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...
Though Sarah Billipp and Patrick Barrett met fresh out of college in Sun Valley, Idaho, their whirlwind romance didn’t spring up until 13 years later when freelance writer Sarah sat down to write an article on fly-fishing. Out of the blue, Patrick, an entomologist, came to mind as a good resource for the article. After a few scattered e-mails from Charleston (Sarah) to Utah (Patrick), the pair made plans to meet in Montana for an afternoon of fly-fishing, since Sarah was “in the neighborhood” for a cousin’s wedding. Patrick, who drove 10 hours for their date, was quickly invited to the fête, too. “By the time we arrived to the ceremony,” says Sarah, “we were virtually hand in hand.”
Just three weeks later, the couple, who now lives in Idaho, sat in Sarah’s cozy Smith Street apartment after a day of swimming on Sullivan’s Island. Still in their swimsuits and munching on boiled peanuts, Patrick popped the question. “We just knew,” Sarah says. Following her “yes,” Patrick twisted a piece of wire together as a placeholding ring and later replaced it with the real deal.
After picking a date, Sarah set about pulling together a simple, elegant affair. Inspired heavily by our summer 2009 issue and its mock wedding designed by Luke Wilson Special Events, Sarah chose Johns Island’s Stono River Riding Academy for the reception and picked the Circular Congregational Church for the ceremony. “That allowed guests to get a taste of both Charleston proper and the Lowcountry, too,” she says. Sarah worked with Branch Design Studio’s Whitney Randall,←who paired the stable’s rustic elements with chandeliers and florals in shades of coral and pale pinks and covered a long dining table in candles. The verdict? Country chic works year-round and proves a winning combination for a meant-to-be couple.
Bridal Gown: Amy Kuschel from Gown Boutique of Charleston
Bridesmaids' Dresses: Lula Kate
Cake: Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal
Catering: Granville’s Café and Catering
Ceremony Location: Circular Congregational Church
Ceremony Music: Spiritually Yours, (843) 270-2111
Design & Florals: Branch Design Studio
Groom's Suit: Brooks Brothers with tie from Ben Silver
Hair & Makeup: Ashley Perryman, ABPmakeup@gmail.com
Photography: Juliet Elizabeth Photography
Reception Location: Stono River Riding Academy
Reception Music: Common Ground
Rentals: Snyder Event Rentals
Stationery: RSVP Shoppe, (843) 577-9740
