Life Imitates Art

Spring 2013

WRITER CREDIT:

PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT:

Life Imitates Art | Ashley Allen & Gavin Stark, May 12, 2012, Belin Memorial United Methodist Church and Kimbels at Wachesaw Plantation

JoS. A. Bank wedding wedding planning weddings Flowers gown modern trousseau Pearl

Life Imitates Art

BUTTONED UP: Buttons mimicking those of the gown ran down five tiers of the confection, which was made by Myra Ranta of Incredible Edibles on Pawleys Island. While the dessert fed 200 guests, there were 100 more attendees at the wedding. The couple planned for this by having slices of "kitchen cake" (sheet cake) plated and served at the same time at the showpiece confection.

BACK STORY: Ashley took lace samples of her gown (and photos of details like the buttons and beaded belt) to her baker who then made molds of the material to best replicate the patterns.

PRETTY AS A PICTURE: Bride Ashley Allen gown came from Modern Trousseau's King Street shop, one of the brand's three flagship stores. Designer Callie Tein is especially known for her prowess with lace.

SMART MOVES: A close look at the cake reveals its sparkling accents are reminiscent of Ashley's belt, and shows the slight pink hue of the flowers, which mimicked her bouquet.

PAPER PERFECT: Sixpence Press designed an elegant letterpress suite that set the tone for the formal occasion. “I cannot say enough about the invitations,” says Ashley, an avid fan of all things paper.

TOP CHOICE: “The location was easy,” says bride Ashley. “Being married at my church was always the most important thing.”

FEELS LIKE HOME: Aside from custom floral arrangements, the interior of the church maintained its traditional look and familiar charm that Ashley had known and loved since childhood.

SIMPLE TOUCH: Fresh bouquets of blush-colored roses, tulips, and daffodils mixed with bright green fern leaves dressed up the aisle for the ceremony.

PRETTY IN PINK: “I was channeling Julia Roberts in Steel Magnolias,” says Ashley who from the get-go requested pink as one of her colors—an essential to a palette she names, “blush and bashful.” The formal floral arrangement at the church’s entrance featured a blush array of roses, peonies, and tulips.

BLACK AND WHITE: Gavin donned a white tuxedo and bowtie for a classic look.

DAPPER DUDES: The groomsmen also wore white tuxedos, a neutral complement to the blush palette.

BLUE BELLES: Matron of Honor Sarah Allen (the bride’s sister-in-law) suggested a pale version of Tiffany blue for the bridesmaids’ dresses. The one-shouldered chiffon Bari Jay dresses made for an airy, feminine look well suited for the springtime affair.

SOMETHING BLUE: The bride wore bright blue peep-toe pumps adding a pop of color to her Big Day look.

FANCY FEET: Pairing brilliant sapphire-colored shoes and pretty pink toes with her white gown made for a fun yet glamorous touch.

WATERSIDE BEAUTY: “Being on the water in both locations was important not only for their natural beauty, but the marsh and river hold such wonderful memories for us,” says Ashley, posing here for pictures with her girls before the ceremony.

BRIGHTEN UP: Florist Louis Hodge arranged bright pink and green bridal bouquets with peonies and roses adding a vibrant touch to the softer shades of blue and white.

READY TO GO: The bride prepares for her grand entrance as her bridesmaids’ follow. The cascading trains of the bridesmaids’ dresses complemented the elegant bridal train of Ashley’s Modern Trousseau gown.

PEP TALK: “She had just turned two right before the wedding,” says Ashley of her niece and flower girl Ada Cathryn, who walked down the aisle hand-in-hand with her mother, Matron of Honor Sarah Allen.

PETITE PRINTS: These fashionable young ladies dressed up in Lilly Pulitzer printed frocks for the occasion.

DOLL FACE: “She looked like a little doll!” says bride Ashley of Ada Cathryn Allen. Toting a kissing ball, the flower girl waits patiently for her aunt’s nuptials with Gavin Stark.

FROM THIS DAY FORWARD: “It was a great start for happily ever after and an experience that I will forever cherish,” says bride Ashley.

GLASS FACADE: Monograms appeared etched on the floral vases thanks to stick-on letters—a budget-friendly, DIY element to personalize the table settings. “I still have people ask me what I do with all those vases with “S” on them!” laughs Ashley.

BOTANICAL BUCKET: Flowers were placed in metal buckets that were painted white to create a casual look for the outdoor tables at the waterfront reception.

FLOWER POWER: “Looking back at the pictures, the flowers were perfect; their colors and depth all came together,” says Ashley.

FOR THE TOAST: Champagne flutes garnished with blooms and tied with pretty pink ribbon were used for the bride and groom’s toast after cutting the cake.

SHOWPIECE CONFECTION: Myra Ranta of Incredible Edibles made molds of the lace swatch Ashley brought her from her Modern Trousseau gown to replicate the designs on the buttercream-iced cake.

WISHING TREE: Guest left their well-wishes for the bride and groom on ribbon-tied cards and hung them on branches of a floral arrangement.

FLY AWAY: The wish cards caught the outdoor breeze for a whimsical effect.

LET SPARKS FLY: Matchbook favors with the wedding date allowed guests to light sparklers for the couple’s exit.

COOL RIDE: Ashley and Gavin’s getaway car was a borrowed Ford convertible.

HAPPY ENDING: Of the night, “I wouldn’t change a thing,” says the bride. “I’m a very lucky girl.”

February 2013

Real-Life Weddings

Receptions

A Murrells Inlet bride falls hard for her designer gown, so much so that she commissions a wedding cake after its lacey details

Photographs by:

Diana Deaver Weddings

Five years of friendship turned into a romance for Ashley Allen and Gavin Stark, and after seven months of dating, he proposed on the Marsh Walk at Murrells Inlet where the two live. In no time, Ashley launched into wedding planning, and she soon fell for a gown she tried on in Modern Trousseau’s King Street boutique. The frock—with its floral lace, bolero, and glittering beaded belt—was so striking, she gave a swatch of the material and photos of the details to baker Myra Ranta of Incredible Edibles on Pawleys Island with the hope that Myra could create a magnificently decorated cake that would act as a focal point for the reception. Sketches led to a five-tiered confection sporting seed-pearl-like beads, glittering flowers, and patterns that perfectly matched the lace on Ashley’s gown. There was even a row of buttons down the back. Ashley, who didn’t see the final product until she and Gavin walked into the reception, says she was stunned. “I was blown away,” she says. “It was just beautiful!” Her only regret? Not eating more of it on the actual day. “I am not a huge ‘sweets’ person,” says Ashley, “but oh my goodness, this lady can make a cake!”

Vendor List

Baker: Myra Ranta of Incredible Edibles in Pawley’s Island, SC; www.incredibleediblecakes.com
Bridal attire: Modern Trousseau; www.moderntrousseausc.com
Bridesmaid attire: Bari Jay; www.barijay.com
Caterer: Kimbels at Wachesaw Plantation; www.wachesaw.com
Ceremony venue: Belin Memorial United Methodist Church in Murrells Inlet; www.belinumc.org
Florist: Louis Hodge
Groom & Groomsmen's attire: Jos. A. Banks; www.josbank.com
Musicians: Right to Party; www.righttoparty.com
Photographer: Diana Deaver Weddings; www.dianadeaverweddings.com
Reception venue: Kimbels at Wachesaw Plantation; www.wachesaw.com
Stationery: Sixpence Press; www.sixpencepress.com
Wedding Planner: Bride’s mother

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