Even though Laura Garber and Jonathan Kleeman were neighbors during their senior year at the University of Michigan, they did not meet until two weeks before graduation. Laura and her friend decided to host a get-together with the mysterious neighbors they had never spoken to. Jon showed up with his “house” dog, Bo, in tow, and there was an instant spark between him, Laura, and the precious pup.
A few years of dating later, Jon and Laura took a seemingly spontaneous post-pandemic trip to Blackberry Farm. “Little did I know, Jon had already been planning on it for months!” Despite working from home in a close-quarters New York City apartment, he kept the entire process a complete secret.
Upon their arrival, they received a thorough itinerary from the concierge complete with a “Guest Cocktail Hour” by the property’s boathouse that just so happened to commence before their dinner reservation. It was, however, a cover. Inside the boathouse, Laura found candles, pink roses, Champagne, and Jon on one knee with an engagement ring for her.
The couple conducted a “wedding venue tour” along the east coast and were instantly charmed by the understated elegance of South Carolina. The couple sought a “lived-in” and “residential” feel to the event that would still come across as natural and welcoming because the overall guest experience was of utmost importance. Laura notes, “Augusta Cole was the perfect fit for making this a reality!”
Laura’s Galvan London welcome party gown was the first outfit she found for her wedding events. “I loved that despite its sleek silhouette, the scalloped opening in the middle made it more fun and casual,” she says. Laura incorporated her birthstone with an aquamarine necklace and bracelet set her talented mother crafted.
Her wedding dress was another easy decision: Laura scrolled on the Oscar de la Renta website while only recently engaged and found a photo of a strapless gown. By the time she was ready to try on dresses, Oscar de la Renta was her first atelier appointment, and that dress she saw online years earlier was the second—and last—bridal gown she tried on. Laura’s mother’s custom veil from her wedding day was not only still intact but also showcased dainty applique that complemented the kind along Laura’s gown. There could be no better “something old.”
Lastly, Laura selected emeralds from her mother’s jewelry collection for her accessories as a sentimental “something borrowed.” Jon surprised his bride with vintage hanging diamond earrings that morning, making an excellent final touch. Claire Balest applied her glowing makeup.
Laura’s bridesmaids donned French blue gowns from Show Me Your Mumu. “French Blue was a theme throughout our wedding invitation suite by Dear Elouise and Susannah Garrod and the wedding itself, so when I found the dresses in this color, I knew it would look great on everyone!” she adds.
On September 17, 2022, guests stepped into the chapel. Interspersed throughout the venue were orange topiaries and oversized floral arrangements for splashes of color. The wedding party took to the aisle while a pianist played a cover of Coldplay’s “Yellow.” Jon specially requested that Laura meet him at the altar to the tune of Pachelbel’s “Canon in D.” And once they were pronounced husband and wife, a vocalist launched into Candi Staton’s “You’ve Got the Love.” The buoyant energy was palpable as the newlyweds left the chapel and their friends and family tossed flower petals their way. Lucy Cuneo photographed each picturesque moment.
Off on the Village Green under the cover of a sailcloth tent, guests sipped cocktails and chatted among themselves while surrounded by creamy draping and marvelously curated table linens with an assortment of floral arrangements by SYG Designs. The hand-painted blue-and-white checkered dance floor easily stood out as the reception’s centerpiece. The band, Big Swing & the Ballroom Blasters, rocked the reception with their punchy setlist. For the bride and groom’s first dance, they swayed to Sade’s “By Your Side.”
The couple designed the dinner menu with plenty of vegan and allergy-friendly options, as the bride herself is vegan. In the spirit of abundance and choice, they also had multiple cake flavors. “We couldn’t choose just one,” Laura confides. They ultimately picked three flavors: dark chocolate with caramel, vanilla with lemon and raspberry, and a vegan carrot cake with “cream cheese” frosting. The father of the bride, matron of honor, maid of honor, and Jon’s two best men delivered sweet toasts while everyone enjoyed the meal.
The after-party followed across the street in the River House. Eyal Agai of Pirate Stereo deejayed—Laura asserts that there were no skips with him on the aux. Powered by drinks, bites, and a busy photobooth, the after-party lasted the whole night through.
