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If you followed along with my wedding planning posts last year, you may remember how hard it was for Dave and I to choose our venue–much like today’s bride, Ashton, I grew up moving around, so the decision of where to tie the knot was a challenge for me! For Ashton and Aaron, however, the decision was a bit easier–Charleston was always a place that Ashton returned to for family trips, no matter where in the world she was living at the time. I love that she had that special place as a constant in her life, and once Aaron proposed on nearby Fripp Island, it became all the more meaningful, and the perfect place for their wedding! With the help of the talented ladies at A Charleston Bride, Ashton and Aaron planned their gorgeous, garden-inspired celebration at the William Aiken House–the coolest historic venue hidden in the heart of downtown. Enjoy this look at their lovely day!

Thank you kindly to Catherine Ann for sharing Ashton and Aaron’s wedding with us!

I’m a self-proclaimed shopaholic, so I thought that it was going to take me forever to find the perfect dress. I started my search a couple of months after we got engaged and started shopping at a boutique in Raleigh with just my mother. I thought it was going to be a preliminary shopping experience and tried on all kinds of dresses, but the last one I tried on was the one. It didn’t wow me on the hanger, but I put it on and liked it, and then about a minute into wearing it, I started crying because it just felt right. This is who I want to be when I walked down the aisle. From the floral appliqué on my veil to the champagne color of the Italian tulle, everything about my dress was perfect and effortlessly romantic.

Did you decide to do a first look? Why or why not? Kind of. Aaron was adamant about not seeing me before the ceremony, but we both agreed that we wanted to have a quick, sweet moment together. We decided to do a “first look,” but he kept a blindfold on the entire time. I’m so glad we did this because we got to keep the element of surprise, while also being able to hug each other and calm our nerves. I did do a first look with my father, because I knew it would mean so much to him.

What readings, if any, did you have at your ceremony? Matthew 19:6, Song of Solomon 3:4, Ruth 1:16-17, Peter 4:8, and Ephesians 4:2. We did shorter readings throughout the ceremony because each one had a different significance.

Charleston has been my one constant place in life, so I always knew that when I got married, it would be there. The William Aiken House was significant for several reasons. Apart from being beautiful, my family is from Aiken, South Carolina, and the town is named after William Aiken. Aaron works in the railroad industry and William Aiken created one of the first railroad companies in South Carolina. Also, I always wanted to get married outside, but have an admiration for the grandeur of old architecture after living in England. The William Aiken House was the perfect combination.

I wanted my wedding to look like an English garden with lots of rose gold and sage and champagne hues. Our wedding planner and florist did an amazing job coming up with the perfect arrangements. There were topiaries for some rich dark greens around the lounge area and the bouquets had pale pinks and lots of undone greenery, with a few burgundy flowers to break up all of the pastels. I didn’t want the flowers to look too “done” and perfect; I wanted them to look romantic, but not fussy.

What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? What was Southern about our wedding was the location, the families, the history, the pecan pie, the boiled peanuts (my favorite!), the bourbon tasting bar (also my favorite!), and the sense of hospitality.

What was one way you saved money or cut costs at your wedding? I cut out a lot of the florals because as much as I love flowers, the venue was pretty enough that we could save some money on those. The florist was very good about helping me come up with options to cut costs, which was much appreciated. We also did stations instead of a sit-down meal to cut costs with table settings and serving.

For our first dance, Aaron and I danced to Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud.” Aaron didn’t really care about the wedding details, but this was one thing he had an opinion about. We made a playlist of five songs that were contenders for our first dance and then we danced to all of them, and he got to decide which one he enjoyed dancing with me to the best!

