Tyler Blythe & Daniel Newman
April 2, 2011
Lowndes Grove Plantation

A Georgia gal and a North Carolina boy bask in natural beauty on the banks of the Wando River

Although D.C. residents Sarah Katherine Fagan and Jason Guillian had been good friends for more than a year, it wasn't until a holiday together that Sarah Katherine says sparks flew. 

Flora in bright hues and varied arrangements set the tone for this vibrant event

Up the hip and homespun factor on your wedding fare with a local food truck

It's all about the stones-how they sparkle, and how the perfect setting plays them up

Off-shoulder looks add a hint of goddess to any bridesmaids' gown

Barely there or billowing, sleeves on bridesmaids' gowns flatter every body

Spring at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens blooms with the latest gowns from both national and local designers

Get silky soft for your Big Day with these locally made products

Treat your wedding party to gifts inspired by Charleston tradition

Layers, tiers, and new patterns—oh my! Designers embrace the old-world material in myriad forms for modern looks

The latest trends are as varied as the stylish women who sport them

What do you mean I can’t wear a bra with my gown!?” I asked the smirking sales clerk. “Any undergarment will show through,” she said with a “duh” inflection. “Didn’t you realize that when you ordered it?”

The Web’s gone wedding wild, and Charleston’s industry folks are in on the action

Bridal portraits make a comeback, especially for the theatrically minded

After a summer of letters and a whirlwind four-month courtship, North Carolina native Allison Clark was swept off her feet by college pal Matt’s mountaintop proposal during a ski trip to Colorado.

A wedding photographer and her carpenter-sweetheart craft a homespun wedding of their own

Heirloom elements and family favorites come together for a spectacularly sweet—and Southern—wedding

After Travis Berry proposed to Jennifer Durr in their Branchville home, they didn’t go much farther afield for their wedding.

D.C. residents Brooke and Chris weather a snowstorm and fire to say “I do” amid autumn’s splendor

Minna Tolosa & Shea Tighe
April 24, 2010, St. Mary of The Annunciation & Lowndes Grove Plantation

Ashley Meek & Chris Dorsey
July 24, 2010, St. John the Baptist & Lowndes Grove Plantation

Tennesseeans Katie and Justin host a destination wedding to complement their Southern roots and vintage taste

Event and floral designer Sara York Grimshaw Designs partnered with stationer Dodeline Designs to fashion a romantic tablescape for a small wedding’s head table

The event design team at WED and photographer-slash-stationer Heather Forsythe joined to make a cocktail-hour or reception lounge area

Hire a wedding concierge to save time…and money in the long run!

K. Cooper Ray is on a mission to return menfolk to manners, one bow tie at a time. Find out how the local tastemaker teamed with Brooks Brothers to reinvent a wedding wear classic 

What does a gal get when she has an officer and a gentlemen, plus an audience with the Queen on date number two?

Holly Young & Tony Martin
August 28, 2010, Legare Waring House

“Antwan did good,” said Mable Thompson as she was introduced to the dazzling princess-cut diamond ring Antwan McClean used to propose to her great-granddaughter Kia Robinson.

The season’s most stunning gowns debut across the grounds & gardens of 18th-century Middleton Place

Use our planning checklist to get organized for your Big Day.  Download it by clicking here and use the live links or print it out to check items off, one by one.

Find answers to all your frequently asked questions here.

Spread the news! Submit your engagement of wedding announcement for free!

Read the latest wedding announcements from couples who said their “I dos” here in the Lowcountry. (Above photo of Robert Chamberlain and Cheri Seagraves by Richard Bell Photography)

John Allman

Charleston Weddings crashes Charleston Fashion Week® with a tidal wave of white gowns and girlish good times.

Caroline Bagnall & Tyler Holtgreven; October 3, 2009, French Huguenot Church, Boone Hall Plantation

Ohio University college sweethearts Caroline and Tyler don’t disagree on many things, but they just can’t seem to reconcile when they first met.

Melissa Harrington & George Lin; October 31, 2009, St. Michael’s Church, Carolina Yacht Club

When Charleston native Melissa moved to China to teach English after earning her MBA, “My friends and family thought I was crazy!” she says.

Rebecca Mann & Mark Joye, February 27, 2010, St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Hibernian Hall

Mark met Rebecca at a work dinner when a friend of his sat the two next to each other as a set up. A little more than a year later, and Mark popped the question.

Christy Ruthsatz & Chris Roper; November 14, 2009, Creek Club at I’on

After Chris proposed to the Christy in the cupola of the Wentworth Mansion in downtown Charleston, she had no shortage of ideas for their wedding. 

