Bowled Over



PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT: 
Bowled Over | A West Ashley teen crafts pottery perfect for wedding and bridesmaid gifts

Searching for a personal present to thank your bridesmaids for their support? Hire West Ashley artisan Christian Royal, a 19-year-old with Down’s Syndrome who creates swoon-worthy custom-made pottery. Christian fell in love with the craft six years ago when his mother introduced him to it during a homeschooling lesson. Today Christian creates a slew of pieces varying from large serving platters and bowls to small business card holders and dishes.  

For weddings, Christian can customize any piece into a gift for the couple, perfect for bridesmaids, mothers, or mothers-in-law to-be. Local bride Elizabeth Ford recently had him fashion a stunning set of bowls for her bridesmaids, each one impressed with the lace from her gown (left). Want a natural look? Christian can incorporate the patterns of leaves or flowers from your wedding, as well. 

Prices start at $45 per item and go up depending on level of detail and size. Allow six weeks for custom work. Find Christian Royal Pottery at Open House (843/ 766-2467; www.OpenHouseCharleston.net); at any Wonder Works location (www.WonderWorksCharleston.com); or on www.ChristianRoyalPottery.com.

Photographs by Michael D. Royal

The Wedding Row

July 16 2019
The Wedding Row: So, tell us how it all began.  Meaghen: We met at Fisher College back in 2005. It was my second semester and Brett had just transferred in. He frequented the house parties my...

July 15 2019
Back in high school, Brian stood at the top of his football field’s bleachers and screamed into a megaphone while holding a 10- foot sign. All in the hopes that this cute cheerleader named Lindsey...

July 12 2019
A mutual friend and a 90s cover band are to thank for uniting Kristen and Shane back in 2016. The two, while listening to some live tunes, were introduced and it seems they have never looked back....

July 11 2019
A week before Mary Lake was to depart for her freshman year at Clemson University, a mutual friend introduced her to Tyler, a fellow Charleston-ian, and a fellow incoming Tiger. Having written off...

July 10 2019
These two Terps Alumni (that’s the University of Maryland, for those fans only familiar with the SEC) Natalie and Will dated for six whopping years before getting engaged. Over their stint of time as...

July 9 2019
You’re now welcome to board the love story that is Anne-Kyle & Drew. Now, this first sentence may not make sense at the moment but trust us, the meaning will hit you in just a second. These two...

July 8 2019
It’s not like we needed it (we already live on the surface of the sun), but this wedding warms our hearts up to the highest degree. Megan and Chase exchanged their vows last fall at the Gadsden House...

July 2 2019
Claire and Jay are one of those couples that we just want to be friends with. They exude cool and have that “it” factor that makes you love them instantly (even though we have never met them). But...