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...
Jessica and Jay met online and dated long distance (she was here in Charleston, he was in Connecticut) before she made the move up North. The two came back to visit the Holy City often, though, and on one of those trips, Jay made dinner reservations at the restaurant where they’d had their first date, 39 Rue de Jean. He then proceeded to intentionally intensely annoy Jessica all day so that she wouldn’t suspect what was coming. (Hey, that’s one way to throw your gal off track.) When he got down on one knee during dinner that night, she still said “Yes” no matter his earlier obnoxiousness. Back home days later, they dove into venue shopping. “We visited countless venues in Connecticut, but after failing to find a place,” says Jessica, “we finally looked at each other and said, ‘Who are we fooling?’ Charleston is the perfect place for a wedding, and Middleton Place is gorgeous.” So they traveled back South for their Big Day, which they ensured was one big party by serving Moscow Mules to guests as they entered the gardens for the ceremony. Later, Jessica and Jay had planned one seriously choreographed number for their first dance, but they were a little nervous they would forget the moves. So between cocktail hour and their reception entrance, they snuck off to a little side garden to run through the routine. Talk about a wonderful Middleton memory. Oh, and just so you know, they nailed it when it came time to throw down for real.
Wedding Design & Coordination: Ooh! Events | Florals: Out of the Garden | Photography: Sera Petras Photography | Venue and Catering: Middleton Place | Band: Punch – EastCoast Entertainment | Bride’s Gown: Wtoo by Watters
