation are getting real. Be sure to walk through the ceremony with the wedding party and confirm all wedding day logistics are finalized before the big day.

THE REHEARSAL DINNER

Traditionally, the groom’s family hosts the meal that immediately follows the rehearsal. Today, anything goes — informal or formal, just the wedding party or all guests.

KELLI BOYD PHOTOGRAPHY

GETTING READY

Wake up: it’s your wedding day! Spend the morning in a serene setting where makeup and hair stylists come to you or a spacious suite where the whole wedding party can gather. Champagne, anyone?

CEREMONY

Wedding traditions and customs vary greatly between cultures and religions. Regardless of the rituals you choose, this is the moment you’ve been waiting for — and what your guests are here to witness. For a complete list of the region’s churches and houses of worship, flip to page 108.

RECEPTION

Time to let loose and change into your dancing shoes! For a full list of reception venues, flip to page 112.

ANOTHER ROUND

After the party comes the afterparty. For expert advice on planning an extended celebration, flip to page 45.

FIRST LOOK

You’re all dressed and the waiting is over. For a private moment with your betrothed before you exchange vows, ask your photographer to coordinate a first look. Taking photos before the program begins could allow you to enjoy more time mingling with guests later, too.

COCKTAIL HOUR

You’re officially married! While your photographer whisks you two away for portraits, open the bar, pass the hors d’oeuvres and keep your guests entertained. Depending on the location of your ceremony and reception, you may want to offer transportation for guests. If the venues are within walking distance, consider serving to-go drinks or at least bottles of water, especially in the hotter months.

THE GRAND EXIT

Sparklers or streamers?

Vintage car or golf cart? Whatever you decide, make your first getaway as a married couple one to remember.

THE FOND FAREWELL

Whether you’re heading home or on a honeymoon, host a farewell brunch before you and your guests part ways. This leisurely, drop-in style event gives everyone a chance to say goodbye, while still reveling in the highlights from the night prior.

IZZY+CO

NELLIE BRADFORD PHOTOGRAPHY

MACKENSEY ALEXANDER PHOTOGRAPHY

Congratulations on your recent engagement! From the moment you start planning, let 40 Volume Salon and Spa be your all in beauty team. Bridal packages available for you and your wedding party! Hair, makeup, catering and champagne, let us take care of it all! Visit

Photo by Kristen Brown, at Collins Quarter at Forsyth

412 Williamson st. thealidahotel.com

DISCOVER A PERFECT UNION OF TIMELESS BEAUTY AND SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY WHILE CELEBRATING YOUR WEDDING AT THE ALIDA.

Let our expert event planners and culinary team guide you through the process, taking into account every detail. With the Savannah River as your stunning backdrop, celebrate with your loved ones beneath twinkling canopy lights at a soiree on our rooftop. Whether your wedding, rehearsal dinner and other events are reserved for family, or open to friends of friends, you and your guests will feel at home at The Alida.

The MORE, the

Couples maximize wedding itineraries with added group activities for extra quality time with their guests

Written by JEN MARIE WIGGINS

FROM SPA PARTIES AND FITNESS

CLASSES to game nights and golf outings, today’s couples are getting creative with wedding weekend itineraries. Particularly for those having a destination wedding, lots of out-of-town guests or a multiday event, planned recreational experiences offer couples the opportunity to spend more time with loved ones while personalizing their event.

“We are seeing that couples want their guests to feel treated and taken care of from the moment they arrive to the time they depart — often incorporating things that are special to them,” says Nicki Korman, owner of Collins Korman Events.

Those personal extras might highlight the wedding’s particular location, the couple’s history or even a beloved hobby. Whether a pool party or a city tour on foot, bike or kayak, events have become as unique as the couples themselves.

When choosing activities, Korman advises to consider your demographic. Who is coming? What is their age and mobility? Where are they traveling from? What do they enjoy at home versus what is out of the ordinary for them?

Take cues from your venue location, too. “Brides are definitely taking influence from culture and locale,” says Caroline Weidhaas, senior event design manager at Sea Island Resort. She adds how a recent bride incorporated the longtime Sea Island tradition of bingo into her wedding weekend. “After the rehearsal dinner, guests were led to The Cloister at Sea Island’s historic Spanish Lounge for a private bingo game — complete with prizes!” Weidhaas says.

Of course, favorite Southern foods and traditions remain popular, especially when played up in unexpected ways. “From Southern welcome parties with BBQ and tubs of beer to surprise musical guests — couples are having fun with more casual themes and get-togethers beyond the wedding itself,” adds photographer Donna Von Bruening.

Blake Vitiello, senior catering sales manager at The Landings Golf & Athletic Club, agrees. “We had a recent bride who included a customized map

“We are seeing that couples want their guests to feel treated and taken care of from the moment they arrive to the time they depart — often incorporating things that are special to them.”

— Nicki Korman, owner of Collins Korman Events

COURTESY OUTSIDE BRANDS

All FOR FUN

in her guests’ welcome packages. The map highlighted significant places to the couple — their first date, where ‘Mr. Right’ popped the question, and their favorite spot for date night, brunch place on the weekends and even favorite downtown shops. It was a great way to personalize the wedding and make everyone feel welcome.”

Just make sure to allow your guests to enjoy some free time as well because it’s important to allow them to explore or relax on their own.

“WOW” YOUR GUESTS WITH GROUP ACTIVITIES THAT ALL AGES CAN ENJOY

“I encourage couples not to overschedule activities so that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the destination,” adds Korman. “You want to strike a healthy balance of hosted events and free time.” While an itinerary for the entire wedding weekend might not be for everyone, those who opt in feel it offers guests ways to bond and creates a bespoke buildup to the main event. It’s just one of so many options to consider if “the more, the merrier” sounds right to you. SCW

Up for some friendly competition? Organize a pickleball tournament, complete with custom embroidered tennis towels.

Spend the day on a private island. Outside Brands offers charter boat tours and customizable adventures to Page Island in South Carolina, with activities ranging from tubing, fishing and crabbing to dock jumping, dolphin and bird watching and more. They can even set up a bar and oyster roast or Lowcountry boil.

Host a glam movie night under the stars. The event masterminds at Savannah-based Port Town Collective provide the film screen and projector, rugs, pillows, lounge chairs with throw blankets, gourmet drinks and snacks, so you can sit back and relax.

Photography by MARY CATHERINE BROWNFIELD // Courtesy WEEZIE

A CELEBRATION AS ORIGINAL AS YOUR LOVE STORY.

Discover unique and extraordinary ways to bring your love story to life along the iconic Savannah River. From luxurious ballrooms to a state-of-the-art concert hall and more, JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District will inspire endless possibilities for beginning forever, together.

The Mother of All Brides

A newly minted M.O.B. shares advice from the wedding trenches

Written by MARY FITZGERALD // Photography by CLAY AUSTIN PHOTOGRAPHY

WHEN

MY DAUGHTER CAROLINE

received a sunset proposal in Turks and Caicos on the Thanksgiving holiday in 2020, I became part of the illustrious Mother of the Bride squad, also known as M.O.B.

Some members of this club are a picture of elegance, etiquette and poise. Others have given us a bad rap as controlling, conservative and overbearing villains. I hope I fell into the former category.

The Golden Rule to ensure M.O.B. bliss? Be supportive of the couple’s vision. Remember, this is not your wedding, it’s theirs.

After 15 months of planning, Caroline and her husband Chris were married at The Landings on Skidaway Island on a picture perfect April day, and it went “mostly” as planned.

We learned a lot during the wedding preparation, and now that I have had time to process the event, I am happy to pass along some of our lessons learned. Here are my top five tips to fellow moms.

HAVE THE UNCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATION FIRST

If you haven’t figured it out already, you will soon discover that weddings can run away with your wallet. Have a candid conversation with the couple to determine who is paying for what and set what seems like a reasonable budget, then start a spreadsheet to track the expenses. Like building a house, expect to encounter unforeseen costs and overages, so estimate high.

GIVE AND TAKE

Decide where you will splurge and where you can cut back. Caroline had her heart set on an outdoor wedding — that was nonnegotiable for her. This generated additional expense because everything needed to be brought on site including the tables, chairs, dance floor, lighting and bathrooms.

“Decide where you will splurge and where you can cut back. Caroline had her heart set on an outdoor wedding — that was nonnegotiable for her.”

— Mary Fitzgerald, M.O.B.

To compensate, we found inventive ways to trim the budget without sacrificing style. A talented friend offered to arrange the flowers and create the tablescapes for the big day. We raided my “prop” closet for candlesticks and vases and purchased additional finds from flea markets and thrift shops. A coworker designed beautiful custom invitations at a great discount. For the wedding gown, Caroline and I scouted out sample sales at a high-end dress boutique. Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for the best price from vendors — we negotiated with many of them and bundled services to get better pricing.

HELP WANTED

Delegate and enlist the help of friends. I had a great posse of friends to help with various tasks like chauffeuring the bridesmaids and groomsmen, setting up the table decorations and even providing food for a post-wedding day brunch. Ask a dependable friend to act as an assistant on the day of the wedding. They can hold your purse during the ceremony, grab you a drink or some food (it’s easy to forget to eat when there is so much going on) or work with the photographer to identify people for those must-have shots. This will help you actually enjoy the event you helped create.