Local stationers mac & murphy create an easy way to countdown to your anniversary

Darcy Shankland and Wally Seinsheimer, November 24, 2009

Before Charleston Weddings magazine’ editor-in-chief Darcy wed Wally she gave Tara Guérard of Soirée two guiding adjectives: casual and elegant.

Catherine Elcock & Aaron Schwartz; October 31, 2009, Lowndes Grove

In February 2009, New Yorker Aaron proposed to his girlfriend of four years, Catherine, and almost immediately after she said “yes,” they chose the Holy City to say their vows.

A wedding at the Cotton Dock shows how stunning simplicity can be

Ashley Ward & John Muller, Jr.; November 22, 2009, Boone Hall Plantation

It takes a special sort of couple to crave a vintage-flavored wedding drenched in crimson and violet, but that’s how Ashley and John roll.

Rheney Mitchell & Jacob Dearstyne; October 10, 2009, Boone Hall’s Cotton Dock

When Rheney was little, she used to tell her mother that she’d get married in a field of sunflowers when she grew up. So it’s little surprise that after she and her boyfriend of four years, Jacob, got engaged, the Atlanta residents (and one-time Charlestonians) jumped into planning an October 10, 2009 wedding beset with the blooms.

Lindsay Baker & Thomas Hutto; November 7, 2009, Yonges Island

Built in the 1930s by the groom’s great-grandfather, floated down the Intracoastal Waterway, re-established on the banks of the Dawhoo River on Yonges Island, and the site of many a Hutto family wedding, the River House at the Grove was the obvious locale for Lindsay and Thomas nuptials last fall.

Leave run-of-the mill rings behind and opt for bold gems, surprising shapes, and new hues

For all those pre-wedding parties—and the main event—when all eyes are on the bride, rise to the occasions with arresting accent pieces

“While we both wanted a special wedding, the marriage was the most important thing to us, and we just felt that planning for a year would cause us to lose sight of that.”

Who says newlyweds can’t have their crêpe and eat it, too?

Wedding readings tend toward a generic cannon of sonnets, psalms, and snippets from novels, most of which don’t bear anything close to a Southern accent. Given South Carolina’s rich literary history, why not pick something a little more homegrown?

As soon as the engagement ring slips onto your finger, you want your nails—and hands—to look as lovely as the sparkling stone itself.

Jessica Hofford & Joey McQueeney; May 23, 2009, Prospect Hill Plantation, Edisto Island

Besides choosing her groom at an early age, Jessica also always knew she would say her vows at her parents’ Edisto Island home, Prospect Hill Plantation.

Holly Burns & Sean Slinsky; September 5, 2009, private home

“The inspiration for my wedding last September came from a vintage globe I found at a flea market,” says Holly, one-half of an amazingly crafty diy couple. 

Let your wedding palette, patterns, and florals inspire its sweet treats

The season warms up with a mix of cheery colors, vintage elements, and sunny golds that pair perfectly with the latest stationery

Maren Anderson & Michael McClintock; May 2, 2009, Morris & Bowen’s islands

“Doing it yourself isn’t for everyone,” says Maren, “but we really wanted to meet our budget, keep it simple, and thus make it more about our union than decorative details.”

Nancy Germain & Bob Creed; March 7, 2009, Family Home on Sullivan’s Island

“Emily Post has her place, but she doesn’t know you. If something feels right, then it’s right for you,” says Nancy of how she mined her ps and qs while planning her homemade wedding to Bob.

Caitlin Shockley & Rick Bosh; June 13, 2009, St. Mary of the Annunciation & Provost Dungeon

“Don’t compare your wedding to others, even when the pressure gets intense in the face of lavish weddings with seemingly endless budgets,” says Caitlin.

Elle McGee & John Kleckley; May 16, 2009, Private Home in Charleston

One of the best things Elle says she did? “Choosing a location that was beautiful on its own,” she says of the private downtown residence where she and John wed.

Jennifer Koshorek & James Rader, June 12, 2009, Alhambra Hall

“We got creative to save money,” says local schoolteacher Jennifer of the wedding she and her now-husband, Jamie, threw at Alhambra Hall. “So we picked easy projects with bright colors and different patterns that would have a huge impact,” she says.

Kristen Reavis & Chetan Patel; June 20, 2009, Second Presbyterian Church & The William Aiken House

After dating for three years, Chetan proposed to Kristen in Napa Valley, but they decided to have their wedding in the Holy City as a way to introduce Chetan’s Indian family to the place where the couple fell in love.

