Mr & Mrs Shirk
A Gadsden House Wedding in Downtown Charleston

Weddings

If you’re planning a Charleston wedding, and you want to make sure that it’s a good mix of formal but also feel personal, Ava and Kyle’s Gadsden house wedding did just that.

Their day was right in the middle of the Charleston summer wedding season, which was also the same season we did their engagement session (engagement session in the historic district), so it felt like we were just picking up right where we left off.

And also on an exciting note, their wedding was featured on Style Me Pretty!

 

a gadsden house wedding that felt like a garden party

There are so many gorgeous Charleston wedding venues! Ava and Kyle knew exactly how they wanted their wedding to feel, like a garden party with a splash of a formal vibe. Clean and traditional.

What I love about the Gadsden house is how perfect it felt for their day. It has three stories, so guests were able to hang out on the balconies and watch entrances, dancing, and speeches.

So if you are planning a Gadsden house wedding, I have a Gadsden House Wedding Guide that covers the space and more detail.

 

Bride and groom portrait in a palm-lined courtyard at their Gadsden House wedding, bride holding white calla lilies

Golden retriever ring bearer in a tuxedo collar and sage bow tie, sitting between the bride and groom at a South Carolina wedding

White and green hydrangeas beside a green floral china place setting with a ribboned card, southern wedding inspiration Brick exterior and white balconies of the Gadsden House Charleston, looking up from the courtyard Groom dips the bride on a checkered dance floor as guests cheer at a Charleston summer wedding

the gown, the florals, and the cake

Ava’s gown

Ever wore the Wendell gown from Madi Lane, which was bought from White Magnolia Bridal and topped off her look with a neck scarf which made her just look so simply classic.

 

Bride in a strapless Madi Lane gown holding calla lilies in an arched entry hall during her Gadsden House wedding Wedding gown hanging on a white door beside an armchair with calla lilies and bridal shoes, getting ready inside one of the historic Charleston wedding venues Bride in a white getting-ready dress reaching for her hanging gown before getting married in Charleston Bride laughing by a tall window in her gown and neck scarf, holding calla lilies, during her South Carolina wedding

The bridesmaids

Ava’s girls wore sage green dresses from Azazie, which went SO well with the florals and decor, which also had the splash of greenery. And before the ceremony, Ava’s closest fourteen friends also joined her with coordinating colors of green, pink and yellow, which was a lovely way to complement the venue overall. AND I love that they gathered for photos as an extended informal version of her wedding party.

 

Bride with her five bridesmaids in sage green Azazie dresses under a live oak, southern wedding inspiration Bride laughing with two bridesmaids in sage, holding white calla lilies before her Gadsden House wedding Friends in pink and green dresses fixing the bride’s scarf on the porch before getting married in Charleston Close-up of a white calla lily bouquet as the groom wraps his arm around the bride at a Charleston summer wedding Friends in pink floral dresses reacting to their first look at the bride during a downtown Charleston wedding Bride surrounded by her extended group of friends in green, pink, and yellow on the porch at the Gadsden House Charleston

 

Florals and decor

For the florals, it was heavenly. Poppy Flowers used calla lilies and hydrangeas, which made the colors stay soft and monochromatic. So if you’re worried that a simple color palette will feel too plain, Ava and Kyle’s wedding design is a great example of why simple is also still just as gorgeous.

 

Dining room set with gold chiavari chairs, white linens, and sage napkins beneath a chandelier at a Gadsden House wedding Close-up of green and white hydrangeas lining the dinner tables, southern wedding inspiration View through a doorway into a long dinner table set for guests inside the Gadsden House Charleston Green floral china plate with a ribboned tambourine and name card at each place setting, one of the Charleston wedding ideas at this reception Long dinner tables lined with hydrangeas under a crystal chandelier, one of the historic rooms that set it apart among Charleston wedding venues Glass of white wine beside a green goblet and soft hydrangeas at a Charleston summer wedding dinner Ceremony site with white floral pedestals against a brick garden wall at a downtown Charleston wedding Calla lilies, anthurium, and hydrangeas above a green floral place setting with a tambourine for guests at a Gadsden House wedding Hand-lettered table number with ivy greenery and green floral china at a South Carolina wedding reception

Overhead view of gold ceremony chairs in a brick courtyard facing floral pedestals at the Gadsden House Charleston

Dining room with a gold chandelier, white linens, and sage accents, ready for guests at a Style Me Pretty Charleston wedding Long table of hydrangeas and glassware leading toward a tall window, a setting for couples getting married in Charleston Green pressed-glass goblet with hydrangeas and green floral china on the table at a Charleston summer wedding

how they spent the time before the ceremony

My favorite part about wedding days is when I arrive and the wedding party is already in a great mood. Ava has the best friends and family who love her and they truly just made the whole day so beautiful. From capturing their small details to getting ready for the special day, it was magic.

