Susan & David

March 8

Charleston, South Carolina

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Q & A with the Bride:

What was the one thing about your venue that made you know it was the one?

The beauty of the Daniel Island Club is exceptional. Dave and I wanted to have an outdoor ceremony that featured the charm of the lowcountry. The club is also staffed with excellent people to help with all the details.

Which three details from your wedding were your favorites?

We wanted a romantic feel to the ceremony and reception. Hundreds of candles were placed throughout the club to create the effect. Dave’s groom cake in the shape of a Nissan GTR was an artistic sight. It was modeled after his own GTR. The fireworks were spectacular. It was like the fourth of July in March.

If you could offer one piece of advice for other couples planning their wedding, what would it be?

Invest in a good photographer. Pictures have a way of taking you back in time. You want to have as much detail about the day as possible.

Give us the one moment in your wedding day you can’t stop thinking about.

The fireworks were definitely a hit with our guests. Only a few people knew about our surprise. It was a fabulous way to end a perfect night.

Jackie & JJ

March 16

Charleston, South Carolina

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Q & A with the Bride:

What was the one thing about your venue that made you know it was the one?

It’s hard to pick just one! It was the perfect size and feel for the small family wedding we wanted, and the location in Charleston allowed all our guests to explore during the weekend. Also, everyone who worked there was so helpful and friendly.

Which three details from your wedding were your favorites?

Cake pulls in cupcakes  for the single girls, my grandfather’s pocket watch on my bouquet, and the surprise magnum of champagne engraved with our names and the date.

If you could offer one piece of advice for other couples planning their wedding, what would it be?

Plan what makes you happy, but don’t worry if things don’t go exactly the way you planned.  The “problems” make the best stories!

Give us the one moment in your wedding day you can’t stop thinking about.

The one thing we can’t stop thinking about is the beautiful song one of our family friends played for us at the reception. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room!

Jen & Michael

September 4

Richmond Hill, Georgia

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Q & A with the Couple:

Which three details from your wedding were your favorites?

The Food.  For our rehearsal dinner, we had a Low Country Oyster Roast, with all the trimmings.  Just when we thought that couldn’t be beat, Juan Carlos and his staff prepared the most amazing wedding dinner, including Curry Crusted Mahi Mahi with Jerk Braised Short Rib Ragout and Apple French Fries.

The Music.  Music has always been a big part of our relationship, so making sure the music was just right was really important to us. For the Oyster Roast we dumped a bunch of our favorite music, ranging from Ryan Adams and the Old 97’s to Country Classics and Top 40 on to an iPod.  We hit random and let it play. Somehow, the right song was always on.  For our wedding ceremony and cocktail hour, we used a local band, The Train Wrecks, who covered “Breath of Love” by the David Mayfield Parade for the processional and Johnny Cash’s “Walk the Line” for the recessional.  At the cocktail hour, they played the song we got engaged to during an Old 97′s concert, “Question” when we were announced.  And finally, for our first dance, we used a live acoustic version of “Desire” by Ryan Adams. 

The Attention to Details.  Thanks to Alysse at Morgan Gallo Events, we were able to add subtle personal touches to virtually everything at the wedding from custom figurines of our dog and rabbit to “reserve” our table and my mother’s old silver tea set on the dessert table.  We were able to use  versions of our monogram on the wedding invitation to have custom monogrammed pillows made. 

Even today, people still talk about the music and the unique little touches. 

If you could offer one piece of advice for other couples planning their wedding, what would it be?

Try to take the craziness in stride and don’t let the process ruin the prize. 

Give us the one moment in your wedding day you can’t stop thinking about.

The Ceremony.  It was the one thing we refused to compromise on or take “suggestions” from friends and family.  From the first stroke of the guitar until we “Walked the Line,” it was entirely ours.  We ended up spending hours upon hours working with the minister to craft each word of the ceremony and vows.   It was truly surreal standing there between these centuries-old live oak trees, thinking about how we were just starting our life and hoping that we could be as strong, and our roots as deep, as those majestic trees.  

Libby & Ryan

May 19

Munford, Alabama

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Q & A with the Bride:

What was the one thing about your venue that made you know it was the one?

As I drove into The Cedars, a historic working cotton plantation, owned by close family friends,  my breath immediately was taken away. The gorgeous cedar trees that lines the property, the historic mansion, the cotton fields with tractors in the background, and the bright red mule barn; all of these things reassured me that this was the absolute perfect venue to marry my best friend. Ryan and I wanted a venue that was much like our personalities and lifestyles- fun, interesting, eclectic and with just the perfect amount of southern charm. 

Which three details from your wedding were your favorites?

1. The bridal party’s attire. The groomsmen wore blue seersucker suits with red bow ties adorned with cotton boles. The bridesmaids wore cotton, navy blue strapless dresses with gorgeous hand-made, no two alike, turquoise necklaces.
2. The mason jars and milk glass used around the plantation were heirlooms. Every. Single. Piece was either my mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, aunts, or great aunts. Making it so personal was very important to me. I wanted everything to have a reason.
3. My wedding cookie cake. I do not like wedding cake- or any other cake to that matter. But, I LOVE chocolate chip cookies and cookie cake. I was adamant on having a cookie cake-wedding cake and after twisting lots of arms, I got what I wanted (Although, I did have a “real wedding cake” as well, the cookie cake was MY wedding cake!).

Give us the one moment in your wedding day you can’t stop thinking about.

 I cannot quit thinking about the wonderful emotions and butterflies I felt when I was walking down the aisle and seeing my precious husband for the first time in 24 hours. We had both written our own vows and not shared them with each other so hearing our promises and vows to one another will last with me forever. Our ceremony was about us—110% and I am so blessed to have had it that way.

Kelley & Denard

October 15

Charlotte, Tennessee

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From the photographer:

“Kelley and Denard’s wedding was so fun to photograph. There was so much color! From the bold red and teal of the bridesmaid’s outfits to the Asian-inspired parasols- it really made everyone stand out against the natural, fall colors. The bride and groom made it impossible for their guests not to have a good time. Little details, such as the checkerboards and souvenir cake jars, kept the guests entertained and comfortable. With a Krispy Kreme cake and homemade pumpkin decor, Kelley and Denard’s playful personalities were reflected throughout Front Porch Farms. As the night stretched on, guests were treated to family-style dining and danced the night away under strands of lights. Everyone left relaxed after a wonderful evening celebrating the union of Kelley and Denard.”