Signs of the Times

Fall/Winter 2013

WRITER CREDIT:

PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT:

Signs of the Times | Sara Lofton and Gregg Pavone, owners of Charleston-based Limelight Custom Sign Co., channel their talents into their Big Day at Boone Hall's Cotton Dock

Charleston Wedding Out of Hand wedding Big Day Boone Hall Plantation Boone Hall wine Co ooh! events Snyder Events Flowers gown favors WildFlour Pastry

NOW PLAYING: A screen-printed playbill-like invitation featured the Cotton Dock.

ORANGE YOU GLAD? Find Gregg's tie at Land's End.

LOVER'S STROLL: Sara found her dream dress—a strapless lace gown by Venus Bridals—from Condon's Bridal Boutique. Gregg looked handsome in his suit from Brooks Brothers and a tie from Lands' End.

PICTURE PERFECT: Timwill Photography had the couple play through a few poses to eventually net this reinterpretation of "American Gothic."

FLOWER POWER: Sara’s relatives arranged small bouquets to accompany the larger florals created by Ooh! Events.

BASKET CASE: Ooh!’s planners captured the couple’s vision of a rustic-chic reception by dressing farm tables with burlap runners and accenting them with antique apple baskets turned into lantern shades.

SPHERE OF INFLUENCE: Some time, plus twine, glue, and light kits from IKEA, led to a sea of homemade, homespun lanterns.

ROLL ON: In addition to a caterer, food truck Roti Rolls offered treats for the couple and their guests.

POM PARTY: Sara and her aunts made a cluster of paper pom-poms (see TheKitchn.com for step-by-step directions) to top the hummingbird cake from the Village Bakery.

NICE SHOT: Tiny pots de creme from WildFlour Pastry satisfied all chocolate cravings.

HEAT IT UP: Of course a DIY pair would serve a DIY dessert!

SECRET MESSAGE: "I had the words 'You and Me 3.9.12' embroidered in aqua blue on the inside of Gregg’s tie," says Sara, "in the hopes that if nerves started to creep in that a little reminder of 'It’s just you and me' might calm the butterflies."

TIP TOE THROUGH THE TULIPS: V-Tone players lent a little ukelele to the ceremony and reception before the DJ took over.

WISHFUL THINKING: The Cotton Dock's waterfront perch makes its back deck a great spot for shots and ceremonies, too.

STAMP IT OUT: The wedding’s tie-the-knot motif appeared on pretzel favor bags with custom, inked on text thanks to Simon’s Stamps.

Photographs by:

Timwill Photography

Sara Lofton & Gregg Pavone
March 9, 2012
Boone Hall Plantation's Cotton Dock

As owners of Charleston-based Limelight Custom Sign Co., it made sense for Sara Lofton and Gregg Pavone to channel their talents into their Big Day. While they created the invitations, favors, and signage, their most ambitious project was a collection of 20 twine lanterns for the reception area. “It was a ton of work and pretty messy, but they had exactly the impact I wanted,” Sara says. And while she and Gregg took a lot on themselves, they also relied on Ooh! Events for assistance. No stranger to enthusiastic DIYers, Ooh!’s Lisa Thomas says she often helps couples pare down overly ambitious project lists. “The day goes by so fast and thinking that you and your family can do too much creates undue stress,” Lisa says. “Planners steer you away from ‘penny wise and pound foolish’ situations and help you achieve your dream day.” In the end, says Sara, “People loved our wedding because it was so ‘us.’”

Vendor List

Bakers: WildFlour Pastry (pots de crème) www.wildflourpastrycharleston.com; Village Bakery (cakes) www.dinewithsal.com/village
Bridal Gown: Venus from Condon's Bridal Boutique, www.condonsbridal.com
Bride’s Hair Accessory: Out of Hand, www.outofhand.com
Caterers: Lowcountry Eats, www.lowcountryeats.com; Roti Rolls, www.iheartroti.com
DJs: DJ Cassidy and the Kid, djcassidyonthemix@gmail.com
Florists: Ooh! Events (bridal bouquet, select arrangements), www.oohevents.com; Charleston Flower Market (flowers) www.charlestonflowermarket.com
Getaway Vehicle: Charleston Black Cab Company, www.charlestonblackcabcompany.com
Groom's Suit: Brooks Brothers, www.brooksbrothers.com
Hair & Makeup: Stella Nova, www.stellanova.com
Linens: Ooh! Events, www.oohevents.com
Musicians: The V-Tones (ceremony & cocktail hour), noodlemcdoodle@yahoo.com
Photographer: Tim Willoughby; www.timwill.com
Rentals: Ooh! Events (décor), www.oohevents.com; Snyder Events (glassware, plates), www.snyderbar.com
Signage: Limelight Custom Sign Co., www.limelightsc.com
Stationery: Limelight Custom Sign Co. (design), www.limelightsc.com; John Pundt (printing), www.zen-grafix.com
Wedding Planner: Ooh! Events, www.oohevents.com
Wine & Bar Service: Spike by Snyder; www.snyderbar.com