Wedding invitation suite with a sage card, pink envelope, opera glasses, and vintage ring dish, southern wedding inspiration Bride in white surrounded by bridesmaids in light blue pajamas on a sofa while getting ready for her Gadsden House wedding Man in a tuxedo and sunglasses dancing next to a golden retriever while friends laugh, getting ready at the Gadsden House Charleston Close-up of the bride’s engagement ring and white calla lily bouquet at a Charleston summer wedding Bride and a bridesmaid dancing in their getting-ready outfits before getting married in Charleston Bride and a friend putting on earrings side by side, getting ready for a downtown Charleston wedding Woman in a mauve gown adjusting the bride’s dress by the fireplace before her South Carolina wedding Back of the bride’s strapless gown with covered buttons and a sheer veil, one of the details featured on Style Me Pretty Welcome bag flat lay with a tambourine, Charleston koozies, matches, and a candle, one of the Charleston wedding ideas for guests Woman in a mauve dress hugging an older woman in pale blue at the foot of the staircase during a Gadsden House wedding Groom in a black tuxedo leaning in an arched entry hall, one of the historic spaces among Charleston wedding venues Bride dancing with her bridesmaids in blue pajamas, arms in the air, while getting ready at the Gadsden House Charleston Bridesmaids in sage green dresses reflected in a mirror as they get ready for a Charleston summer wedding Close-up of the bride and a bridesmaid holding champagne flutes while getting ready, southern wedding inspiration Groomsmen helping the groom into his tuxedo jacket against an exposed brick wall at a downtown Charleston wedding Bride smiling in her strapless gown and neck scarf before her Gadsden House wedding Woman in a mauve dress seated and watching the bride in her gown before getting married in Charleston Groom kneeling next to their golden retriever on the porch before his South Carolina wedding

first looks with so much love

Between the first looks with her golden retriever Cash, her father, her bridesmaids and friends, you can just tell how much these people love her. And then of course, the couple sharing a first look and exchanging private vows by the classic Gadsden House staircase, truly the best start to the day.

Also, if you’re on the fence about a first look, Ava and Kyle’s wedding day is the perfect example of why first looks are top tier because they got to spend their entire morning with the people who matter to them all before the ceremony (which is a majority of the day)!

Bride walking toward her extended group of friends as they react in the doorway at her Gadsden House wedding Bridesmaids in sage green gasping and smiling as they see the bride for the first time, southern wedding inspiration Man in a tuxedo covering his face, overcome as he sees the bride before her Charleston summer wedding Bride kneeling to greet their golden retriever, surrounded by friends in pink, yellow, and green at the Gadsden House Charleston Bride walking down the historic staircase in her strapless gown before getting married in Charleston Friends in pastel dresses cheering and clapping for the bride, one of the moments from Ava and Kyle’s Style Me Pretty feature Groom turning to see the bride during their first look in a sunlit hallway at a downtown Charleston wedding Black and white photo of the bride and groom reading private vows to each other at their Gadsden House wedding Bride and groom kissing after their first look, framed by tall windows at a South Carolina wedding Bride and groom reading private vows under an archway by the staircase, one of the Charleston wedding ideas for a quieter moment Bride wiping away tears while holding her vows near the staircase, inside one of the historic Charleston wedding venues

Charleston wedding pictures that feel like them

And then right after that, we jump into portraits and one of the best things about a downtown Charleston wedding is that you don’t have to go far to find a beautiful spot for portraits. We started off inside the Gadsden House and then we wandered outside to the streets of downtown Charleston around the venue.

