Jul 31, 2019

All You’ll Ever Need // Blake + Andrew

Blake and Andrew met during their first week at the Medical University of South Carolina when Blake happened to notice the Duke athletic shorts Andrew was wearing and asked him if he knew any of her friends who had attended. Andrew was caught a bit off guard but later, invited Blake to his birthday party that weekend. By Thanksgiving, the two were officially dating! Throughout the following two years, the couple supported each other through their demanding medical school curriculum and their relationship continued to blossom.

In January of 2018, Andrew decided this was the time to propose! He asked Blake’s girlfriends to make fake dinner plans to keep her completely in the dark about his plans. That afternoon, Blake returned home to a bouquet of flowers and a letter instructing her to get dressed and go outside in one hour. There, she found a white limo waiting for her! Blake was chauffeured to the same waterfront park where she and Andrew had shared a picnic date early in their relationship. Andrew was there waiting for her and as the sun began to set, he proposed… and she said ‘yes’! Afterwards, they celebrated at Blake’s favorite restaurant in Charleston and met friends later at a favorite bar to continue the festivities!

A year and a half later, we arrive at their beautiful wedding day! Blake and her mother, her maid of honor (Blake’s sister) and her bridesmaids got ready at her family’s beach house while Andrew and his best man (his brother) and groomsmen prepared in a separate residence just a few minutes away. Blake wore a pretty white robe that spelled out, ‘The Bride’ on the back and her bridesmaids wore lovely hydrangea print robes as Beauty on Location completed their hair and makeup. Then, they all posed for fun, creative photos on the dock before the girls put on their beautiful, matching white gowns. Meanwhile, Andrew got dressed into his smart, navy blue tux with black lapels and was ready to travel to see Blake for the first time on their wedding day!

With help from her mother and sister, Blake dressed into her gorgeous Viktor & Rolf wedding gown. Her strapless dress featured a sleek column silhouette and a dramatic, asymmetrical bow in back that cascaded into a wonderful train. Simply stunning!

Blake and Andrew met outside in the delightful garden at Blake’s family’s home while her bridal party watched their first look from the balcony. Andrew was definitely in awe as Blake gave him a little spin so he could see her in her gown from all angles! We always, always love to capture this sweet moment.

The incomparable Paul Francis Photography team was also there to take wonderful photos of the first look and the photos that followed at a family friend’s home nearby and on the beach! We always love working with Paul and his assistant and his photos are simply fantastic… we were lucky enough to work with him and his team just weeks earlier at the same venue!

It was time then to travel on by trolley to the couple’s venue for their ceremony. Their ceremony and reception were both held at Bay Head Yacht Club, with their ceremony in the Dale Building, a converted boathouse near the main clubhouse. Beautiful and massive white floral arrangements from Jardiniere Fine Flowers flanked both ends of the aisle as Reverend Robert Steenrod officiated their very cheerful ceremony and led them in reciting traditional vows to each other. At the conclusion of their ceremony, Andrew was instructed to kiss his bride! The couple was celebrated as guests tossed white flower petals when they walked back down the aisle together!

Blake and Andrew left their ceremony in style by boat and returned to Bay Head Yacht Club as cocktail hour was beginning. Once the couple had their sunset photos on the dock, they were introduced and danced their first dance together in the clubhouse ballroom!

Blake’s father gave a touching welcome speech, voicing his love and admiration for both Blake and Andrew and giving beautiful advice as well, to “always remember that if you have each other, you have all you’ll ever need.” Andrew’s brother and sister also gave wonderful toasts, welcoming Blake into their family and expressing their happiness for the couple and excitement for the years to come. And Blake’s sister and brother gave a cute, rhyming toast that had everyone laughing!

The couple cut their amazing wedding cake from Mad Batter Sweets that featured those beautiful cascading blue hydrangeas as The Maxx opened the dance floor to everyone. They were terrific and guests had so much fun dancing all evening long! Kudos to Peony Events for coordinating such a wonderful day for the couple. Blake and Andrew had such a perfect wedding event and we wish them continued happiness and love in their new life together. Congratulations to the newlyweds!