Be sure to let your team know how much you appreciated their help. After we recovered from the wedding, I threw a dinner party for my amazing friends who pitched in selflessly to make my daughter’s day extra special. And I made it clear that I’m willing, able and happy to pay them back when it is their turn at bat.

TAKE A MOMENT

Carve out some quiet time to sit with your bride before the big show. This is something I wish I had done. My house was buzzing with bridesmaids, hair and makeup people and family. Before I knew it, the photographer arrived for first look photos and the car was waiting to whisk us off to the ceremony. It all goes by so fast, so schedule a moment with your daughter to breathe, relax and let her know how much you love her.

STAY CALM

Once the ceremony is underway, you are pretty much at the mercy of, well, everything. Major unpredictable events can happen — be it a threatening hurricane or as the would-be brides of 2020 know all too well, a pandemic. But it’s more likely you’ll encounter small inconveniences, and you can either choose to roll with the punches or get knocked out. In our case, the sound system at the ceremony unexpectedly shut off, which meant the officiant had to improvise and speak a little louder. In the end, guests rarely notice the little mishaps, so stay calm, carry on and laugh about it later.

Looking back, my daughter says her wedding was even better than she imagined it would be — and I can’t think of a better compliment.

Caroline’s day ended up being magical, and I’m sure your child’s wedding will be, too. I wish you luck! SCW

Mary Fitzgerald and her daughter Caroline

A erpa y

Written by ALLISON STICE // Photography by ASH & MILES PHOTOGRAPHY

They say the big day goes by in a flash ...

so why not keep it going long after the last dance — all the way to last call? Many couples are opting to cue up the wedding afterparty: a post-reception celebration that keeps the good times rolling.

“Couples are aware of the distances their guests are traveling from and try to provide a high level of guest satisfaction by inviting them to more than just the wedding ceremony and reception,” says wedding planner Anna Swanson of Swanson Signature Events.

Intimidated by the thought of assembling yet another piece of the wedding puzzle? We asked local wedding experts for afterparty etiquette to ensure the perfect end to your perfect day.

INVITATION SWEET

When deciding where to host your postnuptial celebration, determine what portion of your guest list will likely attend.

“The afterparty typically attracts one-third or less of the wedding guests — and normally the younger crowd,” says Swanson.

Still, it’s good manners befitting the Hostess City to include your entire guest list. Hunter Beals, director of sales and catering at The Drayton Hotel, recommends even asking for RSVPs, especially when booking a private space. But even if you’re not renting and instead congregating at a public hotspot, you’ll want to make sure it has ample space for your guests.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

You can book a private room, cocktail lounge or a few tables at a favorite pub. If you opt for a nightclub or bar without a formal reservation, you could still benefit from a special hosting touch by calling ahead to let them know a crowd will be arriving. Ideally, the afterparty should be easily and safely accessible from your wedding venue. Check with the coordinators of your big day about whether there is a less formal area on the grounds of your ceremony location that can naturally flow into the afterparty. If your venue is near downtown Savannah’s bar scene, picking a place where guests can walk over as the reception winds down prevents any transportation headaches. If your second venue isn’t within walking distance from the reception, a party bus or trolley can continually shuttle guests.

VOW TO VIBE

Like the ceremony and reception, the afterparty should be a reflection of the wedding couple. For the young-at-heart and playful, karaoke, a DJ or live music, or even a singalong at Savannah Smiles Piano Bar does the trick. A more mellow couple might go for something more sophisticated with handcrafted cocktails and an elegant atmosphere to drink it all in, of which there are many in Savannah, including The Drayton Hotel’s downstairs lounge, where candles, vinyl records, velvet seating and leather barstools set the mood.

BITES AND BOOZE

The reception menu is where you pull out the stops — freeing up the afterparty menu to be more casual. Jessica Mathis, event services manager at The Alida, says the hotel’s rooftop venue, The Lost Square, offers lots of satisfying, late-night snack options.

“Some of our most popular selections are the Sweet and Salty Pretzel Bar, the Late Night Drive-Thru Burger and Fry Bar, and the Southern Fried Chicken and Waffle Bar,” Mathis says.

Depending on your budget, you can cover the food and drink tab for the first hour, the whole night or simply provide the venue while guests nosh and imbibe on their own dime — just let guests know in advance. SCW

Bar Julian at Thompson Savannah

“The afterparty typically attracts one-third or less of the wedding guests — and normally the younger crowd.”

— Anna Swanson, Swanson Signature Events

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: NELLIE BRADFORD PHOTOGRAPHY, DIGITAL LOVE, ASH & MILES PHOTOGRAPHY AND THOMPSON SAVANNAH

The Vinyl Room at The Drayton Hotel

The Vinyl Room at The Drayton Hotel

Afterparty Hotspots in Savannah

Whether you’re seeking rooftop revelry, cool cocktails or a private affair, here is a short list of places where you could end the night on a high note.

The Trade Room at The Alida

The Vinyl Room at The Drayton Hotel

Peregrin Rooftop Lounge at Perry Lane Hotel

Bar Julian at Thompson Savannah

Arco Lounge Cocktails + Coastal Fare

Savoy Society

Myrtle & Rose at Plant Riverside District

Electric Moon Skytop Lounge + Moon Deck

FLORALS : Grace & Thorn Savannah

RENTALS : EventWorks Savannah

DRESS : Camellia Bridal

HAIR : GloJune

MAKEUP : Wonderland Beauty Bar

CAKE : Blushed Bakes by Reva

VENUE: Savannah Bottle Works

VENUE: Tybee Island Wedding Chapel

VENUE: Wormsloe State

Historic Site

VENUE: Chande Pines

FLORALS & CANOE: Chande Design

REAL WEDDINGS

Photo by KELLI BOYD

REAL WEDDINGS

Nicole & Alex

This Manhattan couple escaped the hustle of New York to say “I do” underneath The Cloister’s storied oak and terracotta canopy

Written by MARGARET DANIEL

Photography by KELLI BOYD

NICOLE “NIKKI” AMTHOR was looking for plans after a work event one Thursday evening in 2018 as she stepped onto the Manhattan sidewalk.

Meanwhile, Alex Tan, huddled with his friends, immediately noticed the statuesque brunette amid the sea of passersby — so much so that his friend Jameson Wachtell observed Alex’s enchantment, waltzed up to Nikki and brokered an introduction. “Alex was a little embarrassed, but he invited me to go with his friends to get a drink,” Nikki says.

She happily assented. Then, after drinks at The Wren plus two-and-a-half years of dating — including stints spent at Alex’s Bay area home in California and with Nikki’s family in Jacksonville, Florida, during New York’s strict COVID lockdowns — the couple enjoyed a dreamy proposal at California’s Montage Healdsburg in August 2021.

“Remote work was in full swing, so we were spending time with his family, and I didn’t have [a proposal] on my mind at all,” Nikki recalls. “We went to have drinks, just the two of us, at this beautiful pavilion with life-size Jenga. As I placed my final block on top, lo and behold, he was behind me on one knee. I was so surprised.”

With wedding venues backlogged in New York and California, the couple turned their attention farther afield, landing on

The Cloister at Sea Island Resort. “We grew up going to their sister resort in Colorado, The Broadmoor,” Nikki says. “It became such an obvious choice to select a property we knew was tried-andtrue, somewhere that felt like an extension of our backyard.” To the bride’s amazement, the resort had a perfect summer Saturday available, and she signed for July 9, 2022.

To kick off the weekend, the groom’s mother, Christina Tan, collaborated with wedding planner Hannah Perry (Tara Skinner Weddings & Events) and Sea Island’s Senior Event Design Manager Caroline Weidhaas.

Together, the trio dreamed up a “Serena & Lily in Cabo San Lucas” dinner party complete with Baha-inspired taco and margarita bars set against a backdrop of fresh citrus in woven

baskets and vases of brilliant orange birds of paradise and orchids.

“We wanted the rehearsal dinner to feel like a pivot from what was to come at the wedding,” Weidhaas says. “We did not want to duplicate any colors that would be used at the wedding, and, with it being July, we wanted to have tropical influence in the florals.”

“I am very blessed to have a very stylish mother and motherin-law,” Nikki says. “We sometimes joke that, in some past life, Christina was an event planner because she nails every detail.”

The next day was a classic, formal affair. For the ceremony, Nikki donned an intricately beaded gown from Carolina Herrera’s Spring 2019 collection and carried a petite bouquet of lilies of the valley.

“The dress felt like the perfect nod to the chinoiserie accents we wanted to include,” Nikki says of the homage to Alex’s

REAL WEDDINGS

Chinese American heritage. “[It was] the right balance of sleek and dramatic.”

After the vows, guests followed a bagpiper to the resort’s Mizner Ballroom, which Perry and Weidhaas’ teams transformed into a verdant garden of lime trees, white lisianthus, roses, Canterbury bells and plentiful olive greenery pouring out of terracotta vessels, blue and white ginger jars and cascading down from the chandeliers.

“My family is Italian, so the olive branch not only symbolizes the joining of two families and peace, but I also wanted it to feel like a garden party inside the ballroom,” Nikki says.

