Edisto Island Wedding {Ali + Josh}

The South Carolina coastline has this mystical quality about it that, let's be honest, holds the key to all of our hearts.  One of our favorite coastal spots for stunning, Lowcountry wedding imagery, is the dreamy, coastal town of Edisto Island, just an hour south of Charleston.  Thanks to lenses of Sarah C Photography, today we get to share Ali + Josh's whimsical, Just Married session along the shores of Edisto.  The afternoon started with an abundance of romantic, Spanish moss at Trinity Episcopal Church of Edisto before heading to beach to finish up at sunset.  Talk about Lowcountry heaven, right?

Dannon + Josh {McCrady's Wedding}

Go ahead and prepare yourself for some serious Charleston wedding fabulousness today.  Coming to us from the Myrtle Beach wedding design team of Stunning & Brilliant Events, you are going to swoon over every detail of Dannon + Josh's dreamy, Downtown wedding.  Dannon has got some serious style, starting with her form fitting gown, striking birdcage veil and impressive DIY decor.  The couple said 'I do' in a traditional ceremony at the historic St. John the Baptist Cathedral, off Broad Street, before heading to Waterfront Park with photographer Callie Frances Alexander to capture some timeless, newlywed portraits.  They continued the evening at McCrady's where they dazzled their guests with exquisite Lowcountry cuisine, a stunning cake designed by Declare Cakes, and a whole lot of celebrating!

Charleston Wedding Vendors

 Wedding Coordinator: Stunning & Brilliant Events  /  Ceremony: St. John the Baptist Cathedral  /  Photography: Callie Frances Alexander  /  Music: Jay Maxwell Music by Request  /  Cake: Declare Cakes  /  Reception Venue: McCrady’s Restaurant  /  Videography: Michael Parks  /  Make-up: Dannon K. Collard

Downtown Charleston {Sarah + Ryan}

Things have been a little crazy over here at A Lowcountry Wedding the past few weeks...and we couldn't be happier!  We're counting down the days until we launch the brand, spanking new vendor section of ALW.  We know planning a wedding can be, well, kinda crazy and it's hard to know where to turn for an honest vendor recommendation.  No worries!  We'll be bringing you a complete Lowcountry guide of all of our talented wedding vendors in Hilton Head, Charleston and Myrtle Beach and you can rest easy knowing they've got our stamp of approval!  So, in honor of our new addition, we''re celebrating with Sarah + Ryan's charming Downtown Charleston engagement session from the one-of-a-kind, Emily Horton Photography!

Niccole + John {William Aiken House Wedding}

There's no doubt Charleston is blessed with a wealth of talented vendors that, luckily for you and I, execute dreamy, Lowcountry weddings on a weekly basis, and today's Southern stunner is no different.  Niccole + John selected one of Charleston's most-sought after venues, the timeless William Aiken House, as the backdrop for their beautiful, Spring affair and the crew at Richard Bell Photography was on hand to capture it all.  The couple married in an intimate, outdoor ceremony before treating their guests to refreshing libations and delicious, Lowcountry cuisine from Fish.  The lively celebration continued with the sounds of East Coast Entertainment as everyone enjoyed a gorgeous evening under the Charleston stars.

 Charleston Wedding Vendors

Photographer:  Richard Bell Photography  /  Caterer:   Fish  /  Event Planner:   Ooh! Events  /  Floral Designer:   The Blossom Shop of Summerville  /  Musicians:   christopher teves  /  Reception Venue:   The William Aiken House  /  Band:   East Coast Entertainment  /  Makeup Artist:   Kelly Martuscello

Charleston Bridals {Shannae}

We are counting down the minutes until our Fourth of July celebrations get started and to kick off this extra long, holiday weekend here in the Lowcountry, we're sharing Shannae's Downtown Charleston bridal session from Nadean of Gene Ho Photography.  She donned a breathtaking, Maggie Sottero gown from Bridal House of Charleston that boasted a timeless silhouette and gorgeous, lace sleeves...that we just can't get enough of!  The talented duo of Affair Hair by Tanesha and Jonny Cosmetics made sure this Southern Belle looked her best with the perfect combination of hair and make up.

