Coastal Folly Beach Wedding Engagement from Chi Photography

Alright, who's up for a gorgeous Lowcountry engagement session at the beach?!  This girl!  Then let's get started with the latest and greatest in all things Lowcountry weddings!  Head on over and check out the premier issue of A Lowcoountry Wedding where you'll find the top 13 Weddings from Charleston, Hilton Head and Myrtle Beach, so head on over and enjoy every minute of it here.  Our lack of winter has me yearning for Summertime and long days relaxing on Folly Beach, so what better way to satisfy my craving (and probably yours, too!) than with an easy-going session along the coast!  Folly is a casual, coastal town just minutes from Downtown Charleston and is the perfect spot for bride's looking for a laid back beach wedding.  Blessed with a perfect day by the water, the talented Chi Photography captured Haley + Robert in their element with stunning oceanside views.  What a Beautiful Folly Beach Wedding Engagement!

Charleston Wedding Vendors

Venue: Folly Beach, South Carolina  /  Photographer: Chi Photography

Specialty Drinks for Southern Weddings in Charleston, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach

Wedding season is upon us and for all of you Spring and Summer brides looking for the perfect tasty libation to welcome your guests, look no further!  We've rounded up plenty of options.   Charleston, Hilton Head and Myrtle Beach are blessed with the beautiful Lowcountry landscape that lends itself way to jaw dropping wedding venues that offer one-of-a-kind views on the water.  These coastal spots will naturally put wedding guest into a celebratory mood, so your choice of food and beverage needs to share the same spirit.  Welcoming your guests with a killer specialty drink will get the party started!

Blood Orange Margarita

The Brooklyn Beauty

Raspberry Beer Cocktail

Pineapple Mint Rum Punch

Pomegranate Spritzer

Meyer Lemonade with Rosemary

Blackberry Sage Cooler

...and who could forget our favorite Lowcountry specialty?

A John Daly - Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka and Lemonade

Oceanside Edisto Beach Wedding from Julie Napear Photography

Hope everyone enjoyed a rainy weekend with friends at the Charleston Wine + Food Festival!  We're back at this week with a laid back, oceanside Edisto Beach wedding from the talented Julie Napear Photography.  Edisto is a beautiful coastal jewel that is about an hour from Charleston and two from Hilton Head...it's the perfect location for a low-key affair with some seriously breathtaking views.   The couple, Adrienne + Sean, met while living in the Bay Area and decided a Lowcountry wedding was a must for their August nuptials.  They wanted something simple and touching and that's exactly what they got!  Their ceremony was held on the beach with standing room only before they headed back inside for an evening of dancing.

Megan + Steve {Charleston Engagement} Emily Horton Photography

To put it simply, T. G. I. F.   The Lowcountry's in for quite the weekend; Spring is unofficially here, the temperature's clocking in around 80 and the Charleston Food + Wine Festival has set up shop in Marion Square...is it 5 o'clock yet?  I can barely contain my excitement.  To get this party started, we're riding off into the weekend with this smashing Charleston engagement session from the talented Emily Horton Photography.   The couple, Megan + Steve, reside in Washington D.C. but couldn't think of a better place to have their wedding then beautiful Charleston, South Carolina.  They spent the perfect Fall afternoon gallivanting around the Battery and Waterfront Park to capture some gorgeous, sun-drenched images.  BTW,  if you’re in the market to be inspired, and we mean REALLY inspired, then you’ll love the 13 real weddings we’ve featured from Hilton Head, Charleston and Myrtle Beach!   So, mosey  on over and swoon over all that the Fall/Winter edition has to offer.   Check it out and get your copies here.

Charleston Weddings {A Charleston Bride} Brittani

So our friend Brittani, a Charleston Bride, of Britt Croft Photography, is planning her big Charleston wedding this coming September.  I asked her if she'd take us on the journey as she blogs her way through all things wedding planning, right up until her fabulous Lowcountry Wedding!  Today, it's all about her photographer.  Take it away, Britt...

