Bride Sarah shares her classic Cypress Trees Plantation wedding.
Please meet today’s bride, Sarah! Her South Carolina wedding to Dustin was filled with intentional details and lots of Southern charm – the perfect combination in my book! And as a matter of fact, Sara was voted “most likely to have a dream wedding” in high school. Something I’m sure her past classmates would confirm she absolutely accomplished! You’re going to want to keep scrolling to see more of Sarah and Dustin’s classic, blue and white celebration.
SW hugs to Jennings King Photography!
What were some of the most meaningful or special parts of your wedding? That’s a hard question, as I literally tried to make everything meaningful to us since we are a very sentimental couple! I was also voted “most likely to have a dream wedding” in high school, so I had a lot to live up to :) To start things off, I had some of my grandmother’s lace from her wedding dress and some of my mother’s lace from her wedding dress sewn on the inside of my dress with a patch. I had my seamstress make a handkerchief with my grandmother’s lace, my mother’s lace, and a little fabric from my dress, embroidered with “love always,” and gave that to my mom on the day of the wedding. My bouquet had part of my grandmother’s jewelry attached to it. I also had on a pearl bracelet my dad had given to my when I was twelve for confirmation at church. The white Bible used in the ceremony was my father’s that was given to him at birth. The cross that stood next to us during the ceremony traveled from my home church along with the preacher that officiated. The sweet grass basket the flower girl carried has been my Easter basket ever since I was little. The bagpipe songs were played at our college graduation. Our wedding cake was prepared by a family member. Lastly, our dog, Walker, and my parents’ dog, Jack, were able to visit us right before we took pictures with our wedding party.
Tell us the highlights of finding your wedding dress. I visited three places to find my wedding dress and found my dress on the third try. While I loved just about every dress I put on, my main goal was to find a dress that “looked like me.” On our third trip, my mom and I picked several dresses to try on at Fabulous Frocks in Charleston. I chose my wedding dress particularly because I liked the fabric – crazy, I know! After trying on many dresses in the store, I narrowed it down to two. My dress had a skirt that was detachable, and attached with a removable bow. The sales consultant said, “That dress does have a bow that you can put with it, but most people don’t.” Little did she know that bows are my thing — I love them! The other dress I was considering had a blush undertone. I loved them both and couldn’t decide, so my mom and the sales consultant each wrote down her favorite, knowing that if my mom told me I would probably pick the one she said because that is just how I am. After thinking it through, I chose the bow gown — and it was the one my mom had picked, too! (Which made me so, so happy!) The dress was everything I wanted: simple, elegant, and classic.
Did you decide to do a first look? We did decide to do a first look, primarily to ease our nerves a bit. We were skeptical at first, but would highly recommend it now. Getting a chance to share that special moment in private is something we will always cherish!
What made you choose your ceremony and reception venues? The venue was on Edisto Island, which is our favorite place! My parents have a beach house on Edisto, and Dustin and I go there religiously to relax and spend time with family and friends. I knew immediately when we stepped foot on Cypress Trees Plantation it was the one. Being so close to the water really made us feel the true beauty of God’s creation.
What was Southern about your wedding? We both grew up in the South and have held true to our roots, so most things were Southern about our wedding! There were Southern touches everywhere, from the shrimp and grits cake to the men’s Charleston sweet grass roses as boutonnieres. The tables at the reception had beautiful blue flowers and oyster shells as centerpieces, and we danced the night away to Motown and beach music songs. The shag, which is the South Carolina state dance, was danced by friends and family on the dance floor.
What did you serve for your wedding cake? We served a delicious cake that was made by a family member. It was a four-tiered vanilla cake with chocolate-covered candies on each tier, placed on a wicker stand. We also served mini key lime pie tarts and gave everyone a sugar cookie with the outline of a Labrador retriever in honor of our dog, Walker.
Tell us your love story in one sentence. Meeting my best friend and falling in love made my life complete.
Tell us all about the proposal! Dustin asked me to be his wife on March 17, 2017 on Edisto Beach! We had been planning to go to the beach for the weekend with my parents for awhile, but I had no idea what else was in store. Dustin bought the ring from Windsor Jewelers in Augusta, GA, which is just outside of my hometown of Aiken, SC — this is special, because Dustin asked my Mom to help him pick the ring out! The ring wasn’t scheduled to be ready until Friday the 17th, so Dustin arranged for my parents to pick it up before heading down to Edisto for our weekend together. Luckily (and with a lot of stalling by Dustin), my parents beat us down there and were able to hide the ring in a towel closet in the bathroom. When we got to the house, Dustin went to the restroom and then asked if I wanted to go out on the beach and see if my parents were out there. After taking just a few steps outside, Dustin proposed! It was all coordinated perfectly, as my hidden parents and brother were able to see and photograph the whole thing!
When did y’all get married? April 21, 2018
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 175
Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding and why you chose them. We had a harpist and a bagpiper play music during the ceremony. The bagpiper played “Highland Cathedral” and “Scotland the Brave,” which were both played at our college graduation. Our first dance song was “With this Ring” by The Platters, because it’s fun and upbeat and we love oldies!
What was your favorite thing about wedding planning? My favorite thing about planning our wedding would be deciding on flowers, decorations, and our invitation suite — some of my easiest decisions! Those were places where we were able to add our special touches and display our personalities.
Photographer: Jennings King Photography | Videographer: Hart to Heart Media | Planner: Meagan Warren Weddings | Venue: Cypress Trees Plantation | Florist: Cote Designs | Wedding Cake or Dessert Baker: Family friend | Caterer: Southern Way Catering | Rentals: Ooh! Events and La Tavola Linen | Lighting: Ambient Media | Band: Men of Distinction via ECE | Paper Products: By Farr Design Studio |
Bride’s gown: Pronovias | Hair stylist: Hunter Gray at Gloss Salon | Makeup artist: Pamela Lesch Makeup | Bride’s shoes: Jack Rogers | Bridesmaid dresses: Lula Kate via Bella Bridesmaids | Menswear: Granger Owings of Columbia and Brackish Bowties | Ring bearer outfits and flower girl dress: Southern Belles | Live artist: Megan Carn
Meagan Warren Weddings, ECE, and By Farr Design are delightful members of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!
I love dogwoods!! I also grew up with them, and they have such sentimental value to me. Chapel Hill also has tons of gorgeous dogwoods in the Spring, including beautiful pink blooms!
Dogwoods are my absolute favorite flower! As a NC native, they always make me think of home. And I love when they bloom because it’s the first sign that spring is on its way.
Peonies are my favorite southern flowers! I can’t wait to have those big soft blossoms in my wedding bouquet in May!
Wow, Lisa, you are reading my mind this week! Dogwoods are my favorite and my florist was so excited I wanted to use them in my bouquet :) To me they are the quintessential Virginia flower… I can’t wait for spring when all the Dogwoods, Red Buds, Azaleas, and Cherry Blossoms around Charlottesville start blooming!