Archive for Wedding

In my younger days, I was quite the nomad traveling twice a year up and down the East Coast training racehorses.  While Malaika’s may have not lived out of a suitcase, her travel history had a similar theme as she hit all the major cities along the way pursuing her dream of a law degree.  Her journey began in Minnesota and along the way landed her in Dallas, Philly for undergrad, followed by 7 years in The Big Apple where she graduated and began her life as an overachieving successful attorney.   Restless for another adventure and after hearing good things about Charlotte, she had a “gut feeling” that something or someone was pulling her South to The Queen City.

Mark, on the other hand was basically a native as his family moved to the Charlotte when he was six years old.  It is so cool to see those who grow up in one place with friends who have been through little league, prom’s, the bar exam and through the excitement when you first meet “the one”.  It didn’t take Mark’s friends long to learn that he experienced “love at first sight” at a backyard barbecue “set-up” date with Malaika.  Mark boldly told her he was going to marry her on their second date to a Mary J. Blige concert: “Chemistry was crazy from the get-go, Neither one of us knew why…people swore it off as a phase, said we couldn’t see that, Now from top to bottom, they see that we did that (yes).

Mark made good on his promise and they exchanged vows June 23rd on the Grand Lawn of The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island.   Both Mark and Malaika wanted “non-traditional” documentary style wedding photographs that they could feel they’re wedding day when looking back at the photos.  After 20 years as a photographer, I am always still amazed how a 1/1000th of a second slice of time can show moments of pure happiness, emotion and love.   We had an amazing time getting to know everyone throughout the three days of festivities and wanted to say Thank You for making us feel like one of the family!

 

Malaika and Mark's Kiawah Island wedding at The Sanctuary

Kiawah Island wedding of Malaika and Mark at The Sanctuary on the Grand Lawn, fine-art bridal and family portraits by Reese Allen.

 

 

LOCATION |  The Sanctuary Kiawah Island

WEDDING COORDINATOR  |  Engaging Events- Cindy

BRIDES GOWN  |  Sabrina Dahan

GROOM’S TUXEDO  |  Rocky Chugani and Sapna Jiandani-Rocky’s Custom, Sherman Oaks, CA.

BRIDE’S BOUQUET  |

OFFICIANT  |  Pastor Terrence Autry

CEREMONY MUSIC  |  Christopher Teves Trio

STATIONERY  |  Studio R

CAKE  |  Jim Smeal

HARPIST  |  Kathleen Wilson

MUSIC  |  Natty Heavy-Nate Lopez

VIDEOGRAPHY  |  Paragon Filmworks-Matt Suchodolski

HAIR STYLIST  |  Curtis Strother

TRANSPORTATION  |  Charleston Style Limo

 

 

 

Boone Hall Cotton Dock wedding photography by Reese Allen

 

 

 

We had the pleasure of meeting Cristen and Richard, who live in New Zealand, and spending the day with them and their beautiful family and friends.  We started our day out excited to be doing pictures in charming downtown Charleston in some of our favorite spots and then traveling to Boone Hall Plantation for a Cotton Dock wedding ceremony and reception.  We could’ve used a boat to get downtown as there was a downpour that appeared to have no end in sight.   Soon after we arrived and started shooting the skies cleared and it was a perfect day for a southern wedding. All the family members pitched in and helped make the day a special one!

Thank you again Cristen and Rich for allowing us the honor of spending the day with you documenting your wedding day…we are always available to head South of the Equator for an anniversary shoot in Auckland or for a newborn shoot.  Just saying.

It was also a pleasure working with Natalie and her team at Boone Hall- thank you for making our day go smoothly.”

 

 

We had the pleasure of being a part of one of the most stylish, fun and emotional weddings we have experienced in some time.  John is a Miami restauranteur and Bea owns a vintage clothing boutique; so we were excited to see how they would combine the Miami style with the typical Southern wedding elements and the Lake House at Bulow-they did not disappoint.  When we arrived John was busy coordinating the finishing touches and Bea was similarly taking care of others before they began getting ready for the pre-wedding welcome reception in the main house.  From the beginning you could feel the joy as it was everywhere in the room.  After the first of the days events ended, the guests moved across the bridge to the island for the wedding.  From the expression on Johns face seeing Bea for the first time in her wedding dress to her emotional and tear filled vows, we felt honored to be a part of this beautiful experience.  I was initially impressed with how cool everyone looked including: Bea’s three outfit changes and those awesome salmon pink shoes, to John’s feather bow-tie from local Brackish Bowties, to every guests unique style.  However, what was most profound were the many unsolicited stories about how important, respected and meaningful both had been in each of lives of their family and friends.  We felt truly honored to be a part of documenting this beautiful wedding.

 

A special shout-out to The Men of Distinction for keeping the dance floor rocking and Jessie from Willow Event Designs for making our day go flawlessly and creating the beautiful decor.

 

 

 

It is always exciting to be a part of a unique wedding celebration with awesome people.  We spent our Halloween with Caroline and Kevin at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens photographing a FUN and beautiful wedding celebration.

We would like to thank Blythe and her team from YOJ Events for creating the beautiful decor and being a part of making the day perfect.  The beautiful flowers fit beautifully within the Conservatory reception thanks to Eliza at BranchDesignStudio.  Also, a shout out to DJ James Lee from Other Brother Entertainment for keeping the dancefloor rocking until last call.

Thanks to all the great vendors:

Catering: Cru Catering.

Transportation: LowCountryValet.  (Home of the big Green vintage bus).

Rentals: EventHausRentals.

Wildfower Pastries: Lauren Mitterer

Kevin and Caroline’s Magnolia Plantation Highlights.

