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

November 28 2018

Lacey & Jason | Engagement Session

The Wedding Row: How did you and Jason meet? Lacey: We met at work and I had no interest in him at first. I had affectionately called him “Eyebrow Man” given the thick, bushy unibrow...

November 27 2018

Aly & Dan | Charleston Belmond Place

The Wedding Row: Let’s start from the beginning … Aly: Like many modern-day couples we swiped right, engaged in some initial messaging, and decided to go out on a date. We met at a sushi restaurant...

November 26 2018

Styled Shoot | Wingate Plantation

To help you ease into the work week after Thanksgiving (raise your coffee if you’re still dreaming of turkey and dressing and naps), join us as we say “Hello” to one of Charleston’s newest wedding...

November 23 2018

Jennifer & Brad | Legare Waring House

The Wedding Row: Alright, start us from the beginning. How did you and Brad meet? Jennifer: We met in the Fall of 2013 unexpectedly through mutual friends at my all-time favorite Mexican restaurant....

November 21 2018

Andrea & Gustavo | Anniversary Session

Boy, do we have a sweet one for you all. In the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday (ah, tomorrow!), we’re feeling extra thankful this year–not only for our readers, but for the talented weddings...

November 19 2018

Taylor & Andrew | Boone Hall Plantation

Taylor and Andrew met one another when they were at Georgia Southern University (she was on the swim team and he was the pitcher on the baseball team). Fast forward to four years later, Taylor was...

November 17 2018

Charleston’s Top Bridal Boutiques

We don’t know about you all, but when the weather’s chilly and with the holidays are right around the corner, there’s nothing we want to do more than pop inside the most hoppin’ boutiques around town...

November 15 2018

Samantha & Sean | Cannon Green

Get ready, gals, because today’s couple is bringing some serious glamour to the blog. After Richmond natives Samantha and Sean got engaged (he surprised her with a sparkly something during a girl’s...

Feature

The Perfect Blend

Learn how, despite cultural or religious differences, tying the knot can pay homage to your individuality as well as your union

Feature

Vera Wang: Fall 2014

Feature

The Ultimate After-Party?

Charleston influencers Andrea Serrano and Liz Martin stage the bridal luncheon they say you need

Feature

Love Is Patient

To ready themselves for their wedding (and marriage) this couple turned to an old origami tradition

Feature

Strike Gold

Love a bold hue like gold? Work it into your wedding in unexpected ways and temper it with anchor colors

Feature

A Seaside Ceremony for Two

This intimate elopement on Folly Beach might be your dream day

Feature

RESPECT

See how this Southern Belle bride shows how to honor—and include—your grandparents (and other elders) at your wedding

Feature

The Sunny Side

A Southern garden party-inspired Big Day

Feature

Down-to-Earth

<p> Lee Deas & Dave Brown, April 16, 2011, Sugah Cain Plantation</p>

Feature

Romona Keveza: “Lace Through the Decades” Fall 2014 Collection

Feature

Miami Heat

A Sunshine State couple brings the heat to their al fresco wedding at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens

Feature

Amazing Lace

As lace makes a bigger statement in bridal couture, Jean Brueser, owner of Jean-Paul’s Creative Cakes, artfully incorporated the intricate, delicate, and oh-so-feminine embellishments to these inspired confections.