Charleston's Upstairs at Midtown was the Perfect Space for this Laid Back Wedding
Thank you so much to Simply Sarah for taking over our editorial today! We started with a GORGEOUS Rain-Filled Southern Wedding, then moved on to the prettiest of pretty Inspiration Shoots that was all about the photography and now...now we're sharing a CLASSIC Charleston celebration with a groom who serenaded his bride on a rooftop and a kiss that will melt even the most discerning of hearts.
Brooke + Derek are no strangers to the events industry. They met while working together at Universal Studios then later found themselves both with Marriott. When it came time to plan their wedding, however, Brooke + Derek found themselves a bit indecisive.
Originally, the couple booked The Gadsden House, King Street Hospitality Group's newest + largest property located in Charleston, SC. Several months into planning a lavish + rather large affair, Brooke + Derek decided they wanted to host a more intimate gathering with only their immediate family + closest of friends. Thankfully, King Street Hospitality Group's smaller venue, Upstairs at Midtown, was available on their previously decided wedding date. The couple quickly shifted gears + hired in-house planner, Kathleen Shuler, to design + execute an equally as exquisite yet smaller event.
After the pair completed taking photos, Brooke + Derek got to mingle with their family and even enjoyed their favorite "bar snacks" during cocktail hour. Just before dinner, the couple snuck away for a private moment on the venue's rooftop where Derek serenaded Brooke via guitar.
As busy professionals, Brooke + Derek didn't have much time for wedding planning. Brooke, daughter of a chef, voiced that food + drink were of huge importance for the couple and her parents. Derek, hailing from a smaller family, wanted the evening to feel much like a family reunion. With these priorities, Kathleen hit the ground running.
Starting with the food + drink, Kathleen worked closely with Derek Falta, King Street Hospitality Group's culinary director to craft a menu that offered an elegant take on Lowcountry favorites, including fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese + bacon jam. In addition to Charleston's classics, the menu involved a spin on Brooke's favorite drink...a spicy blackberry jalepeno margarita (which also served as escort "cards" with individuated calligraphed glasses) + a nod to her dad's favorite late night snack...chocolate chip cookies + milk.After conceptualizing the menu, Kathleen got to work on designing aesthetics. Brooke + Derek had refined tastes but in general, were a laid back couple. Keeping Derek's request for a "comfortable, casual affair" in mind, Kathleen + team were driven to create a celebration that was elegant without being overly genteel. This "happy medium" was created by pairing velvet linens with simple white china, pheasant feather decor with leather place cards, colorful lounge pieces with simple x-back chairs and impressive greenery with just pops of mauve, magenta and rose.After a fabulous dinner spread and a room full of toasts, the couple danced all night under the stars to DJ Big Bad Ben before their sparkler exit.
Photography: Simply Sarah Photography | Event Planning: King Street Hospitality Group | Wedding Dress: Hayley Paige | Cake: ABCD Cakes | Ceremony Venue: Upstairs At Midtown | Hair & Makeup: Lashes And Lace Charleston | Suits: Jos. A. Bank | Transportation: Lowcountry Valet | Anklets: Anna Campbell | Dress Shop: Calvet Couture Bridal | Floral: Branch Design Studio | Linens: La Tavola Fine Linen Rental | Live Painter: Artistic I | Processing and Development: PhotoVision Prints | Rentals: Ooh! Events