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 Richelle Grant of Columbia, South Carolina, and Charleston native Cedric Williams first crossed paths at the University of South Carolina, where she was a cheerleader and he was a football player, it wasn’t until he friended her on Facebook seven years later that they began dating. With Richelle working as choreographer and manager for the Carolina Panthers Cheerleaders in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Cedric living throughout the South, the couple dated long distance for more than a year before moving together to Newberry, South Carolina. Less than 12 months later, after his 2011 season opener as a football coach for Newberry College, Cedric proposed.
For their Big Day, the Charlotte residents envisioned a classic affair in Cedric’s hometown sprinkled with spiritual touches. The couple chose Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church—the oldest American Methodist Episcopal church in the South—as ceremony venue and the ballroom of the Charleston Place hotel for their reception. And for the color palette, they decided on black and white—a smart match for both the bright red and wooden interior of the church, and the neutral, warmly dressed ballroom of the Charleston Place.
And on June 30, 2012, Richelle joined Cedric at the end of the church’s red aisle. After the pair had exchanged vows, tied “God’s Knot” from the “Cord of Three Strands,” and jumped the broom together, they made their way half a dozen blocks south to the Charleston Place, where the ballroom was dressed in white blooms and soft lighting from the crystal chandeliers. Stations with salad and pasta, fresh cuts of meat and shrimp and grit offered guests a buffet supper before all took to the dance floor, which—in keeping with the bride’s profession—was lively, to say the least.“It was a huge party on the dance floor,” says choreographer Richelle. “I’ve never seen a floor so packed!” And after the pair cut into their palette-pleasing cookies n’ cream cake, they said farewell to family and friends (including Gamecock Coach Lou Holtz), amid a sparkler send-off. “Seeing everyone travel from afar to spend this day with us was the most rewarding gift,” says Richelle of the night. “Love was truly in the air!”
Vendor List
Baker: Michaelangelo's Kitchen; www.michaelangeloskitchen.com
Bridal attire: (dress) Pronovias Barcelona, (shoes) Nordstrom; www.pronovias.cz, www.thepradocollection.com, www.nordstrom.com
Bridesmaid's attire: Adrianna Papell, Nordstrom; www.adrianapapell.com, www.nordstrom.com
Catering: Charleston Place (catering manager: Jessica Smithson); www.charlestonplace.com
Ceremony location: Mother Emanuel A.M.E Church; www.emanuelamechurch.org
Florist: Frederick Florist; www.frederickflorist.com
Groom and groomsmen’s attire: Men's Warehouse; www.menswearhouse.com
Music: (ceremony) Travis Jones, the Johnson Family, Wayne Singleton; (reception) The Company Band
Officiant: Bishop Sitton, Reverend Hope Coleman
Photographer: Goodstuff Creative Photography; www.goodstuffcreative.com
Planner: Franklin Brown
Reception location: Charleston Place; www.charlestonplace.com
Welcome bags:The Buttercup Gifts and Stationery; www.thebuttercupcharlotte.com
