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...
It’s hard to keep tabs on these two. See if you can follow: New Jersey native Lisa met Maine-born Caleb in Vail, Colorado. Moves (throughout the United States and, in her case, even to London) led to them falling out of touch. In 2003, Caleb settled here in Charleston; a decade after that, so did Lisa. The two reunited, began dating, and decided to build their dream home together on Sullivan’s Island, one big enough to fit them, Lisa’s three children, and their four dogs. As for making things official, Lisa and Caleb wanted to hold their ceremony at home and use their dock as an aisle. (Their extended family got in on the action, with Caleb’s brother constructing a makeshift altar over the Jacuzzi.) However, when the wedding day arrived, pouring rain had everyone scrambling inside and making room for the 125 guests by moving furniture into the back bedrooms. They used the staircase and front hall as an aisle, and the couple said their vows in the living room. (Altering Lisa’s Ines diSanto gown, blush to match her pink emerald-cut engagement ring, yielded enough fabric to make rosettes for one of the pup’s collars; the other dogs wore bow ties.) Following the ceremony, guests were shuttled to Cannon Green, where beachy blue and greens took over the Trolley Room there. Even the cake matched thanks to Jim Smeal, who hand-piped a paisley print onto the dessert to mimic a reception tablecloth. And back to the couple’s traveling ways: the two had once scooted all over the country to watch the band the Mimicking Birds play, so they knew just who would play at their reception. According to Lisa, who highly recommends you check out the group, the Birds played for two hours, then joined in the party. A band that jams alongside the guests? That’s some kind of celebration!
Planning and Coordination: A Charleston Bride | Florals: Out of the Garden | Photography: Britt Croft Photography | Ceremony Venue: Private home | Reception Venue and Catering: Cannon Green | Cake: Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal | Band: Mimicking Birds | Bride’s Gown: Ines Di Santo from Maddison Row | Groom’s Attire: J. Lindeberg | Beauty: Paper Dolls Wedding Hair & Makeup
