I’m going to try my best to not sound stalkerish when I say I love this Bride in a major, total Project Runway superfan sort of way. Two time contestant, Kate Pankoke, is best known for her super chicbridal ensembles and her wedding is no exception. It’s a full on elegant Southern affair stuffed to the gills with the perfect vintage touches captured by Shannon Christopher. And the dress from Kate’s bridal line, Elaya Vaughn? Pretty sure Tim Gunn would give a standing ovation. See even more right here.
Kate and Zach are high school sweethearts, so this wedding was a long time in the making. They are old souls who love to go antiquing; which is what led them to choose Savannah, GA as the location for their wedding. They wanted it to be very intimate yet still glamorous; with it’s spacious ballroom and dining area complete with stunning crystal chandeliers, Brockington Hall was the perfect venue for this wedding.
The theme of the wedding was Antique Elegance with a Rustic flare. They had mix and match vintage chairs for the ceremony and reception. Kate wanted the flowers to be voluminous but understated, like freshly picked wildflowers from the woods in front of her childhood home in South Florida. Kate and her bridesmaids ordered the flowers from Sam’s Club online and assembled the bouquets and centerpieces the night before the wedding with help from the amazing ladies at Ivory and Beau. The bouquets and centerpieces consisted of white baby’s breath and hydrangea with green fern accents.
The tables were marked with books that were named after the many different volumes of Kate and Zach’s life together. The happy couple was seated with their parents at “Volume VII. Happily Ever After”. The tables were draped in champagne satin tablecloths and accented with antique lace runners borrowed from Kate’s friends and family. The floral centerpieces were placed in large hurricane vases with a base of green moss and tan Manzanita branches. Each table was topped with several interesting antiques that the couple had found during one of their many adventures together.
Kate is a designer and has her own line, Elaya Vaughn Bridal, so she executed the ultimate bridal DIY and made her own gown. Fun Fact, she made it 7 days before the wedding! Kate’s gown is a stunning A-line tulle gown. It has a strapless, structured bodice with a champagne beaded lace overlay. Kate also made her veil that was just slightly longer than her train. Myra Callan from Twigs and Honey gave Kate the gorgeous baby’s breath crystal and pearl headpiece that topped off the look.
Though the guest list was limited, the bridal party was not! Kate and Zach each had 9 attendants on their side making the bridal party account for over 20% of the wedding! Kate’s side was a little unique, she didn’t understand why she should only be able to choose women to be her bridesmaids, so she had a combination of bridesmaids and brides-men. The bridesmaids wore beautiful lace LBDs from Anthropologie and the brides-men wore the same attire as the groomsmen, Black by Vera Wang tuxes. Kate and Zach surprised the ladies in their party with black crystal drop earrings and the men with black and white polka dot bow ties with their initials embroidered on them.
Zach is Jewish and Kate is Catholic, so they wanted to have a non-denominational ceremony. As a surprise to all of their guests, Zach’s brother, Josh, got ordained and performed the ceremony.
After the ceremony, the guests had a cocktail hour in the library and then greeted the couple for their first dance. The bride and groom danced to “Do You Remember” by Jack Johnson.
Guests feasted on some good old Southern cooking like collard greens, shrimp and grits, and Chicken Pulaski. The cake was a beautiful 3 tiered rustic buttercream creation by the talented team at Tier Luxury Cakes.
Kate and Zach chose to do a Tea Bar for their favors. They had vintage jars that their guests could scoop local Savannah tea into to take a part of the south with them.
After dancing the night away, guests retreated to the porch for a cool night breeze and a final glass of champagne as they bid their farewells and good wishes to the new Mr. and Mrs. Aberman….and they lived happily ever after.
Photographer: Shannon Christopher | Flowers: Sam's Club | Gown: Elaya Vaughn Bridal | Cake: Tier Luxury Cakes | Bride's Shoes: Adrienne Maloof For Charles Jourdan | Engagement Ring: A. Jaffe From Mayors | Wedding Bands: Jewelers Of Parkland | Bridesmaids Dresses: Anthropologie | Catering: Paul Kennedy Catering | DJ: First City Events | Tuxes: Men's Wearhouse | Backup Photographer: Alison Epps Photography | Bridesmaid Gifts: Topshop | Day Of Planner: Ivory and Beau | Flower Girl Dresses: SasAndAsa | Garter: Elaya Vaughn Bridal | Garter Belt: DKNY | Groom's Look: Men's Wearhouse | Groomsmen/Brides-men Gifts: The Tie Bar | Head Piece: Twigs & Honey | Historic Home: Brockington Hall | Hurricane Vases: Circle Glass | Linnens: Alex Karenin Estate Jewelry Store | Mother Of The Bride Dress: Nordstrom | Table Rental: In Any Event | Tea Favors: The Spice And Tea Exchange | Veil: Elaya Vaughn Bridal | Vintage Chair Rental: Everthine Vintage Rentals | Vintage Glass Jar Favors: Merchanstyle