The year 1858 offered a few milestones.
Perennial wedding registry pick Macy’s department store opened for business. The Wedding March by Felix Mendelssohn became a wedding recessional sensation after it was played at the St. James’ Palace marriage of Queen Victoria’s daughter to Prince Friedrich of Prussia.
Closer to home, the handsome South of Broad mansion located at 39 King Street was presented to Louisa Clifford Smith as a wedding present by her uncle. The Carolina Art Association, precursor to the venerable Gibbes Museum of Art—a Beaux Arts wedding venue, was established.
And one particular patented invention sparked a culinary revolution: the Mason jar. Today, the molded glass jar has transcended its humble use in canning foods to become a popular aspect of creative wedding décor. There are so many ways to incorporate the versatile jar and the most beautiful application we’ve ever seen included several hundred Mason jars, each containing one white tea light, all hanging at various heights from a sturdy tree limb. A long farmhouse-style table stretched beneath the lights, which looked like suspended fireflies twinkling against an inky night’s sky. The effect was ethereal and wholly memorable.
We asked our local wedding vendors to share their Mason jar ideas.
“From vases to candles to aisle markers, I often use Mason jars all shapes and sizes for décor purposes!” – Stephanie Gibbes, Sweetgrass Events
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“Besides sampling your favorite beverage, we have used Mason jars for “s’mores” kits and biscuit recipe. We’ve event turned them into chandeliers. It is a great southern staple!”
– Lisa Hand, Ooh! Events
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“I worked with a couple related to the Firefly vineyards family, and they served the traditional Sweet Tea Vodka in a Mason jar as the signature drink.”
– Ashley Russell, An Event to Remember
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“A Mason jar seems the perfect container for a marriage between seasonal fruits and lemonade, like a summer strawberry-cucumber lemonade. St Germaine, the French Elderflower liqueur, is a stellar addition to any adult beverage served Mason jar-style. Of course, a summer rye is also a nice addition with color and flavor.” – Sanctuary Hall
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Duvall uses Mason jars as a charmingly casual seating chart display by inserting rolled dinner flatware tied with a guest’s place card into individual jars. They also offer the popular Duvall Ginger Mint Limeade signature cocktail. You can make it at home using the following recipe.
1-cup boiling water
1-cup chopped local mint
1-cup organic honey
2-cups cold water
1-cup organic lime juice
Combine mint, ginger and honey with boiling water and steep for 1 hour.
Add cold water and lime juice. Add your favorite vodka, bourbon, or gin!
Chill and Enjoy! Makes 1 quart.
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A popular wedding tradition at Wild Dunes, the barrier island resort located near historic Charleston proper, is to have a butler pass Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka and Lemonade drinks served in Mason jars.
Sweet Tea ‘Tinis Poolside
2 parts Fire Fly Sweet Tea Vodka
2 parts soda water
Squeeze of Lemon
Serve up or on the rocks as shown or with a lemon wedge. Here’s the finished product!
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Robbin Knight Photography has seen a few Mason jars used as wedding décor in his time. Here are two of his favorite shots:
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