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

September 19 2018
The sparks flew for Cole and Nick one fateful night at a mutual friend’s New Year’s Eve party. Truth be told, both admit to not wanting to attend the festivities, but the two tell us that when they...

September 18 2018
Two weeks before Mike graduated from Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts, he met fellow student Taylor, who was wrapping up her freshman year. After six years of dating, the two had a thriving...

September 17 2018
So we’re back to the offices after having evacuated Charleston due to Hurricane Florence. While we’re thankful that the Lowcountry was spared devastation, it’s obviously bittersweet relief given so...

September 12 2018
From a flying groom (you’ll see) to a floral installation of 875 tulips (yep, we’re totally serious), our Instagram page was certainly filled with excitement during the month of August. As a little...

September 11 2018
Hot times calls for haute trends. From custom newlywed crests to one cutie of a bar-on-wheels, here are our top five takeaways from the current issue of Charleston Weddings magazine. Click here to...

September 10 2018
The Wedding Row: Tell us about the beginning of you as an item. Emily: In 2014 I was home from grad school and I went to the gym. That’s where I met Justin–a new guy who had just moved from...

September 7 2018
A last-minute opening at Carlos Hernandez’s autumn photography workshop at Lowndes Grove Plantation led to today’s minimalist and moody post shot by Rachel Craig. Her big takeaway from the styling,...

September 6 2018
Lindsay and Andrew, who both grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, first met at the Charleston Animal Society’s Firefighter Calendar Debut party and auction. Yep, you read that right. A PG-version of a “Magic...