John Hardee & Will Shalosky's Charleston Wedding
"We host rather large parties almost monthly," Will Shalosky says. Which is to say he and his husband, John Hardee, were well-prepared to have 250 of their friends and family over to their Charleston home for a belated celebration of their marriage (the couple eloped to Las Vegas). The historic property, which the couple completely gutted and restored in 2022, was transformed for their fall 2023 affair. The vibe? A 1920s-era dinner club. Dress code was black tie, naturally, with even the bar and catering staff in white dinner jackets and matching gloves. Malachite details were present throughout—on the table linens, the invitations, even the cake—as well as Old World touches like chandeliers in shades of garnet strewn throughout the garden and patio, custom china and cocktail napkins engraved with their initials, and hors d'oeuvres passed on antique silver trays. But nothing was too precious. Will and John did their first dance to Britney Spears's "(You Drive Me) Crazy," and hot dogs, sliders, and chicken fingers materialized at midnight for those who stayed. "Home is your most sacred place," Will says. "And being able to share it with those you love is special."
All the details on Will and John's celebration, below.
The Venue
Though their official wedding was an intimate elopement in Las Vegas, Will and John decided to celebrate with their friends and family at their Charleston home. "The party was all over the house and garden," Will says. "Bar service set up in the front garden, cocktails and dancing in the side garden, and food and drink served all throughout."
The Couple
Will, who is a partner at a management consulting firm, and John, who owns a residential and commercial design and construction business, first met in 2010, when both were students at the University of South Carolina. After losing touch for a decade, they reconnected in 2020—and the rest is history.
The Details
Invitations were created by Samantha Herrick at Samantha Kate Design, florals by Festoon, food by Cru Catering, and planning by Meagan Warren Weddings.
The Decor
"We love deep, moody colors," Will says. That was translated into custom malachite linens and antique chandeliers (which were original to the house) hanging over porches and on trees, and gold linen and blue velvet drapes as accents.
The Menu
The couple opted to have an abundance of hors d'oeuvres, both passed around and elegantly plated on silver trays in the dining room. "We wanted it to feel like food was never not available, without having the structure of something seated," Will says. And those who had the energy to stay late into the night were rewarded with hot dogs, sliders, and chicken fingers—also presented on antique silver.
The Cake
Even the wedding cake, a concoction courtesy of Ashley Bakery in Charleston, kept to the malachite theme.
The Honeymoon
The couple jetted off to Paris for their honeymoon. "We ate, drank, shopped, and relaxed the whole time," Will says.
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