Bride and groom embracing in a lantern-lit hallway at their Gadsden House wedding Bride and groom walking past a historic house with a red door and gray shutters during their downtown Charleston wedding portraits Close-up of bridesmaids in sage dresses holding pink and white calla lilies, southern wedding inspiration Groom and his seven groomsmen in black tuxedos and sunglasses under a live oak at a Charleston summer wedding Black and white photo of the bride hugging their golden retriever under her veil at the Gadsden House Charleston Bride and groom laughing in a white hallway as their golden retriever wanders toward the camera, one of the Charleston wedding ideas for including your dog Groom kissing the bride’s hand as they walk past an iron gate on a downtown Charleston street Bride and groom leaning down to greet their golden retriever in a white hallway before getting married in Charleston Bride and groom crossing a tree-lined street with their golden retriever on a leash during their South Carolina wedding portraits Bride standing under a live oak as her veil catches the breeze, one of the portraits from Ava and Kyle’s Style Me Pretty feature Close-up of the groom kissing the bride’s hand at their Gadsden House wedding Bride laughing as she walks with her bridesmaids in sage green under the live oaks at a Charleston summer wedding Groomsmen in black tuxedos and sunglasses walking together under the oaks, southern wedding inspiration for the groom’s side Close-up of the groom fastening his cufflinks and watch before his downtown Charleston wedding Bride and groom touching noses in a close portrait at the Gadsden House Charleston Full wedding party laughing together in a palm-lined courtyard at a Gadsden House wedding Close-up of the bride’s engagement ring as she holds her gown, one of the details for couples getting married in Charleston Bride and groom kissing their golden retriever in his tuxedo collar and sage bow tie at their South Carolina wedding

honoring the people who couldn’t be there

Weddings can feel a tad bit more emotional when someone you love is missing from it. Ava and Kyle had a special way of honoring the people who weren’t able to be there.

Ava carried a cardinal charm on her bouquet in memory of Kyle’s father who passed away, and in honor of her own grandfather. They kept a memorial chair for Kyle’s father at the ceremony right next to mom who held onto the chair all ceremony. Kyle wore his father’s cufflinks and Breitling watch, along with Ava’s grandfather’s West Point ring.

Memorial chair at the ceremony reading “Reserved from Heaven, Father of the Groom,” honoring Kyle’s father, Brett, at their Gadsden House wedding Groom with a calla lily boutonniere fastening his cufflinks under the trees before his Charleston summer wedding Close-up of the bride’s hands and engagement ring against her gown before getting married in Charleston Guests seated for the ceremony beside the memorial chair for the father of the groom at a downtown Charleston wedding

a sunny summer ceremony

The ceremony was sunny and beautiful, a win for a Charleston summer wedding! And of course, Cash had the best role to play which was bringing down the rings to his parents. Also shout out to Sandy Paws for being such an amazing pet assistant.

If you want your dog in your South Carolina wedding, a pet assistant is KEY. Having someone whose only job is to keep tabs on your dog means your people can enjoy the moments.

Aerial view of guests seated in the brick courtyard for the ceremony at the Gadsden House Charleston Sheer welcome sign for Ava and Kyle against a greenery wall with a basket for guests, one of the Charleston wedding ideas from their ceremony Guests holding white parasols in the sun during the ceremony at a Charleston summer wedding Groomsman bending to greet their golden retriever ring bearer in the aisle at the Gadsden House wedding ceremony Groom smiling at the front of the ceremony as he waits for the bride at the Gadsden House Charleston Bride walking down the courtyard aisle on a man’s arm as guests stand, during her downtown Charleston wedding Bride arriving at the front of the ceremony as the groom and groomsmen wait, southern wedding inspiration Bride hugging the man who walked her down the aisle at the front of the ceremony before getting married in Charleston Golden retriever ring bearer in a tuxedo collar sitting at a guest’s feet, one of the Charleston wedding ideas for including your dog Wide view of the bride and groom at floral pedestals in a garden courtyard, guests holding parasols, at a South Carolina wedding Groomsmen standing beside guests and the memorial chair for the father of the groom at a Gadsden House wedding Bride and groom exchanging rings with their officiant between white floral arrangements, from Ava and Kyle’s Style Me Pretty feature Bride and groom smiling as they walk back up the aisle after their Charleston summer wedding ceremony Officiant raising his arm to present the newly married couple in the courtyard at the Gadsden House Charleston Groom dipping the bride for a kiss in the aisle as guests cheer at their downtown Charleston wedding Guests standing and cheering as the ceremony ends in the brick courtyard, one of the classic Charleston wedding venues

cocktail hour and dinner on every floor

Cocktail hour is where it alllll begins. They kicked it off with a live jazz band, Emerald Empire Band, who greeted the guests with the best tunes as they ate their strawberry mascarpone bites, crab cakes, and chicken and waffles with a maple bourbon glaze.

