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

September 19 2018
The sparks flew for Cole and Nick one fateful night at a mutual friend’s New Year’s Eve party. Truth be told, both admit to not wanting to attend the festivities, but the two tell us that when they...

September 18 2018
Two weeks before Mike graduated from Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts, he met fellow student Taylor, who was wrapping up her freshman year. After six years of dating, the two had a thriving...

September 17 2018
So we’re back to the offices after having evacuated Charleston due to Hurricane Florence. While we’re thankful that the Lowcountry was spared devastation, it’s obviously bittersweet relief given so...

September 12 2018
From a flying groom (you’ll see) to a floral installation of 875 tulips (yep, we’re totally serious), our Instagram page was certainly filled with excitement during the month of August. As a little...

September 11 2018
Hot times calls for haute trends. From custom newlywed crests to one cutie of a bar-on-wheels, here are our top five takeaways from the current issue of Charleston Weddings magazine. Click here to...

September 10 2018
The Wedding Row: Tell us about the beginning of you as an item. Emily: In 2014 I was home from grad school and I went to the gym. That’s where I met Justin–a new guy who had just moved from...

September 7 2018
A last-minute opening at Carlos Hernandez’s autumn photography workshop at Lowndes Grove Plantation led to today’s minimalist and moody post shot by Rachel Craig. Her big takeaway from the styling,...

September 6 2018
Lindsay and Andrew, who both grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, first met at the Charleston Animal Society’s Firefighter Calendar Debut party and auction. Yep, you read that right. A PG-version of a “Magic...