The requested greenery appeared again on the pièce de résistance — an arched canopy soaring above the head table and mimicking the ballroom’s six towering, arched windows.

“Right off the bat, we really got to know the couple, the things that are important to them. We are not afraid to go left field and reinvent the wheel with the design concept,” Perry says of the chinoiseriemeets-Mediterranean soirée.

Before enlivening the ballroom with hours of dancing and karaoke, attendees enjoyed a three-course meal crafted by the Sea Island culinary team, finished with a coconut wedding cake and chocolatepeanut butter groom’s cake.

“I am still dreaming of the cake their pastry team provided for our wedding,” Nikki says.

After departing in a golf cart, fizzing sparklers surrounding them, the couple enjoyed a picturesque honeymoon at the Château de la Messardière in Saint Tropez, followed by stays in Gordes and Paris, before returning to Manhattan to begin married life.

Looking back, the couple remains enchanted by their colorful, classic festivities. “I think anyone planning a wedding during the 2020 era is in a league of their own,” Nikki says of the process, which shed much of its stress once the Tara Skinner and Sea Island events teams got involved.

“We hope to bring our children to Sea Island in years to come,” Nikki adds. SCW

DETAILS

Date: July 9, 2022

Planner: Tara Skinner Weddings & Events

Photography: Kelli Boyd Photography

Ceremony: The Cloister, Sea Island Resort

Reception: Mizner Ballroom, Sea Island Resort

Florals: The Vine

Ceremony music: Music by Pegge

Reception music: Legacy Band

Cake: Sea Island Catering

Catering: Sea Island Catering

Rehearsal dinner: The Cloister, Sea Island Resort

Hair and makeup: Meg Workman Beauty

Nikki’s attire: Carolina Herrera gowns; Jimmy Choo and Stuart Weitzman shoes

Wedding party attire: Johanna Ortiz; Staud; Rhode; Show Me Your Mumu

Rentals: The Vine; Tara Skinner

Weddings & Events

Stationery: Studio R Designs

Number of guests: 135

THRIVE EMPHASIZES A PERSONAL APPROACH TO BOTH OUR CUISINE AND OUR SERVICE. FROM PLATED SERVICE TO INTIMATE PRIVATE-CHEF DINING EXPERIENCES, OUR PACKAGES OFFER WONDERFUL DIVERSITY FOR CASUAL AND UPSCALE DINING. WE HAPPILY ACCOMMODATE CREATIVE GLUTEN-FREE, VEGAN AND VEGETARIAN MENUS WITH RESOURCEFUL AND DELICIOUS ALTERNATIVES. WE TAKE PRIDE IN CUSTOMIZING EACH MENU TO YOUR TASTE, AND ARE WELL VERSED IN DIVERSE ETHNIC CUISINES AND FOOD STYLES. WITH SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS PRACTICES AND INGREDIENTS, WE BRING THE BEST OF SAVANNAH TO THE FOREFRONT IN UNFORGETTABLE FULL-SERVICE CATERING.

Meet the Savannah Glam Squad for perfect wedding skin.

Planning a wedding is an exciting and busy time in a woman’s life. With all the hustle and bustle, it’s easy to miss an essential component of looking your best – taking care of your skin. Whether you are the bride or the mother of the bride, you want to look your best as the big day draws near. Let this timeline guide you through all the to-dos!

12 MONTHS

Schedule an appointment with a licensed aesthetician and an aesthetic injectable provider. They will each assess your skin health and make recommendations for redness, brown spots and texture issues like acne and scars. They will guide you in proper skincare and may recommend chemical peels, lasers, microneedling, dermaplaning or hydrafacials. If you have lines at the forehead, between the brows or around your eyes, your injectable provider may recommend Botox/Dysport treatments to relax those muscles and smooth lines. Deep lines may require several treatments. Sagging and wrinkles due to significant volume loss can be improved with fillers, which will rebalance, lift and smooth skin. Be

sure to tell them you are preparing for a wedding and what your timeline is.

9 MONTHS

Now is the time for procedures that require downtime or results time. Lasers can lift dark spots, improve fine lines, texture, vessels, redness, pores and build collagen over a three- to six-month period. A series of microneedling treatments will smooth and brighten skin, tighten pores and stimulate collagen.

6 MONTHS

This is a great time to start a series of Radio Frequency Microneedling treatments and Exosomes with Stem Cells. The Scarlet and Agnes RF Microneedling are unique treatments using the revolutionary “Na and Ahn” technolo , deeply stimulating new elastin and collagen production, tightening skin, improving fine lines and wrinkles, and giving the skin a beautiful glow with little to now downtime. The Agnes RF specifically targets pockets of fat, minimizes jowls, fat under the chin, sharpens the jawline and reduces eye bags.

Utilizing Exosomes with plant stem cells during your treatment reduces inflammation, nourishes your skin and amplifies your results significantly..

3 MONTHS

Now is the perfect time to have a light chemical peel or AquaFirme treatment with a dermaplane. A chemical peel will remove dull skin and brighten your face. The AquaFirme will clear congested pores, plump tissues and infuse the skin with anti-aging serums and Exosomes with Plant Stem Cells. Dermaplaning will remove dead skin and peach fuzz, leaving your skin super smooth and better able to absorb all the goodness of your skincare regime. From here forward, you will want to focus on your current skincare and no downtime procedures.

4 WEEKS

Now’s the final time for Botox and filler touch-ups.

1 WEEK

Have a relaxing facial or hydrafacial with dermaplaning for that amazing wedding skin glow!

KAREN BOUCHARD PA-C | AESTHETIC PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT, SAVANNAH PLASTIC SURGERY

Left to right, Cybill Besse, M.A., Marilyn McAllister, M.C., Karen Bouchard, PA-C, Master Injector, Savannah Walker, M.A., Mackenzy Tomlin, L.E.

REAL WEDDINGS

Katelynn & Tyler

A year after marrying in a private ceremony on Daufuskie Island, a New York City couple returns for a chic destination wedding complete with family and friends

Written by ALLISON STICE

Photography by TIM WILLOUGHBY

COMPARED TO KATELYNN KING AND TYLER MCKEEMAN’S BUSY LIVES and bustling careers in New York City, Daufuskie Island is another universe. From the moment the couple first boarded the ferry headed for the pristine South Carolina locale to visit Tyler’s parents, they felt like they had left all problems behind and were completely transported to another world. “The vibe and mentality are laid-back to the max versus being in the city,” says Tyler.

When COVID initially postponed a larger celebration, Katelynn and Tyler first married in 2020 in a private ceremony at Daufuskie Island’s First African Baptist.

With Katelynn originally from California, the pair searched coast to coast for the ideal setting for their black-tie encore in 2021. In the end, they couldn’t imagine a more charming location than the secluded oasis that greets you when you step off the boat at Haig Point. They decided to share the magic they’d found there with their nearest and dearest.

“We knew we wanted a destination feel for a four-day weekend with our closest friends like you’re all on vacation together,” Katelynn says. “Daufuskie felt so perfect for that — including pairing friends in rental homes instead of putting them in a hotel. We loved that idea!”

With help from planner Jodie Miller of Plum Productions, the couple created a glamorous getaway itinerary for newly vaccinated

guests from all over the country who arrived ready to celebrate the first weekend of May 2021.

Haig Point’s one-of-a-kind venues offer something for everyone — from the charming, circa-1873 Lighthouse with amazing views of the Calibogue Sound, to The Beach Club sitting on the water with a large resort-style pool, outdoor cabanas and a screened-in lounge and bar for a more casual outdoor atmosphere.

Tyler and Katelynn took advantage of them all.

Events included the first annual King-McKeeman Classic the day before the wedding: golf for the groomsmen on a Rees Jones-designed course and tennis for the bridesmaids wearing Wimbledon whites, complete with prosecco and strawberries. Later, a sunset sail offered guests the quintessential Daufuskie experience. Then it was back to the Calibogue Club for light bites, music and speeches, followed by a bonfire on the beach with popsicles and s’mores.

“With the weather in the Northeast still cold for a lot of our friends who came from there, it was a treat for guests to be on a beach deck drinking Aperol spritzes and having a blast,” Katelynn says.

For the rehearsal dinner, Katelynn wore a Galvan cowl-neck

slip dress that took cues from Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s iconic wedding look.

The following day, the couple tied the knot for the second time with the historic lighthouse as a backdrop. After the ceremony closed, the sun began to set. They walked to the reception tent on the Tabby Ruins lawn, complete with a sculptural floral installation above the dance floor. The live music performed by The New Royals felt like a concert as guests let loose over rum espresso martinis and cocktails featuring spirits by Daufuskie Island Distillery at a barrel bar. One friend brought Nicaraguan cigars, while another had gifted the couple a champagne saber engraved with the couple’s names and original wedding date. After the groom quickly changed from a blue linen jacket to an ivory tuxedo and Moroccan loafers, he sabered a bottle of Veuve Clicquot over a champagne tower instead of a wedding cake.

