Purple Haze

Summer 2012

WRITER CREDIT:

PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT:

Purple Haze | Kris Welch & Jacob Luhrs, September 16, 2011, The Cotton Dock at Boone Hall Plantation

Charleston Wedding wedding wedding cake Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal Snyder Event Rentals Boone Hall Plantation Boone Hall Hannah Alexander Studio R Design wine Studio R ooh! events Flowers gown Garden JCrew WED

STEALING A MOMENT: Kris (in an Ian Stuart gown) and Jacob posed for portraits on the Cotton Dock.

SIGN OF THE TIMES: The chalk for the handmade reception sign showcased the lilac and plum palette.

THE PERFECT TOUCH: Jacob’s simple thistle and astilbe boutonniere accented his charcoal J.Crew tux.

VERY RASPBERRY: Boldly colored cocktails complemented the rich menu by Granville’s Catering, which included hangar steak and seared scallops on creamy faro.

THIS SEAT’S TAKEN: Satin ribbon in lilac added sheen and tone-on-tone depth to the napkins.

HANG ON: Mason jars hung with lavender ribbon and filled with white roses, silver-green dusty miller, and purple delphinium graced the ceremony aisle.

PASTORAL SETTING: Framed by the colorful green pastures of Boone Hall and some horses trotting by, the outdoor ceremony was one with nature.

STUNNING STATIONERY: The couple’s ceremony programs, printed by Studio R Design, featured deep purple ink and a rustic emblem.

SUPPORTING CAST: The groomsmen awaited Kristin’s arrival down the aisle in charcoal-colored J.Crew tuxes.

HERE COMES THE BRIDE: Kris’ cathedral-length veil, which was gifted to her by Jacob, trailed behind her as she processed the grassy aisle on her father’s arm.

IN NATURE: Jacob and Kris’ altar? Century old oaks and draping Spanish moss.

DIVINE INSPIRATION: Kris says the most unique element to their ceremony was the washing of each others’ feet. The mother of the bride and the mother of the groom each poured a glass of water into the basin from which they used. “We really wanted this part to be a witness to others of the love and commitment one should have and work for in a marriage,” she says.

HEART-TO-HEART: The bride, who is a writer, and groom, a vocalist and touring musician, also work together for a nonprofit that focuses on counseling youth.

SMILING PRETTY: Junior bridesmaid Lucy, Kris’ youngest sister, glowed in a purple satin shift.

TAKE A SEAT: This comfy rental from Ooh! Events was dressed in fabric to match the Cotton Dock.

FULL OF LOVE: “Jacob asked me to be his girlfriend every day for a month, and although I was weary of being in a relationship with a touring musician, he finally won me over,” says Kris.

BRIDAL BEAUTIES: Kris posed with her bridesmaids, Katie, Kerriann, Dana, and Lucy, radiant in their lilac European satin dresses from Demetiros Bridal in NYC.

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE: The newlyweds kissed for the camera on the oak-lined dirt drive of Boone Hall Plantation.

LOVELY LANDSCAPE: The venue’s natural greenery played up the evening’s palette.

COME ON IN: Drawn draperies and a handwritten sign welcomed guests into the Cotton Dock for the reception.

DELIGHTFUL DETAILS: Using spray roses and Dusty Miller, WED packed plenty of texture into the men’s boutonnieres.

AMETHYST LUXURY: Emerald green wine bottles placed next to centerpieces of maidenhair fern, roses, raspberries, sweet peas, and thistle and chandeliers from Technical Event Company upped the romance factor in the rustic Cotton Dock.

TABLE FOR TWO: The couple’s sweetheart seats faced the tables set for their 100 guests.

LIGHT BRIGHT: When the sun set, crystal chandeliers and spotlights, provided by the Technical Event Company, lit the Cotton Dock.

BOTTLE SERVICE: Emerald wine bottles and rose arrangements accented the bar.

FLOCK OF FLORA: WED used thistle, lambs ear, Dusty Miller, and sword fern throughout the evening’s floral décor.

SIMPLY EXQUISITE: White hydrangea married leaf-less branches of un-ripened figs to create tall textured arrangements.

PURPLE POW: Mason jars held garden roses, Dusty Miller, and raspberries for an earthy, romantic effect.

LOVE IN BLOOM: Lush centerpieces featured garden roses, bullet allium, sweet peas, sword fern, and globe thistle.

BEAUTIFULLY UNVEILED: Purple velvet-covered chairs and a couch with ivory pillows surrounded the brick hearth as an inviting lounge area.

HOME IS WHERE THE HEARTH IS: Votive candles filled the fireplace and, alternating with hydrangea-filled vases, dressed the mantle, as well.