The Wedding Row

January 29 2019

Mason & Alex | Boone Hall Plantation

What do you get when you mix a love for the outdoors with the inherent girly-girl style that comes when you run a hair and makeup company? Mason and Alex’s well-rounded wedding, of course! Bride...

January 28 2019

Chanel & Alex | Engagement Session

Chanel and Alex’s courtship reads like a rom-com, so buckle in for the ride. The two (he’s from Boston and she’s from Atlanta) met during their sophomore year at College of Charleston when Alex...

January 25 2019

Styled Shoot | Magnolia Plantation & Gardens

We love it when neighbors from “Off” come to Charleston with a fresh look at some of our favorite old stomping grounds to give brides ideas anew. That’s what we’re showcasing today, thanks to...

January 24 2019

Mindy & Matthew | Lowndes Grove Plantation

New Yorkers Mindy and Matt picked Charleston for a destination weekend a scant few months ago (his biz partner is based here, so they’d fallen for the city some time before). In proper Big City style...

January 23 2019

Meghan & Beau | Private Downtown Club

There are wedding hashtags, then there are neon signs for wedding hashtags! Meet Meghan and Beau, who are not only aces at hashtags but also so bold as to commission a neon sign reading #...

January 22 2019

Mary & Reid | Fenwick Hall

Ever wonder how a super fancy blockbuster wedding gets pieced together while still coming off as personal? We took a look at Mary and Reid’s fantastic Fenwick Hall wedding, planned exquisitely by...

January 21 2019

Devin & Scott | Lowndes Grove Plantation

So does all the heart candy in stores have anyone else out there seeing red–in the good way? Us, too. Thus we bring you Devin and Scott’s enchanting wedding at Lowndes Grove Plantation...

January 18 2019

Caitlin & Michael | The William Aiken House

Can we just say we love how Caitlin and Michael operate? The pair, who live outside Indianapolis, Indiana, wed on a Sunday last summer with a handful of family and little ones in tow at The William...

Feature

The Sunny Side

A Southern garden party-inspired Big Day

Feature

Backyard Goes Black-Tie

How does a native Charlestonian get married at home? Luxuriously!

Feature

Love & Charleston

A historic Broad Street home was transformed into a floral-filled oasis for this couple’s springtime soirée

Feature

Open-Air Elegance

Head to Spring Island for a stunning open-air fete where style meets sweet Southern details

Feature

Bon Appetit

<p> Serve up Charleston’s tastiest traditions at your wedding events</p>

Feature

Champagne Dreams

A sparkling Big Day full of Southern charm

Feature

Registries Get Real

The new Southern registry includes these Charleston accents

Feature

From the Mountains to the Sea

Rockville is a picturesque backdrop for a celebration soaked in sentiment

Feature

Welcome Home

A couple proves a backyard reception South of Broad (for nearly 400!) can be as gracious as it is blockbuster

Feature

A Shore Thing

Margaret Mueller & Christopher Hall; May 30, 2004, Isle of Palms

Feature

Listen Up, Ladies

Cool new rentals and favors, services and shops—all these Charleston finds are perfect for brides and fans of all things weddings

Feature

Presto Change-o!

Tara Guérard Soirée and LulaKate teamed up to create a custom bridesmaid ensemble that went from formal ceremony to garden party reception. Here’s what they fashioned (plus a few bonus accessories Tara recently fell for)

Feature

'Tis the Season

With a ceremony in her childhood church, a reception (for 350!) at the beach club where she grew up, a groom who’s her best friend, this winter wedding was all this bride could hope for