A Laid-Back Kind of Love



WRITER CREDIT: 
PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT: 
A Laid-Back Kind of Love | A low-key couple swap vows amid smiles galore on the banks of Hobcaw Creek  

Shannon Austin & Michael Jabs
June 1, 2013
Creek Club at I’On

 

When Shannon Austin met Michael Jabs at Virginia Tech in 2009, Michael was set to move to Richmond, Virginia, to begin working as an actuary, while Shannon had one last year of college to go. Thanks to endless video chats, their long-distance love blossomed, and Shannon joined Michael after graduation. That chapter was short-lived, however, after Shannon was accepted into the 27-month physician assistant program at MUSC.

So the two revived their long-distance relationship, which included co-parenting their dog, Maddie, a few hundred miles apart, and by 2011, Michael was ready to propose. While Shannon and her father recuperated from her donating him her kidney over Christmas (yep, you read that correctly), Michael scored Mr. Austin’s blessing. That New Year’s Eve, the couple was back in Charleston, and the last sunrise of the year found them at Waterfront Park with Maddie, a diamond ring, and Shannon as a still-healing but very enthusiastic bride-to-be.

Choosing Charleston for their wedding was an easy pick. “Michael and I had fallen in love with the beauty, charm, and personality that’s unique to the Lowcountry,” says Shannon, who, with the help of Michael and their families, crafted her Big Day.  Wanting to incorporate a “healthy dose” of said charm, they chose the Creek Club at I’On for their nuptials and complemented Shannon’s favorite color, yellow, with pale gray for a casual, summertime feel. After saying “I do” on the banks of Hobcaw Creek, the newlyweds and guests dove into a night of shrimp-and-grits, dancing, and lawn games.

“I remember holding Michael’s hand and feeling his wedding band,” says Shannon. “It was amazing—after all the planning, I had such a wonderful man who was finally my husband.”
 

Vendor List:

Bird Table Décor: Vintage Green Limited, www.etsy.com/shop/vintagegreenlimited

Bridal Gown: Enzoani, www.enzoani.com

Bride’s Earrings: Crystal Avenues, www.etsy.com/shop/CrystalAvenues

Bridesmaid’s Attire: J.Crew, www.jcrew.com

Bridesmaid’s Necklaces: Favorite Jewellery, www.etsy.com/shop/FavoriteJewellery

Ceremony and Reception Location: Creek Club at I’On, www.creekevents.com/club

Cupcakes: Cupcake DownSouth, www.freshcupcakes.com

Catering: Creek Club at I’On, www.creekevents.com/club

Floral Robes: Sunrise to Sunset, http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunsetToSunrise?ref=l2-shopheader-name

Florist: Tiger Lily Weddings, www.tigerlilyweddings.com

Getaway Boat: Captains Source, www.captainssource.com

Groom and Groomsmen’s Attire: JoS. A. Bank, www.josbank.com

Hair and Makeup: Grace Salon Spa, www.gracesalonspasc.com

Invitations and Day-Of Stationery: Candace Monaghan Design, www.candacemonaghandesign.com

Linens and Rentals: EventWorks, www.eventworksrentals.com

Mason Jar Glasses: Tipsy GLOWs, www.etsy.com/shop/TipsyGLOWs

Music: Rob Duren Productions (www.robduren.com), Josh Frost (cousin of the groom)

Paper Straws: Cherished Blessings, www.etsy.com/shop/CherishedBlessings
Photography: Hunter McRae Photography, www.huntermcraephotography.com

Save-the-Dates: Magnet Street, www.magnetstreet.com

Wedding Banner: Whatevers Handmades, www.etsy.com/shop/WhateversHandmades

Wedding Cake Topper: Petite25, www.etsy.com/shop/Petite25

Wedding Design and Coordination: Shannon Jabs (bride)


 

The Wedding Row

January 23 2020
Both our bride and groom grew up along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, but in cities over 700 miles apart—Anna in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, and Jeff on Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey. When...

January 22 2020
Their story plays out like a romantic movie. We will title scene one “Young Love.” 10-year-old Abby holds hands with her cousin’s friend, 10-year-old Greg, on the couch. Scene Two “Grown Up.” After a...

January 21 2020
Sometimes Cupid himself works his magic, and sometimes puppies have to step in and act in his stead. Without the canine dynamic duo of Stella and Bella and there matchmaking at the dog park, their...

January 20 2020
Not even rain could ruin this love parade! Despite Morgan’s type-A planning precision in creating a classic, timeless affair, Charleston decided to celebrate this bride and groom with … a blustery...

January 17 2020
Thank goodness it’s Friday. Can we get an amen? We aren’t sure about you guys but this week has seemed extra long and we are so happy that it is coming to a close and that the weekend is...

January 15 2020
Kyle and Kate attended the same college (and both hail from the Windy City) but it was the Holy City that stole their hearts as quickly as they stole one anothers. The pair, who met postgrad while...

January 13 2020
Anyone else out there a superfan of the movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding? Such a cute rom-com, right? Well, Kelly & Elias’ wedding at Runnymede Plantation was kinda, sorta the same (groom Elias is...

January 9 2020
One of the nicest comments one can ever receive may be, “You have a beautiful smile.” Welp, for Karen and Andrew, we reckon they can say that to each other on the daily. Why? These two met in dental...