Hitchcock to Hitched



WRITER CREDIT: 
PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT: 

September 21, 2025 • Lowndes Grove

 

They say life imitates art, but for Sara Levin and C.J. Erickson, it’s more specifically the plot of a beloved rom-com. “If it hadn’t happened to us, I’m not sure we’d believe it,” she says. Their love story started with a blind date gone wrong (a friend set Sara up, but the guy canceled at the last minute). The friend insisted they instead catch a screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window—one of Sara’s favorite flicks—at the Terrace Theater. Seated next to them was C.J., who couldn’t help but insert himself into the girls’ playful banter. When the movie ended, Sara turned to invite him to a post-film dinner next door at Bar George, only to find he’d slipped out. She lamented, “With my dating luck, that was probably my future husband.” On the way home, the girls stopped for a nightcap at The Mill in Park Circle—and there was C.J. “Clearly the universe wants us to hang out,” Sara told him. So she added her number to his phone under “Sara Hitchcock,” and the rest is history. 

Fittingly, C.J.’s proposal took the pair back to where it all began. In the lobby of the Terrace, with his late mother’s wedding ring in hand, he dropped to one knee and took Sara’s breath away. Happy tears from the couple—as well as complete strangers buttering popcorn—quickly ensued. At his suggestion, they later stopped next door at Bar George for a celebratory drink, where their families and friends were waiting to celebrate the engagement. C.J. had, in fact, pulled off a double-feature surprise.

The couple lives just blocks from stately Lowndes Grove, making it the perfect choice for their cinematic-style September nuptials. They partnered with close friend Alexa Kay of Alexa Kay Events on planning their dream day: a retro, funky fête soaked in bright color and enriched with an abundance of personal, whimsical touches. A bespoke six-foot dollhouse replica of the Rear Window set served as the seating chart. Floral arrangements by Roadside Blooms exploded in sunset hues, with ombre aisle markers leading to a chuppah draped in a family heirloom mantilla. And orange blossom mocha affogatos from Prophet Coffee’s mobile truck—a favorite spot and frequent date venue—fueled an unforgettable late-night dance party at the American Theatre, where none other than Rear Window rolled in the background on the big screen.

Vendors

  • Planning & Design: Alexa Kay Events
  • Venue: Lowndes Grove (wedding), Little Palm (welcome party), American Theatre (after party)
  • Photography: Justin Leon Brown
  • Florals: Roadside Blooms
  • Catering: Patrick Properties Hospitality Group
  • Cake: Laney Cowan Cake Artist
  • Stationery: Studio R Design
  • Rentals: Snyder Events, Curated Events, LIT Charleston, Something Vintage, The French Eclectic
  • Escort Wall: Sawdust & Sweetgrass
  • Entertainment: Rainbow Row Quartet (ceremony), Steele Toe Stiletto (reception)
  • Coffee Truck: Prophet Coffee
  • Videography: Life in Rewind
  • Bride’s Attire: Katherine Tash (gown), Wander Atelier (boutique), Amina Muaddi (shoes), Twig & Honey (hair adornment)
  • Beauty: Galya Makeup Artistry
  • Groom’s Attire: Suit Supply
  • Groomsmen’s Attire: Suit Supply
  • Flower Girls: David’s Bridal

The Wedding Row

March 4 2019
Even though Anna, a Wilmington native, and Bobby, who is from Mount Pleasant, dated for over four years after swiping right on each other, they never really talked about getting married … they just...

March 1 2019
Kitty and Kyle met during their freshman year at Clemson, but they didn’t begin dating until they got to know each other as study partners a few years later. After two years, a move to Charleston,...

February 28 2019
Bissell and Jack may live in Atlanta, but Charleston has played a large part in their relationship, from their dating days through their engagement and now with their wedding. Bissell’s mother is...

February 27 2019
Today’s styled shoot takes place on the patio of 5Church, a downtown church-turned-restaurant that doubles as a wedding venue. Nicki Paige, owner of wedding planning company Nicki Paige Collection,...

February 26 2019
Christa met Andrew when she first moved into the same Charlotte, North Carolina, townhome complex as him in 2013. For a while, they were just passing acquaintances, until he asked her out for drinks...

February 25 2019
We’ve got the world of modern dating to thank for this gorgeous celebration at Boone Hall Plantation. Christiana and Bud met on Tinder, and after chatting on the app for a while, they met up for a...

February 22 2019
Nadja and Ryan both grew up in Sarasota, Florida, but they didn’t meet until they were in college (and on her 21st birthday, no less). A decade of dating later, he surprised her with a 10th...

February 21 2019
We so want to be friends with these two Charleston high-school sweethearts. Ask when they met and Jackie will tell you it was went they were 15 years old, she was in braces, and neither could drive...