Lauren and Jason’s Wedding at the Magnolia Plantation Carriage House
October 20, 2009
I(Mell) remember the day I met Lauren and first took her picture at a wedding show. She was so excited that it was contagious! The big day arrived, and I had my awesome BFF, Wanda, as my second photographer. What could be more perfect than a Magnolia Plantation wedding and the Dynamic Duo? Of course, our cameras, (Ursela, Shorty, and the Mighty Boosh), were ready for action.
The wedding began shortly after the USC vs. Kentucky game, which ended favorably and added a sense of fun to the groomsmen portraits while we listened to the game over the radio. Just before the ceremony, thunder, dark clouds, and rain threatened, and when I told Lauren it was sprinkling outside. She replied, “I can handle sprinkles. I really don’t care…I’m just so excited!” (That’s my bride!)
So this Carriage House wedding began outside in the rain, which stopped right around the time Lauren was at the front of the aisle. The rain started again during the reception but cleared up in time to make S’mores over the outdoor firepit while the sun set.
Lauren and Jason have a special place in my heart because not only are they fellow Gamecocks but also, they are the first couple to hire me as the lead photographer for their wedding. I have been a second photographer for Nathan or Valerie at numerous weddings, so it an honor to be the lead at this one. Thank you so much, and GO GAMECOCKS!
Check out their Album design: Lauren and Jason
My favorite beach in Charleston is Folly Beach, and Steve and I had the pleasure of photographing Chris & Angie’s wedding at a swanky little beach house this May. Angie is definitely a details girl, and she made these cute beach pail favors filled with homemade candy coated pecans. Delicious!
Chris and Angie are fun-loving and were so welcoming to all the guests (Us too!). They made us feel like family, and we’re very happy to share with you just a few moments from their wedding day and engagement session.
Please check out their album design as well at: http://www.charlestonwedding.com/#/dellinger/
Julie and Matt’s wedding at Trinity United Methodist Church and the Francis Marion Hotel
May 17, 2009
View their full album design online here: http://www.charlestonwedding.com/#/annie/
I knew from the moment I met Julie & Matt that their wedding was going to be a fun one! They are so in love….so add in their animated personalities and my mad camera skillz (yah, I said it) and that makes it really hard for me to pick my favorite of their wedding photos to show you in this blog, haha!
But I know I have to at least start with a few of my favorites from Julie’s bridal session. When I asked her what kind of bridal portrait she wanted most, she said “different!” Well, that I can do! Look at this hotness:
Another thing I love very, very much….shoes! Julie’s wedding shoes were fahhhbulous and I have to give the girl crazy kudos for being so graceful in 4½ inch heels!
The groomsmen were relaxed, easygoing and lots of fun. They let me talk them into a jump shot in front of Trinity United Methodist (a church I’ve hoped to shoot a wedding in for, um, about 3 years now!)
The bridesmaids….all TEN of them….were all crazy gorgeous and full of personality!
Here’s a sneak peak inside of Trinity United Methodist during the ceremony:
And the awesomely huge wooden door at the front of the church, behind the huge columns facing Meeting Street…
In the back of the church, there was this awesome frosted glass door, and the sunlight was beaming through….I had this shot in my mind all day and I couldn’t wait to pull it off! 
Julie & Matt hired a bagpiper to process the wedding guests from the church to the Francis Marion Hotel for cocktail hour…such a neat idea!
And I won’t tell you where I took these shots…but I’ve always wanted to talk a bride and groom into taking photos in this alleyway with me!
On to the Francis Marion for the reception. They hired The Breakfast Club (80s cover band) to play….and WOAH they are amazing!!!!
They also gave me plenty of great photo ops during the cake cutting…it was all out war I tell ya!
Julie is my first ever bride to do the SPLITS in her wedding dress at her reception! How cool is she for this?
Many of her friends and bridesmaids were also former gymnasts and college cheerleaders, so they wanted a group splits shot….well….I took the one on top and then joined in the group, and Heather got a great pic of me doing the splits with the group, haha!!!!
One last shot of Julie and Matt with the band at the very end of the night. For more info on the band check out their website, http://www.thebreakfastclub.com/
Kandace and Chad’s wedding at Old St. Andrew’s Parish Church and Magnolia Plantation and Gardens!
May 16, 2009
Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Hamilton!
