Written By Melissa Reardon
Photographs By Lucy Cuneo
A transplant from Virginia, Weston “Wes” McAfee vividly remembers the first time he saw his future bride-to-be. Charleston native Dana Elaine...
Kathryn Kerrigan & Andrew Sawyer
May 24, 2014
Legare Waring House
What do you get when you mix two engineers, a two-year engagement, and a Lowcountry venue that’s as gorgeous as it gets? Kathryn and Andrew’s heartfelt and handcrafted Big Day—a DIY affair that Pinterest boards are made of.
“I’ve always been crafty, so getting to do a bazillion crafts was the best,” says the bride, who, with the help from her groom, sawed, sanded, stained, and sewed her way to both a beautiful wedding and a brand new business.
“After our wedding was over, it felt like my favorite hobby had been taken from me,” says Kathryn, who since opened Paper and Pine Co. to sell her creations to other brides. And as for the wedding? Personal vows, stunning florals, and creative bars (beer bottles floated over the craft beer area while glass bubbles hung above a champagne station) made for a merry time.
Top Tips
Words from the wise...
• Avoid a time crunch. Crafting was tackled in the four months prior to the wedding. “Two extra months would have relieved stress and allowed us to squeeze in a few more items,” Kathryn says.
• Put 35 percent of your initial budget aside for taxes, gratuity, and miscellaneous expenses.
• Tap into your skills. Engineer Kathryn used AutoCAD—a program she uses for work—to design the marquee sign.
• Enlist your loved ones. Kathryn’s family assembled all the paper goods and helped communicate with vendors.
Vendor List:
Wedding design, décor, event signage, programs, menus: Paper and Pine Co. (Etsy), www.Etsy.com/Shop/PaperandPineCo
Day-of coordination, catering, bar service: Café Catering, www.CafeCateringAndEvents.com
Location: Legare Waring House, www.LegareWaringHouse.com
Florals: Branch Design Studio, www.BranchDesignStudio.com
Photography: Juliet Elizabeth, www.JulietElizabeth.com
Cinematography: Lowcountry Wedding Films, www.LowcountryWeddingFilms.com
Chairs: Snyder Events, www.SnyderEvents.com
Mirrored bar, bar shelving, linens, tables, lighting: EventHaus, www.EventHausRentals.com
Cakes: DeClare Cakes, www.DeClareCakes.com
Bride’s gown: Marisa Bridals, www.MarisaBridals.com
Hair: Paper Dolls, www.MyCharlestonWeddingHair.com
Makeup: Pamela Lesch, www.PamelaLeschMakeup.com
Bridesmaid dresses: Watters (available locally through Bella Bridesmaids), www.BellaBridesmaids.com
Menswear: Express, www.Express.com
Transportation: Lowcountry Valet & Shuttle Co., www.LowcountryValet.com
Music: Two Three Ways, www.OtherBrotherEnt.com/Two_3_Ways
