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

November 14 2018
Just as you fall for your spouse-to-be, you can fall for the place where you’ll say “I do.” Need a little empirical evidence? Ask Kate Perry and Sabine Beaurain of Fabulous Fête about walking Chelsea...

November 13 2018
Getting a ring wasn’t top of mind for Lauren when she was trying to come up with New Year’s Eve 2017 plans with her boyfriend, Rick, but he sure had his own plan in the works. For the holiday, they...

November 12 2018
The Wedding Row: How did you and Ben meet? Jamie: Ben and I met when I was about to graduate law school from the University of Alabama and he was working in Birmingham. I was about to move back to...

November 9 2018
We admit we have a soft spot for Hannah Alyssa Photography (back when she was just out of school Hannah worked with us at Charleston Weddings), but it’s totally guilt-free because she’s just so darn...

November 8 2018
Everyone wants their Big Day to be memorable and Emily, a Seattle gal, and Robby, a machinist in the Navy, surely won’t forget theirs. It started off with the first look in Hampton Park, which was...

November 7 2018
What do you get when you combine an Emily Kotarski wedding gown with a gorgeous crown from Emma Katzka and a bouquet of eucalyptus, roses, and pink queen protea? The ultimate Boho look. For this...

November 6 2018
After a couple of rescheduled blind dates, Torrey and Ryan met for drinks; drinks turned to dinner, dinner turned into after-dinner drinks, and … well, let’s just say two years later they had moved...

November 5 2018
Ahhh, Boone Hall Plantation. While this spectacular venue is widely known for its infamous scenes in Nicholas Sparks’ film “The Notebook,” and as the setting of Hollywood hotshots Blake Lively and...