Golden Touch

Fall/Winter 2013

WRITER CREDIT:

PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT:

Golden Touch | When the daughter of one of Charleston's wedding insiders marries, the local wedding community pitches in to create a fête for the ages

a charleston bride Chamber Music Charleston Charleston Wedding wedding wedding cake Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal Governor Thomas Bennett House Thomas Bennett House Bella Bridesmaid bouquets calligraphy Hannah Alexander Co gown inspiration modern trousseau Paper Dolls WED

BOLD IMPRESSIONS: The couple's letterpress stationery suite—from Crayton-Heritage Letterpress in Charlotte, North Carolina, and calligraphed by Charleston's Elizabeth Porcher Jones—included a save-the-date bearing a slate-gray graphic of the Governor Thomas Bennett House.

BESPOKE BEAUTY: Allison found her dream dress—a cream-hued lace number—from King Street's Modern Trousseau.

WALK THE WALK: Allison's maids helped her into the ceremony venue—First (Scots) Presbyterian Church.

MEANT TO BE: Matt and Allison met during their freshman year of college at the University of South Carolina. "It didn't take me long to realize I had met my 'Mr. Wright,'" she says.

A FAMILY AFFAIR: "My mom, my new mother-in-law, and I hid in the stairwell of the church to hear the hymns just before the bridal party walked down the aisle," laughs Allison.

LACED UP: Allison, here with Matt, says finding her gown in King Street’s Modern Trousseau was like shopping in a dream closet.

MODEL OF EXCELLENCE: To provide the newlyweds with a getaway car, Matt's uncle drove his vintage Rolls-Royce up from Florida. On the way from the ceremony to the reception, they took a quick cruise along the Battery.

CLASSIC LOOK: Bridesmaids wore one-shouldered navy gowns from Bella Bridesmaid and monogrammed gold bracelets from HandPicked.

LOVELY LADIES: Parasols carried by the bride and her maids added old-school charm to the wedding party's photo ops..

WELCOME HOME: Allison’s mother framed the couple’s monogram and hung it from the garden gates with a marigold-hued velvet ribbon to tie in the color scheme.

ON DISPLAY: Holding seasonal silver pumpkins and sentimental signage alongside cocktail glasses, wooden bookcases served as practical—and pretty—décor furnishings.

RIGHT THIS WAY: Reflecting the evening's palette, fresh magnolia blooms, cream-colored pumpkins, and pewter lanterns lined the spiral staircase leading to the reception venue's spacious piazza.

HAVE A SEAT: Rocking chairs—accented with throw pillows in the marigold-and-white fabric that inspired much of the evening's décor—providing comfy seating for guests during the reception.

GARDEN PARTY: Square reception tables (which offset all the natural curves in the garden) were peppered throughout the reception. Blue-hued vessels with bright florals popped against the pale yellow- and cream-colored linens.

FLORAL WATERFALL: Various shades of pink blooms floated in the garden's fountain.

SHINING STAR: The interior of the circa-1825 Governor Thomas Bennett House featured brilliant architectural details and elegant crystal chandeliers.

AUTUMN'S BOUNTY: A friend of the bride's family, Sue Jordan, created earthy arrangements full of autumn-hued buds. "I wanted the flowers to look like they came straight from the garden," says Allison.

HUNG WITH CARE: Adorning the Governor Thomas Bennett House's fence were inverted copper cones bursting with orange and yellow dahlias and mums, eucalyptus leaves, and mini pumpkins.

SIMPLE THINGS: Gold—which dominated the fabrics and popped up in the florals, cake, and more—is the bride’s favorite color.

'TIS THE SEASON: The green and rust of wreaths from The Magnolia Company were accented with golden bows for continuity.

LIVING HISTORY: A green velour love seat made by Allison’s grandfather paired well with the mostly sunny palette.

CHEERS TO THAT: Amber-hued sherbet glasses (from Allison’s parents’ wedding) served as flower vessels and offset the rustic lanterns.

PATTERN PARADE: Jim Smeal’s gold-and-white masterpiece borrowed patterns from the linens, Allison’s sash, and the home’s staircase. Vintage china from Charleston Starfish was a colorful surprise from the bride’s mother.

FIERY NIGHT: As the sun set, candlelight brightened the reception tables while dangling outdoor chandeliers and café lights filled the garden with a romantic glow.

Photographs by:

Evan Laettner Photography

Allison McCormick & Matt Wright
September 29, 2012
First (Scots) Presbyterian Church & The Governor Thomas Bennett House

When your mom is the event coordinator for downtown’s Governor Thomas Bennett House, choosing a reception venue is a no-brainer. So it was little surprise that the 1825 home and its lush gardens were booked last September for the nuptials of Virginia-residents Allison McCormick and Matt Wright (AKA “Mr. Wright,” jokes Allison). Allison, who had dreamed of a soirée designed around the grounds’ natural attributes and a marigold-colored, bird- and bloom-patterned fabric, approached Hannah Alexander and Ashley Wenz of WED to make the night cohesive. While the inspiration fabric was used for linens, pillows, and tent pole ties, a complementary jacquard covered lounge ottomans and more. And as for the rest? When word got around that Linda McCormick’s daughter was getting married, the local wedding community filled in the gaps. Rentals came from Loluma, Event DRS, and A Charleston Bride; florals from Sara York Grimshaw Designs, Tiger Lily, and Sue Jordan; and the list goes on. “We were amazed at the outpouring of support,” says Allison. Almost as amazed as the couple was with the entire day.

