Back to Her Roots



WRITER CREDIT: 
PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT: 
Back to Her Roots | Kiosha Hammond & Joseph Dickey, November 19, 2011, The Island House

Ask Kiosha and Joseph when they met, and you’ll get two different stories. Joseph, from Wellford, says it happened during USC School of Law’s student orientation in 2006. Johns Island native Kiosha, however, who was in her third year of law school at the time, says she doesn’t recall that encounter; rather, it was in 2009, when Joseph started working at the same law firm as her, that they got to know one another. But from there on out their stories are in sync. Joseph says that despite his intentions of “keeping work at work,” he “could not resist,” and soon asked Kiosha out. Within a month, the two become a couple, and fourteen months later—just after the clock stuck midnight on New Year’s Eve 2011—Joseph proposed.

When choosing a venue, Kiosha says she and Joseph had a clear vision—“We both loved the idea of having an outdoor wedding on a huge stretch of land.” The Island House on John's Island (located just 10 minutes down the road from where Kiosha grew up) provided just that. “Once we saw the beautiful landscape and the amazing unobstructed views of the river, we were hooked,” says Kiosha. With the location set, they then enlisted Cindy Zingerella of Engaging Events to help plan the rest. For the color palette, cobalt blue—the groom’s favorite color—was a sure-thing, and following a suggestion from the maid of honor, pewter and white were added to the mix, as well.  

Close to two years to the day after they began dating, Kiosha and Joseph exchanged vows, with 150 family members and friends looking on. A reception dressed in the bride’s favorite blooms—hydrangea and lilies—and seasonal grasses followed. And after the cookies and cream-flavored cake was cut, the bride, groom, and guests took to the dance floor, where, Kiosha says, “People danced from the time the floor was opened until the time we left.” A particularly memorable moment of the night? When “Joseph and his fraternity brothers took over the dance floor to showcase their skills from their college days,” says Kiosha—a perfectly personal touch to the couple’s celebration.

Vendor List


Baker: Elaine Mincey of Elaine’s Events; www.elainesevents.com
Bride’s attire: MOONLIGHT Bridal; www.moonlightbridal.com
Bridesmaid’s attire: Bill Levkoff; www.billlevkoff.com
Catering:Duvall Catering & Event Design; www.duvallevents.com
DJ:Lee Edwards Entertainment; www.leeedwardsenterntainment.com
Florist, specialty decor: Judy Johnston of Engaging Events; www.engagingeventscharleston.com
Groom’s attire: Ralph Lauren from Savvi Formalwear; www.savviformalwear.com
Groomsmen’s attire: Joseph Abboud from Savvi Formalwear; www.savviformalwear.com
Linens:EventWorks; www.eventworkscharleston.com
Musicians:Guitarist, Clelia Reardon; www.cleliasguitar.com
Photographer:Olive Productions; www.oliveproductions.com
Planner: Cindy Zingerella of Engaging Events; www.engagingevents.com
Rentals:Atlantic Tent; www.atlantictent.net
Stationery:Studio R; www.studio-r-design.com


The Wedding Row

July 1 2019
Globe-trotters in every sense of the word, Laura and Anthony traveled all over the world visiting each other during their nearly ten years of long-distance dating. Jetting to hot spots like Chicago,...

June 28 2019
As we all know, the Holy City plays hostess to a large number of weddings every year (you just need to scroll back through all of our pages of posts to see that). And while some lovebirds choose to...

June 26 2019
It’s time for some girl talk. We all know how nerve-wracking first dates can be, whether going in blind or not, and we’re here to impart a piece of solid advice from bride Megan. When agreeing to...

June 25 2019
The Wedding Row: Tell us about how you two lovelies met. Caroline: Zach and I met briefly in college. I traveled to Clemson from University of Alabama to attend a date party with a friend from high...

June 24 2019
Morning, dears. With all the beyond beautiful sites our Holy City has to offer on the wedding venue front, finding the winner for your Big Day can feel impossible or perhaps endless. But no worries,...

June 21 2019
No tricks, only treats for Mandy and Dan. The duo met on Halloween, of all holidays, in Greenville, South Carolina, back in 2013. They hit it off, became an “item,” and enjoyed each other’s company...

June 20 2019
Eloping has come to mean something different these days than in years past. It can be the traditional version with a couple heading out for a getaway and a simple ceremony a deux; it can be that plus...

June 18 2019
It was nothing but pure sparks (red, white, and blue perhaps?) when Alissa met Rick at a political fundraiser in Chicago. They were both supporting the Governor of Illinois and after hours of talking...