Brian, who’s from Chicago, and Courtney, who’s from New York, knew that they wanted to say “I do” in a warm location, something you don’t get in either of their hometown cities during early March. They also wanted to have a location that was easy to get to for all of their guests, so they chose to have a plantation destination wedding in South Carolina. “It was the perfect destination!” says the bride.

The couple knew instantly that they loved the idea of a plantation-style wedding and that it would be the perfect place for their W-day. “We loved it!” says the bride.” We looked at the plantation and picked the spot and planned it in two short months.”

For many friends and family, it was a destination that they had wanted to travel to and never got a chance to. This was finally their chance! “They were excited it was a location on a lot of people’s bucket lists, but they never had a reason to go, so everyone was super excited to come!” says Courtney.

After choosing the location on New Year’s Eve and with just two short months until their wedding, the planning began. The couple found a wedding planner who helped them with vendor suggestions and the bride herself added some handmade touches to the wedding. “She [the bride] used to be a wedding planner,” says Brian. “She did the succulent place cards, the painted plate table numbers, brought the lanterns and all of the candlesticks.” For coordinating with the wedding planner and the tasks at hand, the couple communicated through email and over the phone.

On the day of their wedding, there was love, laughter and a whole lot of fun for this couple. If they had chosen any other location, they knew that they would have only had one day with loved ones, rather than an entire weekend. By having an entire wedding weekend in Charleston, South Carolina, it made the wedding even more memorable.

The couple gave a piece of advice for other couples preparing for their wedding days. “Relax,” they say. “Have fun and enjoy the time with everyone as it goes by so fast.”

Vendors: Photographer: Steve Koo Photography with Angela Renée, Ceremony/Reception Site: Boone Plantation, Wedding Planner: Candice Lorraine with Ooh! Events, Florist: Out of the Garden, Cake: Sweet Lulu’s Bakery & Cocktail Caravan, Hair & Makeup: Ooh! Beautiful: Meet Charlotte and Michelle Atwood with Gibson Hair and Makeup, Groom’s Clothing Designer: Ermenegildo Zegna, Bridesmaids/Groomsmen’s Clothing Designer: Badgley Mischka