A Traditional, Elegant Wedding at Pavilion at Patriot's Point in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina

Jessica Oakley (26 and a clinical dietitian) and Michael Chandler (27 and a marketing manager) met during college at the University of Tennessee. While good friends, a relationship never crossed their minds until Michael graduated and moved to Charleston, SC for work. It quickly became clear to both of them what they meant to one another and they decided to give a relationship a shot. For two years, while Jessica finished school, the couple did long distance. “Those two and half years were incredibly difficult and put our relationship through so many tests,” says Jessica. “All of the sacrifices we made and challenges we faced were completely worth it when I got a job as a dietitian and was finally able to move to Charleston and be with Michael.” On a trip home to Tennessee for a wedding, Michael surprised Jessica with a proposal on the front porch of her family home. “It was so special to get engaged at the house I'd grown up in and with my entire family waiting inside to celebrate with us,” says Jessica.Wanting to share their new home with their family and friends, the couple opted for a wedding in Mt. Pleasant. From the Pavilion at Patriot’s Point, where both the ceremony and reception took place, guests had views of the sparkling Charleston Harbor, the iconic Ravenel Bridge and the Charleston skyline. The venue also allowed the beach-loving couple to have a waterfront wedding without all the sand. “When planning our wedding, we knew we didn't want it to feel like a ‘theme wedding.’ Instead, we wanted it to feel simple and classic,” says Jessica. To bring their vision to life, Jessica and Michael chose a white, gold and black color palette for the day. Soft, full blooms in the bouquets and centerpieces, plus traditional, sophisticated attire felt romantic and timeless. For the ceremony, the couple kept the extras to a minimum to allow the focus to be on the both significance of the day and the setting, looking to hanging ivory rose pomanders to add a subtle whimsical note to the space. After exchanging vows, the newlyweds and their guests moved to an open-air tent for a night of dinner and dancing along the water. The tent was draped in airy white fabric and lit by elegant chandeliers and strands of delicate white lights. Ivory candles cast a warm glow over the reception tables to create an air of inviting ambiance, while fun touches like an out-of-this-world Jimmy Buffet-inspired groom’s cake and a fire pit for making S’mores added a personal touch to the day.