"Hi ALW! It's been a while, but I've been truckin' along with my wedding to do list! Last time I wrote, I chatted about selecting our Charleston wedding venue.  I get so excited when I think about it because I just know it's so "us" and will set the perfect mood and backdrop for our big day.

Probably the most important thing to me, naturally, was the photography. Everyone has different priorities, but for us, the photography is what will take us back years down the road. It's how we'll remember so many of the thing that flew by that day, or that we were too busy to think about. Our wedding album will become a family heirloom that we will pass along to our children and grandchildren. Photography was definitely at the top of the list in terms of importance. Along with the venue and food (also so important to us), the photography was also a big chunk of our budget.

As a wedding photographer myself, people have asked me from day one of our engagement who would shoot our wedding. "Surely you must have chosen that first!" people would say. Nope. Sure didn't. In fact, the decision stressed me out A LOT. It was SO important to me that I was terrified of making the wrong decision...so I put it off and put it off, but after we booked our venue, I really had to buckle down and discuss it with Dustin before the awesome photographers I loved booked up for our date.

I spent a ton of time thinking about it. There are so many photographers whose work I love that I didn't know how I could choose. I finally narrowed it down to three. I thought some more. I browsed portfolios, blogs, etc. I tried to get a feel for personalities and such. I thought about it even more. I wanted someone with us on our big day that I felt I could relate to. I know that on your wedding day, you spend a lot of time with your photographer. I wanted someone who used light beautifully...that is SO important to me! I wanted someone who told a story, who would appreciate us wanting to do a first look, would pay close attention to details and the personalization we plan to add to our Southern wedding, and who put a lot of emphasis on bride and groom portraits. Portraits of my handsome southern man and I on our big day is so important to me because I know those will be some of the most powerful and intimate pictures from the day. Just us...loving being in love. I thought some more. I figured I needed a plan of action...I needed to prioritize my list and see who was available. Well, I decided who was my number one choice and emailed yer. Yup! She was available for September 15th! Yay! We chatted a bit about the day and soon after were officially booked!

So...who'd we choose? Well, the sweet Katelyn James. After doing all that thinking...this wedding in particular really sold me: Buddy & Jill . There was SO much that was just so relatable about it. Buddy's looks and handiness reminds me of Dustin in a lot of ways...and of course the whole cozy country theme and "farmers wife" thing was perfect. We knew from the beginning we wanted our whole wedding party to wear boots, too, and I just loved the whole mood and vibe of this wedding. We really felt like Katelyn would know how to work with us and shoot our kind of wedding. We can't wait to see how she tells the story of a day we are so eager to be here. Anddddd...we are getting super excited about our engagement session! It'll be here before we know it in April and it will be so special to have some truly authentic professional portraits of us just being us.

So what happened next? Well, we booked our caterer, DJ, AND I just recently found my dress!!! I thought the latter would be a stressful and exhausting experience, but it was anything but. I can't wait to share about those next two steps with y'all in the next few weeks! :)

Seersucker {Wedding Details}

We're in the midst of gearing up for quite the wedding season here in the Lowcountry and with that comes one of our favorite Southern elements...seersucker!   When the weather gets warmer, seersucker is the fabric of choice along the coast and it's no wonder brides feel the need to doll up their Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach and Charleston weddings with this classic material into their wedding day decor.  You'll most commonly find our Southern grooms donning a seersucker suit but it's not unusual to see it accessorizing lovely invitations or gorgeous bouquets.  From favors and gowns to bridesmaids dresses and linens, we've rounded up a sampling of our favorite ways to include seersucker in your Lowcountry wedding!

