Technicolor Dream

Spring/Summer 2013

WRITER CREDIT:

Victoria Friedman

PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT:

Suggs Photography

Technicolor Dream | Catherine Dickson & Zack Stergar, November 25, 2011, The Legare Waring House

Charleston Wedding JoS. A. Bank fashion wedding Legare Waring House Bella Vista Bridal

SOMETHING OLD: Catherine tied on her mother’s flowered wedding gown sash. Zack wore a JoS. A. Bank suit.

HAIR FLAIR: The bride’s sweetest something borrowed? Lace flowers that once adorned Catherine’s mother’s gown, which she pinned in her hair above her veil.

NO ORDINARY GROUP: Catherine told Debi Brickell of First Bloom of Charleston that she wanted a bouquet that looked like wild flowers—a vision the florist realized by combining a sea of Monte Casinos with palmetto roses (the same ones, in fact, that Zack gave to Catherine the day he proposed). The bunch was held in place by lace from Catherine’s mother’s own wedding gown.

PERFECT MATCH: With a delicate mix of daisies, Monte Casinos, and sweet grass roses, the groom’s boutonniere mirrored the bride’s bouquet. The special significance of the daisy? Not only is it Catherine’s favorite flower, but Zack says he often gifts bouquets of the posy to his girl.

OPEN-DOOR POLICY: The backdrop for the ceremony—a 10-foot historic iron gate and two old green shutters—was custom-made by the bride’s uncle, Ron Rader of Antebellum Restoration in Prosperity, South Carolina.

HANGING OUT: Lanterns from Loluma dangled from the venue’s giant oaks.

A WORK OF ART: Catherine says she spent months scouring vintage stores for all the elements of their DIY wedding, including vintage watercolors of Holy City scenes. This décor idea inspired the bride to create her own drawing of their ceremony site, which she gifted to her husband-to-be.

YO-YO, MA: Catherine and her mom scoured flea markets for yo-yo quilts to add color and pattern throughout the reception.

DAPPER DRAPING: Vintage lace and quilt remnants added bursts of color and texture (not to mention comfort) to bench backs.

EASY AS ABC: Fabric-covered letters (“C & Z”) from Anthropologie added to the mishmash of colors and prints.

A GOOD SIGN: Catherine’s uncle Ron Rader, owner of Antebellum Restorations in Prosperity, South Carolina, made signs for the couple from salvaged wood. The gift now hangs in the newlyweds’ home.

BOTTLED UP: “I wanted each arrangement to be unique, colorful, and have a loose, wildflower look,” says Catherine, who relied on First Bloom of Charleston to make it so.

PILLOW TALK: Lounge pieces from Loluma took on a homey vibe when topped with mix-and-match pillows of varying shapes and materials.

FLOWER POWER: The three-tiered confection by Twenty Six Divine was dressed with daisies, miniature palmetto roses, and a vintage cake topper.

A KISS GOODNIGHT: Guests tossed sprigs of lavender on the newlyweds just before they jumped into their getaway car.

Photographs by:

Suggs Photography

Since Catherine, from Columbia, South Carolina, and Zack, from Richmond, Virginia, fell in love and got engaged in Charleston, a Lowcountry wedding was the only thing that made sense to them. With the destination picked and the venue (the Legare Waring House) booked, Catherine and her mother teamed up to fashion a wedding where vintage charm met rustic elegance. Rather than choosing a distinct palette, they gravitated toward pops of cheery color and cozy textures. In the end, their vision played out with yo-yo quilts tossed over lounge furniture; fresh blooms tucked into clusters of flea market bottles and compotes; peppy daisies sprouting here and there; and homespun, patch-worked pillows placed atop cushy seats. Add an altar made from an iron gate by a loving uncle and burlap gift totes topped with quilted rounds (and filled with lavender to toss upon the couple’s exit), and you’ve got a quintessential handmade wedding celebrating love, family, and laid-back style.

