Real Wedding: Caroline and Keating, Charleston, South Carolina

Caroline and Keating Crown stroll the grounds of 18th-century Middleton Place, which boasts the oldest landscaped gardens in the country. 

The groom, center, and his attendants wear custom navy suits and silk pocket squares instead of boutonnieres.

In keeping with the South Carolina location, the groom wore Hilton Head-themed cufflinks.

This brick fireplace draped with roses, hellebores, and magnolia leaves provides a backdrop for their vows.

To brighten the gray day, candles flood the ceremony room, including pillars arranged in sand-filled hurricane lamps and votives strung from the rafters, wrought-iron chandeliers are crowned with wreaths of white hydrangeas, ranunculus, and greenery.

Flowers, Blossom Events

Caroline's sister Sera performs the ceremony; her sister Elizabeth, left, is maid of honor.

At the ceremony, pillar candles dotted the aisles and set the altar aglow.

After the wedding, the sky clears just in time for an alfresco photo op.

Ruffly white poppy anemones with inky centers satisfy the bride's wish to carry blooms with accents of navy blue, her favorite shade.

Navy-and-white programs continue the color scheme.

Stationery, Dulles Designs

The couple poses with Caroline's immediate and extended family.

The tables are dressed in cocoa silk and dotted with phlox, hypericum berries, oak branches, peonies, and hydrangeas in ceramic containers.

The gallery room at McCrady's houses unexpectedly modern paintings.

Heirloom pole beans with braised ham hocks and pan-roasted asparagus, mushrooms, and tomatoes are served family-style.

Catering, Duvall Catering & Event Design

The feast includes turkey with stuffing and cranberries, glazed ham with cornbread pudding, mashed potatoes, and biscuits.

A profusion of blooms decorates the escort card table.

Bridesmaid Sarah Ann Harris with daughter Lane.

Menus are tucked into hemstitched linen napkins.

Creative hors d'oeuvres await hungry guests.

Dozens of hanging lanterns create an aura of romance.

A nod to the wedding's southern setting, cool drinks were served in rustic mason jars.

A cube-shaped cake makes an unforgettably unique statement.

Caroline, surrounded by her attendants, shines in a gauzy silk-chiffon Monique Lhuillier gown and Christian Louboutin heels, which, along with sapphire-and-diamond earrings, serve as her something blue. The women picked out their own dresses from Thread and accessorized them as they liked. "I didn't want them to look like bridesmaids' dresses," says Caroline. "I've been a bridesmaid so many times -- I know how it is."

The bride wore white -- with navy shoes, her something blue.

Shoes, Christian Louboutin

At the reception, exposed oak tables feature peonies, garden roses, lilacs, anemones, and hydrangeas in combinations of silver and clear glass vessels. "It's like you pulled all the fine pieces out of your grandmother's china cabinet -- not too planned or perfect," says event planner Calder Clark.

The couple enjoys a toast.

Seating cards are pinned onto a bed of moss.

Keating busts out the bubbly.

The newlyweds have their first dance, to "Better Together," by Jack Johnson.

Caroline says of the twinkling mood lighting, "I wanted tons of candles"; here, votives inside a silver lantern and etched frosted-glass holders cast a warm glow.

Caroline with bridesmaid Erica Silverman.

Beth Gray, a friend of the bride's family, greets the maid of honor.

Leaf patterns in a flattering amber hue are projected onto the tent ceiling.

The couple steals a kiss.

A sweet (and sweet-smelling) lilac arrangement in a mint-julep cup graces a table.

Mother and son take the dance floor.

Caroline and Keating pose for a formal portrait on the grounds of the 18th century Middleton Place.

Event Planning: Calder Clark at Calder Clark Designs
Music: Anita, East Coast Entertainment
Rentals: Snyder Event Rentals
Transportation: Absolutely Charleston
Photography: Bryan Johnson and Caleb Chancey for A Bryan Photo
Accessories: Capelet, J. Mendel; earrings, Graff; bridesmaids' dresses Thread
Hair: Kristy Olson of Landis Salon
Makeup: Kate Lee with Magnet Agency