Graphic Design

Spring/Summer 2013

WRITER CREDIT:

Charleston Weddings Staff

PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT:

Timothy Merrick Events

Graphic Design | Ashley Reid and John Martin, October 15, 2011, Kensington Plantation

Out of Hand diy wedding wedding Snyder Event Rentals bouquets Clewis Reid ooh! events diy Flowers gown Full Moon JCrew

THUMBS UP: Ashley hand-stamped a heart (formed by her and John’s fingerprints) on invitations made from sheets of sycamore wood veneer and tied with baker’s twine.

STREET SIGNS: Sullivan’s Island residents Ashley and John are both surfing enthusiasts—a common interest that was present at their ceremony by way of this board casually leaned against a tree at the entrance of the venue. Adorned with a wooden arrow, the board directed guests to the driveway.

OPEN AIR AFFAIR: Kensington Plantation has no plantation home on the grounds—just a few small private houses—so for the reception, the couple outfitted the grounds in tents.

LOCAL THREADS: Ashley donned Callie Tein’s “Faye” gown from Modern Trousseau and a headband from Out of Hand. John and his son, Louin, wore suits from Berlin’s for Men.

ALL IN LINE: The bridesmaids’ J.Crew dresses inspired the black and white theme. “I liked the graphic element because it was just so unique,” Ashley says. The groom’s and groomsmen’s ties, from Harper Poe’s Proud Mary, were a masculine match.

HEY, GOOD LOOKIN’: John and his groomsmen wore khaki-colored suits from Berlin’s for Men. Of the ties Ashley says, “When I saw Harper’s Proud Mary black and white-striped ties, I knew it was a sign.”

BEAUTY BALLERINA: Flower girls rocked RETULLED tutus and Crewcuts black and white striped cardigans from J.Crew.

THE PERFECT FIT: The petals on Ashley’s flower headpiece from Out of Hand mimicked the sheer overlay of Callie Tein’s “Faye” gown from Modern Trousseau. Adding to the black and white theme was the dramatic black sash that finished the gown.

BLOOMING JOY: Though Ashley’s mother arranged all of the décor florals, the bouquets and boutonnieres were fashioned by Ooh! Events.

SUIT YOUR FANCY: Ashley says that as a designer, she is inspired by bold graphics, so it’s fitting that she chose these back and white striped bridesmaids dresses.

SPECIALS BOARD: For bar signage, Ashley glued striped fabric and burlap to thrift store chalkboards and inked on the offerings.

HAPPY HUES: Colorful dahlias tucked into vintage bottles softened the otherwise black and white palette.

EASY LIVING: Mason jars delivered the “rustic, elegant, and fun” vibe Ashley says she and John were aiming for.

STUNNING SET: Burlap-covered tables were brightened by dahlias and accented with votive candles set at various heights.

TAKE A SPIN: The black and white theme made its way to the bar setup by way of these grayscale candy cane striped straws.

LIGHT THE WAY: Ashley says, “I’m a sucker for some soft, romantic lighting.” She sprinkled simple votive candles throughout the décor—here, lining them within a rustic metal vessel.

LOVE SEAT: Ashley says that one of their top priorities was “creating an unfussy, casual air with rustic and unique details,” like the daybeds used as seating in the reception’s lounge areas. The beds, which belonged to Kensington Plantation, were dressed in vintage linens and adorned with paper garlands.

TRIM THE TREE: Oak trees were illuminated by 20 paper lanterns, hung and lit by the bride and groom themselves.

THE WORLD’S A STAGE: Ashley says of the reception: “John set up an amazing system in the trees over the stage and dance floor to suspend the string lights perfectly over the dance floor, just as I had envisioned.”

ON THEIR WAY: Guests showered the newlyweds in sparkles as they exited the reception. What came next for the couple? A honeymoon in Cabo San Lucas.

Though their professional passions fall on different pages (she’s the talent behind the clothing and jewelry design company Clewis Reid, and he’s an arborist), within a year of dating, Ashley Reid and John Martin had discovered a covey of common interests, from surfing and camping to cooking and more. “We found we make a pretty good team,” says Ashley. That teamwork came in handy when the Sullivan’s Island pair planned an almost entirely DIY wedding in three months. Drawing on their individual skills, she designed the invites and signage, while he trimmed limbs and hung bee traps at their chosen outdoor venue. When the day came, the couple exchanged vows between tree trunks that John had hollowed out and the bride’s mom had filled with flowers. Afterward, with a full moon overhead, they celebrated on a torch-lit dance floor. “It was so rewarding when it all came together,” Ashley says.

Vendor List

Bride’s attire: Callie Tein’s "Faye" gown; www.moderntrousseau.com, headpiece from Out of Hand; www.shopoutofhand.com
Bridesmaids’ attire: J.Crew; www.jcrew.com
Catering: Caroline Bevon; www.carolinesmarket.com
Day-of-coordination: Christy Loftin; www.christyloftin.com
Florist (bouquets and boutonnieres): Ooh! Events; www.oohevents.com
Flower girls’ attire: RETULLED tutus; www.retulledtutus.com, Crewcuts cardigans; www.jcrew.com
Groom’s and groomsmen’s attire: Berlin’s for Men; www.berlinsclothing.com, ties from Proud Mary; www.proudmary.org
Musicians: Scott McCall, Chris Crosby; www.charlestonduo.com
Photography: Timothy Merrick Events; www.timothymerrickevents.com
Rentals: Snyder Event Rentals; www.snydereventrentals.com

The Wedding Row

February 14 2022

Botanical Designs Set the Tone for Springtime Vows at The Bend

Written By Melissa Reardon Photographs By Lucy Cuneo A transplant from Virginia, Weston “Wes” McAfee vividly remembers the first time he saw his future bride-to-be. Charleston native Dana Elaine...

December 29 2021

Lowcountry New Year’s Eve Wedding Inspiration & Real-life Tips

An Elegant Affair Proves New Year’s Eve Might Just Be The Perfect Time To Start A New Life Together By Joanne O’Sullivan | Images by Brandon Lata Photography Few people anywhere in the...

December 16 2021

Jacqueline Savage & Nicholas Harris | Legare Waring House

A Match Made in Heaven Classic white blooms, greenery, and wooden elements set off this stunning Charleston wedding under the oaks When it comes to love and marriage, couples who pair well...

December 2 2021

Chelsea Koontz & Tanner Swayne | Lowndes Grove

A Charleston Winter Wedding Embraces the Season with Sophistication and Glamour Just a few hours before sunset in mid-winter, Charleston takes on a certain golden glow, unparalleled at any other...

November 17 2021

Amy Bronston & Trevor Pittman | The Gadsden House

Take Cues from this Intimate Dreamy Blue “I Do” Amy Bronston and Trevor Pittman’s love story reads like a romantic movie. It was during the 2019 holiday season in Washington DC, where...

October 28 2021

Madison Clark & Brian Ruther | Lowndes Grove

This Halloween matrimony perfectly plays up the holiday—with a dash of fun and plenty of class in a scenic coastal Charleston setting By Joanne O’Sullivan | Images by Anne Rhett Photography...

October 11 2021

Fabulous Flowers for Fall Charleston Weddings

By Melissa Reardon | Images by Kelsey Halm Photo Expert Advice for a Beautiful Fall Bouquet With seasonal change comes an exciting rich color palette and tons of texture with which to design....

September 29 2021

Alexandra Nelson & Erik Korianski | Boone Hall Plantation

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work Photos by Dana Cubbage Weddings | Written by Melissa Reardon They say the greatest marriages are built on teamwork. And indeed, it’s one of the marital building blocks...