Jess & Garrett | Private Home & College (ceremony) & Historic Rice Mill (reception)



One of the boons to hosting a destination wedding here in Charleston? Giving your guests a true taste of the city. So it went for Washington D.C. residents Jessica Friedes and Garrett Nichols, high school sweethearts who married this past March. The pair were clever enough to book a private historic site, an “unlisted” venue that has one of the most charming courtyard gardens downtown, that’s tucked between Broad and Chalmers streets for their nuptials. With St. Michael’s bells chiming in the distance and Washington Square Park just over a mossy brick wall, this spot is as local as it gets. Before the ceremony there (officiated by a pal in perhaps the best mustache this blog has ever seen), they shared a quietly humbling first look, then headed out to revel at the moment (and that Hayley Paige gown) with portraits snapped on the cobblestone street. Following their vows, they invited everyone to yet another Holy City gem, the Historic Rice Mill, which sits on the Ashley River and looks out upon the Charleston City Marina. So secret garden—check. Cobblestone lane—check. Drinks, dining, and dancing in a centuries-old building with water views—check. Yep, these two nailed it. Enjoy the insider’s tour of the town with all the lovely stylings by Samantha Anderson Events (and a newbie to us, Lux & Union florists).

Photographer: Ava Moore Photography | Planning & Design: Samantha Anderson Events | Ceremony Venue: Private Venue | Reception Venue:  Historic Rice Mill | Florist:  Lux & Union | Cake:  ABCD Cakes | Band:  Travis Allison Band | Hair & Makeup:  Lashes & Lace | Catering:  Good Food Catering | Invitation Suite:  Minted | Videographer:  Siegel Films | Gown: Hayley Paige found locally at  Lovely Bride. | Bridesmaids dresses: Dessy Group | Ring:  Vatche | Officiant: Chuck Waugh

The Wedding Row

January 29 2019
What do you get when you mix a love for the outdoors with the inherent girly-girl style that comes when you run a hair and makeup company? Mason and Alex’s well-rounded wedding, of course! Bride...

January 28 2019
Chanel and Alex’s courtship reads like a rom-com, so buckle in for the ride. The two (he’s from Boston and she’s from Atlanta) met during their sophomore year at College of Charleston when Alex...

January 25 2019
We love it when neighbors from “Off” come to Charleston with a fresh look at some of our favorite old stomping grounds to give brides ideas anew. That’s what we’re showcasing today, thanks to...

January 24 2019
New Yorkers Mindy and Matt picked Charleston for a destination weekend a scant few months ago (his biz partner is based here, so they’d fallen for the city some time before). In proper Big City style...

January 23 2019
There are wedding hashtags, then there are neon signs for wedding hashtags! Meet Meghan and Beau, who are not only aces at hashtags but also so bold as to commission a neon sign reading #...

January 22 2019
Ever wonder how a super fancy blockbuster wedding gets pieced together while still coming off as personal? We took a look at Mary and Reid’s fantastic Fenwick Hall wedding, planned exquisitely by...

January 21 2019
So does all the heart candy in stores have anyone else out there seeing red–in the good way? Us, too. Thus we bring you Devin and Scott’s enchanting wedding at Lowndes Grove Plantation...

January 18 2019
Can we just say we love how Caitlin and Michael operate? The pair, who live outside Indianapolis, Indiana, wed on a Sunday last summer with a handful of family and little ones in tow at The William...