Set against the picturesque ocean backdrop of the Citadel Beach Club, Allie and Tim celebrated the most joyful day of their lives. For her special day, Allie envisioned a wedding dress that was timeless, elegant, and sparkling. To bring her bridal style to life, she turned to friend and Edith Élan designer, Lourdes.
Allie + Tim’s Love Story
The bride and groom met at a church bible study in the fall of 2018. From there their friendship grew and they continued to build that friendship for years. They supported each other in work events, gigs, and life celebrations. Then summer of 2022 came around and enough friends had probed Allie about Tim that she in a roundabout way, asked him if he would ask her on a date. He finally caved and they had their first date in August.
Tim surprised Allie with a proposal on a rainy Charleston summer day in 2023 with only the raindrops as witness to their growing love story. To celebrate, they headed to Holy City Brewery where, unbeknownst to Allie, friends were waiting for them to celebrate. The surprises continued as Tim also planned for Allie’s mom and sisters to fly in from out of state and surprise her at the brewery. Shortly after the surprise engagement party, it was time for Allie to start thinking about her wedding dress!
Finding the Perfect Bridal Style
When Allie first started her wedding dress shopping, she described her perfect wedding dress as timeless and elegant with a high neck, open back, and a touch of sparkle. The Edith Élan Tamarisk style was at the top of the list since it checked all the boxes: a bateau neckline, a low open back, crystal buttons, and sparkling beaded shoulder trim on a sleek crepe silhouette.
The Custom Wedding Dress Design Journey
Allie’s custom wedding dress design journey started by meeting with Lourdes to talk about the vision of the perfect wedding dress and how it would fit within the budget. After the meeting, Allie had an at-home try-on session with Lourdes surrounded by friends and family.
At the try-on session, she tried on a variety of Edith Élan styles to see what design elements and fabrics she loved. All of the styles she tried on, including Tamarisk, had a higher neck and a lower, open back, but were in different fabrics and silhouettes. In the end, it was the Dolores style that really made her feel comfortable with the a-line silhouette. However, there was still something missing. Sparkle!
Bringing the Vision to Reality: Creating the Perfect Custom Wedding Dress Design
With the silhouette decided, Lourdes suggested to combine the elements of Tamarisk and Dolores to create Allie’s perfect wedding dress. To do that, the beaded tulle skirt layer and capelet from Dolores were removed, crystal buttons were added down the back of the skirt, and Tamarisk’s iconic sparkling crystal shoulder trim was added to the shoulders of the Dolores bodice. Lourdes sketched the custom creation for Allie to see. It was a yes! It was the perfect combination of several styles she liked.
From there, Lourdes set about creating Allie’s custom pattern, making the dress, and fitting it in time for the February 2024 wedding.
A Charleston Beachside Wedding
Allie and Tim spent the morning of their wedding day getting ready with their groomsmen and bridesmaids. After getting ready, Tim and his men hit the court for a quick game of basketball – a favorite pasttime of the groom. At the end of the game, the groomsmen each took turns signing the basketball for Tim to keep as a memory of this special moment. Meanwhile, Allie finished getting ready in the bridal suite with the help of her mom.
Once dressed in her custom Edith Élan weddind dress design – which she accessorized with light blue shoes, rose gold teardrop earrings, and a fingertip veil – Allie did a dress reveal with her bridesmaids and her dad on the lawn of the Citadel Beach Club.
Keeping the Dress a Surprise
Allie and Tim decided against a first look, and instead chose to do a first touch. She stood behind a screen and waited for Tim to stand on the other side. They reached for each other over the edge of the screen. They closed their eyes and lived in the still of the moment as they held hands. Their chapter as fiancés was coming to close.
Celebrating Allie + Tim
Even though they were closing the chapter on their engagement, a new chapter was about to begin in their love story. Allie walked down the aisle arm-in-arm with her dad. The couple exchanged their hand-written vows and rose gold wedding rings in front of friends and family.
After the ceremony, the newlyweds and the bridal party headed to the beach for portraits. Meanwhile guests enjoyed the hors d’ouevres and cocktail hour on the porch of the Citadel Beach Club. Even though Allie’s pup, Paisley, couldn’t attend the wedding she was there in spirit… and on the cocktail napkins!
Dancing the Night Away
While guests enjoyed cocktail hour, the inside of the Citadel Beach Club was transformed for dinner. Once guests were seated, Tim and Allie were reintroduced as husband and wife by the live band and hit the dancefloor for their first dance. After dinner, the newlyweds hit the dancefloor as the band kicked off the party. At one point, Tim jumped on the bass guitar to play a few songs as his wife watched with joy. There were French crêpes for dessert – a nod to Tim’s French heritage – and the live music played late into the night. The newlyweds ended their night with one last kiss under the stars.
The Citadel Beach Club Wedding Vendors
Custom Wedding Dress Design – Edith Élan
Venue – Citadel Beach Club
Photographer – Megan Madaris
Videographer – Stu White
Hair and makeup – Vanity Salon
Flowers – Trader Joe’s
Band – Motown Throwdown
Rentals – EventWorks
Dessert – Saveurs du Monde Cafe
Catering – Home Team BBQ
Cocktail Hour Hors D’ouevres – She Shed Cookies & Boards
Looking for More Wedding and Bridal Inspiration?
Head to our inspiration galleries page. There is plenty more to get you inspired!
posted in
Be Inspired, Real Brides