Vendor List

Baker: Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal, weddingcakesbyjimsmeal.com
Bar Service: Snyder, snyderbar.com
Bridal Gown: Modern Trousseau, www.moderntrousseau.com
Bridesmaid Attire: Bella Bridesmaid, www.bellabridesmaid.com
Caterer: The Compass Group, www.compass-usa.com
Florists: Sarah Grimshaw (church, bridal, and bridesmaids bouquets), www.sygdesigns.com; Tiger Lily (portrait bouquet), tigerlilyflorist.com
Groom and Groomsmens’ Attire: Jos. A Bank, www.josbank.com
Hair Stylist: Paper Dolls, mycharlestonweddinghair.com
Linens: La Tavola Linens, latavolalinen.com
Planners/Day of Coordinators: Hannah Alexander & Ashley Wenz, WED, www.charlestonevent.com
Makeup Artist: Paper Dolls, mycharlestonweddinghair.com
Musicians: String Trio, Chamber Music Charleston (ceremony), www.chambermusiccharleston.org; Fantasy Band (reception music), www.eastcoastentertainment.com
Photographer: Evan Laettner, www.evanlaettner.com
Pralines: Copper Pot Confections, www.copperpotconfections.com
Rentals: Event DRS, www.eventdrscharleston.com; WED (tables, pillows, décor), www.charlestonevent.com; Loluma (chandeliers) www.loluma.com; A Charleston Bride (linen settee and Louis XIV chairs, antique mirror, tables, ottomans, geometric fabric), www.acharlestonbride.co m
Sound and Multimedia: Cymark, www.cymarkav.com
Stationery: Elizabeth Porcher Jones (invitation calligraphy), www.elizabethporcherjones.com; Crayton-Heritage Letterpress (letterpress), www.heritageletterpress.co
Vintage China: Charleston Starfish, www.charlestonstarfish.com

The Wedding Row

March 26 2019

Jaclyn & Dustin | The Cedar Room

Houston-born Jaclyn and North Carolina-native Dustin were both living in Charlotte, North Carolina, when they were set up on a blind date. Jaclyn had very recently moved to the Queen City, and says...

March 25 2019

Jessie & Jared | Lowndes Grove Plantation

TWR: How and when did you meet? Jessie: This is a tough one. We both took a job with a technology company right out of college, which relocated us to Utah. Jared says he remembers meeting me the day...

March 22 2019

Lisa & Caleb | Cannon Green

It’s hard to keep tabs on these two. See if you can follow: New Jersey native Lisa met Maine-born Caleb in Vail, Colorado. Moves (throughout the United States and, in her case, even to London) led to...

March 21 2019

Wedding Flowers for Rent | Vendor Spotlight

One of the most preliminary steps in wedding planning involves the “B” word—budget. (Which, if we’re being honest, can be the other “B” word.) But we’ve got a way for flower lovers, those who need to...

March 20 2019

Deajsha & George | Merchants Hall

Y’all. Deajsha is a TRIP. We honestly don’t think we’ve ever gotten such over-the-moon descriptions of a romance, proposal, or wedding as we did with hers. Trust us, you have got to read her...

March 19 2019

Haley & Walker | Anniversary Session

We feature plenty of weddings and engagement shoots here on The Wedding Row, but it’s not very often that we get to share the story of a couple who’s been married for years. Today, though, we’re...

March 18 2019

Stephanie & Brandon | Lowndes Grove Plantation

When your first date lasts for six hours, you know there’s something good going. Such was the case for Chicagoans Stephanie and Brandon, who met on Bumble and headed out for happy hour drinks-turned-...

March 15 2019

Vande & Nate | Cannon Green

Although weddings are about the bride and groom trading vows and transforming into Mr. and Mrs., they’re also a great time for everyone to come together. That’s why Vande and Nate, who met when she...

Feature

A Parade of ’Maids

Putting the “party” into wedding party, attendant gowns get gorgeous by mirroring ready-to-wear fashion

Feature

Flower Power

This wedding’s colorful disco party theme set the tone for an evening of revelry

Feature

Pretty as a Princess

Classic looks for a Classic City

Feature

Partying Charleston-Style in the Big Apple

Enjoy a peek at our New York Bridal Market Kickoff Party, where we teamed with some of the Holy City’s best to bring Southern charm to Manhattan

Feature

Bold & Bright

Feel the love—and soak up one pretty palette—at this happiest of weddings on the Ashley River

Feature

Charleston Weddings - Summer 2025

Feature

Backyard Buffet

Elle McGee & John Kleckley; May 16, 2009, Private Home in Charleston

Feature

Top 10 Beat-the-Heat Beauty Finds

We asked the Lowcountry’s top hair and makeup professionals what products they carry in their bag of tricks that can withstand the heat and humidity. For a gorgeous glow and polished locks, check out their top picks. Bonus? The majority of the products are Charleston brands with enthusiastic national followings. Stock up with these tried-and-true besties and you've got your own glam squad