I am a little behind on my blogging, or rather have been blogging weddings out of order! Several weeks ago, I headed up to Pawleys Island for a intimate backyard wedding. Angie and Doug came in from Chicago to get married in a friend’s backyard with gorgeous views along the Intracoastal waterway.

The rain threatened to put a damper on their outdoor wedding. But by waiting a few minutes before starting the ceremony, they were able to wait out the sprinkles and get married by a gazebo along the river. Surrounded by their close friends and family, hey said their vows and their marriage official.

Angie and her maid-of-honor

Fish make for fun decor!

Cypress trees covered in Spanish moss stand along the banks of the intracoastal waterway.

There was lots of laughing!

Angie and Doug have worked all over the world and their gifts to their guests were coffee beans from places they have been.

The wedding party

After their sunset ceremony under an oak and over looking the Ashley river at Lowndes Grove, the party began to celebrate the union of Hunter Lingle + Paul Bell. The event was coordinated by Megan and the extraordinary crew at Luke Wilson Special Events. With 300 guests, the party flowed from the tents outside into the house and up to the second floor. It was fun seeing the house so full of guests, and with it being a chilly night, the house was cozy and warm.

Total Package took over the stage and had everyone rocking outside. A lounge area was set up for guests and style with custom throw pillows, made by Hunter. There was a huge wooden and antique mirrored bar outside. Inside, guests drank coffee and the hard core Gamecocks and ‘Bama fans crammed into the only room with a TV to watch the game. It was their guilty pleasure. Thanks to Jebb Graff and Amy Martin for helping me photograph this wedding!

Channeling my inner Annie Leibovitz

This shot makes me think of the Golden Mean, a Fibonacci cake, perhaps? The cake was by Elaine’s Events.

Colorful wedding party with dresses designed by Hunter’ fashion line, Hunter Dixon.

The lounge

Glimpses of the party

Mr. & Mrs. Paul Bell

CYPRESS Creative Floral Design decorated the cake with orchids to give it color.

USC 6, Alabama 20

Sparkler send off

End of the night & whisked away in a Rolls Royce

I love how every wedding brings with it a new palette and aesthetic. No two brides are the same and with the number of creative and entrepreneurial women I get to photograph, there is never an end of decor and style ideas. This wedding was no exception.

I was contacted by Megan at Luke Wilson Special Events about photographing an upcoming wedding for fashion designer, Hunter Lingle. Hunter is half of the duo behind Hunter Dixon, a clothing line described as “sexy, flirty and spontaneous”. It was an NYC meets the South sort of soiree and one where fashion ruled.

The ceremony and reception took place along the Ashley River at Lowndes Grove. South Carolina and Texas flags flew from the house, an homage to the bride and grooms respective home states. With eye-popping color and an incredible attention to detail, Hunter and Paul’s wedding exploded with style.

Vintage stamps, featuring both South Carolina and Texas, adorned the front of the envelopes and a wax stamp with the couples initials sealed the deal.

The puff of tulle on the front of her Louboutins complemented the tulle on her dress.

CYPRESS Creative Floral Design, friends of Hunter’s from Jacksonville, Florida, designed the florals. The flowers were as full of color as the dresses! The aisle was covered in a bed of rose petals. It made for a gorgeous and dramatic entry for the Hunter and her dad walking down the aisle.

The girls get ready upstairs at Lowndes Grove

The wedding rings

First Look

A flowergirl surrounded by color.

Hunter designed each of her bridesmaids dresses and they each had their own style and color.

The guys get ready downstairs at Lowndes Grove.

Paul’s best man was his brother and he had a crew of groomsmen and ushers.

Paul & his guys looked very dapper in tails.

Like her fashion line, Hunter Dixon, Hunter’s Monique Lhuillier dress was “sexy, flirty and spontaneous”.

Hunter’s father walks her down the aisle.

The ceremony began moments before the sun set. Candles along the aisle definitely enhanced the romance.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post… The Reception!

Storm and Annie’s wedding was held at Lowndes Grove on October 8, 2009. It was coordinated by the hard working and creative team at WED and guests came from all around the world to celebrate their nuptials. The owner and crew members from the yacht these two work on flew up to Charleston to join the party.

Yesterday’s post featured the ceremony and today we move into the reception. The reception was held under a clear tent, draped with lights and fabric and with a view of the river. It was a warm evening for October, but it gave the guests a taste of the true Charleston.

