Sarah & Richard's Magnolia Plantation and Gardens Wedding by Charleston wedding vendors Richard Bell Photography, Kum Smeal, Hamby Catering
Founders Hall Wedding {Kristen + David}
The talented crew over at Pure Luxe Bride teamed up with Monika Gauthier Photography for a New Year's Eve wedding that is sure to knock your socks off! This dreamy, wintry affair took place on Charlestowne Landing at Founders Hall and was filled with an abundance of must have details, starting with that gorgeous bouquet from WildFlowers Inc.! Not a bad way to ring in the New Year, eh?

























Legare Waring House Wedding {Brookley + Jeffrey}
I've been dying to share Brookley's Charleston wedding at the stunning Legare Waring House and I feel like today is the perfect day! Since they decided on a destination wedding, the couple took their time planning every intimate detail and, with the help of Declaration Boutique, it sure shows! I particularly LOVE those adorable, South Carolina pillows that graced the patio chairs. Too cute! Brookley wowed in timeless lace gown by Allure Bridals while the men rocked classic black tuxedos. The sweet couple said 'I do' in a romantic, outdoor ceremony under the Oaks as officiant, Christy Loftin, pronounced them husband and wife. The crowd celebrated with Lowcountry cuisine from Cru Catering, cake from D'lish and the tunes of Palmetto Soul! Thanks to King Street Studios for capturing all the wonderful details!
























Rice Mill Wedding {Jennifer + Adam}
I’ll be honest, before I even opened the images from Jennifer + Adam’s wedding, I knew I was going to love it. How can you not when the talented Katherine Miller Events is driving the ship?! But as I started skimming through the details, I knew I was officially head-over-heels…and it didn’t hurt the entire celebration took place at the Historic Rice Mill Building overlooking the beautiful Charleston Harbor. Branch Design Studio created soft bouquets and floral arrangement that included a mix of dahlias, succulents, peonies and dusty miller to achieve an effortlessly romantic look. Thanks to Good Food Catering, their guests dined on a plethora of delicious hors d’oeuvres that highlighted the bride’s Mexican heritage. A Paella and COAST Taco Station topped off an already amazing menu! Thanks to Charlotte Elizabeth Photographer for capturing this memorable Lowcountry Wedding!














Photographer: Charlotte Elizabeth Photographer / Planner: Katherine Miller Events / Ceremony: Our Lady of Good Counsel / Reception Venue: Historic Rice Mill Building / Florist: Branch Design Studio / Cake: WildFlour Pastry / Catering: Good Food Catering / Stationery: Mac & Murphy / Ceremony Music: Classical Charleston / Hair: Affair Hair by Tanesha / Gown: Jim Hjelm / Bridesmaids Dresses: Ann Taylor
2014 Wedding Photography Giveaway {Priscilla Thomas Photography}
Yesterday, we joined the industry's best for a fabulous (yet rainy) afternoon of Lowcountry bridal fashion at Charleston Fashion Week's Spring Bridal Show...and I can tell you this, it did not disappoint! Make sure to check out our instagram feed to see a few snapshots of some of the lovelies and, of course, we'll recap things later this week. Okay, so now to the (REALLY) good stuff. We've teamed up with our talented friend and Lowcountry wedding vendor, Priscilla Thomas Photography, to bless one lucky, Lowcountry couple with one heck of a prize...(drum roll, please!) A Free Wedding Photography Package! Fabulous, I know! So, read the details below and get to pinning!

Whitney's Charleston Bridals by Carmen Ash Photography
Wined & Designed {Trunk Show}
Just in case you missed the memo, our friend Lindsay of Wined & Designed is heading to Charleston next week (March 25-29th), which means ALW readers have the exclusive opportunity to sign up for a coveted spot at her Wedding Stationery Trunk Show. So get to steppin' and shoot Lindsay an email at lindsay{at}winedanddesigned.com to reserve your appointment!
South Carolina Aquarium {Joanne + Seth}
Hopefully, you caught Joanne's timeless bridal session this morning and have been anxiously anticipating her gorgeous South Carolina Aquarium wedding ever since! The couple married this past October and incorporated a few of my favorite Charleston wedding venues into their big ol' Lowcountry affair! Joanne + Seth + crew prepped for the evening at the charming Meeting Street Inn before heading over to the parade deck at the Citadel to catch a few shots. They then said 'I do' in a romantic evening ceremony at the Summerall Chapel. The celebration continued at the South Carolina Aquarium where guests enjoyed Lowcountry cuisine from Hamby Catering & Events!































