Emma and Peter got married in May in the heart of Beaufort, SC, at Coosaw Point River Club, a stunning Lady’s Island wedding venue overlooking the marsh. They spent the morning getting ready with their closest friends and family, and the club offered plenty of space for the two of them to get ready separately without seeing each other before the ceremony at St. Peter’s Catholic Church.
If you ask me, this is exactly what a Lowcountry wedding should feel like: elegant where it counts, and completely unstiff everywhere else. As a Beaufort SC wedding photographer, I shoot with a candid, documentary wedding photography approach — and from the first look at the venue to the last song on the dance floor, Emma and Peter never let the “formal” parts of the day get in the way of just being themselves.
Getting Ready for a Lowcountry Wedding
Emma’s dress was stunning. The lace and full skirt made it feel regal, elegant, and timeless. Peter was in his navy whites and looked just as classy. But what stood out to me most that morning wasn’t the outfits — it was the laughter. Getting ready with your closest people has a way of loosening everyone up before the day gets going, and that’s the kind of candid, documentary wedding photography moment I always keep my camera ready for.
One detail I have to mention: Emma’s cousin designed all of her stationery by hand, and it was absolutely gorgeous. Having a family member pour that kind of care into the invitations and paper details added a layer of meaning you just can’t buy — it set the tone for a day that felt personal from the very first envelope.
A Traditional Ceremony at St. Peter’s Catholic Church
Their ceremony was traditional, and it was made extra special because the first time Peter saw Emma in her wedding dress was the moment she started walking down the aisle. There’s nothing quite like photographing that exact second — it’s real, it’s unscripted, and it’s the kind of emotion no posed portrait could ever fake.
Cocktail Hour
After the ceremony, we headed back to Coosaw Point River Club for cocktail hour on the marshside. It was overcast, which turned out to be perfect — the cloud cover made it comfortable to enjoy the outdoors and gave us soft, even light for candid wedding photos.
This is where Emma and Peter’s personalities really got to shine. We captured a variety of fun photos with friends and family, mixing in the classic shots you’ll want to look back on for years with plenty of candid, in-the-moment ones too. That balance is exactly how I like to work — you get the elegant, timeless images, plus all the real, joyful moments that actually happened.
A Heartfelt & Lively Reception
Their reception was absolutely beautiful. Emma played a big role in designing the reception’s look and feel, working closely with Signature Catering & Events to bring it all together.
Hydrangeas lined the tables in white and green, which worked so well with the setting and let the natural beauty of the marsh all around take center stage rather than competing with it.
After their first dance and the parent dances, we moved into speeches. They were heartfelt and personal — a true testament to how loved Emma and Peter are by everyone in their lives.
Then came one of my favorite traditions: they cut their cake the Navy way, with a sword, which was such an exciting moment to capture.
After that, they hit the dance floor and danced the night away to 90’s music, having an absolute blast with their guests. After an overcast day, we were treated to a beautiful surprise sunset to close things out.
An Elegant Wedding Without Stiff Portraits
Emma and Peter’s wedding is a great example of how you can have an elegant, timeless South Carolina wedding without it feeling stiff or overly posed. The key is leaning into who you are as a couple — whether that’s dancing all night to your favorite throwback songs, cutting your cake with a sword, or having a family member design your stationery by hand. Elegance and fun aren’t opposites; the best weddings I photograph have both.
If you’re planning a wedding in the Lowcountry and want candid wedding photos that actually feel like you, rather than a day full of stiff, posed portraits, I’d love to chat. As a Beaufort SC wedding photographer who works in a documentary wedding photography style, my goal is always to capture the real moments — the laughter while getting ready, the first look down the aisle, the sword through the cake — so your photos feel just as alive years from now as the day itself did.
The Vendor Team
A day like this doesn’t come together without an incredible group of vendors. Huge thanks to:
- Lauren Ericksen, Planner, Signature Catering & Events
- Candice Dixon, Coosaw Point River Club
- Sum Kai Creative, Photographer
- Alyssa Galley, EventWorks Rentals
- Trisha Collins, Veterans Pride Entertainment Service
- Maria Baldwin, Wimbee Creek Farm
- Jessica Kent, Bloom Custom Cakes
- Liz Bodie / April Baldree, JLK Lighting
- Kenzie Marlow, Kelly Tours Savannah
- Marissa Kessler, Luxe Linens
- Suzanne Zimmermann, St. Peter’s Catholic Church
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