Southern Weddings {Burlap} Wedding Decor

Who's got two thumbs and like a little burlap wedding decor!? THIS GIRL!  I mean, isn't it obvious? :)  I remember the first time I saw this Burlap + Bling inspiration shoot (see above and below!) from Nashville Photographer, Kristyn Hogan and the team at Cedarwood Weddings, my jaw dropped right to the floor.  Ah-maz-ing!  I remember thinking, if only I had seen this before I got married.  I'm pretty sure I would have translated every ounce of this shoot into some aspect of my Charleston wedding decor.  There's just something about burlap all dressed up that I can't get enough of.  It's easygoing, classic, beautiful...it just screams Lowcountry.  From serving trays to invitations, I've bundled up some of my favorite ways to incorporate burlap into your fabulous Hilton Head wedding.  Hope you enjoy!

{Katie + Allen} Charleston Wedding Engagement

I hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend and was able to take in a few SEWE events!   Our friends over at MCG Photography sent over Katie + Allen's classic Downtown Charleston wedding engagement session and it's just the thing to kick off this sunny Monday morning.  Katie is a student at the College of Charleston and just had to incorporate her love for the Holy City into lifelong memories with her soon-to-be husband, Allen.  The couple started the afternoon on campus, steps from the historical Cistern, then continued throughout the city as they stopped at Hank's Seafood Restaurant (where they had their post engagement celebration!), and up on a rooftop overlooking the Lowcountry.  Best of luck on the upcoming wedding!

I love this one.  Perfect weather, smiles and a steeple in the background...

Charleston Weddings {Nikki + Shane} Francis Marion Hotel

You know we love some Charleston weddings, especially when killer photographers are involved.  This past April, the Lowcountry was graced with a visit from the talented destination duo of Kate Botwinski Photography.  The husband and wife team traveled all the way to the Holy City to capture the fabulous Spring wedding of Nikki + Shane.   The ladies spent the morning getting all dolled up thanks to the crew at Stella Nova and the magical brushes of Andrew C. Petersen.  Nikki looked flawless in her stunning Monique Lhullier gown while her husband-to-be looked dapper in his dress blues. They kicked off the perfect Saturday afternoon with a traditional Catholic ceremony at the grand Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.  After saying 'I do', the couple hopped in a carriage for a gorgeous photo session at The Battery & White Point Gardens with their bridal party.  The evening continued with a jaw-dropping reception at Downtown's lavish Francis Marion Hotel where the newlyweds revealed a showstopping first dance that got the party started!

Charleston Wedding Vendors

Photographer: Kate Botwinski Photography  /  Ceremony Venue: The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist  /  Reception Venue: The Francis Marion Hotel  /  Dress Designer: Monique Lhuiller  /  Shoes: Zappos  /  Hair Designer: Stella Nova  /  Makeup: Andrew C. Petersen  /  Stationery: Dee Ruel  /  Bridesmaids Dresses:After Six by Dessy  /  Floral Designer: OK Florist  /  Videographer: That Frank Guy  /  Cake Designer: Artistic Cakes by Linda  /  Linens: Covers by Nicole  /  Entertainment: Super Deluxe

Fly Home Married {Destination Wedding Contest}

Ok, so how does this sound?  Reserve your dream Charleston, Hilton Head or Myrtle Beach wedding venue (think Lowndes Grove, Hibernian Hall, Cassique, William Aiken...the list goes on!), buy your fabulous gown, one that will make any Southern bride swoon, book your plane tickets and then...FLY HOME MARRIED!  Not bad, eh?

Well, you're in luck.  Nathan Peel Photography has rounded up a group of truly talented vendors to offer you the destination wedding of your dreams and all you have to do is enter (check out the rules below).  That's it. But don't wait, the deadline is this Friday, February 17th.  So, get crackin'to win your free Lowcountry wedding!

The lucky couple will receive...

Photography – Nathan Peel Photography ($8500 value)

• 12 hours of coverage on your wedding day by 1 photographer
• Day After Session for perfect couple/bridal portraits
• 10 spread leather album
• Digital Negative DVD of wedding and portrait session
• Up to $1500 paid travel budget for photographer

Stationery – Five Dot Design ($1000 value)

• A credit will be applied to the final balance of your wedding stationery package.
• This can be used towards Save the Dates, your invitation suite, reception pieces like programs, favors and thank you notes.

