Written By Melissa Reardon
Photographs By Lucy Cuneo
A transplant from Virginia, Weston “Wes” McAfee vividly remembers the first time he saw his future bride-to-be. Charleston native Dana Elaine...
Amber and Phil met while working in the same nonprofit organization together in Washington, D.C. Three years later, during a hike in Great Falls, Virginia (the same place where they did their first hike together years prior), Phil surprised Amber with a blanket spread out with flowers and a video playing on a laptop, which included snippets of advice and blessings from family and friends. And what came next? You guessed it, ladies and gentlemen. He got down on one knee and asked THE question. After Amber let out the biggest “yes,” a photographer snuck out from behind her hiding place and the affianced couple had an engagement session, right there on the spot.
For their wedding, the two chose Sarah Beach Photography to capture their Cannon Green nuptials. For Amber, hiring a shutterbug who photographed interracial couples well was something at the top of her priority list and when Amber’s maid on honor found Sarah on Instagram, Amber was immediately smitten. “My mom is dark-skinned, I’m medium-skinned, Phil, his family, and my dad’s family are fair-skinned,” she tells us. “It can be really hard to capture that range well without washing anyone out or turning anyone into a shadow.”
As for our favorite part about this wedding? The incredibly fun portraits that Sarah captured on the sidewalk near the venue. Amber tells us that she isn’t a fan of typical wedding poses so she asked Sarah to focus on the spontaneous, candid shots. (Those are a little more enjoyable anyway, right?) And, since everyone in the bridal party just so happens to be a ham in front of the camera, the photos turned out better than expected. “I think we’ll definitely hang some in our living room and bedroom,” Amber says. “We realized we don’t have any pictures of us hanging at all, so it’ll be a nice addition.” Cheers to the new Mr. and Mrs. on a lifetime of happiness.
Photographer: Sarah Beach Photography | Wedding Coordinator: Bouquets and Bowties | Venue: Cannon Green | Photo Location: 86 Cannon | DJ: Bunn DJ Company | Floral: We Are Petaloso | Hair and Makeup: Shadows and Shears | Bridal Attire: BHLDN | Bridesmaid Attire: Show Me Your Mumu | Groom and Groomsmen Attire: Zara | Getting ready location: Planter’s Inn
