Megan and Joel's Wedding - Tara Lauren Real Love Tara Lauren

Purchasing her gown from Lovely Bride Charleston – Our beautiful bride Megan looked so dreamy!

‘My favorite thing of all! Yes, my dress! I really wanted two gowns and the Tara Lauren Easton skirt did just that for me. I altered it to button off my hips, which really gave a high-end fashion vibe with a dramatic train. I really wanted that for the ceremony and photos, but didn’t want to be hampered all night on the dance floor. I’m 4’11’ and being petite is hard. Especially, when you are a dancing queen. It was super fun unclipping it for a theatrical change up before getting down. The skirt was an incredible backdrop for detailed photos of my jewelry, rings, invitations, and shoes. I loved, loved, loved this special part of my dress! Now, to figure out where I can wear it next…’

Names: Megan and Joel

Wedding Date: March 14, 2020

Guest Numbers: 130

Wedding Location: Charleston, SC

Photographer: Haley Foster Photography

Tell Us Your Love Story

How did you meet?At my job! I’m in Property Management and Joel was a resident of mine whom I had never met as I had only been there for two months. We met for the first time during his renewal period at a Five o’clock Somewhere, margarita event. Long story short, I rented out an apartment he wanted to transfer into to someone else, he wasn’t very pleasant about it after working 24hr call at the hospital. Such a grump. This led to him renewing still though so win, win! A day later, he apologized and it went from never seeing him, to seeing him almost every single day as he started to purposely walk through to wave on the way to the gym. Clearly…a longer route, but I didn’t mind it. He finally asked me on a date after several Facebook banters and after that we were completely inseparable. The hilarious part, that exact apartment I didn’t give him actually ended up being our first home together!

How did he put a ring on it? He proposed at our favorite place in Charleston, The Pitt Street Bridge in Mt. Pleasant. Joel and I bike to this spot a lot so it was the perfect place as he proposed during sunset with our fur-baby, Stella.

Where did you draw inspiration from? Honestly, I’d say the building. We got married at The Historic Rice Mill. It’s perfect because it’s a raw space with such a feeling of old Charleston charm that is perfectly located off the harbor. The blank canvas really just gave you the opportunity to do what you wanted with the venue. I felt we needed to highlight the old brick and large windows by bringing in the water views. Emphasizing Spring colors in the windowsills and throughout while keeping that airy vibe made you feel at ease inside and really let loose.

What made the wedding personal to you? It was important to incorporate mine (well now our) fur-baby, Stella. Being the wild child that she is, she clearly wasn’t in attendance. I am still so in love with her sweet face on our beverage napkins. The guys even later turned them into pocket squares. Too hilarious! They will be a continual must in our home now. It was also vital to integrate the Pittsburgh Cookie Table. It was filled with so many cookies made by our family and friends. We offered cookie bags as a fun takeaway treat. The cookies were piled up everywhere! That was truly special to see all the love poured into it.

What were you most nervous or excited about? Photos and really just being the star of the show. I do not like attention and it can tend to show in photos, but my photographer, well, she made me feel like a million bucks in front of the lens. I too felt I had the best make-up and hair team all around!

Now, the most important part – the Dress!

Tell us about your dress? My favorite thing of all! Yes, my dress! I really wanted two gowns and the Tara Lauren Easton skirt did just that for me. I altered it to button off my hips, which really gave a high-end fashion vibe with a dramatic train. I really wanted that for the ceremony and photos, but didn’t want to be hampered all night on the dance floor. I’m 4’11’ and being petite is hard. Especially, when you are a dancing queen. It was super fun unclipping it for a theatrical change up before getting down. The skirt was an incredible backdrop for detailed photos of my jewelry, rings, invitations, and shoes. I loved, loved, loved this special part of my dress! Now, to figure out where I can wear it next…

What stockist did you get it from? Lovely Bride- Charleston

What was your most memorable moment from your day? Finishing the evening swaying to Country Roads with our arms wrapped around one another. It was remarkable soaking in all of our loved one’s faces in the same room. I also appreciated the moment Joel and I snuck away for an epic late-night photo on the dock. That will be a framer for life!