The signature cocktails

Signature cocktails are so fun! Ava and Kyle had two; The Volunteer, an orange crush, and The Cash, a margarita. Both nodded to Ava and Kyle’s shared alma mater and The Cash was also named for their golden retriever. Each had its own hand-lettered sign at the bar.

Tambourines between courses

Guests had a tambourine at each place setting and played along between courses which kept the energy going! Late in the night, everyone came back for banana pudding tartlets and truffle pomme frites.

Palm tree beside the white upper story and porches of the Gadsden House, a South Carolina wedding venue in downtown Charleston

Two guests in pink floral and tiered pink dresses holding champagne at cocktail hour during a Charleston summer wedding Curved white bar with a sage K&A monogram set up in the brick courtyard at the Gadsden House Charleston Staff handing out drinks to guests as they arrive through the courtyard gate at a downtown Charleston wedding Server carrying an acrylic tray of champagne flutes to guests at a Gadsden House wedding Bride and groom cheering by a tall window as they celebrate after their ceremony, southern wedding inspiration Two guests chatting with the bartender at the monogrammed courtyard bar during a South Carolina wedding Guest couple in a black tuxedo and sage green dress smiling with champagne on the porch at the Gadsden House Charleston Glass bowl of illustrated Charleston matchbook favors for guests, one of the Charleston wedding ideas from this reception Bridesmaids in sage green clapping and cheering inside the house during a Gadsden House wedding Silver tray holding a round bar menu of spirits, wine, and beer, a detail from Ava and Kyle’s Style Me Pretty wedding Two guests in sage and pink dresses with a white parasol and fan in the garden at a Charleston summer wedding Guests raising orange cocktails under a crystal chandelier, inside one of the historic Charleston wedding venues Woman in pale blue touching the bride’s cheek as they talk by the doorway before getting married in Charleston Hand-lettered card and straws at the bar, small southern wedding inspiration for reception details Bartender pouring a cocktail at the courtyard bar during a downtown Charleston wedding Guests in sage and blue dresses embracing, seen through a window at the Gadsden House Charleston Marble tray of strawberry bites and crab cakes served at cocktail hour, Charleston wedding ideas for passed appetizers Black and white view through a window of guests cheering outside as the bride looks on at a Gadsden House wedding Guest couple in sunglasses, one in a sage dress and one holding a beer, in the courtyard at a South Carolina wedding Hand-lettered signature drinks sign for The Cash and The Volunteer hanging from the bar at a Charleston summer wedding Guest laughing under a white parasol with a cocktail in hand at a downtown Charleston wedding Guests mingling under a scalloped umbrella during cocktail hour in the courtyard, southern wedding inspiration Groom digging with a shovel in a garden bed as the bride laughs beside him at their Gadsden House weddingGuest in a pink pleated dress holding a cocktail with a lime at cocktail hour, one of the scenes from the Style Me Pretty feature

 

dancing on the checkered floor

The reception was outdoors which is always my favorite!! But the energy? Electric from the start. A checkered dance floor for the introductions, dances, and toasts, then the dancing that followed, all under the dreamy string lights. Guests on the balconies also watched below which was so fun to see their perspective.

Bride and groom entering the checkered dance floor with their arms raised as guests cheer at their Gadsden House wedding

Overhead view of the checkered dance floor surrounded by guests and umbrellas during a downtown Charleston wedding reception

Bride and groom sharing their first dance as guests watch from the balconies above at the Gadsden House Charleston Guests watching the dances from the porch and balcony, southern wedding inspiration for an outdoor reception Bride and groom raising champagne glasses together during toasts at a Charleston summer wedding Aerial view of guests gathered around the checkered dance floor in the courtyard, one of the Charleston wedding venues built for outdoor receptions Bride dancing with a man in a tuxedo on the checkered floor as guests look on at a South Carolina wedding Bride and the man she’s dancing with, seen from behind on the checkered floor, one of the Charleston wedding ideas for an outdoor first dance Groom dancing with a woman in a navy gown on the checkered floor, a moment from Ava and Kyle’s Style Me Pretty feature Wedding party raising their glasses during toasts on the dance floor before getting married in Charleston turned into a celebration

 

Personal touches

A custom K&A decal painted on the bar. In place of a traditional guest book, Ava and Kyle set up an audio guest book so friends and family could leave voice messages. If you’re looking for Charleston wedding ideas, an audio guest book is an easy one!! It makes for such cute pics too!

The cake

They kept dessert simple: a coconut cake with a porch geese topper. Yum! If you’re gathering southern wedding inspiration, save this one immediately, its the cutest.

