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...
The Wedding Row: Let’s start from the beginning …
Aly: Like many modern-day couples we swiped right, engaged in some initial messaging, and decided to go out on a date. We met at a sushi restaurant in the Washington D.C. area and when the hardest thing about our first date was trying to decide which sushi to share, we both knew this could actually be something.
TWR: Can you spill the beans on the proposal for us?
Aly: Three years later, when Dan asked me if I could take off work on a Thursday at the beginning of January 2018, I thought something may be up. A fluke snowstorm in Charleston (where we now live) made it impossible to get out of the city the planned day, but the next morning, Dan did a great job pretending the roads “weren’t icy” as we drove to Asheville, North Carolina. Walking up to our room at the Biltmore, Dan gave me the key and told me to go in and check out the view. When I walked in I noticed wine, chocolate-covered strawberries, and a flower wreath that said, “Will You Marry Me?” Of course, I said “Yes!”
TWR: Love it! How about the wedding day. Any funny moments from then that you look back on and laugh at?
Aly: Dan says “Aly’s dance moves” and I can agree that I may not be the most rhythmically inclined person. My dad and I laughed our way through our first dance song because, let’s just say the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree and I inherited my sweet moves from him.
TWR: Nice … What were your favorite moments?
Aly: Dan’s favorite moment was entering the room as husband and wife and moving right into our first dance. My favorite moment was looking around the room and seeing everyone we love there to celebrate us. A close second is the epic dance party our reception turned into with all of our closest friends and family. Being surrounded by everyone we love, jumping up and down, and screaming along to the band was something special.
Wedding Photography: Dana Cubbage Weddings | Planning + Coordination: MOD Events | Florals: Frampton’s Flowers | Venue: Charleston Place Hotel | Cake: Charleston Place Hotel | Wedding Dress: Anna Maier from Betty Bridal Atelier | Hair + Makeup: Paper Dolls Wedding Hair + Makeup | Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bride’s Jewelry: personal | Bridesmaids Dresses: Jenny Yoo from Bella Bridesmaids | Band: Oxford Soul | Men’s Attire: Black Lapel | Catering: Charleston Place Hotel | Invitations: Wouldn’t It Be Lovely