GRAPES OF WRATH: The wine-loving couple had Granville’s Catering serve wine and cheese pairings throughout the reception.

MESSAGE ON A BOTTLE: Green wine bottles, topped with raspberry branches and adorned with handwritten quotes from the couple’s favorite authors, served as table numbers.

AMUSE-BOUCHE: Hors d’oeuvres from Granville’s Catering kept guests well fed during cocktail hour.

FOR NAME’S SAKE: Kris and Jacob embossed their name logo on the purple menu.

THE MUSICIAN AND HIS BRIDE: The bride and groom hit the dance floor for their first dance to “Fake Empire” by the National.

A PERFECT SOUTHERN EVENING: Strings of bulb lights and white draping fancied up the wooden Cotton Dock.

TAKE A LOAD OFF: Plush wicker couches from Ooh! Events offered weary dancers a place to rest their feet, with plenty of light to still enjoy the festivities.

TASTE QUARTET: The cake, from Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal, featured four flavors: red velvet, pistachio, blueberry buttercream, and pecan praline.

ALL ABOUT THE OMBRE: Once the sun had set, the couple cut into their ombre-ruffled wedding cake.

SOMETHING SWEET: Small bowls of macaroons from Granville’s Catering were the perfect late-night treat.

LIGHT UP THE SKY: Wedding guests illuminated the bride and groom’s departure with a sparkler sendoff. One crafty guest used his sparkler to light up a celebratory cigar.

SPARKLING EXIT: For their honeymoon, Kris says she and Jacob traveled to Oahu, Hawaii, where they vacationed for eight “glorious” days and “celebrated this new chapter” of their lives.

After a European-themed proposal featuring wine from Italy and chocolates from Switzerland, South Carolina native Jacob and his fiancé Kris, from Connecticut, turned to Hannah Alexander of WED to create their dream wedding. As to why the couple chose the Lowcountry, Kris says they “have traveled all over, but have yet to find a place with the style and charm of Charleston.” With the bride in Connecticut and the groom touring the globe alongside his heavy metal band, Hannah planned a rustic yet posh affair at Boone Hall Plantation. Aiming for an elegant meets rocker vibe, rich hues of purple, lavender, and dusty pink mingled with a muted gray. From Kris’ verdant bouquet of violet sweet peas and lilac garden roses to Jacob’s indigo thistle boutonniere, the lush palette set a tone for romance.

Vendor List
Baker: Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal; www.weddingcakesbyjimsmeal.com
Bridal Gown: Ian Stuart, from Kleinfelds NYC; www.kleinfeldbridal.com
Caterer: Granville’s Catering; www.granvillescafeandcatering.com
Flowers: WED; www.charlestonevent.com
Groom’s Suits: J.Crew; www.jcrew.com
Lighting: Technical Event Company; www.technicaleventcompany.com
Lounge Rentals: OOH! Events Lounge Rentals; www.shopoutofhand.com
Photography: TimWill Photography; www.timwillphoto.com
Printing: Studio R Design; www.studio-r-design.com
Rentals: Snyder Event Rentals; www.snydereventrentals.com
Venue: Boone Hall Plantation; www.boonehallplantation.com
Wedding Design and Coordination: WED; www.charlestonevent.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

Get the Latest Buzz

Here's what's hot in Charleston this season

Feature

Minty Fresh

Sarah Katherin Fagan & Jason Guillian, May 15, 2011, Runnymede Plantation<br />

Feature

Pomp & Circumstance

Adhering to Indian traditions, one couple’s dream wedding dazzled some 450 friends and family with vibrant color, jubilant dancing, and ornate décor and dress

Feature

The Good Life

Limoncello & citrus sweets take over this wedding at Middleton Place

Feature

Wishing Tree

Designer Annie Mueller of A New Leaf Studio designed this tree for guests to tag with their sweet sentiments. Plant it in your new front yard post-wedding

Feature

Posh Spice

A fusion of cultures heat up an early evening reception overlooking the bluffs of the Stono River

Feature

Coral Weddings

Let the Pantone color of the year dress your wedding

Feature

Get Inspired

Garden of Love

Feature

Beaufort Beauty

Ashleigh Volland & Matthew Whitmore; October 11, 2008, Parish Church of St. Helena & Beaufort Waterfront Park

Feature

All in the Family

Ashley Bakery marries off its last daughter with a grand finale of confections

Feature

Up in Arms

Capped, illusion, or buttoned up, sleeves add a ladylike look to every gown

Feature

Top It Off

Feast your eyes on this treasure chest of jewels ranging from ultra-fine to utterly fashionable. Whether you’re dressing for your wedding or any of the myriad events leading up to it, these pieces add polish—and panache