Planning – Blue Dahlia Events ($750 value)

• 3 sessions of expert planning advice to assist you with your destination wedding planning: budget, style + design, travel, timeline, etc.

Makeup - Brideface ($125 value)

• Custom DIY makeup consult to help you create two looks.
• *if couple isn’t local or plans to hire an artist on location then a gift basket with product of equal value will be sent.

$10,000 toward the destination wedding of your dreams…not too bad, huh?

Here’s how to enter:

Round 1:

1. Send an email to contest@nathanpeelphoto.com. Round 1 entries will be accepted through email only. All Facebook, Twitter, blog comments, etc will be disregarded.
2. Include couple’s names, wedding date, wedding location and wedding venue. (A booked wedding venue and date will be valued highly.)
3. Include a 100-200 word blurb (keep it short!) about you guys as a couple. We’re looking for insight into your personality.
4. All Round 1 entries must be received by noon on February 17, 2012.

Round 2:

1. 10 finalists will be selected and contacted by February 18, 2012.
2. Finalists will be asked to submit a picture and a short description of their wedding.
3. Voting will be opened to the public via online poll.
4. Voting will close at noon March 1, 2012. The finalists with the most votes wins.

Fine Print:

1. All finalists will be selected by Nathan Peel Photography.
2. A wedding will be considered as a “destination” wedding at the sole discretion of the photographer.
3. If you have already contracted a photographer please consider your contractual obligations before entering.
4. Current NPP couples are not eligible.
5. Votes will be handled via secure online poll.
6. Photographer travel will include 1 coach plane ticket, 3 nights of lodging on site, transportation and food.
7. If $1500 budget is exceeded the winning couple will be responsible for extra expense.
8. Wedding date availability will be taken into consideration when selecting finalists.
9. To protect the integrity of the contest wedding vendors above reserve the right to disqualify any entry at any time

A Brand New A Lowcountry Wedding!

I'm sure most of you guys thought this day would never come for A Lowcountry Wedding (and sometimes neither did I)!  But, it's finally here!  Our brand, spanking new site has gone live and I couldn't be happier.  It looks better than I could have ever imagined and it's all thanks to a few truly talented individuals and I just have to sing their praises...

First up, Mrs. Emily Ley.   Emily is the creative mind behind A Lowcountry Wedding's fabulous branding.  Emily hit it out of the park with the perfect color palette and spot-on logo and for that I have to give a HUGE, HUGE thank you!

Then, we have Sarah Kate Snyder, owner of Studio Snyder who, to put it mildly...nailed it.  Sarah Kate took our perfect branding and translated it into a killer new website.  It's got that laid-back, Lowcountry ease we were missing before.   I'm so over-the-moon with how everything has turned out  that I just can't say thank you enough!

I hope y'all love it as much as I do!  We appreciate everyone's kind words and are excited about all the big surprises we have in store for you this year!  Don't forget to subscribe to our RSS feed here.

Inn at Palmetto Bluff Bridal Session by Kristin Vanzant Photography

I've said it before, but one of my biggest wedding regrets is not having bridal portraits taken.  It's just so necessary. You get one good run thru of how you're going to look the day of.  You can test out your hair, your shoes and get a feel for your photographer.  It also gives you the time to capture some really beautiful (and frame-able) images and will free up precious wedding day minutes.  So, when my baby sister gets engaged one of these days, girlfriend's getting bridal portraits taken whether she likes it or not (Sorry, Emma, but it's happening!). Jacque teamed up with destination wedding photographer, Kristin Vanzant for a gorgeous coastal bridal session at one of the Lowcountry's most stunning venues, The Inn at Palmetto Bluff.  The Inn's located in Bluffton, South Carolina which is just south of Charleston and right outside of Hilton Head Island and Savannah...and it is a sight!  It's the definition of the word 'Lowcountry' and is the perfect retreat for a destination bride looking for joyous weekend long wedding celebration.  On this low-key day in March, darling bride-to-be Jacque and Kristin Vanzant toured the expansive property from the tides to the Waterside Chapel for a timeless afternoon of photographs.

