The couple chose a Dutch Masters theme for their wedding, showcasing rich textures and deep colors. They created the theme under a black, powder-coated curved 20-meter-wide by 35-meter-long by 4-meter-tall structure, with 120-by-200-meter pole profile. All photos courtesy of Lisa Ziesing, Abby Jiu Photography.

When event insiders and best friends Dakotah Terrace, owner of full-service floral provider Jardiniere Events in Hilton Head, S.C., and Devin Van Bortel, owner of Amazing Event Rentals in Hardeeville, S.C., decided to wed, they knew they could use their expertise to make their wedding day exactly what they wanted it to be. They also knew that wearing the hats of “the happy couple” and “the people who make the magic happen” would come with distinct challenges—as well as offering them the possibility of future revenue streams.

“Going into this event, I knew we needed to go big, big, big,” says Van Bortel. “Not necessarily from a budget standpoint, but more from a creative one. We kept asking ourselves: ‘What hasn’t been done?’ ‘How creative can we get?’ ‘What feels different for this area?’ With both of us having over 20 years of combined experience in the industry, we knew expectations were high. A lot of eyes were on us.”

Tents and time frame

“Over the years, we’ve built a reputation in the Southeast—if you need a tent, you call Amazing; if you need flowers, you call Jardiniere,” Van Bortel explains. “Because of that, I knew early on we needed a brand-new tent. Something that would wow people driving by, but also something that could live on and be rented again.”

To that end, for the main reception, the couple hired Waterford, N.Y.-based Fred’s Tents and Canopies Inc. to build them an arched garden tent with an expanded cupola. “Fred’s has been building garden tents for years. We wanted something different while keeping the traditional garden profile,” Van Bortel says. “I sent our sales rep, Brian Stumph, a mockup and asked, ‘Can you build this for my wedding?’”

Aerial view of a modern glass-walled venue with red accents, featuring a long dining table and a blue pathway bordered by greenery.
After Fred’s Tents custom built this structure for Terrace and Van Bortel’s wedding, Fred’s has since debuted the structure as their Horizon Series.

And build it, Fred’s Tents did. The tent featured a 20-meter-wide by 35-meter-long by 4-meter-tall profile, with 120-by-200-meter pole profile. It also featured 5-meter bays and a 10-meter-wide cupola as the focal point and main entrance. “Fred’s Tents has since debuted this structure as their Horizon Series, which is pretty incredible, having a leading tent manufacturer take your wedding tent and offer it to their clientele,” Van Bortel says.

For years, Amazing Event Rentals primarily installed frame and pole tents, Van Bortel continues. “I always told our crew we’d never break into structure tents. As the company grew, I realized that to reach the next tier of weddings, we had to evolve—and this wedding marked our official breakthrough into the structure
tent world.”

Vision realized

In addition to the main tent, Amazing Event Rentals provided a 20-by-35-by-4-meter curved garden tent; glass walls for the front of the tent; Duratrac® flooring with 3/4-inch plywood on top with silver carpet; a mirror runway for the entrance; curved custom cut stage for the band; dance floor with silver nonslip dance floor wrap; entry path with custom printed watercolor vinyl; three types of custom-made velvet dining chairs; custom-made china, flatware and glassware; and smaller lighting fixtures such as pin spots and wash lighting. Amazing Event Rentals also provided a velvet-tufted custom-made bar; tables; custom-made escort card display with oversized artwork; all lounge pieces; custom artwork; and ceremony platform.

For the wedding’s theme, Terrace started by thinking about what was trendy—and then considered what she could do that would be original. “In the South, blues, greens, whites and very minimal color often dominate decor trends. Dakotah wanted to push against that and build the floral design around a Dutch Masters theme—something she never sees down here,” Van Bortel says. “I loved that idea. I wanted something sexy, moody, almost Frank Sinatra club vibes. Rich textures. Deep color. We took those ideas and ran with them: a Dutch Masters theme under a black, powder-coated curved structure.”

From a floral standpoint, the wedding gave Jardiniere the opportunity to show the Southeast what it’s truly capable of in a way that showcased individuality and creativity. Terrace envisioned a 20-by-20-foot-wide ceremony wall with 100,000 floral stems; three 6-foot-tall floral chandeliers hanging down the center of the tent; hundreds of real roses hand-planted throughout the cocktail hour space; and hand-painted Dutch Masters paintings hanging on the walls behind the lounge sets. Jardiniere did that and so much more.

Elegant dining setup under a red draped tent, featuring round tables, floral centerpieces, and golden accents, creating a festive atmosphere.
For dinner in the main tent, Amazing Event Rentals provided three types of custom-made velvet dining chairs; custom-made china, flatware, and glassware; and smaller lighting fixtures such as pin spots and wash lighting.

Pros and cons

Handling the details was a huge advantage because the couple understood the process inside and out: They knew what questions to ask, how timelines realistically work, and where flexibility actually matters versus where it doesn’t. Both of them could articulate things clearly to the vendors and were able to control the timeline in a way most couples can’t.

They also handled all of the ordering themselves, managing the tent, rentals and florals, respectively. “That level of control is something most couples simply don’t have,” Van Bortel says. “But the hardest part was letting go on event day. As professionals, we’re used to solving problems in real time and controlling outcomes. As the clients, we had to consciously step back on our day and trust others to execute.

“When it’s your own wedding, especially with family involved, decisions carry more weight,” he continues. “Amazing and Jardiniere were both key vendors, so juggling full crews while having all of our families in town was intense. Everyone wants your attention. Having strong people in place helped us get through it. We had friends in the industry lend their time to make this event perfect. It fills you with so much gratitude to have so many folks help with your special day.” 

Sigrid Tornquist is a Minneapolis, Minn.-based writer and editor and former InTents editor.

A woman in a flowing pink dress decorates a chandelier while standing on a ladder, as a man in a tuxedo assists her in a lavish venue.
Bride Dakotah Terrace, owner of Jardiniere Events and groom Devin Van Bortel, owner of Amazing Event Rentals. The floral decor included 100,000 floral stems in the ceremony wall, massive hanging floral chandeliers down the center of the tent and planted roses throughout the cocktail hour space.

Dakotah Terrace and Devin Van Bortel want to offer special thanks to the following, who are more than vendors—they are friends:

  • Wedding planning and production: Laura Ritchie with Grit & Grace
  • Tent: Brian Stumph, sales rep from Fred’s Tents and Canopies Inc.
  • Audio visuals: Sam Eufemia, owner of Advanced A/V out of Savannah, Ga. 
  • Behind-the-scenes filming: Ian Santiago with IVS photography and the creator of Victor Productions, Steamboat Springs, Colo.
  • Cake: Selena Delaney, owner of Vanilla & the Bean, Savannah, Ga. 
  • Video: Chris Jesperson, owner of Storybox Cinema
  • Photography: Lisa Ziesing and Keila Bottiglieri of Abby Jiu Photography



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