Stephanie & Brandon | Lowndes Grove Plantation



When your first date lasts for six hours, you know there’s something good going. Such was the case for Chicagoans Stephanie and Brandon, who met on Bumble and headed out for happy hour drinks-turned-dinner. Charleston became special for the Windy City pair not only because a visit here marked their first trip together, but also because it is where they first exchanged “I love you’s”. A few years after that auspicious vacay, Brandon and Stephanie were back home getting ready for a Friday night dinner date. Just before they left, Brandon told Stephanie their dog needed to be let out and asked if she would come with him on the walk. Annoyed because she was trying to get ready, Stephanie reluctantly agreed … and was she ever glad! They took their pooch to a nearby park where Brandon got down on one knee and proposed. Stephanie had seen photos of Lowndes Grove Plantation and nothing compared. “It is quintessential Charleston—the beautiful architecture, the waterfront views, and the sunsets,” says Stephanie. “It was everything we wanted our guests (most of who had never been to Charleston) to see, and it is truly a fairy tale venue.” Lauren Miller from ELM Events embraced the bride-to-be’s leanings for a classic, rustic vibe and crafted a setting that gave Ava Moore Photography tons of gorgeous fodder. And check out the food shots! “We didn’t want the typical ‘wedding food,’” says Stephanie, “so we tried to incorporate as many local and Southern dishes as possible.” Incidentally, her biggest regret from the night was that she didn’t eat more—a woman after our own hearts. And as a tip-of-the-hat to their Midwest roots, Brandon and Stephanie served the Chicago snack staple Garrett Popcorn. Sounds like the best of both worlds to us.

Wedding Design: ELM Events | Florals: Roadside Blooms | Photography: Ava Moore Photography | Videography: Lowcountry Wedding Films | Venue, Catering, and Cake: Patrick Properties Hospitality Group | Rentals: Ooh! Events, Snyder Events, EventHaus | Ceremony Music: Classical Charleston | Reception Band: Punch – EastCoast Entertainment | Bride’s Gown: Martina Liana from Simply Luxe Bridal | Bridesmaids’ Attire: Sorella Vita | Beauty: Lashes and Lace | Transportation: Lowcountry Valet & Shuttle Co.

The Wedding Row

March 4 2019
Even though Anna, a Wilmington native, and Bobby, who is from Mount Pleasant, dated for over four years after swiping right on each other, they never really talked about getting married … they just...

March 1 2019
Kitty and Kyle met during their freshman year at Clemson, but they didn’t begin dating until they got to know each other as study partners a few years later. After two years, a move to Charleston,...

February 28 2019
Bissell and Jack may live in Atlanta, but Charleston has played a large part in their relationship, from their dating days through their engagement and now with their wedding. Bissell’s mother is...

February 27 2019
Today’s styled shoot takes place on the patio of 5Church, a downtown church-turned-restaurant that doubles as a wedding venue. Nicki Paige, owner of wedding planning company Nicki Paige Collection,...

February 26 2019
Christa met Andrew when she first moved into the same Charlotte, North Carolina, townhome complex as him in 2013. For a while, they were just passing acquaintances, until he asked her out for drinks...

February 25 2019
We’ve got the world of modern dating to thank for this gorgeous celebration at Boone Hall Plantation. Christiana and Bud met on Tinder, and after chatting on the app for a while, they met up for a...

February 22 2019
Nadja and Ryan both grew up in Sarasota, Florida, but they didn’t meet until they were in college (and on her 21st birthday, no less). A decade of dating later, he surprised her with a 10th...

February 21 2019
We so want to be friends with these two Charleston high-school sweethearts. Ask when they met and Jackie will tell you it was went they were 15 years old, she was in braces, and neither could drive...