A coastal dream wedding at Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island
Small in size but mighty in charm, the coastal oasis of Hilton Head Island has a special way of capturing the hearts of Lowcountry lovin’ folk. At a young age, Rachel decided she would get married on Hilton Head. She’s always loved the winding tidal creeks, slow moving pace and family-friendly essence of the town. After being set up by mutual friends, Josh and Rachel felt sparks fly and began planning trips together. Keeping her childhood wedding wish a secret, she took Josh to Hilton Head to see how he liked it. Once on the island, Josh smugly mentioned “this would be a great place for our wedding.” Stunned, Rachel knew it was fate!
Scroll down to see the absolutely breath-taking photos of their wedding day at Sea Pines Resort by Kailee DiMeglio Photography, featuring planning by Cheers Darling Events, florals by Fresh Weddings & Events, and hair and makeup by Paper Dolls. All photos are available in the full gallery here, and also linked at the bottom of the page! You won't want to miss checking those out.
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Petal accents were everywhere at this wedding, from the bouquets to the dresses
With the salty breeze rolling off the Atlantic coastline, and sweeping through Sea Pines Resort, beaming bride Rachel and her family took getting ready photos in one of the suites and marveled at every sentimental detail she had prepared, including a deck of playing cards with each suite customized by an image precious to the couple. With Grammie, mom, and sister showering Rachel with encouragement and support, she stepped into her a-line floral embroidered dress with sweet, petal accents and a plunging v-neck.
Family heirlooms helped make special moments that much more special
After freshening up with his entourage, Josh was ready to see his bride. He looked sharp in his tux, and was proud to be sporting his late grandfather’s cufflinks that his mother gifted him that morning. The couple met on a piazza overlooking the ocean. Rachel was grinning ear to ear as she walked up to Josh and tapped him on the shoulder. The couple exchanged wedding gifts and read their letters to one another.
The bridesmaids were the bride's "something blue" in a mosaic of blue and blue-patterned dresses
Per wedding tradition, Rachel had a special “something blue” planned to accompany her on her wedding day; she had nine of her closest girlfriends dressed as a mosaic of blue prints, textures and tones. The blue crew jumped for joy when they saw Rachel, shaking up a bottle of Prosecco and showering the limestone floors with bubbles. The gals in blue then raised a toast to Rachel, and wished her well before the ceremony.
Soft pinks, blues, and greens created that truly coastal vibe
Guests graciously grabbed flutes of champagne and took to their seats, enjoying the view of the coastline and the island’s signature red-and-white-striped lighthouse. Fresh Weddings and Events helped to elevate the natural environment with lush arrangements of soft pink roses, blue snapdragons and green eucalyptus. An elegant, crescent shaped floral ground cover was placed where the couple would soon be saying their vows. Once the orchestra began to play, and the little flower girl had given one last smooch to her Uncle Josh, the ceremony began. Rachel came down the aisle with her father at her side, and in the peaceful sanctuary of a place so dear to their hearts, Josh and Rachel said their vows and shared their first kiss as Mr. and Mrs. Kanney.
The bride and groom had a private post-ceremony moment over some hidden whiskey
After their ceremony, the elated newlyweds met their photographer on the beach for a romantic, oceanside photoshoot. An ethereal, dewy mist had rolled onto the coastline during the ceremony, softening the lighting on the beach and making the landscape look endless. A few months back, Rachel and Josh had buried their bottle of Woodford Reserve in a hidden spot. They took down two shots from the dirty whiskey bottle and got ready to greet their beloved guests at cocktail hour!
String lights complemented the blues, creams, and golds used throughout the reception
The planners from Cheers Darling had prepared the pavilion with a dining area fit for a queen and king's beach vacation. The tables were adorned with gold flatware, touches of chinoiserie and romantic shades of blues, creams and golds. The cane-back chairs and woven straw placemats provided a relaxed, coastal touch to this opulent setup. Fresh Weddings & Events tied the entire spectacle together with floral centerpieces blossoming with hues of blue and white, and an occasional pop of rose red.
Custom details - like these adorable pet-inspired menus - added to the fun!
The guests cheered loudly as Rachel and Josh entered the dance floor. The band queued Frankie Valli's "I Can't Take My Eyes Off of You," and under a sparkling sky of string lights, the newlyweds twirled, dipped, and laughed. Once the first dances were finished, everyone cozied up for some unforgettable speeches given by the honorary guests. The band then serenaded everyone as they dined on all of the delicious bites prepared for them.
Cake, karaoke, and a conga line... oh my!
Between the soulful music and the brass horns, after dinner everyone caught a boogie fever. The father of the bride out-danced every wedding guest! A conga line wove in and out of the pavilion, growing in length and then combusting into a big party. Rachel changed into a fabulous off-the-shoulder party dress with a high slit and marabou trim. This rockstar bride even took to the stage and sang a song with her blue crew!
Everyone's joy was captured using disposable cameras - a fun throwback for guests!
Laughter and joy permeated the entire night, never faltering, even when the band warned the last song was approaching. The grateful couple took to the stage and expressed their dearest thanks to their friends and family for joining them on one of the most special nights of their lives. A night when they realized that lifelong dreams really do come true, and can somehow turn out to be more beautiful than imagined.
- Photography: Kailee DiMeglio Photography
- Venue: Sea Pines Resort
- Wedding Planner: Cheers Darling Events
- Hair & Makeup: Paper Dolls
- Florist: Fresh Weddings & Events
- Videographer: Hart to Heart
- Reception Music: Deas Guyz
- Officiant: Dan Hogan
- Caterer: Sea Pines Resort
- Invitation Suite & Paper Goods: Emily Baird Design
- Film Scan Lab: Photovision Prints