Angel & Carlin

A Surprise Wedding at Dewees Island, Charleston

Angel and Carlin had their wedding on a dock facing out over the beautiful Charleston marsh on Dewees Island. It was a ceremony with only their family members. That’s special enough as it is. But what made it even more special was the story behind it.

Angel and Carlin had only been dating for a little while, but they knew that they were meant to spend the rest of their lives together. They have already traveled all around the world together…in my emails with them before the wedding, they mentioned Connecticut, Texas, Paris, Vietnam, and Charleston, all being places they were going within the next few months. They were also planning an international move, and wanted to be married before they went.

So. They had a big family vacation planned down to Charleston, SC, and obviously what better time for a family photo? They told their families that before they moved, they wanted to have a picture of everyone together, so wear something nice and meet at the dock! While their families were getting ready, Angel and Carlin drove their golf cart down to the dock to meet me. We took some “engagement” photos (oh, did I mention their parents didn’t even know they were engaged?! More than one surprise for the day!) before the ceremony, and then walked to the next dock to meet their families. The moments before their family met them were one of my favorite parts of the day. You can see the excitement and nervous energy. Neither of them could stop smiling or pacing back and forth. It was adorable :) And then to see the look on their families faces as they walked down the dock, seeing Angel and Carlin standing there with the officiant…you could see their faces change from shock to wide smiles and laughter as they got closer.

All I can say is wow. That was a special day.