Royal Treatment

Spring 2014

WRITER CREDIT:

PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT:

Royal Treatment | Greek traditions and violet hues set the tone for a regal affair kicked off with a pair of crowns

a charleston bride Charleston Wedding Gayle Brooker Photography wedding wedding cake Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal William Aiken House BBJ Linen Bella Bridesmaid place cards wine Studio R Fish

COMING SOON: Invitations from mac & murphy foreshadowed the wedding's decadent décor hues.

PRECIOUS METALS: Christine’s Lazaro gown featured silver detailing, while Boris’ ceremonial robe boasted a gilded cross.

PRECIOUS JEWELS: In the Eastern Orthodox church, the crowns donned by two newlyweds symbolize the crowns that await them in heaven.

ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU: Boris first saw his bride-to-be in a photograph on the wall of a mutual friend’s dorm room at Furman University. After he begged to be introduced to Christine, the pair met in person a few weeks later, at St. Mary's Orthodox Church.

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS: “The William Aiken House was perfect for us,” explains Christine. “It’s a classy venue that went with our black-tie reception, but the outdoor area was perfect for a summer night of dancing and mingling.”

SEA OF LOVE: Of their long courtship, which spanned eight years (and the Atlantic Ocean, when Boris left the United States to study and work in London), Christine says, “It only proved our hearts’ true desires for each other.”

IN N’ OUT: The elegance of the house’s interior easily transferred to the garden with lavender sateen bench ottomans, antique furniture, and escort-card laden streamers swinging from the palatial white arbor.

PICK ONE: Melissa Barton of A Charleston Bride affixed escort cards to golden strips of fabric with tiny gilded clothespins.

SWEET MEMORIES: “We kept the furniture white and added rich color via throw pillows,” explains planner Melissa Barton. “Knowing us,” says bride Christine, “there will now be purple cushions in our flat in London.” A Greenville, South Carolina, native, she met Boris, a Bulgarian, when he was at Furman University.

Jonie of A Charleston Bride potted lisianthus and ranunculus in varying shades, from eggplant to pale lilac.

HOT SEAT: Metallic gold dining chairs stood out against white linens and gauzy tent fabric.

WHAT’S APP: Hors d’oeuvres provided by Fish Restaurant included baby fried green tomatoes, mini lobster rolls, and these delectable bites: shrimp and soft gouda grits on edible cracker spoons.

PROBLEM SOLVED: To combat Christine’s concerns about seating guests in three separate dining rooms, Melissa came up with a creative solution: arranging tables along the terrace, which created an easy flow from room to room.

CHILD’S PLAY: Armed with thematically appropriate coloring pages, designated babysitters manned a kids’ dining table.

JUST ENOUGH: With a venue already boasting fine curtains, chandeliers, wall mounted candelabras, and dark wooden furniture, Melissa found the fine balance between enhancing the surroundings and overpowering them.

FOOD COLORING: Goldenrod chargers and lavender linens carried the palette to the dinner table, where pralines in silver chevron-printed bags greeted guests.

Photograph by Gayle Brooker

REST STOP: Melissa added whimsy (and color) to a pewter settee with pennants in the day’s signature violet damask print. Oversized silver vases were resplendent with masses of off-white blooms.

FRESH COAT: To keep the dessert form Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal traditional (i.e. white), Melissa stayed true to the days’ color scheme by placing it atop a metallic lavender cake stand.

FAIRY LIGHTS: Tiny lanterns suspended from the garden’s ancient oaks lent a magical aura to the reception.

BIG TOP: Taking a cue from the elegant indoor fixtures, Melissa arranged for a sparkly Technical Event Company chandelier to illuminate the outdoor tent.

LEAVES OF GRASS: Golden fronds woven into the house’s wrought iron gates beckoned guests to enter.

Photographs by:

Gayle Brooker

Christine Riyad & Boris Michev
June 15, 2013, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church & William Aiken House

In accordance with tradition, when Christine Riyad said “I do” to Boris Michev, their Greek Orthodox priest crowned the couple king and queen of their newly created family. To host a fittingly majestic reception, the pair chose the William Aiken House, a palette of purple, silver, and gold, and Melissa Barton of A Charleston Bride to tie the event together. “We wanted to allow the beautiful, ornate furniture to stand out,” says Christine, “and since purple is associated with royalty, we thought it was a fitting choice.” To add custom touches, Melissa covered coffee tables and pillows in violet damask fabric, topped metallic gold dining chairs with ivory seat cushions, and hand-painted mini-clothespins to attach place cards to wine glasses. The end result? An event clearly befitting a royal couple.

