I’ve been looking forward to Scott & Megan’s wedding all summer. These two are one of the most fun bride and groom couples we’ve had the pleasure of photographing all year! I think it’s their laid back and playful nature combined with beauty and style that make them so great to photograph.

The day began out at Isle of Palms with all of the girls (and flower girls!) getting ready. Special Events Hair and Makeup had everyone looking glamorous.  The ceremony and reception took place at Patriot’s Point, overlooking the Charleston harbor. It was a gorgeous (albeit a little on the warm side) day. The bright green grass paired with a palette of water blues throughout the wedding made everything feel alive.

Cindy Zingerella at Engaging Events was the wedding coordinator and designer. The entire day went off without a hitch and looked stunning. I personally love how organized and thorough Cindy is and I am sure her bride and grooms do too. You can totally trust her to keep everything on track!

One of the great things about getting married at Patriot’s Point is the view and great natural photo backgrounds that are out there. Golf courses are always meticulously manicured and are great for photos.  The super cool part is that they let you take golf carts out to hole 17 for photos of the bride and groom. It’s like being on your own little island on the water with no one in sight. I love that!

Dinner and dancing followed in the air conditioned tent and guests slung back their “Harborview Breezes”, a variation of the Sea Breeze. They looked delicious! Wedding cupcakes and white chocolate dipped strawberries by Elaines Events satisfied everyone’s sweet tooth and then guests got down to Phase Band. The night ended under an arch of sparklers and Scott and Megan jumping into a Charleston Black Cab for their big getaway. Congratulations you two!!!

I must put in a special thanks to all of the talented photographers that helped me photograph Scott & Megan’s big day! Being 8 months pregnant, I felt it was important to over prepare and have lots of people on hand, “just in case”! So special kudos go out to Jennifer Bearden Photography, Jebb Graff and Bryan Deel for all of your help!!!

Megan looking elegant!

It’s all in the details! The necklace and earrings (and engagement ring of course)! were gifts from Scott.

Megan with her bridesmaids

Scott arrives in a Black Cab with his proud parents!

Looking as dapper as ever!

Scott and the guys try out the gold course

Scott’s nieces were the most adorable flower girls.

I love this photo that Bryan Deel took of the sand ceremony, where they each combine their separate carafes of sand into one.

Cue the wedding recessional music!

When getting married by a golf course, you have to take the golf cart out for a spin!

This gorgeous photo was taken by Jennifer Bearden at Hole 17.

I can’t resist a perfect silhouette!

And last but not least, Jebb Graff caught this awesome shot of the two of them at the end of the night. Love the thumbs up!

I always love photographing out on Kiawah. It’s a bit of a drive form Charleston, but it’s along 2 lane roads and under canopies of ancient oaks and Spanish moss. By the time I get to Kiawah, I feel like I am on vacation too.

Rania and Steve spend several months out of every year down here, soaking up the Lowcountry heat and enjoying the Southern charm. For their 40th wedding anniversary, they wanted nothing more than to have all their kids and grandkids with them. Then they had the wonderful idea of a vow renewal ceremony to top it all off.

It was a casual and fun affair with the ceremony taking place on the beach. Everyone then headed over to a house they had rented that was built for entertaining with it’s wide open rooms and plush white carpet.

Congratulations Steve and Rania and here’s to another 40 years!!

In looking through the photos from Chandler and Matt’s wedding day, one thing I know for sure is that Chandler had the biggest smile on her face the entire time! I’m not sure I’ve ever seen someone smile so much.

Their wedding day was absolutely flawless and gorgeous from start to finish. Chandler is co-owner of a boutique in Raleigh, NC called Gena Chandler. So as you can imagine, fashion was very important. Chandler’s dress is by Monique Lhuillier and to die for! The bridesmaids were stunning in their strapless cornflower blue dresses. And nothing makes you smile like an adorable flower girl and giggly junior bridesmaids all dressed in white.

Matt and his guys were decked out in tuxes and looked very dapper. They were a great group to photograph and judging from the toasts the night before, they are a tight group of friends.

I was very lucky to have the talented Marni Rothschild Durlach of Marni Rothschild Pictures shooting with Bryan and me for the day. She is an extremely talented photographer and wonderful to work with! Luke Wilson Special Events coordinated the event on the day of the wedding and made sure that everything went to plan.

The flowers were done by Kelly Odom, who is based out of Raleigh, NC. After the cocktail hour on the lawn, guests entered the house and feasted on wonderful food by Fish. The band, Complete Desire on Fire, kicked off the party and put on quite a show through out the night!

The flowers at the William Aiken House are by Kelly Odom, out of Raleigh, NC.

Chandler with her five junior bridesmaids and one flower girl. They were perfect!

This is such a fun shot of all the girls at the William Aiken House!

Louboutins, of course!

Matt leads his groomsmen to Trinity United Methodist Church.

In those gloriously photogenic moments after the ceremony, Chandler and her mom share a hug. I love this!

Matt and his very proud mom!

Moments after saying, “I do!”

