McKenzie & Ryan | Lowndes Grove Plantation



McKenzie and Ryan met during their junior year at the University of Toledo in northwest Ohio, when she moved in across the street from him. She already knew of a few of his roommates, who invited her to a party at their place one night where, she admits, “The moment I saw Ryan I couldn’t take my eyes off of him.” They talked for hours at the party, and the very next day he called and asked her to dinner. Post-dinner, they ended up at a trivia night, where they quickly learned that their trivia skills weren’t a great match. Everything else about them was, though, and McKenzie says, “From that night forward, we were inseparable and knew there was something special between us.” During their dating years, the two vacationed in Charleston often. They tell us, “It’s our weekend getaway, our holiday getaway, and our any kind of excuse to get away special place.” During one trip South, Ryan popped the question in front of the pineapple fountain at Waterfront Park, forever cementing the city as a special place in their hearts. Because of that proposal, they knew they had to get married here, too. Lowndes Grove Plantation is the only venue the two visited, but when its water views took their breath away, they knew it was perfect for them. For the wedding theme, McKenzie wanted to “modernize” Charleston’s Southern charm with tropical elements like lush greenery and pops of floral color. When the Big Day arrived, though, the rain almost threw a wrench in all their careful preparation, and McKenzie and her planners were scrambling to figure out a plan B right before the ceremony. At the last minute, though, the sun made its appearance (and stuck around for a gorgeous sunset during dinner, too), and two newlyweds dub the night perfectly magical. (P.S.: McKenzie tells us she and Ryan have greatly improved their trivia game since that first date.)

Wedding Coordination: Ooh! Events | Florals: Out of the Garden | Photography and Videography: Wiler Weddings | Venue: Lowndes Grove Plantation – Patrick Properties Hospitality Group | Ceremony Music: Bob Williams Duo | Officiant: Weddings by Richard Burton | Reception Music: Stephen Darby – Darby Events | Cigar Roller: Cigar Row | Hair and Makeup: Meg Ann Workman | Getaway Transportation: ACW Limo

The Wedding Row

February 24 2020
Molly and Chris’s colleagues at J.P. Morgan in New York had a feeling the two were perfect for each other and tried for months to set them up. When they finally met up at an event? Cue: magic. Over...

February 24 2020
After Long Islanders Tom and Danielle met in chorus class during their freshman year of high school, it took him a full year to build up enough courage to ask her to be his girlfriend. Her response...

February 24 2020
On the first day of college at the University of Georgia, a complete stranger tried to convince Sarah to drop freshman English; he’d heard the professor was terrible. Turns out the professor was,...

February 14 2020
To all the single ladies (and gents): Valentine’s Day isn’t only for those already in love. As Alex and Pete’s story proves, it may be the perfect day for a meet-cute. Pennsylvania-born Pete was in...

February 12 2020
Four days before Allison and Brendan’s dream Charleston wedding, Hurricane Florence was making its way toward the Lowcountry and the city was under evacuation orders. The Dallas-based couple pulled...

February 11 2020
Courtney wasn’t looking to settle down, but when friends convinced her to take Kristen on a date, something felt different. Before long, they found themselves in a long-distance relationship—Courtney...

February 7 2020
Bumble may be responsible for introducing this couple, but it was a magical first date filled with sushi, hours of conversation, karaoke, and endless laughter that truly brought together Michelle and...

February 6 2020
Maggie and Mike’s story puts a whole new spin on bro-mance. It all started in Chicago when her boss, who was dating a fellow named Eric, wanted to set Maggie up with her boyfriend’s younger brother....