Charleston Wedding from Hyer Images + Luke Wilson Special Events
All you have to do to know, without doubt, that Luke Wilson is THE planner to hire in Charleston, is read the bride's story. Luke knew at a wedding this fabulous, the stunning couple would be too busy enjoying the beauty of the evening to eat... so he made up a little picnic dinner for the getaway car. One look at Hyer Images' take on the day, and I'm fairly convinced I would have forgotten to eat too. It was just too pretty. You might want to grab a snack before heading to the gallery!
From the lovely bride ... The spring of 2009, a mutual friend introduced Brady and I at a bar. It was a 5 second introduction and I didn't think anything of it at the time (no offense B!). I didn't see him again until two months later when he emailed me out of the blue for a drink. We went out out on a Wednesday night, he met up with me Friday night, hung out with a mixed group of our friends Sunday, and honestly, by Monday morning that was it. No games, no three day waits to return calls... just I like you, and you like me. How it should be but never really is! And the whole time I was thinking what luck to meet this awesome guy seemingly out of nowhere... until he confessed that he'd had his eye on me for two years (!) but I'd always been dating someone. They say timing is everything... for us, it definitely was.
Growing up, I vacationed at the Carolina beaches and had visited Charleston many times. When Brady and I were getting serious I started thinking about weddings, and knew I wanted a destination that required a plane ticket but not a passport. Charleston met all my requirements - Southern, warm, beachy, and historic. So when I traveled down for a bachelorette party later that year, and "happened" upon Lowndes Grove, our wedding venue... (I may or may not have done a drive-by after my mom told me about it, whoops) that sealed the deal. Luckily we were engaged within three months! I booked Lowndes two days later.
Everything about the wedding was perfect, I never use the P word, but I'm sorry, it was! I literally wouldn't have changed a thing or done anything differently. But ironically my favorite moments were probably afterward. Even though Brady and I had stuck by each other's side the entire night (thank you previous brides for that advice!) you are still surrounded by so many people, cameras, and distractions. Our first true moment alone was when we closed the door on our getaway car. Luke, our wedding planner, filled it with food from the wedding (thank you very much since I'd been too excited to eat) and a bottle of champagne. No glasses though! No glasses, no problem. We blasted go-go music and passed the bottle of champagne back and forth while cruising the dark streets of Charleston. It was such a surreal moment and we were both on such a high there was no way we were going home. We had the driver drop us off at Trio downtown for more dancing (can never have enough) and ended the night at Pita Pit ("Excuse me college students, we just got married, can we cut the line?") for a late night food run. We finally headed back to the hotel at 3am, walking barefoot in the rain. Best day ever.
My dress designer was Tara Keely, part of the Jim Hjelm brand. Once I had the Southern plantation-style venue booked, I knew I had to find a dress to match. I found my dress online and had it sent to a local shop in DC. My mom and I went on my 30th birthday, and it was perfect. Ivory tulle fit and flare, strapless sweetheart bodice with Alencon lace appliques. Tiered tulle skirt with Alencon lace appliques and a chapel train. A very memorable birthday indeed!
Our first Christmas Brady gave me this amazing three strand pearl bracelet that I always knew I'd want to wear if we got married. Besides small earrings, it was the only jewelry I wanted to wear for the ceremony -- kept it simple. For the reception though, I'd found a oversized Swarovski necklace at a little hole in the wall jewelry store in Charleston for $40. Total impulse buy, and I couldn't decide if it was too much or not, but went for it anyway. I ended up getting more complements on that necklace than anything! Someone even asked if it was a family heirloom. It wasn't before but maybe it is now!
Photography: Hyer Images | Cinematography: Artistic Eye Productions | Flowers: SYG Designs | Coordination and Event Design: Luke Wilson Special Events | Ceremony and Reception Location: Lowndes Grove Plantation | Catering and Cake: FISH | Invitations: Sixpence Press | Shoes: Butter | Dress: Tara Keely | Bridesmaids Dresses: Amsale
Growing up, I vacationed at the Carolina beaches and had visited Charleston many times. When Brady and I were getting serious I started thinking about weddings, and knew I wanted a destination that required a plane ticket but not a passport. Charleston met all my requirements - Southern, warm, beachy, and historic. So when I traveled down for a bachelorette party later that year, and "happened" upon Lowndes Grove, our wedding venue... (I may or may not have done a drive-by after my mom told me about it, whoops) that sealed the deal. Luckily we were engaged within three months! I booked Lowndes two days later.
Everything about the wedding was perfect, I never use the P word, but I'm sorry, it was! I literally wouldn't have changed a thing or done anything differently. But ironically my favorite moments were probably afterward. Even though Brady and I had stuck by each other's side the entire night (thank you previous brides for that advice!) you are still surrounded by so many people, cameras, and distractions. Our first true moment alone was when we closed the door on our getaway car. Luke, our wedding planner, filled it with food from the wedding (thank you very much since I'd been too excited to eat) and a bottle of champagne. No glasses though! No glasses, no problem. We blasted go-go music and passed the bottle of champagne back and forth while cruising the dark streets of Charleston. It was such a surreal moment and we were both on such a high there was no way we were going home. We had the driver drop us off at Trio downtown for more dancing (can never have enough) and ended the night at Pita Pit ("Excuse me college students, we just got married, can we cut the line?") for a late night food run. We finally headed back to the hotel at 3am, walking barefoot in the rain. Best day ever.
My dress designer was Tara Keely, part of the Jim Hjelm brand. Once I had the Southern plantation-style venue booked, I knew I had to find a dress to match. I found my dress online and had it sent to a local shop in DC. My mom and I went on my 30th birthday, and it was perfect. Ivory tulle fit and flare, strapless sweetheart bodice with Alencon lace appliques. Tiered tulle skirt with Alencon lace appliques and a chapel train. A very memorable birthday indeed!
Our first Christmas Brady gave me this amazing three strand pearl bracelet that I always knew I'd want to wear if we got married. Besides small earrings, it was the only jewelry I wanted to wear for the ceremony -- kept it simple. For the reception though, I'd found a oversized Swarovski necklace at a little hole in the wall jewelry store in Charleston for $40. Total impulse buy, and I couldn't decide if it was too much or not, but went for it anyway. I ended up getting more complements on that necklace than anything! Someone even asked if it was a family heirloom. It wasn't before but maybe it is now!
Photography: Hyer Images | Cinematography: Artistic Eye Productions | Flowers: SYG Designs | Coordination and Event Design: Luke Wilson Special Events | Ceremony and Reception Location: Lowndes Grove Plantation | Catering and Cake: FISH | Invitations: Sixpence Press | Shoes: Butter | Dress: Tara Keely | Bridesmaids Dresses: Amsale