Break the Mold



WRITER CREDIT: 
PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT: 
Break the Mold | Jessica Morse &  Ryan Roberts April 13, 2013 William Aiken House

Jessica Morse and Ryan Roberts first met online, but once they rendezvoused face-to-face, “we never looked back,” says Jessica. After two years together (and following a move from Atlanta to Charleston), Ryan proposed as the sun set over their favorite spot on Folly Beach. As for the wedding venue, “We love the charming yet vibrant feel of downtown, so we wanted to incorporate that into our wedding,” says Jessica, who soon booked King Street’s William Aiken House. Armed with a spring-inspired palette of cream, green, gold, white, and pops of coral, she worked with Megan Morgan Finne of Mingle and florist Anne Dabney of stems, who dressed the home’s grounds and interior in modern elements that updated its formal character and appointments. Over six months, out-of-the-box lounge furniture pieces, earthy arrangements, and colors that accentuated existing texture and patterns all came together. “I knew the key to making the wedding everything we wanted was to be sure we hired the right vendors,” says Jessica. “They not only made the planning process easier but also made our wedding day absolutely amazing.”

GO NATURAL: For arrangements, stems mixed flowers with pods and berries.


Branches with trailing vines to give an organic vibe to the manicured location.


Tip: Sheath dresses with texture (like these lace-covered Diane von Furstenberg shorties) flatter all figures. The pattern also makes long, sheer sleeves especially becoming.


Tip: Reinterpret a classic motif. The fondant cake from Fish Restaurant wears a pattern of heart-like swirls that gives the treat—and event—a modern tone.


EASY DOES IT: Simple white linens allowed the dining room’s bold coral walls and patterns (floral-printed and flax-hued draperies) to rule the setting. Chiavari chairs repeated the look and texture of the antique mirror frames.


Tip: Opt for unusual side tables. Here, the side table silhouettes, finishes, and patterns infused the setting with unpredictable liveliness.


HAND IT TO HER: When florists pair varying shapes together, as seen here with bud-rich lilacs, fluffy ranunculus, and airy-petaled poppies, texture abounds.



Tip: Look to your wedding venue for inherent patterns to accent, like this checkerboard floor on the home’s piazza.


Vendor List

Baker & Caterer: Fish, www.pphgcharleston.com

Bridal Gown:Rivini, www.rivini.com

Bridesmaids Dresses:Diane von Furstenberg, www.dvf.com

Event Design & Planning: Mingle, www.minglecharleston.com

Florist:Stems, www.charlestonstems.com

Groom’s & Groomsmen’s Attire: Berlins For Men, www.berlinsclothing.com

Hair & Makeup:Stuart Lawrence Salon, www.slsalon.com

Linens & Rentals:Snyder Events, www.snyderevents.com

Music:Quiana Parler & Friends, East Coast Entertainment, www.eastcoastentertainment.com

Photographers: Ellis Photo Studio, www.ellisphotos.com

Venue:William Aiken House, www.pphgcharleston.com

Videographer:Siegel Films, www.siegelfilms.com

The Wedding Row

August 26 2019
Happy Monday, ladies and gents. First up on this week’s lineup? An adorable downtown wedding filled to the brim with beauty, sentiment, and lightheartedness. And you know it’s gotta be good when the...

August 23 2019
We loved Chloe and Blake’s dreamy downtown wedding from our summer print issue soooo much that we wanted to feature it here on The Wedding Row, too. So gals and gents, cozy up, grab a drink and...

August 22 2019
Cupid sure had his arrow locked and ready when Lindsay and David first met at SEWE the day before Valentine’s Day. Coincidence? We think not. Not only did they see each other almost every day the...

August 21 2019
Wedding Wednesday is in full swing and with Lauren and Bobby on tap, you’ll see why. Even though this pair attended different high schools and universities, distance couldn’t keep these sweethearts,...

August 20 2019
OK peeps. We may be just a little bit obsessed with this next styled shoot. OK, a lot obsessed. So get ready future bridal babes, or those just plain-obsessed with pretty, as  you’re going to want to...

August 19 2019
Smartie pants Jessica and Josh signed up for the same class during their sophomore year at the College of Charleston and that was what ultimately sparked the romantic connection between the New...

August 16 2019
Jazmin and Andrei might have met in Boston—where they still live—but choosing Charleston as the place for them to say “I do” was like coming home for the groom. (Andrei’s family moved from Romania to...

August 15 2019
Combine a few times crossing paths in Charleston, one meeting at Home Team BBQ during a Carolina/Clemson game where Billy second-guessed Aly’s availability (and passed up the chance to ask her...