Jessie & Brian met at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. Both had an athletic Scholarship – Brian for Baseball and Jessie for gymnastics. Jessie said when she first arrived at school she was told by a baseball coach, “be careful, all of the baseball players end of marrying gymnasts.” Jessie had too many goals and wasn’t interested in a baseball player. Little did she know destiny had a different plan.

After her bachelors degree, she enrolled to get her masters degree. Jessie and Brian had several friends in common so she noticed him hanging around more often. They played the age old game of running into each other “what’s your name again?” and flirting a little, Jessie decided Brian was “SO CUTE!” Unfortunately for Brian, Jessie wasn’t in a place where she was ready for any dating yet. Brian didn’t give up easily though and asked her to the local pizza joint, Colony Grill, a few times but Jessie was still keeping him at arms length. Until one day, with a knock at the door, she found Brian there with Colony Pizza in hand. Jessie said, “he had brought the date to me!” From then on they were inseparable! Guess it turns out that the gymnast married the baseball player after all. Sometimes you can’t out run fate and destiny. Jessie said, “You cannot say we didn’t all see that coming, but you can say it was meant to be.”

Brian proposed in St. Augustine Florida with lots of Jessie’s side of the family there. They were exploring the city when they got hit by those famous Florida thunderstorms that come out of no where! They ran for cover in a nearby no name bar and enjoyed Margaritas until a break in the storm when Brian couldn’t wait any longer and asked Jessie to take a photo near the St Augustine Fort. There he got down on one knee and shocked her with the proposal. Jessie said it was a “no brainer.”

Jessie & Brian were married on July 1st 2021 at Pine Lakes Country Club. It was a stunning day designed and choreographed by Stunning and Brilliant Events and it couldn’t have been more perfect surrounded by their favorite family and friends! And as you can say, they lived happily ever after . . .

Planner: Stunning and Brilliant Events

Floral: RSG Events

Cake: Nothing but Cakes

Makeup: Glam Squad Makeup by Chelsea

Hair: Shear Vision

Wedding Dress: The White Dress by the Shore

Bridesmaids dresses: Birdy Grey

Transportation: Lowcountry Valet

Invitations: Minted

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Wedding Dress Shop: Lasting Impressions

Hair & Makeup: Bobby Pins & Blushing Brides

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We did their engagement session on the absolutely stunning day of December 31st 2021. From the moment we started I could tell these two were incredibly comfortable in each others company. They laughed, joked, and were incredibly relaxed and playful! Having me there with a camera didn’t phase them at all – it was like it was just the two of them enjoying a day with each other.

They even brought their new tiny puppy Lilly and their Australian Shepherd Oakley to join in on the fun! (and you all know how much I love fur balls!) Funny story – I hadn’t met these 2 in person yet and the week before Christmas I ran into a sweet couple with two dogs in the pet store. We chatted for a bit and talked about puppies and then the day of this engagement the same couple with the 2 dogs shows up – small world!

Thanks so much ya’ll for entrusting me with telling your story! I can’t wait for April!

Venue: Pawleys Plantation

Dress: LuLus

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Both Anna and Brad ended up teaching at the same school. From there they got a chance to know each other and eventually became friends. They worked together for almost 8 years before they finally decided that this friendship thing was something much more. 2 years later Brad proposed!

It was just He and Anna at Huntington Beach State park one beautiful sunset evening. They found a little trail that was away from the wind and were exploring the area, little did Anna know, Brad had a little something else in mind. He popped the question and “. . . made me the happiest girl in the world!” Apparently Brad had been waiting for the perfect time to propose when it would be private, relaxed, and “. . . just the 2 of us being in love.”

Their wedding day on September 10th 2021 at Pawleys Island Community Chapel and reception at Wachesaw Plantation was just a stunning day! Surrounded by their closest family and friends they promised forever and are expecting their new addition this year.

Thank ya’ll for trusting me with capturing the beginning of your story together! I wish ya’ll a lifetime of happiness!

Floral: Williow Event Designs

Venue: Wachesaw Plantation

Cake: Pawleys Island Bakery

Videographer: Hart to Heart Media

Dress: The Dressing Room Pawleys Island

Hair & Makeup: Stox & Co.

Bridesmaids Dresses: Birdy Grey

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Alissa and I hit it off the 1st time we talked over the phone when I was traveling back from Florida. Now after Engagement sessions, bridal sessions, a wedding, and a baby reveal, we made it to her Maternity session for Baby Green! She almost didn’t make it to our scheduled session as Baby Green attempted to make an early appearance. Undeterred, Alissa told him to stay put and we got a chance to walk around one of my favorite sections of Downtown Charleston. We had the BEST time creating these images!

Reginald Eugene Green III was born March 22nd at 10:50am. I can’t wait to meet him for his 1st photo shoot!

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Thomas made other fiancé’s look like they weren’t even trying when it came down to proposing to Caroline. It was their 1st big vacation together in Greece. Caroline said, “Close to the very end of vacation (after I had given up all hope of getting engaged), Thomas set up a sunset catamaran cruise in Santorini and finally popped the question!”

Their Caledonia Plantation Wedding was the incredible day Caroline and Thomas planned – even though Covid stuck it’s nose in where it didn’t belong – Della Ramsey Weddings still made everything spectacular. Inlet Affairs provided a dinner spread to die for, DJ Scott & Company rocked the house until Carolina Limousine & Coach drove the couple off into their happily ever after!

