Sarah & Arthur | Charleston Garden Engagement

Posted on August 23, 2012

Sarah and Arthur have friends who generously offered up their lush private garden as the setting for their summer engagement session. Like many Charleston gardens, this haven has a little of everything: texture, color, sun, shade, water, stones and leafy goodness. Although I never tire of green, we ambled down the street to throw in a few more colorful backdrops. These two are so relaxed soaking up the summer splendor. I am really looking forward to their autumn wedding on Goat Island!

Relaxed Charleston engagement photography in a private garden

Stone arches in a romantic Charleston garden

Sarah and Arthur in a Charleston garden

Moss-draped oaks cloak Sarah and her fiance

Mossy goodness in the shadows of a Charleston garden

Her coral top was a great choice amid the lush greens in this Charleston garden
Romantic engagement portraits in a lush Charleston garden

Charleston portraits with a pink wall and a touch of foliage.

Charleston engagement photo against a pink wall

This portrait pairing reminds me of The Brady Bunch.

Engagement portraits with the colorful backdrop of historic Charleston by Carolina Photosmith

Lounging poolside during a Charleston engagement session

The kiss, the forest, the dimple. Charleston engagement portrait by Carolina Photosmith.

Blues and grees, leaves and water. Charleston garden bliss.

Charleston engagement portrait silhouette by a tranquil pool

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Paige & Chris | Baby’s Almost Here

Posted on August 13, 2012

After several rainouts, I finally had a perfect evening to take some shots of photographer friend Paige Winn, her handsome husband and little Hadley, enjoying the final weeks in her studio apartment. I usually steer clear of big belly photography, but I like the natural ease of this beach maternity session and hope Paige’s family will look back on this time of anticipation and feel all warm and fuzzy. I can’t wait to meet Hadley!

Baby's almost here!
Couple holds banner for baby's nursery during their beach maternity session

Just a few more weeks until baby makes three.

Seaside silhouette as the couple counts down to baby's arrival.
Tiny shoes and big bare feet in the sand

Wading in the Atlantic Ocean before baby's arrival.

So nice to have a South Carolina sunset that's not hidden by an August thunderstorm.

A colorful hat, a belly full of baby, and the tiniest pink mocs.

Pondering parenthood in the day's last light.
Beach maternity session. Relaxed and natural.
Couple lounges on beach debris soaking up some South Carolina sun.

Interested in booking a portrait session? Contact Jen to learn more, and follow me on Facebook to see beautiful Southern weddings and relaxed family portraiture.





Ashley & Greg | Kiawah Island Wedding

Posted on August 3, 2012

Time for a gracious dose of springtime wedded bliss! Ashley and Greg live in Charlotte, NC, but chose to have a destination wedding in the Lowcountry. There are several stunning venues for a Kiawah Island wedding, and they chose The Sanctuary Hotel. It was a perfect day for a wedding on the grand lawn, and the tented reception was dreamy. Ashley planned lots of charming details herself. One of my favorites is her custom monogram (A and G combined), which graced the invitations, menu, cake and more. She had Something Blue aplenty: bridesmaids gowns, guys’ ties, place card ribbons and her wedding date embroidered into her gown. So charming!

Vendors included: Martina Liana gown from J Majors Bridal in Charlotte, Jenny Yoo at Bella Bridesmaid Charlotte, Tiger Lily Florist, the Williams Duo, DJ Lee Edwards, Invitations Only in Winston-Salem, with groom’s attire from Joseph Bank.

The spring rains were nicely timed — one shower cleared out just before the ceremony, and the steady rain came during dinner but wrapped up before the smores, cornhole and sparklers. The couple honeymooned in Turks and Caicos. Ashley, thanks so much for choosing me to document your elegant day!

Bride and groom after their wedding at The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island

Wedding day at The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island

Finishing touches on wedding day hairstyle with brooch. © Carolina Photosmith

Billiards in the bridal suite on Kiawah Island © Carolina Photosmith

Greg and his groomsmen make a quick stop in the Sanctuary hotel bar
Handsome island wedding attire: Khaki suits and blue ties
Bride slips into her Martina Liana one-of-a-kind gown at The Sanctuary Hotel on Kiawah

If you like it then you better put a ring pop on it. Girly wedding day fun. © Carolina Photosmith

Diamond engagement ring on pool table with 2 ball © Carolina Photosmith

Bride with bridesmaids in blue and hydrangea bouquets on Kiawah Island

Something blue. Bridesmaids assist bride at The Sanctuary Hotel on Kiawah.

Love the bridesmaids' silver sandals with their blue dresses and hydrandgeas
Beautiful bride holds bouquet of pale roses by Tiger Lily at The Sanctuary Hotel
Bride's hands with engagement ring and her Martina Liana wedding gown.
Bridesmaids begin processional at Kiawah Island wedding on the Sanctuary's Grand Lawn

Rose petals on the lawn line the bride's path to her future husband
Wedding on the Grand Lawn of The Sanctuary Hotel, Kiawah Island, SC © Carolina Photosmith

Love the exuberance here as the bride waits for the kiss! © Carolina Photosmith

Newlyweds kiss by the Atlantic on the Grand Lawn of the Sanctuary Hotel on Kiawah Island

Khaki and blue seaside wedding party at the Sanctuary Hotel on Kiawah Island

Khaki and blue wedding party with hydrangeas, mason jars on the arbor and the Atlantic Ocean for a backdrop. Kiawah Island wedding by © Carolina Photosmith

Newlyweds sneak to beach for portraits. Love the detail of their wedding date embroidered into her gown!
Newlyweds pose with charming Just Married sign after their Kiawah Island outdoor ceremony.

Happy couple at The Sanctuary Hotel on Kiawah Island. Bustling: It Takes a Village!

Clear reception tent draped with silk is nestled among lush palms at The Sanctuary Hotel on Kiawah

Rivals came together to celebrate Ashley and Greg's wedding on Kiawah Island. College cornhole game boards © Carolina Photosmith

First dance for the newlyweds beneath a clear tent on the lush lawn of The Sanctuary Hotel, Kiawah Island
bride planned so many sweet details including this table at the reception tent.
Dad and the maid of honor toast the couple at this Kiawah Island wedding

Menu features couple's custom monogram in their signature color

Wedding details. Custom monogram on striped straws. Even the sky color goes with the theme!

Aqua wedding details include custom monogram, signage, ribbons and dancing shoes!

The clear reception tent weathered the rain and provided views of the Kiawah Island showers.

Ashley and her mom enjoy the reception at her Kiawah Island wedding

She didn't catch the bouquet, but she's next in line for wedded bliss!

Girls take to the dance floor at this Kiawah Island wedding reception

Happy guest scores wedding bouquet and gives bride high five
Groom retrieves his bride's garter for the toss.
Lots of great dance moves at this Kiawah Island reception
The rain stopped just in time for cornhole and smores by the fire pit.
Late night Cornhole and smores by the fire pit at The Sanctuary Hotel
And with a sparkly departure, the newlyweds headed to Turks & Caicos for their honeymoon.
Sparkler exit at The Sanctuary Hotel. Off to Turks and Caicos!

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All Content and Images © Carolina Photosmith 2010 - 2012