Alissa & Rick | The William Aiken House



It was nothing but pure sparks (red, white, and blue perhaps?) when Alissa met Rick at a political fundraiser in Chicago. They were both supporting the Governor of Illinois and after hours of talking, the two realized they may be just the perfect candidate for one another. Well, at least in the love department. Three years, many dates, and an Amalfi Coast engagement later—uh, can you say goals?—the duo started schemin’ and dreamin’ up their ideal version of a Charleston wedding, starting with the venue, the iconic William Aiken House on King Street. Their nuptials were most definitely family-oriented and got most everyone participating. During the ceremony, there was a “warming of the rings,” a tradition where the wedding bands are passed from seat to seat, allowing guests a chance to bestow their blessings upon the metals. After the newlyweds slid those rings on each others fingers and shared their first smooch as hubby and wife, they joined partygoers for a roaming cocktail hour. Each historic room inside the home revealed different appetizers and sips, allowing those who had traveled from near and far to take it all in and experience all the Southern feels. Talk about maximizing your space! As for the biggest sensations of the whole shindig (besides the couple, of course)? That would be a Lowcountry boil served in individual tin buckets, and the signature chicken and buttermilk waffle slider. Nom! And as it turns out, the bride and groom weren’t the only ones present day-of with a deep adoration for politics. Alissa and her father shared a sweet embrace to “Proud to be an American,” by Lee Greenwood, as he was the one she credits as instilling in her a love of her country. Now, does it get any more precious than that?

Venue: The William Aiken House | Florist: Palmetto Bloom | Photographer: Brandon Lata Photography + VOW | Wedding Planner: A Charleston Bride | Rentals: Snyder + La Tavola + Ooh Events | Caterer: Oysters XO | Cake: | Calligraphy: J. Lily Designs |Invitations: Studio R | Cigar Row | Music: Ear for Music + Other Brother Entertainment| Valet: Lowcountry Valet  | Lighting: TEC | Beauty: Wild Ivory

The Wedding Row

October 4 2019
Y’all. I almost don’t want to write a thing here because the shots from Folly Beach’s Wiki Wiki Sandbar are so freakin’ amazing they need no explanation, embellishment, or extrapolation. I mean,...

October 3 2019
Psst! Want a sneak peek into how a photographer helps a couple warm up before the lens long before the Big Day? Here’s how it’s done, Charleston-style, by Priscilla Thomas of Priscilla Thomas...

October 2 2019
Inali and Leon met on a college trip to Washington D.C. back in 2012. Inali’s first impression? Leon was the strangest man she had ever met. Six years later, after some solid QT together, she...

October 1 2019
We love how bride Savannah operates. That dress she’s sporting? It was purchased at what was formerly The Gown Collective (and now is Magnolia Bride, an upscale gown consignment shop downtown on...

September 30 2019
The stars aligned for Emily and Meryl not once, not twice, but three times to make sure they ended up a couple. The first time, Emily sidled up to a bar where Meryl was slinging drinks when sparks...

September 27 2019
If you’re craving a love story and the tale of how this wedding at The Gadsden House came together, click here for the original story that ran in summer 2019 Charleston Weddings. If you’re wanting to...

September 26 2019
You know all those paradise weddings you’ve seen? Those where the bride and groom are standing on a windswept beach with palms blowing in the wind and the bride’s veil flutters almost as much as her...

September 20 2019
Sparks flew a few years back on the Fourth of July in Charleston when Michelle was introduced to Patrick. After what we are assuming was one memorable holiday, and after dating for two-ish years,...