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...
Alice Chang & Forrest Comartos
October 14, 2013
Lowndes Grove Plantation
Alice Chang may stand a diminutive five feet to Forrest Comartos’ towering six feet four inches, but the two couldn’t be any better matched—nor thrive any better in close quarters. The Tar Heels, who became a couple in 1998 as high school seniors while boarding at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, dated long-distance while each finished college, then moved to New York where they shared a tiny 500-square-foot apartment. In time, they both headed back South; first Alice joined her family’s Asian grocery, restaurant, and bakery business to see it expand from Raleigh to Charlotte, and then Forrest came into the fold, too, working alongside her as the company’s financial accountant. “I call him the CFO and me the CEO, ” jokes Alice, “but he sometimes calls himself my executive assistant.”
Since living in Charlotte, Charleston factored into their romance any time the devoted foodies had a day off. Last February, when Forrest called timeout for a long weekend, they hopped in the car and headed to the Holy City. While Alice says she knew he was going to propose (“He never decides if we get a day off—I do!”), Forrest nonetheless surprised her when he unpacked his grandmother’s circa 1910 engagement ring.
Apparently he had stashed it in their house for years without her knowing. Where? “Way up high in our closet,” laughs Alice.
From there, the couple reserved downtown’s Lowndes Grove Plantation. “We chose Lowndes Grove for its wide view of the peaceful water,” says Alice, “and for the house that gives the location its grandeur, the palm trees that remind us of the beach, and the expansive lawn.” They engaged Easton Events to fashion a day that was “intimate but grand, soft, delicate, and happy,” says Alice.
Alice and Forrest exchanged vows overlooking the Ashley and afterward, hosted a meal with both Southern and Asian flavors. “We love fine things and good food,” says Alice, “but they are only fine and good when we get to share them with everyone we love.”
Vendor List
Bride’s Gown: Inbal Dror, Mark Ingram Atelier, www.MarkIngramAtelier.com
Bridesmaids’ Gowns: BCBG, www.BCBG.com
Calligraphy: Elizabeth Porcher Jones, www.ElizabethPorcherJones.com
Cake, Catering, and Bar Service: Fish Restaurant, www.PPHGCharleston.com
Ceremony and Reception Location: Lowndes Grove Plantation, www.PPHGCharleston.com
Hair and Makeup: Charlotte Belk, www.WeddingHairbyCharlotte.com
Invitations: 42 Pressed, www.42Pressed.com
Floral Design and Draping: Sara York Grimshaw Designs, www.SYGDesigns.com
Getaway Vehicle: Absolutely Charleston, www.AbsolutelyCharlestonWedding.com
Groom’s Suit: Burberry, www.US.Burberry.com
Groomsmen Attire: J.Crew, www.JCrew.com
Groom’s & Groomsmen’s Ties: J.Crew, www.JCrew.com
Groom’s & Groomsmen’s Socks: Happy Socks, www.HappySocks.com
Lighting & Structure: Technical Event Company, www.TechnicalEventCompany.com
Linens: La Tavola Linen, www.LaTavolaLinen.com
Music: Classical Charleston, www.ClassicalCharleston.com
Photography: Virgil Bunao, www.VirgilBunao.com
Rentals (Furniture, China, and Flatware): Snyder Event Rentals, www.SnyderEventRentals.com; Ooh! Events, www.TheArtofCreating.com/OohEvents
Wedding Design and Coordination: Easton Events, www.EastonEvents.com
