On a gorgeous Friday in March, I headed over to the always gorgeous Lowndes Grove Plantation to photograph Tiffany and Shel’s wedding rehearsal. I don’t usually photograph the rehearsal part, but I’m glad I was there as the landscape there is phenomenal in the Spring. Plus it was one of those hazy days where the lighting was just great. Ialso  got to see the great Katherine Miller, of Katherine Miller Events, in action as she coordinated the wedding party and prepped them for the big day.

After the rehearsal, the party moved to Magnolias for dinner and drinks. Tiffany and Shel were both very excited, gracious and thankful for all their friends who had traveled to be there with them. I always say this, but you learn so much about a couple through the toasts. I learned that they have known each other for a long, long time and that they share many friends and have even played matchmaker to some of them. They have a lot of support going into this marriage and I think that says a lot about a couple.

The lovely Lowndes Grove in Spring

Tiffany & Shel

The Rehearsal

The getaway car!

The rehearsal dinner was held at Magnolias

I love this one!

Tiffany is a hard core UNC fan and Shel is an NC State graduate. So… Tiffany had a little fun with that. A friend of her made cupcakes that on the outside had an NC State theme (red and white), but when you cut them open, they were filled with Carolina blue frosting! Go Heels!

The Spring wedding season kicked off for me mast weekend with a gorgeous couple who know how to treat their friends and family right! Cameron and Chan and 300 or so of their favorite people came to Charleston to help them celebrate their big weekend.

The festivities began on Friday night with an oyster roast and BBQ at Goldbug Island. Goldbug, for those of you who don’t know, is a spot right along the intracoastal waterway just before you cross the bridge to Sullivans Island. It’s really home to the East Cooper Outboard Motoring Club and their boat ramps, but it’s also a great spot for outdoor parties. Home Team BBQ was on hand steaming the oysters and serving up BBQ sandwiches with all the fixins’ while the Plantation Singers welcomed guests with their spirituals.

Later in the evening, Calvin Taylor took over with the blues. I love photographing rehearsal dinners so that I can learn about the bride and groom and their family and friends before I photograph the wedding. I especially love all the insight the toasts bring! Chan is quite the public speaker, as is his twin Corby. Neither of them were afraid of the mic and telling hilarious stories. The true testament of Chan’s love for Cameron came when he did a wardrobe change and reappeared in the classicly preppy Charleston uniform, a seersucker suit from M. Dumas with Rainbows and a Gamecock visor, when he himself is not a preppy kind of guy.

The party carried on into the night with s’mores around the fire pit and a view of the Ben Sawyer Bridge. Ahhh….

“P” is for Parker (Cameron’s maiden name), and for peanuts

Ready to shuck some oysters?

Calvin Taylor sings it like it is.

S’mores station in waiting

I love this shot of Chan and Cameron at twilight

I thought this was brilliant! A collection of koozies from random events, friends’ weddings and good times were there for guests to use.

I’ve decided that people who grow up on oysters LOVE oysters!

I’m not sure what the significance of “Point” beer is, but it must be special!

One more shot of the beautiful couple!

Horsin’ around

Plantation Singers

Goldbug

One of my favorites from Katherine & Ryan’s rehearsal dinner last night at Cottage on the Creek…

I have to start by saying that this is the third “Leigh” that I have photographed in the past month! I love it! All “Leighs” are welcome to call me for weddings, portraits, rehearsal dinners, etc. We’ll start a club.

Leigh and Derick had one of the most awesome rehearsal dinner parties that I’ve been to all summer. It was aboard the always fun and very scenic Carolina Girl. If you want fun photos with great lighting, I highly recommend an evening cruise for you and your guests. The boat leaves from Ripley Point and travels down around the Battery and up the Charleston harbor well into North Charleston. It is so cool to go under the Ravenel bridge and see the ports from the water side.

Guests enjoyed their drinks on the top deck and enjoyed the breeze. Dinner was catered by Jim N’ Nick’s and afterward, a pair of shagging instructors taught the guests a few dance moves. Soon enough the boat was rocking to the beat of “I Love Beach Music“.

Congratulations to Leigh and Derrick and thanks so much for having us to photograph your excellent party!

The stunning couple

Guests arrive at Ripley Point

Cruisin’ along the Battery

All smiles

Bryan took this photos of St. Philip’s and Waterfront Park from the boat

I told you it was a fun bunch!

Shagging lessons

I thought that Derrick and Leigh might enjoy doing a little “Carolina Girl” shagging to their rehearsal dinner slide show!

I just realized that I forgot to post these photos from Courtney & Jack’s rehearsal dinner back in April at the Creek Club in I’on. Jack’s sister planned the whole shin dig and the weather was perfect for the oyster roast they held outside. An acoustic guitarist played some tunes and guests enjoyed their drinks and oysters as the sun set.

The Creek Club is right along the Cooper River and there’s a great dock where you can walk out over the water. It’s a great spot to show off the Lowcountry at its finest.

Are these not the most precious cupcakes, an homage to Jack’s pug? Or perhaps their called “Pugcakes”?!

Courtney and Jack at their rehearsal dinner.

The oysters were cooked on sight and poured out onto the table steaming hot.

Courtney tries her first oyster. Brave girl!

To me, nothing says “Lowcountry” like Spanish moss hanging from the trees!

A candid shot on the dock.

Bring on the oysters! Jack’s family must’ve grown up devouring these things as they were lined up and ready to eat!

Bryan Deel, my second photographer, took this great shot of Courtney’s parents walking down the dock.

Awww!

The Creek Club at I’on