If you’re considering getting married at the Legare Waring House in Charleston, South Carolina, Lauren and Joey’s wedding day is the perfect example of why this venue is such a magical place to celebrate.
Lauren and Joey have been together since middle school and later both attended the College of Charleston, making Charleston an especially meaningful place for them to begin this next chapter together. With guests traveling from Hilton Head Island, SC and their current home in St. Petersburg, Florida, Charleston felt like the perfect destination for everyone to gather and celebrate.
Why Couples Love the Legare Waring House
One of the biggest things that drew Lauren and Joey to the Legare Waring House was the iconic Avenue of Oaks — a breathtaking tree-lined lawn filled with ancient oak trees draped in Spanish moss that gives the property its picturesque Lowcountry charm.
Even though their February wedding day brought rain and cloudy skies, the venue offered so much flexibility and beauty throughout the day. We were able to take advantage of pockets of clear weather for portraits by the pond and front gate while also showcasing the stunning interiors of the historic house.
One of the most important things to consider when choosing a wedding venue is how versatile the space is, especially when it comes to rain plans. The Legare Waring House offers beautiful indoor and outdoor options, making it an incredible venue regardless of the weather.
Getting Ready Inside the Historic House
The Legare Waring House offers plenty of space for both the bride and groom to get ready onsite, which made the morning feel relaxed and seamless.
The historic interiors created the perfect backdrop for documenting the excitement of the morning — from the bridesmaids’ dress reveal and dance party to the emotional first look between Lauren and her dad.
One of my favorite aspects of photographing their wedding day was capturing the candid interactions and genuine personalities of everyone involved. Those moments happen most naturally when couples intentionally build breathing room into their timeline and trust the process throughout the day.
A Private First Look Beneath the Oaks
Lauren and Joey shared their first look and private vows beneath the oak trees by the front gate. We intentionally kept the moment as intimate and private as possible while still documenting everything naturally.
Using longer lenses allowed us to capture the emotion and magic of the moment without interrupting the experience for them. Those quiet, emotional moments are always some of my favorites to photograph because they allow couples to fully slow down and soak in the significance of the day together.
A Rainy Charleston Wedding Ceremony Beneath the Oaks
Thankfully, the rain held off just in time for the ceremony beneath the oak trees, which made the experience even more special for the many guests visiting Charleston for the first time.
The ceremony itself was incredibly meaningful because the officiant was Lauren’s childhood pastor, making the entire day feel deeply personal and intentional. Every part of the the wedding centered around being fully present with their closest friends and family.
A Cozy Candlelit Reception at the Legare Waring House
After the ceremony, we moved inside the historic home to sign the marriage certificate in the library and photograph the cake cutting in the beautiful blue room inside the Legare Waring House.
The reception took place beneath a candlelit tent on the front lawn, creating an incredibly warm and cozy atmosphere for heartfelt speeches and dancing throughout the evening.
There were so many thoughtful details woven throughout the reception, including hand-painted wine glasses for each guest that were painted by the bride’s grandmother — one of the sweetest and most personal touches from the entire day.
Once the dance floor opened, the energy completely transformed into a celebration. The DJ did an incredible job keeping everyone on the dance floor all night long, and the evening ended with a private last dance for Lauren and Joey to fully soak in the final moments of their wedding day together.
Tips for Getting Married at the Legare Waring House
If you’re planning a wedding at the Legare Waring House, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Plan a first look if you want extra flexibility in your timeline and more private moments together before the ceremony.
- Take advantage of the interiors of the historic house for portraits, getting ready photos, and moments like cake cutting or signing the marriage certificate. The library and blue room photograph beautifully and help showcase the character of the venue.
- Build extra time into your timeline for portraits around the property. There are so many beautiful locations to use, including the Avenue of Oaks, the pond, and the front gate.
- Don’t stress too much about rain. The venue photographs beautifully indoors and outdoors, making it one of the best Charleston wedding venues for flexible backup plans.
- Hiring a vendor team that can adapt quickly to weather changes makes the entire experience feel much more relaxed and enjoyable.
- To learn more about wedding photography, click here for an FAQ
Why Flexibility Matters on a Wedding Day
Let’s be honest — weddings rarely go exactly according to plan. Weather changes, timelines shift, and unexpected moments happen. What matters most is having a vendor team and venue that can adapt seamlessly and make the experience feel effortless no matter what unfolds.
That flexibility is one of the reasons the Legare Waring House is such an incredible Charleston wedding venue.
Favorite Details From the Day
Some of my favorite details from Lauren and Joey’s wedding day included the romantic bridal bouquets and florals by Poppy Flowers, the incredible energy from DJ Bunn Co, and the amazing hair and makeup team from Lashes and Lace.
Every detail felt thoughtful, intentional, and true to who they are as a couple.
Charleston Wedding Vendor Team
Venue: Legare Waring House
Florals: Poppy Flowers
Planner: Beautiful Bride Events
Hair + Makeup: Lashes and Lace
DJ: DJ Bunn Co
Wedding Dress: Chosen by KYHA
Rentals + Catering: Southern Bear Catering
Tent + Heaters: EventWorks
Cake: Publix Bakery
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