July 27, 2022

Summer Harborside East Charleston Wedding | Melanie & Joe

I recently shared Melanie’s gorgeous bridal session where we traveled all over iconic Charleston to get the most amazing portraits! Today, I have the honor of showing you my favorite images from their wedding day. Y’all, this one was such a treat to photograph!

Melanie and I have developed a sweet friendship since she booked me. We have sent messages back and forth the last year and they even stopped by our home for a visit on Christmas Day last year with a gift for us – a gorgeous hand painted Christmas ornament! They also invited me to their Rehearsal Dinner at Staybridge which was so sweet. When she sent me the invitation, she said, I want you to come and not photograph anything, just enjoy the day. We partied with the best Mexican food and a slideshow of the beautiful couple.  They also gave each one of us a thoughtful terra cotta dish with our name on it. 

When their amazing wedding day finally arrived, I was the most excited! Some of my favorite moments of the day included the “first touch” she shared with her (then future) husband, Joe and also her sweet first look with her dad. They were surrounded by so many close friends and family and their wedding was so intricately designed with gorgeous deep teal and maroon hues. I was in love!

They also shared a sweet moment of communion at the ceremony where her brother-n-law officiated. I appreciated all the personal touches throughout this amazing day, and I cannot wait to show you these images! I’m sprinkling some of the couple’s favorite memories in the post.

The Amazing Vendor Team!

Venue:  Harborside East

Photographer:  Tracy Waldrop Photography

Dress:  David’s Bridal

Groom’s Attire:  Men’s Wearhouse

Hair and Make-up:  Coastal Glam Charleston

Florist:  Ok Florist

Wedding Planner:  Pluff Mud Event Planning (Tina Downey)

DJ: David Fox

Videographer: Video Film Productions

Invitation: Minted

Cake: Jill Patrick

Catering: Just Eat This

Rentals: Snyder Events

Memories from the Couple

“We collected oyster shells since before we were engaged because it was one of the first ideas I had for the wedding. It became like a fun game for us. Our friends helped us paint them and personalize them.” 

“The picture charms on the bouquet were of both sets of my grandparents. Both of my grandmothers have passed. The ribbon wrapped around the bouquet has a floral applique from my mother’s wedding dress. My sister also had a piece of the dress around her bouquet (lace). Also, the ring bearer pills also had floral appliques from my mother’s wedding dress.” 

“The necklace I wore was very special. It was made from my grandmother’s ring (my father’s mother passed away when I was a child), my grandfather’s ring and an anniversary ring of my mother’s. Also, it contains diamonds from that anniversary ring.” 

Memories from the Couple

“The handkerchief that my mother had was made from my “going home” outfit that I wore when I went home from the hospital when I was born. She did the same thing for my sister and brother’s weddings.” 

“The decor was a family affair. The lantern centerpieces were made by my Dad, Uncle and Grandfather in my grandfather’s workshop. They had a great time doing them together and my nephew even would love to play in the workshop as well.” 

“Another Uncle created the table numbers. He also personalized the Unity Cross display. I made the chalkboard signs.”

“Joe and I made the “Grow Old with Me” sign at AR Workshop with our friends we met there the first time we went (Andy Doyne & Morgan Foote) who are also engaged and getting married in October.” 

Memories from the Couple

“The saying on the cufflinks box is something we say to each other. “LGOT” Let’s grow old together. Also, on the cufflinks I put “I love you Pew.” Pew is the pet name we have for each other. Our first date was at a College of Charleston basketball game. This is the reason we had the mascot, Clyde the Cougar.”

“The picture I gave my Dad was pretty special. He and my mom have always called me “Baby Girl” because I am the youngest girl on all sides of my family (our family, my mom’s side and my dad’s side). So I wanted to get a special picture made at my Bridals that said “Forever your Baby Girl.”

“The moment where my nephew, Mackson, came and got a piece of cake immediately after we cut it was one of my favorites. Mac absolutely loves cate and I thought it was adorable how he went after what he wanted! I’m so glad it was caught on camera.” 

Thank you Melanie & Joe for booking me for my first Charleston wedding!! I couldn’t have hand-picked a better couple to share my day with. I have loved getting to know you this past year and I’m so happy for you two!! Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness!!

XOXO,

Tracy

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 Asheville, North Carolina Wedding Photographer 

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