waterfront weddings Archives - Southern Tide Photography

Raven and Camlin | A Hometown Wedding | October 03, 2020

Vance, South Carolina

SOUTH CAROLINA and FLORIDA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER | SOUTHERN TIDE PHOTOGRAPHY

Raven and Camlin’s Wedding in Holly Hill, SC this weekend was one that had its early hiccups but turned out simply beautiful and perfect. Raven and Camlin originally had their wedding scheduled for last March, just as life as we knew it start shutting down because of Covid-19. They decided to reschedule for October, and I must admit, I was a little nervous about the date because for several years in a row that exact weekend had caused issues with some other weddings because of hurricanes! I’m a little superstitious and thought that weekend was just cursed, but Raven and Camlin’s wedding proved me wrong! Thank goodness! We had a beautiful fall day and we ALL were so happy about it.

Raven and Camlin met about 5 years ago at a party, when their best friends, who were also dating, introduced them to each other. Then June of last year they were on vacation at the beach with Raven’s family when Camlin decided to make his move. One night before dinner Camlin, Raven’s brother Davis, and his girlfriend Meghan suggested they go for a walk on the beach before dinner. Raven had NO idea what was coming! They decided to take some photos across the “swash” on the beach (where the water runs into the beach). Camlin thought is was shallow…. it was not haha! Raven was on his back and as the water started getting deeper, Camlin dropped Raven into the water in order to save the ring that was hidden in his pocket! They were completely soaked so Raven suggested that they needed to hurry up back to the beach house and change for dinner, but when she turned around Camlin was down on one knee with the ring. She was completely shocked and of course didn’t hesitate to say yes… and here we are!

I have gotten to know Raven and Camlin a bit over this past year, with doing their engagement session the summer of 2019 (I CANNOT believe it’s been that long!) and then Raven’s bridal portrait session this past winter. Both sessions were had at a family member’s farm, and also on a private road near Raven and Camlin’s house. Both sessions were some of my favorites, with all the interesting and beautiful backdrops I had to work with and a couple of models who are both so easy and photogenic. We are also shot the custom wedding video for Raven and Camlin and I have no doubt they will look just as perfect on film as they do in pictures. It is almost not fair! 😊

Raven and Camlin are such sweet, soft spoken, and easy-going individuals, and that is exactly how I would describe them as a couple. Raven said that what she loves most about Camlin is that he is so kind to everyone, always makes her feel so special and comfortable, and he is silly and always makes her laugh. And Camlin said he loves that Raven is so funny, kind, and is a very loyal person. All of that came out in abundance on their wedding day and it was really special to see. Raven is a graphic designer so she designed their wedding invitations herself! I loved taking detail shots of these, they were so interesting and fun. And nobody else will ever have ones just like it! We also got some special photos of Raven’s mon’s handkerchief tied around her wedding bouquet. We think it is so important to capture all of these little details because the day is so fast and in the whirlwind of the day, the bride and groom may not remember these things later. After hair and makeup, Raven got dressed and everyone just gasped when they saw the final look… she looked THAT good! She was jaw-dropping and her mom had tears in her eyes watching Raven get ready, it was so sweet. We took portraits of all the beautiful ladies around the property, and then Raven had her first look with her brother and dad. It was really cute and relaxed and funny…just perfect. Bryan our second photographer met the guys at the church to do their portraits. Everybody did great, the guys followed directions very well (you never know!) and we got a lot of great shots of the guys on the front steps of the church… mixed in with some “not for your momma’s ears” toasts and a lot of mosquito swatting. My goodness I have never seen mosquitos that big!

The ceremony was at their home church, Providence UMC, and following the ceremony we took family and wedding party photos and then it was time for the bride and groom portraits!! We did it all on the grounds of the church, which made it so seamless and easy. The reception was held at a relative’s estate overlooking a lake and rolling fields. Cocktail hour was around the pool, which was so fun for guests, and then the reception under a beautifully lit tent. It was all decorated with beautiful candles and greenery and some touches of light blue here and there. The party went on for hours and everyone seemed to be have such a good time. All in all, it was truly a perfect day and I know Raven and Camlin will remember it forever. Raven and Camlin are no doubt meant to be and I know they have a lifetime of adventures ahead. Raven and Camlin, I am so happy you finally had your perfect day, and that we got to be a part of it! I hope this new chapter together gets better each and every day. Cheers to many more decades of love and happiness!

