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

October 23 2018
If how they saved their wedding foretells how they’ll live their marriage, we have every confidence in Jess and Geno. (And yoo-hoo to you other hurricane season brides, listen up extra close.) The...

October 22 2018
The Wedding Row: Tell us about how you two met. Kathryn: Hunter and I met through mutual friends in the fall of 2011 at a bar called Town Hall in Washington D.C. It was the “Clemson bar”...

October 19 2018
With couples getting anointed “Mr. and Mrs.” every weekend in the myriad nooks and crannies of Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, the site’s seen more than its fair share of wedding day décor. And as...

October 18 2018
Becca and Tanner started dating when she was at Sweetbriar College and he was at Hampden Sidney College. Seven years after they started dating, they were happily ensconced in Charleston while he...

October 17 2018
TWR: Where did you meet? Madison: At work. A role in my job “allowed” me to go to Paul’s desk every day. Four months of professional interaction and happy hours led to us dating. TWR: When did you...

October 16 2018
If you’re a bride-to-be whose addicted to happily ever after stories; if you’re a romantic looking for some fuel to add to your hope tank; or if you have a friend who falls into that category (and...

October 15 2018
Katie and Mike met through work (she was the chief of staff for the Republican National Congress and he was her predecessor), so it made sense that his proposal was touched by politics as well,...

October 12 2018
Wimberly Fair not only has one of the coolest names (yep, it’s her real moniker) in the wedding world, she’s also one of Charleston’s biggest, most whimsical talents. Today she shares about the...