When you and your guests are travelling many miles from home for your destination wedding, why wouldn’t want the celebration to kick off as soon as you arrive? Welcome dinners and rehearsal gatherings set the tone for the weekend, offering couples an opportunity to immerse their guests in the local culture and break the ice for the events to follow. To showcase how couples can elevate this often-overlooked event, Nouvelle Weddings partnered with Cannon Green Events, Julie Livingston Photography, and a team of Charleston creatives for a styled photoshoot celebrating the magic of the “night before the wedding.”

“The styled shoot originated when Cannon Green Events expressed interest in creating content to highlight their courtyard as the perfect setting for auxiliary events such as rehearsal dinners, welcome parties, and intimate corporate gatherings,” explains planner Kara Hinchcliff of Nouvelle Weddings. “That initial connection laid the foundation for a creative partnership and the vision for the shoot began to take shape.”

Southern Charm Meets Elevated Elegance

Inspired by the rich textures of the South and the natural beauty of Cannon Green’s courtyard, the team curated a design that blended tradition with modern refinement. “We aimed to blend Southern-inspired textures with curated patterns and textiles that would complement and elevate the space,” shares Hinchcliff. “The female models’ attire, styled by designer Alexandra Pijut, served as an early design reference; the subtle floral pattern in the set guided our linen selections and overall palette.”

Spanish moss, native grasses, and lush blooms by Petaloso Floral Design brought the Lowcountry landscape into the tablescape, while stone and wood accents in the courtyard’s architecture influenced the choice of tabletop rentals and styling. The result was a design that felt deeply rooted in Charleston’s charm, yet sophisticated enough for a chic pre-wedding celebration.

An Elevated Dining Experience

While not a wedding ceremony or reception, the shoot was designed to show the possibilities of a rehearsal dinner or welcome party at Cannon Green. “To represent an elevated dining experience for the night before a wedding, we focused on showcasing the full potential of the courtyard space,” says Hinchcliff. “By featuring a full table setup, we demonstrated how the venue can seamlessly accommodate a welcome dinner or rehearsal celebration with both elegance and warmth.”

Long tables were layered with patterned linens from Stradley Davidson, chargers from BBJ La Tavola, and rentals from Emerson James and Curated Events SC. Guests could envision gathering under the courtyard’s greenery, surrounded by soft candlelight and exceptional cuisine prepared by Cannon Green’s in-house culinary team.

The Collaborative Vision

For Hinchcliff, the shoot’s success was as much about the people behind it as the design itself. “The success of the shoot was rooted in assembling a vendor team whose creativity, vision, and collaborative spirit were perfectly aligned,” she explains. “Because the shoot was designed to promote an evening event, the team worked seamlessly to capture the transition from natural daylight to twilight, showcasing the courtyard’s full potential.”

Impactful Moments

Though every detail of the shoot was intentionally crafted, Hinchcliff admits one moment stood out. “The most emotional and impactful part was watching the guests gather around the table and genuinely take in the experience we had all worked so hard to create,” she recalls. “Seeing them admire the florals, appreciate the thoughtfully designed tablescape, and share how comfortable they felt with the photographer and videographer was incredibly moving.”

The styled shoot at Cannon Green is a reminder that the wedding weekend is more than a single day; it’s a series of celebrations. And with thoughtful planning, couples can make even the night before their wedding as stylish, meaningful, and unforgettable as the big day itself.

Vendors: Venue & Catering: Cannon Green Events; Planning & Design: Nouvelle Weddings; Photography: Julie Livingston Photography; Videography: Serio Visuals; Florals: Petaloso Floral Design; Stationery: Dominique Alba; Linens: Stradley Davidson; Tabletop Rentals: Emerson James; Chargers: BBJ La Tavola; Additional Rentals: Curated Events SC; Hair & Makeup: Silhouette on Site; Models: Directions USA; Female Attire: Alexandra Pijut; Male Attire: Jos A. Bank; Engagement Ring: Meritage Jeweler; Jewelry: Seyahan Jewelry