Lowcountry Love



WRITER CREDIT: 
PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT: 

When Devin Medd traveled to Savannah to celebrate his sister’s birthday in 2017, he had no idea his future wife would be among her friends. But Devin and Dantzler Lambert felt an instant spark, “like we were the only ones in the room,” she says. At the weekend’s close, each went their separate way—he home to Delaware and she to Charlotte—but the pair continued to talk across four states.

Despite the distance, they visited regularly for months until she took a leap of faith and relocated to Delaware. Seven years later, he proposed during a game of backyard fetch with their golden retrievers before surprising his new fiancée with an engagement party attended by friends and family from near and far.

Having grown up in Darlington, South Carolina, Dantzler had always envisioned a grand Lowcountry wedding. So when her aunt and uncle suggested their historic John’s Island estate as a venue, the idea felt like a dream come true. With most guests traveling, the couple planned a celebration showcasing the best of the Lowcountry, from a marsh-front ceremony to boiled peanuts at cocktail hour and a shrimp and grits dinner. The bride and groom were also touched to have a large wedding party beside them (the ladies in an array of dresses), including a dear friend who stood as best man in honor of her late brother.

But for Dantzler and Devin, the most endearing part may be the ability to return with family to the site of their nuptials year after year—a luxury they consider priceless. As Dantzler says, “How lucky are we to come back to this place and reminisce over such a beautiful memory while creating more for years to come?”

Top Tips

  • Lean into natural beauty. With its dramatic marsh views and stately live oaks, the property didn’t need much to shine. Enter charming, breezy décor in a palette of blue, green, and white to complement the landscape.
  • Let a pro handle the rentals. Marrying at a private residence meant everything from barware to bathrooms had to be procured—a daunting task for a couple living states away. To reduce stress, Dantzler asked event designer Emily Gregg to do her thing and only loop in the couple as needed.
  • Serve hometown faves. The day’s signature espresso martini came from the couple’s favorite bar, Starboard Raw in Dewey Beach, Delaware. And for late-night bites, guests noshed on hot dogs from Dantzler’s top spot in Darlington, The Dairy Bar.

Vendors

  • Planning & Design: Emily Ann Events & Design
  • Catering & Cake: Victors (Florence, SC)
  • Bar & Wine Service: Carolina Cocktails
  • Photography: Kassidy Gomes, Kelsey Halm Photography (drone)
  • Florals: Flora by Hannah
  • Stationery, Calligraphy, & Signage: Lewes Lettering Co. 
  • Linens: Charleston Tents & Events
  • Rentals: Curated Events, Charleston Tents & Events
  • Entertainment: Palmetto Strings (ceremony/cocktail hour), The Band Punch from EastCoast Entertainment  (reception)
  • Bridal Attire: Stella York (gown) from Gown Boutique of Charleston
  • Beauty: Micki Hairartistry (hair), Galya Makeup Artistry (makeup)
  • Groom’s Attire: Vera Wang (tux), Brackish (bow tie)

The Wedding Row

April 29 2019
If you’ve ever walked down King Street on a Saturday evening, you know Charleston’s the “It City” for bachelorette parties. So when North Carolina native and bride-to-be Cristen decided to hold her...

April 26 2019
The latest Charleston Weddings magazine features the journey of Kaitlin and her hubby Allan, who defied the odds and overcame a traumatic brain injury to join his bride at the altar on their Big Day...

April 25 2019
When Morgan and her family attended Folly Gras 2015 (a Mardi Gras celebration held annually on Folly Beach), she had no inclination she’d meet her future husband. But when she caught up with her best...

April 24 2019
Few things get us through a hump day better than fantasizing about fantastic food and lip-smacking libations. So we thought it was a good time to reach out to Graham Ervin, director of sales at The...

April 23 2019
We profiled Hannah and Jonathan’s super lovely wedding in the spring issue of Charleston Weddings, but we weren’t able to include all they had to say, and we had a ton of bonus images to share with...

April 22 2019
Samantha Anderson Events teamed up with Lyndi and Jason Photography to turn a no-fun subject—your wedding budget—on its head. The trick? Samantha dressed three tables at three different price points...

April 19 2019
Blake, a wedding planner for Pure Luxe Bride, recently had the chance to plan her own Big Day. She and now-husband Charles met in an accounting class at College of Charleston, and a few years later...

April 18 2019
Here’s a rare wedding bird these days: A Charleston-raised couple prepping to say “I do” here in their own backyard. As Elizabeth and James keep on with the planning, here’s a little about the...