All guests were invited to the rehearsal dinner, an authentic oyster roast. Custom runners were made from the invitation design: oversized purple flowers looked like watercolor displays on emerald and eggplant linen base cloths. Galvanized buckets and pie tins held bound cotton and magnolia leaf bouquets.
The ceremony took place amid an allee of oak trees dripping with moss in front of the main house. A 60 x 90 reception tent had a wash of very soft purple that glowed across the ceiling draping. Pin lighting was used on all of the tables. Farm tables were used for the escort cards, bridesmaid’s bouquets and cheese display. The 20-foot head table featured a custom-cut glass top supported by lighted Plexiglas boxes. Purple chargers, custom napkins and monochromatic displays of the the bride’s favorite purple flowers, and clear chivari chairs completed the head table look.
The guest tables played out with gold and ivory damask linens, custom-made to accommodate the extra wide rectangle tables. Ivory hemstitch napkins, gold charger plates, gold chivari chairs and calligraphied menu cards were at each placesetting. Adding to the vintage feel, were nine mercury glass candlesticks every eight feet and a glittered pillar candle. Each place setting had its own bouquet in a mercury glass vase.
It was a breathtaking moment when all 150 guests lit their individual taper candle in unison. Special emphasis was given to the teen, little boys’ and little girls’ tables. Toddlers received purple plush animals at their seat. Cake, cigars and dancing ended the night.
