Kelly Cooper & Elias Derke

March 24, 2018
Kelly, a visual merchandiser and stylist, and Elias, a systems engineer, of Jacksonville, Florida, met at a small get-together organized by friends. Their courtship spanned five years and included moving, buying a house, and becoming cat parents together. After Elias proposed on Kelly’s birthday trip to Chicago, they invited their loved ones to Charleston­—the bride’s favorite city—for their wedding at Runnymede Plantation. The day included a ceremony with Stefania crowns (the groom’s family is Greek) and a pair of groomsmen who serenaded one and all with Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” More than 120 black taper candles added a glow to the reception, and festivities were capped off with a massive display of fireworks.
 
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The Wedding Row

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