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...
After dating for three-and-a-half years, Olivia and Sam were visiting her family in Columbia, South Carolina, for the Fourth of July when the whole crew decided a day trip to Charleston was in order. “We ended up at the Charleston Marina,” says Olivia, “because my dad told us he had to meet a work client there to drop off some paperwork.” (Don’t you just love it when your sweetheart is in cahoots with your padre?) The couple wandered out onto the docks and suddenly there was a photographer, there were both sets of their parents, and there was Sam on bended knee, asking Olivia to marry him. For the next three hours, the newly affianced duo cruised the local waters on a sailboat, relishing the moment. Says Olivia: “Best day ever.” Indeed. The two, who met in college in Ohio and now live in Dallas, invited everyone to Charleston once again, this time for a wedding that was planned by Charleston Weddings with Allison at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens. With invites and signage designed by the bride’s college pal, guests from 10 states, a ceremony officiated by and peppered with cousins, and a cake baked by a one-time neighbor, it was a community effort with a stylish bent. (As for the latter, check out that scrumptious palette of blush, raspberry, and green, and Olivia’s Hayley Paige gown … nice!) “I’m not a sappy, emotional person,” says Olivia, “but I couldn’t stop crying when I saw Sam for the first time. I happy-cried at least five to 10 times, which I still cannot believe.” Sounds like a day glorious enough to maybe rival their engagement, even?
Wedding Photography: Dana Cubbage Weddings | Venue: Magnolia Plantation & Gardens | Planning + Coordination: Charleston Weddings by Allison | Floral Design: Duvall Events | Cake: family friend | Wedding Dress: Hayley Paige from Kleinfeld Bridal | Hair + Makeup: Paper Dolls Wedding Hair + Makeup | Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bride’s Jewelry: Kendra Scott | Bridesmaids Dresses: Watters | DJ: Melodic Entertainment | Men’s Attire: The Black Tux | Catering: Duvall Events | Rentals: Duvall Events | Lounge: 428 Main | Stationery: BKay Kreative
