In the Moment

Billy Hackenson & Chris Del Gandio October 1, 2023 • Montage Palmetto Bluff Billy Hackenson and Chris Del Gandio’s love story has been built on simple, earnest moments. It all began with their first date in January 2021. With the height of the pandemic putting a damper on evenings out in San Francisco, Billy met Chris at his apartment, where they shared a bottle of red wine, to-go Italian, and an instant spark. As the months went on, they continued to get creative with dates, deepening their connection along the way. When Chris knew Billy was “his person,” he planned a proposal at the same Sonoma winery that produced their first-date bottle. Among resplendent gardens and with beloved pup Rusty as their witness, Chris dropped to one knee and asked Billy to marry him. But where to make it official and celebrate with their nearest and dearest? The couple zeroed in on Palmetto Bluff, where Billy’s parents had retired and the pair could leave behind the hustle and bustle of San Francisco to soak up an intimate weekend with loved ones. They enlisted the expertise of Allison Event Design and shared their vision of a multiday celebration. With that in mind, there could be no more perfect setting than the sweeping, serene Montage Palmetto Bluff. The festivities kicked off on Friday with an alfresco “Burgers and Bourbon” event featuring the Montage’s bourbon cart. Saturday brought boat rides and an all-day pickleball tournament before everyone cleaned up for the welcome dinner at Moreland Landing on the May River. (Billy, Chris, and Rusty appropriately arrived by boat.) Wedding day Sunday began with the couple getting ready together and taking photos with their closest friends ahead of the ceremony, sharing precious time with those who had traveled for the occasion. Billy and Chris exchanged vows in a heartfelt ceremony set in the ethereal May River Chapel. Nearby, the River House hosted a reception that was the picture of masculine elegance: towering centerpieces, leather-detailed menu cards, and classic layers of white and blue hues. All told, the wedding was precisely what the grooms had hoped for: a weekend anchored in irreplaceable moments for their loved ones to connect and celebrate their love, simply enough. Vendors Venue & Catering: Montage Palmetto Bluff Planning & Design: Allison Event Design Photography: Justin Leon Brown Entertainment: David Kimbell, Hilton Head Entertainment (ceremony), East Coast Entertainment (reception) Florals: Jardiniere Events Rentals: Alpha-Lit, Beachview Event Rentals, Nüage Designs, EventWorks, Emerson James, Amazing Event Rentals, Advanced AV Stationery: Momental Designs Invitation Suites: Hyegraph Invitations Live Portrait Watercolors: Cloud Studio Transportation: Old Savannah Tours, Outside Brands, Callan’s Classics