lowcountry wedding

saturday, matty and i headed down to charleston for the wedding of a friend/work associate. time and financial constraints dictated that this be a day trip for us, so true daytrippers we were! jack got to spend the day with granne and grampie, and matty and i got to spend the day together. for better or for worse.

charleston is a three hour drive from southport, so we decided we would wear "traveling clothes," then find a place to change once we got there. we had our favorite traveling snack (Funyons) [ i NEVER eat Funyons unless i'm on a road trip.] the drive was uneventful, and we rolled into town with about an hour to spare. time to get out of those "traveling clothes!"

and, i kid you not, we really changed our clothes in the Burger King restrooms!! we couldn't resist capturing a few of our *quick change artist* moments. here is matty learning an unfortunate lesson about self-portraits (i glanced over at him after he took this shot, and he was gently rubbing his neck. as in, "do i really have that many chins?!?"




the wedding itself took place in the Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church, which was built in 1835, i believe (?) it's a beautiful church, with narrow aisles and rows and rows of plantation shutters. Charleston is very "old money" and i was glad that i remembered to bring my good pearls! (i was thrilled to be able to wear my Marshall's dress to another wedding - the BEST $19.99 i've spend in a long time!)

the programs were fastened to charming fans made out of sweetgrass. (items made of sweetgrass have historically been a mainstay of the Gullah population in the lowcountry.) is anyone surprised that my first thought when seeing these programs was, "oooh, the bloggers will *love* this"?!?

after the ceremony, there was some confusion as to whether or not the bride and groom would be making a grand exit from the church. we didn't know another soul at the wedding, so this was the first of many moments throughout the afternoon when we had to entertain ourselves. here we are, perfecting the dual self-portrait (notice the neck stretching going on here?) don't you just love the spanish moss??


at the reception, there was a huge lowcountry boil. a lowcountry boil is similar to a cajun sefood boil, but a little less spicy. it features shrimp, potatoes, corn on the cob, onions, celery, and sausage, and is traditionally served with cornbread and coleslaw. the seasoning is very similar to Old Bay, and hot sauce is served on the side for those who like to kick it up.

spices at the ready. true foodies will understand that there IS a difference between Tabasco and Texas Pete!

gorgeous food.

after we ate, there was dancing and socializing... all of which can be challenging when you don't know a soul there. many, MANY photos were taken by us, mostly of the cool architecture and our lovely selves!!

here are those lovely buffets i featured in my take out photo challenge. do you think it's odd that we were taking pictures of our feet? matty felt a little self-conscious about it (especially after i made him take three separate photos) [ it was a bit like goldilocks... *this one* is too far away; *this one* is too close-up, *this one* is juuust riiight.]

we got ready to leave, and got very bold about changing back into our "traveling clothes." you thought Burger King was risque?!? i tell you, this time, we managed to change in. the. parking. lot. i don't know what was funnier - us changing in the parking lot, or all of the teenagers lurking about. (just what were they doing out there that they didn't want their parents to know?!?)

we entertained each other on the drive home by playing our favorite travel game - name that tune. we always play while listening to XM Big Tracks. and matty always wins - even though he lets me get the easy ones like pat benetar or the lame ones like firehouse.

ironically enough, the night before our trip featured one doozy of a *a-hem* argument. the highlight of the trip, what's not photographed here, was sitting in that church on a lazy summer afternoon, and being reminded of the "promises" of marriage. it was sighing together and talking about how sometimes "tough days" turn into "tough months," and even "tough years." it was chuckling together as the preacher said "y'all" seven times.

it was going all the way to charleston to be reminded that we are exactly where we are supposed to be.