Cypress Gardens {Claire+ Edward}

It happens all the time.  A Lowcountry Wedding photographer sends over a fabulous, new submission and as I drool over all the swoonworthy images, I think to myself, 'Can this be me. please?'  Now, maybe it's the fact that the South Carolina coast is filled with hundreds of dreamy backdrops, perfect for any wedding or engagement session, or maybe it's because the Lowcountry is home to way too many incredibly talented Charleston wedding vendors - there's no telling!  All I know is that it makes my job of sharing the best of the best oh-so easy.  Charleston wedding photographer, Carolina Photosmith met up with Claire and Edward at Cypress Gardens as they paddled around for an afternoon of romance.  As usual, I wish I could photo shop myself right in the mix!

Southern Engagement {Aubrey + Thomas}

We're wrapping up our Southern Wedding Sunday with Thomas + Aubrey's Florida engagement session from Julie Paisley Photography.  The adorable couple are college sweethearts and will be tying the knot this November.  Their rustic, low-key engagement session was filled with dreamy lighting, Spanish moss and perfect clothing choices.

Seaside Engagement {Sasha + Riley}

Oh, Paul Johnson!  What have you done to me with this gorgeous, coastal engagement session?  Snapped along the Florida shoreline in beautiful Seaside, the camera fell in love with the adorable Sasha + Riley.  Not only was the backdrop flawless, but the duo's effortless style combined with the talents of Paul Johnson Photography made for an engagement session that tops my list of favorites.  Simply perfect.

South of Broad {Leigh + Dan}

Boy, do we have a charmer for all of you Lowcountry ladies to peruse as you head into the weekend!  When the photographer duo of Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay sent over this precious wedding engagement session, I'm pretty sure I bounced up-and-down in my chair and may have even clapped my hands!  I'll go ahead and warn you, get ready for a serious Charleston-style swoon attack.  Not only are the engaged couple, Leigh + Dan, absolutely adorable, they had the most stunning South of Broad backdrop (we're talking charming alleyways and cobblestone!). I feel like every single image could be an ad for our favorite Holy City.  That last shot...I die.  Heaven.

Absolutely breathtaking! Can't wait for the Beaufort Wedding!

Myrtle Beach Engagement by Carolina Studios by Gillian Reinhardt

I can't believe it's already May.  After months and months of patiently waiting for warm, summer weather, I've quickly been reminded that my hair and humidity don't mix well...at all.  But, I'll gladly take a little frizz as long as that means it's beach season!  I adore the coast (and I know all of you Lowcountry brides feel the same way!) and I love when couples incorporate a little salt water and sand into their wedding engagement sessions.  Well, Myrtle Beach couple Caitlin + Scott did just that!  Along with the help of our friend Myrtle Beach wedding photographer Carolina Studios by Gillian Reinhardt, the sweet duo spent a beautiful Lowcountry afternoon with their pooch at The Myrtle Beach Market Common before heading to the shore...

Myrtle Beach Wedding Vendors

Photographer: Carolina Studios by Gillian Reinhardt

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Dying for even more Lowcountry wedding inspiration!?  We'll don't worry, we've got more where that comes from!

Historic Downtown Charleston wedding engagement from Carolina Studios

Myrtle Beach Wedding at Grande Dunes from Brooke Christl Photography

Dunes Golf & Beach Club wedding from Paula Player Photography

Griffith Park Wedding Engagement by Randi Marie Photography

Finally, it's Friday and, per usual, we're sending you guys off with some sun-kissed photography to get the weekend started just right with this Griffith Park wedding engagement.  Salpy + Anto are both musicians, so they had to incorporate their love of melodies into their engagement session, especially since that's what brought them together in the first place.  He's a guitarist and she's a singer in an up-and-coming band.  At first sight they fell madly in love and are now they're going to make it official!  They chose a quiet little spot in Griffith Park to highlight their edgy, vintage style with their love of music and photographer Randi Marie captured every spectacular moment.

