Written By Melissa Reardon
Photographs By Lucy Cuneo
A transplant from Virginia, Weston “Wes” McAfee vividly remembers the first time he saw his future bride-to-be. Charleston native Dana Elaine...
Getting a ring wasn’t top of mind for Lauren when she was trying to come up with New Year’s Eve 2017 plans with her boyfriend, Rick, but he sure had his own plan in the works. For the holiday, they headed to Lauren’s parents’ beach house in Sarasota, Florida, and as the last sunset of the year played out, the two sat on the beach chatting about their goals for the coming year. Rob started getting emotional, Lauren says, and her stomach flipped then lurched as he pulled out a ring. She said “Yes,” and the pair headed out to dinner, ran into to friends, and watched fireworks from a boat as 2018 rang in. Despite neither are from Charleston–Lauren is from Kentucky and Rick’s from Ohio—they booked their wedding day for Boone Hall Plantation and hired Samantha Anderson Events to pull together Lauren’s fantasy wedding palette of whites, greys, and bits of blush. With a darling first look (he read her a letter; she gave him a card she’d bought for her someday husband-to-be when she was a teenager), a sentimental “I love you” poem from Lauren’s grandparents, and personal vows, it’s safe to say there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Check out their Big Day (accompanied by some seriously cute kiddos) below.
Wedding Coordinator: Samantha Anderson Events | Images: Aaron & Jillian | Venue: Boone Hall Plantation | Catering: Hamby Catering | Bridal Hair + Makeup: Brides by Kelly Anne | Bridal Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridal Earrings: BHLDN | Bridesmaid Dresses: Levkoff | Cake: ABCD Cake Made | Calligraphy: Kelly Milazzo | Ceremony Music: Palmetto Strings | Cookie Favors: Bullfish Cookie Co. | Florist: Tiger Lily | Grooms Suit: Nordstrom Custom | Groomsmen attire: GenTux | Invitations: Dodeline Designs | Rentals: Lowcountry Entertainment, EventWorks, Adorn Charleston | Reception Music: Stephen Darby | Transportation: Lowcountry Valet | Videographer: Thomas Brothers | Wedding Gown: Lazaro, found at Bridals by Lori | Wedding Rings: LC Ring Design by Paul Yost.
