Graphic Design

Spring/Summer 2013

WRITER CREDIT:

Charleston Weddings Staff

PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT:

Timothy Merrick Events

Graphic Design | Ashley Reid and John Martin, October 15, 2011, Kensington Plantation

Out of Hand diy wedding wedding Snyder Event Rentals bouquets Clewis Reid ooh! events diy Flowers gown Full Moon JCrew

THUMBS UP: Ashley hand-stamped a heart (formed by her and John’s fingerprints) on invitations made from sheets of sycamore wood veneer and tied with baker’s twine.

STREET SIGNS: Sullivan’s Island residents Ashley and John are both surfing enthusiasts—a common interest that was present at their ceremony by way of this board casually leaned against a tree at the entrance of the venue. Adorned with a wooden arrow, the board directed guests to the driveway.

OPEN AIR AFFAIR: Kensington Plantation has no plantation home on the grounds—just a few small private houses—so for the reception, the couple outfitted the grounds in tents.

LOCAL THREADS: Ashley donned Callie Tein’s “Faye” gown from Modern Trousseau and a headband from Out of Hand. John and his son, Louin, wore suits from Berlin’s for Men.

ALL IN LINE: The bridesmaids’ J.Crew dresses inspired the black and white theme. “I liked the graphic element because it was just so unique,” Ashley says. The groom’s and groomsmen’s ties, from Harper Poe’s Proud Mary, were a masculine match.

HEY, GOOD LOOKIN’: John and his groomsmen wore khaki-colored suits from Berlin’s for Men. Of the ties Ashley says, “When I saw Harper’s Proud Mary black and white-striped ties, I knew it was a sign.”

BEAUTY BALLERINA: Flower girls rocked RETULLED tutus and Crewcuts black and white striped cardigans from J.Crew.

THE PERFECT FIT: The petals on Ashley’s flower headpiece from Out of Hand mimicked the sheer overlay of Callie Tein’s “Faye” gown from Modern Trousseau. Adding to the black and white theme was the dramatic black sash that finished the gown.

BLOOMING JOY: Though Ashley’s mother arranged all of the décor florals, the bouquets and boutonnieres were fashioned by Ooh! Events.

SUIT YOUR FANCY: Ashley says that as a designer, she is inspired by bold graphics, so it’s fitting that she chose these back and white striped bridesmaids dresses.

SPECIALS BOARD: For bar signage, Ashley glued striped fabric and burlap to thrift store chalkboards and inked on the offerings.

HAPPY HUES: Colorful dahlias tucked into vintage bottles softened the otherwise black and white palette.

EASY LIVING: Mason jars delivered the “rustic, elegant, and fun” vibe Ashley says she and John were aiming for.

STUNNING SET: Burlap-covered tables were brightened by dahlias and accented with votive candles set at various heights.

TAKE A SPIN: The black and white theme made its way to the bar setup by way of these grayscale candy cane striped straws.

LIGHT THE WAY: Ashley says, “I’m a sucker for some soft, romantic lighting.” She sprinkled simple votive candles throughout the décor—here, lining them within a rustic metal vessel.

LOVE SEAT: Ashley says that one of their top priorities was “creating an unfussy, casual air with rustic and unique details,” like the daybeds used as seating in the reception’s lounge areas. The beds, which belonged to Kensington Plantation, were dressed in vintage linens and adorned with paper garlands.

TRIM THE TREE: Oak trees were illuminated by 20 paper lanterns, hung and lit by the bride and groom themselves.

THE WORLD’S A STAGE: Ashley says of the reception: “John set up an amazing system in the trees over the stage and dance floor to suspend the string lights perfectly over the dance floor, just as I had envisioned.”

ON THEIR WAY: Guests showered the newlyweds in sparkles as they exited the reception. What came next for the couple? A honeymoon in Cabo San Lucas.

Though their professional passions fall on different pages (she’s the talent behind the clothing and jewelry design company Clewis Reid, and he’s an arborist), within a year of dating, Ashley Reid and John Martin had discovered a covey of common interests, from surfing and camping to cooking and more. “We found we make a pretty good team,” says Ashley. That teamwork came in handy when the Sullivan’s Island pair planned an almost entirely DIY wedding in three months. Drawing on their individual skills, she designed the invites and signage, while he trimmed limbs and hung bee traps at their chosen outdoor venue. When the day came, the couple exchanged vows between tree trunks that John had hollowed out and the bride’s mom had filled with flowers. Afterward, with a full moon overhead, they celebrated on a torch-lit dance floor. “It was so rewarding when it all came together,” Ashley says.

