Mimi and Tripp were dream Full Planning clients with taste—they had a deep love of patterns, wanted to see some disco balls in the design, and wanted to be non-traditional, fresh, and coastal. What more could a planner ask for? 

Because they live in DC but wanted a wedding in Wilmington, they needed our help finding a venue. With our boots on the ground, we scouted a few different options, ultimately landing on a coastal vibe. They happened to have a family friend that was a member of the Carolina Yacht Club, the perfect backdrop for the relaxed yet elevated feel. 

Once we had the venue, all the vendors fell into place. Check out this dedicated dream team of vendors.

PLANNER: Brittanie with Brittanie Raquel Events
VENUE: Carolina Yacht Club
BEAUTY: Alice Lawson Salon
PHOTO: Michelle Lyerly
CONTENT: Maid of Social
FLORALS: Mother of Wild
RENTALS: White Birch Rentals, Great Day Soiree, BBJ La Tavola, Perfect Touch
DRESS: Rachel Gilbert
STATIONARY & SIGNAGE: Katy Thomas Creative Co.
BAND: Uncle Jesse
CATERING: Salt and Charm
DESSERTS: Nye’s Cream Sandwiches
LATE NIGHT SNACK: Trolly Stop Hotdogs
LIGHTING: High Performance Lighting
DRAPING: Event Excellence and Sound
TRANSPORTATION: Azalea Limo

The ceremony was small and intimate, with a guest count of only thirty. The design was more subtle in the ceremony space to save most of the budget for the full-on party. With light flowers and limited seating, the views of the ocean were the main focus. 

When it comes to your wedding, we can make it what you want—as long as you’re clear on your priorities.

Following the ceremony, the thirty guests present at the ceremony climbed aboard a charter boat stocked with cocktails. As they were out boating, the remaining guests, around 100 more, arrived at a separate cocktail hour at the Yacht Club. 

This separate cocktail space was completed with a pop-up bar—designed using the same patterns and inspiration as her custom invitation suite, which actually inspired many elements of the day from signage to table numbers and menus—with a sprawling charcuterie station and a live oyster shucker with a raw bar. 

The bar, live music, and appetizers were ready as soon as the second wave of guests arrived, letting the guests know that they were in the right place immediately, setting the tone of the night from the beginning. 

Once the charter boat made its way back to the yacht club, they joined the rest of the party, mingling with the newly arrived guests, and then it was time for dinner! 

The full reception space was bursting with pattern. In order to keep it balanced, cohesive, and from competing with each other, we styled the reception space with three patterned linens, inspired by Nonna’s garden, alternating along the long family-style-seating tables. 

We know a lot of people are afraid of patterns because we’ve all seen when someone goes overboard and it turns from being fun and free into loud and yelling, but patterns can really transform a space and elevate an event. 

Want some pattern but don’t know the balance? We’ve got you!

We know how to balance a design and work within the space (or spaces) we’ve been given.

Multiple room designs are so fun because you can make distinct areas with a cohesive design; it all takes a little bit of practice and a lot of communication about expectations. 

Mimi wanted the feeling of an Italian dinner in the garden during her reception, so we brought in market lighting for subtle yet purposeful design and smilax to liven up and bring in greenery to the porch of the yacht club and hung Moravian stars, which was something Mimi just wanted incorporated into her design.

The floral centerpieces were designed by Mother of Wild. In order to fit within the available table space, she designed these green and wild-looking centerpieces that are reminiscent of wild growth found on the edge of a forest… or a manicured, Italian garden. 

While dinner was happening for the guests, the BRE team was working behind the scenes flipping the cocktail hour area into “Club Ziggy” (Mimi and Tripp’s pup’s name). 

Club Ziggy was a completely new space for guests. Draped in white, covered in up-lighting to further transform the space, disco balls, a custom neon sign, a stage for the band, and a bar dedicated to specialty martinis surrounded the dance floor. It was time to let your hair down and party! 

For guests who wanted more than martinis, the green bar from before remained open for the rest of the night, allowing guests to mingle and socialize throughout the entire venue. 

Mimi and Tripp were so fun to work with. We love a couple that wants to make a big statement with their designs, and having the focus of incorporating their custom invitation suite design into the event’s design was a fun and exciting challenge. Plus, we LOVED making Club Ziggy. Room reveals are one of our favorite parts of the job. 

Want your own Club Ziggy? You know where to find us.