A Nuage Designs Guide to: Classic Weddings

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. It’s these time-old wedding traditions that add so much meaning to each couple’s story. There’s a unique kind of beauty we find in the design of a classically styled wedding, and a true happiness at the touch of a crisp hemstitch napkin! But there’s so much more that gives classic weddings a special place in our hearts. Read on about our key elements for nailing that perfect wedding look!

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First things first, set the tone. The invitation suite is the first peek your friends and family get into your wedding and it can set the mood for your upcoming nuptials. In true traditional fashion, we love using shades of navy and deep royal blue, bright whites, light cream tones and metallic foil detailing. As for your choice of type, combining script calligraphy styles with serif fonts makes your invitations both beautiful and functional. Whether you opt to add in some ornate patterns or monograms, make it totally yours. We also love a custom wax seal, that’s one small detail that never loses it’s appeal!

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What we really love about a classic wedding is it’s inherent timelessness. Tending towards simple designs and time-tested color palettes, they come together as impossibly elegant and refined events. Of course, there is the traditional blue and white color palette. As much as we want to try something different, this is really the one that sticks. You can opt to go with darker hues of navy or bright shades of royal, both will be just perfect.  There’s a couple of patterns that we love here too. You can add in awning stripes, french toile, or a chinoiserie print in your textiles or on the tabletop for nice detail.

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Balancing out those blue hues with crisp whites is essential to this design. We like giving the day a bright base to work from. Consider combining white linen tablecloths with soft embroidered overlays on your tables and tying the look together with crisp hemstitch napkins for an elegant effect. Bring in minimal white chairs, like this infinity chair, for seating that is both lovely and comfortable.

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When it comes to flowers, we love an assortment of light creams accented with sprigs of green. Ranunculus and hydrangeas are big blooms that add a nice volume to any arrangement. Add in white anemones, some sweet baby’s breath and green amaranth to break up the design and add a dimension of color.

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Choose a location with some history and add a piece of your own to it. With so many different options across the states, there’s a place that will speak uniquely to you. We love the idea of planning wedding events across different spaces of a unique location. That could mean cocktails inside a once residential turned museum mansion, or a tented reception on perfectly manicured historic gardens. Knowing that you’re adding a piece of your family to the story of the venue adds a level of intimacy to the day.

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Adding details that speak to you and your love story will be the touch that resonates with your family and friends. In true tradition, monogrammed pieces make for beautiful mementos. Consider monogramming your napkins for cocktails or dinner, or adding a monogram to your cake design. We also love when couples add in pieces that are special to them and their family. Whether that means wearing an heirloom piece of jewelry, vintage cufflinks or using your grandmother’s china, imbue your day with the things that are precious reminders of your life story.

Photography + Styling  Henry Photography | Wedding Planner Katie Werkin of Chancey Charm | Floral Design Ashley Henry | Hair + Makeup Audi Anderson + Madison Brynn + Steve Napier of J. Bentley | Cake Blush Arrow Cakes | Gown La Jeune Mariee | Gown Twigs & Honey | Gown Lazaro | Bridesmaid Gown Jenny Yoo | Shoes Bella Belle | Jewellery Trumpet & Horn | Stationery Wedding Paper Divas | Vow Book Wedding Story Writer | Linens Nuage Designs | Ribbon Adorn Company | Ring Box The Mrs. Box | Venue Kingwood Center Gardens | Film Lab PhotoVision | Monogrammed Napkins via Easton Events | Invitations via Written Word Calligraphy

Destination: Charleston, SC

Welcome to Charleston, South Carolina. This quaint Southern beauty is one of the top spots for destination weddings and there’s no wondering why. With its seaside views and beautifully preserved historic buildings, it is chock-full of character and charm. Strolling along the Charleston peninsula you’ll run across some of the oldest churches in the United States alongside delicious restaurants serving up traditional seafood dishes until you stumble upon Lowndes Grove Plantation. It’s right there that A Charleston Bride made us fall in love with Charleston.

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This dreamy wedding, designed in neutral shades of ivory and soft shades of blue was overlooking the Ashley River under a magical tent twinkling with chandeliers. With the tables set in cornflower blue paisley patterned linens, A Charleston Bride designed bright flowers in an ombre effect fading from coral to nude to create a beautiful balance of color. The small nods to tradition were so beautifully woven into this couple’s wedding day we can barely believe it! From a custom wedding crest, painted by artist Arabella June, to a fret-pattern ribbon around the bouquet we love how the small touches were tended to.

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It was a truly magical night with guests dancing happily and others lounging around in the beautiful rentals from Ooh! Event Rentals set underneath the trees, strung with lanterns and sparkling into the night. And to top it all off? A sparkler send off down the dock for a romantic ride around the Charleston harbor in a vintage wooden speedboat. Can you believe it? Only in Charleston.

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Original feature in Charleston Weddings Magazine Summer 2016 and online at Charleston Weddings Magazine 

Designer's-Picks

Wedding design and Florals A Charleston Bride | Venue, Catering, Cake Patrick Properties |  Lighting Technical Event Company | Linens Nuage Designs | Lounge Furniture, Décor Ooh! Event Rentals | Tabletop Polished Rentals | Photography Ryan Ray | Rentals Snyder Events | Stationary Studio R Design | Calligraphy Elizabeth Porcher Jones | Wedding Crest Arabella June | Altar banner Boutique Tents | Welcome baskets A Signature Welcome | Ceremony musicians Bob Williams | Reception Musicians Simply Irresistible | Transportation Absolutely Charleston | Getaway Boat Classic Boat Charleston | Videography East West Production | Bride’s Attire Anne Barge | Dress Steamer Cacky Bride + Aid | Beauty Ash + Co. Bridal | Bridesmaid’s Attire Alfred Angelo | Menswear Men’s Warehouse | Ring Bearer’s Attire Florence Eiseman

Infinite Summer Inspiration

With August upon us, the summer sadness is starting to sink in. We can hardly believe how quickly the season has gone by. But you know what they say, time flies when you’re having fun. That’s exactly what was going on during this Flaire Weddings styled shoot.

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Taking beach inspiration to a whole new level (no navy and white stripes here!) the design has a bright palette full of orange and pink blooms and fun flamingo and pineapple motifs throughout. Wedding Paper Divas really set the mood to party with their bubbly stationary and invitations. I mean, who could deny a pretty pink invitation to “Eat, Drink and Rehearse?” Especially not once you see their gorgeous table set up! Mixing glam sparkle with true Florida-beach vibes, the combination of the white sequin allummettes linens with rattan chargers was just perfect!

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But what really took our breath away were the bridesmaids’ dresses. Nude sequins from Badgley Mishka played so well with the seaside setting at the Ritz Carlton Amelia Island and transitioned with total ease to dinner. This one is definitely one we’ll revisit come the winter months, with one of those flamingo cocktails in hand! Flaire Weddings styled shoot.

Designer's-Picks

Photography Brooke Images | Design and Florals Flaire Weddings | Venue The Ritz Carlton Amelia Island | Invitations and Stationery Wedding Paper Divas | Linens Nuage Designs | Wedding Dress and Accessories The White Magnolia | Bridesmaid Dresses Rent The Runway | Hair Grazyna Mercado | Makeup Kimtasha | Exit Confetti Flutterfetti