Ali married Drew and his beautiful son Jack in an intimate ceremony at a vintage South Carolina inn, along the ocean. According to 3E8 Photography there wasn’t a dry eye at Pawleys Pelican Inn when the couple professed their vows. Ali, a design graduate, had a specific vision for the couple’s day and enlisted the help of planner Smells Like Peonies Events to execute her vision. The details include dusty-hued florals by Willow Event Designs that are a total embodiment of the wedding aesthetic—relaxed romance with subtle vintage boho vibes. Illustration and stationery design were by the bride and a show-piece cake was by Incredible Edible Cakes. The rainy day was punctuated by a break in the clouds for a spectacular sunset and 3E8 Photography captured it along with all the moments of the day in these images.
What made the wedding special and unique?
From the photographer- All of the details were designed and styled by Ali, executed by a WONDERFUL wedding coordinator, and came together like a fine art masterpiece. She married Drew and his beautiful son Jack in an intimate ceremony at a vintage South Carolina Inn, along the ocean. They wrote their own vows and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. It rained for most of the day, but the sun broke in the evening to reveal one of the most intense sunsets I have ever seen! The venue was a personal favorite of mine. It was a vintage inn on Pawley’s Island South Carolina. The venue featured original, beautifully worn-in wooden floors and a wrap around porch that was so quintessentially southern. Everything about the wedding exuded charm and intimacy, providing the perfect platform for the showcasing of love and celebrating with the closest of friends and family.
Tell us about the gown and where/how you found it!
From the bride- The dress I got from Tie The Knot Bridal Couture Collections in Naples, FL. As a designer I was very hesitant to go into a bridal store and have to work with someone who pulls gowns for you. However, I was also nervous to purchase anything online for fear of return policies, etc. Time was ticking and I made an appointment last minute when visiting my mom in Naples. She wasn’t able to be with my sister when she picked her wedding dress so I knew it would make her happy to have an appointment she could be at. The girl that ran the shop understood my style from the few pictures I showed her and I ended up falling in love with the 3rd dress I tried on. I actually picked it more for my fiance than I did for me. It showed more curves than I am used to showing but I knew it was flattering and he would like it on me. I loved the back of the dress and felt very romantic in it. My mom loved it as well which sealed the deal.
What were some touches added to make the wedding personal?
From the bride – Every detail was crucial in helping us achieve the aesthetic and vibe that we were striving for. Brian was on board from the start and super supportive of our vision. He understood that we not only wanted him to come and take photos of us and our family, we wanted him to capture the entire feeling of ‘our day’. Brian not only delivered what we had wanted, he went above and beyond my highest expectations. I was up the night before the wedding working on the set-up details, things that I thought of last minute that I didn’t get a chance to tell Brian about beforehand. However, when we received our pictures after the wedding I saw that Brian could see it all without me having to point anything out. His eye for detail is excellent. Brian captured the mood, the details, the emotion, our friends, and our family perfectly.
What was the most memorable part of the day?
From the photographer – The most memorable parts of the day, for me, occurred at the very beginning and very end of the wedding. I walked into a venue that I had never before photographed, with a bride that I had only had the chance to speak to on the phone. What I was greeted with was something so beautiful, so quaint, and so vintage charming that I can only hope to return to that venue again and work with more brides whose lives are entrenched in the arts. Being trusted to capture something that was so personal to someone was a wonderful privilege for me. Well, I lied. I have another favorite part of the day – the vows. The vows were handwritten and just beautiful to witness. I teared up behind camera and was overcome with the emotion, practically spilling from the tiny room in which the ceremony took place. It was beautiful. Lastly, the sunset. It was cloudy and rainy all day, but the sun peaked through the clouds right toward the end of toasts, basking the venue in this intense, golden glow. I quickly stole the couple out for some sunset portraits and they became my favorite shots of the day.
Tell us how you met and became engaged.
From the Bride – I met Drew when my sister, Katie, began dating his brother, Anthony (they are now married). Katie and I lived together in NYC and Anthony was living abroad in London at the time. Whenever Anthony made it to NYC, Drew would take the opportunity to see his brother and visit as well. We got to spend some time together and quickly our relationship turned romantic. After two years of long distance, I moved to Pittsburgh to be with Drew and his son Jack. Drew proposed a little less than a year later. He got down on one knee at the same time as The Bachelor in the final episode. I thought he was mocking the show, as he often does, and didn’t take him seriously until I saw the ring!
Photography: 3E8 Photography // Event Planning: Smells Like Peonies Events // Florals: Willow Event Designs // Invitations: Bride // Venue: Pawleys Pelican Inn // Dress Boutique: Tie the Knot Bridal // Dress: Willowby by Watters // Cake: Incredible Edible Cakes // DJ: Bunn DJ Company // Catering: Care Free Catering // Rentals: Event Haus Rentals
