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2012 Wedding Favorites | Best Charleston Wedding Photos

What a whirlwind of a year! It’s true – time flies when you’re having fun. Here are some of my fave photos and fun people I had the opportunity to work with throughout 2012. I usually stick close to home and family; thankfully, the South Carolina Lowcountry is an amazing place to live and work. Other than one North Carolina wedding and a late autumn jaunt to Pennsylvania horse country, I filled my days with happy couples soaking up splendors of historic Charleston and area plantations like Boone Hall and Magnolia Plantation. I also love the lush islands along our Atlantic coast and had the pleasure of documenting perfect seaside wedding days on Kiawah, Isle of Palms, Pawleys and Goat Island, plus a Georgia gem, Cumberland Island.

Huge thanks and hugs to everyone in these photos, as well as to the parents, planners, florists, designers, stylists, makeup artists, caterers, musicians and friends who made these days such a memorable way to start life together.
Newlyweds embrace on a pink plantation path. Vibrant outdoor wedding photography by Carolina Photosmith.Put a ring on it. Aubergine wedding sandals. Copyright Carolina Photosmith.Colorful, relaxed engagement photography of fun, stylish couples. Copyright Carolina Photosmith.Navy and lime, so sublime. Vibrant Charleston wedding photography by Carolina Photosmith.Bird's eye view during this Charleston garden engagement session. Copyright Carolina PhotosmithEngagement session paddling in the Cypress Gardens swamp. CarolinaPhotosmith.comHe totally digs her. Sweet moment during Charleston engagement session. CarolinaPhotosmith.comBird's eye view over the palms during this fun, colorful Charleston engagement session. Copyright Carolina Photosmith.Pawleys Island wedded bliss on a dock at high tide. Carolina Photosmith shoots island weddings.Happy Couple in a Wood. Cypress Gardens engagement photography by Carolina PhotosmithTimeless engagement portraits in Charleston secret garden by Carolina Photosmith
Bride boards Cumberland Princess to join her wedding guests and make the jaunt from St. Mary's, Georgia.Timeless bridal portraiture at Charleston's Lowndes Grove Plantation. Copyright Carolina Photosmith.Dad ponders giving daughter away as bride exchanges a sweet glance with her sister. Copyright Carolina Photosmith.Treehouse ceremony at the Pelican Inn, Pawleys Island, South Carolina. Copyright Carolina Photosmith.Elegant and timeless black and white wedding photography by Charleston's Carolina Photosmith.Couple kneels in prayer during their Catholic wedding ceremony in Charleston. CarolinaPhotosmith.comBeach wedding at The Tides Folly Beach. Copyright Carolina Photosmith.Charleston Duo plays processional on Folly Beach. Copyright Carolina Photosmith.
Like a nautilus. Bride and circular staircase at Charleston's Lowndes Grove Plantation. Copyright Carolina Photosmith.Elegant seaside wedding at The Sanctuary Hotel. Kiawah Island wedding photography by Carolina Photosmith.Sundrenched beach portrait of newlyweds on a South Carolina beach. Copyright Carolina Photosmith.Father-son laughs and bridesmaids with a fiery hot pink lantern. Charlotte wedding photography by Carolina PhotosmithToast the newlyweds! Creative Charleston wedding photography by Carolina Photosmith.Island bride emerges from cottage to tie the knot. CarolinaPhotosmith.comSealed with a kiss, riverside, as a summer shower starts. Copyright Carolina Photosmith.Newlyweds exit Catholic church in Charlotte, NC. Copyright Carolina Photosmith.Beautiful beach bride hugs her new hubby with her gorgeous purple bouquet.Twirly flower girl works overtime showering newlyweds with petals. Copyright Carolina Photosmith.Wedding ceremony on Cumberland Island at Dungeness ruins. Copyright Carolina Photosmith.Windswept marsh bride as Hurricane Sandy sweeps South Carolina coast. Island wedding photography by Carolina Photosmith.Beautiful bride, her handsome new hubby and her beautiful daughters.Mom and Dad. Bride and Groom. Making chitchat with their adorable baby boy. Copyright Carolina Photosmith.
Newlyweds on stone wall on chilly November wedding day at family's Pennsylvania farm. Copyright Carolina Photosmith.Cobblestone streets and riverside receptions. Quintessential Charleston wedding photography by Carolina Photosmith.Fox rain at riverside wedding ceremony beneath ancient mossy oak. Carolina Photosmith wedding photography.A dancer's first dance as a newlywed. Copyright Carolina Photosmith.Island wedding portraits from dark and stormy to a glorious purple sunset. CarolinaPhotosmith.comMoves like Stevie. CarolinaPhotosmith.comLittle rain, little sun at Old Wideawake Plantation wedding in Hollwood, SC. Copyright Carolina Photosmith.Dance like no one is watching. Plantation wedding photography by Carolina Photosmith.Dance floor fun at Citadel Beach House wedding. Copyright Carolina Photosmith.DJ keeps the wedding guests grooving at this Pennsylvania barn wedding. Copyright Carolina Photosmith.It's a wrap! Newlyweds depart reception to start married life! Copyright Carolina Photosmith.Stolen moment for newlyweds during their fun Kiawah Island reception. Copyright Carolina Photosmith.
A festive sparkler exit after a Kiawah Island wedding. Copyright Carolina Photosmith.

Thanks again to everyone who helped make these amazing days possible! I am excited about what 2013 holds, including wedding days for these couples and lots of others.
Vibrant, fun, colorful engagement photography in historic Charleston by Jen Smith of Carolina Photosmith

Charleston engagement photography by Carolina Photosmith.

I’d be grateful if you’d “like” this post and help me spread the word to find other fun couples who are planning vibrant, relaxed weddings in scenic places. I’m rather fond of lush green places and islands, so let’s see if I can find couples planning festivities on St. John, Block Island, Prince Edward Island, the San Juan islands, the Channel Islands, Capri, Majorca, Bora Bora, Islamorada, St. Helena… I’m not picky. Cheerio!