Wachesaw Plantation Wedding

I’d almost forgotten just how beautiful Wachesaw Plantation is… it’s breath taking.

It’s one of Myrtle Beaches hidden gems for weddings. The Wachesaw Plantation with it’s huge Live Oak trees that drape shade for visitors, with Kimbel’s Restaurant sitting quietly to the side ready to host an event. The scent of the Waccamaw River plays at your nose as the moss dances in the wind.

I’ve known the groom, Scott, for quite some time now. I was thrilled and eager to tease him that I’d seen his bride all dressed up before him. We shot her bridal portraits earlier this summer and with her permission created an image that had to be timed perfectly. Arriving right before low tide when the sand bars were showing, we scooted down the river bank to photograph Kelly at the water’s edge. It was a stunning portrait right beside the river, framed with Cypress tree knots and roots that would normally be underwater. Setting up the canvas portrait on their wedding day, I made a few people promise me they wouldn’t let him peek at the framed art piece. He desired all the emotions of the first look and she was breath taking too. As she walked across the lawn in the classic and form fitting dress from Little White Dress Scott choked up as he saw his wife. The ceremony was lovely and picturesque set beneath the spanish moss of the live oaks and we were all thankful for the light breeze on a warm summers day as they exchanged their vows and rings. Their marriage was celebrated with a symbolic kiss, then it was time to switch gears.

Though lovey-dovey was in the air, our couple was ready to boogie! Scott and Kelly couldn’t wait to finish with traditional wedding portraits. Entering the reception banquet, everyone knew what time it was and everyone intended to dance until their hearts were content. Little Harper, Scott’s 5 year old daughter ran around, smiling, and dancing with Scott and Kelly all evening. With the reception ending at 11:00, I laughed as everyone piled in cars. They were heading down to Murrells Inlet to continue the festivities and good times.

There is a beauty in the surrender this couple gifts each other. I know Scott will always hold his wife by his heart, under his arm, and with gentle hands. Kelly will always do likewise.

Congrats guys, completely love your calm and crazy and all its charm!

 

Beautiful bride at Wachesaw Plantation in the Cypress tree knots Wedding band on a Mills thread spool Gorgeous bridal bouquet of orange roses and babies breath Bride holding hands with flower girl smiling at Wachesaw Plantation Bridal ceremony at Wachesaw Plantation under the live oaks and spanish moss       Groom hugging his daughter after wedding ceremony at Wachesaw Plantation Bridal party enjoying a glass of wine and some laughter Bride signing her marriage license under the live oaks at Wachesaw Plantation Bride and groom exchange a kiss with the Waccamaw river behind them Bride and groom pose beneath the live oaks at Wachesaw Plantation groom kisses laughing bride on the hand during best mans speach Wedding cake by Coccadots Wedding party and guests circle around the bride and groom during the reception

 

Vendors:

Location and Catering: Wachesaw Plantation and Kimbel Restaurant

Event Coordinator: Brayer Surratt

Hair:Maggie Williamson with Cheveux

Makeup:Kayla Mitchell with Madison Ave Salon & Ulta

Wedding Dress: Little White Dress

Cake: Cocodots Cake Shop

Florist: Nature’s Garden

Entertainment: Broadway Jake Productions

 

Southern Wedding Style: Bury the Bourbon

Driving over the border, it’s no wonder why brides love to have a southern wedding. In South Carolina, the license plate says it all,

“Smiling Faces, Beautiful Places.”

Paired with some of the most sentimental and superstitious traditions, it’s no wonder why southern wedding traditions are growing more popular across the nation. What better way to theme a wedding than to have it be about the closeness of friends and family, and just having a good ol’ time.

Originally being floated over the marsh to it’s current resting place, the boys got dressed and ready at Liberty Lodge under Gus’s supervision. Down the road our girls got ready near the “Tiki Hut,” laughing and giggling away. The icing on the cake was seeing the lovely bride don a beautiful flower crown, then bringing out two more to match her little flower girls.

One of my favorite wedding traditions is to bury a bottle of Bourbon. The bride and groom venture out to their wedding ceremony site and bury the bottle a month before they say, “I do.” Superstition has it that doing so will help ward off rain on the wedding day. And THAT, is just what Mel and Nat did.

The past year, we’ve experienced a few rainy weddings and even a hurricane during a wedding. I checked the weather constantly the entire week before, worried we’d get rained out of their outdoor ceremony site – a privately owned location nestled between Hwy 17 and the beach dunes of Litchfield Beach, SC. As fate would have it, the clouds cleared and we had blue skies for this happy couple!

The most popular southern wedding days are framed by a landscape backdrop full of history, bridal portraits, sweet treats, and soul food. We did sunset bridal portraits against the old motel and pine trees, there was a table full of sweet treats and Southern Way Catering definitely whipped up some good olde country cooking. I believe a little more soul was added to the mix as Tru Sol Band sang and gave everyone dancing fever for the couple’s wedding reception.

Now that’s what I call a true southern wedding, full of class and style. Mel and Nat, we are so happy for you and have you in our thoughts. We wish you enough of everything for the wonderful and loving future ahead of you!

 

southern wedding, south carolina, wedding, couple, wedding photography, couple kissing, under a tree, blue skies, marsh, beautiful landscape, flower crown

Hair and Makeup: Eli Raley

Officiant: Rev. Barry Stopfel

Cake: Pawley’s Island Bakery

Florist: Carolina Charm

Music: Tru Sol Band

Catering: Southern Way Catering

Coordinator: Events on the Half Shell