Backyard Bash

Spring/Summer 2013

WRITER CREDIT:

PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT:

Backyard Bash | Kiften Stephens and William Carroll, October 8, 2011, The Legare Waring House

Charleston Wedding wedding Legare Waring House Snyder Event Rentals Bella Vista Bridal Cru Catering Hannah Alexander Studio R gown JCrew WED

TO THE LETTER: Studio R’s stationery suite previewed the wedding’s tastefully muted color scheme.

DRESS TO IMPRESS: The soft driftwood hue of the bridesmaids’ J.Crew frocks complemented both the bride’s custom gown and the majestic surroundings.

HAIR AFFAIR: A fresh flower dressed up Kiften’s updo and contributed to her summery, outdoorsy look.

DETAILS COUNT: To add Lowcountry flair, Hannah Alexander of WED tied programs to palm frond fans.

MAGICAL MOMENT: “Toward the end of the ceremony, I had to look down at Will's shoes,” says Kiften. “I knew if I looked him in the eye, I’d start crying!”

PEAS IN A POD: Kiften and Will split their time between their John’s Island residence and MUSC, where she’s a nurse practitioner in pediatric surgery and he’s a medical student.

WARM RECEPTION: “Kiften and Will” welcome bags contained a bottle of water, a bag of benne wafers, and general info about the Holy City.

UNDERSTATED ELEGANCE: Mixing lanterns and Mason jars with burlap-wrapped centerpieces blended formal looks with familiar ones.

PLANTING AN IDEA: “Share your vision, then trust your vendors with the details,” says Kiften. Case in point? This charmingly planted row atop a long farm table from Event DRS.

JUST SO: Sara York Grimshaw wrapped vessels of flowers and greens in burlap to echo the natural hues of the Legare Waring House grounds, which are covered in live oaks and lagoons.

GAME TIME: Paying homage to the couple’s penchant for puzzles, this was a cute alternative to a traditional guestbook. Fun fact: the weekend Kiften realized she and Will were meant for one another, they’d spent an entire night putting together a 1000-piecer.

PLAY TO WIN: In keeping with the informal vibe, guests enjoyed cornhole, the bride’s favorite outdoor game, during cocktail hour.

KICKIN’ AROUND: The groomsmen were all outfitted with Adidas Sambas, and Kiften’s dad took a particular liking to the indoor soccer shoes. Laughs Kiften, “My dad thought they were the coolest! He wears them all the time now.”

BRIGHT IDEA: To spice up the table assignments, Hannah Alexander potted them among greenery in dark-stained wooden boxes.

SERVING IT UP: Cru Catering delighted those unfamiliar with Lowcountry fare. Says Kiften, “Many of our guests were out-of-state, and they were definitely loving the southern cuisine.”

BON APPETIT: Guests dined on Lowcountry favorites like shrimp and grits.

BERRIES ON TOP: Sugar Bakeshop finished off the two-layer cake with sugared blue-berries.

PRETZEL TWISTER: To keep their energy up while burning up the dance floor, guests snacked out of brown paper bags containing peanut butter-filled, dark chocolate, and milk chocolate treats.

SHINING BRIGHT: Says Hannah Alexander, “Technical Event Company’s lighting was breathtaking and a highlight of my year!”

Though Kiften Stephens and William Carroll met in Spanish 101, the interests they shared outside of the classroom truly brought the Davidson students together: both were athletes (lacrosse and soccer, respectively), had a soft spot for board games, and were fond of camping. Six years later, the duo was playing “Memory” during a cabin retreat when Kiften flipped over a card bearing an image of an engagement ring. Following his planted prompt, Will produced the real thing and popped the question.

The playful and outdoorsy sides of their personalities easily translated to a wedding theme. “I envisioned an elegant take on a cookout,” says Kiften, whose favorite childhood memories are of just such neighborhood gatherings. WED’s Hannah Alexander suggested the Legare Waring House as the perfect “backyard,” and Kiften fell for it—and its oak allée—easily.

When fall rolled around, the al fresco shindig was a hit. Florist Sara York Grimshaw placed cream-colored blooms and greenery in Mason jars and burlap-wrapped vases to lend a mellow and homespun grace to the setting. Then, after the “I dos,” the bride challenged her groom, family, and friends to lawn games like ladder golf and croquet. Lanterns and candles glowed softly as evening set in, and guests sat down to a hearty Southern meal by Cru Catering, served family-style. “Everything turned out above and beyond my expectations and my husband and I had a blast,” says Kiften. “We would do absolutely nothing different!”

