Meant to Be



WRITER CREDIT: 
PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT: 
Meant to Be | Hibernian Hall plays host to this Lowcountry classic wedding
Hannah Summer & Ryan Shannon
November 20, 2021 / Hibernian Hall
 
Their mothers saw it before they did. Growing up in small town Lake Wylie, Hannah says that although she didn’t necessarily take notice of her future husband Ryan Shannon, her mother did, pointing out his wonderful qualities. Ryan’s mother noticed Hannah, too. But it wasn’t until a hike on Crowder Mountain years later that the two caught on: they were meant to be. After Ryan proposed at Seabrook Island, they were surrounded by family to toast them into their new life together. 
 
“Ryan and I fell in love in Charleston,” says Hannah, who is a College of Charleston alum. They chose First Baptist Church for the ceremony and Hibernian Hall for their reception for 250 guests. 
 
“We wanted a classical Lowcountry-style wedding, but not over the top,” says Hannah. That meant a menu of local favorites such as grilled shrimp skewers and chicken biscuits as late-night munchies. After a day full of happy tears, guests reveled with Finesse Band, an entertainment choice Hannah calls “one for the books,” adding that many guests commented that “it was the most fun wedding they had ever attended.” When all the elements came together, it was the day of a lifetime for a couple destined for each other. 
 
Tips
 
• Think out of the box. Hannah’s custom gown by Antonio Gual incorporated the top of one dress and the bottom and fabric of another. Her veil combined lace that her 85-year-old grandmother removed from her mother’s custom wedding gown with a veil from Blanca Veils. 
• Wear comfortable shoes. It’s not worth your feet hurting all day, says Hannah. If you fall in love with an uncomfortable pair, use them for detail shots.
• Wedding favors are often overlooked. Hannah made oyster-shell embellished blessing beads that were personalized with a poem by her mom. 
• Don’t save the top cake tier.  Year-old frozen cake is not the best. Have your baker make you a fresh top tier on your first anniversary. 
 
Vendors
Coordination: Grove Designs
Venue: Hibernian Hall
Photographer: Maggie Braucher   
Videographer: Haley Sirisky 
Florals: Branch Design Studio (ceremony), Fresh Weddings and Events (reception)
Catering: Salt House Catering
Stationery: Reaves Engraving
Entertainment: Finesse Band
Bridal attire: Antonio Gual
Rentals: EventHaus, Snyder
Bar Service: Snyder
Linens: Nuage Designs
Cake: ABC Cakes

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...