Comparing Notes

stationery
Comparing Notes
(clockwise from top left) Invitations in a mod shape get a touch of tradition with a two-color letterpress design. The Lettered Olive, (843) 577-9100, www.theletteredolive.com. The “Ashley and Robert” letterpress invitation, response card, and notecard feature tropical orchids. Saima Says Design, (202) 370-6381, www.saimasaysdesign.com. Vintage palm illustrations accent a letterpress save-the-date booklet with its stair-step pages and raffia tie. The Lettered Olive, (843) 577-9100,
www.theletteredolive.com. An outdoorsy couple inspired this earthy topo-map letterpress set. Sideshow Press, (843) 722-6296, www.sideshowpress.com.
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WEDDINGS
P H O T O G R A P H
B Y
T E R R Y
K U Z N I A R
Choosing the right stationery sets the tone for your special day, and with one
of these designs, how could any guest refuse?
❘ receptions
Summer Solstice
Text by Sarah Allison • Photographs by Peter Frank Edwards
Easy elegance defines this intimate Sullivan’s
Island reception inspired by a casual beach house
and a sweet silk fabric
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receptions
Beachy Keen
RELAXED STYLE RULES THIS FAMILY AFFAIR
50
ESTIMATED COST: $55,000
NUMBER OF GUESTS:
EVENT DESIGN:
B
WED
(Weddings Elegantly Designed)
each ceremonies and receptions don’t have to
be barefoot affairs. Take this sweet but sophisticated reception at a Sullivan’s Island beach
house, for instance. Here, WED owner and designer Katie
(this page)
Huebel and manager Ellen Robinson conspired to create
ROCK ‘N’ ROLL:
Katie and Ellen
placed rocking
chairs to take in the
setting sun and
accented the porch
with lush clusters of
yellow “Massage”
roses displayed in
antiqued vases and
on this topiary form.
a uniquely Lowcountry party that took its cue from the
shabby chic style of a green, breeze-filled beach house,
and an elegant silk fabric embroidered with yellow flowers
that echoed blooms growing on the nearby dunes.
INVITATIONS & FAVORS
Using the motif from the patterned floral fabric, invitations
were decorated with yellow flowers and tied off with a modest
grosgrain ribbon to complement the casual setting. Burlap totes
embroidered with yellow flowers and stuffed with local treats
became handy welcome bags for guests. And
(opposite page,
to add a homespun touch to the end of the
clockwise from top)
night, Katie and Ellen popped mini lemon
poppyseed loaves into tins belted with a pale
green ribbon and sealed with a wax stamp
bearing the initial of the couple’s surname.
SETTING & DÉCOR
When working with a location as magical as a
seaside cottage, you need only accent the
area’s existing natural beauty. Given that, and
since the reception’s Sullivan’s Island location
epitomizes old-time Lowcountry style, Katie
and Ellen designed the fête to have a relaxed,
vintage look with a contemporary twist.That
meant cushioning weathered wicker chairs
with custom-made pillows of their favorite silk
floral fabric, dressing sun-bleached porches
with whitewashed iron vessels filled with
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|CHARLESTON
WEDDINGS
LOW RIDERS: Low
floral arrangements
like these facilitate
conversations. SIP
IN SUMMER: Fresh
lemonade can be
served au naturel
for kids or spiked
for adults. Place different swizzle sticks
in each to set the
types apart. DO ME
A FAVOR: The yellow
and green color
theme played out
from start (welcome
bags) to finish
(favor-filled tins).
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“Family-style meals are great for
small gatherings where you can
enjoy food and conversation.”
—Ellen Robinson
HANGING OUT: Small copper lanterns hung
with humble twine and filled with yellow rose
blooms cast their sweet scent over the
ambling waterfront porch.
antique yellow roses, and topping off
gently worn green dining tables with
elegant runners and a host of candles
and bouquets.
FOOD
Maximizing interaction among the small
guest party, playing up the season, and
celebrating the seaside location each
influenced the colorful menu.And since
Katie imagined wedding goers would
retreat to the screened-in porch for a fun,
family-style (or passed dish) dinner, heaping
vessels of locally raised vegetables also
played a starring role.To continue with the
casual, colorful theme, Katie and Ellen
skipped a traditional wedding cake and
instead loaded a sideboard with lemon
desserts. “There’s something inspirational
in being different,” says Katie, who opted
for just that and succeeded tenfold.
(counterclockwise from top left) RED ALERT: Cocktail hour began with succulent, colorful lobster tails.
BURGERETTE: Tiny lobster patties were served on fennel yeast rolls as an appetizer. HOMEGROWN
GOODNESS: John’s Island heirloom tomatoes made the dinner’s salad irresistible, while fresh local
fingerling potatoes in thyme and olive oil accented certified prime Angus sirloin. TIN TO GO: Small
lemon poppyseed bread loaves were goodies-to-go for guests.
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WEDDINGS
Reception Resources
China, glassware, furniture, & linens: WED
Florals: HB Stems
Food: Granville’s Catering
Lighting: Production Design Associates
Location: Exit Realty Charleston Group
Printed materials: Studio R
Sweets & lemon poppyseed bread: The Cake Stand
Wreath: Katie Huebel, WED
TIE THE KNOT: Trifold
invitations bearing a
floral pattern reminiscent of Katie and
Ellen’s “starring”
fabric were secured
with a sweet yellow
grosgrain ribbon.
LEMON TWIST: A
classic Southern
sideboard is covered
with an assortment
of tart homemade
desserts in lieu of a
wedding cake. Katie
accented the lemon
and lime wreath
above with delicate
white bavardia.
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stationery
(clockwise from top left) A paisley print band and lined envelope complements a clever gold and ecru offset print save-the-date timeline. Studio R, (843) 762-5793,
www.studio-r-design.com. Cranberry and mustard are a regal pairing on this letterpress invitation and reply card. Dulles Designs, (843) 805-7166, www.dullesdesigns.com. Strikingly simple, this elegant typographed invitation and response card slip into a lined envelope. Reaves Engraving, (877) 610-4499, www.reavesengraving.com. This thermographed invitation teams dusty rose with brown type and marries a modern font with a feminine design. Open House, (843) 766-2467.
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