This wedding was planned in five weeks, but was packed with ten years of fabulous. It was casual and beach chic and full of so much heart. It’s the kind of wedding you just want to be friends with. I didn’t think it was possible to feel that way about a wedding until Landon Jacob Productions‘ images landed in my lap, but any fête that serves breakfast deserves friends. So, friends, let’s get lost in the gallery together, shall we?
Click here to see the full image gallery!
After being together for ten years, you’d think John and I would want a big, blow-out wedding; this was not the case. We started dating in high school (we were cast as dance partners in a local community theatre production because we are both pretty tall!). We went to the University of South Carolina following high school, and then we survived my graduate and his law school studies back at Carolina with two years of long-distance in between. We entered our professional lives thereafter, and John proposed in June 2012.
Through all of our experiences we’ve made so many wonderful friends and were very excited to start planning our new lives together, but it became increasingly overwhelming to plan for the anticipated grand affair. A few weeks of wedding planning (and a few classic bride-to-be meltdowns) later, we decided we wanted something laid-back, special, and a chance to do things on our own terms. After so many years of school, jobs, and general chaos that had been our lives, John and I wanted a quiet and relaxed wedding were we could focus on the experience and those who really have been special parts of our lives.
We chose Hilton Head Island as it’s a familiar spot for family vacations, and it seems worlds away although only a few hours from home. Hilton Head is also quiet and sophisticated – a perfect spot to be removed from distractions and surrounded by elegant simplicity as we said our vows in front of close family and friends on September 1st, 2012. (And John and I really love breakfast food, so taking everyone to breakfast at Hilton Head Diner was a very easy decision!)
We planned our wedding in about five weeks, and we were lucky that everyone was so helpful in the planning process. I had a great team of friends and family who helped shop, organize, and DIY tons of decorations. Overall, it was an incredibly wonderful day of sunshine, sand, good food, and all our favorite people. John and I are excited to return to Hilton Head in the future to visit all our favorite spots that are even more special to us now!
Photography: Landon Jacob Productions / Flowers: DIY / Event Planning: Emily Ward, Omni Hilton Head / Ceremony Location: Omni Hilton Head / Reception Location: HH Prime, Omni Hilton Head / Dress: Lilly Pulitzer + David’s Bridal