True Blue

Summer 2012

WRITER CREDIT:

PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT:

True Blue | Nikki Bolton & Brad Ellis, July 2, 2011, Legare Waring House

Charleston Wedding Legare Waring House Snyder Event Rentals Folly Beach Weddings Bella Bridesmaid bow White Make-up maddison row lulakate Stems Vera Wang WildFlour Pastry

PERSONALIZED PREP: Nikki, who donned Vera Wang from Maddison Row, and Brad, who wore M. Dumas & Sons, wanted the wedding to reflect their style, from poplin (his) to monograms (hers).

SWIMMING LESSONS: Lizz Ackerman of Southern Protocol floated pale blue, peach, white, and fuchsia blooms in a fountain on the grounds.

BLUE COLLAR: LulaKate bridesmaids dresses in cornflower blue anchored the event’s palette.

TO THE LETTER: The couple’s monogram was printed in blue and embellished with khaki flourishes on this stationery suite from Scotti Cline Designs.

LADIES IN WAITING: Flower girls donned blush floral wreaths and cornflower silk sashes.

MIX IT UP: To add depth to the color palette of blue, green, and ivory, Anne Bowen of stems added succulents, eucalyptus, and peach roses to the tabletop arrangements.

ALL TIED UP: To soften the crisp white curtains of the reception tent, stems created bright floral tie-backs.

PERSONAL TOUCH: Each attendant’s initials were embroidered in the sash of their LulaKate frocks.

WITH THIS RING: Scotti Cline created the wedding monogram, which the couple used as an accent on the invitations and cake. One of Nikki’s favorite touches? “My favorite part of the lighting in the tent was our custom-made monogram spotlight that shown on the black-and-white-checkered dance floor.”

FILL ME UP: Pre-ceremony drinks were offered with self-serve Mason jars. While enjoying the sounds of the Charleston Brass Ensemble, guests had their fill of sweet tea and lemonade.

CRISP COORDINATION: The groomsmen’s ties, the flower girl sashes, and the ribbon that was draped down the sides of the aisle each matched the hue of the bridesmaids’ open-back dresses Bella Bridesmaid of Charleston.

CHILLED COCKTAIL: Perfect for cradling a Mason jar full of sweet tea, the cocktail napkins were also embroidered with the couple’s textured monogram.

SOMETHING NEW: The bride’s white rose and hydrangea boutique was wrapped in a cornflower blue dupioni silk sash embroidered with her new initials.

A BIT OF COLOR: Anne Bowen at stems arranged bouquets that popped against the cornflower blue bridesmaids dresses.

WEAR MY PIN: Anne Bowen at stems helped the couple to carry their Southern theme in their floral arrangements.

FLOWER MAN: Succulent boutonnieres from stems were pinned to the men’s poplin suits from M. Dumas & Sons.

SUGAR RUSH: Ogled at by guests, the four-tiered wedding cake was designed by Lauren Mitterer of WildFlour Pastry and decorated with an edible monogram. The textures of the white confection, the hammered silver cake stand, and the printed linen added depth to the display.

Photographs by:

Jennifer Bearden

Everyone knows the graffitied, shipwrecked skiff on the way to Folly Beach, and while here on family vacations from the Upstate, Nikki Bolton always enjoyed checking out the messages painted on its hull. But when her boyfriend (and fellow University of South Carolina-Aiken alum) Brad Ellis pulled up alongside it in August 2010, the message shocked even her: “Will you marry me, Nikki? —Brad”. She happily agreed, and the Warrenville, South Carolina residents soon hired Lizz Ackerman of Southern Protocol to create a Southern affair at the Legare Waring House that reflected their easy-going, preppy style. Their color scheme of cornflower blue, peach, green, and ivory “looked bright and crisp against the venue’s white house and its beautiful oak trees,” says Nikki. Other favorite touches? The ivory monograms on blue sashes wrapped around the bridal bouquet and worn by bridesmaids. As much as she loved the look of it all, though, it was the vibe that she and Brad still relish. “It’s one of the only times all of the people you love so much are in one place,” Nikki says.

