Backyard Bash



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

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

February 24 2020
Molly and Chris’s colleagues at J.P. Morgan in New York had a feeling the two were perfect for each other and tried for months to set them up. When they finally met up at an event? Cue: magic. Over...

February 24 2020
After Long Islanders Tom and Danielle met in chorus class during their freshman year of high school, it took him a full year to build up enough courage to ask her to be his girlfriend. Her response...

February 24 2020
On the first day of college at the University of Georgia, a complete stranger tried to convince Sarah to drop freshman English; he’d heard the professor was terrible. Turns out the professor was,...

February 14 2020
To all the single ladies (and gents): Valentine’s Day isn’t only for those already in love. As Alex and Pete’s story proves, it may be the perfect day for a meet-cute. Pennsylvania-born Pete was in...

February 12 2020
Four days before Allison and Brendan’s dream Charleston wedding, Hurricane Florence was making its way toward the Lowcountry and the city was under evacuation orders. The Dallas-based couple pulled...

February 11 2020
Courtney wasn’t looking to settle down, but when friends convinced her to take Kristen on a date, something felt different. Before long, they found themselves in a long-distance relationship—Courtney...

February 7 2020
Bumble may be responsible for introducing this couple, but it was a magical first date filled with sushi, hours of conversation, karaoke, and endless laughter that truly brought together Michelle and...

February 6 2020
Maggie and Mike’s story puts a whole new spin on bro-mance. It all started in Chicago when her boss, who was dating a fellow named Eric, wanted to set Maggie up with her boyfriend’s younger brother....