Two guests laughing while leaving a message on a pink vintage phone audio guest book, one of Ava and Kyle’s Charleston wedding ideas Custom sage green K&A monogram decal on the bar, one of the personal Charleston wedding ideas at this reception Black and white view through a window of guests cheering at dinner under a chandelier during a downtown Charleston wedding White wedding cake topped with porch geese dressed as bride and groom, from Ava and Kyle’s Style Me Pretty Charleston wedding Calla lily and hydrangea centerpiece over green floral china and a sage table runner at a Gadsden House wedding reception Tray of cigars with a cutter set out for guests, southern wedding inspiration for reception details Embroidered handkerchief with a thank-you note from Ava to her dad, a keepsake from a Charleston summer wedding Bride and groom cutting a two-tier white wedding cake next to champagne flutes at their Gadsden House Charleston reception

 

dinner, dancing the night away, and leaving by bike taxi

To close the night, guests carried their tambourines to form a line and sent Ava and Kyle off in a Charleston Bike Taxi. It was a classic Charleston ending to a classic Charleston day.

Servers carrying plated dinners across the brick courtyard, seen from above, at a Gadsden House wedding Bride in a short white reception dress dancing with guests under string lights at a downtown Charleston wedding Pile of tambourines tied with sage and pink ribbons, one of the Charleston wedding ideas guests used all night Guest holding a ribboned tambourine and a glass of white wine at a Charleston summer wedding reception Bride in her short reception dress coming down the staircase with a cocktail, inside the Gadsden House Charleston Bride and groom dancing together in the crowd at night, southern wedding inspiration for an outdoor reception Guest dancing and laughing on the checkered floor at a South Carolina wedding Saxophonist in a green paisley jacket playing for guests at the Gadsden House wedding reception Two guests dancing and pointing at the camera under string lights at a downtown Charleston wedding Gadsden House porches lit at dusk as guests gather below, one of the historic Charleston wedding venues Guest smiling with a ribboned tambourine and a drink on the dance floor, from Ava and Kyle’s Style Me Pretty feature Bartender pouring drinks at the monogrammed bar under string lights at a Charleston summer wedding Groom raising his glass as he and the bride dance in a crowd of guests at their Gadsden House wedding Guest with a shell-beaded bag, southern wedding inspiration for a lively reception Guest couple posing with a tambourine, one kissing the other’s hand, at a South Carolina wedding Guest in a floral dress laughing on a brick wall in the courtyard at the Gadsden House Charleston

Bride lifted overhead by guests on the dance floor at night, a downtown Charleston wedding reception Bride and groom high-fiving guests during their exit, one of the Charleston wedding ideas for a send-off

Black and white photo of the bride and groom kissing in a Charleston Bike Taxi with a “Just Married” sign as they leave their Gadsden House wedding

planning your own gadsden house wedding

I hope Ava and Kyle’s day has left you inspired, especially if you’re planning your own Gadsden House wedding! Here are some tips I love to give to couples planning a Charleston wedding. 

Plan around every level of the house

The Gadsden House layout with balconies on multiple levels truly shaped how guests experienced the night. When you build your timeline, think about where people will stand for entrances and toasts so everyone can see.

Build a team that knows the city

Ava and Kyle worked with Peper Events, (One of my fave Charleston wedding planners). If you’re planning a downtown Charleston wedding from out of town, a local planner is one of the best decisions you can make. Here’s what to look for when hiring a Charleston wedding planner, along with when to book each vendor so you’re not scrambling.

The same goes for your Charleston wedding photographer. This guide covers what to look for in a Charleston wedding photographer before you sign anything.

Think past the wedding day

If yours is a Charleston destination wedding, your guests are traveling too. This guide to planning a Charleston destination wedding weekend can help you think about the whole wedding weekend.

Choose your season

Ava and Kyle chose June. If you’re still weighing a Charleston summer wedding against other times of year, here’s a look at the best season for a Charleston wedding.

Bride and groom kissing at the end of an arched hallway inside one of the historic Charleston wedding venues

the vendor team

Here’s the incredible team behind Ava and Kyle’s Gadsden House wedding, as featured on Style Me Pretty.

let’s talk about your day

Whether you’re set on a Gadsden House wedding or still touring Charleston wedding venues, it helps to bring a Charleston wedding photographer in early. HI! If you’re planning a South Carolina wedding and want it to feel like yours, tell me what you’re picturing and we’ll go from there!!

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read more

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A Coastal Charleston Engagement Session

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