Cary and Lugina met at Mercy Care Hospice in Myrtle Beach when Cary stopped by Lugina’s office to retrieve decorations lent out for a Conway Christmas Parade float.

The following New Year’s Eve day, Lugina was invited to Pine Lakes Country Club. Since she knew nothing about playing golf, Lugina agreed to ride a golf cart and watch. She brought her camera in case it got boring. To Lugina’s surprise, Cary was part of the group playing golf. As she took pictures, Cary and Lugina joked and laughed. 

Halfway through the game, they stopped at the clubhouse and Cary and others from the group went inside, as Lugina waited in the cart. Cary brought Lugina a shot of Firefly Vodka and said, “Here, this one’s for you, I heard you say you liked sweet tea.” The group toasted the new year. 

Cary and Lugina started dating shortly after New Year’s Eve Day 2010 and, after a few months, Cary and Lugina decided to introduce each other to their children.

Cary’s proposal came after the couple had a trip planned to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Cary invited two other couples who were longtime friends. The group decided to ride the Bridger Gondola up to the top of the mountain and take in the scenery. They found a table on the deck outside, ordered drinks, and made a birthday toast (it was also Lugina’s birthday celebration trip). The next thing Lugina knew, Cary was on his knee beside her. He popped the question and Lugina’s answer, without hesitation, was “Yes.” Cary placed a beautiful yellow and white diamond ring on her hand, kissed her, and held her tight. Everyone cheered. 

Cary and Lugina loved the Wyoming experience so much from their engagement trip in 2020 that they chose to have their wedding there almost two years later at Jackson Lake Lodge in Grand Teton National Park.

The reception featured a rustic theme with mountains, fly fishing, trout, and river otters in mind (otters are Cary’s favorite animal). The signature drink was named the “Otter-Palmer,” which was a blend of Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka and lemonade. There was a beautiful memory table to honor loved ones lost. The three-tier cake had an icing that resembled the bark of a birch wood tree and was topped with bride and groom otters. The significance behind the birch design was that Cary’s stepmother, who had passed away, left a birchwood sapling for each person who attended her memorial. She requested everyone plant their sapling in her memory. The couple planted their trees on the lot at Lake Keowee in Seneca, SC., where they plan to retire. Their champagne flutes had an etched design Lugina and her best friend came up with: an otter, with a Dr. and Mrs. design.

The couple resides in Myrtle Beach. Cary, DMD, works in Horry County.

Photo by Alyona Oborn Photography