I always like to make a blog post when I photograph a wedding at a new location. This was my first time visiting The Pavilion at Pepper Plantation near Charleston, SC. This lovely venue has a large, rustic barn-style reception hall with hanging lights, exposed wooden beams on the vaulted ceiling, and wood planks on the ceiling and walls. It also has a large lawn and fence overlooking a lake and fountain. A boardwalk leads out to a large gazebo on the lake. It was a great place for sunset pictures after the ceremony.
I first met Brigette and Preston, the bride and groom, when I took pictures with their family in 2021. They were pleased with the family photos, so they contacted me about doing their wedding as well. The wedding party was getting ready at a hotel in Charleston, so I met them there for some getting-ready pictures. Finding good angles for photos in a hotel room is always tricky, but I got some great shots of Brigette with her grandmother putting on her necklace and her mom helping with the veil. The guys were getting ready in the room next door so I could walk back and forth and take pictures with everyone.
My unusual photography setup for pictures inside the Church
The ceremony was held at the nearby Christ Episcopal Church in Mt. Pleasant. The photo restrictions made this ceremony a little more complex than most. I was not allowed to make shutter-click sounds or move past the seated guests when taking pictures, and of course, no flash, which I expected. Most churches let me stand towards the front while the family, wedding party, and bride walk down the aisle, so this was more restrictive than I’m used to. I’m always okay with whatever restrictions I’m given. It’s a photographer’s job to be ready for any situation.
I usually use an 85mm lens for pictures as everyone walks down the aisle to focus on my subject and separate them from the guests. Instead, I used a 35mm wide lens and got some nice shots as everyone walked through the doors. I also switched to a long zoom lens on one of my other cameras to take close-ups of the vows, exchanging of rings, and first kiss from all the way in the back. Modern cameras also do well with a silent shutter in most situations. I did some test shots before the ceremony to ensure there was no banding or other issues. With lots of natural light, there were no issues at all.
Reception at The Pavilion at Pepper Plantation
After the ceremony, everyone hopped on a bus to the reception location at The Pavilion at Pepper Plantation. The bridesmaids were a little shy with the pictures, but I got them to take fun shots together. As you can see, the groomsmen were not. The groom was a bodybuilder and had a lot of fun flexing and posing with the guys. They even had friendship bracelets to show off in the pictures 😂. Preston tried to do some pushups with Brigette on his back. He did one, and then she fell backward off of him, and everyone had a good laugh about it.
After dinner and the first dances, I took the bride and groom out for pictures at sunset by the lake. It’s always tricky when I’m at a new location because I have to figure out the best angles and backgrounds for the pictures. I especially liked the ones of Brigette and Preston leaning against the fence with the beautiful blur you get from my 85mm lens. When we were out on the lakeside gazebo, pretty rim lighting from the setting sun gave a glow around the bride and groom. Next time I do a wedding here, I will already know some great spots and can look and see if there are any more.
The rest of the evening was a lot of fun dancing. It’s always great working with DJ Wayne and his wife from Happily Ever After Entertainment. It’s nice to work with someone familiar when I’m at an unfamiliar location. He always likes getting everyone together for a fun group shot on the dance floor. It helps get everyone out on the dance floor and ready to party. If you are planning a wedding at The Pavilion at Pepper Plantation, please let me know. I would be happy to help you with the planning.