Jennifer Ferland & Matt Chapman; June 13, 2009, Kiawah Island Resort

Both Jennifer and Matt are self-described “beach people,” so after he proposed in Debordieu, they knew they wanted the waterfront aesthetic for their wedding.

One Lowcountry bride who’s been there, penned that, and two seasoned officiants share their tips for telling it like it is

A trove of fresh classics and vintage finds debut at the Governor Thomas Bennett House

Step-by-step instructions to go from Ms. to Mrs. in South Carolina

Follow these five simple steps to learn where to put your Big Day dollars…and how to stretch them

Martha Kent Jenkinson & Michael Runey October 25, 2008, Church of the Holy Communion & Lowndes Grove Plantation

Two Christmases ago, Michael tied a ring to the collar of Pawley, the Boykin spaniel he raised with Martha Kent, and aimed the pooch in her direction.

Charleston’s 271-year-old Drayton Hall sets the tone for a season of grand gowns. Styled by Ayoka Lucas • Hair & Makeup by Ashley Brook Perryman

What’s one food that lasts (nearly) as long as love? Why fruitcake, of course, which is why the confection plays the lead in a handful of enduring wedding traditions.

Baked confectioners and Sideshow Press stationers accent a smorgasbord of sweet treats with fancy cupcakes, hot cocoa favors, and stenciled brownies

Every now and again, the pages of Charleston Weddings spring to life—like when models sashay down the runway at the annual Bridal Couture Show each spring. But this fall, there’s a twist.

Ashleigh Volland & Matthew Whitmore; October 11, 2008, Parish Church of St. Helena & Beaufort Waterfront Park

Ashleigh met Matthew in Beaufort when she was a Charleston-based wine representative and he was the Beaufort Inn’s wine buyer. So it only makes sense they tied the knot in the waterfront town where they fell for each other.

Megan McNally & Michael Spillars; October 18, 2008, Charleston’s French Huguenot Church & the Francis Marion Hotel

Megan came to Annie Mueller of A New Leaf Studio with two words in mind: classic and elegant.

Today’s Charleston weddings are all about mixing the hospitality and charm of the Old South with modern aesthetics.

Give your gown some sparkle, fasten your sash in place, or simply dress up your bouquet wrap. However you enlist them, these keepsake brooches are ready to report for duty

Cary Ann Hearst & Michael Trent Robinson; April 28, 2009, Irvin~House Vineyards, Wadmalaw Island

Michael Trent and Cary Ann had a lot of rain and a whole lot of soul show up to their wedding at Irvin~House Vineyards on Wadmalaw Island.

Julia Hackler & Cornelius Vanstory King III; May 31, 2008, First Methodist Church & The Dunes Golf and Beach Club, Myrtle Beach

“I will never forget Neil’s proposal,” says Julie, “not because it was over-the-top but because the way he proposed is just like him: very understated and selfless."

Solving this garter glitch was a snap for event coordinator Sara Cavallon of Something to Celebrate since she tucks extras into the emergency kit she takes everywhere the day of the wedding.

“When I was little my mother made my dresses,” says handbag designer Allison Abney, “and even then I was very specific about what fabrics I wanted.”

Guests will grin over to this cute carry-on and its tagalong keepsake designed by Studio R

Lindsay Edwards to John Harman, March 22, 2008; The William Aiken House

As transplants to Charleston, Lindsay and John were faced with organizing a destination wedding to suit their entirely out-of-town guest list. They answered the call with a fresh-colored fête in a downtown mansion.

The Big Picture

Heather Hipp & Blake Byrnes, July 7, 2007, Brookgreen Gardens

Heather isn’t one of those girls who always had her dream wedding in mind.

With the Lowcountry’s unpredictable weather, tents are a necessity for most local outdoor weddings. But shelters don’t have to be boring, says Lisa Thomas of Ooh! Events.

Answer: Extensions are definitely worth checking out—just do a trial run before your wedding day.

If tree isn’t purchased potted, adapt and follow general directions on previous page, choosing a container large enough for the tree’s roots to expand into the new potting soil.

A tropical night on a restored 1930s yacht proves rehearsal dinners need not be predictable.

Frank and Linda Lynch purchased a 1930s Trumpy yacht with a colorful past: Innisfailhas hosted presidents Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Nixon, and Clinton, along with other luminaries. Soon after, the boat added another chapter to its history when “she” hosted the Lynch’s daughter’s rehearsal dinner. 

Nature informs this season's bountiful harvest of wedding paper goods

Celeste Rose & Joshua Pratt; December 21, 2008, The William Aiken House

“Even if you aren’t a Martha, finding a few parts to do yourself goes a long way,” says Celeste, who sewed each of her bridesmaids’ gowns.

