Lauren & Austin | Lowndes Grove Plantation



Funnily enough, romantic gestures aren’t the only way to find love. New York natives Lauren and Austin met when he boldly cut in front of her in line outside of a bar in the Hamptons. She took notice of him for this snub, of course, but she also couldn’t help but notice how devilishly handsome this stranger was. Later, when he caught her eye across the bar, Austin sidled up to Lauren and profusely apologized, explaining that he sometimes worked at the bar and had connections. He extended a peace offering in the form of some of bubbly, and the two got to chatting. Only a few days passed before Lauren and Austin were toasting the night away on their first date and two years down the road from that, and Austin was down on bended knee—not even a nor’easter couldn’t stop him. He popped the question on the porch outside Lauren’s parents’ home while their family and friends watched from a hidden door camera upstairs. (Everything was recorded on film so Lauren could watch it back time and time again.) And as the newly engaged had, just a week earlier, taken an impromptu road trip to South Carolina and fallen hard and fast in love with our Holy City (can you blame them?), the runaway winner for wedding locale was Lowndes Grove Plantation, overlooking the scenic Ashley River. Their nuptials were infused with all kinds of romance, from whimsical spools of fabric draping the dance floor, to luxe velvet emerald-green lounge areas, to gold laser-cut place cards. Embracing their southern surroundings, the couple handed out weddings favors of grits so that everyone could bring a little bit of Charleston back up North. Oh, and did we mention they had candy bar station at the end of the night? What’s sweeter than sweet? This darling couple and their beautiful Big Day.

Venue: Lowndes Grove | Florist: Ooh! Events | Images: Taylor Rae Photography | Hair + Makeup: Meg Workman & Paper Dolls | Ceremony Music: Charleston Virtuosi | Band: Steel Toe Stiletto | Caterer: Lowndes Grove | Dress: Pronovias & Castle Couture | Groom’s Attire: Suit Supply & The Black Tux

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...