A Bridal Luncheon to Inspire All Your Summer Soirées

From Drewe Smith… When I traveled to Chicago last spring for a girls’ getaway, I had just started planning the newest issue of Focus on the Coast Weddings. When I walked into The Allis one morning, I was more in search of an iced coffee than editorial inspiration. Little did I know, I would find both. One of the first things that caught my eye was the blue and white floral china my breakfast was served on; decidedly French and feminine, I knew I had to have it. Within a month, my new dishes had arrived, and with them, the beginnings of the photoshoot you see here.

I knew I wanted to feature a bridal luncheon in our newest issue, so as soon as I set foot back in Wilmington, NC, I contacted Theo Milo of Theo Milo Photography and Jennifer Rose of Salt Harbor Designs. We sat down together and envisioned a soft palette of blues and simple, classic details with a touch of romance. Airlie Gardens pergola was the perfect place to shoot, embodying the rustic formality of gardens in the French countryside, complete with a bubbling fountain (which Southern Bee Designs incorporated into the invitations).

The bridesmaids were dressed in flowing gowns of complementary shades from Tusc Boutique. The bride-to-be, outfitted in our signature blue, wore a delicate wrap dress that highlighted the refined jewels provided by Melissa Tyson Designs. Classic wedge shoes from Soul Shoetique completed the outfits. I wanted the theme of understated sophistication to be consistent, so we kept the bridal parties hair and makeup subtle. Beauty Bar Boutique did a fantastic job of channeling the effortless, French cool-girl look by using muted pink tones and giving our bride-to-be a messy chignon.

Choosing the food wasn’t a difficult task. What could be more French than baguettes, oysters, and macarons? Pinpoint Restaurant, one of our personal local favorites, crafted elevated dishes with floral embellishments on sterling silver serving platters and simple wooden cutting boards. Salt Harbor Designs brought the table to life with their arrangement of ranunculus, garden roses, delphinium, parrot tulips, lilac, and privet berry, channeling the color palette of the afternoon.

With the table all set and the glow of flickering candles illuminating the setting, the bridesmaids sat down to celebrate the bride-to-be and their longtime friendship, surrounded by the simple, beautiful things in life. Staying true to our classic theme, Theo Milo used film to capture the essence of the day. C’était magnifique!