If you’ve ever read or seen The Notebook — the iconic summer romance set in 1940s-era South Carolina — this wedding may feel very familiar. For Heather and Corey Brown, that picture-perfect movie backdrop (fondly referred to as “The Notebook House”) became a wedding day reality.
With Spanish moss dripping from the trees, parasol-sporting bridesmaids, and romantic details galore, this South Carolina wedding at North Charleston’s Admiral’s House is completely dreamy.
It turns out, Heather and Corey passed each other multiple times before they ever took a second look. When they finally did, the fates aligned. After a long-distance relationship while Heather pursued her master’s degree, Corey eventually got down on one knee in a beautiful park with the Charlotte, NC, skyline behind him.
While Charlotte may have been the scene of their engagement, the happy couple chose Charleston for their wedding destination — and the Admiral’s House couldn’t have been a more idyllic choice. “I knew I wanted to get married in an estate,” explains Heather, “and then I knew it was for us once I saw it in person. It had so much history and importance to us right away. And obviously, it’s stunning and perfect.”
Once the couple had found their dream venue, Heather began her search for the perfect dress. She unexpectedly stumbled upon it during a trip to Chicago. “I was visiting Chicago and my mom suggested I look at dresses. We went to a local shop called Dimitra’s Bridal Couture. My friend’s mom owns it, and we loved the whole experience. We ended up coming back a few months later, and I said, ‘Yes!’ to the dress. It was such an amazing moment seeing myself in the dress of my dreams.”
The location also informed their wedding day aesthetic — timeless and classic with a few modern twists. “We loved the Charleston charm …” says the bride. “A lot of my wedding was centered around the Southern, Lowcountry vibe and being surrounded by Spanish moss. I loved having a romantic feel to represent our love.”
When the big day arrived, Heather and Corey exchanged personal vows before a massive, floral-adorned arch and roughly 110 guests coming in from near and far to celebrate. With the help of their planners, Chauncey and Riley of Bouquets & Bowties, it went off without a hitch. But first, the couple enjoyed some pre-wedding fun with friends and family.
“I got ready in the Admiral’s Room within the house,” Heather tells us. “I had my 10 bridesmaids, mom, and mother-in-law with me! My brother even popped in for a little. We had a spritz bar full of various accompaniments. We sang karaoke and laughed so much!” After that, the bride enjoyed first looks with her grandparents (“Nana and Papa”), her bridesmaids, and, of course, her future husband.
After their sweet ceremony, the newlyweds made their way to the cocktail hour, where they laughed with guests, sipped on custom cocktails, and ate tasty Lowcountry fare such as mini crab cakes with Cajun caper remoulade, raw oysters on the half shell, and braised short rib with horseradish cream sauce on herb and cheese biscuits.
Even more delicious food was on its way during the reception. “We went with chef-attended food stations,” Heather tells us. “We wanted to take a more social approach and offer variety and visual interest to our wedding reception. Our guests spoke highly of the hand-rolled sushi bar!”
Other grazing stations included beef tenderloin with demi-glace and mashed potatoes, as well as lemon and herb-roasted chicken with pan jus, garlic green beans, and parmesan risotto.
For their wedding cake, the couple chose a two-tiered masterpiece designed by Naomi of MeDulce Cakes. “We wanted the cake to complement the venue, so Naomi and I emailed back and forth to perfect the color scheme,” explains Heather. “The Admiral’s House has a primarily white exterior with light blue undertones, so we aimed to incorporate that blue into the cake’s design.”
She adds, “The cake had a vintage-inspired style featuring two elegant layers. The layers were made of vanilla cake paired with luscious cream cheese icing. Between the layers, we had a delicious strawberry jam filling, which added a sweet touch of fruitiness. The entire cake was covered in smooth blue vanilla buttercream with white icing, and its color perfectly matched the overall aesthetic of the venue, tying everything together beautifully.”
After the first dance, champagne tower toast, cake cutting, and other memorable moments, guests took to the dance floor for a night of rowdy fun. Late-night corn dogs and sliders were even handed out to satisfy that post-dancing hunger!
When the evening came to a close, the bride and groom walked hand-in-hand to the Admiral’s House, where they spent their first night as husband and wife. How’s that for a movie-like ending?
Congratulations, and thank you for sharing your special day with us!
RESOURCES
Venue: The Admiral’s House
Photographer: Anne Tenkhoff Photography
Planner: Bouquets & Bowties Charleston
Florals: Festoon Charleston
Catering: Duvall Catering & Events
Cake: MeDulce Cakes
Invitations: Minted
Signage + Escort Cards: Storia Collective
Makeup: Galya Makeup Artistry
Hair: Southern Charm Bridal Hair
Content Creator: Dreamy Content
Bridal Gown Boutique: Dimitra’s Bridal Couture
Gown Designer: Enzo Ani
Bridesmaid Dresses: Show Me Your Mumu
Groom & Groomsmen Tuxedos: The Black Tux
Band: Not Your Average Party Band
DJ: D&M Productions @djtrevord
Videographer: Bruce Films
Officiant: Kasey King Wedding Officiant
Rentals: Snyder Events & Curated Events
Bar: Brand Bars & Events
Disco Balls: Bunn DJ Company
Photo Booth: Il Piccolo Bar & Foto Booth
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