Their wedding cake was designed by Fish.

I love this sweet shot of the two of them right after they were married.

And finally we reach the reception… let the party begin!

A little late night snack for the guests. Sliders and fries, who says “no” to that?!

Feeling famous on The American Theater marquee!

Bryan Deel shot this cool photo of them as they left under the sparklers at the end of the night. It reminds me of a film shot.

It’s not often that we get to photograph a wedding at the Riviera Theater. I absolutely love the art deco decor. Lucky for us, Kim and Tym decided to host their wedding ceremony and reception there!

Jennifer Bearden of Jennifer Bearden Photography was on hand to help Bryan and I photograph their wedding. She is an amazing photographer and was everywhere all the time taking photos throughout the nigh.! There’s nothing like having a great friend to help you shoot a wedding, it’s fun and inspiring!

Everyone got ready at Charleston Place, across the street, and then gathered at the Riviera first for the Ketubah signing. Signing the ketubah is an integral part of the Jewish wedding ceremony. It is a beautifully designed and illustrated contract that “outlines the rights and responsibilities of the groom, in relation to the bride.” Close friends, family and the wedding party are present for the signing and then the wedding ceremony follows.

The ceremony was held on the stage at the Riviera under a chuppa that Lotus Flower decorated with flowers. The cocktail hour followed and then dinner was held in the grand ballroom. Denise Barto helped to coordinate the day of the wedding and tie all of those gorgeous bows on the chairs.

I absolutely loved photographing all the details for Kim and Tym’s wedding, including the stunning art deco meets modern wedding cake by Jim Smeal. They also had the most gorgeous wedding invitations that carried the blue/teal and art deco theme.

Congratulations you two!!!

Kim and Tym both got ready in suites at Charleston Place

Helping the ring bearer get dressed

Kim had not one but two rings that Tym had giver her!

The flowers and bouquets were done by the ever talented Lotus Flower

One of Kim’s sisters has a new baby and we just couldn’t resist a few photos of her!

Kim signs the ketubah

The ceremony took place on the stage in the Riviera Theater

I really like Tym’s wedding band, it is set on top of one of their amazing wedding invitations!

The Riviera Theater Ballroom

First Dance

One of my all time favorite wedding cakes. I could look at this all day!! It is by Jim Smeal.

I love this shot of these two!!

This one makes me smile as well.

The Riviera at night.

I have been meaning to put a post up about W.E.D.‘s new website for a couple of weeks now as it looks absolutely fantastic! They have been busy designing weddings for over 12 years and have offices here in Charleston and in Beaufort, SC, but have planned weddings as far away as the British Virgin Islands and NYC.

I always love working with W.E.D. and they were nice enough to include some of my photos in their galleries of past weddings. Go check out their new site and enjoy all the lush imagery. their site is full of ideas and the services they offer. I especially love their bios too!

This post is for all of you engaged couples out there looking for a miracle! Y102.5 is giving away a “Perfect 10 Wedding” to be held on 10/10/10!

You can check out their website with all the details on how to enter: http://www.y1025.com/pages/perfect10wedding/

Check out all the cool stuff you will win!

SEEKING INDIGO WELLNESS CENTER/URBAN OASIS-

FOR THE COUPLE:
Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber rest and relaxation Session
Migun Bed  30 min.Session
Detoxify, de-stress, and rejuvenate the mind and body in the Far Infrared sauna 30 min Session
Restorative  yoga
Includes lunch at the Sprout grab and go cafe for both inside seeking indigo

SPIRITLINE CRUISE – The most unique and unforgettable wedding venue in Charleston. A day to share with up to 125 friends and family aboard a luxury-cruising yacht gliding along unmatched views of the world-famous Charleston Harbor. The winning couple will have Spirit Line Cruises and the Charleston Harbor as their backdrop for “The Perfect 10 Wedding”.

CRICKET & KYLE CATERING -Cricket & Kyle’s will customize a menu for the winning Bride and 125 guests!    We will also provide tables, chairs, linens, and china.

CHARLESTON FLORIST –  Charleston Florist will proudly provide the winning Bride & Groom with personal flowers for the bridal bouquet, groom, 2 attendants per party, mother/father/grandmother/grandfather corsages, and 10 center pieces!

LEIGH WEBBER PHOTOGRAPHY- 3-hours of Wedding Photography, Online viewing and ordering of wedding images and
$150 print or album credit

BRIDALS BY JODI -  The Perfect 10 Wedding, we will be providing the winning bride a beautiful wedding gown, valued at $1,800!

PALMETTO BREEZE – 2 hour harbor cruise around scenic Charleston Harbor for up to 100 guests. Built for comfort and speed the Palmetto Breeze also comes complete two bathrooms, covered cushioned seating, stereo and bar!

COASTAL CUPBOARD COOKING STORE – They will host a cooking class for 10 people to demonstrate products and tools, sample food offerings, and give you a taste of delicious foods that help you become the gourmet chef of your own home.

