Our BRIDES Live Wedding

We’re married!

On August 4th in Palmetto Bluff, South Carolina, Shola and I tied the knot and teamed up with BRIDES to do it! You may have been following along when I announced that we would be this years couple for BRIDES Live Wedding and when I updated you on how planning was going. I’d like to extend a sincere thank you to all who voted for our wedding day details, from my dress to the decor to what we would do on our honeymoon—more on that coming soon. Now I’m sharing our big day and how everything turned out! Keep reading to see how our wedding came to life!

The winning dress was a romantic ballgown. The gown felt glamorous and very bridal, but was also quite clean and simple with a cascading ruffle detail.

Dress // Bianca Marie by Maggie Sottero

You know I had to have a second dress! I went for a more form fitting, strapless gown with a modern take on lace.

Dress // Ellington by Maggie Sottero

I had a very small wedding party, just my sister as my maid of honor. She and my mom helped me get dressed in the cute bridal cottage.

We chose to have a first look so there would be plenty of time for photos! We met in a secluded path framed with rows of Spanish moss-filled trees. The oh-so-romantic Spanish moss was what made me fall in love with this venue.

After our first look, we explored the resort’s 20,000 acres with the BRIDES team and took portraits all over the grounds. The BRIDES team asked me if I was comfortable hopping on this swing in heels. Umm, yeah I was!

And of course we had to have a little bohemian bridal moment. Enter area rugs and pillow a plenty!

Just out here being a blushing bride.

Our wedding venue was the stunning Montage Palmetto Bluff resort. The ceremony took place in the most intimate chapel where the benches were made from reclaimed wood from 9/11.  We were honored to have this piece of New York City play a part in our wedding day.

“Greenery” was our winning BRIDES Live Wedding decor concept. The BRIDES team was inspired by the southern tropical vibes of  South Carolina and brought that inspiration into all of the florals with an eclectic mix of crawling palms and white blooms. I walked down the aisle to “At Last” by Etta James and our family members read an excerpt from The Alchemist (one of Shola’s favorite books) and the wedding poem that Carrie Bradshaw wrote in Sex & the City—something I’d planned to include in my wedding since I saw the episode!

Shola got just a little choked up, but kept it together.

I did not.

After the ceremony we took a short boat ride to our cocktail hour.

And then it was time to celebrate!

Even though I didn’t have bridesmaids, I had to have a photo op with the girls.

Our cocktail hour was planned for outside, but due to a shower earlier that afternoon that soaked the lawn, it was moved to a nearby screened in porch that had a nice indoor/outdoor feel. Guests were greeted with our His & Hers cocktails. I choose a Rose Paloma (mezcal & tequila based, my favorite!) and Shola opted for Peaches & Bourbon for a nod to our southern setting.

We settled on a coffee table book for our guest book with gorgeous images of New York City inside. The sign next to it read “Taking your well wishes back to NYC.”

I’m always going to influencer events where fashion illustrators create amazing sketches of my look. I thought it would make for a unique experience and lovely favor for our wedding guests and so searched high and low for a fashion illustrator based in SC.

In keeping with the “Greenery” theme that won the most votes, BRIDES filled the reception space with palm leaves, cascading white floral & greenery arrangements of all sizes, and romantic candlelight.

Our first dance was to “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers. We wanted something classic and a bit upbeat. It’s one of Shola’s favorite oldies.

S’mores are a favorite dessert of mine! The S’mores cart is famous at the Montage Palmetto Bluff and was parked just outside our reception venue.

Shola comes from a Nigerian background, so after the cake cutting we slipped into Nigerian wedding attire for a Nigerian Money Dance. While we danced guests tossed bills on us to represent hopes for good fortune. It was a highlight of the night!

Planner: Brooke Keegan | Venue: Montage Palmetto Bluff | Wedding Gowns: Maggie Sottero | Groom’s Suit: Kenneth Cole c/o Men’s Wearhouse | Hair: Sexy Hair | Maid of Honor Dress: Plum Pretty Sugar

And thank you to: Kendra Scott, Rosa Regale, Crate & Barrel, and Cayman Islands

Next stop, honeymoon in Grand Cayman! xx