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...
McKenzie and Ryan met during their junior year at the University of Toledo in northwest Ohio, when she moved in across the street from him. She already knew of a few of his roommates, who invited her to a party at their place one night where, she admits, “The moment I saw Ryan I couldn’t take my eyes off of him.” They talked for hours at the party, and the very next day he called and asked her to dinner. Post-dinner, they ended up at a trivia night, where they quickly learned that their trivia skills weren’t a great match. Everything else about them was, though, and McKenzie says, “From that night forward, we were inseparable and knew there was something special between us.” During their dating years, the two vacationed in Charleston often. They tell us, “It’s our weekend getaway, our holiday getaway, and our any kind of excuse to get away special place.” During one trip South, Ryan popped the question in front of the pineapple fountain at Waterfront Park, forever cementing the city as a special place in their hearts. Because of that proposal, they knew they had to get married here, too. Lowndes Grove Plantation is the only venue the two visited, but when its water views took their breath away, they knew it was perfect for them. For the wedding theme, McKenzie wanted to “modernize” Charleston’s Southern charm with tropical elements like lush greenery and pops of floral color. When the Big Day arrived, though, the rain almost threw a wrench in all their careful preparation, and McKenzie and her planners were scrambling to figure out a plan B right before the ceremony. At the last minute, though, the sun made its appearance (and stuck around for a gorgeous sunset during dinner, too), and two newlyweds dub the night perfectly magical. (P.S.: McKenzie tells us she and Ryan have greatly improved their trivia game since that first date.)
Wedding Coordination: Ooh! Events | Florals: Out of the Garden | Photography and Videography: Wiler Weddings | Venue: Lowndes Grove Plantation – Patrick Properties Hospitality Group | Ceremony Music: Bob Williams Duo | Officiant: Weddings by Richard Burton | Reception Music: Stephen Darby – Darby Events | Cigar Roller: Cigar Row | Hair and Makeup: Meg Ann Workman | Getaway Transportation: ACW Limo