Detail shots of flowers and rings – Hotel IndigoDetail shots of flowers and rings – Hotel IndigoDetail shots of flowers and rings – Hotel IndigoDetail shots of flowers and rings – Hotel IndigoDetail shots of flowers and rings – Hotel IndigoBridesmaids before the ceremony – Hotel IndigoBride and flower girl – Hotel IndigoCheers with the groomsmen – Hotel IndigoBride getting on her makeup – Hotel IndigoGroomsmen getting ready in hotel room – Hotel IndigoGroomsmen getting ready in hotel room – Hotel IndigoGroomsmen getting ready in hotel room – Hotel IndigoGroomsmen getting ready in hotel room – Hotel IndigoGrandmother putting on bride’s necklace – Hotel IndigoGrandmother putting on bride’s necklace – Hotel IndigoFather of the bride and groom before the ceremony – Hotel IndigoFirst look with grandfather – Hotel IndigoBride’s mother putting on the veil – Hotel IndigoBride’s mother putting on the veil – Hotel IndigoPutting on earring in the mirror – Hotel IndigoPutting on boutonniere before the ceremony – Hotel IndigoGroom walking to the ceremony – Christ Episcopal ChurchBridesmaids walking down the aisle – Christ Episcopal ChurchFlower girl throwing the flowers – Christ Episcopal ChurchFlower girl throwing the flowers – Christ Episcopal ChurchBride walking down the aisle with father – Christ Episcopal ChurchBride walking down the aisle with father – Christ Episcopal ChurchBride walking down the aisle with father – Christ Episcopal ChurchWedding ceremony wide angle – Christ Episcopal ChurchHolding hands during the vows – Christ Episcopal ChurchBride putting ring on the groom – Christ Episcopal ChurchFirst kiss – Christ Episcopal ChurchHappy couple after the ceremony – Christ Episcopal Church
Portraits of the bride after the ceremony – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationPortraits of the bride after the ceremony – The Pavilion at Pepper Plantation
Portraits of the bride after the ceremony – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationBride with her father and sister – The Pavilion at Pepper Plantation
Portraits with the bridesmaids – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationPortraits with the bridesmaids – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationPortraits with the bridesmaids – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationWedding party by the lake – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationCheers from the wedding party while bride and groom kiss – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationCheers from the wedding party while bride and groom kiss – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationGroomsmen picking up the bride – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationPicture with the groomsmen – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationGroomsmen showing off their friendship bracelets – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationFlying V pose with the groomsmen – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationBodybuilding groom showing off his muscles with the groomsmen – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationBodybuilding groom showing off his muscles with the groomsmen – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationGroom with his brother – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationGroom doing pushups with bride on his back and falling – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationGroom doing pushups with bride on his back and falling – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationBride and groom looking into each other’s eyes – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationGroom lifting bride into the air – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationKiss backlit by the sun – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationBig smiles on the lawn – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationWedding introductions – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationFirst dance with bride and groom – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationFirst dance with bride and groom – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationFirst dance with bride and groom – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationFirst dance with bride and groom – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationFirst dance with bride and groom – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationSunset portraits with bride and groom in front of the lake and fountain – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationSunset portraits with bride and groom in front of the lake and fountain – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationSunset portraits with bride and groom in front of the lake and fountain – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationSunset portraits with bride and groom in front of the lake and fountain – The Pavilion at Pepper Plantation
Bride and groom leaning against the fence – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationBride and groom leaning against the fence – The Pavilion at Pepper Plantation
Portrait on the gazebo boardwalk – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationHolding hands looking at each other – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationKiss at the gazebo on the lake – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationSpinning bride on the boardwalk – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationSpinning bride on the boardwalk – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationSpinning bride on the boardwalk – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationBride and groom with rim light from the sunset on the gazebo – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationBride and groom with rim light from the sunset on the gazebo – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationBride and groom with rim light from the sunset on the gazebo – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationLaughs during the toasts – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationBride dancing with her father – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationBride dancing with her father – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationBride dancing with her father – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationGroom dancing with mother – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationDJ Wayne’s big group shot on the dance floor – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationFun on the dance floor – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationFun on the dance floor – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationOldest couple on the dance floor – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationCouples dance – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationBride’s father and sister dancing – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationCatching the bouquet – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationTaking off the garter – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationGarter toss – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationGarter toss – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationFun on the dance floor – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationPrivate last dance with bride and groom – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationSparkler exit – The Pavilion at Pepper PlantationSparkler exit – The Pavilion at Pepper Plantation
I’ve been photographing many more weddings recently at Litchfield Country Club in Pawleys Island. I had such a busy October this year, with seven weddings in just the first two weekends, two of which…
During this slower time of the year, I love to go back to some of my favorite weddings of the previous year and share them on my blog. This October 15th wedding at 21…
During my slow time of the year, I’m looking back at some of my favorite weddings of 2022. It’s been a while since I posted pictures from a wedding at The Historic Peanut Warehouse…
I had the opportunity to photograph my first wedding at The Blessed Barn venue in Aynor, SC, which is a 40-minute drive inland from Myrtle Beach. This elegant farm venue has two spacious reception…
