A Perfect Fit

Fall/Winter 2014

WRITER CREDIT:

PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT:

A Perfect Fit | Teenage sweethearts trade the Tar Heel State for their favorite getaway and host an open-air party for close friends and family

Charleston Wedding fashion wedding Snyder Event Rentals BCBG Belk Lowndes Grove Plantation calligraphy food ooh! events gown Fish JCrew Lowndes Grove

Easton Events dressed the ceremony in their hallmark elegant style, with an arbor of softly draping greens and fragrant white blooms by Sara York Grimshaw Designs; a seagrass runner edged with fresh rose petals; and benches bearing natural-hued linen cushions from Snyder Event Rentals.

A shower of rose petals softens the border of any aisle runner, like this one of seagrass. Looking for something similar? GDC Home stocks samples that you can use for your ceremony... and in your new home.

Image by Virgil Bunao Photography at Lowndes Grove Plantation.

42 Pressed created a suite of classic stationery with swirling type and Elizabeth Porcher Jones calligraphed the envelopes.

“We were going to keep the palette all white,” says Alice, “but decided to warm it up a bit with just barely pink.” Bouquet by Sara York Grimshaw Designs. Image by Virgil Bunao Photography.

Alice’s Inbal Dror gown featured the hautest trend in bridal wear: a low-cut back of illusion lace and corset boning. For a demure touch during the ceremony, she donned a trailing veil.

Bridesmaids went for a fresh, modern look with snowy BCBGMAXAZRIA shorties and gold “Sky Glitter” sling-backs from shoemaker Melissa. Image by Virgil Bunao Photography at Lowndes Grove Plantation.

Bouquet by Sara York Grimshaw Designs. Bridal gown by Inbal Dror. Image by Virgil Bunao Photography at Lowndes Grove Plantation.

Bouquets by Sara York Grimshaw Designs. Bridal gown by Inbal Dror. Bridesmaids gowns by BCBGMAXAZRIA. Image by Virgil Bunao Photography at Lowndes Grove Plantation.

Sara York Grimshaw Designs crafted boutonnieres from ranunculus, astilbe, and fresh greens.

Boutonniere by Sara York Grimshaw Designs. Suit by Burberry. Tie by J.Crew. Image by Virgil Bunao Photography.

The couple says their biggest hurdle—and triumph—was getting (almost) everyone they love to the October wedding. “Having most all of our family and dearest friends together to spend a good time with one another was what made us the happiest,” says Alice.

Alice’s first memory of Forrest? Spotting him in the crowd at their high school orientation. “Who’s that hottie?” she asked a friend before introducing herself to him.

The couple first broached marriage when they graduated college. “We are going to be together forever, why not just get married?” said Forrest back then. “If we are going to be together forever, why rush it?” replied Alice. “Let’s wait and have a really nice wedding.” Fourteen years later, they did just that. The verdict? “It was magical,” says Alice.

Alice and Forrest traded self-penned vows in front of some 88 family and friends (eight is a lucky number in Chinese culture) at the edge of the Ashley River.

Bridal gown by Inbal Dror. Bridesmaid dresses by BCBGMAXAZRIA. Hair and makeup by Charlotte Belk. Groom’s suit by Burberry. Groomsmen’s suits and ties by J.Crew. Florals by Sara York Grimshaw Designs. Image by Virgil Bunao Photography at Lowndes Grove Plantation.

Rentals from Ooh! Events. Wedding design and coordination by Easton Events. Image by Virgil Bunao Photography at Lowndes Grove Plantation.

Florals by Sara York Grimshaw. Wedding design and coordination by Easton Events. Image by Virgil Bunao Photography.

Easton Events created outdoor lounges with topiaries, Oriental rugs, cane-backed chairs from Snyder Event Rentals, linen settees, and wire side tables.

Wedding design and coordination by Easton Events. Rentals from Ooh! Events. Florals by Sarah York Grimshaw Designs. Image by Virgil Bunao Photography at Lowndes Grove Plantation.

Cocktail tables covered in a charcoal and white patterned fabric from La Tavola played off the slate flooring throughout the patio area.

Catering by Fish Restaurant. Image by Virgil Bunao Photography.

Guests took selfies with instant cameras and hung them from branches lit by crystal votives. Later, the couple filed the images away in a keepsake album.

Fish Restaurant specializes in dishes with an Asian accent, so the couple’s wish for a Southern menu with Asian flair was a welcome request. Seared-tuna blinis were served during cocktail hour.

Calligraphy by Elizabeth Porcher Jones. Florals by Sara York Grimshaw Designs. Image by Virgil Bunao.

Easton Events placed tables in a crisscross configuration so seated guests could better mingle. Forrest and Alice rotated to each end of the “X” throughout the five course changes so they could visit with everyone during dinner. Timber frames and sheers created an outdoor room without the confinement of a tent.

Snyder Event Rentals’ “Imperial Gold” china lent a formal tone to place settings that were finished with the company’s “King James” silver-plated flatware and hemstitched linen napkins accented with fresh garlands of angel vine.

