When Christina and Tom first crossed paths in high school, they were simply acquaintances growing up in a small town in South Carolina’s Lowcountry. It wasn’t until nearly a decade later, when they both happened to be back home and joined a friend for drinks, that they finally got to know each other. “We talked to each other all night long, we hit it off right away,” Christina shared. Not long after, they both moved to Charleston and, in her words, “have been inseparable ever since.”

For their wedding, they blended historic Southern charm with industrial cool, celebrating across two distinct venues that perfectly matched the atmosphere they envisioned. Their downtown Savannah wedding featured purple florals, candlelight, thoughtful DIY details, and, most importantly, plenty of opportunities to actually spend time with the people they love.

Rather than filling the day with an endless schedule of events, Christina and Tom made intentional choices that allowed them to slow down, be present, and enjoy the celebration alongside their guests.

What We Love About This Downtown Savannah Wedding

• The mix of historic Southern architecture and industrial reception design
• Purple florals and candlelight that added warmth without overwhelming the spaces
• Christina’s detachable wedding dress that created two looks in one
• DIY floral arrangements brought to life with the help of friends
• A private first look and vow exchange that helped calm pre-ceremony nerves

Featured Vendor:
TLC Wedding Photography

Turning a Pinterest Rabbit Hole Into a Clear Vision

Christina’s planning journey started in a familiar place: Pinterest. Lots and lots of Pinterest. “I started my planning process like most brides out there, searching Pinterest endlessly for ideas.” Like many people, she eventually found herself with far too many saved images and ideas pulling her in different directions. Thankfully, she had given herself plenty of time to figure things out.

“I started thinking about these things over a year out, so when it came time that I needed to make a decision I told myself I just need to go with what first called out to me.” Eventually, her vision became clear.

She wanted something moody but still fitting for the season and Savannah itself. Purple, her favorite color, became a central part of the floral design, while candles brought in the romantic atmosphere she had always envisioned. Although she worked with a month-of coordinator who helped recommend vendors, Christina handled much of the design process herself.

Spending More on What They’ll Keep Forever

Very early on, Christina purchased a spreadsheet template to help organize their budget. “We both agreed the venue and photos were the most important to us.” That decision made everything else much easier.

Instead of choosing blank-slate venues that required extensive decorating, they intentionally picked spaces that already had plenty of character. That freed up more room in the budget for photography. “The photos we will have forever, so I did lots of research to find the right photographer for us,” Christina said. That search eventually led them to Junebug vendor TLC Wedding Photography.

Their approach is also a nice reminder that couples don’t have to invest equally in every category. Having a few non-negotiables from the start can make budgeting decisions much easier later on.

Choosing Connection Over Rituals and Traditions

Some of Christina’s favorite memories happened during the quieter parts of the day. The couple shared a first look before the ceremony, then sat together privately to read their vows. “It was so sweet. I could tell Tom was nervous, but once we sat down and read our vows privately we both felt so at ease.”

The ceremony felt quick, but there were little moments that stayed with her. “I did enjoy being together in the house before we walked out. At this point I got so nervous but Tom being there made me feel so much better.” The violinist also added something special to the atmosphere. “It was so beautiful hearing him play as we waited.” Later, one of her favorite memories became the walk between venues and seeing all their guests welcome them into the reception space together.

Creating Two Bridal Looks Without Buying Two Dresses

Christina knew exactly what she wanted from her wedding dress. “I knew I wanted a detachable skirt for my dress. I loved the idea of easily taking the skirt off and having a new look underneath.” It gave her two different looks without needing an entirely separate outfit.

Tom complemented the overall mood with a classic black suit. “We looked at other colors but that just felt like the best way to go.”

The wedding party remained intentionally small. Christina’s sister served as her maid of honor and, after trying on numerous options, ultimately landed on a black dress that felt most comfortable for her. Tom’s father stepped into the role of best man and matched Tom’s black suit.

For makeup and hair, Christina wanted everyone to feel like themselves. “For myself I wanted something I would normally do but slightly elevated, and for hair I knew I wanted soft curls, which felt more like myself.”

Leaning Into Two Very Different Savannah Venues

Christina and Tom didn’t try to find one venue that could do everything. Instead, they embraced two spaces that each brought something unique to the day. Their ceremony took place at Harper Fowlkes House, a beautiful historic home in Savannah with a courtyard fountain that needed very little additional décor. The reception moved to Soho South, a former restaurant turned event space that immediately caught Christina’s attention because of its large windows, natural light, and vintage speakeasy-inspired bar.

The contrast between the two locations ended up becoming one of the most memorable parts of their downtown Savannah wedding. They also kept the reception layout simple. With an open floor plan and a dance floor placed at the center of the room, guests could easily move around and mingle throughout the evening.

The couple also opted for a sweetheart table, which ended up being one of Christina’s favorite decisions. “It was so nice to spend those first moments as husband and wife together, and to be able to eat all the yummy food,” she shared. Guests naturally passed by their table while grabbing food from the stations, creating easy opportunities to chat without having to carve out extra time later.

Building Extra Time With Guests Into the Weekend

One thing Christina is especially happy they included was a welcome celebration before the wedding day. Hosted at her in-laws’ house, guests enjoyed drinks and small bites in a much more relaxed environment. “We did a welcome celebration, and I’m so glad we did. It was an opportunity for us to really chat with our guests in a relaxed environment before we were in the whirlwind of our wedding day.”

That intention showed up throughout the wedding itself too. Instead of disappearing for a lengthy portrait session after the ceremony, they purposely kept photos brief so they could join everyone during cocktail hour. Looking back, Christina says she’d even add one more event.

“If I could change something, I would have done a brunch the next day for guests who wanted to join and say goodbye. It feels like it goes by so fast and you don’t get to really talk to all of your guests.” She also says she would have felt that even more if they hadn’t hosted the welcome party. “So if the budget allows, have the exit brunch!”

Asking for Help Made the DIY Details Possible

A surprising amount of the wedding was DIY. Christina purchased almost all of the reception decor herself, including the candles, candle holders, bud vases, and flowers. After researching wholesalers and learning more about florals, she selected some of her favorite blooms and paired them with complementary varieties. Thankfully, she didn’t try to do everything alone.

“I was so fortunate to have my friends come over the morning of the wedding and help arrange everything. It all turned out so beautiful.” It’s also a good thing she accepted the extra help because a small hiccup popped up on wedding day. Her sister accidentally left her bouquet behind at the rental house.

“My planner and her assistant were pretty great about making sure everything was going smoothly,” Christina said. Thankfully, the assistant was able to retrieve it just in time. She also admits that what started as a project she planned to tackle with just her mom and sister would have been much harder without her friends stepping in.

Keeping the Dance Floor Full Was Always Part of the Plan

Christina and Tom intentionally kept speeches brief because they already knew what everyone was excited for. “My family loves music and to dance, so we definitely had to be on the dance floor.” And that’s exactly where everyone ended up. Surrounded by family and friends, the evening unfolded naturally, with guests spending more time celebrating than sitting through a long list of formalities.

For Christina, one unexpected feeling came after everything was over. “The next day you definitely do have a moment of depression coming down from all the excitement. It’s such a weird feeling to plan for a year or more and it’s over in 24 hours.” It’s partly why she’s such a big advocate for adding extra celebrations if budget allows.

Between the welcome party, cocktail hour, and her wish for a farewell brunch, one thing became very clear: the moments she valued most weren’t tied to decor or timelines. They were the extra pockets of time spent with the people they love. Their downtown Savannah wedding may have lasted a day, but they found ways to make every hour count.