Charleston Engagement {Rebecca + Joseph}

If there is ever a time when I’m particularly happy that I’m a girl, it’s when it comes to the act of proposing. I am sooo glad that responsibility falls on the guys. Lord knows I would be a complete disaster: splotches, sweaty palms, shaky voice…oh, it would just be a mess. So, I’m always particularly impressed when I hear a guy has gone out of his way to surprise his soon-to-be fiance with a truly, thoughtful engagement. One of my favorite compliments to the perfect Lowcountry engagement is hiding a talented photographer (cue Kelly Sauer Photography) in the bushes to document the moment…and surprisingly, very few guys think to incorporate this key element, Joseph being one of them! Rebecca and Joseph met during their junior year of college and have always enjoyed traveling the world together. So, when Joseph suggested a trip to Charleston, she thought nothing of spending a few days in the Holy City. He treated her to a day at the spa (lucky gal!) and told her to get all dolled up for an intimate, formal dinner later that evening...to which she kindly obliged. They took a relaxing carriage ride before stopping at Waterfront Park to take in the scenery where Joseph popped the question with the fountain as the backdrop!  Thanks to Kelly Sauer for capturing this darling Southern couple and their perfect Charleston engagement!

Charleston Wedding {Buffie + Jay}

Now, there's something about Buffie + Jay's wedding, in the heart of the Holy City, that just sets my heart a-flutter.  I'm guessing it's the backdrop of charming carriage houses, historic churches and the cobblestone streets, captured by the talented Krista Lee Photography, that makes me go weak in the knees, but I'll let you be the judge.   Buffie looked stunning in a breathtaking gown with sheer cap sleeves from White, while her bridesmaids sported floor-length, one shoulder LulaKate gowns in a vibrant, spring blue.  The ceremony took place at the First Baptist Church of Charleston where the choir sang as Buffy and her father made their way down the aisle.  After saying 'I do,' the newlyweds took an intimate carriage ride through downtown before heading to the Daniel Island Country Club to celebrate with family and friends!

 Charleston Wedding Vendors

Photographer: Krista Lee Photography  /  Floral Designer:  A Floral Affair  /  Ceremony Venue:First Baptist Church of Charleston  /  Reception Venue:  Daniel Island Country Club  /  Dress Designer:  White  /  Bridesmaids Dresses: LulaKate  /  Carriage: Charleston Coach

Charleston Bride {Brittani}

One thing we love to share with our Lowcountry Brides (well, besides stunning, jaw-dropping wedding inspiration, of course!), is tried and true tips straight from our horses, I mean, brides' mouths.  Our gal, Brittani, is back today to give us a few pointers about what she's learned thus far as she navigates her way to her big, Charleston wedding day!

Yay it’s time for another ALW update! Last time I dropped by, I updated the fantastic ALW readers on my DRESS! That was such an unexpectedly exciting part of the process and I actually go for my first fitting in just a few weeks! I cannot WAIT to get back into my beautiful wedding dress, cowboy boots and all!  The last few months since making that big decision have been CRAZY! I have been blown away by how quickly the time has gone, and I’ve learned a lot about wedding planning. Phew! I’d love to share some of the things I’ve learned you probably want to do, and some of the things you probably don’t want to do…

DO:

• Do hire a wedding planner! Ugh, what a mistake it was thinking wedding planners aren’t always necessary. As a wedding photographer, I of all people should know how important it is to have someone running the show. Oops! If I could do-over, that definitely would have been the FIRST vendor I would have hired!

• Do be realistic about what weddings cost. I LOVE weddings, trust me…there’s nothing more exciting and special and exhilarating than a wedding day. BUT, having said that, there is SO much that goes into a wedding. I was the bride that wanted to be able to spend big on the things that were most important to Dustin and I (photography, the venue, and food), and DIY and save as much as possible elsewhere. I’ve learned that’s not really realistic, at least for me and my lifestyle. When you have a full-time job, wedding planning is a whole other full-time job. That’s why planners are so important! There were so many “great big ideas” we had to save money but there’s just no TIME to make these things a reality. Life happens, and you have to be realistic about how much time you can really put aside to manage, create, and plan all of these things that seem so easy to do yourself.