Vendor List

Baker: Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal, www.weddingcakesbyjimsmeal.com

Bridal Attire: Lazaro, www.jlmcouture.com

Bridesmaids’ Attire: Amsale, available in Charleston through Bella Bridesmaid, www.bellabridesmaid.com

Caterer: Fish Restaurant, www.fishrestaurantcharleston.com

Groom’s Attire: J. Hilburn, www.jhilburn.com

Groomsmen’s Attire: Jos A. Bank, www.josabank.com

Invitations: Mac & Murphy, www.macandmurphy.com

Linens: BBJ Linens, www.bbjlinen.com

Lighting: TEC, www.technicaleventcompany.com

Musicians: Brendan James (www.brendanjames.com); Atlanta Pleasure Band (www.eastcoastentertainment.com/artist/atlanta-pleasure-band‎)

Photographer: Gayle Brooker Photography, www.gaylebrooker.com

Planner & Florist: A Charleston Bride, www.acharlestonbride.com

Rentals: Event DRS (www.eventdrscharleston.com); Snyder (www.snyderevents.com)

Save-the-Dates: Studio R, www.studio-r-design.com

Venue: The William Aiken House, www.pphgcharleston.com

The Wedding Row

January 4 2019

Virginia & Stephen | Magnolia Plantation & Gardens

Now, we’ve run our fair share of gorgeous weddings at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, but we swear we think this wins the award for most gorgeous to date. It makes sense, though, considering...

January 3 2019

Top 10 Most Liked Instagram Posts of 2018

January 2 2019

Vera & Brien | The Gadsden House

On the heels of New Year’s we needed a classic wedding with black-tie panache to carry us through the rest of this holiday-wind-down week. Enter Vera and Brien’s dreamy day, lovingly designed by A...

December 31 2018

Annie & Matt | Boone Hall Plantation

We searched high and low for a wedding to close out the New Year, and what better pick than Annie and Matt, whose ceremony ended with the officiant (the bride’s brother-in-law, or in this case, we’re...

December 28 2018

Vendor of the Month: Bow Tied Weddings {Sponsored Post}

Here’s a little discussed fact: A great DJ can make (or break) a wedding. And the difference between a first dance that has everyone sighing and posting (instead of cringing) and a party that...

December 27 2018

Kristina & Michael | Engagement Session

Here’s the thing: Charleston’s in the tropics, more or less. And here in the jungle, it rains from time to time, which can put a damper on a portrait sesh out and about if you don’t plan well. The...

December 26 2018

Jesse & Will | Old Village Post House Inn

Ok, people. Yes, you’re gonna love Jesse and Will’s wedding photos (al fresco reception in the Old Village? Yes, please!). But their proposal story? It might even beat the pretty out for best in show...

December 21 2018

Lindsey & José | Middleton Place

Lindsey and José didn’t start off on the right foot (he didn’t do a double-take when he first met her at Boston College, so she gave him the same indifferent treatment, and sparks didn’t fly for...

Feature

Snap It Old-School Style

Turn to tintype for keepsake portraits and photo booths that are as poetic as it gets

Feature

A Delightful Do-Over

Years after a private ceremony, this military couple trade vows in a beautiful Big Day way

Feature

Garden Party Perfection

Allison Thompson & Christopher Unger, May 12, 2012, The French Protestant (Huguenot) Church & Governor Thomas Bennett House

Feature

Raise Your Glass

<p> Say cheers with a signature drink with roots right here in the Lowcountry</p>

Feature

In the Limelight

The recipe for a successful Charleston wedding? Mamasita's Margaritas

Feature

Throwback Style

When a Charleston bride designs an antique-meets-modern wedding she finds her life’s (other) passion along the way

Feature

Under the Trees

Two born-and-raised Southerners celebrate their love for the Lowcountry, summertime, and one another

Feature

Lady Antebellum

Feature

Warm to Color

From champagne to “oatmeal,” blush to rose, soft, warm hues ruled the runways

Feature

Sweet Spring!

Celebrate the season in sweet fashion with a feast for the eyes and palate. Gathering Events and a trio of Charleston’s top pastry chefs inspire just that with these swoon-worthy dessert tables