Charleston Best of wedding photography member Folly Beach nautical wedding of Amanda and Jeremy

Charleston Best of wedding photography member Folly Beach nautical wedding of Amanda and Jeremy

 

It was a fun day capturing the wedding of Amanda and Jeremy and enjoying a beautiful sunset cruise aboard the paddlewheel Carolina Queen.

We met them last year and had a great time taking them through Charleston for their engagement session.  They have both settled in Charleston for work with Boeing, but wanted to have a beach wedding.  We started the day at The Tides Hotel and after a ride downtown in a vintage Bentley, it was time to set sail for the party.  It is always interesting to see who in the group is going to get the party started.  We had so much fun watching Jeremy’s brother and Amanda’s Mom “go off” and cut the rug until last song.

We also love seeing the full spectrum of emotions throughout the day.  Amanda tried to fight back the tears, unsuccessfully during the ceremony, but as you can see in the photos, couldn’t stop smiling from that point forward.

Boone Hall wedding photography and rustic vintage photos by Top Charleston photographer Reese Allen, movie poster of Zabrina and Derek

Boone Hall wedding photography and rustic vintage photos by Top Charleston photographer Reese Allen, movie poster of Zabrina and Derek

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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We had a great time getting to meet the family and friends of Stormy & Joe while photographing their I’On Creek Club wedding.  We started the day off with Joe and his friends and as always, we start to get a picture of how the day was to unfold.  Joe and his groomsmen grew up together and continue to remain close.  It was a blast as these guys knew just the right buttons to push and the jokes and banter was first rate and relentless!

Normally, I will go through and take care of some light cleaning to keep the photograph of the brother helping the groom with his tie, or the bride stepping into her gown is free of  pizza boxes and piles of dirty laundry.  This was officially the most cluttered groomsmen room I have ever seen-2nd place was not even close!  I often wrestle with the documentary nature of wedding storytelling and but I wasn’t touching this one as it was a work of art in itself.  Congratulations guys-must have some stories to tell from the days leading up to the wedding.

The joy seen in her grandmothers face throughout the day was beautiful to witness.  Stormy was also not to be outshined-as they say its all about the bride.  She caught a fish!  Thats a South Carolina wedding for you.

It was a pleasure teaming up with Winship Productions again.  Of course it went off without a hitch despite our best efforts for “just one more portrait”.  As you can see from the decor images, the Creek Club was transformed by Mike and his staff.   The Creek Club was one of the first wedding venues I photographed after moving to Chucktown ten years ago; looked better than I have ever seen it.   We can’t wait to work with you again soon!

 

 

 

 

We had such a beautiful day with Shannon and Sam celebrating their marriage in downtown Charleston.  This wedding was perfect and they tied the knot in one of the cities oldest and spectacular churches: The French Huguenot.  I have added some historical details at the end of the post regarding the wooden organ and history which is definitely found only in Charleston.  After the ceremony the whole group was escorted through downtown by a bagpiper to The Mills House and the party continued!

We want to thank Shannon, Sam and both families for the hospitality and taking care of our crew like one of the family.  In addition, it was a pleasure working with planner extraordinaire Erin and Casey Walters from The Mills House for our second time in a month-great job Casey.

We hope you love the photos as much as we did creating and capturing them.

 

Charleston wedding at The Mills House and French Huguenot Church Charleston SC

Charleston wedding at The Mills House and French Huguenot Church Charleston SC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wedding Coordinator: Erin Dudley at Erin.Dudley@danielislandclub.com

Catering: Casey Walters at Cwalters@wyndham.com

 

 

More about the French Huguenot: The replacement for the original building was completed in 1800 and dismantled in 1844 to make way for the present Gothic Revival edifice, designed by Edward Brickell White and dedicated in 1845. The church was damaged by shellfire during the long bombardment of downtown in the War Between the States and was nearly demolished in the severe earthquake of 1886.

When the building was completed in 1845, the church also purchased and installed a tracker organ carved in the style and shape of a Gothic chapel. Its keys are connected with the pipe valves by a wooden “tracker’ or mechanical linkage which responds to the organists touch faster than any modern mechanism allows. Its tone is similar to the Baroque organs for which Bach and Handel composed. It was built by the leading American organ builder of the first half of the nineteenth century, Henry Erben. After the fall of Charleston in 1865, federal soldiers dismantled the organ and were loading it on a New York bound ship when the pleas of the organist, Mr. T.P. O’Neale, and some influential friends saved it.

 

I love hearing the stories of how amidst the thousands of people we all meet, there will be that moment when everything changes.  For Brett, that moment occurred on her birthday with a craving for pizza.  She found herself in Anthony’s Italian restaurant and now years later, following a helicopter proposal in downtown Charleston at Battery Park, they gathered with their family and friends for a beautiful wedding at The Cottages in Mount Pleasant, followed by an amazing reception at No. 5 Faber St.  We feel honored to have been able to share the day with their beautiful family and friends.  We have a special Thank You to Lisa for being there with us through the day; we couldn’t have done it without you.  Here are some of our favorites from the day…

Charleston downtown weddings

Charleston downtown weddings

 

 

 

WOW…What a beautiful wedding and the reception was “off the chain”!

 

We had a great time being a part of Summer and Chris’ downtown Charleston wedding at First Baptist Church.  The reception followed at The Mills House and was so much fun to photograph from the minute the party started.  This was a hard one to edit down to a slideshow that wasn’t an hour long.  Rather than go on about the awesome day, we’ll just show you the pictures.

Charleston fine-art documentary wedding photographers

Charleston SC wedding photography.