The moment Jack Kirby picked up the ring he’d designed for Kiersten Weiss, his proposal plans snowballed. Driving straight from the jeweler to the bar where she enjoyed after-work drinks, he dropped to one knee. “He just didn’t want to wait,” laughs Kiersten. Ten months later, these Colorado ski pros wed during a lively celebration at Kiawah Island’s River Course clubhouse. From the “beer boy,” who walked down the aisle tossing Coors to the crowd, to an ice luge carved as their favorite mountain, this fun-loving couple infused their day with winks toward their vibrant personalities.
In creating their aesthetic, Kiersten relied on her design background to artfully mix patterns. The bride worked with planner Ellen Robinson and vendors Stradley Davidson, BBJ La Tavola, and Nuage Designs to thoughtfully select linens that embodied her bold vision. “Kiersten wanted something playful and fresh,” says Robinson. “Pattern makes a big impact, especially in a large space, and blending multiple patterns keeps the wedding from feeling like a corporate event.”
Kiersten’s wild designs for the stationery suite even landed her a few freelance projects following their nuptials. Here, the savvy graphic designer shares tips for mixing patterns in unexpected ways to bring a wedding to life.
Charleston Weddings (CW): What inspired your mix-and-match design?
Kiersten Kirby (KK): Getting married is fun and exciting! We wanted the whole vibe to feel bright and a little eclectic. So we encouraged guests to dress in “fun formal attire,” and our location on the 18th green of the golf course inspired a slightly preppy look.
CW: What guidelines did your design follow?
KK: I focused on layering patterns and textures to create big design moments. My motto was “big pattern, small pattern.” For example, on the dining tables, I used a large jade trellis print alongside a tight pinstripe. A textured pink napkin and cabbage plates added a more organic feel against the stripes and geometric pattern.
CW: How do you create continuity while being playful with patterns?
KK: Choosing one consistent aspect, like the color palette, allows you to mix up other elements. I opted for pink and green then went from there, trusting that it would all come together in the end.
CW: What are some creative places to incorporate patterns at a wedding?
KK: It’s easy to overlook linens on the cake table or behind the bar. We also had an ice luge, so that table needed a tablecloth, as did the little pedestal where we did our speeches. If you include those in the scheme, they’re no longer afterthoughts but, instead, contributions to the design. The stationery suite also offers an opportunity to get creative. Our dessert menus were striped, alligators decorated the table numbers, and a welcome sign featured penguins holding cocktail trays. Animals became a theme for us, simply because they looked cute. There doesn’t have to be a story behind every detail—it’s also okay to include elements just because you like them.
CW: What advice would you give someone wanting to experiment with patterns?
KK: Be brave! Allow yourself to have fun with the design, and rest assured that your special day will be inherently meaningful, even if every detail isn’t infused with meaning. Let it be an expression of joy and celebration. Trust your choices, and trust your wedding planner.
Vendors
Venue: Kiawah Island Club River Course
Planning & Design: Ellen Robinson Events
Photography: Justin Leon Brown
Florals: Festoon
Linens: Stradley Davidson, BBJ La Tavola, Nuage Designs
Dinnerware: Emerson James
Rentals: Curated Events
Stationery & Signage: Kiersten Weiss Stationery Designs, Haley Carrere (liner illustration)
Bridal Attire: Lela Rose (gown), Chanel (shoes)
Groom’s Attire: J. Press (blazer), Ferragamo (tie)