Kristen + Jonathan {Hawkesdene House Wedding}

Before we jump right in today fabulous Southern affair, we had to tell you about a new resource for all things travel in Charleston.  Our friends over at the uber-luxurious Charleston Place Hotel have started up a new blog, Hidden Charleston.  Whether you're a lifetime local or Lowcountry newbie, this is your guide to the most talked about dining establishments, favorite watering holes, one-of-a-kind events and all the historic hotspots. Normally, I like to write a little somethin' somethin' about the weddings that we post but  I just love what Louisiana photographer Claire Elyse had to say about Kristen + Jonathan's destination wedding that I thought I'd let her share today. So, from Miss Claire Elyse herself...

"Kristen and Jonathan’s wedding was one of those where I found myself counting down the days ‘til show time! It may have been because the wedding took place in the mountains of North Carolina, or perhaps because the bride and groom brought all the best of Louisiana to meet those mountains. It was all that and more. The details of this wedding were stunning, and even the vendors were the perfect mix of fun-loving South Louisiana meets breath taking North Carolina mountain highs. Jonathan proposed to Kristen in Andrews, North Carolina, so it was only appropriate to pack up the dress, cake, family, and bar and make a vacation out of it. The Hawkesdene House was one of my favorite venues to work with. The owners matched elegance with comfort. From the flowers, to one of Zoe’s Bakery’s masterpieces, to Abita Blues playing the requests of the bride and groom mixed with their own style. Kristen dreamt an amazing day into reality."

Southern Wedding Vendors

Photographer: Claire Elyse Photography  /   Venue: Hawkesdene House  /   Floral Designer: An English Garden  /   Hair Stylist: Barbers and Bombshells  /  Dress Store: Southern Bridal  /   Band: Abita Blues Band  /  Cake Designer: Zoe's Bakery 

Stripes {Wedding Decor}

We've been loving how many brides have incorporated stripes into their wedding color palettes.  Stripes are the perfect preppy and coastal addition to any girl's wedding decor...and let's face it, we love all things coastal and preppy here in Charleston. We've rounded up quite a few of our favorite ways to incorporate some stripped accessories into your Lowcountry Big Day!  They range from linens and invitations to bridesmaids dresses and favors...

Image by Brooke Images via Southern Weddings

Image by Jesse Leake via Style Me Pretty

Image via Once Wed Photography by Erin Hearts Court Event Design and Flowers by La Partie Events

 

Image via Rifle Paper Co.

 

Image by Kellie Kano Photography via Style Me Pretty

Image by Anne Marie Photography via Style Me Pretty

Image via Coco + Kelley   Image via Martha Stewart Weddings and Ocean House Weddings

Image by Agnes Lopez via Style Me Pretty

Image by Jose Villa via Southern Weddings

 

Images by One and Only Paris Photography via Style Me Pretty

Image by Genevive McKeiver via Style Me Pretty

Image via M. Robin Cakes

Image via Southern Weddings and Matchbook

Image via Anne Robert Photography

Samantha + Scott {Pawleys Island Wedding}

Just up the road from Charleston, on the South Carolina coast, there's a little gem of town called Pawleys Island. It's the epitome of a Lowcountry lifestyle...fresh seafood, laidback locals, Southern charm and the perfect mix of the ocean and marsh. It's those qualites that Northeastern natives Samantha + Scott wanted to share with their wedding guests.  The couple had recently relocated to Myrtle Beach and wanted their wedding to reflect their love for their new Lowcountry home. Samantha looked like the perfect Southern bride thanks to her gorgeous strapless gown from The Little White Dress and her fabulous up-do from R. Lozier Signature Salon. They selected the Reserve Harbor Yacht Club to host their ceremony and reception and this new wedding venue did not disappoint.  One of our favorite photographers, Carolina Studios by Gillian Reinhardt, did her usual fabulous job capturing the Lowcountry entire affair.  Their elegant poolside reception looked stunning with the help of a talented team of vendors, Greenskeeper Florist and The Trestle while Steve & Company kept the guests up and moving all night long!

