Fairy-tale Romance



WRITER CREDIT: 
PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT: 

June 22, 2025 / Legare Waring House & Founders Hall

When Caitlann Arant and Josh Belflower met at Mercer University, the undergrads shared an undeniable connection grounded in faith, friendship, and the rare trait that both are twins. “We could talk for hours about anything and everything,” she remembers. These adorable birds of a feather took to calling one another “silly goose.” When the couple learned that geese mate for life, the playful nickname evolved into something more meaningful. 

Three years into their courtship, Josh curated a perfect engagement that unfolded with a handwritten letter, Caitlann’s dream ring with a hidden pink heart diamond, and a magical proposal along the Avenue of Oaks at The Lodge at Sea Island. Charmed by the Spanish moss-draped trees, the Georgia natives found themselves drawn to the Holy City for their nuptials. “Charleston offered the romantic, historic, fairy-tale setting we had always envisioned,” says the bride. 

On a glorious evening in June, surrounded by blush-toned florals and 200 loved ones, Caitlann and Josh exchanged vows at the elegant Legare Waring House. With the help of planner Alexandra Woodlief of Alexandra Madison Weddings, the intentional pair added meaningful touches to the polished celebration, from having guests highlight their favorite verses in the couple’s personal Bible to weaving bellflowers into every bouquet and centerpiece. The couple also gently embraced a goose theme, incorporating antique decorative geese into their decor and customizing the groom’s tie with pink goose feathers. His ring even boasted a goose engraving. In keeping with their fairy-tale romance, Caitlann and Josh departed the ceremony in a horse-drawn carriage, marking the beginning of their happily ever after. 

Top Tips

  • Prioritize personal.
    “Trends come and go, but the details that reflect your story will never feel out of style,” says Caitlann. The pair included sentimental details like a goose theme that honored a shared nickname, bellflowers as a nod to their surname, custom-scented candles, and a personal Bible for their guest book. 
  • Carve out private time.
    A carriage ride offered the pair a welcome opportunity to quietly soak up their first moments as husband and wife. Slipping away after their ceremony became “one of our most cherished moments of the day,” she recalls.
  • Trust your vendors.
    The couple hired pros who understood their style and vision. Of the stationer who created their custom wedding crest, Caitlann says, “Abbie Thielke perfectly captured the romantic color palette and timeless feel we envisioned. That crest became a unifying detail throughout the entire celebration.”

Vendors

  • Venues: Legare Waring House (ceremony), Founders Hall (reception)
  • Planning & Design: Alexandra Madison Weddings
  • Photography: Hayley Foster Photography
  • Florals: Bliss in Bloom
  • Catering and Bar Service: Duvall
  • Cake: Ashley Bakery
  • Stationery & Signage: Monarch Paper Co.
  • Rentals: Curated Events
  • Entertainment: Emerald Empire Band
  • Lighting: Ambient Media
  • Transportation: Lowcountry Trolley
  • Favors: Candlefish
  • Bridal Attire: Augusta Jones (gown), Carriage House (boutique), Jimmy Choo (shoes), Mikimoto (earrings)
  • Bridesmaids’ Attire: Dessy Group
  • Groom’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse, Brackish (bow tie)
  • Beauty: Brianna B Adams (hair), Cheryl Quinn (makeup)

The Wedding Row

June 17 2019
Here’s a sweet-as-pie love story for your Monday. These newlyweds first met in college at Furman University after Ashley asked for Emily’s help in their shared computer class. Little did Emily know,...

June 14 2019
Happy Friday, lovelies. To start the weekend off on a high (and crazy pretty) note, we present to you the wedding of Alexandria and Chandler. University of South Carolina alum Alex met her future...

June 13 2019
When Hurricane Florence hit, Jacqueline and Matthew, only a week out from their wedding, feared the worst. With their hometown of Southport, North Carolina, completely flooded, it seemed like...

June 12 2019
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...

June 11 2019
Believe it or not, produce (yup, apples and oranges!) is what brought Emily and Anthony together. The pair met online and had their first date at the SoWa Market, the Boston equivalent of our 2nd...

June 10 2019
Dockside just happens to be our best side and it seems to be Franzi and Martin’s, too. The duo, who both hail from Germany, flew all the way to our beloved Charleston just to document their...

June 7 2019
After meeting at Wake Forest University in 2009 and being drawn together by what she describes as fate (more about that later … ), Stephanie and Greg officially tied the knot here in the Holy City....

June 6 2019
Although high school sweethearts Maddie and Jackson may not be evenly matched on the athletic field (the pair’s first encounter involved Maddie whipping Jackson’s tail in a game of volleyball) they...