Autumn's Splendor



WRITER CREDIT: 
PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT: 
Autumn's Splendor | A native son returns home to wed his beloved alongside the Ashley River

Jessica Gerrick & Jeffrey Zucker
October 21, 2012
Runnymede Plantation

When Chicago resident Jeffrey (Jeff) Zucker told his girlfriend Jessica Gerrick that he had a surprise for her, she thought little of it; after more than a year together, she was used to his adventures. But this outing was a little different: Jeff picked Jessica up early in the morning, took her to her favorite spot in the city (the iconic Buckingham Fountain), and then got down on one knee to ask her to be his wife.

Though the bride was raised in Fort Worth, Texas, they decided to marry in Jeff’s hometown of Charleston at Runnymede Plantation. “It seemed absolutely perfect,” Jessica says of the Ashley River spot. For the details, they turned to event guru Tara Guérard, who had designed Jeff’s sister’s wedding in 2006.  As for the Windy City couple’s wedding, “We pictured a brisk fall night on the water,” says Jessica, “under the old oak trees, surrounded by our loved ones, and celebrating the best day of our lives.”

The pair chose classic navy and white as their leading colors, then accented those with shades of peach, gray, and forest green, pulling from the natural palette of the surroundings—Spanish moss, salt marshes, and plantation ruins. When the day arrived, guests warmed themselves with offerings from a cocktail-hour soup station. By nightfall, candles, chandeliers, and cozy sitting areas added an intimate feel to the affair, despite the guest count of 400.

“I would give anything to do it all over again,” says Jessica. “It really is the only day in your life where everyone you love is
celebrating your happiness.”

 

Vendor List

Baker: Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal, www.weddingcakesbyjimsmeal.com
Bridal Gown: Amy Kuschel, www.gownboutiqueofcharleston.com
Bridesmaid Attire: LulaKate, www.lulakate.com
Caterer: Tristan, www.tristandining.com
Flower Girls: J. Crew, www.jcrew.com
Groom, Groomsmen, and Ringbearer’s Attire: Jos. A. Bank, www.josbank.com
Makeup Artists: Leslie Moore of Moore Makeup (www.mooremakeup.com) and Kori Mahoney
Musicians: Charleston Heartstrings Quartet (ceremony); Steven Fiore Trio (cocktail hour); The Maxx (reception), www.eastcoastentertainment.com
Photographer: Orange Slice Productions, www.squirefox.com
Rentals: Snyder (event rentals), www.snydereventrentals.com; PDA (generator, lighting and sound), www.pdastage.com
Wedding Designer, Florist: Tara Guérard Soirée, www.taraguerardsoiree.com
Signage: Lettered Olive (www.theletteredolive.com)and Elizabeth Porcher Jones Calligraphy (www.elizabethporcherjones.com)
Stationery: Lettered Olive, www.theletteredolive.com
Venue: Runnymede Plantation (www.eventsatrunnymede.com)
Video: Artistic Eye Productions; www.artisticeyeproductions.com)
Wine and Bar Service: Spike Bar,www.snydereventrentals.com

The Wedding Row

February 14 2022
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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...