Boone Hall Plantation Wedding {Jessica + Chase}
Founders Hall Wedding {Jessica + Joe}
If you're in the midst of planning A Lowcountry wedding and have yet to locate your perfect venue, then my suggestion is you head right on over to Charlestowne Landing to check out the beautiful (and eco-friendly), Founders Hall. The gorgeous venue offers a relaxed, private setting with state-of-the-art features to offer a modern, Southern affair! Bride Jessica dazzled in her strapless gown, feminine birdcage veil and stunning statement necklace while her maids rocked navy lace dresses. Thanks to Paige Winn Photo for a capturing all the special moments!






















Joe Riley Stadium Engagement {Billie & Nick}
Oh, ladies! We're kicking this week off in style with a sweet Charleston engagement session from Taylor Rae Photography. For any of you who call Charleston home, then spending an afternoon/evening at a Riverdogs game is something we all enjoy (Thirsty Thursday, anyone?), so it probably wasn't a big surprise that I was super excited to see that Billie + Nick chose Joe Riley Stadium as the backdrop for the engagement session. It's just perfect!

The story of how they met via Taylor Rae Photography: "Nick worked at a bar that Billie used to go to frequently, as she worked next door. The first time she came in, she ordered this Sam Adam’s Cherry Wheat, not knowing what else to get. Now, Nick thought Billie was super cute (duh, who wouldn’t?) and thought, “hmm, I should remember this drink for when she comes in again! Brilliant!” So he did. And for the next 3 months, every time he saw Billie walk through the door, he grabbed a Cherry Wheat and had it opened when she sat down. It took poor Billie 3 whole months to admit to Nick that she really didn’t like the beer! He tried it, and said, “Yeah, you’re right…that’s probably the worst beer I’ve ever tasted…” But at that point it didn’t matter because he stole Billie’s heart :)"
Photographer: Taylor Rae Photography
Lowcountry Style Weddings Bouquets - Part 1
Boone Hall Wedding {Stacia + Jeff}
Pure Luxe Bride recently teamed up with Richard Bell Photography to provide us with Stacia + Jeff's Charleston wedding, that I'm positive you won't want to take your eyes off. For starters, if you're in the market for a knock-your-socks-off-gotta-have-it-bouquet, then I've got just what you're looking for. Wildflowers took Stacia's vision of a rustic bouquet fitting of her Boone Hall Plantation wedding, and kicked it up a notch by adding a handful of peacock feathers to the mix of vibrant blooms. Stunning doesn't event do it just. The couple wed in a romantic, outdoor ceremony under the Oaks before joining their guests for a gorgeous, Lowcountry evening at the Cotton Dock!



Old Santee Canal Park Wedding {Holli + Tyler}
There's only one cure for this rainy weekend...a festive, Charleston wedding at the picturesque Old Santee Canal Park! Holli + Tyler said 'I do' in a gorgeous, outdoor ceremony on the grounds of the pristine park. The newlyweds then joined their guests for a picturesque, Lowcountry reception under the stars as guests were treated to a celebration in hues of pink and orange, and to top it all off, a cookie bar! Thanks to Richard Bell Photography for capturing all the gorgeous details!













