A Relaxed Celebration: Melissa and Kevin Williams asked family and pals to pull out their cowboy boots to celebrate their wedding at a dressed-down winter fête on Yonges Island. “Kevin and I often have oyster roasts—sometimes for just the two of us in our backyard,” she notes.
Sweet Spot: Melissa’s parents’ property—located near the town of Meggett—sits on Oyster Factory Creek, an offshoot of the Wadmalaw River. “I grew up in this house, and it was always the ‘go to’ gathering place when I was young because my parents were such great entertainers,” says Melissa.
Work the Space: The oyster table was placed in the shade of a grand live oak. With Spanish moss and resurrection ferns clinging to the branches above, the decor could be rustic and minimal.
Bottoms Up: A wooden trough rented from Snyder Events kept the serve-yourself beer stash iced while a galvanized pail secured with rope held koozies and added to the day’s rustic aesthetic.
Down-Home Details: A “country cool” dress code ensured guests arrived ready to traipse about the rural venue. Hay bales picked up from a nearby supply store and barrels rented from Snyder Events added rustic charm aplenty.
Southern Comfort: Since Kevin loves the food at Jim ’N Nick’s—paired with the fact that they offer a come-to-you catering truck—the barbecue purveyors made a perfect pick for this outdoor occasion.
Guests piled plates high with Southern favorites like cheesy biscuits ...
and banana pudding
The cast-iron skillets and black-eyed pea menu markers on the buffet table fit right in with the event’s down-home vibe.
Good Shot: Roughly 25 guests took part in a skeet shoot tournament early in the day. Participants shot three rounds of clays; the top two then faced off in a final round. “It was so much fun!” says Melissa, who’s been shooting since she was a teenager.
Make Merry: Bluegrass band Common Ground played throughout the afternoon. “The band was a splurge, for sure, but I felt it made all the difference!” says Melissa. When hosting a more low-key event, simply pipe in country or bluegrass tunes from a docking station.
Game On: Partygoers played corn hole on the couple’s personal (and school-spirited) boards.
