Who doesn’t love a good road trip? Briggs and Morgan do, and Raleigh to Charleston made the perfect road trip to the altar. The idea for their destination wedding was to create a mini-vacation for all in the famed, historic South Carolina town. Hop aboard this real wedding trolley as we take you down Briggs and Morgan’s destination wedding experience!

Truthfully, Morgan had always dreamed of getting married in Charleston. “It embodies everything I love,” she says, “…the classic southern charm, the oak trees, the brick roads, the character of the historic buildings downtown…” With the majority of their invitees planning to come with great excitement, the only thing that could crash the couple’s wedding was the brutal heat of the Charleston summer. (Spoiler alert: Like all fairytales, the weather ended up being better than the couple could have ever hoped for.)

The two say the only real hurdle for them choosing a wedding away from home was the distance, which they easily overcame by hiring a wonderful, local planner from The Simply Elegant Group. “Our wedding planner was our lifesaver,” the couple says. “She did most of the communicating and coordinating with our vendors. We had initial phone calls and exchanged emails, but then passed the reins over to our planner. Almost all of our vendors were in Charleston which made it easier for her to be the main point of contact.” 

Although they had to forfeit DIY projects for the most part (they didn’t want the stress of figuring out how to get them to Charleston), the couple did take creative liberty with the smaller things. For example, they printed out and framed all of the table numbers, seating charts and Signature Cocktail signs. “It was much easier (and less stressful) to leave the rest up to our vendors,” the bride says.

In the end, Briggs and Morgan estimate that they probably spent a little more by choosing a destination wedding -only because of the lodging costs. “If we didn’t have to pay for that,” Morgan says, “I think it would’ve ended up being similar in price to getting married local. The costs for the actual wedding venue, reception, vendors, etc. were very comparable to costs that would be incurred for a wedding elsewhere.”

The pair now cherish the memories made from their wedding week in Charleston, memories they call “beyond priceless.” As a now veteran destination wedding couple, Morgan and Briggs advise that if you are planning a wedding away, do yourselves a favor and hire a planner who is local to the destination.

Who knows, perhaps you’ll find yourself taking in a perfect Charleston summer day at the end of your destination wedding road trip as Morgan and Briggs did. 

Vendors: Photography: Bow Tie Collaborative; Wedding Planner: The Simply Elegant Group; Videographer: Siegel Films; Ceremony: St. Luke’s Chapel; Officiant: Matthew Drew; Reception Location: The Cedar Room; Florist: Coastal Creations; Band: The Mighty Kicks; Bridal Boutique: Alexia’s Bridal; Bridal Gown Designer: Monique Lhuillier; Bride’s Hair: Alyse Hardy; Bridal Makeup: Hannah Edson; Rings: Bailey’s Fine Jewelry; Stationary: Minted; Lighting + Party Rentals: Event Works; Transportation: Low Country Trolley & Low Country Vallet