Underneath the Avenue of The Oaks | Charleston Wedding

The Vision

There’s something so special about a winter wedding in Charleston. The soft coastal colors, the historic charm, and the slower pace of February create an undeniably romantic atmosphere. Gabrielle and Connor were married on February 21, 2026, beneath the sprawling Spanish Moss, and from the very beginning their vision for the day was incredibly meaningful.

When we first talked through what mattered most to them, their answer was simple and heartfelt. They wanted their wedding day to glorify the Lord and to reflect their love for Jesus, their families, and their friends. Every decision throughout the planning process flowed from that intention. It was such a beautiful reminder of what the day was truly about.

They also shared that they wanted the celebration to feel joyful and fun for everyone attending. Gabrielle and Connor were an absolute dream to work with from beginning to end. Their kindness, trust, and excitement made the entire planning process such a joy for our team.

Of course, Charleston had a surprise in store for us. A thunderstorm rolled in and stayed for the entire wedding day. But if anything, the rain only added to the story. Gabrielle and Connor handled every moment with so much grace and joy, and the result was a wedding day that felt incredibly romantic and unforgettable.

The Design

The design for this wedding was inspired by Charleston itself. We leaned into a classic coastal palette of soft blues, gentle greens, and warm light browns that mimicked the look of driftwood along the Charleston shoreline. The goal was to create something elegant and timeless while still feeling relaxed and very true to Charleston.

The sailcloth tent provided by EventWorks created the perfect airy space for the reception. Inside the tent, beautiful linens from BBJ La Tavola brought texture and color to the tables and helped ground the entire design.

One of our favorite elements was the custom watercolor dance floor, provided by Charleston Wraps, in shades of blue and green. It tied together the color palette perfectly and quickly became the center of the celebration once the band began playing.

Florals by Marigo Florals were absolutely stunning. Morgan created arrangements that felt soft, natural, and full of movement, perfectly complementing the coastal inspiration behind the design.

Another detail guests loved was the custom 360 bar from Jones Cole Rental Co. The bar featured a custom hand-painted watercolor of Charleston’s Avenue of the Oaks, which felt like such a thoughtful nod to the beauty of the city surrounding us.

As another nod to Charleston, the couple incorporated oyster themed menus to accompany the oyster hors d’oeuvres passed during cocktail hour, a small detail that guests absolutely loved.

The Ceremony

Gabrielle and Connor chose not to do a first look, which made the moment when they saw each other at the ceremony aisle even more meaningful.

The ceremony itself was deeply personal and centered around their faith. Prayer was incorporated into the ceremony, and the entire space felt full of love, intention, and peace.

One of the most touching moments came when the officiant shared that he had asked Gabrielle and Connor what their favorite Bible verse was prior to the wedding day. Without hesitation, they both shared the same one, Jeremiah 29:11. It was the favorite verse of both of their late mothers, and one that had been spoken over their lives many times growing up. It was such a powerful and emotional moment that beautifully honored their mothers while also pointing to the faith that has guided them both.

And of course, the rain continued to fall throughout the day. Because they had chosen not to do a first look, their portraits happened afterward in the middle of the storm. Somehow the rain made those moments even more romantic. Gabrielle and Connor embraced it completely, laughing through the downpour and creating photos that felt straight out of a movie.

The Reception

Once guests moved into the reception, the energy inside the tent shifted into full celebration.

Dinner was a plated meal beautifully prepared by Duvall Catering & Events, who also handled the bartending for the evening. After giving a speech, Gabrielle’s father prayed over the meal, which was one of the sweetest and most meaningful moments of the night.

The couple also created three signature drinks named after their dogs, which guests absolutely loved. One of the favorites was a late night espresso martini called the Stanley.

As soon as the music began, the dance floor filled. Big Night Dynamite truly brought the party and kept guests dancing all night long.

Even though the rain never let up outside, the tent was filled with laughter, music, and a whole lot of celebration.

Favorite Moments From The Day

There were so many moments throughout this day that felt incredibly special.

Watching Gabrielle and Connor laugh through the rain during portraits was unforgettable. The custom watercolor bar featuring the Avenue of the Oaks was such a unique and personal detail. Guests loved the specialty cocktails named after their dogs, and the dance floor stayed packed thanks to Big Night Dynamite.

The night ended with a joyful second line exit, sending the couple off surrounded by their family and friends. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day filled with so much love and celebration.

Vendor Team

Planner
Madelyn Tenney Events

Photographers
Georgia and Micah
Madison Sapp

Videography
Hillary Hull and Randy Hull

Tenting and Rentals
EventWorks

Linens
BBJ La Tavola

Florals
Marigo Florals

Bar and Rentals
JC Rental Co.

Band
Big Night Dynamite

Catering and Bartending
Duvall Catering & Events

Stationery
Empress Stationery

Cake
Bakies at I’on

Hair and Makeup
Silhouette on Site – HMUA

Content Creation
Captured with Grace

Closing

Gabrielle and Connor’s wedding was such a beautiful reminder that the most meaningful celebrations are the ones centered around love, faith, and the people who matter most. Even with rain falling all day, the joy inside that tent never faded.

It was truly an honor for our team to walk alongside these two during the planning process and to see their vision come to life.

Madelyn Tenney Events is currently booking weddings for 2027. If you are looking for a team to help design and execute your wedding day, you can inquire at https://madelyntenneyevents.com/.

Happy planning!

Madelyn

Photos by Georgia and Micah and Madison Sapp