A Rainy, Rustic-Chic Wedding in South Carolina

The Stationery Suite

Inspired by the natural setting of Montage Palmetto Bluff, the fern-green cotton paper invitations were printed with copper foil wreaths featuring the couple's initials and corresponding calligraphy by Lowcountry Paper Co. The suite was sent in moss-gray envelopes.

The Welcome Bag

Guests were welcomed to town with canvas bags adorned with a design of the couple's Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Henry, and filled with Bluffton peanut brittle, Hilton Head Popcorn Company popcorn, bug spray, and a cup and koozie with the quote, "We interrupt this SEC football season to bring you the Thompson Bensabat Wedding."

The Gown

When Taylor tried on her silk faille Vera Wang trumpet gown, she loved the shape but wasn't sold on the back. After making adjustments to the bows, she was excited to be wearing the same designer as her sister had worn when she was a bride. She walked down the aisle with peonies, ranunculus, hydrangea, and roses in her bouquet by Em Creative Floral.

The Bridesmaids

Bridesmaids wore various styles of chiffon J.Crew dresses in the bride's favorite color—dusty shale.

The Flower Girl

Taylor's niece served as the flower girl in a simple white dress, gold shoes, and a floral crown.

Portrait Time

All portraits were taken following the couple's first look during a moment void of rain outside of the chapel.

Rainy Day

As portraits wrapped up and the rain began to fall again, bridesmaids headed to the chapel together for the ceremony. The couple's nephews (who were the ring bearers) helped the ladies keep their dresses dry.

The Ceremony Location

Since the chapel only accommodated 90 guests, many of the attendees had to stand outside during the ceremony. The side windows of the chapel were designed to roll up to 6-feet, and there are stairs and handrails on each side so guests can peer in. The rain made things a bit more challenging, but with help from some advance notice of the space limitations in the welcome booklet, and a chalk sign outside the building reading, "We are overflowing with love. Ladies, please sit a spell and gents, enjoy the fall air," guests made it work. And luckily, the sky cleared in time for people to huddle around the windows and peer in for the remainder of the ceremony.

The Processional

Without knowing it was going to rain, the couple planned not one, but two songs that flowed seamlessly with the weather. The ceremony began with The Bob Williams Duo playing a classical guitar and violin rendition of The Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun," and the sun shined through the windows of the Waterside Chapel as the clouds parted during the mothers' processional. "It was if the song welcomed the sun from behind the clouds," planner Ashley Rhodes recalls.

Taylor's entrance with her father to Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" welcomed not one, but two rainbows that stretched across the sky over the May River as the bride settled at the altar.

The Ceremony

The couple's Christian ceremony featured a scripture reading from Philippians 4:4–9 and Roy Croft's "I Love You." "I vividly remember the whole ceremony, but especially prior to our vows as Taylor and I were facing each other," says John. "I will never forget the emotions that came over me as I saw the love Taylor and I shared written all over her face. I can still see it today."

The Programs

Sage-green and gold program booklets echoed the design of the invitation.

The Recessional

It was nothing but clear skies as the newlyweds recessed outside to Ray LaMontagne's "You Are The Best Thing."

The Cocktail Hour

Hors d'oeuvres of chilled poached shrimp with a spicy Old Bay remoulade, meatballs with smoked Gouda, smoked salmon on an aged white cheddar cheese wafer, mini crab cakes with Lowcountry remoulade, and ratatouille vegetable bruschetta were served during cocktail hour under the tent. Guests sipped on the signature drink (a Moscow mule) while listening to The Bob Williams Duo.

The Reception

Garlands of eucalyptus and strings of lights hung over a mixture of farm and round tables. Centerpieces were copper lanterns, copper candle vessels, and floral arrangements of white flowers and greenery.

The Seating Display

In lieu of escort cards, seating arrangements were calligraphed onto a single piece of wood that was milled locally.

The Place Setting

Tables were named after places important to Taylor and John and displayed in hand-penned copper calligraphy on green bands around moss-gray menus that featured the couple's monogram. Dinner started with a salad of garden greens, spiced pecans, strawberries, shaved manchego, pickled red onion, and balsamic vinaigrette; and continued with grilled New York steak with garlic spinach and a roasted garlic potato pavé.

The First Dance

The newlyweds chose Lionel Richie's "You Are" for their first dance song.

The Cake

Savannah Custom Cakes served a three-tier pumpkin cake with praline filling and cream cheese frosting (Taylor's favorite) for dessert—but not before the couple shared a bite with each other first.

More Celebration

After hearing that University of Tennessee's Volunteers beat their rivals the South Carolina Gamecocks in football that night, orange and white pom-poms were passed around to celebrate, and a ring bearer was tossed in the air as the Tennessee fight song "Rocky Top" played. Glow necklaces were also given out, and were worn by most of the crowd when the newlyweds exited the reception amidst a shower of biodegradable confetti.

Sources

Photography, Landon Jacob Photography
Location and Catering, Montage Palmetto Bluff
Event planning, Ashley Rhodes Event Designs
Flowers, Em Creative Floral Design
Videography, Hart to Heart Media
Officiant, Wayne Bogue
Stationery and calligraphy, Lowcountry Paper Co.
Cake, Savannah Custom Cakes
Music, Bob Williams Duo (ceremony, cocktail hour); Sweetwater Junction (reception)
Rentals, Amazing Event Rentals; EventWorks; Snyder Rentals; La Tavola Fine Linen
Bride's gown, Vera Wang
Bride's shoes, Jimmy Choo
Hair and makeup, Bride's Side Beauty
Bridesmaids' dresses, J.Crew
Photo Booth, Shutterbooth