Wedding design and coordination by Easton Events. Rentals from Snyder Events. Florals and draping by Sara York Grimshaw Designs. Linens from La Tavola. Image by Virgil Bunao Photography at Lowndes Grove Plantation.

Curtain tie-backs were punctuated with bundles of garden roses, hydrangeas, and seeded eucalyptus from Sarah York Grimshaw Designs.

Wedding design and coordination by Easton Events. Structure and lighting by Technical Event Company. Rentals from Snyder Events. Florals and draping by Sara York Grimshaw Designs. Linens from La Tavola. Image by Virgil Bunao Photography at Lowndes Grove Plantation.

Wedding design and coordination by Easton Events. Catering by Fish Restaurant. Florals by Sara York Grimshaw Designs. Image by Virgil Bunao Photography.

Cake by Fish Restaurant. Linens from La Tavola. Image by Virgil Bunao Photography at Lowndes Grove Plantation.

The cake by Fish Restaurant wore buttercream designs informed by lace. The tiers included three flavors: hazelnut, chocolate, and red velvet (Forrest’s favorite).

The families rented a house on Folly Beach the week before the wedding, and many friends came down early. “It was truly a blast,” says Alice. “Friends and family from different times of our lives came together, hung out, and had fun.” By the time everyone sat down for the reception dinner, there were few strangers in the group.

Wedding design and coordination by Easton Events. Image by Virgil Bunao Photography.

Wedding design and coordination by Easton Events. Structure and lighting by Technical Event Company. Rentals from Snyder Events. Florals and draping by Sara York Grimshaw Designs. Image by Virgil Bunao Photography at Lowndes Grove Plantation.

Photographs by:

Virgil Bunao

Alice Chang & Forrest Comartos
October 14, 2013
Lowndes Grove Plantation

Alice Chang may stand a diminutive five feet to Forrest Comartos’ towering six feet four inches, but the two couldn’t be any better matched—nor thrive any better in close quarters. The Tar Heels, who became a couple in 1998 as high school seniors while boarding at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, dated long-distance while each finished college, then moved to New York where they shared a tiny 500-square-foot apartment. In time, they both headed back South; first Alice joined her family’s Asian grocery, restaurant, and bakery business to see it expand from Raleigh to Charlotte, and then Forrest came into the fold, too, working alongside her as the company’s financial accountant. “I call him the CFO and me the CEO, ” jokes Alice, “but he sometimes calls himself my executive assistant.”

Since living in Charlotte, Charleston factored into their romance any time the devoted foodies had a day off. Last February, when Forrest called timeout for a long weekend, they hopped in the car and headed to the Holy City. While Alice says she knew he was going to propose (“He never decides if we get a day off—I do!”), Forrest nonetheless surprised her when he unpacked his grandmother’s circa 1910 engagement ring.

Apparently he had stashed it in their house for years without her knowing. Where? “Way up high in our closet,” laughs Alice.

From there, the couple reserved downtown’s Lowndes Grove Plantation. “We chose Lowndes Grove for its wide view of the peaceful water,” says Alice, “and for the house that gives the location its grandeur, the palm trees that remind us of the beach, and the expansive lawn.” They engaged Easton Events to fashion a day that was “intimate but grand, soft, delicate, and happy,” says Alice.

Alice and Forrest exchanged vows overlooking the Ashley and afterward, hosted a meal with both Southern and Asian flavors. “We love fine things and good food,” says Alice, “but they are only fine and good when we get to share them with everyone we love.”

Vendor List

Bride’s Gown: Inbal Dror, Mark Ingram Atelier, www.MarkIngramAtelier.com

Bridesmaids’ Gowns: BCBG, www.BCBG.com

Calligraphy: Elizabeth Porcher Jones, www.ElizabethPorcherJones.com

Cake, Catering, and Bar Service: Fish Restaurant, www.PPHGCharleston.com

Ceremony and Reception Location: Lowndes Grove Plantation, www.PPHGCharleston.com

Hair and Makeup: Charlotte Belk, www.WeddingHairbyCharlotte.com

Invitations: 42 Pressed, www.42Pressed.com

Floral Design and Draping: Sara York Grimshaw Designs, www.SYGDesigns.com

Getaway Vehicle: Absolutely Charleston, www.AbsolutelyCharlestonWedding.com

Groom’s Suit: Burberry, www.US.Burberry.com

Groomsmen Attire: J.Crew, www.JCrew.com

Groom’s & Groomsmen’s Ties: J.Crew, www.JCrew.com

Groom’s & Groomsmen’s Socks: Happy Socks, www.HappySocks.com

Lighting & Structure: Technical Event Company, www.TechnicalEventCompany.com

Linens: La Tavola Linen, www.LaTavolaLinen.com

Music: Classical Charleston, www.ClassicalCharleston.com

Photography: Virgil Bunao, www.VirgilBunao.com

Rentals (Furniture, China, and Flatware): Snyder Event Rentals, www.SnyderEventRentals.com; Ooh! Events, www.TheArtofCreating.com/OohEvents

Wedding Design and Coordination: Easton Events, www.EastonEvents.com

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