“Having your dream day is often associated with the bride, but I also couldn’t have dreamed of a better day,” Tyler recalls from the couple’s current home in Connecticut. To be able to intimately gather with friends on the island and celebrate the future of life together with his wife? “It was honestly perfect,” he says. SCW

“We knew we wanted a destination feel for a four-day weekend with our closest friends like you’re all on vacation together. Daufuskie felt so perfect for that ...”

— Katelynn King McKeeman

DETAILS

Date: May 1, 2021

Planner: Plum Productions

Photographer: Tim Willoughby

Ceremony: Haig Point Lighthouse

Location of reception: Tabby Ruins, Haig Point

Officiant: Aaron Crosby

Florals: Kathryn Lott Design

Reception music: The New Royals

Catering: Executive Chef Taylor Griffin, Haig Point Club

Rehearsal dinner location: Calibogue Club, Haig Point

Hair and makeup: Bangs Salon

Katelynn’s attire: Oscar de la Renta; Galvan; Jimmy Choo

Tyler’s attire: Suit Supply; Proper Cloth; Res Ipsa

Rings: Nichols Fine Jewelers

Rentals: EventHaus Rentals

Transportation: Haig Point ferries

Stationery: Gina Langford, Dogwood Hill

Number of guests: 110

REAL WEDDINGS

Caroline & Vincent

A go-with-the-flow couple ties the knot on the Wilmington Island waterfront

Written by ALLISON STICE

Photography by MEREDITH RYNCARZ PHOTOGRAPHY

VINCENT KONCUL AND CAROLINE PADDISON KONCUL’S LOVE STORY began at Blessed Sacrament Catholic School. The laidback, fun-loving couple dated across different high schools and colleges before launching their careers together in Austin, Texas, where Vincent proposed. “We don’t do anything quickly!” Caroline jokes.

Though they had made a home in Texas, the couple knew they wanted to get married back in Savannah, where their romance began just after eighth-grade graduation. And they already had the perfect place: Caroline’s family property off Walthour Road on Wilmington Island, where her sister had gotten married and now lives. (The Paddisons have nicknamed it the Otter Banks, as Caroline’s mother and Director of the Savannah Wildlife Rescue Center Jeanne Paddison releases otters into the wild from the property several times a year.) The location — a peninsula of three islands connected by bridges — was the quintessential reflection of the couple’s shared passion for the outdoors.

But how could they blend all the other things that made their relationship unique?

As Caroline interviewed wedding planners to see who could help her bring her vision to life, she clicked with Anna Swanson of Swanson Signature Events.

“From the get-go with interviewing planners, I wanted one who would listen to my ideas and make it happen versus one who is going to just go with what they know,” she recalls. “Anna did a beautiful job weaving together our love of [coastal Georgia] with the ‘Keep Austin Weird’ vibe.”

The Lone Star State flair kicked off with the rehearsal dinner around the circle driveway in the front yard, where the couple and Swanson created an Austin-inspired food truck park featuring Big Bon Pizza, Kis Café crepes and a Savannah Bar Carts Airstream mobile bar. Along with a bonfire and tunes by Kellen Powers, the delectable evening felt fitting for lovers of the Live Music Capital of the World — and was one of Caroline’s favorite parts of the weekend.

On the day of the wedding, the ceremony and reception took place on the waterfront, where guests were seated with a view of a floral-bedecked wooden pergola built by Caroline’s brother-inlaw for his own wedding.

Due to Caroline’s allergy to precious metals, the couple opted for a blessing of the hands instead of exchanging rings, and the lace they used to bind their hands together came from a family member’s wedding dress. Looking back, Caroline says the mounting excitement of the moment overshadowed everything else.

The celebratory mood continued as the festivities moved to the mainland under a clear-topped tent (with guests popping by the Airstream bar for a drink, of course), where the florals, wooden dance floor and table linens with natural fibers favored the palette of fall pastels and organic textures. The muted tones of ivory, taupe, sage, blush and pale blue pulled in the landscape with touches of color, while Katie Esser’s wildflower design encapsulated Caroline’s style — “a bit of that boho look,” Swanson says.

Signature local fare — like shrimp and grits and mac and cheese — mingled with Austin-inspired brisket tacos and tacos al pastor and signature margaritas at food stations that ringed the dancefloor. In lieu of a traditional cake, Vincent and Caroline opted for a tower of Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Cocktail napkins emblazoned with cheeky slogans recalled the couple’s trusty taco shop El Arroyo in Texas, famous for its marquee sign. Caroline’s favorite? “Trust me, you can dance,” signed simply by “Alcohol.”

And dance they did to the band Tell Scarlet until the night’s end when the rain began to fall, nixing plans for a boat departure. Instead, the couple hopped into the back of Caroline’s father’s Japanese kei truck for their getaway.

Those minor changes in the plan did nothing to dampen spirits. In fact, the spontaneity just made their big event more memorable, Caroline says. She offers this advice to future brides: “Take your day moment by moment — and always be ready to go with the flow!” SCW

DETAILS

Date: November 26, 2022

Planner: Swanson Signature Events

Coordinator: Full Service Planning

Photographer: Meredith Ryncarz Photography

Videographer: Jason Chapman, Endeavor Productions

Officiant: Rebecca Rieder

Ceremony and reception: Private property on Wilmington Island

Florals: Katie Esser Designs

Ceremony music: New Arts Ensembles

Reception music: Tell Scarlet

Dessert: Krispy Kreme

Catering: Chef Kirk Blaine Catering

Bartending: Shaken and Stirred Mixology

Rehearsal dinner: Savannah Bar Carts; Big Bon Pizza; Kis Café (held at a private property on Wilmington Island)

Hair and makeup: Kelsey Ryan

Caroline’s attire: Ivory & Beau

Vincent’s attire: J. Parker Ltd.

Wedding party attire: J. Parker Ltd.; Baltic Born

Rentals: Amazing Event Rentals; Savannah

Vintage & Event Rentals; Stradley Davidson

Linen Collective; Royal Restrooms

Onsite parking: Executive Valet

Stationery: Etsy

Number of guests: 143 guests

REAL WEDDINGS

Mark & Logan

After two pandemic-related delays, a Savannah soirée was written in the stars

Written by JESSICA LYNN CURTIS

Photography by MDB PHOTOGRAPHY

WHEN YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW. It was 10 years ago that Logan Bond first spotted Mark Sutay at a nightclub in Charleston, South Carolina. He approached him, and the two began to talk and dance — and they’ve never stopped.

“We’ve been inseparable since that night,” Mark says. “I don’t think we spent even a day apart from each other until a year or two later.”

Though they now live in Denver, Colorado, Logan, an architect, and Mark, a sales manager/painter, are both originally from the Lowcountry.

“When I lived in Charleston, I was in Savannah all the time. It was like a second home,” says Mark of the city where they chose to wed.

After postponing twice due to the pandemic, Logan and Mark were married at sunset at the Georgia State Railroad Museum on April 30, 2022.

“I knew we wanted a venue that wasn’t too polished,” says Logan. “And the Railroad Museum is romantic in its broken-down, ruinous nature. It has the atmosphere we were looking for. Especially for a gay wedding — we didn’t want anything too orthodox.”

The museum was also perfect because the variety of distinct spaces meant the wedding and reception could both be held on the property.

“We were able to utilize it so as to have the wedding over here, then the cocktail reception over here, the dinner over there and the dancing in an entire other area,” says Mark.

The venue’s historic Roundhouse was also a blank slate that allowed Mark and Logan to entirely create their vision. The couple brought in every piece of plush, velvet furniture, every table and even the lighting. And though they chose everything themselves, they entrusted Tiffany Tattnall of Absolutely Chic Events to coordinate the logistics and execution.

“From our first conversation, they pretty much knew what they wanted,” says Tattnall. “They pictured a bold, vibrant, nontraditional wedding with quick, yet meaningful vows and a champagne toast — then off to dinner and dancing! When they did reach out for guidance and recommendations, I always advised them to make the decision that best reflected the two of them.”

“We wanted very colorful flowers, decorations, all of that to offset the darkness of the setting — so kind of a duality,” says Logan.

“ The railroad museum is romantic in its broken-down, ruinous nature. It has the atmosphere we were looking for.”

— Logan Bond

“It matched our personal style as well,” Mark says when asked about the jewel-tone palette. “Personally, I like alive, really vibrant colors.”

“We needed to fill up the empty space with something that really popped,” Logan adds. “Then we lit the space with purplish-pink tones after dusk.”

Another unique twist: they hired an astrologer. Julianna Delgado, who goes by The Astrologess, was on hand to give readings to wedding guests.

“I had originally wanted a tarot card reader to go with the slightly witchy vibe of Savannah,” says Mark. “But again, we just wanted something different. And Julianna’s readings were really interesting.”

They did manage to work in the tarot in other ways as well: everyone received a tarot card in their invitation. Then, at dinner, guests found their seats by finding their card’s match.

After the wedding, the couple enjoyed a honeymoon in Italy, which they highly recommend to all.

For those planning their own wedding, the couple also recommends their wedding planner, Absolutely Chic Events. “Tiffany did such a great job,” says Mark. “We didn’t have to stress about anything. She took great care of us.”

