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...
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 husband Chandler at an SEC football game as Chandler was in town visiting a mutual friend of the two. Now, we could go on and on about their relationship and nuptials at Hibernian Hall, but we feel it’s best to let our gorgeous bride take a mic as she tells it best.
The Wedding Row: Alex, the proposal. We want to hear everything.
Alex: We made a trip to Charleston from Columbia to celebrate my graduation with my parents at our go-to special occasion spot, Middleton Place. Unbeknownst to me Chandler had been in contact with my mother who made sure to take me out for a day of pampering under the guise that we were going to take our Christmas pictures there. Upon arrival we found the perfect picturesque spot. After taking a few family photos Chandler then asked to take a photo with me and proceeded to get down on one knee.
TWR: Too sweet. So, we spy some Southern influences in your wedding. Magnolias, for example, in your wedding logo.
Alex: As for the crest, I knew it was something that I wanted from the start. We worked with Hatch Cove Designs and told her we wanted to incorporate our venue, our initials, and magnolia blossoms. She came up with several beautiful designs but we knew the one as soon as we saw it. I still look at it now as the perfect touch that made the wedding our own. We used it on the center of our dance floor, save the dates, invitation liners, koozies, and our wedding cake.
TWR: That dance floor crest is out of control cool. As for another special touch, what is this “Pappy Hour” gift basket your father is holding?
Alex: My dad and Chandler are bourbon lovers and had managed to procure two bottles of Pappy Van Winkle. One bottle, my dad said he would drink on my wedding day and the other he is saving for the birth of his first grandchild. This was a much-anticipated moment by all of the groomsmen who had always wanted to try well-known aged bourbon.
TWR: We are pretty smitten with your engagement ring.
Alex: My ring was actually one my mom received from her mother on her 18th birthday. It originally had an emerald in the center instead of the diamond. I had always loved the setting and thought about how beautiful the ring would look with a diamond in the middle. I had told Chandler this many times when I knew he was the one I wanted to marry. After asking my father to marry me, he asked my mom for the ring and that was that.
TWR: Sounds like Chandler is a great listener. What else was noteworthy about your special day?
Alex: On the day of our wedding, Chandler and I chose to do a first look in the park across from the Mills House. We were both so nervous but excited to see one another. The weather had been stunning all morning but quickly changed. Upon taking some of our first photos we began to feel raindrops. We then began running across the street in the pouring rain to the safety of the Hibernian. Something that may have ruined some people’s day we took as a sign of good luck. Anne captured our happiness and laughter through the rain so beautifully. It is something we will always remember about our Big Day!
Planning + Design: Hill & Co. Creative | Images: Anne Rhett Photography | Florals: Stephanie Gibbs Events | Rentals: EventWorks | Furniture: Ooh! Events | Transportation: Absolutely Charleston | Band: OtherBrother Entertainment | Exit Car: Lowcountry Valet | Cake: Delicious Desserts | Gown: Modern Trousseau | Beauty: Meg Ann Workman | Venue: Hibernian Hall | Custom Magnolia Logo: Hatch Cove Designs | Dance Floor Logo: Signarama | Invitations: Sas-E Ink | Groom’s attire: Calvin Klein
