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 unbeknownst to them, John's Island natives and residents Jaime and Tamars’ paths have been crossing for decades.His mother and her aunt are long time best buds, Tamars’ mother once lived in the house where Jaime’s parents now reside, and the two even grew up riding the same school bus. But despite these almost encounters, it wasn’t until they were introduced by a mutual friend in February 2009 that Jaime and Tamars met. And once they did, that was that. “We’ve been together ever since,” the couple says.
The proposal came a year and a half later. Though the night started out shaky (Jaime had planned to spend the evening celebrating a girlfriend’s birthday and admits to “being a brat” about her last-minute-scheduled date with Tamars), it quickly turned around. “The usually easy-going guy was extremely pushy about keeping this date,” says Jaime, who soon learned why. While walking along the Battery, Tamars took to one knee, asking Jaime to marry him. “All was right with the world,” she says.
And a year later, on October 16, 2011, the couple said their vows during a ceremony rife in rituals and family-focused sentiment. With the grassy greens of the Cassique Clubhouse on Kiawah Island as backdrop, Jaime was escorted down that aisle with her paternal grandfather on one arm and her brother on the other. Tamars’ son, Tamars’ Jr., filled in as best man and lent a hand in the bride and groom’s unity sand ceremony, and to seal the deal, the couple jumped the broom—an African American tradition symbolizing out with the old and in with the new.
Throughout the evening, bright pink roses and lilies mixed with greens like magnolia leaves, lime hydrangea, and fern fronds, giving the black, white, and gold rentals a fresh, vibrant feel. Following the 5 p.m. ceremony, guests sipped on the signature cocktail—the “Queen Lillie Cosmo,” named after both the mother of the bride (Queen) and of the groom (Lillie)—then made their way to the high-topped tent for an indulgent dinner buffet and a night full of dancing.
Vendor List
Baker: ABC by Ma’Shea
Bride’s attire: Mori Lee from Jean’s Bridal; www.jeansbridalcharleston.com
Bridesmaids’ attire: Young Fashions
Catering: Cassique Clubhouse on Kiawah Island; www.kiawahislandclub.com
Ceremony and reception location: Cassique Clubhouse on Kiawah Island; www.kiawahislandclub.com
Florist: Tiger Lily Florist; www.tigerlilyflorist.com
Music: DJ Dre; www.djdreatl.webs.com
Photographer: Peter Miller Photography; www.petermillerphotography.com
Rentals: Cassique Clubhouse on Kiawah Island; www.kiawahislandclub.com
