Kristen & Morgan | Lowndes Grove Plantation



Kristen didn’t know many people in Charleston when she moved here for a three-month rotation during medical school. Neither did Morgan, who had recently moved here to begin his residency at the Medical University of South Carolina. The stars aligned—the Stars Rooftop Bar, that is—when Kristen’s friend (and future bridesmaid) dragged her out on the town to meet new people. Morgan’s sister had the same idea for her brother, and the two groups happened to be at the bar on Upper King Street at the same time. Our bride and groom met, hit it off, and began dating, and kept their relationship up long-distance after Kristen’s three-month rotation was over. As soon as she could, though, Kristen moved back to Charleston, and the two have been in the same zip code ever since. A couple of years into their relationship, Kristen jetted off for her family’s annual Delaware beach vacation, disappointed that Morgan had to stay behind in Charleston for work. He did work one morning … but then he got on a plane, secretly flew in to join everyone, and surprised his now-bride-to-be on the beach with a ring that evening. Because Kristen had also fallen in love with Lowndes Grove Plantation, they invited friends and family there for a simple and classic black-tie wedding, one with a neutral color palette and accents of gold and green throughout the décor. One of Kristen’s “must-haves” was a checkerboard dance floor, which she says stayed full all night thanks to their band, Irresistible Groove from EastCoast Entertainment. The dance floor was also the scene of one of the couple’s favorite moments: a surprise choreographed mother-and-son dance that even Kristen knew nothing about. From that to the surprise late-night snacks (truffle parmesan fries and fried chicken biscuits) and a sparkler-lit exit, all beautifully captured by Anne Rhett Photography, the couple certainly is justified in calling the celebration “remarkably” fun.

Wedding Planning: A Charleston Bride | Florals: Em Creative Floral | Photography: Anne Rhett Photography | Ceremony Venue: Blessed Sacrament Church | Reception Venue, Catering, and Bar: Patrick Properties Hospitality Group | Rentals: Snyder Events | Linens: BBJ Linen | Lighting: Innovative Event Services | Calligraphy: J.Lily Design | Band: EastCoast Entertainment – Irresistible Groove| Hair and Makeup: Ash & Co. | Men’s Attire: Berlin’s | Transportation: Charleston Style Limo

The Wedding Row

January 4 2019
Now, we’ve run our fair share of gorgeous weddings at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, but we swear we think this wins the award for most gorgeous to date. It makes sense, though, considering...

January 2 2019
On the heels of New Year’s we needed a classic wedding with black-tie panache to carry us through the rest of this holiday-wind-down week. Enter Vera and Brien’s dreamy day, lovingly designed by A...

December 31 2018
We searched high and low for a wedding to close out the New Year, and what better pick than Annie and Matt, whose ceremony ended with the officiant (the bride’s brother-in-law, or in this case, we’re...

December 28 2018
Here’s a little discussed fact: A great DJ can make (or break) a wedding. And the difference between a first dance that has everyone sighing and posting (instead of cringing) and a party that...

December 27 2018
Here’s the thing: Charleston’s in the tropics, more or less. And here in the jungle, it rains from time to time, which can put a damper on a portrait sesh out and about if you don’t plan well. The...

December 26 2018
Ok, people. Yes, you’re gonna love Jesse and Will’s wedding photos (al fresco reception in the Old Village? Yes, please!). But their proposal story? It might even beat the pretty out for best in show...

December 21 2018
Lindsey and José didn’t start off on the right foot (he didn’t do a double-take when he first met her at Boston College, so she gave him the same indifferent treatment, and sparks didn’t fly for...