Secret Garden

Sophie Ritter & Adam Foster October 15, 2022 / Gibbes Museum of Art Sophie was a college student—21 and single—when she first fell for the Gibbes Museum. On a family trip to Charleston, she watched in wonder as the museum’s grounds were set up for an evening wedding. Little did she know, her own nuptials would take place in this very garden. Sophie and Adam met at work in 2018. It wasn’t long before their friendship and tennis partnership grew into something more, and in April 2021, Adam proposed in a peaceful garden in Charlotte, North Carolina. When planning began, Sophie couldn’t shake the memory of the Gibbes, and soon it was booked for a mid-October date. Letting the venue speak for itself, the event was a simple but breathtaking affair, with airy autumnal florals accenting the already lush gardens. The couple said their “I dos” in the museum’s majestic rotunda, proceeding outside for cocktails, dinner, and dancing. Before making their getaway, Sophie and Adam snuck in one final dance—alone under twinkling lights, to Adele’s “Make You Feel My Love,” the song that accompanied Sophie down the aisle. Top Tips • Let the venue shine. Between the Beaux Arts architecture and lush Lenhardt Garden, the Gibbes Museum of Art was stunning on its own. Simple, seasonal decor kept the space at center stage. • Take advantage of your tiers. Each layer in the three-tier cake was carefully chosen: classic vanilla for Sophie’s dad, chocolate with chocolate icing for the couple, and pumpkin with cream cheese icing in a nod to the season. • Snag a doggie bag. Ensuring the bride and groom had a chance to savor the food, Salthouse Catering had to-go boxes ready—which Sophie and Adam dug into in their hotel after the festivities. Vendors Planning & Design: Anderson Event Design Photography: Lindsey Morgan Photography Venue: Gibbes Museum of Art Florals: Festoon Charleston Catering: Salthouse Catering Bar: Spike Bar Cake: Flowerchild Bridal Attire: Monique Lhuillier (dress), Loeffler Randall (shoes) Rentals: Snyder Events Linens: Stradley Davidson Beauty: Pampered and Pretty Entertainment: Palmetto Strings (ceremony), Blaze The City (reception) Stationery: Kate Eliza Creative