Summer wedding at the Pawley Island Community Chapel with a reception at Wachesaw Plantation

Sunset on the Waccamaw River - Wachesaw Plantation

Q: Tell us about your wedding! What was the inspiration behind your day? Did you have a specific theme, style or color palette?

A: Our wedding ceremony at Pawleys Island Community Church Chapel was traditional and beautiful with southern flowers. Red, my favorite color, (even before I became a GA Bulldog), was prominent throughout the ceremony and reception. My husband, (a KY Wildcat), included blue koozies at the reception to add a little patriotic flare to the Memorial Day weekend. Pawleys Island has always had a special place in my heart. My sister and I were introduced to the area right after birth. Our family vacationed there each summer along with other trips made during the year to visit friends. We were fortunate to have a dear friend with a beach house on the Island, that had been in his family forever, and he would fill our heads with exciting tales and stories of the area. Needless to say, any Labor Day or Easter Holiday, we were headed in that direction. At an early age, I knew the happiest journey of my life would begin at Pawleys.

Q: Let’s talk wedding decor. How did you decorate your space for the ceremony and the reception? Was any part of the decor DIY?

A: Carolina Charm Florist of Georgetown, S.C. did an outstanding job with gorgeous decorations at the Chapel and Wachesaw Plantation Club. As this was a destination wedding, they demonstrated grand communication skills and executed perfectly. We chose southern flowers and greenery for both locations. White and green were used in the Chapel and more color was added at the reception. Each table had an arrangement of roses, hydrangeas, peonies, lilies, etc. along with tea lights or floating candles. It was a beautiful setting on the Waccamaw River with the live oak trees and hanging moss. We selected acrylic signs to direct our guests at the reception. All were purchased from companies on Etsy. Sweet Carolina Collective: Gifts, Guest Sign In, Signature Cocktails (The above all came with stands). Z Create Design: Welcome Sign “A Lavender Toss” ushered the couple on their way. The Everlasting Posy: Lavender Sachet Bags. In grass baskets, we offered flip flops to our guests, as many remained for a beach vacation.

Q: What were the florals like in your wedding? Did they play an important part in the overall style of your wedding?

A: Traditional southern flowers throughout the wedding. The Bride carried two long stem white stories roses in her bouquet of creamy white O’Hara Garden Roses, white open peonies, white hydrangeas, white Ranunculus and accents. One was given to her mother upon entering the ceremony and one was given to her mother-in-law upon exiting the ceremony. The bouquet was wrapped with her maternal grandmother’s handkerchief with blue embroidery and wrapped in bridal satin with vintage pearls, except what was exposed facing the bride. The Groom wore a classic white Ranunculus bloom (as shared from the bride’s bouquet) with tiny white wax flower and accents. The Attendants carried white Playa Blanca Roses, Tea Roses, red Anemones, tiny white wax flower and accents wrapped in antique white satin ribbon.

The flower girls wore sweet floral crowns of tiny white wax flower with greenery. Each carried a lace basket of rose petals. The Groom wore a white Ranunculus Bloom (as shared from the Bride’s bouquet) with tiny white wax flower and accents. The Groomsmen wore a white Akita Rose with similar accents. The bouquets were placed on the table along with the wedding cake at the reception. A memorial arrangement with a floating candle was placed in remembrance of our grandparents who were with us in spirit. The main aisle pews were marked with camellia foliage and fern along with a cluster of white O’Hara Garden Roses and satin ribbon. Two wreaths of the same greenery with white satin ribbon looped in a Wedding Knot were placed on the Chapel doors and then later at the reception.

Q: Did you personalize the day in any way (food trucks, guest entertainment etc.)? What were some of your favorite parts of your wedding?

A: The wedding party rode in a white trolley from the Chapel to the reception at Kimbels in the Wachesaw Plantation Club. Transportation provided by Carolina Limousine. We were met upon arrival by the staff with Margaritas. The tables for the reception were expertly placed and the food was fabulous. Permanent Vacation was the name of our band. Out of Charleston, SC at the time. They were very entertaining with a variety of dancing music. It was truly a southern, low country setting on the Waccamaw River.

Q: Let’s talk fashion. How did you both choose your wedding day look? Describe the looks in detail.

A: We chose a somewhat cool attire, because the weather during Memorial Day weekend can be extremely warm in Pawleys. As it turned out to be 100 degrees that weekend, we felt like we made the right choice. My dress was a white Maggie Sorento chiffon gown with a sweetheart neckline and sheer lace back with chapel length train. The groom wore a traditional black tuxedo. The bridesmaids wore strapless, poppy red Alfred Sung satin cocktail dresses with sweetheart necklines. The groomsmen wore light grey suits with black ties

Q: How did you meet? Tell us about the proposal

A: Brian and I met playing tennis. Brian was playing on the court beside me and liked my legs. I liked his backhand. It worked out for us in the end. Proposal: All of our family and friends joined us for Memorial Weekend at the beach. Brian was acting anxious and asked me multiple times to go for a walk with him. Finally, I agreed, but checked his pockets, and only found a phone. He proposed to me during that walk, on the Inlet Point boardwalk at sunset.

Q: What was the most anticipated or special moment of your wedding day?

A: Brian’s most anticipated moment was waiting to see me walk down the aisle. My most special moment was at the reception, sitting in the Adirondack chairs at sunset.