After connecting on Tinder (both are adamant that they were each on it for a short, short while) Charleston residents Arlene and Andrew met at a local café where she says she knew she was in trouble—...
The latest Charleston Weddings magazine features the journey of Kaitlin and her hubby Allan, who defied the odds and overcame a traumatic brain injury to join his bride at the altar on their Big Day. (To hear the details of their amazing story in Kaitlin’s words, check out this post featuring their engagement session.) Today, we’re sharing tons of bonus wedding photos that we couldn’t fit into print, plus a few behind-the-scenes stories from that special day on the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island that put a smile on all our faces here at the TWR offices.
The Wedding Row: Why did you choose Kiawah for the venue?
Kaitlin: Choosing our venue was much like choosing each other … when you know, you just know. In fact, Kiawah Island is largely to thank for Allan and I being together. When I was a senior in high school, I was dead set on attending college on the West Coast and had been admitted early decision to my first-choice school. However, after spending a week on Kiawah Island on a family vacation the spring of my senior year and experiencing the magic of the island and seeing all that Charleston had to offer, I decided to attend the College of Charleston instead … a change of heart I will be forever grateful for since it led to me finding my amazing husband.
TWR: Holy smokes. You all are poster children for fate. Hmm. Can you tell us how Chase (your sweet, fluffy pup) participated in the day?
Kaitlin: Early on in our planning, Allan dubbed our dog Chase “the Ring Bear,” and there couldn’t have been a more perfect title. We adopted him together five years before our wedding and couldn’t have imagined the day without him. He walked down the aisle with our nephew and even spent some of the evening with our bagpiper, Jimmy. I think it’s safe to say that, between all the affection and passed hors d’oeuvres, he had just as wonderful of a day as we did!
TWR: Sweet. Now tell us about the confetti—that looks like such an exuberant moment!
Kaitlin: Allan and I had talked about including the confetti cannons for months leading up to our wedding and we were so excited about that particular element … it just felt like us! Unfortunately, the wind was quite strong on the morning of our wedding, and our planner Margaret [from WED] told us that we would have to pass on the cannons, which were supposed to be launched when we were announced at the altar. Little did I know that she had sneakily arranged to set them off when we walked onto the dance floor and were announced as husband and wife. It was truly a surprise and one of those moments that was better than anything I could have planned.
Wedding Design: WED | Florals: SYG Designs | Photography: Caroline Ro | Videography: Thomas Brothers Productions | Venue and Catering: The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island | Rentals: Ooh! Events (chairs); Snyder Events | Linens: Nüage Designs | Lighting: Technical Event Company | Cake: Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal | Invitations: Dear Jane Designs | Stationery and Calligraphy: Citrus Press Co. | Ceremony Music: Ashley Hunter Music | Reception Music: Mr. Potato Head – EastCoast Entertainment | Bride’s Gown: Hayley Paige from White on Daniel Island | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Show Me Your Mumu | Beauty: Paper Dolls Wedding Hair & Makeup | Groom’s Attire: Trunk Club; Brackish Bow Ties | Groomsmen’s Attire: Generation Tux | Transportation: Lowcountry Valet & Shuttle Co.