• Do start whatever DIY projects you are doing early. In my mind, August was going to be wide open (the hot summers are usually my slower time work-wise), so I could do sooooo much DIYing then. Wrong. August is already halfway crazy for me. I’ve started tackling some projects now but honestly at the end of the workday, I just want to relax! I know some brides are so into crafting for their weddings and it is their way to relax at the end of the day, but between taking care of my dogs and horses, trying to work out (gotta look good for the big day!), cooking dinner, cleaning, regular household and farm chores…there never seems to be enough time at the end of the day.

DON'T:

• Don’t get too caught up in Pinterest. Used the right way, Pinterest can be such a great tool for planning your wedding and coming up with fun projects. BUT, the trick with Pinterest is to not feel like your wedding has to look like someone elses’s. The whole point of getting really creative with your wedding is to make it a true representation of you and your fiancé and the things that are most special in your relationship. It’s so easy to look at pin after pin and think “that’s perfect!” but you should really start with a list of unique traits or themes you want to include in your wedding and search out inspiration from there. For us, since we were long distance for so long and spent a LOT of time flying and driving, travel is going to be a big theme. We’re also super dedicated to our farm and both grew up with horses, so that’s a big shared passion. We love our dogs like kids, so of course the dogs and being a blended family (Dustin has a 5-year-old son) are also very “us.”

• Maybe this is just me, but if I had to do it again, I would not try DIYing invitations. I work with a really good print lab because of my business, so I totally thought I could handle this on my own. Invitations are important, but to me they weren’t one of the biggest priorities. In reality, invitations are basically the first impression you are giving your guests. It’s worth it to invest in a talented designer (I love Sarah at Dodeline Design) who gets what you’re going for and can handle this for you. Invitations have Stressed. Me. Out. You can even find TONS of great invitation suites on Etsy, if going through a designer isn't for you. At the end of the day, by weighing the pros and cons, spending another $200 or so on invitations would have been totally worth it, rather than dealing with the headache I’ve caused myself.

• Don’t lose sight of what your wedding is really about. There are going to be things you want to do but won’t get done. There are things that aren’t going to go as planned. Don’t forget what the day is really about…you and your new husband, your new life together, and the opportunity to have all of the people you love the most in one place at the same time, celebrating together. What will be, will be.

Hopefully those little tips are helpful in some way or another. There are definitely some things I wish I could re-do but we’re this far in and we’ve just got to roll with the punches! I know the next three months are going to FLY, and although I can’t wait for the day to be here, I don’t want the days to fly by too fast because I don’t want our actual wedding day to fly by too fast! I know that no matter what happens, the day will be wonderful and I really look forward to the celebration!

What’s going on next? I’ll be back pretty soon with some insight into the vendors we chose and some other fun details like bridal portraits and what we’re doing for bachelor/bachelorette parties! See ya soon ALW!

Erica + Toby {Charleston National Golf Club Wedding}

I've been slaving away this week as I work on adding a whole new vendor section to A Lowcountry Wedding (keep your eyes peeled, it will be launching at the beginning of July!), so needless to say, I'm really looking forward to taking it easy this weekend!  So, to kick off this gorgeous Lowcountry weekend, we're sharing a touching, Charleston National Golf Club affair from the crew at Richard Bell Photography, that was coordinated by Charleston Wedding Design.  The beautiful Bride, Erica, walked down the aisle to the sounds of Charleston Virtuosi before meeting her Groom at the altar to say 'I do' in front of their closest friends and family.  Thanks to the sweet couple for giving us a peek inside their fairytale wedding... "We feel our story is unique and our relationship has transcended an ocean, time zones and united two cultures. This has been a huge commitment of love, time, patience and unswerving determination to be together. The trials and tribulations of our relationship together with our faith have been a stern test, which we're certain will help our marriage stand the test of time. Erica and I have become passionate travelers (we've had to because we are from different countries!) and we've weaved our love of travel into the fabric of our wedding. Each table is personalized to represent an important milestone in our relationship. Bahamas - our first holiday together, London, England and Westerville, Ohio - our hometowns, Las Vegas - where we met and our journey together began, San Francisco - our future home and of course Charleston - where we fell in love and will be married. We have a vision for our wedding which is to make it feel personal and each small detail is important to us. We will have strings to play Vivaldi four seasons, which we listened to in an outdoor concert in Somerset, England on Erica's first visit to the UK. Our Wedding colors of purple and green are inspired by Wimbledon (Toby's town of birth), where we were fortunate enough to spend a day at the Championships in 2011. We will be sipping on PIMM'S at our cocktail hour, which is a popular English cocktail filled with fresh fruits perfect for a springtime affair. At the end of the night a black cab will be driving us from the reception, which we think is fitting because we currently live in London and regularly use these cabs to get around. Charleston National Golf course is a fitting location for our Wedding as Erica's father, Ken, who sadly passed away in February 2011 was a keen golfer. He would of been delighted to have known that the happiest day of his daughters life would be spent in the beautiful setting, one which brought him so much joy in his life."

