There’s something timeless about Charleston weddings — the graceful oak trees draped in Spanish moss, the warmth of Southern hospitality, and that golden glow that settles over the Lowcountry at dusk. Greg and Katie’s wedding at the historic Legare Waring House embodied all of that magic and more.
Their day struck a beautiful balance between classic Southern charm and modern flair, creating a destination celebration that felt deeply personal. The couple exchanged private vows beneath the trees before their ceremony, sharing a quiet and intimate moment just the two of them. As golden hour unfolded, the property transformed into a painterly dream — the sky awash in color, guests laughing beneath the oaks during cocktail hour, and later, a vibrant reception that filled the evening with energy and joy. From the heartfelt ceremony at St. Luke’s Chapel to the packed dance floor and classic getaway car, every part of the day reflected who they are: laid-back, joyful, and full of heart.
“Declaring that covenant between us and God was a moment we’ll never forget. Hearing our favorite scripture verses on marriage read aloud was so special and really set the tone for the vows we were taking.”
How did you two meet? What were your first impressions of one another?
We met at a sushi restaurant in Raleigh, North Carolina. Greg was training at Fort Bragg at the time and drove over an hour to our first date — something I didn’t realize until the end of the evening, when he mentioned he was in the military!
My first impression of Greg was that he seemed very disciplined and ambitious. I had a feeling he shared my sense of humor, but it wasn’t until our second date that he really let his hair down.
Greg’s first impression of me was that I was family-oriented, smart, and well-spoken (his words, not mine!). We were both nervous, so while those first impressions were accurate, it wasn’t until our next few dates that we truly relaxed and got to know each other.
Tell us a funny story relating to your wedding day or relationship!
Greg has three sisters, including a twin, and when we first started dating, he didn’t want them Googling me or tracking down my social media. He refused to tell them my last name, so for a while his family called me “Katie Confidential.” When I finally met his parents, one of the first things his mom asked me was what my last name was — a story his dad retold at our rehearsal dinner that still makes us laugh!
Describe a hurdle you had to overcome in your relationship or during your wedding planning.
Greg is in the U.S. Army Special Forces and was deployed for six months leading up to our wedding day, which meant he wasn’t around for most of the planning! Luckily, he didn’t have strong opinions on much — except the food and music, which were his only requests to be involved in.
We also live in Colorado Springs, where Greg is stationed, which is across the country from where our wedding took place. For me, that meant lots of phone calls, frequent trips back to Charleston and the East Coast, and a generous amount of patience and trust in the process!
What part of your wedding day was most important to you?
The most important part of our wedding day was the ceremony, held at St. Luke’s Chapel. The setting itself was stunning — light pouring through the stained-glass windows, high ceilings, and beautiful Gothic architecture created the perfect romantic atmosphere. But more than that, declaring our covenant between us and God was a sacred moment we’ll never forget. Hearing our favorite scripture verses on marriage read aloud truly set the tone for our vows and our life together.
If you had one piece of advice for other couples, what would it be?
Be slow to anger and quick to forgive. It can be easy to keep “score” in a marriage, but remember that you’re on the same team. Grace and understanding go a long way.
Photography: Jacqueline & Laura Photography / @jacquelineandlauraphoto
Planning: Bouquets & Bowties / @bouquetsandbowtiescharleston
Florist: Pretty Petals of Charleston / @prettypetalsofcharleston
Invitations: Empress Stationery / @empressstationery
Cake: The Tenacious Tart / @tenacioustart
Ceremony Venue: St. Luke’s Chapel
Reception Venue: Legare Waring House / @legare_waring_house
DJ: Bunn DJ Company / @bunndjchs
Catering: Cru Catering / @crucatering
Transportation: Lowcountry Trolley / @lowcountrytrolley
Dress Designer: Kelly Faetanini / @kellyfaetanini
Groom’s Attire: Jos. A Bank / @josabank
Musician: Lowcountry Pianist
Hair & Makeup: Galya Gornishka / @galyagornishka
Event Rentals: Event Works Charleston / @eventworksrentals
Event Rentals: Snyder Events / @snyderevents
Event Rentals: Lowcountry Entertainment / @lowcountryentertaiment
Publisher at The White Wren and Bajan Wed, Award Winning Photography + Videographer at Live View Studios, Dad, 80s music lover, crunchy health advocate
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