Petite Sophisticate

You gotta love a happy coincidence. Take, for instance, when Laura Camp first met Tripp Bailey through mutual friends when they were both living in Washington, D.C. He was sporting a College of Charleston baseball cap and it just so happened that she loved the Holy City, has family here, and, like Tripp, grew up visiting. Beyond their shared admiration of Charleston, they learned they had more in common. “We also shared our style, our beliefs, our love for the same foods, and our love for the South,” explains Laura.

Throughout their courtship, the New York City pair visited the town responsible for their first “hello” at least once a year. And four and a half years in, they were relaxing on their favorite bench off Concord Street when Tripp took Laura’s left hand and slipped something sparkly on her ring finger. After a surprised “Yes!” they were soon joined by both sets of parents, who had flown in to celebrate with the newly betrothed pair.

In no time, Laura rang up Kristin Newman Designs, a veteran of planning three weddings for various relations in the bride-to-be’s family. Kristin especially gravitated to this tailored, put-together couple. “They have a timeless, classic way about them, which is a great fit for us,” Kristin says. But that’s not to say there’s no letting loose. “Laura never has a hair out of place,” she says, “but she and Tripp sure love to let their hair down!”

The challenge, then, was to plan a black-tie event that reflected the couple’s polished exterior but also invited guests to have a blast. The first step? Setting the tone with a Friday night welcome party at Broad Street’s incomparable Blind Tiger Pub, complete with a guest appearance by Lowcountry legend Tony the Peanut Man. For the next day’s reception at The William Aiken House, Kristin combined the elegance of a lavish parlor soirée with the laid-back vibe of a backyard bash.

“We wanted a harmonious indoor-outdoor experience,” Kristin explains. Cut to dark, waxy garlands twined around railings and suspended from tent tops, al fresco furniture nooks rife with plush velvet pieces (including a treasured green sofa from Kristin’s personal collection), and chandeliers twinkling both in the two-story house and outdoors in the moonlight.

Toss in elements like a cigar bar (“a must for my family,” Laura laughs) and enthusiastic use of a custom monogram (the newlyweds added two dozen monogrammed linen napkins to their home collection after the partying), and you have the quintessential Southern garden gathering. And perhaps more than a celebration, it was actually a preview of what’s to come. Says Laura, “We both can’t wait to move back down South!”

Vendor List:

Wedding design: Kristin Newman Designs, www.KristinNewmanDesigns.com

Venues: (ceremony) St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, www.stphilipschurchsc.org; (reception) William Aiken House, www.PPHGCharleston.com

Catering, bar service: Patrick Properties, www.PPHGCharleston.com

Photography: Elisabeth Millay Photography, www.ElisabethMillay.com

Florals, lighting, lounge furniture: Gathering Floral + Event Design, www.GatheringEvents.com

Custom bars, cake table, draping: Blossoms Events, www.BlossomsEvents.com

Tables, chairs: Snyder Events, www.SnyderEvents.com

China, flatware: Polished!, www.PolishedTabletop.com

Linens: La Tavola, www.LaTavolaLinen.com

Cake: Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal, www.WeddingCakesbyJimSmeal.com

Stationery: Ceci New York, www.CeciNewYork.com

Bridal Attire: (gown) Oscar de la Renta, www.OscardelaRenta.com; (reception dress) Modern Trousseau, www.ModernTrousseau; (jewelry) Croghan's Jewel Box, www.CroghansJewelBox.com; (shoes) Jimmy Choo, www.US.JimmyChoo.com

Bridesmaid Attire: Wtoo from Bella Bridesmaids, www.BellaBridesmaids.com

Beauty: Blushing Brides, (843) 793-7726

Groom's Attire: Grady Ervin & Co. 

Groomsmen's attire: Grady Ervin & Co. (shirts); personal wardrobes (tuxes) 
Music: Big Blast and the Party Masters, www.eastcoastentertainment.com/artist/big-blast-and-the-party-masters