Now, Logan and Mark are taking great care of each other. SCW

DETAILS

Date: April 30, 2022

Location of ceremony and reception: Georgia State Railroad Museum

Officiant: Amanda Gonzales

Wedding coordinator: Absolutely Chic Events

Photographer: MDB Photography

Florist: Kato Florals

Ceremony and reception music: All About You Entertainment

Cake: Wicked Cakes of Savannah

Catering: Current Catering; Cake & Bunn

Rentals: Savannah Vintage & Event Rentals; Fabulous Events; The French Eclectic; EventWorks

Number of guests: 60

REAL WEDDINGS

Victoria & Gregory

A Northern couple flew south for a sophisticated winter wedding with tropical accents

Written by AMANDA BROWN

Photography by ESTHER GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

WALKING INTO A JAMAICAN NIGHTCLUB in Washington, D.C., Victoria Lybrand was surprised to hear the night’s musical theme was country western. Having already walked up two flights of stairs, she and her friends figured they might as well stay for a drink. When Victoria, who was visiting from South Carolina, approached the bar, Gregory Brian Shavers Jr. approached her, and they hit it off.

That was in 2014. After nursing a longdistance relationship for four years, Victoria graduated from medical school, and the two moved to Buffalo, New York, together. Two years later, on Christmas of 2020, he finally popped the question. “He had secretly set up a Zoom call for all our family to be around, and he proposed after dinner with everybody there,” recalls Victoria.

After careful planning, the couple tied the knot on December 3, 2022, at Perry Lane Hotel in Savannah.

“Our love of travel picked where we wanted to be married,” Victoria says. Initially, they considered a tropical out-of-the-country destination wedding but having family members present was essential for them.

In the end, the couple chose Savannah for its warmth, beautiful scenery and ease of travel.

The warm pinks and creams of their color palette perfectly accented the classic white and gold highlights, bringing a touch of the tropics to the shimmering winter ceremony. “Even though it’s December, that doesn’t mean you have to have winter colors,” says wedding planner Nicole Mason of Ivory & Beau. “You can still go really vibrant and do something that fits what you want your wedding to look like.”

Painter, Devin Laster, captured the festivities on canvas and a violinist, Rodney Page, provided a dash of creative entertainment, adding to the couple’s sophisticated aesthetic.

“It was all classically beautiful things that were elegant and timeless,” Victoria says. “But I did want a pop of color because I enjoy color, and I don’t feel like I live a muted life.”

Everywhere guests looked, they could find a shade of pink, including the bride’s bouquet. A closer look at the ribbon wrapping her bouquet revealed a picture of Victoria’s late father. “In a sense, even though he wasn’t there, he was walking me down the aisle with my mom,” Victoria says.

She also paid homage to Gregory’s late mother. “His sister had a bracelet that their mom left her, and she gifted it to me as my something borrowed, which was super sweet,” says Victoria.

When the ceremony closed, the couple turned to face their guests and jumped the broom. “It’s an African American tradition,” Victoria explains. “When enslaved people were not allowed to marry, they would jump the broom and cross over into a new life.”

As guests moved to the reception inside the hotel’s ballroom, many changed into white flip-flops the couple provided and filled their plates from a carving table and a pasta table. “The idea was to go the extra mile for our guests’ comfort,” says Victoria.

Since the wedding occured around the holidays, the couple decided to hold off on the honeymoon. So, this September, they will travel to the island of Curaçao for two weeks, relaxing and enjoying each other’s presence in the warm, tropical sun. SCW

DETAILS

Date of Ceremony: December 3, 2022

Location of ceremony and reception: Perry Lane Hotel

Officiant: The Rev. Rashad Dean

Wedding planner: Ivory & Beau

Creative consultant: Ana Dean

Photographer: Esther Griffin Photography

Videographer: On Q Productions

Florals: Ivory & Beau

Music for ceremony and reception: Rodney Page

Cake and catering: Perry Lane Hotel

Cookie decorator: RubyBakes by Kristen

Victoria’s attire: New York Bride & Groom of Columbia; Christian Louboutin

Gregory’s attire: James and James Collection; Cartier; Ralph Lauren

Wedding party attire: Anthropologie; The Black Tux

Rings: Jared

Hair and makeup: Nakia Boykin/ Chelsea Davis

Rentals: Savannah Vintage & Event Rentals; All About You Entertainment

Live painter: Devin Laster

Stationery: Wouldn’t It Be Lovely

Number of guests: 85

Image Credit: Apt. B Photography

Image Credit: Amber Elizabeth Weddings

Image Credit: Rich Burkhart

Image Credit: Mackensey Alexander Photography

REAL WEDDINGS

Claire & Paul

A rock ’n’ roll elopement turns wedding dreams into reality for a stylish Savannah couple

Written by JESSICA LYNN CURTIS

Photography by ASHLEE C. PHOTOGRAPHY

THEY SAY THE BEST ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS begin as great friendships. And while this may not prove true for all, it certainly did for Claire and Paul Martel.

This cuter-than-cute Savannah couple met while working at Bull Street Taco in July 2020 and became fast friends.

“We bonded over margaritas every Monday night,” says Claire. “It was kind of like in a romantic comedy where you’re dating all the wrong guys and complaining to your guy best friend about them, and then you realize, ‘I should try dating him!’”

“Pretty early on, I knew that whatever Claire was involved in, whatever she was doing, I wanted to be a part of it,” shares Paul.

But they remained just friends for a year — even after the day they discovered Claire had dreamt of Paul proposing, and Paul had dreamt he was married to Claire.

Fast forward to Valentine’s Day 2023. With a plan to turn Claire’s proposal dream into a dream proposal, Paul suggested a romantic evening at Late Air, the extravagantly praised Bull Street wine bar.

“Our friends own it, and it’s just a really nice, awesome wine bar with great food. We had a good time,” says Paul. “I wanted to propose there, and then Claire had to go to the bathroom. So, I was like, ‘Okay, cool, there’s one right there.’”

“But there was a line for the bathroom all night, and we live 5 minutes away,” Claire chimes in. “So I said, ‘Let’s just go home.’ And then I ran to the car and stood there waiting for him to unlock the door. I turned around to be like, ‘Are you going to open the door?’ and he was on his knee.”

Needless to say, Claire said yes.

Less than four months later, they both said “I do”. On June 4, Paul and Claire eloped on Johnson Square. Their friend, Bryce Edwards, officiated the wedding and another friend, Ashlee Carrozza, photographed.

As Paul writes and plays country music (his band, S’villes, will be playing at the couple’s reception in September), and this is something he and Claire both love and have bonded over, so they wanted their wedding look to have a country western/rock ’n’ roll flair.

“It was kind of like in a romantic comedy when you’re dating all the wrong guys and complaining to your best guy friend about them, and then you realize, ‘I should try dating him!’”

— Claire Martel

“That was why I did my nails with the stars,” says Claire. “And I knew I wanted a Priscilla Presley/Dolly Parton vibe, so I went with a short dress and a big veil. I tried to make my hair big, but it was a really windy day!”

As their reception is yet to come, after their vows, Paul and Claire spent the rest of their wedding day doing things they love.

First stop: With Love Tattoo Co.

“Pat [Crump] and Camden [Noir] are some of our best friends, and they own the tattoo shop,” explains Claire. “We wanted something to remember the day and symbolize our love.” Claire’s tattoo is of a slot machine but with hearts instead of sevens, and Paul’s is of a horseshoe — both symbols of luck.

Next, they got pizza from Squirrel’s Pizza (also on Bull Street — the same street where they met, got engaged, and got their tattoos). Then, they ended their perfect day with champagne at Perry Lane Hotel.

The Martels are excited for their next step — having their families together for their September reception at Victory North. It’s what they have been dreaming of. SCW

DETAILS

Date: June 4, 2023

Location of ceremony: Johnson

Square, Savannah

Officiant: Bryce Edwards

Photographer: Ashlee C. Photography

Florist: Sweetfield Flowers

Claire’s attire: Morgan Rae Boutique

Paul’s attire: Alain Dupetit

Rings: TinyLightJewelry; Jaxxon

TUNE IN AND CHILL OUT.

RESOURCES

Photo by IZZY + CO / Location THE OLDE PINK HOUSE

The Lowcountry Lowdown

Essential details for a Southern Coastal wedding, from forecasts to forms

By HANNAH BUCHMAN & JULIA MULLER

SOUTHERN COASTAL WEDDINGS covers some of the most beautiful geography in the world. Although each area of the Lowcountry and Coastal Empire bears its own distinctive mark, they all share certain signatures: stately oaks draped with romantic Spanish moss, preserved historic structures and a cultural reverence for the art of hospitality.

Beaufort, South Carolina, in upper Beaufort County, is awash with romance and history, a quintessential small Southern town. At the southern end of Beaufort County, cross the bridge to Hilton Head Island, where even the gas stations have a posh patina. This island is an ode to meticulously planned high-end residences and manicured golf courses all coming together with understated elegance. Bluffton is Hilton Head’s mainland sister — an eclectic community with an artist’s soul.

Travel over the Savannah River, and you’re in Chatham County, Georgia. Savannah’s massive historic district and tree-filled squares are top-ofmind when it comes to planning a wedding here, but Savannah-area brides are spoiled for choice — beach weddings on Tybee Island, historic venues well away from the bustle of the city and even rustic farm settings make the Hostess City a versatile site for any celebration.

