Fran & David
Brookgreen Gardens
Creating these wedding slideshows is a very special treat for us as photographers. It is a wonderful way for our clients to see the story of their wedding day and share it online with friends and family. And for guests who were not able to attend, seeing the images and hearing the audio recordings from the ceremony and reception toasts makes them feel as if they had been in attendance. I love to hear from our past brides who say they sit down every anniversary with their groom’s and watch the slideshow with tears in their eyes. Honestly, it is difficult for Craig and I to watch these testaments of our clients love without shedding a few tears ourselves.
<a href=”http://www.brookgreen.org”>Brookgreen gardens</a> is one of the most incredible wedding venues we have ever seen, and we are lucky to have photographed several weddings there over the years. The gardens are incredibly stunning, and the grounds with three hundred year old oak trees in the Live Oak Allee made a wonderful backdrop for Fran’s bridal portrait and wedding ceremony.
We traveled from Greenville to the Lowcountry for Fran and David’s nuptials. And a few days prior to the wedding we photographed her bridal portrait session in the Live Oak Allee, where she would later be married. Although the above slideshow includes images from wedding day, we also photographed their beachfront welcome picnic, bridal luncheon, and rehearsal dinner. It was an elaborate yet intimate affair with focus on the family, guests, and lots and lots of little ones.
Just outside of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, Brookgreen gardens is a sight to behold. Every inch of the 9100 acre property is impressive and even if you are not planning a wedding it is worth a visit. The staff are gracious and helpful..we were personally escorted on golf carts all around the property so that Fran didn’t have to do too much walking. However, the <a href=”https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g54358-d136419-i46234069-Brookgreen_Gardens-Murrells_Inlet_South_Carolina.html”>Live Oak Allee</a> was definitely our favorite spot.
Fran and David actually booked our photography services before they had a wedding venue. And I remember meeting with Fran when she told me she had finally chosen a location and that Brookgreen was it! She described walking through the gates of Live Oak Allee, walking down the long isle and getting goose bumps and tears in her eyes imagining her wedding there. Thinking of that special moment makes me smile every time.
On her wedding day, the bride got ready at her parent’s beach home nearby…and from start to finish these personal touches made the day even that much more special. One of my favorite details (which Craig and I also had on our wedding day) was the gospel choir that lead guests on a 5 minute walk through the gardens to the Arboretum for the tented reception. And during the cocktail hour the newlyweds had a private dinner with their parents…such a special touch! One of Fran’s favorite touches was the the kid’s tent. With so many nieces and nephews she wanted the kids to have as much fun as the adults. Each child had a personalized apron (which hung on a custom built wood wall), dinner in a personalized lunch pail, and tons of arts and crafts supplies. For the decor, the couple and their planners took inspiration from the alligator on the wrought iron gate entrance to the gardens and incorporated it into the napkins, program, custom built bar, etc.
Previous weddings we photographed at Brookgreen held their reception at the Pegasus sculpture garden and reflecting pond, however Fran and David’s reception required a larger area for the tents and so they selected the Arboretum as their reception site. For the reception, the couple wanted a casual setting with lots of food stations and open seating so guests could relax and enjoy the AWESOME band. And the reception tent was surrounded by sculptures, so they installed lighting to highlight the sculptures during the night.
A special thanks to all the wedding vendors who helped pull off this very special event!
Walton Event Design – http://waltonevents.com
Jeff Bradt Video – http://www.jeffbradtvideo.com
Brookgreen Gardens – http://www.brookgreen.org
Get Lit –http://www.getlitspecialeventlighting.com/Get_Lit_Special_Event_Lighting/Welcome_to_Get_Lit.html
Stox and Co. – http://www.stoxandco.com
I Love This Band – http://www.ilovethisband.net
Austin’s – http://www.austinsoceanone.com
Incredible Edibles Bakery – http://www.incredibleediblecakes.com
Blossoms Events – http://www.blossomsevents.com