Jamie + Mike {Miami Engagement} Stay Forever Photography

Have you heard the big news!? Charleston Weddings is teaming up with three of the Lowcountry's top wedding vendors for some crazy giveaways and all you have to do is enter by April 2nd.  For starters, how do you feel about a send off brunch for up to 23 guests at Isle of Palm's Wild Dunes?  Next, you could win hair and makeup for your entire wedding party from Tabula Rasa Bridal Salon and last, but certainly not least, one heck of a wedding video package valued up to 5,000!  So, ladies...get cracking and enter today! To kick off this gorgeous Thursday, we're sharing Jamie + Mike's gorgeous Miami Engagement Session from Stay Forever Photography.  The couple spent the afternoon at the elegant Deering Estate for a very eventful day under the fabulous palms.

Marsae + Matthew {Charleston Engagement}

Every girl hopes, wait...dreams, that when she's proposed to her husband-to-be will make sure it's a story worth re-telling, and that's exactly what Marsae's man Matthew did.  He made it an engagement any Lowcountry bride would revel in.  Marsae had her heart set on a Christmas engagement and when the holiday season passed without a proposal she had all but given up hope....which was the perfect opportunity for Matthew!  He contacted the talented Kelly Sauer in early January and revealed his plans to invite Marsae to join him for a "business trip" to Charleston.  The scheming twosome decided Kelly would hide out at Charleston's picturesque Waterfront Park to catch Matthew's emotional proposal and Marsae's priceless reaction.  After seeing these images, I think hiring a photographer should be a must for any guy planning an engagement...I mean, who wouldn't want to have this moment forever captured on film?

 

Say hi to Kelly!

Megan + Andrew {Charleston Engagement}

In case you hadn't heard, just last month Charleston took home the Conde Nast Reader's Choice Award as "The Top City in the United States."  Not bad, eh?  Thanks to the relaxing salt water breeze, cuisine worthy of breaking out your 'fat pants', the genteel locals and a culture rich in Southern history and values, it's no wonder brides flock to the Holy City to say their 'I do's.'  I mean, could you ask for a better wedding backdrop?  Well, historic downtown Charleston makes for a pretty perfect engagement session, too.  Just ask today's Lowcountry couple, Megan + Andrew.  They spent a summer afternoon with Charleston photographer Monica Day as they explored quaint alleys, charming cobblestone roads and the beautiful Waterfront Park.   It's everything I love about Charleston...

Georgia Engagement {Hope Photography}

This romantic engagement session comes to us from the talented team at Hope Photography. You can just see the love in their eyes as these precious Georgia Peaches enjoyed their afternoon in this darling styled shoot...complete with some Coca-Cola :)  They have the most genuine smiles!

Jill + Ron {San Francisco Engagement}

We're kicking off today with a classic California Engagement Session from JC Page Photography. The couple, Jill + Ron , chose one of San Francisco's most popular attractions, the beautiful Japanese Tea Gardens in the Golden Gate Park.  The Tea Gardens are home to stunning monuments, gorgeous bridges and exquisite native Japanese plants and ponds...all of which Jill + Ron made sure to take  complete advantage of.

Can we talk about how amazing that last shot is?

  

Megan + Cullen: Texas Engagement

Sorry for today's delayed post, I've got a bit of a headache that made sure I slept in a little later than usual this morning...but no worries, I've got a ridiculous engagement session to share with you that will make up for my tardiness!  Texas photographer Kelsey Elizabeth sent over this beautiful engagement session that is filled with tons of natural light and a precious couple that I'm positive will make you swoon!  Kelsey selected an organic, woodsy landscape to really highlight Megan + Cullen's sweet laidback personality.   Megan has a sweet spot for books so they also made a trip to Denton Recycled Books Opera House.  But, the sweetest part was when Kelsey separated Megan + Cullen and asked them each to jot down what they loved most about the other.  Megan showed her card that said, “His Passion” and Cullen showed his that said, “She’s Mine.” So sweet!Best of luck to Megan + Cullen who will wed next June at the Four Seasons in Dallas, Texas!