Vendor List

Baker: Sugar Bakeshop; www.sugarbake.com
Bridal gown: Bella Vista Bridal; www.bellavistabridal.com
Bridesmaid attire: J.Crew; www.jcrew.com
Caterer: Cru Catering; www.crucatering.com
Florist: Sara York Grimshaw Designs; www.sygdesigns.com
Groom/Groomsmen attire: Brooks Brothers; www.brooksbrothers.com
Lighting: Technical Event Company (TEC Lighting); www.technicaleventcompany.com
Musicians: DJ Trey, Other Brother Entertainment; www.otherbrotherent.com
Photographer: Joshua Drake; www.joshuadrakephotography.com
Planner: Hannah Alexander, WED; www.charlestonevent.com
Rentals: Snyder Event Rentals; www.snydereventrentals.com; Event DRS; www.eventdrscharleston.com
Stationery: Studio R; www.studio-r-design.com
Transportation: Absolutely Charleston; www.absolutelycharleston.com; Charleston Black Cab Company; www.charlestonblackcabcompany.com

The Wedding Row

August 12 2019

Amanda & Joey | The Creek Club at I’On

We love it when Charleston is the backdrop for a budding romance, and we love it even more when a couple who started here returns for their “I do’s.” So it went with Amanda and Joey, who both...

August 12 2019

Erin & Matthew | Lowndes Grove Plantation

When a gal can name how many days she’s dated her beau (“One thousand and nine, but who’s counting?” laughs Erin), you know she’s ready for him to put a ring on it. When Matthew obliged, he and his...

August 8 2019

Meghan & Justin | The Governor Thomas Bennett House

Sometimes it’s just so better said coming straight from the bride, so away we go into hearing it all from Houstin, Texas, resident Megan… (besides, we’re pretty sure we couldn’t get away with calling...

August 8 2019

Laura & Bryan | Lowndes Grove Plantation

We’re sure that Laura and Brian wanted their wedding day at Lowndes Grove Plantation to go on forever, because, duh, but we have to say we want it to, too! Why, now? Take a look at their insanely...

August 7 2019

Alicia & Walker | The William Aiken House

Leave it to a couple from Texas to make a big splash of a wedding here in Charleston. Not only did Alicia and Walker pick an iconic mansion, the William Aiken House, for their reception, but they...

August 6 2019

Taryn & Michael | Boone Hall Plantation

“For months before the wedding,” says Mike, “Taryn would say, ‘Just wait! You won’t believe how amazing this day is going to be.’ ”And amazing it was. From the perfectly planned pink palette to the...

July 31 2019

July Instagram Roundup

August is just around the corner (like tomorrow, oh-em-gee) and school is about to be back in session. Do we hear all of those moms emitting a sigh of relief? To celebrate the end of this dreadfully...

July 30 2019

Kelly & Will | Engagement Session

Kelly and Will met in an elementary school in 2013 … not while they were attending, of course, but while they were both teaching in Cleveland, Mississippi, for Teach for America Corps. Every...

Feature

Color Them Happy

<div> Two Charleston-based luminaries—a nationally lauded artist and her golf pro sweetheart—marry on a stunning fall day brimming with color</div> <div>  </div>

Feature

Breath of Fresh Air

The Cedar Room on East Bay gets a cool, girly makeover with this summery wedding

Feature

Bohemian Glam

Want to infuse a cool-weather wedding with all the vibrant hues of the hot months? Here’s how decadent color can reign all year long

Feature

Perfect Pivot

Feature

Color Them Happy

Brooke Mullikin to Trey Muhlhauser, April 28, 2007, The Confederate Home & Hibernian Hall

Feature

Cool, Blue Getaway

Duvall Catering & Events invites you to chill out with a cool palette, crisp design, and frosty treats

Feature

Presto Change-o!

Tara Guérard Soirée and LulaKate teamed up to create a custom bridesmaid ensemble that went from formal ceremony to garden party reception. Here’s what they fashioned (plus a few bonus accessories Tara recently fell for)

Feature

Deck the Halls

With evergreens aplenty and golden candlelight, one festive couple embraced their holiday-season nuptials with class, style, and cheer

Feature

Aquamarine Dream

Revel in pretty shades of teal, turquoise, and more in this chic reception at Boone Hall Plantation

Feature

Cyber Shops

<p> Holy City artisans head online to sell their wedding wares via Etsy</p>

Feature

Share the Love

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

Feature

Backyard Bash

Kiften Stephens and William Carroll, October 8, 2011, The Legare Waring House

Feature

Party With Your Pooch?

Include your puppy in your Big Day with tips from Dog Tired and this wedding photographer

Feature

Autumn's Splendor

A native son returns home to wed his beloved alongside the Ashley River

Feature

Earthy Elegance

Margaret Winnicki & Jeffrey Stark, April 21, 2012, Legare Waring House

Feature

Right on Time

Split-second decisions, a little luck, and lot of focus helped one local couple pull off a dream wedding in a scant three months

Feature

Nice Wheels

Roll your way to happily wedded after in an oh-so-original ride

Feature

Wedding Shower

In October 2015, it was the 1,000-year flood. This year, it was Hurricane Matthew. Bummer for Big Days? We think not. See how this couple—one of many—proves love trumps any storm that rolls into Charleston