The Cliffs At Glassy Chapel proved to be the perfect setting for this gorgeous couple. Residing and working in New Orleans with a retirement plan to settle in South Carolina, Katie and Ben chose their second southern foundation to host their wedding and bring their closest family and friends to the ridge of the mountains. They took along with them their NOLA roots and gave nod to the appeal of the low country. A welcome dinner at The Cliff’s Falls Clubhouse, mountainside ceremony at Glassy Chapel with reception to follow at The Vineyards Lakehouse were all easy decisions to make as each space offered their own unique and memorable view that represented the life they live now and their future as a family, with son Katie’s son Parker.
Setting up rental homes directly with a property management company, Katie & Ben’s Guests were accommodated within the same Cliff’s community as the couple’s personal residence and taken care of for the entire weekend by way of a fully stocked welcome basket and personal transportation to all wedding celebrations.
Showing off, the weather brought nothing but a cool breeze and warm glow all weekend. Pre-wedding day even featured time at the Equestrian Center on horseback or on the water, tubing and taking laps around Lake Keowee.
Rehearsal Dinner was not shy of the sunshine and even came in way of bright yellow designer linens and a matching color palette of vibrant floral vignettes and coordinating fleur de lis branded place cards adorned upon each guest’s thank you gift box. Favors for the adults kept the party going between events with matching New Orleans inspired go-cups and the kiddos were taken care of with a fully stocked s’mores kit they were able to assemble indulge in that night around the Clubhouse’s fire pit.
Wedding day happily arrived and carried over the joy from a late night of rehearsal dinner toasts, stories and long laughs from all attended guests. The champagne and smiles continued to flow into the morning during hair and make-up and captured photography of every happy moment enjoyed by Katie and her closest friends and family. An appearance was even made by the newest furry family member, Archie, the golden doodle.
By way of a 1959 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II, Katie met Ben down the iconic Glassy Chapel aisle and shared vows under an abstract arch of florals that perfectly framed up the views of the Blue Ridge. Portraits were under the clearest blue skies until it was time to start the party at the coolest architectural pavilion in Sunset, South Carolina.
Guests arrived to a fully flourished reception as organic blush installations arose from the venue floor and grew upon the soft seating style cocktail hour. Focal to the main event was a 14 foot tree planted central to the party. With either Katie or Ben’s signature cocktail in hand; a French 75 or Mint Julep, Guests mixed and mingled lakeside until proper introductions were made. And of course, this arrival was epically announced to Metallica’s Enter Sandman where Katie and Ben rocked their way to the dance floor for their first dance as Dr. & Mrs.
Doing what they do with the best standards, The Cliff’s tableside service provided an intimate dinner experience under a lit up drapery tent next to the water and live music playing over the chatty crowd by the Oxford Soul Band duo. Each guest received a starter shrimp cocktail, seasonal salad and a duo entrée. Dessert was nothing short of plentiful with crème Brule, the tastiest vegan wedding cake and late night chicken & waffles passed amongst the conga lines and dance floor packed out to “Don’t Stop Believing” and “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” following the classical serenades came a surprise fireworks bursting overhead and concluding a wedding for the history books.
See the full vendor list for this Mountainside Wedding below the images.
Venue: The Cliffs at Glassy Chapel | Coordinator: Shelley with Merit Event Co.| Photo: Almond Leaf Studios | Florists: Petal and Fern and Kate Asire Flowers | Cake: Couture Cakes | Live Band: Oxford Soul | Hair & Makeup: Latia Curtis Beauty | Car: Coats Classic Cars | Ceremony Music: Carolina Music Planner