Katie & Derick’s Governor Thomas Bennett House Wedding in Charleston
Surrounded by natural spring foliage and hues of blue, Katie and Derick tied the knot at Governor Thomas Bennett House in Charleston, SC.
In addition to being a favorite spot for foodies, vacationers and history buffs, Charleston has grown intoΒ a destination for weddings ofΒ all shapes and sizes. The historical architecture, coastal views andΒ cobblestone streets serve as the perfect backdrop for couples looking to celebrate a marriage. For Katie Morton and now-husband Derick Thrandhardt,Β Charleston marked a place of convenience, memories and elegance for their nuptials this past spring. Below, enjoy the journey of their relationship, wedding planning and big day held at theΒ Governor Thomas Bennett House.
About five years after they first met at a party in Athens, GA, Katie visitedΒ a friend in Jacksonville, FL, Derickβs hometown. Derick and Katieβs friend, Kelly, both attended the University of Georgia and this friendship brought Katie and Derick together. The threeΒ spent that weekend together in Florida, as friends, and after bidding each other farewell, Katie and Derick kept in touch.Β Months later, when both parties were single, Kelly, Derick and Katie took a trip to Costa Rica to celebrate Katie passing the bar. βDerick, being an awesome surfer, was invited along on the trip to enjoy the waves and hang out with Kelly and me. The three of us again had a blast, but at this point, Derick and I kind of knew we were more than just friends,β Katie recalls. After the memorable vacation, Katie drove to Jacksonville for a two-week stay before starting her job at a law firm in Charlotte, NC.Β At this point, Derick and Katieβs relationship moved from friendship to dating.Β They survived long distance for about a year before Derick sold his business in Jacksonville and made the move to Charlotte, where Katie worked. Shortly after his move, the couple bought a house in which Derick proposed (before they even moved in).
Katie remembers that night clearly: βAs Derick (nervously) opened the front door to our home, I was met with the most beautiful glow of candlelight from all the candles around the perimeter of our living room, a fire roaring in our fireplace (it was a cold night in January) and a table for two set up in the middle of the living room, complete with navy linens and gold accents.
βBefore I could process what was going on, Derick was on one knee, holding out a ring and telling me how he wanted to spend the rest of our lives togetherβand he includedΒ in his proposal aΒ sweet speech about my beloved Westie, Stanley, who is kind of the love of my life,β she says with a laugh.Β βAfter of course saying βyesβ and getting over the shock, he told me he arranged for a private chef to cook us an amazing meal to celebrate our engagement. It was really a magical night.β About 15 months later, the couple said βI doβ in a breathtaking Charleston garden.
On March 21, 2015, Katie and Derick invited about 210 friends and family to the garden wedding of their dreams in Charleston, SC.Β The Governor Thomas Bennett HouseΒ wedding venue provided an outdoor setting that encapsulated elegance.Β The garden has been dubbed one of the most beautiful gardens in Charleston and on that spring day, the flowers and greenery in the garden and lawns wereΒ picturesque. In an effort to match the candlelit night Derick proposed, Katie incorporated candlelight, mercury glass and cafΓ© lights into the ceremony and celebrationβthe soft lighting paired perfectly with the blues and creams the coupleΒ chose as their colors for the evening.
As guests made their way to the ceremony, they were offered refreshments, including celebratory champagne, and after the pair became husband and wife, the bar reopened with a full selection of drinks and appetizers: white truffle pulled pork, lump crab bonbons and fried green tomato BLTs.Β Cocktail hour segued into dinner with stations, offering a small-plate feel. Low Country offerings graced the menu, including a raw bar, seafood paella, beef tenderloin, fried chicken and grits.
Katie and Derick carried out the tradition of the first dance as the band played βWeβve Got Tonight,β by Bob Seger. While it was a romantic and awe-inspiring moment, Katieβs dance with her father was the real show.Β The family hails from South Carolina, which means dancing is in their blood (the βshagβ is the state dance).Β Since the age of 6, Katie has been dancing with her father, and on the night of her wedding, they were able to show off the moves they had been practicing for about 25 years to the sounds of βWith This Ring,β by The Platters.
RESOURCES
This couple is eternally grateful thatΒ Megan Morgan-Finne with Mingle was able to take everything they wanted for their big day and make it a reality.Β The list of vendors, below, also helped the day come together seamlessly.
Wedding Planner: Megan Morgan-Finne withΒ Mingle
Venue: The Governor Thomas Bennett House
Photographer: Hyer Images
Caterer: Bricklane Catering
Bar: Squeeze
Florist: Branch Design Studio
Bridesmaid Dresses: J. Crew
Bridal Gown: Alvina Valenta
Photo Booth: Charleston Photo Booth
Ceremony String Trio: Classical Charleston
Groomsmen and Groom Suits: M.H. Frank
Rentals: Snyder Rentals
Bridesmaid and Bridal Make-Up/Hair: Charleston Events
Band: Adrian Duke Band
Cake: Ashley Bakery
Alex Hendrickson
Alex is a Southern writer known for hunting down delicious stories and traveling the world with hunger. Her passions and interests lie in food, travel, interior design and inspiring people, and her dream is to eat a dozen oysters a day.