 Charleston Wedding Vendors

Photographer: Richard Bell Photography  /  Caterer:  Hamby Catering & Events  /  Event Planner:  Charleston Wedding Design /  Musicians: Charleston Virtuosi  /  DJ:  The Music Maker DJ  /  Event Venue:  Charleston National Golf Club

Lowcountry Weddings {Oyster Roast}

Because all of your guests will jump at the chance to head to the Lowcountry for a wedding (I mean, who doesn't want to spend a weekend in Charleston, Hilton Head or Myrtle Beach!?!), more often than not, it turns into a weekend long wedding celebration…which is all kinds of fantastic.  You may consider having a welcome party on Thursday, a bridal luncheon Friday, rehearsal dinner that evening and, possibly, a Bon Voyage brunch on Sunday morning..and you know I'll encourage you to have every, last one of them!  One thing that your guests will be expecting when coming to town for your big bash, is to experience and revel in the spirit of the Lowcountry.   They want to put their toes in the sand, smell the salt water, enjoy the atmosphere and indulge in our one-of-a-kind, Southern cuisine…so you better give ‘em just that!  One of my favorite staples of the South Carolina coastline is a big ol’ oyster roast which, luckily, works perfectly for a laid back, rehearsal dinner, and since Fall is right around the corner, you might as well get to planning...

First thing’s first, you’ll need to pick the perfect venue that offers picturesque views and exudes that relaxed, Lowcountry vibe (and lord knows we've got plenty of them in Charleston, Hilton Head and Myrtle Beach!):

Besides a stunning, Lowcountry view, you'll need to make sure you have a few key elements...

1) Some trusty oyster roast tables, with trash cans (of course!)

2) Oysters (duh!), gloves, saltines, cocktail sauce, horseradish and some Tabasco, for those that like it spicy.

3) Plenty of shuckers!

4) Last but not least, a bucket full of beer and some of your favorite koozies to keep 'em cold!

5)...and if you really feel like celebrating, maybe a few Oyster Shooters!

Get to shuckin'!

Emily + Jeff {Morris Island Wedding}

I'm certain it's something every girl daydreams about...getting married with your toes in the sand, waves crashing on the shore, the perfect September weather and that salty, coastal breeze.  Heaven, right?  Adorable couple Emily + Jeff tied the knot in a laid back, Lowcountry wedding, just outside of Charleston, on charming Morris Island.  Barefoot on the beach, the couple said 'I do' as the Morris Island lighthouse sat in the background as Kayla Jones Photography captured the entire afternoon.

Charleston Wedding Vendors

photography: kayla jones photography  /  catering: regal catering

Sewee Preserve {Charleston Wedding Venue}

Ladies, we’ve got another new, Lowcountry venue on our hands, so let's get started gawking over it's coastal charm!  The Sewee Preserve opened its doors this year and is already booking weddings for 2012 and beyond.  Located just outside of Charleston, in Awendaw, South Carolina, this breathtaking wedding venue consists of a 500-acre conservation development dedicated to preserving the serenity and natural beauty of our beloved Lowcountry…so you know what that means, gorgeous saltwater marshes, jaw-dropping Oak trees and that soft, coastal breeze that we've come to love at a Charleston wedding.