Brooke Mullikin knew exactly what she didn’t want her spring wedding to be: boring, traditional, stuffy, and impersonal. As for what was on the “must” list?

Addicted to Details: “I spent days and nights worrying about the details of the rehearsal dinner, ceremony, and reception, and I was really nervous I wouldn’t enjoy my own celebration.”

“For women who really appreciate beautiful dresses, it’s like a giant, dream walk-in closet,” says Jodi Moylan of White, her Daniel Island bridal boutique.

Easy elegance defines this intimate Sullivan’s Island reception inspired by a casual beach house and a sweet silk fabric

Lainey Faulkner & Trip McMahon, June 10, 2006, the Old Tabby Ruins & the Golf House, Spring Island

“I wanted it to be like a lawn party from an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel: demure and elegant, with nothing fussy or showy interfering with the natural splendor of the surroundings,” says Lainey, who grew up in Philadelphia.

Skip the standard bouquet of flowers and opt for a floral confection instead, like Tara Guérard of Soirée did here. At event’s end, let one lucky guest (per table) take home the treat

You will need:
Cardboard or foam board
Number stencil (either printed from a computer and blown up to preferred size, or bought)
Craft scissors
About 15 button mums (per number)

Styled by Ayoka Lucas, Hair and Makeup by Ashley Perryman. Shot on location at the Daniel Island Golf Club. Reception Setting by Kristin Newman Designs. 

Jane Barron & David Hanisch; Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

“I’m a huge fan of color,” says Jane. “And since our wedding was to take place outside in the spring, I wanted the colors to be bright and vibrant.”

When it comes to a once-in-a-lifetime wedding, settling on the celebration sure does smart.

Top any plain votive with lovely little shades like these, designed by Perla Anne stationery's Stacey Bradley, and you’ll add a touch of sweet style to any wedding party

Show your gals you put thought into your party—where each guest would sit and by whom—with these easy place cards designed by Perla Anne stationery's Stacey Bradley

Wallis Ronchetti & Brooks Morris; November 11, 2006, The French Huguenot Church & Carolina Yacht Club 

When Wallis met coworker Brooks in the breakroom of their Atlanta office, she was suddenly convinced of love at first sight.

Katherine Parker & Ryan Clark; March 3, 2007, St. Michael’s Episcopal Church & Carolina Yacht Club

Charleston-native Katherine and fiancé Ryan of Mandeville, Louisiana, shared a six-year romance so strong that it survived his one-year trek around the world.

A s soon as the engagement ring slips onto your finger, you want your nails—and hands—to look as lovely as the sparkling stone itself.

It’s no secret that you want to look stunning on your wedding day, but subsisting on black coffee and lettuce for weeks never got anyone anywhere—except, perhaps, flat on the church floor from a faint

Amber Crowe & Kevin Kelley; September 22, 2006, The William Aiken House

“Nothing about my personality is understated,” laughs Amber as she explains the approach behind her nuptials to Kevin, where bold color and unchecked whimsy reigned supreme.

It’s no secret that you want to look stunning on your wedding day, but subsisting on black coffee and lettuce for weeks never got anyone anywhere—except, perhaps, flat on the church floor from a faint

As soon as the engagement ring slips onto your finger, you want your nails—and hands—to look as lovely as the sparkling stone itself.

Three hot new shops have recently joined the bevy of bridal boutiques offering fashion-forward lines to the Lowcountry.

Local entrepreneurs Margaret Dear and Ross Robertson dispatch a mini fleet of 1959 ice cream trucks up to 60 miles from downtown Charleston—good news for both urban- and plantation-bound brides who ai

Waterside Wonder: let The laid-back luxe life rule

Number of guests: 90
Estimated cost: $120,000
Event Designer: Kristin Newman

Rebecca Olson & Sanjay Gupta; May 15, 2004, The Shell House at Ashley Hall

“Ever since I first visited Charleston, I thought it would be a perfect place for a wedding,” says attorney Rebecca.

FIASCO: The band is over an hour late for a plantation wedding, leaving the guests without music for cocktails and dinner.

One of the most exciting aspects of being engaged is experiencing all of the special events leading up to the wedding.

Soirée by Tara Guérard stages a dream outdoor reception that mixes rustic elements with high style.

M. Joyner Milam & Bart Beasley; April 8, 2006, Kensington Plantation

“We knew we wanted to be married in the Lowcountry,” says Joyner. “But the big plantations just weren’t what we were all about. We wanted the wedding to feel cozy, not fancy.”

