A Glamorous Winter Wedding at Boone Hall Plantation in Charleston, South Carolina

Although Kathleen Anderson (23 and a wedding and event planner) and Michael Shuler (33 and a commercial real estate developer) practically grew up as neighbors, it wasn’t until a boat trip with mutual friends that their paths eventually crossed. For their January wedding in their hometown, the Charleston natives selected a muted palette of champagne, ivory and gold to give their glam reception a bit of gilded flair. "I wanted our style to look classic and elegant, without feeling too pretentious," Kathleen says of the overall design. Since they're both professionals in the local events industry, the pair approached the wedding planning and design independently. To start, Michael made 250 mini charcuterie boards for all of their guests, while his father helped Kathleen create seven custom-built bars for the reception. The father of the groom even played the newlywed’s first-dance songs, starting with "At Last" by Etta James, before surprising family and friends by transitioning into their favorite tune, "With This Ring" by The Platters. “We love to dance, so this was the perfect excuse to get the party started,” Kathleen says. The couple celebrated their newlywed status at Boone Hall Plantation—a space that was transformed thanks to bengaline silk linens, gold chiavari chairs, luxurious lounge vignettes and worn wood details. As for planning advice for future to-be-weds, Kathleen advises to book vendors first before focusing on design. “You could change your mind about a simple flower color a million times before your wedding," she says. "Your favorite florist could be booked by the time you finally make up your mind.” —Juliette Cheatham