The property offers an array of ceremony and receptions options that will be available to you from 10am until midnight on the day of your event.  It includes 1,000 square feet of covered area, an over-sized brick fireplace, Southern-style porches, bocce ball court and horseshoe pit and a 50-acre freshwater lake with dock.  Sounds like heaven, right?  Well lucky for us, Virgil Bunao Photography and Ooh! Events teamed up to show us what the Sewee Preserve's all about (and Lord knows we love when these two talents collaborate!) So, check out this fabulous, new Charleston wedding venue…

THE LAKE

CEREMONY SITES

THE LAKE HOUSE

THE GROUNDS

Sewee Preserve 1 Sewee Preserve Road Awendaw, SC 29429 info@seweepreseve.net

843.881.7576

Charleston Weddings {Christen} College of Charleston

You asked for A Lowcountry Wedding Vendor section and we answered...well, we're in the process of answering :)  That's right, in just a few short weeks, we'll be bringing you Charleston, Hilton Head and Myrtle Beach's most sought after wedding professionals so you can select your Lowcountry wedding vendors with complete confidence.  So, keep your eyes peeled to find out who gets our stamp of approval! It's no secret that it's truly difficult for me to control my gushing when a dreamy bridal session rolls across my inbox, so I'll try to keep it short and sweet as I give you a little insight into Christen's Charleston bridal session...but no promises!  Captured by the talented Carmen Ash Photography and surrounded by downtown's history, Christen started her day in front of the Cistern on the grounds of College of Charleston...which, if you've ever seen it, is absolutely stunning.  She was dressed to perfection in a soft, strapless Watters gown (The Torreno Style) that she complimented with a beautiful Spring bouquet from Carolina Charm.  Afterwards, they moved the party to a picturesque Lowcountry plantation to capture this glowing Southern bride in all her glory.  Don't you just love all things Charleston weddings!

Bride Pilates {Fabulous Frocks}

It's no secret that the ladies from Fabulous Frocks of Charleston know what it takes to make a gal look good in her gown, and now thanks to their new Bride Pilates class, you are sure to be the belle of the ball!

Kicking off June 13th, at their Church Street location, Jessica from Core Essentials Pilates will offer a brides-only Pilates class geared towards toning up for your big day!  Classes begin this Wednesday at 6 pm and last for 8 weeks.  It's $10 a class; 20% discount for an 8 week session.  Limited to 10 brides per class, so sign up now by calling 843.754.1855 or via email at fabulousfrocksofcharleston@gmail.com.

We'll see y'all under the chandeliers!

Fabulous Frocks of Charleston

100 Church Street

  Charleston, SC 29401

(843) 754-1855

Boone Hall Plantation {Amanda}

It's no question that the Lowcountry is blessed with some of the most jaw-dropping wedding venues in the South and one that will always find it's way to the top of my venue list is Charleston's Boone Hall Plantation.  It's got everything a Lowcountry bride could dream of....Spanish moss dripping from every tree, a sprawling plantation home encircled by a stunning wrought-iron fence and immaculate grounds that make for the perfect Lowcountry backdrop....I mean, the place is just magical.  So, it's no surprise that Boone Hall is the venue of choice for dreamy, Charleston weddings and swoon-worthy bridal sessions.  Lucky for us, the talented Chi Photography captured Southern Belle,Amanda as she posed for the camera in her airy, textured gown and sassy pink heels.

Lowcountry Weddings {Garland}

I've been totally digging how brides and vendors have been incorporating garland into our beautiful Lowcountry weddings.  It's fun, whimsical and a different way to spice up your ceremony altar, dessert table or outdoor reception.  Take a look at a few of our favorite, dreamy ways to add a touch of garland to your wedding day!  I'm loving these balls of yarn...presh.

Lowcountry Wedding Inspiration

Ohhh, ladies!  We're diving right into this week with a big dose of Lowcountry wedding heaven that is sure to knock your socks off.  Captured by our friend Brooke Roberts Photography, this fabulous inspiration shoot highlights everything we love about this time of the year.  Getting hitched by the coast lends itself well to beautiful outdoor event, whether it's your wedding reception, rehearsal dinner or an intimate shower...you just can't go wrong.  With the help of Judi Watson Florals and Dutchman Designs, the team matched soft furnishings with pops of colorful accent pieces to achieve a cozy, laid back setting at The St. Simons Lighthouse and A.J. Jones Heritage Center.  Aren't you loving the summery color palette of turquoise and pink?  The models were outfitted in dresses from Lady in White and Snippety Do Da's topped them off with the perfect hair and make up.  Possibly my favorite part?  That food!  Tasteful Temptations whipped up some delicious Lowcountry cuisine (and a tasty specialty drink!) perfect for a garden affair.