In February 2009, New Yorker Aaron Schwartz proposed to his girlfriend of four years, Catherine Elcock, 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

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

When Rheney Mitchell was little, she used to tell her mother that she’d get married in a field of sunflowers when she grew up.

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 Baker and Thomas Hutto’s 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.”

Mosey down to the Farmers Market in Marion Square on most Saturday mornings, and you’ll come upon a lengthy line at

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.

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.

The inspiration for my wedding last September came from a vintage globe I found at a flea market.

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

“We focused on keeping everything eco-friendly and simple. And since everyone understood our passion, they enjoyed coming up with creative ideas."

“Emily Post has her place, but she doesn’t know you. If something feels right, then it’s right for you.”

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

“Find a family member or friend to keep you grounded and focused on the sentiment—not just the aesthetics—of the day.”

Overall, we wanted a day that felt like us: comfortable, welcoming, fun, sometimes unexpected, and grateful for the wonderful people in our lives.

After dating for three years, Chetan proposed 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.

Both Jennifer Ferland and Matt Chapman are self-described “beach people,” so after Matt 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

One good thing about a tight economy? Budget is no longer déclassé to discuss. And nowhere is it more practical to address than for your wedding.

Two Christmases ago, Michael Runey tied a ring to the collar of Pawley, the Boykin spaniel he raised with Martha Kent Jenkinson, 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

After 21 years in the business, this summer the Ferri family, owners of Ashley Bakery, created a trio of cakes and a sweet spread of confections for one of the operation’s biggest weddings yet—that of

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 met Matthew in Beaufort when she was a Charleston-based wine representative and he was the Beaufort Inn’s wine buyer.

Megan came to Annie Mueller of A New Leaf Studio with two words in mind: classic and elegant. “We wanted to have a timeless wedding but also wanted the day to reflect our personal style,” says Megan.

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

(center) Lucite flower with crystals by Alexis Bittar ($275) from Gwynn’s • (clockwise from top) Sterling silver with pear-shaped Swarovski crystals ($196) from Gown Boutique of Charleston • Circa 18

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

“I will never forget Neil’s proposal,” says Julie Hackler, “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

As transplants to Charleston, Lindsay and John were faced with organizing a destination wedding to suit their entirely out-of-town guest list.

The Big Picture

Heather Hipp isn’t one of those girls who’s always had her dream wedding in mind. Rather, she’s always known more what she didn’t want—a lot of fuss.

You may think your groom’s just a fool. He is, but don’t worry. With all of the mood swings you’re going through while planning your wedding, he thinks you’re crazy.

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.

When I was in my early thirties, my mother had me pick out china and silver patterns. I wasn’t engaged. I don’t think I even had a boyfriend at the time.

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.

Last year, Frank and Linda Lynch purchased a 1930s Trumpy yacht with a colorful past: Innisfail has hosted presidents Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Nixon, and Clinton, along with other luminaries.

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

Celeste Rose is a crafty woman. When she and fiancé Joshua Pratt were engaged, they embarked on a long-distance planning fest (she from Arkansas, he from Texas).

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.

Beach ceremonies and receptions don’t have to be barefoot affairs. Take this sweet but sophisticated reception at a Sullivan’s Island beach house, for instance.

Stamina, dedication, and the ability to laugh at your partner without fear of having a shoe thrown at your head: these are the pillars of a sturdy relationship.

Lainey Faulkner certainly wouldn’t have turned her nose up at a trip to Chicago. That’s where boyfriend Trip McMahon told her he was taking her as a belated Valentine’s Day gift.

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. 

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

Of the myriad decisions a bride must make, some are as clear as those Baccarat tumblers she’s registered for.

Local silversmith (and bride-to-be) Kaminer Haislip has had a passion for working with silver since she took a high school industrial tech class in her hometown of Aiken.

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

Follow etiquette protocol to the letter and you have an inarguable dictate for who sits where during your reception dinner and ceremony.

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

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

Charleston-native Katherine Parker and fiancé Ryan Clark of Mandeville, Louisiana, shared a six-year romance so strong that it even 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

“Nothing about my personality is understated,” laughs Amber Crowe as she explains the approach behind her nuptials to Kevin Kelley, 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

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.

Number of guests: 100
Estimated cost: $150,000

Just a week after her engagement, Joyner Milam returned to her hometown of Jacksonville, Florida.

For Charlestonians Kelly Regan and Patrick Duffy, Hibernian Society Hall was the obvious place to celebrate their wedding, as it was where their mothers conspired to introduce them on St.

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

For Courtney and Carter Rowson, planning a Lowcountry wedding was much like inviting a few close friends over for dinner.

New Jersey native Randall Welsh “is completely in his element at Mackay Point,” says his bride Rael Thomas Welsh.

“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

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

A classic film buff and lover of vintage clothing, Deborah Weyman’s lifelong fondness for the 1950s—instilled by her beloved late grandfather—was a fitting inspiration for the theme of her Charleston

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

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

Meredith Sheffer to Eric Rose; May 24, 2009

Meredith Cammerer to Patrick Stanton, June 17, 2009

Cary Ann Hearst to Michael Trent Robinson; April 28, 2009

Jennifer Ferland to Matt Chapman; June 13, 2009

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

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

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

Ashleigh Volland to Matthew Whitmore, October 11, 2008

Megan McNally to Michael Spillars, October 18, 2008

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 to 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 to 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 to 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.

A New York City bride ties the knot in a traditional Indian wedding ceremony—and celebrates with a reception worth every mile of her family’s trip across the globe. Garner tips for using the colors, flavors, and rituals of your own culture to create an event that’s as unforgettable and heartfelt as they come

A touch of whimsy for a garden party.

Megan Sones to Marty Clapton - June 17, 2006, Mingo Point, Kiawah Island

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

Courtney Gunter to Carter Rowson - November 13, 2004, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church

Rael Thomas to Randall Welsh - November 6, 2004, Mackay Point Plantation

Sophisticated 1920s sit-down dinner.

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

Deborah Weyman to John McKinney September 18, 2004, downtown Charleston.