Meant to Be



WRITER CREDIT: 
PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT: 
Meant to Be | Hibernian Hall plays host to this Lowcountry classic wedding
Hannah Summer & Ryan Shannon
November 20, 2021 / Hibernian Hall
 
Their mothers saw it before they did. Growing up in small town Lake Wylie, Hannah says that although she didn’t necessarily take notice of her future husband Ryan Shannon, her mother did, pointing out his wonderful qualities. Ryan’s mother noticed Hannah, too. But it wasn’t until a hike on Crowder Mountain years later that the two caught on: they were meant to be. After Ryan proposed at Seabrook Island, they were surrounded by family to toast them into their new life together. 
 
“Ryan and I fell in love in Charleston,” says Hannah, who is a College of Charleston alum. They chose First Baptist Church for the ceremony and Hibernian Hall for their reception for 250 guests. 
 
“We wanted a classical Lowcountry-style wedding, but not over the top,” says Hannah. That meant a menu of local favorites such as grilled shrimp skewers and chicken biscuits as late-night munchies. After a day full of happy tears, guests reveled with Finesse Band, an entertainment choice Hannah calls “one for the books,” adding that many guests commented that “it was the most fun wedding they had ever attended.” When all the elements came together, it was the day of a lifetime for a couple destined for each other. 
 
Tips
 
• Think out of the box. Hannah’s custom gown by Antonio Gual incorporated the top of one dress and the bottom and fabric of another. Her veil combined lace that her 85-year-old grandmother removed from her mother’s custom wedding gown with a veil from Blanca Veils. 
• Wear comfortable shoes. It’s not worth your feet hurting all day, says Hannah. If you fall in love with an uncomfortable pair, use them for detail shots.
• Wedding favors are often overlooked. Hannah made oyster-shell embellished blessing beads that were personalized with a poem by her mom. 
• Don’t save the top cake tier.  Year-old frozen cake is not the best. Have your baker make you a fresh top tier on your first anniversary. 
 
Vendors
Coordination: Grove Designs
Venue: Hibernian Hall
Photographer: Maggie Braucher   
Videographer: Haley Sirisky 
Florals: Branch Design Studio (ceremony), Fresh Weddings and Events (reception)
Catering: Salt House Catering
Stationery: Reaves Engraving
Entertainment: Finesse Band
Bridal attire: Antonio Gual
Rentals: EventHaus, Snyder
Bar Service: Snyder
Linens: Nuage Designs
Cake: ABC Cakes

The Wedding Row

June 17 2019
Here’s a sweet-as-pie love story for your Monday. These newlyweds first met in college at Furman University after Ashley asked for Emily’s help in their shared computer class. Little did Emily know,...

June 14 2019
Happy Friday, lovelies. To start the weekend off on a high (and crazy pretty) note, we present to you the wedding of Alexandria and Chandler. University of South Carolina alum Alex met her future...

June 13 2019
When Hurricane Florence hit, Jacqueline and Matthew, only a week out from their wedding, feared the worst. With their hometown of Southport, North Carolina, completely flooded, it seemed like...

June 12 2019
Funnily enough, romantic gestures aren’t the only way to find love. New York natives Lauren and Austin met when he boldly cut in front of her in line outside of a bar in the Hamptons. She took notice...

June 11 2019
Believe it or not, produce (yup, apples and oranges!) is what brought Emily and Anthony together. The pair met online and had their first date at the SoWa Market, the Boston equivalent of our 2nd...

June 10 2019
Dockside just happens to be our best side and it seems to be Franzi and Martin’s, too. The duo, who both hail from Germany, flew all the way to our beloved Charleston just to document their...

June 7 2019
After meeting at Wake Forest University in 2009 and being drawn together by what she describes as fate (more about that later … ), Stephanie and Greg officially tied the knot here in the Holy City....

June 6 2019
Although high school sweethearts Maddie and Jackson may not be evenly matched on the athletic field (the pair’s first encounter involved Maddie whipping Jackson’s tail in a game of volleyball) they...