You know how everyone knows that one couple? C’mon, you know what I’m talking about! They’re that one couple that just seems like the perfect pair. They’re sweet, kind, funnny, genuine, hardworking, and cute to top it all off. Everybody seems to know at least one couple like that and for us it’s Courtney and Caleb. You may remember these two from their adventurous engagement session up on Hawksbill Mountain trail when we still had ankle deep snow and temps in the 30s (if you don’t remember you should so click here!). Their beautiful wedding day was held in South Carolina on Courtney’s family property and it was the absolute perfect setting for their big day! Beyond being scenic with that harmonious blend of rustic elegance, there were a lot of memories on this piece of land. Caleb and Courtney and their families and friends both put just about everything together themselves for their wedding. The dance floor was built by hand, and even the cabin Courtney got ready in was built by her dad prior to the wedding. I recall Caleb telling me that they like to use this property to hunt as well and the first deer he got here he gifted to Courtney’s dad. With all of the time and effort to see all of this through to the end and the countless hours spent here making memories even before their wedding day, it would be hard to find a more storied ‘venue’ for a wedding.
From our perspective, it was one of those days that was completely stress free. Courtney and her bridesmaids rolled up smiling ear to ear in her SUV and Caleb’s brothers and dad all ribbed each other as they got ready! The laughs started and with the exception of a few happy tears, they pretty much never stopped. Those said happy tears happened a couple times throughout the day depending on who you were with, but for us, the moving part of the day was during Caleb and Courtney’s ceremony. Caleb and Courtney opted to do an anniversary box ceremony as a part of their wedding ceremony. If you’re not familiar with this concept, it’s when you put some kind of keepsake in a box (or some object of your choice) and when your one year anniversary comes around, you can open the box to revisit that special moment with whatever you put inside, be it a letter to each other, or something else special. After closing up their anniversary box, Caleb pulled Courtney in close and they closed their eyes as he started to pray. A few moments into the prayer, Courtney wiped away a few tears and it was one of those gut level moments that you couldn’t help but get a little choked up, especially after getting to know these two and the love they share for each other. Of course, getting to pull them out for sunset photos was easily a close second!
After dancing the night away with their friends and fam (no seriously!) Courtney and Caleb shared one more special moment before their wedding came to a close. They opted to have a last dance. For those unfamiliar with the concept, it’s when your guests have generally left for the evening and the couple shares one more dance completely alone to end the reception. It’s become one of our favorite happenings at a wedding in the last year and it usually makes for the sweetest of photos. We were sad to see this one end, but are so grateful to have been a part of Courtney and Caleb’s journey as well as making two new friends along the way!
Venue: Family property
Planning/Coordinating: Shindig Weddings & Events
DJ: AAA Entertainment
Florals: Debi Warren
Catering: Mutts BBQ