For Chandler and Will, the idea of a destination wedding wasn’t about escaping tradition—it was about creating something entirely their own. “I am from Memphis, TN and I did not want to be another Memphis country club bride,” Chandler explained. Both medical professionals, the couple had made lasting friendships during their years in training, but those friends were now scattered across the country. “We wanted a special place where everyone could come together and be on vacation while also helping us celebrate.”The search for that special place began as a detour on a research trip. “I was on a 2-week research rotation during my 3rd year of residency, but instead of working on my research project, my mom and I planned a road trip along the southern east coast to investigate potential wedding venues,” Chandler recalls. From Sea Island to Kiawah, nothing quite clicked—until an unplanned stop in Savannah changed everything.

“As soon as we pulled up to the historic area, I blurted out, ‘THIS IS IT! I WANT TO GET MARRIED HERE!’” she says. “I pulled out my phone and FaceTimed my groom (who was asleep after working a night shift) to show him the fabulous trees and charming architecture in the most beautiful city I have ever seen.” With hearts set on Savannah, Chandler’s mom stumbled across the ideal venue in Hollyoaks on the Marsh, a private family estate with sprawling lawns, ancient live oaks draped in Spanish moss, and a serene marshland backdrop. “It was perfect for my dream Southern soirée wedding,” Chandler says.

Planning from afar didn’t faze them, thanks to a stellar planning team. “Our wedding planner Neillie Butler and the entire Mariée Ami team made planning a wedding from afar feel easy and fun!” Chandler recalls. “Will and I did a site visit with just our family in the fall of 2023, and then we did a second site visit with the Mariée Ami team in the Spring of 2024.” They even brought in drone footage to help map out the logistics. “Neillie’s creativity, organization, and attention to detail made the whole process feel seamless.”The wedding day was a vibrant celebration, designed with a “no such thing as too many flowers” approach. “The decor was coral-colored everything,” Chandler says. “My favorite flowers are light orange roses and Will’s are hydrangeas.” Harvey Designs blended their preferences into show-stopping arrangements of ranunculus, peonies, tulips, and more. Among the couple’s favorite elements? “The custom Chinoiserie bar and matching dance floor” and “the sitting areas lining the outskirts of the dance floor.”

Even the smallest decorative touches had stories behind them. “There was a decorative Pagoda on the outside bar that my mom found at an antique store. When she wheeled it into the hotel with her luggage, it looked like she was traveling with a dollhouse,” Chandler laughs. Their ceremony, held under a live oak with just their immediate family standing with them, was intimate yet traditional. “We had a short and simple ceremony that was still rooted in traditional liturgy,” the couple says, adding, “The most special part was that only our immediate family stood at the altar with us as opposed to the entire wedding party.” Looking back, the couple is certain their decision to wed away from home was the right one. “Had our wedding been in Tennessee, we would have felt obligated to invite 1000 people,” Chandler says. “An away wedding created a more intimate weekend where we got to focus on celebrating with the friends and family who mean the most to us.”

Now, Savannah isn’t just where Will and Chandler tied the knot—it’s now a part of their love story. “We are so looking forward to going back for romantic weekends for years to come.”

Vendors: Ceremony & Reception Site: HollyOaks on the Marsh; Wedding Planner: Mariée Ami; Photographer: Davy Whitener; Videographer: Resolute Wedding Films; Florist: Harvey Designs; Stationery: Stovall Collection; Hair & Makeup: Bride’s Side Beauty; Wedding Gown: Caroline Castigliano (purchased through The White Room Birmingham); Bridal Shoes: Christian Louboutin; Groom’s Tuxedo: Jos. A. Bank; Groom’s Shoes: Manolo Blahnik; Cake: Sugar Whisk Confections