Jan & Mark {The Gibbes Museum of Art}

04 Sep Jan & Mark {The Gibbes Museum of Art}

By Andraya Northrup | September 04, 2010

I cannot think of a better way to kick off a long Labor Day weekend than with a parade! And that is just what Jan and Mark had after their nuptials at the French Huguenot Church on the way to their reception at the Gibbes Museum of Art. Did I mention that four people gave the blushing bride away and the Voices of Deliverance belted out songs from the aisle to Charleston’s Museum Mile? O’ Happy Day!

Jan kindly shared the details from her big day…

We had a wonderful wedding day! My favorite was our walk from the French Huguenot Church to the Gibbes Museum; where we had the reception outside in the back courtyard. We had a Gospel Choir, Voices of Deliverance, that walked behind the bride and groom, singing O’ Happy Day!, as the guest followed in a parade. It was magical! They also sang This Little Light of Mine during our ceremony while we lit our candle, Amazing Grace, and O’ Happy Day after our kiss as we walked down the isle together. Then, there was a cocktail hour inside the Gibbes with a saxophone player from Other Brother Entertainment. Afterwards Quiana Parler and Friends kept everyone dancing.

I want to mention Kate Thornton who is an amazing photographer! She did a great job capturing beautiful shots but my favorite are the candids! We had a fabulous florist and decorator Whitney Eller, of Whitney Rietz Designs. We also had a fabulous coordinator Holly Clayson who did everything from make sure we had a glass of Champagne in our hands at the toast to make the night go off without a hitch. Holly was found through Stage Presence who did our tents and lighting. Lighting was huge, it set the tone well! They created an amazing ambiance. Our food was really good, we had Carolina Catering and they had some unique favorites, from the blue cheese coleslaw to the tomato basil mac and cheese. The table clothes were light blue and silver candelabras everywhere, with the contrasting bold hue of dark pink flowers. AMAZING!!! She and the Gospel choir made the evening!!!!!

The coordinator at the church, Delta, was so helpful, patient and kind. I had four people walk me down the isle to change things up. I had a family friend start, she handed me off 1/3 of the way down the isle to my two Uncles; one on each arm, and they handed me off to my mom 2/3 the way down the isle. The program read it takes a village to raise a child.

We all stayed at the Mills House Hotel and had such a wonderful time at the rooftop pool.

Also, a fun fact is that my mother is the person who made all of this happen for us. Our tie to Charleston, besides the fact that it is such an amazing place, is that my mother was one of 3 women in the 60’s in Medical school in SC. She attended MUSC. She is a Forensic Pathologist and such and amazing woman that I have always looked up to. My husband and I are hoping to attend MUSC’s Dental School in the next year or two. We are currently in pre-dental school together. Through my mother’s experience, I see Charleston as a place where dreams come true!