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...
As a local wedding professional who travels and plans weddings all around the world with Tara Guérard Soirée, our bride Erica still feels there’s no better place to get married than right here in the Lowcountry. South Carolina natives and College of Charleston grads Erica and Charleston (yep, that’s his real name) didn’t actually cross paths in school. It was joining the same kickball team (and Erica’s homemade post-game desserts) that brought the pair together. After three and a half years of dating, Charleston’s intimate candlelit (thousands of candles, actually) proposal and a “yes” led to the pair swapping those “I do’s” at sunshine-y yellow William Aiken House. Instead of piecing together Pinterest ideas, Erica pulled inspiration from two sources: a photo of a Charlestonian dining room and a yellow painting with monkeys and leopards by local artist Paige Gemmel. The magic was in the details—like the vintage bouquet ribbon from New York City purchased by Tara Guérard herself and their mind-blowing raw bar. And that subtle pink gown? When Erica would ask Charleston how he imagined her to look in her wedding gown on the Big Day, he’d always answer (understandably), “white,” so Erica surprised him in an elegant pink … and ensured the cake was the exact same color. The luck of having a sunny, 70-degree December day, however, couldn’t have been planned even by the most skilled of experts. It was just an unexpected gift from the wedding gods. As they drove away on King Street in their old family army jeep, Erica and Charleston proved there really is no place like home.
Venue/Caterer/Bar/Cake: William Aiken House | Florist: On a Limb | Ceremony/Cocktail Hour Musicians: Charleston Virtuosi | Reception Band: The RiverTown Band |Images: Aaron and Jillian Photography | Rentals: Snyder Events | Planning, Lounge, Linens, and Decor Rentals: Tara Guerard Soiree | Stationery: Lettered Olive | Calligrapher: Hatch Cove Designs | Hair Stylist: Patrick Navarro | Makeup Artist: Meg Workman | Jewelry Designer: Chanel and Cartier | Etsy vendors: Paige Gemmel
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