Everything clicked

Before she even approached, Carl’s friend had already suggested that he talk to Hannah.

“It was excellent advice,” Carl said. “Fast forward and we’re married.”

The day stretched into a dinner date that night and a meetup for hiking shortly after. Hannah loved how respectful Carl was and he enjoyed her humor. They had a ton in common and somehow just clicked into each other’s lives like puzzle pieces.

The couple moved to a rural piece of land in North Carolina, making time to sit together on the porch at the end of the day and watch the sunset. One early evening, when the October sun was peeking through the clouds, Carl asked Hannah to step outside. On the porch was a jewelry container, a gorgeous box that Hannah thought was a gift.

Instead, the drawer held a ring, and Carl proposed at sunset.

They wanted a small wedding with just immediate family and special friends. They didn’t rush the process, being engaged during COVID. When the restrictions started easing, Hannah and Carl chose Hilton Head for the wedding.

“Logistically, we couldn’t have the wedding at our home in North Carolina. Hilton Head has also grown to be home to me, so why not have it there?” Hannah said.

Carl’s family vacationed on Hilton Head Island for years and his parents finally bought a second home in the area. While he was finishing up school, he lived in that house on the island. Those connections helped the couple make their decision for the perfect destination wedding.

Hannah saw the Coastal Discovery Museum online and fell in love with the location. Robin Swift, the Vice President of Marketing & Development for the museum, helped them plan the event along with Signature Catering & Events coordinator, Tracey Mancini. Hannah loved their warmth, “They made us feel like family and were so open to my vision.”

When everyone traveled to town for the event, the weather was horrible; rain forecasted every day. Just before the rehearsal dinner, the skies cleared in beautiful Lowcountry fashion until the end of the ceremony.

The bride was gorgeous in her gown from Dress Savvy Bride in Charlotte, N.C., carrying the simple, elegant bouquet made by the groom’s sister, Alison Mihkjian.

With a few words from officiant David Leininger with A Wedding in Paradise, the couple was ready to trade heirloom rings.

Quinn’s Diamond Jewelers and Heritage Fine Jewelry combined efforts to resize Carl’s grandparents’ wedding rings.

“We wanted to keep them as a pair; they were married 49 years,” Carl said.

After pictures by photographer Chloe Giancola in front of the sunset over the marsh, the wedding guests attended the reception at Dockside at Skull Creek, feasting on ribeye, chicken, scallops and shrimp and grits. The tables were decorated simply, making use of sea glass and eucalyptus sprigs for a coastal feel. Cards were provided to write advice for the newlyweds to read later.

Since it was such a small, close group, someone plugged in a speaker, and everyone took turns queuing their favorite songs for a dance party.

Hannah goes back to that list of songs to relive the special memories of her day. “The playlist hits every possible generation,” she said. “A couple of months ago Carl’s mom and I ordered Chinese food and played the songs. All of them reminded me of amazing, memorable times.”

Vendors

Coordinator: Tracey Mancini: Signature Catering & Events
Ceremony: Coastal Discovery Museum
Ceremony music: Hilton Head Entertainment. Violinist Cathy Klimoff
Officiant: David Leininger, A Wedding in Paradise
Floral: Alison Mihkjian
Rehearsal dinner: Signature Catering & Events
Transportation: Camelot Limousine
Dress: Savvy Bride
Reception: Dockside at Skull Creek
Rings: Heritage Fine Jewelry, Quinn's Diamond Jewelers
Photographer: Chloe Giancola