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...
Good things come to those who wait. Take Chloe Byers and Paul Hotze. Although they first hit it off while living in Charleston four years ago, Chloe moved to Washington, DC, and Paul embarked on a three-month journey to the southernmost tip of South America before returning to his hometown, Houston.
Even with the miles between them, Paul wooed Chloe—who had just taken a job at the Smithsonian—with letters and flowers. “I knew he was an incredibly unique and special person who I didn’t want to lose,” she says, “but I wasn’t sure if we could ever end up in the same place.” But then Paul invited Chloe to spend New Year’s Eve with him in New Orleans. “After that weekend, I knew this was it,” says Chloe. They dated long distance for a year until Chloe moved to Houston. Two months after the big move, Paul proposed to Chloe (who has an affinity for all things antique) with an Art Deco ring during a vacation to Sea Island, Georgia. Just a few days later, the couple drove to Charleston to search for the perfect venue. Sold on Lowndes Grove Plantation, Chloe enlisted Carrie Glasscock and Leigh Warren of A Charleston Bride to realize the elegant, vintage look she wanted.
On New Year’s Eve, three years after they became a couple, Chloe and Paul said their vows on the banks of the Ashley River. Afterward, the newlyweds clinked Art Deco champagne flutes at a reception reminiscent of 1930s glamour. Grand mirrors and chandeliers made the tent sparkle, and guests supped at tables dressed in silver-gray linens and dotted with white flowers nestled in mercury glass vases. “It was beyond what I could have imagined,” says Chloe.
Vendor List
Baker: Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal; www.weddingcakesbyjimsmeal.com
Bride’s attire: Vintage from The Bridal Garden in New York, New York
Caterer: Fish Restaurant; www.pphgcharleston.com
Ceremony music: Bob Williams Duo; www.charlestonduo.com
Florist: Jonie LaRosse at A Charleston Bride; www.acharlestonbride.com
Groom’s attire: JoS. A Bank; www.josbank.com
Groom’s cake: Cakes by Kasarda; www.cakesbykasarda.com
Hair: Carrie McLeod of Paper Dolls; www.paperdollshair.com; Affair Hair by Tanesha; www.affairhairbytanesha.com
Lighting: Technical Event Company (TEC Lighting); www.technicaleventcompany.com
Linens: BBJ Linen; www.bbjlinens.com
Makeup: Leslie Moore; www.mooremakeup.com
Photographer: Cameron + Kelly Studio; www.cameronkellystudio.com
Planner, day-of coordinator, and designer: Carrie Glasscock of A Charleston Bride; www.acharlestonbride.com
Rentals: Snyder Event Rentals; www.snydereventrentals.com; Nuage Rentals; www.nuagedesigns.com
Stationery: Heather Forsythe of Sixpence Press; www.sixpencepress.com
Videographer: Siegal Films; www.siegalfilms.com
