A Laid-Back Kind of Love (2013) | Real Wedding

When Shannon Austin met Michael Jabs at Virginia Tech in 2009, Michael was set to move to Richmond, Virginia, to begin working as an actuary, while Shannon had one last year of college to go. Thanks to endless video chats, their long-distance love blossomed, and Shannon joined Michael after graduation. That chapter was short-lived, however, after Shannon was accepted into the 27-month physician assistant program at MUSC.

So the two revived their long-distance relationship, which included co-parenting their dog, Maddie, a few hundred miles apart, and by 2011, Michael was ready to propose. While Shannon and her father recuperated from her donating him her kidney over Christmas (yep, you read that correctly), Michael scored Mr. Austin’s blessing. That New Year’s Eve, the couple was back in Charleston, and the last sunrise of the year found them at Waterfront Park with Maddie, a diamond ring, and Shannon as a still-healing but very enthusiastic bride-to-be.

Choosing Charleston for their wedding was an easy pick. “Michael and I had fallen in love with the beauty, charm, and personality that’s unique to the Lowcountry,” says Shannon, who, with the help of Michael and their families, crafted her Big Day. Wanting to incorporate a “healthy dose” of said charm, they chose the Creek Club at I’On for their nuptials and complemented Shannon’s favorite color, yellow, with pale gray for a casual, summertime feel. After saying “I do” on the banks of Hobcaw Creek, the newlyweds and guests dove into a night of shrimp-and-grits, dancing, and lawn games.

“I remember holding Michael’s hand and feeling his wedding band,” says Shannon. “It was amazing—after all the planning, I had such a wonderful man who was finally my husband.”

Vendor List:

Bird Table Décor: Vintage Green Limited, www.etsy.com/shop/vintagegreenlimited

Bridal Gown: Enzoani, www.enzoani.com

Bride’s Earrings: Crystal Avenues, www.etsy.com/shop/CrystalAvenues

Bridesmaid’s Attire: J.Crew, www.jcrew.com

Bridesmaid’s Necklaces: Favorite Jewellery, www.etsy.com/shop/FavoriteJewellery

Ceremony and Reception Location: Creek Club at I’On, www.creekevents.com/club

Cupcakes: Cupcake DownSouth, www.freshcupcakes.com

Catering: Creek Club at I’On, www.creekevents.com/club

Floral Robes: Sunrise to Sunset, http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunsetToSunrise?ref=l2-shopheader-name

Florist: Tiger Lily Weddings, www.tigerlilyweddings.com

Getaway Boat: Captains Source, www.captainssource.com