On the Road

Jennifer Stuart & Bradley Cantrell
November 16, 2013
Old Wide Awake Plantation

Last November, Jennifer Stuart and Bradley Cantrell lead a caravan of five—yes, five—SUVs from Greer, South Carolina, to the couple’s Big Day celebration here in the Lowcountry. “They were packed to the brim with flowers, cake, clothing, and décor,” laughs DIY bride Jennifer.

As wild as that ride may seem, it was just another piece of the puzzle that adds up to the romance of Jennifer, a wedding photographer, and Bradley, an engineer. The two, who didn’t cross paths growing up in the same small neck of the woods in the Upstate, nor at their alma mater, Clemson University, first laid eyes on each other at a wedding Jennifer was hired to capture for a friend of Bradley’s.

Three years of dating later, the two were heading home after a road trip with Jennifer grouchy from the early start and sporting car-ride PJs because their only planned stop was Sheldon Church Ruins. After she’d snapped a few photos there, Bradley challenged her to a picnic table game of Scrabble under the oaks—odd for some but not unheard of for these two board-game fans. As Jennifer scrounged for a way to keep score, Bradley set the tiles to read “Will you marry me J?”

Six months afterward, the two plus 85 guests headed to Old Wide Awake Plantation, where Jennifer had once photographed a wedding. Their mothers had baked, their siblings had arranged flowers, Jennifer’s dad had built an arbor, and everyone pitched in to hang café lights, pale blue and gold ribbons, and planters.

“We didn’t make our clothes, my bouquet, or dinner,” Jennifer says, “but knowing that we and our loved ones worked on every other aspect of our day was very special to us.”

Vendor List

Bridal Gown: Allure Bridals, available in Charleston through Bridals by Jodi, www.BridalsbyJodi.com

Bridal Jewelry: J.Crew, www.JCrew.com

Bridal Robe: Plum Pretty Sugar, www.PlumPrettySugar.com

Bridal Veil: Bella Bridal Veils, www.etsy.com/shop/BellaBridalVeils

Cake: Kathy and Company, www.KathyandCompany.com

Caterer: Gourmet Bay Catering, www.GourmetBay.net

Ceremony & Reception Location: Old Wide Awake Plantation, www.OldWideAwakePlantation.com

Florals: (bouquet) Branch Design Studio, www.BranchDesignStudio.com; (tabletop and bridesmaids) FiftyFlowers, FiftyFlowers.com

Getaway Vehicle: Charleston Black Cab Company, www.CharlestonBlackCabCompany.com

Groom’s Attire: Express, www.Express.com

Groom’s Vest: J.Crew, www.JCrew.com