A Black & white reception at lowndes grove
As a wedding planner, I live for the moments when a bold vision comes to life, and this Charleston celebration at Lowndes Grove was exactly that! With a striking black-and-white theme, metallic accents, and a style-forward guest dress code, it was a modern classic dripping in glamour and intention.
The bride came to me with a clear idea — she wanted to host distinct events over a wedding weekend with the ceremony as a stand-alone moment the night before and a reception with it’s own look-and-feel the following evening. For the party, guests were asked to wear black — a chic, dramatic choice that served as the backdrop for something truly special. This backdrop allowed the family to sparkle in silver, and the bride to dazzle in gold.
This purposeful styling set the tone for a night that was super chic!
A Perfect Canvas: Lowndes Grove
Nestled along the Ashley River, Lowndes Grove is a venue that never needs much to feel extraordinary. But for this celebration, we wanted to make it feel distinct, but also cohesive with the overall space (peep the black & white tile in the entryway for cohesion).
Guests enjoyed cocktail hour by the dock while the sun was setting, and then gathered under the main tent for dinner and toasts. They were then escorted onto the pain patio and under the teant for dinner with the design making a statement — a main tablescape ran down the center of the reception, laid with crisp white linens, black chairs, and glass chargers, which contributed to a fun take on a black/white theme.
The Tablescape: Modern Minimalism Meets Organic Glam
Our goal with the tablescapes was to keep them elegantly simple and classy. Every detail was intentional with the collaboration of the Bearded Florist, Curated Events, and Studio ACK.
Black napkins and menus rested on clear chargers, bringing sharp contrast and a polished look.
Mirror runners added a sleek and reflective surface that caught the candlelight beautifully.
A mix of tall and low arrangements featuring white orchids, ranunculus, anthuriums, and foxglove—danced down the table in modern vessels, balancing structure with softness.
Glass hurricanes and black bud vases added dimension and glow without clutter.
As the sun set, the ambiance shifted and became perfect for a romantic dinner and fun party vibes!
The Dance Floor: Statement-Making Sparkle
The real showstopper of the night? A custom monogrammed black-and-white dance floor crowned by a disco ball installation that felt equal parts Studio 54 and modern luxury.
As the lights dimmed and the beats by DJ Eclipze picked up, reflections from dozens of mirror balls shimmered across the space. Hayden changed into a pair of furry black slippers, the couple cut a two-tier wedding cake with a monogrammed topper, and Charleston Chews were served on the dance floor. The party picked up, to say the least!
A note from the planner ;)
As a planner, I absolutely love to see moments like this come to life! To see the vision through from the initial planning meetings to the design decks to the renderings to event day… it truly is so meaningful and rewarding!
To the beautiful couple: thank you for trusting me with your dream. To our creative partners: thank you for making the impossible feel effortless. And to future couples drawn to bold, stylish celebrations, let be your sign to lean in ;)
XOXO,
Marian
