Being a Charleston wedding photographer is what dreams are made of! A few weeks ago we shared with you this beautiful Charleston bridal session. If you remember we had mentioned this was a quick trip, literally three days on the ground and we had 5 sessions, in the low-country’s summer heat and humidity. Oh boy, there’s nothing like it! We were blessed our dear friends Ryan and Alyssa were kind enough to jump in front of our cameras for an afternoon of exploring the area.

We ventured to the downtown Charleston historic district, where driveways look like paths to castles, with cobblestone and bricks for as far as the eye could see. We walked the few blocks to the oceanfront, where these two danced along the docks, swaying to the sound of waves, muffled by passing yachts as they entered the marina. For a moment in between camera clicks, we closed our eyes just to take it all in. How funny, we had only swapped one coast’s ocean for the other, yet everything was so different. The waves rolled in smaller and smoother, the sound was muted as it skimmed through the sea grass, all along the beach where the pure white sand was as fine as powdered sugar. Birds were sounding in the distance, but not the regular seagulls we’ve grown to know so well. The air was much warmer, smells much softer, and nowhere were there fences. Weird as that may sound, everywhere in California is gated. Everywhere. It was wonderful to feel the openness and not feel closed off to the rest of the world.

Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, an outfit change and short car ride later, we were driving the windy streets of Sullivan’s Island. If you’re anything like us and love a good romantic novel, we felt like we were in the pages of a Nicholas Sparks book. Seriously! Older historic homes converted to restaurants, people waving to one another if you knew them or not, but you could tell most were locals, and designated golf cart parking, because it’s easier to get around the small community in.

We parked along a tree covered street, seeing backs of houses where calling them “gardens” is an understatement. Lattice filled with blooms, ivy growing and twisting around pillars, and the largest blooming hydrangeas our eyes had ever seen! The corner opened to a sandy path, one side lined with a wooden boardwalk that stretched at least quarter mile to the beach. In California, we’re used to getting out of our cars and practically being able to touch the water. The wood creaked beneath our feet as we ran our finger tips along the wildflowers growing alongside us. You could hear the sound of families laughing as we neared the beach, when we turned around and there were the front of all the homes we couldn’t see from the street. Oh, my, word! These were what summer home dreams are made of!

Ryan and Alyssa were so much fun to capture! Being AMAZING photographers themselves, with little guidance at all, melted into each others arms the entire session. It was if the world had gone silent and they were the only ones left, totally captivated in each others embrace. Thank you both from the bottom of our hearts for allowing us to get you two in front of the camera for once, and show everyone real love.

Hair & Makeup: Beauty Asylum

Bouquet: Roadside Blooms

First Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Francesca Gown

Photography: Laura & Rachel Photography