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

December 11 2019

Natalie & Matthew | The Gadsden House

Pittsburgh residents Natalie and Matthew met the old-school way—sans dating apps. They instead met in person, a rarity these days. While playing darts at a local watering hole, Matt’s friend was...

December 10 2019

Melissa & Elliott | The Cedar Room

Although Elliott and Melissa met each other in an MBA fellowship program, their relationship wouldn’t take off until a few years later. Being in the same program, they had naturally amassed a lot of...

December 9 2019

Brittany & Kyle | Boone Hall Plantation

Dating etiquette has told us that guys should make the first move, right? Well, in the case of Brittany and Kyle, she was the one that made the first official move and we couldn’t be any prouder. The...

December 6 2019

Ashley & Christopher | Boone Hall Plantation

Friday at last, my friends. And with that, we thought we’d share a super sweet wedding with you featuring a bride (duh!), a groom (of course), and their wee little boy named Bear. You may have seen a...

December 5 2019

Meg & Richard | Bowens Island Restaurant

Charleston’s hotshot lawyers Meg and Richard chose Bowens Island Restaurant to exchange vows and party the night away this past April. “There is something so beautifully simple and genuine about...

December 4 2019

Lacey & Jason | Lowndes Grove

If you’re as excited for the holidays as us, then you’ll love this winter-wonderland inspired wedding where pine boughs, branches with red berries, and tree ornament butler cards brought seasonal...

December 3 2019

Elise & Mike | The Dewberry

Sighhhh … was that loud enough for you? We are trying to convey to you in any and every which way possible how truly marvelous Elise and Mike’s rooftop Dewberry wedding was. As soon as...

December 2 2019

Anthony & Cayleigh | Engagement Session

It’s always a special, special day when we get to feature one of our own, or in today’s bride Cayleigh’s case, one of our formers. Cayleigh, the lead planner and owner of Charleston...

Feature

Share the Love

<p>Donate your wedding florals after the Big Day</p>

Feature

Love Blossoms

Inspired by a chinoiserie wallpaper pattern, the florals at this Aiken House stunner stole the show

Feature

Bowled Over

A West Ashley teen crafts pottery perfect for wedding and bridesmaid gifts

Feature

Blue & White & Just Right

Rebecca Mann & Mark Joye, February 27, 2010, St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Hibernian Hall

Feature

Elevate Your Taste

Wood turner Ashley Harwood crafts custom cake stands that you’ll love long after the last crumb is gone

Feature

Meant to Be

An army lieutenant from Burlington, Wisconsin, and a fashion designer from Hickory, North Carolina, host a modern fête amid centuries of history

Feature

Fur-Ever "I Do's"

Add laughs and levity to your wedding when you include your pets

Feature

Beachy Keen

Caroline Brown & Ryan Bergh; December 5, 2009, Edisto Beach

Feature

Banking on Good Ideas

Serving as her own planner and stylist, one Magnolia Plantation and Gardens bride schools us on delivering a cohesive DIY Big Day

Feature

Orange Twist

Kristen Reavis & Chetan Patel; June 20, 2009, Second Presbyterian Church & The William Aiken House

Feature

He Loves Me...

Event designer Lisa Thomas of Out of Hand offers crafty ideas on how to use the plucky daisy as your wedding theme

Feature

Top It Off

Feast your eyes on this treasure chest of jewels ranging from ultra-fine to utterly fashionable. Whether you’re dressing for your wedding or any of the myriad events leading up to it, these pieces add polish—and panache

Feature

Local Color

What do you do when you work with weddings and suddenly it’s your turn? Celebrate amidst a sea of wonderful color in Charleston

Feature

Rich in Love

Two foodies—he’s worked at Oceana, The Obstinate Daughter, and Wild Olive and she’s penning her first cookbook—tie the knot on All Hallows’ Eve at the bride’s family home on Sullivan’s Island