Kelly Regan & Patrick Duffy; June 10, 2006, Summerall Chapel & Hibernian Society Hall

For Charlestonians Kelly and Patrick, the Hibernian Society hall was the obvious place to celebrate their wedding, as it was where their mothers conspired to introduce them on St. Patrick’s Day in 2003.

FIASCO: An hour before the reception, the band has arrived but the sound equipment hasn’t.

FIASCO: A rainstorm saturates the ground, making it impossible to put down a dance floor at an outdoor reception.

For every wedding invitation envelope stamped and licked, a gift is wrapped for the bride and groom.

Flowers wilt, cake gets eaten, but your wedding photos will remain as the lasting reminder of your special day. With dozens of shutterbugs to choose from, how do you know who to hire?

“She just glowed!”—what bride wouldn’t like to be remembered that way? Along with pure excitement, of course, radiant skin will help you achieve that luminous look.

Number of guests: 150
Estimated cost: $55,000

“As a bride, you’ll want to look like yourself—just the most stunning version of yourself,” says local makeup artist Leslie Moore of Moore Makeup, Inc.

Number of guests: 30
Estimated cost: $40,000

Number of guests: 64
Estimated cost: $18,000

Margaret Mueller & Christopher Hall; May 30, 2004, Isle of Palms

When Margaret and Christopher took a weekend trip to Charleston seven years ago, it was the start of a beautiful relationship—or rather, two beautiful relationships.

Jessica Hofford & Joey McQueeney; May 23, 2009, Prospect Hill Plantation, Edisto Island

Christi Ascue to Sean Kershaw; April 11, 2009, Boone Hall Plantation

Meredith Sheffer & Eric Rose; May 24, 2009, St. John’s Lutheran Church & Historic Rice Mill

Meredith Cammerer & Patrick Stanton; June 17, 2009, Kiawah Island Resort

Cary Ann Hearst & Michael Trent Robinson; April 28, 2009, Irvin~House Vineyards, Wadmalaw Island

Jennifer Ferland & Matt Chapman; June 13, 2009, Kiawah Island Resort

A trove of fresh classics and vintage finds debut at the Governor Thomas Bennett House

Lawton Cooper Ginn & Eric Yon; November 8, 2008, French Huguenot Church & Carolina Yacht Club (South Property)

Kaminer Haislip & Matt Quinn; September 20, 2008, First (Scots) Presbyterian Church & The William Aiken House

Alli Hobbs & Mark Peavy; October 25, 2008, Confederate Women’s Home

Ashleigh Volland & Matthew Whitmore; October 11, 2008, Parish Church of St. Helena & Beaufort Waterfront Park

Megan McNally & Michael Spillars; October 18, 2008, Charleston’s French Huguenot Church & the Francis Marion Hotel

Crisp, clean, & contemporary design

Be the center of attention with eye-catching, tactile textures from lace and leaf cutouts to beaded and tucked tulle

Brooke Mullikin to Trey Muhlhauser, April 28, 2007, The Confederate Home & Hibernian Hall

See our gallery of gorgeous cakes and confections inspired by Charleston's most charming features and locations.

Julia Hackler & Cornelius Vanstory King III; May 31, 2008, First Methodist Church & The Dunes Golf and Beach Club, Myrtle Beach

A rustic Sullivan’s Island home sets a simply elegant tone for free-spirited summer gowns

Get flirty with flouncy, full skirts that practically prance with your every step.

Lindsay Edwards to John Harman, March 22, 2008

The last plantation house on the peninsula provides the perfect backdrop for portraits of a lady.

Daisy Bowman & Benjamin Swift, November 3, 2007, I’On Creek Club

A fusion of cultures heat up an early evening reception overlooking the bluffs of the Stono River

Christine Nott & Eric Jablon; April 14, 2007, Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim & The William Aiken House

Whether she’s a blushing bride or pint-sized flower girl, Daddy’s little girls
love to play dress up for the Big Day.

Puja Seam & Jamey Thompson; October 7, 2006, William Aiken House

A touch of whimsy for a garden party.

Megan Sones & Marty Clapton; June 17, 2006, Mingo Point, Kiawah Island

Creating the perfect party, from autumnal elegance to winter sparkle.

Courtney Gunter & Carter Rowson; November 13, 2004, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church & Boone Hall Plantation

Rael Thomas & Randall Welsh; November 6, 2004, Mackay Point Plantation

Sophisticated 1920s sit-down dinner.

Margaret Mueller to Christopher Hall May 30, 2004, Isle of Palms