Myrtle Beach Wedding Vendors

Photographer: Carolina Studios by Gillian Reinhardt  /  Reception Venue: Reserve Harbor Yacht Club  /  Hairstylist: R. Lozier Signature Salon  /  Floral Designer: Greenskeeper Florist  /  Dress Store: The Little White Dress  /  Cake Designer: The Trestle  /  DJ: Steve & Company  /  Transportation: Carolina Limos  /  Officiant: Simple Wedding Day

Terrilyn + Scott {Naples Wedding}

The Charleston area is home to countless destination weddings every year.  Couples are drawn to the city's rich history, timeless beauty, heavenly food and the indescribable Lowcountry ease. A certain excitement and build up comes with a destination wedding, not just from the bride and groom, but the guests as well. From the save-the-dates and weather to the local cuisine and stunning scenery, a destination wedding is a memorable occasion for all involved! Destination photographers Luminaire Foto sent over Terrilyn + Scott's fabulous destination affair at the swanky Ritz Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, Florida and we just couldn't wait to post it.  Terrilyn was glowing in her strapless gown and makeup from Hope Henderson Artistry that she accessorized with pearl jewelry and a gorgeous bouquet.  They used a vibrant palette of pinks and oranges that seemed very fitting of their palm tree rich venue.  Guests were treated to a sweet outdoor ceremony followed by a dazzling reception with amazing decor, lively entertainment from RW Music and a killer cake!

 Southern Wedding Vendors

Ceremony and Reception Venue: The Ritz Carlton Golf Resort, Naples  /  Photographer: Luminaire Foto  /  Makeup Artist: Hope Henderson Artistry  /  Entertainment: RW Music

Jennifer + Patrick {Legare Waring House Wedding}

Our friends over at Richard Ellis Photography recently sent over Jennifer + Patrick's timeless Charleston wedding and we just couldn't wait to share it with you!  Last February, on the grounds of Charlestowne Landing, the couple tied the knot under the breathtaking avenue of oaks. Since Patrick had proposed under the same oaks trees just months beforehand (with his great-grandmother's engagement ring!), the historic grounds were the only option for their wedding day location. After their beautiful outdoor ceremony, the couple moved the reception to the lawn of the Legare Waring House. Here, guests enjoyed a fabulous assortment of Charleston cuisine from Saigon Catering, exquisite natural floral arrangements from Country & Lace and the lively Joe Clarke Big Band who kept the crowd dancing all night long!  As the sun set behind the gorgeous Legare Waring House, it made for a spectacular backdrop to a stunning Lowcountry wedding!

 Charleston Wedding Vendors

Photographer: Richard Ellis Photography  /  Ceremony and Reception Venue: Legare Waring House  /  Coordinator: Anita Flowers  /  Gown: Oleg Cassini  /  Cake: Artistic Cakes by Linda Blackwell  /  Florist: Country & Lace  /  Officiant: Don Flowers  /  Band: Joe Clarke Big Band  /  Caterer: Saigon Catering  /  stationery: dulles designs

Chelsea + Ryan {Florida Wedding}

I'm loving Chelsea + Ryan's classic Southern wedding at the rustic Lange Farm in Dade City, Florida.  Lange Farm is a 233 acre horse farm with beautiful open fields and stunning oak trees...all of which provide the perfect backdrop for a charming wedding with that laidback Florida ease.  After the ceremony, the newlyweds and their bridal party toured the farms as Scott Kelsey Photography captured some droolworthy images.  Don't you just love this natural setting?

Vendors

Ceremony and Reception Venue: Lange Farm  /  Photographer: Scott Kelsey Photography