Wedding Flowers at Faber House Suites

Designing for Faber House Suites requires a deep respect for the architectural history of Charleston. This isn’t a blank box; it is a texture-heavy environment where the floral design must act as a living extension of the brick, wood, and plaster. The opportunity here lies in framing the mansion’s stately bones rather than trying to mask them.

The transition from the urban exterior of East Bay Street into the secluded courtyard creates a sensory shift that flowers should amplify. We focus on movement and seasonality to ensure the designs feel as though they belong in this historic Ansonborough setting.

The Spaces

The Courtyard

This is the heart of the Faber House experience. Enclosed by historic brick walls and featuring mature trees and arched doorways, it offers a naturally romantic and contained atmosphere for ceremonies. The ground is paved, which provides a stable surface for structures, but the wind exposure is light, allowing for more delicate floral choices.

• What works: Ground-level ceremony meadows that “grow” out of the pavers. These installations frame the couple while keeping the focus on the arched doorways. Freestanding, broken arches also work beautifully here to mimic the curves of the architecture.
• Skip: Flimsy, four-post arbors. They look out of place against the permanence of the brick walls.
• Watch out: The Charleston heat. This space can trap humidity, so we prioritize hardy greens like smilax or ruscus and water-heavy blooms that won’t flag by the time the processional begins.
• Budget hero move: Invest in a lush, ground-level ceremony installation that can be moved to the base of the sweetheart table or the front of the band stage for the reception.

Main Ballroom

The ballroom is a classic interior with hardwood floors, neutral walls, and high ceilings. It provides a formal counterpoint to the organic nature of the courtyard. The existing chandeliers are the focal point of the ceiling, and the large windows provide moderate natural light that works well with soft, romantic palettes.

• What works: Verticality. With high ceilings, low centerpieces can sometimes feel lost. We recommend a mix of tall, airy installations on slender stands and lush low bowls to create visual layers across the room.
• Skip: Overly dense, tight spheres of flowers. This room needs breathability and movement to feel modern.
• Watch out: Rigging restrictions. While the chandeliers are tempting, always confirm the weight limits with the venue before planning any hanging installations.
• Budget hero move: Use greenery garlands or light floral accents on the chandeliers to draw the eye upward without the cost of a full ceiling installation.

Bridal Suite

The suites at Faber House are designed with a residential, feminine aesthetic. They are exceptionally photogenic, featuring fireplaces and classic trim. These spaces are often the first point of contact for your photographer and deserve a dedicated floral moment.

• What works: Asymmetrical mantel arrangements. A lush “nest” of flowers on one side of the fireplace creates a sophisticated backdrop for portraits and detail shots of the bouquet.
• Skip: Large, bulky arrangements that take up valuable table space needed for hair and makeup kits.
• Watch out: Temperature. These rooms are climate-controlled, making them the best place to store bouquets and boutonnieres until the very last moment.

What Works at Faber House Suites

• Ground-level meadows: Framing the courtyard’s arched doorways with floral clusters that look as if they are sprouting from the ground is the most sophisticated way to handle this space. It respects the masonry while adding softness.
• High-contrast palettes: Against the neutral interiors and the warm tones of the exterior brick, palettes that use deep burgundies, muddy mauves, or even sharp whites with dark greenery pop significantly better than mid-tone pastels.
• Architectural framing: Use your floral budget to highlight what makes the venue unique. This means focusing on the staircase for the street-side photos and the mantel in the suites.
• Heat-hardy varieties: Given the coastal South Carolina climate, we lean into ranunculus, roses, and tropical-adjacent greens that can withstand the courtyard’s humidity without losing their structure.
• Monochromatic clusters: In the ballroom, grouping flowers by color rather than mixing them into a “wildflower” look creates a cleaner, more editorial aesthetic that matches the mansion’s stately vibe.

Budget Guide

The historic character of Faber House Suites means you don’t need to over-decorate; you need to decorate with intent.

Tips

• Prioritize the courtyard floor: Since the courtyard is paved and flat, ground-level installations are easier to execute and more stable than in a grassy field.
• Repurpose with purpose: The arrangements used to frame the ceremony in the courtyard should always be moved inside to the ballroom to maximize your investment.
• Think about the streetscape: Faber House is on East Bay Street; a simple floral accent on the exterior staircase makes for an iconic Charleston “arrival” photo.
• Mind the humidity: If you are hosting an outdoor ceremony in the summer months, avoid delicate blooms like hydrangea or sweet peas unless they are in a water source.
• Leverage the prep space: Since this venue is a premier “getting ready” location, ensure your florist delivers your personal flowers early enough for the “detail flat lay” photos.