When we met with Jackie and Alex to discuss their wedding plans, we were just as excited as they were to be a part of their wedding. As you’ll see in their fantastic images from Brooke Roberts, they are so very much in love (just look at the way Alex looks at Jackie. #heartmelt). What made them the perfect Cocktails & Details® couple is that they are known for throwing parties back in their current hometown of Atlanta. To quote Alex, “Everyone fights for an invite to our parties!”. Instantly, we were in love. We also knew we had to make this wedding amazing.
Alex and his family vacationed on Saint Simons quite often when he was a child, so it held sentimental meaning for him. When he shared the King and Price with Jackie, they both knew this was they place they had to exchange vows. The mission was simple– a formal, classic affair that was full of details and surprises.
We wanted to create an event experience that was unforgettable, but also approachable and enjoyable for guests. Jackie and Alex wanted a Great Gatsby style affair, but the directives were clear– nothing cheesy or over done. We took the task of developing an event that immersive in the theme and location, while staying true to the details that made the couple who they were to family and friends.
Wanting to keep to tradition, they opted not to see each other prior to the wedding, but did take pictures at the beautiful Avenue of the Oaks near Sea Island. And, hello! How stunning are they! One of our favorite details were the girls’ custom made jewelry and Jacquelyn’s era inspired bohemian wedding bouquet.
Since they didn’t see each other during a First Look, I love how Brooke and Paul captured their first time seeing each other at their wedding ceremony at the King and Prince.
While Jackie and Alex were off taking fabulous pictures like these, guests were treated to a champagne tower that was popped upon their arrival, while listening to the sweet sounds of a jazz pianist and guitarist.
Along with champagne and delicious hors d’oeuvres, butlers passed around the guests’ escort cards, giving that beautiful white glove treatment that can be expected at a Gatsby wedding. Upon time for dinner, all of the doors to the ballroom were opened simultaneously with a formal dinner announcement from the head butler.
We designed an intimate table setting of estate and banquet tables around a diamond shaped dance floor. This was perfect for all of the guests to have a great eye line to everything in the room— from the cake cutting to the jazz trio on a bandstand.
While guests enjoyed dinner, unbeknownst to them, we had a few more surprises. As we whisked Jackie and Alex away for a little private time, we had black request cards passed out at different intervals to select guests throughout the evening. You can imagine how everyone’s curiosity was piqued when they received (or saw someone receive one) a card that told them they were needed upstairs.
Guests are led upstairs to the King and Prince’s Retreat Room, where they were met with a very real looking Prohibition sign, signaling something clandestine was ahead.
We turned the entire floor of the Retreat Room into a Speakeasy– incorporating the vintage bar, aged signs, bootlegger crate and barrels. There was even a bouncer, ensuring all patrons of the speakeasy would follow the rules.
Guests had no idea what was going on but were having a blast. Each was invited into the Speakeasy to see Jackie and Alex canoodling in their private club. Once all the guests were inside, the party began and was NON.STOP.
We weren’t necessarily done– while guests danced, smoked cigars and played in the Photo Booth, we sent in cigarette girls with late night bites for everyone to enjoy while the night winded down.
Overall, it was an amazing day!
Special Touch: Jackie & Alex’s dog, Carter made a special appearance in his little bow tie!
Fun Moment: Pretty much everything!
Unique Detail: Their first trip together, Alex met Jackie in New York, where he sent her dozens of lavender roses. We incorporated these in Alex’s boutonniere and Jackie’s bouquet.