The Makings of a Perfect Wedding Day {Rick Dean Photography}
We always love to have our favorite Charleston wedding vendors swing by to share their insight on a particular topic, and I'm thrilled to have the talented Rick Dean Photography joining us today! Rick's experience as a professional photographer has given him an interesting viewpoint on accomplishing the perfect photographic wedding day...
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The Makings of a Perfect Wedding Day
Observations from a Photographer’s Point of View
In the course of the 13+ years and hundreds of weddings that I have photographed, I have seen all sizes, types and styles of weddings, from the simple and understated to the elaborate and eye-popping. They were all truly amazing events because they were the vision of the bride (and some grooms), something that has been dreamed of for years and years. Fortunately for the clients that I have worked with, I have never witnessed a wedding disaster. But, I have seen my share of “oops” that could have or did make for an anxious bride or at best, a lot of laughs! So I write this post to share with you some of my observations, from the photographer’s point of view --the person that is on a constant state of alert, observing every moment of the event. I will cover topics that have recurring themes: professionalism, timing, and communication-- from the wedding planner, the hair stylist, and of course, the photographer.
Observation #1: Choosing the right photographer with the proper skills and experience is critically important. Yes, I know this may sound a bit biased, but I think your photography is the most important aspect of your wedding. Also biased, but, think about it: you spend months, maybe longer, planning this most magical day of your life and at the end of the day when the music has stopped, the cake is eaten, and the last toast has been made, all you may have to help you remember your wedding day are your photographs.
At every wedding I shoot, I hear horror stories from the guests who are attending the wedding about their wedding photography. At a recent event, as I was packing up for the evening, a young woman walked up to me and said, “… (bride) is going to be so happy with her wedding pictures, I just know it. You were everywhere you needed to be. I could tell you covered every detail. When I got married I hired a friend to do my photography because she said she knew what she was doing and promised to do a good job. There are so many things that she missed, pictures of really important parts of our wedding day that were not captured. She had no idea how to pose us for our portraits. I still cry when I look at my pictures.” I recently heard of a wedding where the inexperienced photographer had to borrow a guest’s camera when her one and only camera stopped working during the ceremony. Another guest told me about her “friend photographer” -- she showed up with just one camera and a small flash. The camera was so basic it was not capable of shooting in dark rooms with low light so all of the reception pictures were dark, pixilated and out of focus. While I am sure there are many good experiences that I do not hear about, but please consider this: Uncle Bob, or your college roommate, or the husband of your sister’s best friend may sound like a great way to save some money, but there are several pitfalls to consider. Will your friend or relative also be a guest at the wedding? Will their focus be on you (the client) or on having a good time? Do they have the knowledge to make you look your best? Do they know how to use posing techniques that will make your pictures look “not posed”? Do they have professional quality camera and lighting equipment to shoot a wedding that may be both indoors and out, from rooms that are very dark to being under the noon-day sun with severe shadows? Most importantly, do they know what needs to be done when their equipment fails or how to work under very stressful conditions so they can capture those “once in a lifetime moments”? These last two questions go hand in hand because equipment failures can happen to anyone, even a pro. It is how your photographer handles the situation that sets a professional apart from a personal friend or family member. My suggestion is to do your homework when evaluating potential photographers. Hire an experienced professional and ask them how they would handle any or all of the situations I described. Their answers will be the best way to gauge their competence and their ability to provide you the best pictures of your most important day.
Observation #2: Developing a detailed and comprehensive timeline of events will make your day less stressful and your wedding support team more successful. Your timeline should detail all of the various wedding day activities from beginning to end, chronologically throughout the day. It should contain the name and contact information of all of your vendors. You will want to make sure your timeline includes the start and end time and delivery and pick up times of all of your vendors. Common scheduling mistakes include the actual time needed to lace up the wedding gown and ample time to travel from the ceremony to the reception venue. I have seen gowns that take only one minute to get into, and I have also seen those that take twenty-five minutes. Your timeline should include having your photographer arrive two hours before the ceremony to ensure they have ample time to capture the important pre-wedding images you desire, including the bride’s “getting ready images” and any pre-ceremony group shots with the guys and the gals and other intimate moments before the ceremony. Remember that 30 minutes before the ceremony, the groomsmen will be seating guests and your bridesmaids assisting you in those final preparations, so that may limit the photographic possibilities if you cut short when your photographer begins the day. And remember, your exit is as important as your entrance so please detail your departure plans to make sure your photographer is still present to capture the end of your day. It is important to include every detail imaginable in this very important planning tool and to distribute your timeline to all your vendors at least 10 days before your wedding day. This way any scheduling issues or overlaps can be identified and remedied averting potential wedding day ‘disasters’. And finally, you will want someone to be in charge of executing the timeline for you on your wedding day. Timelines and their pitfalls are easily taken care of by hiring a professional planner/coordinator. Which brings me to, ….
Observation #3: Choose a professional wedding or event coordinator. Whether you desire full service event planning/coordination or strictly “day of” coordination, using a professional, experienced wedding planner, is the best way to make sure your day is managed exactly how you imagined it. Once again, please be careful if a family member or friend offers to manage the events of your day. She may also be a guest at the wedding and if so, may find it difficult to coordinate your day and simultaneously, enjoy it with you. Some clients also find their coordinator through their caterer or venue as a value-added part of their service. I have seen this option create amazing weddings that are flawlessly executed but I’ve also witnessed the planner that has “flown the coop” once the cake has been cut. If you choose the value-add approach, here are some things to consider: Make sure that you have a dedicated person from the staff that will be with you from the beginning of your day to the moment you are driven away. They should not be the person that gets pulled away to spearhead a food or venue crisis. As your planner, she should take the issue to the person in charge (chef or building manager) so that she can get back to her other duties as the event coordinator, and most importantly, helping you. Something as simple as not having enough staff on hand to open both of the church’s double doors as you start your walk down the aisle or moving your guests to your exit location when the “partying” is over, is the job of a good wedding planner. A professional event coordinator will make sure every detail is managed – from the start of your day to your formal exit ensuring the end of your day is as important as the beginning.
Observation #4: Communicate, communicate, and communicate. This may sound simple but it is second only to your timeline. Ask almost any wedding planner or photographer and they will agree that hair and make-up takes longer than is usually planned, especially when you have a large wedding party. The key to success is communication. When scheduling your stylist and make-up artist, in addition to telling them the start time of your ceremony, you also should communicate the exact time they must have everyone coiffed, beautiful and ready to go. Just to be safe, you may want to add an extra half hour into this part of your timeline and communicate to your hair stylist and make-up artist how important staying on schedule is to the success of your day.
I started with photography and so I’ll end with photography. Most of my weddings include a staff of three (a primary photographer, a second photographer and an assistant) for the critical portions of the day. There are times when your photographer needs to be in two places at one time. For example, a wedding with lots of reception details that must be shot before the event begins may overlap with the time needed to capture the bride’s “getting ready” images or the groom and groomsmen preparations at an off-site location. And let’s not forget during the ceremony when your photographer’s ability to move around is limited by space or church rules. A “second shooter” covers other angles of moments that can not be repeated from the first kiss to the last dance, every moment is important and capturing them all will make for lasting memories.
Every bride wants her wedding day to be a reflection of her happiness and joy. Choosing the right team of professionals is the first step to ensure this happens. Her wedding support team will make sure her day is as wonderful as she imagines it to be, and will ensure the she and her new husband are able to enjoy their wedding day without worry. From the ‘eye’ of the photographer, I hope that you found my observations informative and more importantly, useful as you plan your wedding day.
To find out more about A Lowcountry Wedding Vendor, Rick Dean Photography, check out his vendor listing here!
Lighthouse at Shem Creek Wedding {Jennifer + Dane}
A few of our favorites, Carolina Studios by Gillian Reinhardt and Sweet Grass Events by Stephanie Gibbs, teamed up for a rustic affair on Shem Creek that is sure to have every Lowcountry lady pinning away all these Southern details! Thanks to Jonny Cosmetics and Wedding Hair by Charlotte, Jennifer dazzled in a strapless ballgown from Amy Lee Bridal. The adorable couple tied the knot at the stunning Cathedral of St. John the Baptist before heading over to the Battery to capture some frame-able images of the bridal party. The celebration kicked off at the Lighthouse at Shem Creek where guests were greeted to a pink and white color palette with touches of birch and sweetgrass roses. They sipped on pink lemonade, dined on cuisine from Cork Bistro, raved over the boiled peanut bar and enjoyed a few rounds of cornhole!













