The Knot Market Mixer

Havana oh na na!

Things got heated up in early June at the Knot Market Mixer, an annual industry celebration hosted by The Knot wedding magazine. As the selected designer & planner of this years fete, we were inspired by a fusion of Americano and Cuban themes, that exuded the bright colors, exotic patterns, and hot vibes of the summer season. We wanted to showcase a Charleston event setting atypical of the traditional Lowcountry wedding scene (Bye blush and mason jars!) by introducing a palette of tropical palm prints mixed with bright, summer colors.

Upon entry to the Cedar Room, guests were greeted by the eclectic pop acoustics of Bonnie & Austin, of Charleston Virtuosi– A fun, progressive twist on your traditional background music. Attention was then directed to one of our favorite design components of the event: our new feather wall! This custom photo-op involved the individual placement of over 1,000 white feathers to create a specialty step & repeat. We wanted to do something that was unexpected, fresh, and different (basically anything but another flower wall, please!). Ergo, the feather wall was born! #FeatherWallGoals

Another focal point of the night was the custom-printed, palm leaf vinyl wrap, created by Charleston Wraps, which wrapped our 8′ LED plexi bars. We flanked each bar with white planter boxes full of oversized, hand-painted monastera leaves in cyans, magentas, oranges, and limes. They were the perfect pop of color against the greens of the up-lit bars. Keeping with the overall Americano/ Cuban theme, we brought in fresh fruit and palm leaves to give the room an island feel. The palms towered high over the low cocktail tables, adding a much needed depth to the tables. Tall, clear glass cylinders of bright green limes, oranges, and yellow lemons added a necessary tropical splash to the food stations, bars, and room in general.

Four beautifully draped, crisp white cabanas were setup inside the Cedar Room for lounging and mingling. Two of these gorgeous 12′ x 8′ cabanas were individually styled with EventHaus and French Eclectic lounges, both illuminated by soft cafe lighting, installed by Aurora Creative Group. The other two cabanas housed DJ David Fox of Jo Bunn DJ Company, (who kept the dancefloor packed all night long!) and a custom pink palm printed cake baked and designed by Delicious Desserts, whose delectable flavors included Chocolate Coke with Mint Chocolate Ganache and White Vanilla with White Chocolate Rum Mousse. There was plenty of seating throughout the space dressed in BBJ Specialty Linens and set with modern ghost chairs, also provided by EventHaus.

Let’s not forget the menuThe Cedar Room played to an incredible, Cuban-themed palette that included stations like “Make Your Own Poke” & Cubano sandwiches, along with passed Lobster rolls, Beef Empandadas and Grilled Shrimp Skewers. For dessert, guests were treated to freshly baked churros dipped in warm chocolate sauce. We also featured a “His” and “Hers” cocktail with Hers being a Mojito and His being a Cuba Libre. #Salud!

Another huge hit of the night was the Mixology Bar curated by Pop the Bubbly. With direction from onsite professional mixologists, guests had the opportunity to create their own handcrafted cocktails that featured signature rums, tropical flavored liquors, topped off with colorful paper umbrellas (of course)!  The best part? Guests were gifted with a mini plastic shaker to take home.

A huge thank you to all of our industry partners on making this event a huge success!

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Planning + Design + Decor + Floral | Loluma

Venue + Caterer + Bar | The Cedar Room

Rentals + Lounge | EventHaus

DJ + Sound | DJ David Fox; Bunn DJ Charleston

Acoustic Entertainment | Charleston Virtuosi

Stationery + Signage | Studio R

Calligraphy | J. Lily Design

Cake | Delicious Desserts

Mixology Bar | Pop the Bubbly

Rentals | The French Eclectic

Photographer | Anne Rhett Photography 

Videographer | Matt Paragon Filmworks

Lighting | Aurora Creative Group

Cigars | Cigar Row Events

Vintage Cars | Lowcountry Valet

Graphics + Vinyl | Charleston Wraps

Specialty Linens | BBJ Linen

Rum Sponsor | Blue Chair Bay Rum