Vendor List

Altar, reception cards, and signage: Ron Rader of Antebellum Restorations
Baker: Twenty Six Divine; www.twentysixdivine.com
Bride’s attire: Bella Vista Bridal; www.bellavistabridal.com
Catering: Newton Farms Catering; www.newtonfarmscatering.com
Ceremony music: Palmetto Strings; www.palmettostrings.com
Ceremony and reception location: The Legare Waring House; www.legarewaringhouse.com
Day-of coordination: Melissa Lunsford of Charleston Celebrations LLC; www.charlestoncelebrations.com
Florist: Debi Brickell of First Bloom of Charleston; www.firstbloom.com
Groom’s attire: JoS. A. Bank; www.josbank.com
Lighting and lounge rentals: Loluma; www.loluma.com
Photo booth: ShutterBooth; www.shutterbooth.com/charleston
Photographer: Suggs Photography; www.suggsphotography.com
Rentals (not including lounge): Event Works; www.eventworksrentals.com
Transportation: Charleston Black Cab Company; www.charlestonblackcabcompany.com

The Wedding Row

September 18 2019

Brynne & Alex | The Gibbes Museum of Art

It’s hump day, and to help you get through the rest of the week—you. can. do. it.—we’re bringing you all the pretty (and then some) from Brynne and Alex’s Big Day at The Gibbes Museum of Art. Though...

September 16 2019

Carly & Nick | Cannon Green

September 10 2019

Kelley & Aaron | Private Residence

We had a brief hurricane hiatus (ugh, Dorian), but we’re back in full action and bringing you the backyard summer soirée of your dreams. So, grab your drink and kick up your heels for this A-plus...

September 4 2019

Keely & Poole | Engagement Session

Cue the “awwws” because we’ve got an endearing engagement shoot filled with love, nose boops, and … potatoes. Yep, that’s what Keely was seasoning one random Friday evening when Poole got down on one...

September 2 2019

Erin & Andrew | Boone Hall Plantation

We’re kicking off this four-day week with an ever-so glamorous wedding filled with southern hospitality, sequins, and more florals than a girl could ever dream of. Seriously. Erin and Andrew met one...

August 30 2019

Karen & Andy | Lowndes Grove Plantation

Alrighty everyone, we’re kicking off this Friday on a fabulous note. There is so much goodness wrapped up in this waterside wedding and you will be amazed at every last detail. We certainly were....

August 28 2019

Lee & Andrew | The Cedar Room

The day that Lee, Andrew, and their adorable son, Camon, all became one was for sure a day to remember. Check out the elegantly rustic greenery hanging above the space at The Cedar Room that the very...

August 27 2019

Samantha & Drew | Engagement Session

My, oh my. This Charleston engagement shoot has our wedding-loving hearts bursting at the seams. Historic downtown buildings, two elegantly blue-hued wardrobes, the breezy Folly Beach air, AND two...

Feature

On the Surface

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

Feature

Letter Perfect

With pen and printing press, local artisans create wedding stationery suites for the ages

Feature

Shop the Latest Looks in Bridal Gowns

Charleston bridal boutique experts present their favorite new wedding dresses

Feature

A Warm Welcome

Lowcountry love rules this kick-your-feet-up Mount Pleasant fête

Feature

Belle of the Ball

Two sweethearts (who met at the national deb ball) pull out all the stops for a properly perfect Southern spring wedding

Feature

Big Doings

A pair of crafty engineers plan a DIY wedding for the ages... and a bride scores a start-up business in the process

Feature

Good Tidings

Let the holidays fill your winter wedding with a cozy, festive look

Feature

Perfect Pivot

Feature

7 Beauty Musts for Mothers of the Bride (or Groom!)

Show off that gorgeous self of yours with these do's and don'ts

Feature

Red, White, & True Blue

Lauren Chobanian & Michael Madigan; May 26, 2007, St. Mary of the Annunciation Roman Catholic Church & Middleton Place

Feature

Strapping Ladies

Bare your shoulders with confidence thanks to spaghetti-straps

Feature

Twist of Fate

What's the bigger story: That these two hosted an ultra luxe wedding for 20? Or that he originally meant to ask out her near lookalike sister?

Feature

One of a Kind

When a California-born banker and a Minnesota dairy farmer turned fighter pilot trade vows, they make it one for the books

Feature

Just the Two of Us

Forget the courthouse, Pure Luxe Bride’s intimate “Curated Elopements” offer all the trappings of a wedding without the hassle of planning it.

Feature

Sweet Escape

Rockville Retreat proves a playground for a season of confetti-hued wedding wear. Slip into these stunning looks for your summer rehearsal, ceremony, reception, or getaway exit