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. Aaron and I met on New Year’s Eve at a bar in downtown Richmond, Virginia. I was in Richmond for law school and Aaron worked with with CSX in Richmond. Aaron was working night shifts when we first met, so our dates consisted of random, intermittent hang outs, often involving him stopping by in the morning (on his way home from work) to say hi and hang out while I got ready to go to class for the day. Our relationship progressed very quickly because the time we did get to spend together was so precious that we ended up opening up to each other more quickly than normal.
Tell us all about the proposal! I have moved around ever since I was little, so I never really had a constant hometown, but both of my parents are from Aiken, South Carolina and used to go to Fripp Island and Charleston for vacations. When they got married, they kept the tradition alive by scheduling week-long family vacations at Fripp Island every summer. Aaron knew how important Fripp was to me, and my family planned a beach week a year after he and I started dating. My family, our close family friends, and Aaron’s family all came to Fripp that week for vacation. One night, Aaron took me on a golf cart ride right before sunset, and then we went for a walk on the beach. He proposed to me amidst the big sand dunes. Everyone had a big celebration waiting for us when we got back to the house. My ring is so special–it was made with my mother’s diamond and Aaron helped design it himself.
When did y’all get married? June 13, 2015
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 160
Describe your wedding cake or dessert. I am not a sweets person at all. I do, however, have a soft spot for pecan pie, so we had a pie station in addition to a cake. Aaron, on the other hand, has a sweet tooth big enough for both of us and then some. He was in charge of picking the cake, while I was in charge of decorating it. Since the cake was not something I really cared about, I wanted it to go with the decor and be simple and fun. I asked them to do a pale blush solid background with random pieces of gold leafing all over it.
What is the one detail or vendor that you were so happy to have as a part of your wedding? I am very involved in the nonprofit sector, so we had three areas throughout the reception in honor of different charities that we donated to for the wedding, as well as little favors to help bring awareness to the different causes.
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? When Aaron and I got back to the hotel after the wedding and he couldn’t stop saying how happy he was that I was his wife. That was when we finally got to have a moment alone and just bask in the happiness and excitement that had been building all day.
What’s next for you as a couple? What memories are you looking forward to making together? I moved down to Charlotte with our chocolate lab, Campbell, so the three of us are all together under the same roof! We are excited to explore our new city together and to make memories with our new little family.

Photographer: Catherine Ann Photography / Planner: A Charleston Bride / Venue: The William Aiken House / Florist: STEMS via A Charleston Bride / Caterer and Baker: Patrick Properties Hospitality Group / Rentals: Snyder Events / Lighting: Technical Event Company / Ceremony Music: Bob Williams Duo / Reception DJ: Natty Heavy / Paper Products: Studio R / Bride’s Gown: “Style 5867” by Liancarlo / Bridal Salon: Alexia’s Bridal / Bride’s Veil: “Style 9847” by Liancarlo / Hair Stylist: Kacie Faulling Pecora / Bride’s Shoes: Michael Kors / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Tadashi Shoji / Menswear: Jos. A. Bank / Bow Ties: Collared Greens

A Charleston Bride is a delightful member of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

lisa Written with love by Lisa
3 Comments
  1. avatar Edgar Vs. Surrey wedding videographer reply

    Beautiful wedding and very interesting story!

  2. avatar Elegant Southern Wedding at the William Aiken House | Ashton + Aaron reply

    […] wedding has been featured on the Southern Weddings […]

  3. avatar Meg @ GalaPal.com reply

    That memorable moment is perfection. Seriously tearing up just reading that. Congrats to the couple!

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Some of the most memorable wedding food we’ve ever featured was at Haley and Dylan’s Charleston wedding–my husband still thinks their bacon bar sounds like the best thing ever, and I’m sure he’s not the only one! When we found out that Haley is a culinary school alum, and her parents authored a cookbook, we knew we had to get inside the Kelly family kitchen. They cooked up a Southern favorite, tomato pie, while Catherine Ann Photography captured it, and if you’re as anxious to try it as I am, you’re in luck–Haley generously shared their top ten recipes with us (including a few of their originals, which you can download here!).

By day: Haley is a wedding planner with A Charleston Bride; Dylan is in medical device sales at Boston Scientific.

How they met: We met our freshman year in college! Our school (Presbyterian College) was really small, so you pretty much knew everyone. We instantly clicked as friends and it quickly grew into a relationship!
Their wedding: Absolutely magical! Our wedding was full of personal details, which was really important to us–we used family recipes for some of the food, a Presbyterian College flag flew high on the Lowndes Grove porch, and our bacon bar was Dylan’s pride and joy (and people are still talking about it!). It was full of color and really spoke to our personalities.

Who does the meal planning? Me, for sure!
Who does the cooking? Me–but Dylan is the best sous chef :) We have a great balance of I cook, he cleans.

