Big Doings

What do you get when you mix two engineers, a two-year engagement, and a Lowcountry venue that’s as gorgeous as it gets? Kathryn and Andrew’s heartfelt and handcrafted Big Day—a DIY affair that Pinterest boards are made of.

“I’ve always been crafty, so getting to do a bazillion crafts was the best,” says the bride, who, with the help from her groom, sawed, sanded, stained, and sewed her way to both a beautiful wedding and a brand new business.

“After our wedding was over, it felt like my favorite hobby had been taken from me,” says Kathryn, who since opened Paper and Pine Co. to sell her creations to other brides. And as for the wedding? Personal vows, stunning florals, and creative bars (beer bottles floated over the craft beer area while glass bubbles hung above a champagne station) made for a merry time.

Top Tips
Words from the wise...
• Avoid a time crunch. Crafting was tackled in the four months prior to the wedding. “Two extra months would have relieved stress and allowed us to squeeze in a few more items,” Kathryn says.
• Put 35 percent of your initial budget aside for taxes, gratuity, and miscellaneous expenses.
• Tap into your skills. Engineer Kathryn used AutoCAD—a program she uses for work—to design the marquee sign.
• Enlist your loved ones. Kathryn’s family assembled all the paper goods and helped communicate with vendors.

Vendor List:

Wedding design, décor, event signage, programs, menus: Paper and Pine Co. (Etsy), www.Etsy.com/Shop/PaperandPineCo

Day-of coordination, catering, bar service: Café Catering, www.CafeCateringAndEvents.com

Location: Legare Waring House, www.LegareWaringHouse.com

Florals: Branch Design Studio, www.BranchDesignStudio.com

Photography: Juliet Elizabeth, www.JulietElizabeth.com

Cinematography: Lowcountry Wedding Films, www.LowcountryWeddingFilms.com

Chairs: Snyder Events, www.SnyderEvents.com

Mirrored bar, bar shelving, linens, tables, lighting: EventHaus, www.EventHausRentals.com

Cakes: DeClare Cakes, www.DeClareCakes.com

Bride’s gown: Marisa Bridals, www.MarisaBridals.com

Hair: Paper Dolls, www.MyCharlestonWeddingHair.com