About an hour to the south of Savannah, you’ll find Glynn County, Georgia, home of the Golden Isles — Jekyll Island, St. Simons Island, Sea Island and Little St. Simons Island, plus the mainland town of Brunswick, which offers a picturesque historic district. It’s easy to see why these islands inspired poet Sidney Lanier’s famed “Marshes of Glynn” — they offer an array of wedding venues, from elegant and exclusive villas to earthy, exquisite driftwood beaches.

2023 – 2024

COASTAL WEATHER

RAINFALL: You can expect the heaviest in August (7.2 inches), lightest in November (2.4 inches). While hurricane season runs June-November, August-October have historically been the months to watch.

AVERAGE HIGH/LOW TEMPERATURES: Humidity is a year-round presence. High temps have occurred in mid-January, lows in June. Spring, 75/58; Summer, 90/75; Fall, 77/62; Winter, 60/43.

TIDES: Beach weddings are wonderful, but be aware that there can be a 7-foot difference between high and low tides, and even greater during so-called supermoons which usually occur August-September.

GETTING A MARRIAGE LICENSE

No passage in life would be complete without paperwork. Below are guides on how to take care of the business end of getting married. The COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted. Always check the websites or call the relevant counties before your big day approaches.

SAVANNAH, TYBEE ISLAND AND ELSEWHERE IN CHATHAM COUNTY: Marriage license applications can be found under “Probate Court” at courts. chathamcountyga.gov. Email the completed application, and you will be emailed a link to set up an appointment for both parties to isit the of ce t ontgo er t Room 509, in downtown Savannah. Fees are $66, with discounts for those who undergo premarital education. The court only accepts credit cards, debit cards, cash, money orders or cashier’s checks in the exact amount. 912.652.7264.

GOLDEN ISLES: The Glynn County Probate Court, 701 G St. in downtown Brunswick, offers online applications and payment options at glynncounty.org. Appointments must be made by calling 912.554.7234 or 912.554.7235 or by email: probatecourt@ glynncounty-ga.gov. The fee is $76 with no pre rit l certi c te lower for eorgi residents with one.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND AND BLUFFTON: The Beaufort County Probate Court offers mail and appointment options for marriage

licenses. Fees (cash in the exact amount) range from $50 to $95, depending on the residency status of the applicants. Learn more at beaufortcountysc.gov or from the marriage license division, 843.255.5850. Appointment options are available at the Beaufort County Probate ourt s in of ce t i ut o in e ufort or t its s tellite of ce t 539 William Hilton Parkway.

BEACH WEDDINGS

A beach wedding can be wonderful, but be sure to check out the guidelines for each location. You don’t want your day spoile he ne

TYBEE ISLAND: You’ll need a $25 beach permit from the City of Tybee facilities manager. For details and restrictions, go to the special events planning section at cityoftybee.org or contact rrosner@cityoftybee.org.

GOLDEN ISLES: St. Simons Island beaches do not require reservations or permits for weddings. For weddings on Jekyll Island beaches, head to jekyllisland.com/venues/ weddings for answers. Permits are not required.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND: Go to hiltonheadislandsc.gov/beach/wedding.cfm for information. There is no charge but you do need a permit.

RENTING PUBLIC AREAS/HISTORIC SITES

With the restrictions due to the pandemic lifted, these listings provide the information you need to get hitched.

SAVANNAH: The beautiful squares and parks of the city are available once again. If you plan a small wedding, you won’t need to apply for a permit, but you will need a public assembly permit for gatherings larger than 20 people. Check savannahga. gov/672/Reserve-City-Parks-Squares or call 912.351.3837 for details. You need to apply at least 90 days prior to the event. Fees range from $150 to $750 depending on your residency status and the chosen area. Security fees are extra.

GOLDEN ISLES: To rent a historic site on Jekyll Island (ruins), go to jekyllisland.com/

venues/historic-rentals for a list of venues and links for more information. The fees at each location vary. At jekyllisland.com/ venues/pavillions-outdoor-spaces, you’ll n si il r list n cont ct infor tion There are fees for some locations.

ALCOHOL LAWS FOR PUBLIC AREAS

Alcohol licensing and permits vary by venue based on which local government has jurisdiction.

SAVANNAH: To dispense wine or beer in a square/park, you’ll need to apply for a Temporary Alcohol Event Permit from the Revenue Department at savannahga. gov and pay a $50 application fee.

TYBEE ISLAND: Alcohol is allowed on the beach but not in glass containers.Tybee has also instituted a smoking and vaping ban for the e ch co plete with stiff nes

GOLDEN ISLES: Alcohol is allowed on the beach but not in glass containers.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND: Alcohol is prohibited on all beaches.

PET LAWS ON BEACHES

You may love Fido and Spot, but there are regulations concerning dogs on beaches. Check the websites given to be sure you and your furry one will enjoy your time without eing hit with ig ne

TYBEE ISLAND: No dogs are allowed on the e ch t n ti e or ou ll f ce ne plus court costs). cityoftybee.org

GOLDEN ISLES: On Jekyll Island, dogs are allowed on Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island Beach and Great Dunes Park but must be leashed. On St. Simons Island, dogs are allowed on East Beach and Massengale Park (no leash required) but prohibited between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. during June, July and August. jekyllisland.com; glynncounty.org

HILTON HEAD ISLAND: Leashed dogs are allowed on the beach, but are prohibited from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day. hiltonheadislandsc.gov SCW

Photo by Molly Hayden, at Perry Lane Hotel

Find Sanctuary

BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA

Baptist Church of Beaufort

601 Charles St. 843.524.3197 bcob.org

Carteret Street

United Methodist Church

408 Carteret St. 843.524.3841 carteretstumc.org

The Parish Church of St. Helena 505 Church St. 843.522.1712 sthelenas1712.org

St. John’s Lutheran Church 157 Lady’s Island Drive 843.524.3461 stjohnsbeaufort.org

BLUFFTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

Bluffton United Methodist Church 101 Calhoun St. 843.757.3351 blufftonumc.org

Campbell Chapel AME Church 25 Boundary St. 843.757.3652 campbellchapelame.com

The Church of the Cross 110 Calhoun St. 843.757.2661 thechurchofthecross.net

Holy Resurrection Greek Orthodox Church 220 Pinckney Colony Road 843.837.4659 hrgoc.com

Low Country Presbyterian Church 10 Simmonsville Road 843.815.6570 lowcountrypres.org

May River Chapel 477 Mount Pelia Road 866.614.0350 montagehotels.com

Somerset Chapel 477 Mount Pelia Road 866.614.0350 montagehotels.com

BRUNSWICK/ GOLDEN ISLES, GEORGIA

Christ Church

Frederica (Episcopal) St. Simons Island 6329 Frederica Road 912.638.8683; ccfssi.org

Epworth by the Sea

Lovely Lane Chapel St. Simons Island 100 Arthur J. Moore Drive 912.638.8688 epworthbythesea.org

First Baptist Church of St. Simons St. Simons Island 729 Ocean Blvd. 912.638.3337 fbcssi.org

St. Simons Presbyterian Church St. Simons Island 205 Kings Way 912.638.2220 sspres.org

St. Simons United Methodist Church St. Simons Island 624 Ocean Blvd. 912.638.3317 stsimonsumc.com

Somerset Chapel at Montage Palmetto Bluff

Wesley United Church St. Simons Island 6520 Frederica Road 912.634.1412 wesleyssi.org

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA

All Saints Episcopal Church 3001 Meeting St. 843.681.8333 allsaints-hhi.org

Congregation Beth Yam 4501 Meeting St. 843.689.2178 bethyam.org

St. Francis by the Sea Catholic Church 45 Beach City Road 843.681.6350 stfrancishhi.org

First Presbyterian Church

540 William Hilton Parkway 843.681.3696 fpchhi.org

Holy Family Catholic Church 24 Pope Ave. 843.785.2895 holyfamilyhhi.org

Island Lutheran Church

4400 Main St. 843.689.5200 islandlutheran.org

Providence

Presbyterian Church 171 Cordillo Parkway 843.842.5673 causegodjoy.com

St. Andrew-bythe-Sea United Methodist Church 20 Pope Ave. 843.785.4711 hhiumc.com

St. Luke’s Church Anglican 50 Pope Ave. 843.785.4099 stlukeshhi.org

SAVANNAH AREA

All Saints Episcopal Church Tybee Island 804 Jones Ave. 912.786.5845 allsaintstybee.com

Asbury Memorial Church Victorian District 1008 E. Henry St. 912.233.4351 asburymemorial.org

Bible Baptist Church Eastside 4700 Skidaway Road 912.352.3020; bbsav.org

Blessed Sacrament Catholic Ardsley Park 1003 E. Victory Drive 912.356.6980 mbschurch.org

Bull Street Baptist Church

Victorian District 1400 Bull St. 912.236.1511 bullstreet.org

Calvary Baptist Midtown 4625 Waters Ave. 912.351.2288 cbtsavannah.org

Cathedral Basilica of St. John

the Baptist Historic District 222 E. Harris St. 912.233.4709 savannahcathedral.org