Storm and Annie took a few moments in the house to spend a few minutes together, absorbing and enjoying their new status as a married couple, before making their grand entrance. Dinner and dancing followed as well as a sugar high provided by Sugar Bakeshop!

Storm and Annie take a moment to let it all sink in and to check out Annie’s new wedding rings.

Spanish moss and sunset

Introducing, Mr. and Mrs. Storm Higgo!

These kids could dance!

Lowndes Grove at Night

Annie’s sister tore up the dance floor too!

Storm and Annie share cupcakes from Sugar Bakeshop

Yes! Annie’s maid of honor, the one with her game face on and arms spread, caught the bouquet!

Even Grandma was out on the dance floor.

A few fun snaps from the night.

Leaving at the end of the night.

One thing I know for sure, Annie and Storm are crazy about each other. And, they have a pretty exciting life traveling around the world working on a yacht. They met a few years back when the ship Storm was working on made a stop in Charleston. He met Annie, a College of Charleston grad, and the next thing you know, Annie’s got a job on the ship too! The rest is history.

Having their wedding at Lowndes Grove in Charleston, SC was a destination wedding for these two. Storm is from South Africa and there were quite a few South African accents peppered in with other friends and crew mates from the UK and Australia. I really should be able to hear the difference among the South African, English and Australian accents, but they still get me confused!

WED (Weddings Elegantly Designed) put together a gorgeous ceremony and reception for  Annie and Storm at Lowndes Grove. In lieu of a traditional wedding cake, cupcakes and petit fours were provided by Sugar Bakeshop, the best and cutest bakery in Charleston, in my opinion! Here are the first batch of photos for the blog, which takes you through the ceremony. Tomorrow will feature their reception, so check back!

These Christian Louboutin heels were all the envy.

Annie’s bridesmaids help her get ready.

Annie waits to see Storm for the first time on their wedding day. Isn’t she gorgeous!

The wedding party, which was from around the world!

I grabbed this shot of one of the wedding guests on a whim, love that look!

A sneak peek in on the family as they wait for the guests to arrive.

Annie’s dad walked her down the aisle. Look at those smiles!

The ceremony on the lawn at Lowndes Grove.

Married!

I absolutely love this shot. Storm and Annie took a moment after the ceremony to spend some time together before they entered the cocktail hour.

AM (her first and middle initials) was only 7 weeks old when I took these photos, still new and fresh into this world. She is the new daughter of my friend Lisa, who some of you may have worked with at the Daniel Island Club. Lisa is a membership and events manager there and I love working with her, both on events and photographing her new baby!

Lisa and AM were both incredibly easy to work with. Not only were they game for anything, AM also had a closet full or adorably delicate clothes, super soft blankets and all things baby. Needless to say, I totally fell under the baby spell.

I think this one is my favorite. I just love those eye lashes!

Baby Feet

Mother and Child

AM’s view in the nursery

I love this look. Love!

Hi, Baby!

The classic baby portrait

Karon and Jim are proof that the love bug hits at all ages! Of course, Karon and Jim are actually teenagers in grandparent’s bodies. With Jim’s Harley, 1940′s Ford and the RV, these two are constantly on the go and living life to the fullest. And to celebrate their love and commitment, they decided to host a wedding bash at the Citadel Beach House on the Isle of Palms and invite their family and friends.

Karon’s three granddaughters served as flower girls, her two grandsons were ring bearers and her two daughters were her bridesmaids with a close friend being the maid of honor. Jim had just as much family and friend support from his side and it was a great merging of the families.

It was a gorgeous, sunny day for their outdoor wedding, which was followed by a receiving line. Receiving lines are a bit “old school” these days, but there’s something to be said for the Emily Post style greeting all of your guests. I think it alleviates a little bit of pressure from feeling like you haven’t yet said hello to everyone and there’s nothing guests want more than to say hello to the bride and groom!

Karon wore a cameo, a family heirloom, on her pearls.

Karon, the bride, glowing.

Jim, the groom, dapper.

It was a perfect day for their outdoor wedding at the Citadel Beach House.

Look at those smiles.

Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Harrell

Jim hugs Karon’s two daughters

Wedding bells!

One of the ring bearers. He was a charmer!

Champagne Flutes

The Citadel Beach House at night.