Olivia & Nate’s Charleston Wedding at The Wonderer & Yacht Celebration
There’s something undeniably magical about Charleston—its rich history, charming coastal vibes, and timeless elegance set the perfect scene for Olivia and Nate’s unforgettable wedding weekend, May 1–2, in Charleston, South Carolina. From a serene ceremony and stylish reception at The Wonderer country club to an iconic all-white yacht party along the South Carolina coast, their celebration was an extraordinary blend of classic sophistication and laid-back coastal joy.
The Wonderer Wedding Ceremony: An Intimate Celebration Surrounded by Nature
The ceremony took place outdoors on a pristine turf lawn, surrounded by swaying palm trees that added a lush, coastal charm to the setting. At the heart of it all stood a grounded floral arch by Forever Flowers Charleston—an artful blend of natural greenery and soft blooms that framed Olivia and Nate perfectly as they exchanged vows. The seating was thoughtfully curated with natural Thonet chairs from Curated Events, each outfitted with ivory cushions. Arranged in a rounded, angled formation, the layout allowed every guest an unobstructed, intimate view of the bride and groom. With no bridal party present, the focus remained beautifully centered on the couple and their immediate family, heightening the sense of closeness and intention.
The Cocktail Hour at The Wonderer: Rooftop Views, Appetizers & Artistic Touches
After the ceremony, guests were invited upstairs to the rooftop bar for cocktail hour—a space that felt both elevated and relaxed. Overlooking The Wonderer’s sparkling pool and lush country club grounds, the rooftop created the perfect transition into the evening. Guests mingled under string lights, enjoyed craft cocktails, and played casual card games, all while taking in the serene Charleston skyline.
As they sipped and socialized, guests munched on delicious passed appetizers provided by The Wonderer’s catering team—each bite carefully curated to reflect the fresh, elevated charm of the South Carolina Lowcountry.
A standout moment? Local artist Bella Pruitt added a unique and heartfelt touch by live-painting guests during cocktail hour, creating one-of-a-kind keepsakes that perfectly captured the joy of the moment. It was the kind of creative detail that made the experience feel personalized, intentional, and unforgettable.
While guests enjoyed cocktail hour on the rooftop, Mercedes and her team worked behind the scenes to completely transform the ceremony lawn into an intimate and elegant reception space for Olivia and Nate’s 75 closest friends and family, who had traveled from all over the country to celebrate their love.
The layout featured U-shaped guest seating surrounding a bold black-and-white checkered dance floor from Curated Events—placed front and center to invite connection, energy, and celebration. The grounded floral arch from the ceremony was thoughtfully repurposed to frame the bar and dance floor, creating a lush and romantic focal point that tied the entire evening together.
Reception at The Wonderer: Elegant Transformation & Timeless Celebration
More than 100 bud vases filled with delicate white roses were scattered across the tablescapes, adding soft texture and timeless charm. Tables were styled with natural beige dinnerware and sage green napkins, reflecting the relaxed elegance of the South Carolina coast. Each place setting held a handwritten love note from Olivia and Nate—an intimate, personal gesture that brought deep warmth and gratitude to every seat.
Upon entering the country club space, guests were greeted by a vintage phone audio guest book, where they could leave heartfelt messages for the newlyweds to listen to and cherish for years to come. A vintage-inspired photo booth was also incorporated into the reception layout, allowing guests to take home printed keepsakes—capturing the laughter, joy, and celebration of the evening in every snapshot.
The newlyweds made their grand entrance and moved straight into their first dances—sweet and sentimental moments that marked the beginning of an unforgettable night. Toasts and speeches followed, leading into a beautifully curated dinner by The Wonderer’s catering team. After dinner came a high-energy tequila line and an iconic cake cutting featuring a heart-shaped raspberry and banana cake from Sugared Magnolia Charleston that was as playful as it was stunning.
With the stars above and music filling the air, Olivia and Nate’s reception was the perfect blend of timeless elegance and heartfelt connection—a night that guests will remember forever.
The Next Day: All-White Yacht Party on The Carolina Girl
The celebration didn’t end there. The following day, Olivia and Nate hosted a dreamlike all-white party aboard The Carolina Girl yacht, cruising along the breathtaking Charleston coastline. The yacht’s sleek lines, layered decks, and stunning waterfront views set the stage for an effortlessly chic celebration filled with laughter, dancing, and salty sea breeze.
Guests arrived in crisp white attire, setting a fresh, celebratory tone that perfectly contrasted the warm Carolina sunset. On the lower deck, dinner tables were scattered with delicate bud vases, echoing the floral simplicity from the day before. A buffet-style dinner was served by Charleston’s beloved Home Team BBQ, offering guests a relaxed and flavorful taste of the South.
Upstairs, the upper deck featured the main bar and became the heart of the party. With drinks flowing, music pumping, and the coastline as their backdrop, guests danced the night away beneath the open sky. The ocean breeze, golden hour glow, and infectious joy created a sendoff celebration that felt both surreal and unforgettable.
It was the perfect closing chapter to a wedding weekend filled with love, elegance, and memory-making at every turn.
Olivia and Nate’s wedding weekend wasn’t just beautiful—it was deeply personal. Having known them both before stepping into the role of their planner made this celebration all the more meaningful. Every detail felt like a reflection of who they are: thoughtful, elegant, and full of joy. From heartfelt love notes at each place setting to late-night dancing on the yacht under the Charleston sky, this weekend was a true testament to their love story. It was an honor to help bring their vision to life and to witness two incredible people begin their forever surrounded by those who love them most. This one will stay with me for a long, long time.
Wedding Coordinated and Designed by Our Planner Mercedes Burger
Mercedes Burger is one of the lead planners at Elizabeth Bliss Events. Read up on Mercedes and her events on our
Meet the Team page!
You can now personally request Mercedes to be your wedding planner by filling out our contact form by clicking this button.
Let’s start planning your perfect celebration!
📍 Based in Eastern Iowa | Serving Iowa & beyond
🌐 Email: mercedes@elizabethblissevents.com
📱 Instagram: @mercedessevents
Vendor Team
Wedding Planner: Mercedes Burger at Elizabeth Bliss Events @mercedeseventss
Photographer: Mercedes Smith Photo @mercedesmithphoto
Super 8 Film Videography: Summer Grace LaBelle @summ_shine
Venue & Catering: The Wonderer Charleston @thewondererchs
Florals: Forever Flower CHS @foreverflowerschs
Rentals: Curated Events Charleston @curatedeventscharleston
DJ: Shane Griffin Entertainment @shanegriffinentertainment
Cake: Sugared Magnolia Charleston @sugaredmagnoliacharleston
Yacht: The Carolina Girl @carolinagirlyacht
Live Painter: Bella Pruitt @isa.bellapruitt
Olivia and Nate’s Testimonial
“We hired Mercedes Burger as our day-of coordinator, and she was absolutely AMAZING! From the moment she arrived, everything ran so smoothly. She was organized and completely on top of every little detail—we truly didn’t have to worry about a thing. Thanks to her, we were able to fully enjoy our special day without stress. We highly recommend her and Elizabeth Bliss Events!”
Olivia and Nate, May 1st and 2nd 2025 at The Wonderer