Vendor List

Bride’s attire: Callie Tein’s "Faye" gown; www.moderntrousseau.com, headpiece from Out of Hand; www.shopoutofhand.com
Bridesmaids’ attire: J.Crew; www.jcrew.com
Catering: Caroline Bevon; www.carolinesmarket.com
Day-of-coordination: Christy Loftin; www.christyloftin.com
Florist (bouquets and boutonnieres): Ooh! Events; www.oohevents.com
Flower girls’ attire: RETULLED tutus; www.retulledtutus.com, Crewcuts cardigans; www.jcrew.com
Groom’s and groomsmen’s attire: Berlin’s for Men; www.berlinsclothing.com, ties from Proud Mary; www.proudmary.org
Musicians: Scott McCall, Chris Crosby; www.charlestonduo.com
Photography: Timothy Merrick Events; www.timothymerrickevents.com
Rentals: Snyder Event Rentals; www.snydereventrentals.com

The Wedding Row

February 20 2019

Rachel & Shaun | Harborside East

The Wedding Row: Tell us about how you met. Rachel: It was in Nashville, and Shaun was there on weekend trip for a University of Georgia-Vandy football game. I was there on a whim, on an impromptu...

February 19 2019

Paxton & Ryan | Engagement Session

Ryan and Paxton chose Charleston for their engagement photos because the city holds a special place in the heart—if he hadn’t been a Citadel cadet, the two may never have met. Here’s how they came to...

February 18 2019

Allison & Josh | Wingate Plantation

Allison and Josh met at a two-stepping bar, so we would expect nothing less than a seriously Southern wedding from the two, and as you can tell from the photos, they did not disappoint. After Josh...

February 15 2019

Taylor & Bennett | Rehearsal Dinner

North Carolina natives Taylor and Bennett met when the two were sophomores at N.C. State. Five years after they had become an item, they were in Manhattan where, says Bennett, “The ring was burning a...

February 14 2019

Carly & Chris | The Dewberry

After going to the same high school in Spring Lake, New Jersey, Carly and Chris’s paths finally intersected long after graduation at a mutual friend’s house. “Late nights drinking and playing games...

February 13 2019

Emily & Daniel | The Gadsden House

Trust us when we say that you won’t find a more low-key pair than these two. Nashville, Tennessee couple Emily and Daniel wanted an intimate, family-only wedding for their Big Day, and they chose to...

February 12 2019

Stephanie & Bryan | Lowndes Grove Plantation

OK, prepare yourselves—this is a sweet one. It began when Stephanie was working at the front desk of a chiropractor’s office in the Philadelphia area, one that Bryan’s father frequented. Bryan’s dad...

February 11 2019

Katie & Zane | Harborside East

You really can’t beat Charleston’s sunset views over the water, and Katie and Zane’s nuptials at Harborside East took full advantage of just that with the gorgeous harbor as their backdrop. The...

Feature

Get the Latest Buzz

From shop openings to custom accessories, check out what’s happening in bridal beauty and fashion around town

Feature

On the Surface

Lace, beading, embroidery, and more give texture (and depth) to monochromatic gowns

Feature

Budget, Meet Bliss

Amy Clark & Scott Kohn, May 7, 2012, Creek Club at I’On

Feature

Meant to Be

An army lieutenant from Burlington, Wisconsin, and a fashion designer from Hickory, North Carolina, host a modern fête amid centuries of history

Feature

New-School Tradition

When a belle of an old-guard Charleston family opts for a pre-ceremony “first look” with her groom, it means times are changing. See why a sneak peek worked for Kathleen Hay and Andrew Hagood, and why you might follow suit

Feature

Saving the Day - 4

Local event planners share their expertise on how to avoid or overcome wedding-day mishaps.

Feature

How to Set Your Lowcountry Wedding Budget & Save

Follow these five simple steps to learn where to put your Big Day dollars…and how to stretch them

Feature

Affairs to Remember - Woodland Fairy Tale

Imagine yourself in a woodland feast reception under the oaks

Feature

Wedding Shower

In October 2015, it was the 1,000-year flood. This year, it was Hurricane Matthew. Bummer for Big Days? We think not. See how this couple—one of many—proves love trumps any storm that rolls into Charleston