Lauren & Blake | The Dewberry



Lauren and Blake crossed paths in Summerville, South Carolina when she was nannying for a coworker of his. They started dating and fell in love, they say, while boating on Wappoo Cut when a thunderstorm hit and they had to jump onto a dock for safety. Blake held Lauren in his arms to keep her cozy and dry, and, well, that was that. Five years later he proposed at that very same spot. Since she’s a Summerville native and he’s been a Charleston local since graduating from The Citadel, they wed here in town at Summerall Chapel on his alma mater’s campus and then headed to The Dewberry for a swanky reception. And while the day was made special thanks to all who surrounded the couple, it was made even more so considering the homage they paid to those missing. “My Dad passed away a month to the day after Blake and I were engaged,” explains Lauren. “We were so fortunate to get to share the excitement with him during that time and we wanted to make him a part of the wedding day as much as we could. There were a few things my Daddy loved—the Lord, golf, aviation, America, and a good stogie …” So, in honor of him, Lauren had her parents’ wedding date stitched into her gown; she carried her father’s aviator wings with her bouquet, and the couple included a Cigar Row rolling bar in their reception. The bride said she felt her dad’s presence throughout the day, but remarks that it was especially palpable when everyone was enjoying cocktails on The Dewberry’s rooftop, when “Dad sent a beautiful rainbow for all our guests to take pictures with,” Lauren says. To see all Cana Dunap’s images from this lovely couple’s lovely day, scroll on.

Design + Planning: The Petal Report | Images: Cana Dunlap Photography | Reception Venue, Catering & Bar: The Dewberry | Ceremony Venue: Citadel Summerall Chapel | Videographer: Branch Wedding Co | Rentals: Snyder Events | Florist: OK Florist | Stage: Stage Presence | Draping: YOJ Events | Lighting: Lowcountry Entertainment | Day of Signage: Hatchcove Designs | Hair & Makeup: Madison Lecroy | Cigar Bar: Cigar Row | Wedding Cake: ABCD Cake Design | Reception Entertainment: PlaneJane | Getaway Car: Lowcountry Valet | Transportation: ACW Limo

The Wedding Row

September 19 2018
The sparks flew for Cole and Nick one fateful night at a mutual friend’s New Year’s Eve party. Truth be told, both admit to not wanting to attend the festivities, but the two tell us that when they...

September 18 2018
Two weeks before Mike graduated from Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts, he met fellow student Taylor, who was wrapping up her freshman year. After six years of dating, the two had a thriving...

September 17 2018
So we’re back to the offices after having evacuated Charleston due to Hurricane Florence. While we’re thankful that the Lowcountry was spared devastation, it’s obviously bittersweet relief given so...

September 12 2018
From a flying groom (you’ll see) to a floral installation of 875 tulips (yep, we’re totally serious), our Instagram page was certainly filled with excitement during the month of August. As a little...

September 11 2018
Hot times calls for haute trends. From custom newlywed crests to one cutie of a bar-on-wheels, here are our top five takeaways from the current issue of Charleston Weddings magazine. Click here to...

September 10 2018
The Wedding Row: Tell us about the beginning of you as an item. Emily: In 2014 I was home from grad school and I went to the gym. That’s where I met Justin–a new guy who had just moved from...

September 7 2018
A last-minute opening at Carlos Hernandez’s autumn photography workshop at Lowndes Grove Plantation led to today’s minimalist and moody post shot by Rachel Craig. Her big takeaway from the styling,...

September 6 2018
Lindsay and Andrew, who both grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, first met at the Charleston Animal Society’s Firefighter Calendar Debut party and auction. Yep, you read that right. A PG-version of a “Magic...