        

  

Charleston Engagement {Susannah + Gardner}

Recently, I was trying to explain to someone why so many people are drawn to Charleston.  I was attempting to describe what the scenery was like, the laid-back personality of the locals, the delicious lowcountry cuisine and just the whole coastal lifestyle in general.  The thing is, you can't really appreciate Charleston and truly understand it until you've been here and then, once you've visited, it will forever hold a special little place in your heart.  I about died when I saw this engagement session from Charleston photographer Monica Day.  I'm pretty sure I could post all of these images, not write a single word and just about everyone would know exactly where the photos were taken...am I right?   This darling, young couple, Susannah + Gardner, enjoyed a beautiful June day exploring everyone's favorite Lowcountry city.  Their attire perfectly matched the setting and Susannah stunned in her classic, lace dress. From the cobblestone streets to the secluded alleyways  to the views of the Charleston Harbor, nothing compares to Downtown Charleston.

 

Lauren + Tom: Chapel Hill Engagement Session

The South is home to some of the most beautiful college campuses in the country.  With pristine lawns, historic buildings and a killer bar scene, I mean...first class academics, you can't beat the education and experience you get down South and UNC is at the top of that list.  Today's darling couple, Lauren + Tom, met at the prestigious University of North Carolina in beautiful Chapel Hill, North Carolina.   To celebrate their engagement, the Tarheel fans paraded around their old stompin' grounds with the ever-so-talented Joseph of Connections Photography.  As students, the duo regularly showed their school spirit by painting themselves in Tarheel Blue before basketball and football games.  So, they decided to paint themselves on more time and made for some super sweet photos.  Is Lauren not gorgeous?!

Aubrey + Jeff: Cathedral of Junk

Hope everyone had a relaxing weekend.  I can't believe it's already Monday morning again :(  I swear these summer weekends just keep flying by.  I wanted to kick off this week with one of the coolest engagement sessions I've ever seen.  The gorgeous couple, Aubrey + Jeff, share a love of collecting random things (Jeff may jokingly refers to his bride-to-be as a hoarder) and they plan to incorporate many of the treasures they've acquired into their upcoming wedding.   Jeff compares Aubrey's hobby to their five-year relationship saying, "If you keep something around long enough, you end up never wanting to let it go."  So, it made perfect sense they chose the Cathedral of Junk in Austin, Texas as the backdrop for their eclectic engagement session.  From the natural light and beautiful couple to the mounds of vintage finds and mustaches, photographer Caryn Wood of Love Caryn Photography, did an AH-mazing job capturing these two in their element.  I still can't get over how Aubrey's dress pops in every picture? Love it.

Vendors

photographer: love caryn photography  /  dress: buffalo exchange  / 

mustaches:  lucy in disguise

Southern Weddings {Jada + Dan}

Hope everyone is having a Happy Wednesday and staying cool from this serious summer heat!  I'm so excited to share Jada + Dan's sweet North Carolina engagement session by Charlotte Photographer, Vanessa Schrotenboer.  They spent the day at Latta Plantation as Vanessa captured some very frame-able images of couple in their element.  The lighting is perfect, the setting is beautiful and can you get a cuter couple? I don't think so!

Images by Vanessa Schrotenboer via Two Bright Lights

Jennifer + Jonathan {Southern Engagement}

Even though I have always been a fan of their old school bottling, I'm slightly ashamed to admit that I've never, EVER, tasted the inherently Southern concoction, Cheerwine.  Somewhere along the way my Southern upbringing seemed to miss that one which I think is only fair to blame on my parents' Midwestern roots.  Unlike yours truly, today's outdoorsy couple, Jennifer + Jonathan, have had many-a Cheerwine. 

The couple both hail from Salisbury, North Carolina (Cheerwine's birthplace) and decided to combine their love of their hometown, Cheerwine and canoeing in this gorgeous rustic engagement session.  Thanks  to our friends at Connection Photography, Joseph and Andrea, for sharing!