It's no secret we love the gals of Memorable Moments and the stunning Myrtle Beach weddings they design, but what we love even MORE is sharing them with you! They're a fabulous Lowcountry planning team specializing in event design and coordinating in the Grand Strand, and were the brains behind Cari + David's vibrant, Myrtle Beach wedding. Scott Smallin Photography was on hand to capture the entire event at the beautiful Ocean Palms Beach House where guests were treated to a sweet, outdoor ceremony overlooking the pool, followed by beach-y, lowcountry cuisine catered Tommy Bahamas. The bridesmaids were dressed in jazzy LulaKate gowns, while Cari looked stunning in a strapless gown from Impressions Bridal. But honestly, my favorite part about this wedding is the AH-mazing flowers from Little Shop of Flowers! The colors and textures are bright and relaxed and couldn't be more fitting of a Myrtle Beach affair!
How did you meet?
David and I worked together in the operating room at a local hospital. We liked working with one another, constantly talking to each other, which in turn made work more enjoyable. We worked well together as a team and found it easy to get to know one another. Early in 2009, we were both going through some personal issues in each of our lives and confided in each other. Together we got through some pretty tough times and became close friends. I remember working with him one Super bowl Sunday and we ended up staying around talking to each other for hours after we were done working. I think it was then that I realized that he and I had a lot in common. After each of us sorted through what was going on in our lives, we began to spend time together outside of work. We began dating and realized we were a good fit! We shared many of the same beliefs, have many of the same goals, and have so many common interests. I pretty much fell in love with David immediately and knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. He is an amazing person and an incredible role model and stepfather.
Tell us your engagement story. (Give us every romantic detail!)
David and I had scheduled vacation time for August 2010 and planned on getting married during that week off. So, I really never expected any “formal” proposal. One day in July 2010, David took me to lunch at a small restaurant in the Hammock Shops in Pawley’s Island. It was a restaurant that he and I had gone to during one of our first dates. He was distracted through lunch, but I really didn’t think anything of it. After lunch, we went to Brookgreen Gardens, one of our favorite spots in Myrtle Beach. We were sitting on a bench in Oak Tree Alley talking and laughing. When I turned around to look at David, he was down on one knee and asked me if I would marry him. He had bought me a sapphire ring which was a complete mirror image of an engagement ring that we had looked at before. We still got married in a small civil ceremony on August 2, 2010 but knew that we wanted a wedding where we could share our joy with our friends and family in a religious ceremony, which we did on October 15, 2011.
What are your ties to the Myrtle Beach area?
After completing his residency at Emory University in Atlanta in 2005, David moved here to join a private practice. My parents retired to Myrtle Beach in the spring of 2006 and I moved here from Pennsylvania the fall of that same year.
Describe what made your wedding unique...
We wanted our wedding to be casual with a very tropical “feel” to it. It was also important to us to incorporate my children in the ceremony. After discussing it with our Pastor, we decided on a “recognition of civil marriage”. We included a sand ceremony that incorporated Athan and Allie in the ceremony, since we realize that they, too, are a very significant part of this unity. To incorporate an island feel, we had a steel drummer perform both the ceremony music and the reception music. I also wanted all tropical flowers used and my florist was able to have flowers that were imported from all over, including, Southeast Asia, Ecuador and Hawaii. My mother’s birthday is also October 15th so we had a special birthday cake for her, as well. Also, it was important to me to do something really special for David so I had a special Groom’s cake made for him and presented at the rehearsal luncheon. I had a cake designed that incorporated all the things that are important to him – a grand piano, an acoustic guitar, a banner with the Emory University logo, a fly fishing rod and our dog. It’s always hard for me to keep a secret, but I managed to keep this from him until I presented it to him.
What was the best thing about your wedding day?
The best thing about my Myrtle Beach wedding was the fact that David and I were able to share our happiness with our family and friends. We were able to have a casual wedding and it truly felt like we were on a tropical island. I would have to say that my wedding day was everything that I could have ever dreamt of!
MYRTLE BEACH WEDDING VENDORS
Photographer: Scott Smallin Photography / Event Designer: Memorable Moments / Cake Designer: Croissants Bistro & Bakery / Flowers: Kelly Byers Hoagland of Little Shop of Flowers / Gown Designer: Impressions Bridal from Fancy Frocks and Other Fineries / Bridesmaids’ dresses: LulaKate / Hair and Makeup: Ami Creations / Music/Entertainment/Booking Agency: Pan Fusion steel drums – Tim Peterman / Clergy: Rick Adkins – Lead Pastor of Carolina Forest Community Church / Ceremony and Reception Venue: Ocean Palms Beach House through Palmetto Properties / Caterer: Tommy Bahamas Restaurant / Rental providers: Bravo! Rentals
CEREMONY SITES
THE LAKE HOUSE
