Elle + Elijah's Wedding - Tara Lauren Real Love Tara Lauren

Elle + Elijah’s wedding was a romantic, timeless and elegant vision of white florals and greenery with gold and black accents.

Of her VALERIA gown, Elle said: “I will forever be looking for an excuse to wear my beautiful wedding dress again! It was the perfect combination of comfortable and elegant. I could go on and on about my love for that dress!”

Names: Elle + Elijah

Wedding Date: 02.12.2022

Guest Numbers: 125

Wedding Location: The Cedar Room – Charlestown, South Carolina

Photographer: Natasha Coyle Photography

Tell Us Your Love Story

How did you meet?

Elijah and I met my freshman year at the College of Charleston, he was a sophomore who had transferred from another school. We both came to CofC to swim for the college and we met on the first day of practice in 2012. We were lane buddies and friends until my junior year and his senior year when we made it official and began dating.

How did he put a ring on it?

In March of 2020 right before the start of the pandemic Elijah and I purchased our first house together and we spent the following months making our house a home! In July of 2020 we were preparing to go on a lowkey beach vacation with my parents and sisters. Elijah woke up super early the day before we left and in turn woke me up with a ring box in my face! He proposed in our home and we were able to go down to Florida and celebrate with my family for the week after, it was so special and perfect for us!

Where did you draw inspiration from?

When thinking about our wedding we wanted it to feel romantic, timeless and elegant but relaxed at the same time! Our venue had massive windows lining all four walls and natural exposed brick and beams. I really wanted to show off the space and bring in some warmth and romance. We chose mostly white florals and greenery with some gold and black accents.

What made the wedding personal to you?

I was born and raised in Tampa, Florida which is also known as “Cigar City”. Our venue the Cedar Room is in the old Charleston Cigar Factory so this felt like I was bringing a piece of Tampa to our wedding. We also incorporated our dog Zeus into our coozies and Elijah’s wedding socks! For us being in downtown Charleston was really important, we wanted our guests to get a chance to see the beautiful city that we met, fell in love and now call home!

What were you most nervous or excited about?

We were most excited to be married!! As well as celebrate with our family and close friends. We got engaged about 19 months before our wedding so we were just so excited the day was finally here! I was giddy, goofy and ready to marry my best friend the entire day!

Now, the most important part – the Dress!

Tell us about your dress?

MY DRESS! I will forever be looking for an excuse to wear my beautiful wedding dress again! I wore the Tara Lauren- Valeria gown. I knew I wanted to buy my dress from Lovely Bride in Charleston so I began looking through their website to find inspiration. The Valeria dress was the first dress I saw online that I was desperate to try on. My mom and sisters came to Charleston for our appointment at Lovely Bride, the Valeria was the first dress I tried on, I was in love! I tried on maybe four other dresses and came back to the Valeria. It was the perfect combination of comfortable and elegant. The plunging neckline that met the beautiful floral embroidered tulle skirt and the back is so stunning! I could go on and on about my love for that dress!

What stockist did you get it from?

Lovely Bride Charleston

What was your most memorable moment from your day?

Everyone told us the day would go by so fast so I worked really hard to stop and take in little moments! While getting ready Elijah’s mom surprised us and handed my bridesmaids and I handwritten letters from Elijah expressing his love and gratitude for each of my bridesmaids. He also wrote me a letter attached with my “something blue” a stunning sapphire and gold bracelet. Needless to say we were all a puddle of tears and I felt so grateful for the man I was about to marry! Walking down the aisle with my dad and stepdad was a really special moment. Dancing with my best friends and family was so fun and Elijah’s and my final dance privately while all our guests got ready for our exit was a truly special moment to seal in the most amazing day.