Nashville couple, Johnnie and Chris, chose The Gadsden House here in Charleston, SC, as their backdrop for their celebration! From the moment we first spoke, planning with these two just came easy. So often I would hop off the phone feeling like I had just spoken with two good friends. Their wedding day was absolutely perfect … from the perfect Charleston weather to the classic, timeless event design. But the true centerpiece of the day was their absolute love for one another … that soul mate kind of love!

There’s nothing like a Charleston sunset over The Gadsden House during cocktail hour.

As for September weddings in Charleston, wedding creatives like myself never truly let on how stressful this time of year is when it comes to one thing: WEATHER. Anxiously watching the weather forecast as little storms pop up and honestly, just praying they fizzle out! Johnnie and Chris were SO lucky with their not only perfect skies … but it was the first cool weekend we’ve had here! (I 100% believe the Bourbon that Chris buried is also to thank!) It was perfect. Not hot, not cold! Their wedding day timeline was perfectly timed for the golden hour sunset during cocktail hour.

There’s nothing like an alfresco dinner at The Gadsden House

And as a Charleston Wedding photographer that’s always considering the light, we were so lucky with slight overcast to blue skies all day!! The light was truly magic … especially during their first dance together!

It’s hard to explain just how magical a Charleston wedding is … surrounded by your closest friends and family, dining alfresco under the twinkle lights and palm trees. The Gadsden House is one of my favorite Charleston wedding venues for this moment alone! Johnnie went with a classic all-white pallet for her tables with lovely white flowers styled along their long tables designed by Tiger Lily Weddings.

Having previously worked for a bridal designer, let’s have a moment for THE bow!

Hands down, my favorite detail from the day: THE BOW! Johnnie’s gown was a dream Satin strapless, fit to flare … with the most perfect southern bow back that was beaded with tiny pearls all the way down the train!! I am all about a good bow, and this was everything! A bow like this is just iconic! And sooo much fun to photograph and I fully support a big bow boom in the bridal design world!

From Coco Mademoiselle to Espresso Martinis

For me, having just celebrated TEN years of marriage to the love of my life … it’s those little details that I look back on our own wedding day with such fond memories. And those are the details that mean so much to couples to have photographed, too. From Johnnie gifting Coco Mademoiselle to all of her bridesmaids (YES! the bridal suite smelled heavenly!) to choosing their favorite desert espresso martini to end the night … it’s these personal details that layered their day with meaning. I love that every time they sip an espresso martini or spirtz Coco Mademoiselle years from now, they will immediately go back to their memories of their wedding day!

And oh my heavens, Erica from Peper Events created such a dream experience and is so amazing to work with! I can’t say enough about how easy she is to work with … and made my job an absolute breeze!

I had so much fun photographing each and every moment of Johnnie and Chris’ Charleston wedding day at The Gadsden House. And by the end of it … I just adore them.

Cheers to this incredible couple and this first chapter as husband and wife!

xoxo,

Jen

Creative Team:

Ceremony & Reception Location: The Gadsden House, Charleston, SC • Planner: Erica, Peper Events • Florals: Tiger Lily Weddings • Photographer: Jen Keys Photography • Videographer: Greg Perrow, Everlens Weddings • Music: DJ Bunn • Lighting: DJ Bunn • Cake: The Gadsden House • Caterer: The Gadsden House