Staffers Say “I Do,” Black Friday Sales, & a Free Benefit

Happy Thanksgiving Eve everyone! Though it’s cool and gray in a Dickensian sort of way here in Charleston, it’s as cozy as only a cool, gray city by the sea can be. No doubt part of the warm fuzzies come from the backdrop (have you ever seen a rain-soaked cobblestoned street?), but a huge part is because, well, for one, my sweetheart and I are hosting our first Thanksgiving for our families this year (awwww), and even more so? Darcy Shankland, editor-in-chief of Charleston, Charleston Home, and Charleston Weddings, just said her “I Dos” last night alongside Wally Seinsheimer and it was plain magical.

Soirée by Tara Guérard dressed Boone Hall Plantation’s Cotton Dock in reds and golds galore: candles glowed from every surface; racks of wine bottles lined the walls as a salute to Darcy’s California roots and red wine loving self; boughs of fiery colored maple leaves sprouted from the timbers; and velvety red dahlias dressed tables where guests sampled tapas from j.b.c. catering.

As for those guests? Well, the ceremony was a small, sentimental, serious, and even a sometimes silly affair in which the pair shared his-and-her tag team vows that were hilarious and heartfelt both. Then came a crowd of 250 of Charleston’s most colorful characters to fête them at the reception. Between work and play, Darcy and Wally have a huge extended family here, and standing with my back to the dock’s enormous fireplace I watched them greet chefs, writers, entrepreneurs, big business folk, artists, photographers, magazine staffers, politicos, non-profit heads…and on. The one thing uniting the grab bag assembly? Overwhelming support of two of Charleston’s finest, and so much goodwill that it would only makes sense for such an event to be held on the brink of Thanksgiving.

Stay tuned for more to come from the wedding—fabulous photog Squire Fox shot it—we’ll be running more on it in the months to come! And in the meantime, best best wishes to Darcy and Wally, and to our other staffers who are celebrating their first Thanksgivings as Mr. and Mrs., too—Nicole Noble and Josh Warren (in London!), and Holly Burns and Sean Slinsky (in San Fran!).

WAIT! Amid the good cheer, I almost forgot to mention some terrific, must-see wedding-related events…

First, The Rose Knot’s Holiday sale is this Friday, November 27, from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at 231 King St., 2nd Floor. Look for handmade clothes, accessories, jewelry, artwork and more. For the crafter in you, there will be fabric and trims for sale.

Next, we’re shooting our next issue’s fashion feature in December at the glorious hidden gem that’s the Governor Thomas Bennett House downtown. If you want to check out this great location, visit next week, as Elyn Rahman of a Charleston Event & Bridal Library is dressing the place in flowers, garlands, and more for a free benefit to support the Palmetto Project’s Families Helping Families initiative. You can explore the place in all its finery and see the work of the talented vendors Elyn pulls together to fashion a gorgeous event. Here are the details: Giving Back Cheer, December 3, Governor Thomas Bennett House, 69 Barre Street, 5:30-8:30 p.m., free, although to enter, guests need to bring a donation in a sealed envelope for Palmetto Project's Families Helping Families.