Christ Church Anglican Victorian District 2020 Bull St. 912.355.7730 ccasav.org

Christ Church Episcopal Historic District 28 Bull St. 912.236.2500 christchurchsavannah.org

Compassion Christian Church Southside 55 Al Henderson Blvd. 912.925.9657 compassionchristian.com

Congregation Agudath Achim Midtown 9 Lee Blvd. 912.352.4737 agudath-achim.com

Congregation Bnai Brith Jacob Midtown 5444 Abercorn St. 912.354.7721 bbjsynagogue.com

RESOURCES

Congregation

Mickve Israel Historic District 20 E. Gordon St. 912.233.1547 mickveisrael.org

The Crossroad Baptist Church Southside 8510 Middleground Road 912.925.0571 thecrossroadbaptist.com

First African Baptist Church Historic District 23 Montgomery St. 912.233.6597 rst fric n c co

First Baptist Church Historic District 223 Bull St. (Facing Chippewa Square) 912.234.2671 fbc-sav.org

First Presbyterian Church Ardsley Park 520 Washington Ave. 912.354.7615 savannahfpc.org

First United Pentecostal Church Southside 1735 Grove Point Road 912.927.0569 pentecostalsofsavannah.com

Independent Presbyterian Church of Savannah Historic District 207 Bull St. 912.236.3346 ipcsav.org

Islands Christian Church Whitemarsh Island 4601 U.S. Hwy. 80 E. 912.897.3604 islandschristian.org

Isle of Hope United Methodist Church Isle of Hope 412 Parkersburg Road 912.355.8527 iohumc.com

Kingdom Life Christian Fellowship Southside 425 W. Montgomery Cross Road 912.921.5346 kingdomlifesav.org

* Some churches and houses of worship allow ceremonies for church congregants and extended family only. Call to confirm.

MARIANNE LUCILLE PHOTOGRAPHY

St. John’s Episcopal Church

RESOURCES

Life Church at Ardsley Park

Ardsley Park

3802 Bull St. 912.234.1256 lifechurchsav.com

Lutheran Church of the Ascension Historic District

120 Bull St. 912.232.4151 ascensionsavannah.org

Masjid Jihad

Victorian District 117 E. 34th St. 912.236.7387 masjidjihad.com

Radiant Life Christian Fellowship

Midtown

5619 Skidaway Road 912.354.1780 radlifesav.com

Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Victorian District 1707 Bull St. 912.232.0792 sacredheartsavannah.org

St. Francis of the Islands Episcopal Church Wilmington Island

590 Walthour Road 912.897.5725 stfrancisislands.org

St. John’s Episcopal Church

Historic District

325 Bull St. 912.232.1251 stjohnssav.org

St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Ardsley Park 3101 Waters Ave. 912.354.7230 saintmichaelsavannah.com

St. Michael Catholic Church

Tybee Island 802 Lovell Ave. 912.786.4505 saintmichaelstybee.org

St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church

Victorian District 14 W. Anderson St. 912.236.8256 stpaulsgoc.org

St. Peter the Apostle Catholic 7020 Concord Road 912.897.5156 saintpetertheapostle.com/ church

St. Peter’s Episcopal Skidaway Island 3 W. Ridge Road 912.598.7242 saintpeterssav.org

St. Philip AME

Historic District 613 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. 912.233.2083 stphilipame.com

St. Philip Monumental AME

Historic District 1112 Jefferson St. 912.233.8547 stphilipmonumentalamec.org

St. Thomas Chapel Isle of Hope 2 St. Thomas Ave. 912.355.3110 stthomaschapel.com

Second African Baptist Church Historic District 123 Houston St. 912.233.6163 facebook.com/2abcon123

Skidaway Island United Methodist Skidaway Island 54 Diamond Causeway 912.598.8460 siumc.org

Southside Baptist Church Midtown 5502 Skidaway Road 912.355.9555 oursbc.org

Trinity Lutheran Church Southside 12391 Mercy Blvd. 912.925.4839 trinitylutheransavannah.org

Trinity United Methodist Historic District 225 W. President St. 912.233.4766 trinity1848.org

Unitarian Universalist Church

Historic District 313 E. Harris St. 912.549.0326 uusavannah.org

Wesley Monumental United Methodist Historic District 429 Abercorn St. 912.232.0191 wesleymonumental.org

Wesley Oak United Methodist Church Thunderbolt 3124 E. Victory Drive 912.352.0844 wesleyoak.com

White Bluff Presbyterian Southside 10710 White Bluff Road 912.927.1731 whitebluffpresbyterian.com

White Bluff United Methodist Southside 11911 White Bluff Road 912.925.5924 wbumc.org

Wilmington Island Presbyterian Wilmington Island 450 N. Cromwell Road 912.897.1840

wipcsav.org

Wilmington Island United Methodist Wilmington Island 195 Wilmington Island Road 912.897.2835

islandmethodist.com

* Some churches and houses of worship allow ceremonies for church congregants and extended family only. Call to confirm.

STEPHANIE POWELL CREATIVE

JB MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY

Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church

Tybee Island Wedding Chapel

You bring the love story, we’ll create your dream wedding!

Hewitt Oaks is an all-season venue featuring 25 acres of live oak groves and stunning meadow views. Our all-inclusive wedding packages ensure a seamless planning process with catering, florals, rentals & design provided by our experienced in-house team. If you can imagine it, we can make it happen!

Photo credits: Landon Jacob Productions, Lisa Staff Photography, Olivia Taylor Photography, Two Arrow Films

RESOURCES

Ford Field and River Club

700 Wilmington Myrtle & Rose

T IE THE KNO T OCEANSID E

Fairytaleweddingsbecome happy realities atthe Hilton HeadMarriott Resort & Spa. Dreamof exchangingyourvowsinanintimatebeach ceremonyoraballroomreception

Our experiencedand enthusiasticplanning team is ready to help organize yourisland celebration.Our certi�edWedding Catering Managers are dedicated to helpingyou create acelebration that suits your style -from barefoot beachfront weddings to formal galas Let us help you choose anextraordinary backdrop for your perfect day here in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

To start planning, contact our wedding expert, Lisa Kennedy, at Lisa.Kennedy@marriott.com or 843-686-8474.

RESOURCES

RESOURCES

Savannah’s beach, Tybee Island, is 15 minutes from Savannah, Georgia’s historic district. The Tybee Island Wedding Chapel and Grand Ballroom is the heart of the island’s resort style community. Originally built as a movie set, the venue has been renovated to include 7,000 square feet of event space. This all-inclusive venue has everything you need to plan the wedding of your dreams. Schedule your private tour now!

Best of Weddings winner with The Knot.com from 2012–2020 & Bride’s Choice Award from 2012–2020 with Weddingwire.com