Photographer: Carolina Studios by Gillian Reinhardt / Hair Stylist: Wedding Hair By Charlotte / Caterer: Cork Bistro / Event Planner: Sweet Grass Events By Stephanie Gibbs / Reception Venue: Lighthouse at Shem Creek / Dress Designer: Amy Lee Bridal / Cake Designer: P.I.E. Bake Shoppe / Ceremony Location: Cathedral of St. John the Baptist / Makeup Artist: Jonny Cosmetics / Tuxedo and Mens Attire: Joseph A. Ban
Dunes West Golf Club Wedding by Riverland Studios
Wickliffe House Wedding {Sarah + Breck}
There's something about a tented wedding reception that just screams Southern....throw a statuesque Plantation into the mix and you've got the perfect Charleston affair! This classic stunner took place Downtown at The Wickliffe House where Jennifer Stuart Photography was on hand to capture all the gorgeous details. The couple went with a timeless color palette that had the bridesmaids dressed in gold and the men in navy and tan. The reception was laced with Carolina details including fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits and a palmetto stamped cornhole game!



Cotton Dock Wedding {Erin + Jason}
You can't go wrong with a Boone Hall Plantation wedding. The entire Plantation is simply majestic and who could ever complain about a Lowcountry evening on the water at the Cotton Dock!? Not this girl! Collette Mruk Photography sent over Erin + Jason's magical Charleston wedding and with every image the dreaminess just kept coming. Shannon McLeod handled the design and coordination by keeping with the rustic beauty of the venue, and with the help of OK Florist, the duo added in sweet touches of Fall. As usual, that wonderful team at Cru Catering delivered a delicious menu of Lowcontry cuisine while Jay Maxwell kept the guest dancing late into the evening!



Old Wide Awake Wedding {Erika + Mitch}
Amy-Marie Kay Photography had me at ‘Red Velvet Whoopie Pies’...and I have a feeling she's got you too! One glance of those bad boys and I knew that this Charleston wedding had to grace the pages of A Lowcountry Wedding! Truth be told, the Whoopie Pies weren’t even the best part! The adorable couple, perfect photography and indescribable setting makes this one for the books. This gorgeous Fall fete took place at the charming Old Wide Awake Plantation where guests were welcomed to an intimate, outdoor ceremony on the steps before celebrating the night away under the Lowcountry stars!

Photographer: Amy-Marie Kay Photography l Venue: Old Wide Awake Plantation / Caterer: Duvall Catering, Home Team Barbeque / Floral Designer: Charleston Flower Market / Equipment Rentals: EVENT DRS / Transportation: Charleston Private Car / Bakery: Bakehouse Charleston / Event Venue: Old Wideawake Plantation




























































































































