Vendor List
Baker: WildFlour Pastry; www.wildflourpastrycharleston.com
Bridal Attire: Vera Wang from Maddison Row; www.maddisonrow.com
Bridesmaid, honorary bridesmaid, and flower girl attire: LulaKate from Bella Bridesmaid of Charleston; www.bellabridesmaid.com
Bow ties: Southern Proper; www.southernproper.com
Calligrapher: Susie Wimberly
Caterer: Hamby’s Catering; www.hambycatering.com
Florist: stems; www.charlestonstems.com
Groom’s attire: M. Dumas & Sons; www.mdumasandsons.com
Groomsmen attire: M. Dumas & Sons; www.mdumasandsons.com
Linens: Connie Duglin; www.connieduglinlinen.com
Musicians: The Plantations Singers, www.plantationsingers.com; Charleston Brass, www.charlestonweddingbrass.com; and Finesse, www.thefinesseband.com (reception)
Photographer: Jennifer Bearden; www.jenniferbearden.com
Planner, day-of coordinator, and/or designer: Lizz Akerman with Southern Protocol; www.southernprotocol.com
Rentals: Snyder Event Rentals; www.snydereventrentals.com
Stationery: Scotti Cline Designs; www.scotticlinedesigns.com
Styling: Bride, mother-of-the-bride, and bridesmaid hair: Hunter Johnson of Salon 101 (www.salon101spring.com) and UpDo Charleston; www.updocharleston.com
Makeup: Leslie Moore Make-up; www.mooremakeup.com
Transportation: Charleston Black Cab; www.charlestonblackcabcompany.com

The Wedding Row

February 14 2022

Botanical Designs Set the Tone for Springtime Vows at The Bend

Written By Melissa Reardon Photographs By Lucy Cuneo A transplant from Virginia, Weston “Wes” McAfee vividly remembers the first time he saw his future bride-to-be. Charleston native Dana Elaine...

December 29 2021

Lowcountry New Year’s Eve Wedding Inspiration & Real-life Tips

An Elegant Affair Proves New Year’s Eve Might Just Be The Perfect Time To Start A New Life Together By Joanne O’Sullivan | Images by Brandon Lata Photography Few people anywhere in the...

December 16 2021

Jacqueline Savage & Nicholas Harris | Legare Waring House

A Match Made in Heaven Classic white blooms, greenery, and wooden elements set off this stunning Charleston wedding under the oaks When it comes to love and marriage, couples who pair well...

December 2 2021

Chelsea Koontz & Tanner Swayne | Lowndes Grove

A Charleston Winter Wedding Embraces the Season with Sophistication and Glamour Just a few hours before sunset in mid-winter, Charleston takes on a certain golden glow, unparalleled at any other...

November 17 2021

Amy Bronston & Trevor Pittman | The Gadsden House

Take Cues from this Intimate Dreamy Blue “I Do” Amy Bronston and Trevor Pittman’s love story reads like a romantic movie. It was during the 2019 holiday season in Washington DC, where...

October 28 2021

Madison Clark & Brian Ruther | Lowndes Grove

This Halloween matrimony perfectly plays up the holiday—with a dash of fun and plenty of class in a scenic coastal Charleston setting By Joanne O’Sullivan | Images by Anne Rhett Photography...

October 11 2021

Fabulous Flowers for Fall Charleston Weddings

By Melissa Reardon | Images by Kelsey Halm Photo Expert Advice for a Beautiful Fall Bouquet With seasonal change comes an exciting rich color palette and tons of texture with which to design....

September 29 2021

Alexandra Nelson & Erik Korianski | Boone Hall Plantation

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work Photos by Dana Cubbage Weddings | Written by Melissa Reardon They say the greatest marriages are built on teamwork. And indeed, it’s one of the marital building blocks...

Feature

Double Take

A decade after they first tied the knot, a Tennessee couple renews their vows with family in tow

Feature

Landscape Your Way to a Lovely Garden Wedding

When a premiere Charleston landscape architect has a major hand in your wedding reception, the results go next-level lovely

Feature

Your Girl Friday

A wedding concierge just might save the (big) day

Feature

Home-Grown Beauty

Get silky soft for your Big Day with these locally made products

Feature

Love It! - Fall/Winter 2018

Calling all brides! Polish your look off the aisle, too, with these chic finds from our favorite shops

Feature

For the Love of Football

Two Gamecock alum coaches say their “I dos” in Charleston with a spiritual, classic affair

Feature

Get Inspired: Midsummer Dream

Feature

Banking on Good Ideas

Serving as her own planner and stylist, one Magnolia Plantation and Gardens bride schools us on delivering a cohesive DIY Big Day

Feature

Marry Me

Make your dream bling a reality with these sparkling beauties sourced from local jewelers

Feature

A Hoppin’ Good Time

A furry friend inspires a celebration of eccentricity and elegance

Feature

Charmed, I’m Sure

A resourceful bride dresses her Big Day in pretty little details

Feature

Life of the Party

He came back from a debilitating coma to walk the aisle. She was right by his side every step

Feature

Painted to Perfection

Custom watercolors, gold-painted latticework, and a rainbow of jewel tones combine to make an artful Big Day for this one-time planner and her sweetie