CAROLINA CAKES & MORE – The winning couple will have the opportunity to sit down with the artists at Carolina Cakes to customize a four-tier wedding cake!  Any flavor, any color!  If they can imagine it…Carolina Cakes & More can create it!

MILLS HOUSE HOTEL – The ‘Perfect 10′ Bride will be provided the perfect bridal luncheon by the Barbados Room for twelve!

STUART LAURENCE – A Stuart Laurence Salon will treat you and your two bridesmaids to a day a beauty with hair and makeup

CAROLINA EYE CANDY – The winning bride will be provided a full set of “Mascara Lashes” Eyelash extensions

ALOFT HOTEL- The lucky couple will receive a gift certificate towards a one night stay at the Aloft Hotel in North Charleston.  This urban influenced, modern hotel is in the heart of North Charleston near shopping, dining, and entertainment!  The winning couple may use the one night stay themselves on any future date, or give it as a gift to family or friends!

Continuing from yesterday’s post, today we feature the fabulous wedding reception of Leigh and Andrew!  After the ceremony at Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church, the guests headed to Alhambra Hall for the cocktail hour while the wedding party and I boarded the trolley for a little photo shoot.

Andrew and Leigh made photography a priority in their wedding, and it really shows! Instead of a quick 15-30 minutes at the church to take 1,000,001 variations of family shots that all look the same, we instead did a handful of very important family photos and then took the wedding party to a new location for the fun stuff! What also helps you to get great wedding day photos is a willingness to participate. And not only were these two willing, but so was their entire wedding party! They ran, jumped, braved the heat and did it all while having fun.

The cocktail hour was in full swing when we all arrived and “The Washingtons”, a pair of a capella singers, were performing their Gullah songs for the guests. The wedding party headed down towards the water for a champagne toast before entering the reception for their first dance. Mandy Davis, the event planner, was on hand to coordinate the day and keep everyone on track.

Lowcountry Eats had an outdoor tapas bar set up, complete with stools and everything. It was in the perfect spot to watch the sun set over the water. Inside, The Fabulous Kays got the party started and had people dancing throughout the night. Scroll down to see the massive Clemson alumni photo we got!

Andrew & Leigh along the Charleston Harbour

These two are big fans of the water and every photo shoot we did (engagement shoot, bridal portrait and wedding) included a dock and the water!

We’re talking action here!

Ahhh! Such a classic shot.

Bryan Deel got this shot of Leigh and her bridesmaids. I love a bride who isn’t afraid to get her dress on the grass!

The light was perfect outside during the reception. I could have photographed the guests all day.

A little sunset smooch by the water. It was high tide and a perfect night for Leigh and Andrew.

Go Tigers! (Can you believe there were this many of them there?!)

The Fabulous Kays

Fishing for his bride

At the end of the night, Andrew and Leigh left under a shower of bird seed and sped off in a Charleston Black Cab.

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. de Holl!!!

Leigh and Andrew may have gotten married on the hottest day of the year so far, but it didn’t stop them from enjoying their day to the fullest! I hardly even heard the groomsmen complain about the heat, even in their tuxes, which means they must be great friends. And really, that’s what this wedding was all about. Leigh and Andrew have a huge collection of close friends and family who totally support their marriage and wanted to come and celebrate their wedding with them.

The ceremony was held at Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church. The girls got ready there, drinking champagne garnished with edible hibiscus flowers. Leigh’s new puppy, Tilly, even came for a visit and a quick photo shoot! (I am a sucker for dogs.) This is one of my favorite churches for group photos as it is a classic white wooden church with a great porch and steps for arranging large wedding parties.

After the ceremony, guests headed off to Alhambra Hall for the cocktail hour and I rode with the wedding party on their trolley to the gorgeous backyard of a friend of theirs. I suppose this is one of the advantages of getting married in your hometown, you have insider access to excellent locations for photos that most people wouldn’t have. I have to give the wedding party credit for being so into all the photos we got to do. They were totally into the photo session, granted they had their Fireflies!

Banner Radin of Banner Photography was one hand to help photograph with Bryan Deel and me for the entire day and we couldn’t have done it with out here! (Thank goodness for great friends who help out this pregnant wedding photographer!) She is an excellent wedding photographer and has been photographing weddings since before it became the thing to do!

Here are a few photos from the first half of the day, up through the ceremony. Tomorrow’s blog post will feature the reception, so stay tuned!

Andrew has Leigh’s grandmother’s necklace reset and gave it to her as a wedding gift.

The engagement ring

Leigh’s bridesmaids help her into her dress

This bridesmaid’s bouquet, and all the flowers, were done by Mandy Davis. The bridesmaids dresses are by a local Charleston boutique, Lula Kate.

Guests arrive to Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church for the ceremony.

The bridal bouquet!

The church was packed for their ceremony!

I love this shot that Bryan Deel got right after the ceremony of Leigh and Andrew escaping for a moment!

The wedding party in front of this perfect Southern white wooden church!

And we’re off to the wedding party photo session in the Old Village of Mount Pleasant!