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A long distance relationship ensued until Jerry obviously decided that he couldn’t live without Sarah. He came early on a trip to Greenville to see her and “didn’t waist anytime!” He got down on one knee in her kitchen with just their pup as a witness, and the rest was history as you say.

Sarah & Jerry were married at Wachesaw Plantation on June 20th, 2020 – despite all the COVID-19 mess! The rain tried to put a damper on the day but they were having none of it!! Check out Jerry’s thumbs up to his bride right before they saw each other at the 1st look! They read personal letters to each other and were surrounded by their pup and all their closest family and friends – and you could say they will live happily ever after.

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The couple planned their dream destination wedding at the Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort. Their inspiration was an Ohio wedding taken south with some vintage mixed in, and Stunning & Brilliant Events helped bring this vision to life. They love the beach, so they knew they wanted the waves to be the backdrop for their big day. Everything was kept light, airy, bright and simple to complement the natural beauty of the ocean. There was lots of greenery with white and blush pinks highlighted with pops of gold. The bride’s bouquet included white peonies and roses intermixed with greenery. The couple did a first look, with both their outfits being a surprise. Chris, who sells custom suits for a living, rocked a double-breasted black suit with his name and the pair’s wedding date sewed into it. Shanda opted for a dress with sleeves, going for a timeless look.

The reception space was also kept simple to match the theme of the day. The couple danced on a cloud courtesy of Globaltruth Entertainment, which was something different that everyone loved. The pair opted for cupcakes instead of cake, and Coccadotts created the delicious treats. A candy bar with cookies and candy was a great mix of sweet and elegant for guests to enjoy. The couple used a beautiful vintage car from Carolina Limousine, which was the perfect touch for some memorable photographs by Gillian Claire.

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High school sweethearts Sydney and Samuel met casually through a mutual friend. Their first date was to see the movie Twilight. The couple dated for eight years–all through high school and college. Sydney attended Meredith College in Raleigh, with Samuel at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, so after a few years of long distance dating, coming together after the wedding was so much more special.

Samuel knew Sydney loved Colonial Williamsburg, which is right next to William & Mary. The couple were talking a walk through the garden at the Governor’s Mansion (something they did all the time), when Samuel got down on one knee. Sydney didn’t even notice a photographer hiding in the bushes. Samuel chose to combine both his and her great-grandmothers’ rings, custom made into a dream piece of jewelry for Sydney. After the proposal, Samuel planned a dinner at one of Sydney’s favorite restaurants and a stay in one of the old colonial houses–fireplace and all!

The June wedding was held at Trinity Episcopal Church, the church the pair attended when living in Myrtle Beach before college. Samuel’s former youth minister officiated, and the ceremony included a choir, trumpeter and full communion. Sydney wore a classic dress from David’s Bridal, but added a matching belt and tiara to make it a little more glamorous. She also wore a removable crinoline to give it a more ball-gown look and paired it with an 11-foot cathedral veil. Samuel wore a black tuxedo from Men’s Wearhouse with a traditional black bowtie and accessories. The bridesmaids donned apple red dresses and the groomsmen wore gray suits with apple red ties, pocket squares and socks. 250 guests watched the couple take their vows. Gillian Claire Photography captured these special moments and Ash Events planned the big day.

Sydney made sure to cross everything from the old adage off her list. For something old, her mother cut the beaded straps off of her own wedding dress, which they attached to the straps of Sydney’s shoes for a glamorous look. Sydney created a custom wedding perfume at Escentuelle in Raleigh that she used for the first time on the big day for something new. Something borrowed was a small cross necklace from Samuel’s mother, which the ring bearer carried instead of the rings. It had been passed down in their family from mother to daughter for three generations and each one wore it for the first time on their wedding day. When Sydney asked her best friend to be her Maid of Honor, she gave her small blue stud earrings to wear to be the something blue.

The couple chose the Dunes Club as their reception venue so they could enjoy the gorgeous ocean view without the sweltering June heat. The theme for the day was elegant but relaxed. The invitations featured a fun mix of burgundy, blush and gold that the pair asked Little Shop of Flowers to replicate in the florals. The same floral design on the invitations was also incorporated on the ceremony programs, escort cards, table numbers, tissue packs, cocktail napkins and thank you gifts.

Cocktail hour kicked off with the pair’s signature drinks–a Cosmo and a Manhattan. Dinner was station style and included beef tenderloin, a customizable pasta bar, ahi tuna nachos and more. The wedding cake was classic white with a raspberry and lemon curd filling and a fresh raspberry buttercream. Created by Delicieux, it was adorned with fresh raspberries and candied lemon peels. For those craving a taste of chocolate, a fondue bar featured items for dipping like fruit, cake and even candied bacon. Guests enjoyed dancing to DJ Brett Gash, who created a beautiful monogram on the dance floor to give that extra touch of personalization.

Sydney highlighted the importance of being able to relax and enjoy your day. “I’d say the most unique thing about our day was that my veil came out as I was walking down the aisle! My father tried to put it back, we took two more steps, and it fell right out again! Thankfully my wedding planner and maid of honor were able to secure it in after I was already standing up front. Everyone gasped when it first came out but it was quickly followed by laughter which lighted the whole day! It took the pressure off of everyone knowing that nothing was going to stop us from getting married!”

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