Stephanie & Brandon | Lowndes Grove Plantation



When your first date lasts for six hours, you know there’s something good going. Such was the case for Chicagoans Stephanie and Brandon, who met on Bumble and headed out for happy hour drinks-turned-dinner. Charleston became special for the Windy City pair not only because a visit here marked their first trip together, but also because it is where they first exchanged “I love you’s”. A few years after that auspicious vacay, Brandon and Stephanie were back home getting ready for a Friday night dinner date. Just before they left, Brandon told Stephanie their dog needed to be let out and asked if she would come with him on the walk. Annoyed because she was trying to get ready, Stephanie reluctantly agreed … and was she ever glad! They took their pooch to a nearby park where Brandon got down on one knee and proposed. Stephanie had seen photos of Lowndes Grove Plantation and nothing compared. “It is quintessential Charleston—the beautiful architecture, the waterfront views, and the sunsets,” says Stephanie. “It was everything we wanted our guests (most of who had never been to Charleston) to see, and it is truly a fairy tale venue.” Lauren Miller from ELM Events embraced the bride-to-be’s leanings for a classic, rustic vibe and crafted a setting that gave Ava Moore Photography tons of gorgeous fodder. And check out the food shots! “We didn’t want the typical ‘wedding food,’” says Stephanie, “so we tried to incorporate as many local and Southern dishes as possible.” Incidentally, her biggest regret from the night was that she didn’t eat more—a woman after our own hearts. And as a tip-of-the-hat to their Midwest roots, Brandon and Stephanie served the Chicago snack staple Garrett Popcorn. Sounds like the best of both worlds to us.

Wedding Design: ELM Events | Florals: Roadside Blooms | Photography: Ava Moore Photography | Videography: Lowcountry Wedding Films | Venue, Catering, and Cake: Patrick Properties Hospitality Group | Rentals: Ooh! Events, Snyder Events, EventHaus | Ceremony Music: Classical Charleston | Reception Band: Punch – EastCoast Entertainment | Bride’s Gown: Martina Liana from Simply Luxe Bridal | Bridesmaids’ Attire: Sorella Vita | Beauty: Lashes and Lace | Transportation: Lowcountry Valet & Shuttle Co.

The Wedding Row

August 26 2019
Happy Monday, ladies and gents. First up on this week’s lineup? An adorable downtown wedding filled to the brim with beauty, sentiment, and lightheartedness. And you know it’s gotta be good when the...

August 23 2019
We loved Chloe and Blake’s dreamy downtown wedding from our summer print issue soooo much that we wanted to feature it here on The Wedding Row, too. So gals and gents, cozy up, grab a drink and...

August 22 2019
Cupid sure had his arrow locked and ready when Lindsay and David first met at SEWE the day before Valentine’s Day. Coincidence? We think not. Not only did they see each other almost every day the...

August 21 2019
Wedding Wednesday is in full swing and with Lauren and Bobby on tap, you’ll see why. Even though this pair attended different high schools and universities, distance couldn’t keep these sweethearts,...

August 20 2019
OK peeps. We may be just a little bit obsessed with this next styled shoot. OK, a lot obsessed. So get ready future bridal babes, or those just plain-obsessed with pretty, as  you’re going to want to...

August 19 2019
Smartie pants Jessica and Josh signed up for the same class during their sophomore year at the College of Charleston and that was what ultimately sparked the romantic connection between the New...

August 16 2019
Jazmin and Andrei might have met in Boston—where they still live—but choosing Charleston as the place for them to say “I do” was like coming home for the groom. (Andrei’s family moved from Romania to...

August 15 2019
Combine a few times crossing paths in Charleston, one meeting at Home Team BBQ during a Carolina/Clemson game where Billy second-guessed Aly’s availability (and passed up the chance to ask her...