Town & Country

Good things certainly came at their own sweet pace to North Carolina natives Julie Bartholomew and Lee Edwards. After 10 years of friendship, courtship, and even a broken engagement, Julie and Lee reconnected one night over dinner. “The minute we saw each other again, we knew this was it,” says Julie. “We knew we were truly each other’s person.”

Lee proposed six months later while on vacation in the Dominican Republic, and when the couple returned stateside to plan their Big Day, they went with Charleston because they had loved a friend’s wedding here. The pair connected with Lindsey Shanks of A Charleston Bride to plan a day that blended Julie’s “girlie” side with duck-hunter Lee’s outdoorsy tendencies. “I will never forget the conversation Julie and I had about her rhinestone shoes and then Lee’s decision to go barefoot!” says Lindsey. (In the end, the groom’s party—and even Julie’s dad—followed Lee’s barefoot path.)

Lowndes Grove Plantation’s stately, elegant façade, which is framed by palmettos and old live oaks, fit their town and country bill. When the day came, Julie took her father’s arm and, following a tip from a friend, she paused to soak up the scene before walking the aisle to meet Lee. Later, the couple made their debut as husband and wife at the reception as a string quartet played “Dixie,” before sampling from Fish Restaurant’s food stations that featured everything from a Lowcountry Boil to Spanish paella.

“The most rewarding part was that after almost 11 years of many ups and downs (but always loving each other), we were finally a married couple,” says Julie. Now settled in Kinston, North Carolina, the newlyweds are expecting both the opening of Lee’s distillery, Sugar Hill, and their first baby. Seems like their happily ever after is just beginning.

Vendor List:

Bridal Gowns: Vera Wang, www.verawang.com (ceremony); Reem Acra, www.reemacra.com (reception)

Bridal Shoes: Mui Mui, www.miumiu.com (ceremony); Jimmy Choo, www.jimmychoo.com (reception)

Bridesmaid Attire: Jenny Yoo from Gown Boutique of Charleston, www.gownboutiqueofcharleston.com

Cakes: Fish Restaurant, www.fishrestaurantcharleston.com

Catering: Fish Restaurant, www.fishrestaurantcharleston.com

Ceremony Music: Charleston Virtuosi, www.charlestonvirtuosi.com

Ceremony Programs: Sweet Magnolia Paper, www.sweetmagnoliapaper.com

Ceremony and Reception Location: Lowndes Grove Plantation, www.pphgcharleston.com

Décor Rentals: Ooh! Events, www.theartofcreating.com

Florist: Tiger Lily Weddings, www.tigerlilyweddings.com

Flower Girl’s Dress: Tutully Cute Designs (Etsy shop), www.etsy.com/shop/TutullyCuteDesigns

Groom and Groomsmen’s Attire: Hardwicks (suits); Southern Proper, www.southernproper.com, & Bird Dog Bay, www.birddogbay.com (bow ties); DieselLaceDesign, www.etsy.com/shop/DieselLaceDesign, (cuff links)

Hair and Makeup: Elysium (www.elysiumsalon.net), Wedding Hair by Charlotte www.weddinghairbycharlotte.com)

Lighting: Technical Event Company, www.technicaleventcompany.com

Linens and Rentals: Event DRS (www.eventdrscharleston.com), Ooh! Events (www.theartofcreating.com)

Photography: Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay, www.seanmoney-elizabethfay.com

Reception Entertainment: Liquid Pleasure & Kenny Mann, www.otherbrotherent.com

Ring Bearers’ Suits: J.Crew , www.jcrew.com

Stationery: William Arthur, Charlotte’s Jewelry & Gifts

Transportation: Absolutely Charleston, www.absolutelycharlestonwedding.com

Videography: Hart to Heart Media, www.harttoheartmedia.com

Wedding Design and Coordination: A Charleston Bride, www.acharlestonbride.com