1. Real Weddings

An Elegant, Natural Wedding at Lowndes Grove Plantation in Charleston, South Carolina

Cat Goyeneche (32 and a psychologist) and Steve Marks (33 and a real estate managing broker) head south for their spring wedding, gathering their fami

Cat Goyeneche (32 and a psychologist) and Steve Marks (33 and a real estate managing broker) head south for their spring wedding, gathering their family members and friends in the quaint, historic city of Charleston, South Carolina. The location held a special place in the hearts of the Chicago-based couple, since Cat attended graduate school there and Steve spent many vacations there with his family growing up. Lowndes Grove Plantation had a quintessentially Charleston feel, with its elegant 1786 architecture, waterfront location and acres of majestic oak trees, which instantly won over the pair. The couple took an unexpected approach to the decor, decorating the reception tent overlooking the calm waters of the Ashley River with a minimalist, organic aesthetic in mind. Glass orbs filled with moss and succulents lined the ceremony aisle, while bell jar terrariums added an unexpected yet natural touch to the reception tables. Votive candles in textured jars illuminated the reception tent, giving the space a warm, inviting ambiance. The focal point of the room was a chandelier created by Cat and her family, made from 1,000 paper cranes and cascades of green amaranthus. The one-of-a-kind piece served as a traditional symbol of love, and infused the decor with undeniable personality. Other touches that give the day a personal dimension were the Southern-meets-Asian-fusion menu and a heartfelt blessing during the ceremony that involved all the couple’s family members and friends. “The ceremony was especially important,” Cat says, “and near the end, all friends and family members gathered, holding hands or touching shoulders to form a circle and connect with us.” Live music was another standout detail, with Cat and Steve bringing in two groups to play throughout the evening. A tip from Cat and Steve: “The only advice we have is to be very present on the day-of to enjoy each moment. All the planning and preparation, and any worries you may have beforehand, no longer matter. Be present in the moment, take it all in, and enjoy yourself. The time will pass quickly.”

White Hellebore and Orange Ranunculus Bouquet
Succulent and Astilbe Boutonnieres
Vintage A-Line Wedding Dress With Ruffles
Midnight Blue Vera Wang Bridesmaid Dresses
Cat and Steve worked with Branch Design Studio to create one-of-a-kind centerpieces for their reception tables. Instead of the standard flower arrangements of classic blooms, the couple went in a more earthy, rustic direction, having the talented design team at Branch put together bell cloche terrariums using astilbes, ranunculus, hellebores, succulents, pepper berries, sweet peas and slices of wooden logs.
Vintage Blue Glass Centerpieces
Whimsical Modern Ceremony Programs
When it came to the decor, Cat and Steve took a minimalist, natural approach in order to reflect the Lowndes Grove Plantation’s waterfront setting in Charleston, South Carolina, as well as the wedding’s laid-back vibe. For their ceremony under the property’s shady oak trees, the couple ditched the traditional flower arrangements typically used to line the aisle for glass orbs filled with earthy moss and succulents.
Blue Plantation Band Cocktail Hour Performance
Decorative Wooden Ceremony Fans
After a mouthwatering dinner of classic Southern fare, like shrimp and grits, fried chicken, spicy collard greens and sweet potato biscuits, Cat and Steve treated guests to two flavors of decadent wedding cake. The four-tier confection featured layers of lemon cake with lemon curd filling and almond cake with espresso frosting topped with white fondant, decorative pink piping and a few bright green succulent accents.
Vintage Family Wedding Photos
Charleston, South Carolina, was a special place for Cat and Steven, both of whom had spent significant time there. So when it came time to choosing a place to say their “I dos,” the historic Southern city seemed like an obvious choice. Lowndes Grove Plantation had a quintessentially Charleston, South Carolina, feel, with its elegant 1786 architecture, waterfront location and acres of majestic oak trees, which instantly won over the pair.
The day started with a ceremony overlooking the Ashley River. Cat and Steve gathered their families and friends along the riverbank, where they exchanged vows under the shade of majestic old growth oak trees and shared in a communal blessing that highlighted all the love and support the couple had received.
It was Cat and Steve’s hope to incorporate their friends and family members into their ceremony in some way, to highlight the importance of all the love and support they had received from them over the years. “The ceremony was especially important,” Cat says, “and near the end, all our friends and family members gathered, holding hands or touching shoulders to form a circle and connect with us.”
Lowndes Grove Plantation Recessional
In the weeks before the wedding, Cat and her family folded over 1,000 paper cranes, a symbol of love, to incorporate into the wedding’s decor. In addition to the chandelier that hung over the dance floor, she used the cranes as escort cards, writing the name of each guest on the origami birds.
Lowndes Grove Plantation’s River House whipped up an Asian-and-Southern fusion menu that was a huge hit with guests during cocktail hour and dinner. Guests noshed on a selection of inspired bite-size eats that gave them the fuel they needed to hit the dance floor. A few offerings included falafel patties with lemon tahini aioli, tomato marmalade and herbed goat cheese cones, fried chicken, shrimp and grits and an “Asian action” station loaded with grilled chicken satay, fried rice, soy-steamed edamame and wakame salad.
The Business Reception Band
Music was another important element of the evening and Cat and Steve made sure they had all their bases covered. The Blue Plantation Band, a popular local bluegrass band, played during cocktail hour and got things swinging with their upbeat mix of folk, jazz and bluegrass tunes. The Business stepped in for the reception and got guests up out of their seats and out on the dance floor, where they danced the night away to music from the 1950s, '60s and '70s.
The evening’s standout detail was a collaboration between the couple and their floral designer Branch Design Studio. In the weeks leading up to the wedding, Cat and her family made 1,000 white paper cranes, a traditional symbol of love, which Branch then used to create a unique chandelier with cascades of green amaranthus to hang over the dance floor.