1114 US Hwy 80, Tybee Island, Georgia 31328 • 912.786.9099 or 888.988.9233 • info@tybeeweddingchapel.com

TYBEEWEDDINGCHAPEL.COM

5D Photography

Ashlyn Cathey Photography

5D Photography

Ashlyn Cathey Photography

RESOURCES

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

APPAREL

Camellia Bridal

912.201.3815

camelliasavannah@gmail.com

camelliabridal.com

125 W. Duffy St., Savannah Page 94

Ivory & Beau

912.200.4794

ivoryandbeau.com

ivoryandbeau@gmail.com

Savannah Page 35

J’Adore Bridal

912.842.4022

jadorebridal@gmail.com

109 Parker Ave. S., Brooklet

Page 13

CAKES/DESSERTS

Le Macaron French Pastries Savannah

912.712.5094

lemacaronsavannah@gmail.com

lemacaron-us.com/locations/ savannah

204 W. Broughton St., Savannah Page 37

CATERERS

Churchill’s 912.232.8501

churchillsonbay.com

13 W. Bay St., Savannah

Page 14

Fripp Island Golf & Beach Resort

888.831.4453

frippislandresort.com

2119 Sea Island Parkway, Saint Helena, South Carolina

Page 19

Leopold’s Ice Cream

912.234.4442

leopoldsicecream.com

3212 E. Broughton St., Savannah

Page 101

The Pirates’ House

912.233.5757

thepirateshouse.com

20 East Broad St., Savannah Page 64

Thrive Catering

912.508.6068

cateringbythrive.com

thrivecatering@gmail.com

Page 62

COSMETIC DENTISTRY

Cohen Dental 912.353.9533 savannahdentalcentre.com

310 Eisenhower Drive, Building #2, Savannah

Page 18

Dental Harbor by Abby Dew, DDS 912.480.0804 dentalharbor.com

50 Meeting St., Suite B, Savannah

Page 23

Savannah Dental 912.355.8821

savannah.dental

815 E. 68th St., Savannah

12650 Ga. 144, Richmond Hill

Page 31

COSMETIC PROCEDURES

Skin Institute at Savannah Plastic Surgery 912.351.5050

savannahplasticsurgery.com/ skin-institute-savannah

7208 Hodgson Memorial Drive, Savannah

Page 63

ENTERTAINMENT

All About You Entertainment 912.897.0518

allaboutyoudjs.com

Page 95

EQUIPMENT RENTAL

Amazing Event Rentals Savannah 912.927.2666

amazingeventrentals.com

amazingeventrentals@gmail.com

Beaufort, South Carolina

843.379.5503

Bluffton, South Carolina

843.837.5090

Page 49

Royal Restrooms 912.234.6800

georgiaportablerestrooms.com royalrestrooms.com

Page 2

Thrive Catering

912.508.6068

cateringbythrive.com

thrivecatering@gmail.com

Page 62

EVENT PLANNERS

Ivory & Beau 912.200.4794 ivoryandbeau.com ivoryandbeau@gmail.com

Savannah

Page 35

Swanson Signature Events

678.787.0374 swansonsignatureevents.com

213 St. Andrew’s Road, Rincon Pages 24–25

EXCURSIONS

Outside Savannah 843.686.6996 outsidesav.com

300 W. River St., Unit 6B, Savannah

Inside front cover

FLORAL DESIGN

Ivory & Beau 912.200.4794 ivoryandbeau.com ivoryandbeau@gmail.com

Savannah

Page 35

John Davis Florist

912.233.6077

ohn isflorist co 2430 Abercorn St., Savannah

Page 87

Kato Floral Designs

912.508.1166

katoweddings.com

418 E. Broughton St., Savannah Pages 4–5

and y lo e hop

912.604.6852

s n fl flowershop co 8419 Ferguson Ave., Savannah Page 20

HISTORIC SANCTUARY

First Baptist Church Savannah 912.234.2671

fbc-sav.org

223 Bull St., Savannah

(Facing Chippewa Square) Page 106

JEWELRY

Levy Jewelers — Since 1900

Historic Downtown Savannah, corner of Bull and Broughton 912.233.1163

levyjewelers.com

912.238.2120

Oglethorpe Mall

904.527.2643

St. Johns Town Center, Jacksonville, Florida Back cover

OFFICIANTS

We R One Weddings by Minister Victoria Burnett 708.308.9578

wer1weddings@aol.com

wer1weddings.com

Page 107

PHOTOGRAPHY/ VIDEOGRAPHY

Barefoot Royalty Photography LLC 912.707.7560

barefootroyaltyphotography.com

Savannah Pages 50-51

PLASTIC SURGERY

Savannah Plastic Surgery

912.244.8050

savannahplasticsurgery.com

7208 Hodgson Memorial Drive, Savannah Page 63

SALONS/ MAKE-UP/SPAS

40 Volume Salon

912.352.0077 40volume.com

816 E. 71st St., Savannah Page 28

Bride’s Side Beauty 843.368.2660

bridessidebeauty.com

484 Browns Cove Road, Ridgeland, South Carolina Page 29

TRANSPORTATION

Old Savannah Tours

912.234.8128

800.517.9007

oldsavannahtours.com

215 West Boundary St., Savannah Page 52

SPECIAL SERVICES

Curry Dry Cleaners

912.355.2930

1310 E. DeRenne Ave. 912.897.4595

440 Johnny Mercer Blvd. Page 35

VENUES

Botanic Garden at Georgia Southern University

912.871.1149

georgiasouthern.edu/garden

1503 Bland Ave., Statesboro

Page 8

Botanical Garden, Savannah Area Council of Garden Clubs & Historic Reinhard Farmhouse

912.355.3883

savannahbotanical.org

1388 Eisenhower Drive, Savannah

Churchill’s 912.232.8501 churchillsonbay.com

13 W. Bay St., Savannah

Page 14

Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens

912.921.5460

coastalbg.uga.edu

2 Canebrake Road, Savannah

Page 1

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Cohen’s Retreat 912.355.3336 cohensretreat.com

5715 Skidaway Road, Savannah

Page 11

Cotton Hall 843.505.0073 cottonhallevents.com

200 Cotton Hall Road, Yemassee, South Carolina

Page 39

Cypress Gardens — Nature preserve in Berkeley County, South Carolina 843.553.0515

cypressgardens.berkeley countysc.gov

3030 Cypress Gardens Road, Moncks Corner, South Carolina Pages 128 and inside back cover

Georgia State Railroad Museum

912.651.6823

chsgeorgia.org/gsrm/special-events

655 Louisville Road, Savannah Page 94

Harper Fowlkes House

912.234.2180

chsgeorgia.org/hfh/special-events

230 Barnard St., Savannah

Page 94

HollyOaks on the Marsh info@hollyoaksotm.com hollyoaksotm.com

2090 Grove Point Road, Savannah Pages 16–17

Old Fort Jackson

912.232.3945 chsgeorgia.org/ofj/special-events

1 Fort Jackson Road, Savannah Page 94

Pei Ling Chan Gallery

912.525.5870 venues@scad.edu scad.edu/pei-ling-chan

322 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Page 3

Pin Point Heritage Museum 912.355.0064 chsgeorgia.org/phm/special-events

9924 Pin Point Ave., Savannah Page 94

The Pirates’ House 912.233.5757 thepirateshouse.com

20 East Broad St., Savannah Page 64

Savannah Riverboat Cruises 912.232.6404 savannahriverboat.com

9 E. River St., Savannah Page 72

Tybee Island Wedding Chapel and Grand Ballroom 800.786.5889 tybeeweddingchapel.com

1114 U.S. Hwy. 80, Tybee Island

Page 121

VENUES/ ACCOMMODATIONS

The Alida 912.715.7000 thealidahotel.com

412 Williamson St., Savannah

Page 30

Andaz Savannah — Hyatt 912.233.2116 hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/georgia/ andaz-savannah/savrd

14 Barnard St., Savannah Page 15

Golden Isles 800.933.2627 912.638.9014 goldenisles.com

529 Beachview Drive, St. Simons Island

Pages 6-7

Fripp Island Golf & Beach Resort 888.831.4453 frippIslandresort.com

2119 Sea Island Parkway, Saint Helena, South Carolina

Page 19

Hewitt Oaks: Weddings+Events+Retreats 843.757.4600 hewittoaks.com

205 Stillwell Road, Bluffton, South Carolina

Page 111

Hilton Head Marriott® Resort & Spa 843.686.8400 843.686.8474 (Wedding expert) hiltonheadmarriottresort.com

1 Hotel Circle, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Page 117

JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District 912.373.9200 plantriverside.com/weddings-events

400 W. River St., Savannah

Page 40

Oceanfront Cottage Rentals

800.786.5889 oceanfrontcottage.com

Page 44

VISITOR SERVICES

Visit Savannah 877.SAVANNAH visitsavannah.com

101 E. Bay St., Savannah Page 38

The Nectar of the (Wedding) Gods

Start your marriage on a honeyed — and fertile? — note with a traditional mead toast

Written by ANN KAISER

MEAD — A CENTURIES-OLD FERMENTED DRINK MADE FROM HONEY

— has made a comeback. According to the American Mead Makers Association, the number of commercial meaderies in the U.S. increased from approximately 60 in 2003 to more than 450 in 2020, with hundreds more planned to open by 2023.

“It’s up and coming, which is funny because it’s been around the longest,” says Kenneth Jenkinson of the world’s (probably) first alcoholic beverage. As the mead curator/magistrate at Savannah Bee Co., Jenkinson has been making what is known as the “nectar of the gods” for over a decade.

No one knows for sure how mead was first made, but Jenkinson says that Mother Nature was probably the original inventor. Many moons ago, a beehive was likely knocked out of a tree and cracked open during a rainstorm. After exposure to the elements and bacteria, the honey fermented and blossomed into a flavorful drink. Some thirsty hunter-gatherers came along, took a sip and liked it so much they started making their own.

Though the concept of mead predates recorded history, it’s been playing a big part in making the first few days of marriage a little lighter as far back as the 1500s. The term “honeymoon” actually comes from mead. In those times, after a bride and groom were married, the couple drank mead during the first month of marriage

to celebrate the sweetness of the period before the stresses of daily life entered their relationships. It was also believed to increase fertility (though that may have been more due to the alcohol content than any real medicinal properties) and that daily imbibing would ensure the birth of a son. In some cases, it was a high-stakes endeavor: Jenkinson says that sometimes kings would execute the mead maker if his brew failed to yield a son.

Today, a bottle of mead is still considered a traditional gift for newlyweds but it also makes for a unique beverage for a wedding toast. But maybe indulge just for the toast, especially if you choose a brew with high alcohol content. Jenkinson whipped up a batch for his own wedding in 2016. It was meant to be a sipping drink at 18 to 19% alcohol, but with Savannah Bee Co.’s Winter White Honey as the base and raspberries adding even more delicious flavor, he made it taste a little too good to sip slowly and the reception got a bit buzzier than anticipated. (Author’s note: Jenkinson is still happily married.)

In addition to traditional mead, several subcategories exist that include the addition of other ingredients such as fruits, grains and spices to create variations. Jenkinson suggests taking part in a mead tasting at Savannah Bee Co. to determine the perfect nectar for your nuptials. SCW

CypressGardens

Weddings to Remember

Recreate the Romance

Recreate the Romance

Create your special day along the backdrops of your favorite scenes from popular movies including, e Notebook, e Patriot, and Cold Mountain.

Create your special day along the backdrops of your favorite scenes from popular movies including, e Notebook, e Patriot, and Cold Mountain.