1. Real Weddings

Lisa & Mike: A Garden Wedding in Charleston, SC

Lisa and Mike met through a mutual friend one summer at The Terrace, a rooftop bar in Charleston. They got along well, but only bumped into one anothe

Lisa and Mike met through a mutual friend one summer at The Terrace, a rooftop bar in Charleston. They got along well, but only bumped into one another in casual settings until the following year when Lisa attended a birthday party for Mike. After the party ended, the two spent the evening getting to know one another over a piece of molten chocolate lava cake. That night sparked their relationship and they’ve been together ever since. The Bride Alisa (Lisa) Kayurapun, 32, pharmacist The Groom Michael (Mike) Escano, 35, physician The Date May 5 Several years into their relationship, Mike moved to Washington, DC, to start his cardiology practice. The weekend after Lisa moved to DC, Mike proposed to her at the Jefferson Memorial and gave her an antique ring. The couple planned a spring wedding in Charleston for the following year, and used a cherry blossom motif on many of their wedding day details.

Mike wore red orchids with bear grass on his lapel, while the groomsmen sported red freesia.
Bright red sashes added a touch of color to the chairs lining the aisle.
In honor of life in DC, the couple chose a three-tiered, white, buttercream-frosted cake decorated with light pink and red cherry blossoms on dark chocolate branches that climbed up the layers.
Cylinder vases held sprays of fresh orchids, and white candles lit each centerpiece from below.
Bags of cinnamon sugar-spiced pecans were packaged in Chinese take-out boxes, wrapped with cherry-red or aqua-blue ribbon, and sealed with labels reading Khorb Khun or Salamat, which mean “thank you” in Thai or Filipino, respectively.
Lisa’s two bridesmaids carried vibrant, hand-tied bouquets of dark red and pink peonies.
Lisa and Mike shared their first dance to “I Could Write a Book” by Harry Connick Jr. Mike always dreamed of doing a live performance of a classic standard, so he surprised his bride with his rendition of “It Had to Be You.”
Red leather ottomans and tables draped in aqua linens surrounded a glowing black fountain. Handmade Japanese chandeliers brightened the white tent and added a burst of color.
Guests enjoyed an open bar, passed hors d'oeuvres, and a band that played standards made famous by greats such as Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, and Harry Connick Jr.