Their favorite meal-related memory: The one meal that immediately comes to mind was at State Bird Provisions while on our honeymoon in San Francisco. We got the best seats in the house–watching the chefs cook from the bar. It is the most amazing restaurant–the servers come around with carts or trays with food on mini plates and information on the price of the dish. My husband and I love great wine and/or cocktails with dinner, but we didn’t even order a drink, the food was so amazing! We sat and enjoyed every bite and I don’t think we turned down a single dish!

Haley and Dylan’s ten favorite recipes:

1. Scallops and Grits: We created this dish together and first made it for my parents when they were in town visiting. We have been trying to successfully sear scallops for over a year now, and finally found the key: dry the scallops on a towel, season with only salt and pepper, put grapeseed oil in a pan on low heat, and let it heat up slowly. Then, depending on the thickness, sear the scallop for about three minutes on each side.
2. Panko-Crusted Tuna: Anything my cousin–in-law cooks is phenomenal, but our favorite is her panko-crusted tuna. This is perfect to cook when having friends over, because it’s super easy, but looks impressive!
3. B for d (breakfast for dinner, or bacon for Dylan, as we recently named it): This is our Thursday staple–just as our groceries are running out for the week, we will have bacon, eggs, and grits for dinner! Dylan likes it when his eggs are cooked in half a tablespoon of bacon renderings. This dinner is super laid back, but we love it!
4. Tomato Pie: A summer favorite! We love using fresh heirloom tomatoes from the local farmer’s market.
5. Cauliflower mashed potatoes: Dylan used to not eat many veggies, so I found ways to trick him into eating some of my favorites! For this recipe, I boil one head of cauliflower and then purée it with two tablespoons of Cabot Greek Yogurt (a must-have in our house–it’s the best!), a handful of cheddar cheese, a dash of garlic and hot sauce, and some salt and pepper.
6. Fish or shrimp tacos: Dylan and I go to a local fish market every Sunday and pick out fish for the week! At least once a month, we use it for fish or shrimp tacos. We either sear the fish or pan-fry it in panko, and then serve it with a sauce made of greek yogurt mixed with crushed red pepper, lemon juice, and sriracha.
7. Chicken and Dumplings: This is my mother’s recipe, and we love to make it when we are at my parents’ home. My mom has a special touch that I am still trying to learn!
8. Portabella burgers: These are AMAZING for dinner and perfect leftovers for lunch! I usually omit the broccoli.
9. Curried Cauliflower Soup: Can you tell we love cauliflower? This dish is perfect when it is a little cold out, and it is especially great with a little crumbled blue cheese on top!
10. Macaroni and Cheese: Literally every party we are invited to, our friends ask us to make this dish.

Thanks so much for sharing, Haley and Dylan!

A little reminder: we’d love to hear from you! Our hope is to feature REAL couples in the South – not just folks who write blogs (though we love them, too!), but also your inspiring friend, super talented cousin, or neighbor with the cutest house – the kind of person everyone would love to “e-meet.” We are also really hoping to feature some apartment dwellers! If that sounds like you or someone you know, take a peek at our Southern Newlywed submission page and shoot us an email!

lisa Written with love by Lisa
8 Comments
  1. avatar Julie reply

    This was a great article. The recipes are yummy because I have tasted Haley’s chicken and dumplings and her cauliflower mashed potatoes (they are so good and I am a carboholic). The macaroni and cheese is delightful. I am going to follow this blog. It is authentic. Julie

  2. avatar Sherry Colarusso reply

    Love the shared recipes!! I’ll be trying some of these for sure.

  3. avatar Julie reply

    I can tell you these recipes rock. I have eaten most of them. This was a great article.

  4. avatar Heather reply

    These recipes sound so good! Can’t wait to try some soon in our newlywed kitchen too!

  5. avatar amanda reply

    so great…keep cooking

  6. avatar Steve Hein reply

    I’ve had fried green tomatoes and eggplant but never Tomato Pie! Very neat, So happy to see the man of the house helping out. Having given up red meat years ago anything with a veggie base is enticing. Portabella or mushroom burgers is on my to do list.Thanks!

  7. avatar Steve Hein reply

    So nice to see the man of the house in the kitchen. I’ve had fried green tomatoes but never Tomato pie-sounds enticing. Portabella burgers is on my to cook list!