View their full album design online here: http://www.charlestonwedding.com/#/kallen/
Kandace and Chad were married Friday, May 15th at Old St. Andrew’s Parish Church. This was my first time shooting a wedding inside this church and I totally adore it! Inside, I love the big arched windows, tall ceilings and tile floors. Outdoors surrounding the chapel are tall trees and lots of spanish moss. So beautiful! Also, I am in LOVE with Kandace’s flower choice of blue orchids in her bouquet! It’s so different and it really made her photos pop!
Though the rain earlier in the day gave us a scare, it didn’t hold us back from taking beautiful pictures. (Of course, you know how much I love Magnolia Plantation and Gardens!)
Here is a sneak peak of *just a few* of my favorites so far.
View Brad & Kerin’s Wedding Album!
May 15, 2009
Brad and Kerin’s wedding album is now online! You can view it here: http://www.charlestonwedding.com/#/enz/
Leah and Rob’s wedding in Mountville, SC
April 30, 2009
Last weekend, we traveled 3½ hours outside of Charleston for Leah & Rob’s wedding in Mountville, South Carolina.
View their full album design here: http://charlestonwedding.com/#/wright/
Their wedding took place on Leah’s grandparents’ land, and I surely see why! Their wedding was well planned, uniquely decorated, and so much fun! I truly enjoyed escaping Charleston for the day and photographing the rolling hills, tall trees and blooming dogwoods. Also, Leah and Rob’s family and friends are lighthearted, fun people to be around!
Here are a few of my favorites from their day. (We couldn’t have asked for better weather!)
Second shooting Leah and Rob’s wedding with me was Charleston photographer Kip Bulwinkle from Karson Photography! Though he is way overqualified for the job as 2nd shooter, his creative eye and fun personality added a unique dimension into Leah & Rob’s wedding photography…and kept me on my toes!
Wendy & Eric’s Wedding Album!
April 24, 2009
Wendy and Eric’s wedding album design is now online!
(Wedding and reception at St. Luke’s Chapel and the Francis Marion Hotel)
Also included in their album are photos from their prewedding portrait session at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens!
http://charlestonwedding.com/#/buck/Brent and Katherine’s Wedding Album!
April 16, 2009
Ta-daaa, Brent and Katherine’s wedding album is now online!
Click here to view the slide show! http://charlestonwedding.com/#/bailey/
Just two days ago (on Sunday, April 5th), I had the pleasure of photographing the wedding of Brent Price and Katherine Bailey at Alhambra Hall in Mount Pleasant!
Brent and Katherine make such a glam couple, and their wedding was a lot of fun! Brent is a violinist in the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, and Katherine is a Senior Designer at Stuart Lawrence Salon on King St. I enjoyed shooting their wedding and meeting their friends, many of whom are also musicians and artists!
Here are a few of my favorite shots from Brent & Kat’s wedding. (Stay tuned, I will be posting the rest of their pictures and their album design in less than 2 weeks!)
This is my favorite sunset shot taken at Alhambra Hall:
The girls got ready at Stuart Lawrence Salon on 455 Kint St. where Katherine works. They did an AMAZING job on all the girls hair and makeup!
*For all you future brides-to be, the team at Stuart Lawrence Salon does offer full wedding day services both in their salon as well as on location. (If you are interested, call for details: 722-6776.)
Kat’s dress hanging up in the salon:
Kat’s fabulous wedding shoes (I so approve!)
Everyone adored Kat’s dress (including me!)
It has a classic and vintage look, but is definitely one of a kind and Kat looked stunning!
Brent, the handsome groom:
The whole wedding party at Alhambra Hall:
First dance:
The afterparty was just as much a part of Brent and Kat’s wedding as the rest of their day, so I am really glad I got to join them afterwards at the Recovery Room on upper King St.
Brent and the CSO wedding “afterparty” attendees:
The newlyweds and their photographer!
(I promise I had NO idea that my shirt would totally match their wedding color scheme, haha!)
One last one of the happy couple at the Recovery Room:
This was a cosmopolitan event if I ever saw one. Farrah and Harry are one of the most interesting couples I’ve had the pleasure of working with. Harry is a Farrah a Southern Belle, have lived in Italy for years and have accumulated a wealth of friends from the world over–even the Far East where Harry climbed Mt. Everest!
The William-Aiken House is easily one of the finest locations in Charleston for a high-society wedding. The many-colored walls, large windows, antique furniture, grand verandas, brick paths, ancient oaks, and columned wedding alter present endless photographic opportunities, not to mention a perfect setting for an unforgettable time.
