Dawn Decherd & Joseph McCorkle Jr.
July 20, 2024 / Dataw Island
Like a modern-day replay of Friends, Dawn Decherd and Joey McCorkle’s story began when they moved into neighboring houses at Clemson University. Of course, their romantic narrative took time to develop, finally moving past friendship during senior year. Post college, Dawn headed off to Atlanta and Joey to the Lowcountry, but the couple stayed together through thick and thin, including several moves and a terrifying farming accident that left Joey without his legs. “Two things really test a couple’s compatibility and confidence: distance and trauma,” Dawn says. “We overcame both in our five years of dating.” So when Joey surprised an unsuspecting Dawn with a sweet waterfront proposal, bringing together their families from around the state to celebrate, she was thrilled to say, “Yes!”
Not only was Beaufort where the couple got engaged, they’d also spent many a weekend there boating with their pups or at Joey’s farm. And the nearby private waterfront community of Dataw Island felt like a perfect fit for their nuptials. “Dataw has a beautiful drive in, across a small bridge, with greenery and Spanish moss all around. I wanted our wedding to be as stunning as the nature surrounding it,” says Dawn, who chose a green and white palette to match and enlisted planner Kelli Corn to bring the day to fruition.
Moss-draped oak trees and the marsh beyond set the stage for their ceremony. Tierney Stone of Stone Floral Design Studio threaded white calla lilies, bulbous hydrangeas, ruffled ranunculus, and plenty of ferns and greenery throughout. To help stay on budget, the couple selected tall centerpieces along the main table and understated candlelit arrangements elsewhere. Engraved gold trophies directed guests to their seats for the formal dinner and doubled as a wedding favor, “a thank you for being our dream team” throughout life and especially during Joey’s recovery. With the support of good friends and close family, these two know “there is truly nothing our marriage can’t withstand.”
Top Tips
• Hire a planner. A full-service planner will negotiate contracts, supervise logistics, and run day-of coordination. “There are few moments in life when you can make time stand still,” says Kelli Corn. “When you spend a year arranging five hours, it’s crucial to be present.”
• Identify must haves. “Decide the nonnegotiables first,” says Dawn, who focused on photography, videography, the dress, and the band, allowing flexibility in the décor and cake.
• Set your budget. This often dictates the overall plan. If you have $10,000 and 100 people, consider a backyard barbecue; if the formal dinner reception is a must, aim for 25 guests. “Either way, you can still have a beautiful wedding,” says Corn.
• Make a timeline: The couple included extra time for guests to arrive and mingle prior to the nuptials, then budgeted periods for a formal dinner, speeches, cake cutting, and “plenty of boogying,” says Dawn.
Vendors
Planning & Design: Kelli Corn
Venue & Catering: Dataw Island
Photography: Dana Cubbage
Florals: Stone Floral Design Studio
Cake: Bonnie Brunt Cakes
Stationery: Lollipop Letterpress
Rentals: EventWorks
Linens: Nuage Designs
Entertainment: The Band Punch, EastCoast Entertainment (reception)
Bridal Attire: Anne Barge (gown)
Bridesmaids’ Attire: Lula Kate
Beauty: Bride’s Side Beauty
Groom’s Attire: Jos. A. Bank (tux), Brackish (tie)