  8. avatar Bethel Lemke reply

    Loved reading about Dylan and Haley
    Great couple. Will try the receipes.

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The simplicity and spontaneity of an elopement can help to strip away some of the “stuff” that surrounds weddings, leaving just the essence of a marriage: committing yourself to the one you love in front of the people who matter most. For this editorial, we imagined a couple who wanted to elope in Charleston, but still celebrate with their very closest family and friends. Though we tucked in lots of special details focused on hospitality, whether you have five or 500 guests in attendance, gracious hospitality can always by the centerpiece.

Big hugs to the supremely talented KT Merry for these photos and to the ladies of A Charleston Bride for pulling together the details. Purchase your copy of V7 (and her BFF, our brand new wedding planner!) here!

To shy to exchange personal vows in front of your guests? We love the idea of writing each other promises in letter form to exchange the morning of the wedding or at your first look. Having a calligrapher letter them for you makes for a beautiful keepsake.

Charleston City Hall was the perfect spot for these beautiful, light-filled photos! They’re some of my favorites in the magazine!

This editorial was inspired in part by one of our friend Kathryn’s inspiration boards. She imagined the scene set at the William Aiken House, and we agreed that the venue’s yellow walls could not have been more perfect to bring this scene to life!

Special glassware can instantly transform a table. We loved the combination of sleek black wine glasses and vintage tumblers!

Photographer: KT Merry | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab | Designer and Florals: A Charleston Bride | Venues: Charleston City Hall and the William Aiken House | Caterer and Baker: Fish | Cake stand: Country Kitchen SweetArt | Rentals: Snyder Rental, Ooh! Events, Event Haus | Ticking napkins: Un Original Americain | Flatware: West Elm | Hair and makeup: Carrie McLeod of Paper Dolls | Getaway car: Charleston Rickshaw | Invitations and stationery: Smitten on Paper | Calligraphy: Blue Glass Design | Custom sewing: Behind the Seams | Palm fans: Favors and Flowers | Wrapping paper: Sugar Paper, Ann Page, Snow & Graham, Linda & Harriet | Welcome bags: A Signature Welcome | Bass player: Other Brother Entertainment | Bride’s gown: “Lucille” by Monique Lhuillier | Bride’s cuff: Modcloth | Bride’s shoes: Nina | Bride’s clutch: Mar y Sol | Other jewelry: Perfect Details | Menswear: J. Crew | Bow tie: TieMart | Bridesmaid dresses: Rent the Runway and Modcloth | Pineapple dress: Townsen | Overnight bag: Mark & Graham

emily Written with love by Emily
7 Comments
  1. avatar Southern Weddings V7: Holy City Behind the Scenes – Southern Weddings Magazine reply

    […] our 5 A.M. wakeup calls, when Emily and I hit the road to Charleston for our Holy City Hospitality shoot, we were giddy with excitement. The clouds cleared more and more the further south we drove, […]

  2. avatar Nancy Ray reply

    Love this shoot so much. I must say, the image of the man with the standup bass in the grass caught my eye. The light, the composition – just beautiful. All of the images are stunning, but it’s always fun to see one unexpected image stand out. Beautiful work as always, KT!

  3. avatar Winifred Paper reply

    That tablescape is absolutely to die for!

  4. avatar 21 Gorgeous Signature Cocktails To Serve At Your Next Party | LinenTablecloth reply

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  5. avatar Svatební inspirace | Stylový odchod – Originální Svatba reply

    […] s girlandou Brklyn View Photography via Style Me Pretty | bílá rikša s nápisem KT Merry via Southern Weddings | lodička Anastasiya Belik via Magnolia Rouge | skútr Ryan Ray via […]

  6. avatar Something Short And Sweet About Love Take Three – Coastal Bride reply

    […] night with a Bartender’s Choice at the Gin Joint.” Meg, My Borrowed Heaven KT Merry via Southern Weddings “A dream date to me is a simple one where we’d spend all day at the beach swimming, […]

  7. avatar Tyra reply

    This is beautiful! Anyone know if you can actually get married in Charleston City Hall? Thanks!

Southern Weddings reserves the right to delete comments which contain profanity or personal attacks or seek to promote a business unrelated to the post.  And remember: a good attitude is like kudzu – it spreads.  We love hearing your kind thoughts!

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