When Emilie Tran and Andrew Wolverton met during freshman year of high school, they couldn’t deny the chemistry between them. Shortly after crossing paths, they updated their relationship status to “dating.” After many blissful years together, the high school sweethearts celebrated another milestone in their relationship on June 4, 2020: an engagement. Then, it was on to preparing for their big day.
To help coordinate all of the details, the couple tapped Camila Craft of Spellbound Events, which made the process as smooth as possible. “As a couple, we are both pretty laid-back and not very picky, so she really took the reins and made a lot of decisions that she knew we wouldn’t have preferences on,” Emilie notes.
One choice that the duo had no problem making was selecting their locale. “Charleston has a special place in our hearts,” the bride shares. “Andrew’s family has a home just outside the city, and we have been visiting Charleston for years. Coming from Atlanta, it felt like a destination wedding while still being familiar and comfortable for us.”
They fell in love with The Dewberry Charleston and knew it would be the perfect backdrop for their vow swap. Since the pair wanted the venue to be the focal point of their celebration, they decided to pare down the décor and amplify the atmosphere. “We wanted a simple, chic, and laid-back environment for our guests,” Emilie says. “It was really important to us that our family and friends could relax, have fun, and let loose.”
On August 7, 2021, Emilie and Andrew tied the knot in Charleston, South Carolina with 120 of their closest friends and family members. Keep scrolling to see how their vision came to life, planned by Spellbound Events and photographed by Chellise Michael Photography.
Photo by Chellise Michael Photography
For her big day, Emilie donned a silk and strappy body-skimming gown with an open back and long train by Ines Di Santo. “I knew I wanted something sleek and sexy. When I put it on, I just knew it,” Emilie reveals.
Photo by Chellise Michael Photography
Photo by Chellise Michael Photography
“My dress was very sleek and didn’t have any embellishments, so I knew the accessories were where I had to make a statement,” she explains. The star of the show was a custom tulle shawl that the bride designed herself. “I knew I wanted something different,” she expresses. “I sketched up the design and found a dressmaker to make it come to life.” Since the bride is a jewelry designer, she decked herself out in gold bling and strapped on five-inch gold platform heels to match.
Photo by Chellise Michael Photography
The bride decided to do her own hair and makeup for her nuptials, and she went with a simple style. For glam, Emilie embraced a natural-yet-elevated look. “It is a look I wear a lot when I want something a little bolder than my everyday makeup,” she states. To achieve mermaid-like waves, Emilie slept with her hair in loose braids the night before the wedding, and she used a heating tool to make touch-ups that morning.
Photo by Chellise Michael Photography
Photo by Chellise Michael Photography
For his attire, Andrew sported a custom blue plaid suit with red lining. “Andrew is very bold with his style, and we knew we had to highlight that with his suit,” Emilie notes. To accessorize, the groom slipped on Christian Louboutin shoes and a Cartier watch from the bride’s brother.
Photo by Chellise Michael Photography
Emilie’s two bridesmaids wore off-the-shoulder tea-length dresses in a floral pattern by V. Chapman. Even though Emilie didn’t prescribe a dress code for her squad, they ended up wearing the same dress. Instead of a traditional bouquet, they each held whimsical papas grass fans. “They were so bold, and everyone absolutely loved them,” Emilie gushes.
Photo by Chellise Michael Photography
Two arrangements of pampas grass, white orchids, and tan anthurium framed the bride and groom’s vow exchange. “We really let our florist, Britt Fowler of Arôme, have fun with this,” Emilie reflects. “We weren’t afraid of scale or color, and she absolutely blew us away with what she designed for us.”
Photo by Chellise Michael Photography
Emilie walked down the aisle with both of her parents while “Your Hand in Mine” by Explosions in the Sky wafted around them.
Photo by Chellise Michael Photography
Photo by Chellise Michael Photography
The first time we saw each other was from opposite ends of the aisle. We were so nervous and excited!
Photo by Chellise Michael Photography
Since the duo decided not to do a first look, their grand reveal occurred at the ceremony. “The first time we saw each other was from opposite ends of the aisle,” Emilie recalls. “We were so nervous and excited!” The two didn’t write their own vows, but they personalized their ceremony by enlisting Andrew’s dad as their officiant. “Having Andrew’s dad officiate the wedding was so special to us,” Emilie reminisces. “How many people get to say their dad married them?”
Photo by Chellise Michael Photography
Photo by Chellise Michael Photography
After locking lips, the newlyweds celebrated during their recessional while “Julian” by Say Lou Lou (The Chainsmokers Remix) played.
Photo by Chellise Michael Photography
Photo by Chellise Michael Photography
Photo by Chellise Michael Photography
Emilie and Andrew snapped portraits with photographer Chellise Michael while walking around The Dewberry Charleston and savoring their first few moments as a newly married couple.
Photo by Chellise Michael Photography
We really didn’t have to do a lot to make it look exactly how we wanted.
Photo by Chellise Michael Photography
The reception took place on the venue’s rooftop and in a reserved indoor area. Since the pair wanted the venue’s architecture and the surrounding views to shine, they went with simple decorations. “The Dewberry is so striking and bold in its design that we really didn’t have to do a lot to make it look exactly how we wanted,” Emilie expresses. They had bistro lights border the exterior of the roof and ikebana vases stuffed with architectural and exotic florals on the indoor tables. Mid-century modern and Art Deco furniture also filled the space.
Photo by Chellise Michael Photography
Photo by Chellise Michael Photography
The newlyweds didn’t skimp on sweets. An assortment of fruit tarts and pastries abounded. As if that wasn’t enough, Emilie and Andrew also served a one-tier semi-naked cake decorated with blooms. The flavor? Olive oil cake with vegan buttercream.
Photo by Chellise Michael Photography
Photo by Chellise Michael Photography
Emilie and Andrew sipped on their signature cocktails (a tequila cocktail and an Old Fashioned) while laughing to heartfelt speeches that their family and friends delivered.
Photo by Chellise Michael Photography
The newlyweds couldn’t stop smiling while they swung around the dance floor to “Yellow” by Coldplay for their first dance.
Photo by Chellise Michael Photography
Photo by Chellise Michael Photography
The duo also made sure to save a special dance with their parents. Emilie and her dad spun around to “Tous les Garçons et les Filles” by Françoise Hardy. Then, Andrew swayed with his mom to “Stand by Me” by Ben E. King.
Photo by Chellise Michael Photography
Photo by Chellise Michael Photography
After cutting their confection, the newlyweds hosted an epic after-party, complete with a disco ball and fun lighting. “The emphasis was definitely on the dance party, and the disco ball was an absolute must,” Emilie shares.
Photo by Chellise Michael Photography
After an evening spent on the dance floor with their loved ones, Emilie and Andrew’s hearts were full. Since the newlyweds hosted an event that authentically captured their relationship, their nuptials were even more meaningful. “There were a lot of things about our wedding that were unconventional,” Emilie reflects. “Even though people advised us otherwise, we stuck exactly to what we wanted, and we don’t regret it for a second.”