Vendor Credits CEREMONY VENUE: Providence UMC

CATERING: Catering For All Occasions https://www.facebook.com/CateringForAllSC

VIDEOGRAPHER: Southern Tide Photography www.southerntidephoto.com

FLORIST: The Flower Gallery & Gifts https://www.facebook.com/Theflowergallerysc

CAKE ARTIST: Farm Sweets by Shelley https://www.facebook.com/farmsweetsbyshelley

DJ: DJ Freddie

MAKE-UP AND HAIR ARTIST: PaperDolls https://www.facebook.com/CharlestonWeddingHairandMakeup

TUXES: Generation Tux https://www.generationtux.com/ OFFICIANT: Reverand Justin Ritter

BRIDAL GOWN STORE: Verità. A Bridal Boutique http://www.veritabridal.com/

BRIDAL GOWN DESIGNER: Calla Blanche – Maura https://www.azazie.com/

RENTALS: Ruth’s House Event Rentals http://www.ruthshouseinc.com/

INVITATIONS: Raven!

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Nikki and Cody + Better Late Than Never | September 19, 2020

The Island House | Charleston, South Carolina

SOUTH CAROLINA and FLORIDA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY and BEYOND| SOUTHERN TIDE PHOTOGRAPHY

Nikki and Cody’s Wedding at The Island House in Charleston, SC this past weekend was one I won’t soon forget. Nikki and Cody are a part of the unlucky group of couples who were planning on having their wedding back in the spring when Covid-19 was shutting everything down and forcing all of us to adapt to the “new normal”. With the help of an amazing Wedding Planner, Sparkles, Events Décor & Design and delightfully laid back couple, the wedding was rescheduled from May to September…and here we are! The wedding was originally set to be a church ceremony with a reception to follow at a separate venue, but that all changed once the wedding was rescheduled for May. The Island House in Charleston, South Carolina was the new venue, and while we know the couple loved their original venue, we knew they would love The Island House just as much! We have photographed many weddings at this venue and just love the beauty and ease of it. The Island House sits on a private island on the banks of the Stono River. It has the most stunning sunsets, a perfect view of the river, and a delightful island breeze that just adds to the comfort and charm. It is also a venue that you never have to leave! It has a floor for the girls to get ready, a separate floor for the guys to get ready, several beautiful options for your outdoor ceremony, and then a huge white tent with fun lighting for the reception. LOVE LOVE LOVE!

The day started in the big white house on the property where hair and make-up was done, the guys hung out, and the girls had a blast just hanging out. Nikki was surrounded with so much love from her girls, her very sweet daughter, her mother, and mother in-law to be. I’m pretty sure her heart was exploding with anticipation and excitement at this point, because they waited so long to get married and they were SO close at this point! After hair and makeup was done, she got her dress and everyone stood in the doorway in awe of how beautiful Nikki looked. She was jaw-dropping and looked straight out of a magazine.

Then comes the groomsmen. Our second photographer, Ramsey, had such a blast with them as they took pictures overlooking the property. These guys were so much fun to be around and pretty much laughed through all their portraits. Then Nikki and Cody read the letters they wrote to each other and I swear there was not a dry eye among us.

We ended up with a really pleasant, overcast day, which as a photographer you just love. The weather was a perfect 76 degrees with little humidity which was such a treat compared to the 90+ degree weddings I’ve been shooting lately! The only hiccup was the wind…it was BLOWING! Betty Anne and her crew with Sparkles, Events Décor & Design worked so hard at controlling the mayhem from the wind and they did an amazing job. I don’t know how they did it! For all the future bride and grooms reading this right now, here’s a bit of a wedding planning tip… hire a Wedding Planner if you can (even if just for the day). They are worth their weight in gold.

The ceremony overlooked the river and their pink and white linens with gold touches, tons of beautiful greenery, and all the other personal touches were so lovely. It was so elegant, simple, and perfect for the location. After the ceremony we took family and wedding party photos in front of the vibrant wild flowers and then it was time for the bride and groom portraits!! We took some really fun portraits using Nikki’s veil, which ended up being my some of my favorite portraits from the day. We wrapped up with some portraits around the property and then went to the reception tent to get the party started!! The wedding party led the party and the dance floor was hopping all night.

Together, Nikki and Cody completely compliment one another. He is always smiling (as is Nikki) and you can easily tell he loves her deeply, and quietly. They are, indeed, a perfect match, and I just feel so lucky that we got to document their love.

Nikki and Cody, no one deserves this perfect day more than the two of you. I am so happy that we got to be there to witness the beginning of your next big adventure. Thank you a million times over for being so fun and easy to work with. I hope this new adventure together gets better each and every day. Your joy is contagious and I absolutely loved being surrounded by it on your wedding day. Cheers to many more decades of love and happiness!

Vendor Credits

WEDDING PLANNER: Sparkles, Events Décor & Design

RECEPTION/CEREMONY VENUE: The Island House

VIDEOGRAPHER: Southern Tide Photography FLORIST: Gladys Murray Flowers

CAKE ARTIST: The Baking Byrd

BAND: Mighty Kicks

HAIR AND MAKE-UP ARTIST: Lashes & Lace

PHOTOBOOTH: Wayne/Josh

CATERER: Fletchers Finest Deli & Catering

BAR SERVICE: Blue Flame Bartending

OFFICIANT: Bobbie Ethridge