Sarah Hopkins Bruker  & Scott Evan Curtiss
May 11, 2024  • Brookgreen Gardens

Aiken, South Carolina, native Sarah Bruker first met her future husband in 2007 in herfreshman year at the University of Georgia just outside of her dorm.

She shares that, with his charming smile, he looked right in her eyes, shook her hand firmly, and said, “Scott Curtiss. Nice to meet ya.”
Little did they know that this chance encounter would lead to a lifelong partnership.

It began as a close friendship over the years, with Sarah and Scott taking road trips, attending music festivals, and celebrating New Year’s in many locales, including Mexico, despite Sarah living in Denver, Colorado, and Scott in Atlanta and Memphis.

In 2020, their relationship evolved from friendship to something more serious when the two were camping in Moab, Utah. And in May 2021, they packed Sarah’s belongings into a U-Haul and moved her to Atlanta, where the newlyweds still live today.

Scott popped the question in May 2023, while the couple was on another adventure hiking on Whiteside Mountain in Highlands, North Carolina.

“It’s a place that holds cherished memories from my childhood,” says Sarah. “As we reached the summit, Scott wanted to capture the moment with a photo at the highest point, but I was feeling the heat from the climb and just wanted to sit down and catch my breath.”

Scott was determined to propose at the perfect place, coaxed her to the pinnacle, and got down on one knee, to which she said, “yes,” of course.

Their Big Day took place on May 11, 2024, in a special place for Sarah and Scott: Brookgreen Gardens. Pawleys Island is also a happy place for bride and groom, as they have traveled here for beach trips many times during their childhood and Scott’s parents have lived here for the last decade.

“We exchanged our vows in Live Oak Allee, surrounded by majestic 400-year-old live oak trees draped with Spanish moss,” says Sarah, and our wedding party consisted of our best friends that have been an incredible group that has stood by us throughout our many years of friendship.”

More special touches from their special day included a close mutual friend serving as the ceremony’s officiant and, in a touching tribute, a reserved seat adorned with a beautiful bouquet for Sarah’s late mother.

The wedding at Brookgreen was appropriately styled in a garden party theme, complete with Sarah walking down the aisle in a Jenny Yoo gown embellished with 3D flowers and carrying a bouquet of specialty-cut garden roses from Menagerie Farm & Flower, where she works, to Trey Anastasio’s “Sunset Days.”

A private ring ceremony was held in the Visionaries Garden, encircled by the couple’s family and closest friends. After the ceremony, cocktail hour was at the Diana Reflection Pool, with a backdrop of big band music and a treat of fresh cocktails, caprese pipettes, mini-crab cakes, and chicken and waffles.

The reception continued at the Leonard Pavilion, where the boho chic garden party theme featured earthy tones of beige and green; lush greenery draped from the wooden beams; a disco ball installed above the black-and-white-checkered dance floor; a cozy lounge laid out with a velvet couch and a peacock wicker chair that once belonged to Sarah’s parents in their first home; and a hanging flower curtain dotted with mini disco balls.

Green floral linens from Nuage dressed the head table, along with a garland of vibrant blooms running down the center. Each guest table showcased table number cards that featured lyrics from Sarah and Scott’s favorite love songs, and guests were given disposable cameras to capture memories from the night. The beautiful bar dressed in matching linens showcased artwork by Alison Pennline. And a gold memorial shelf was lined with photos honoring loved ones who had passed away.

Bride and groom made quite the statement as husband and wife, performing a choreographed dance to Peggy Lee’s “It’s Been A Long, Long Time,” curating a playlist for dancing that spanned a wide range of genres from all decades, and making their grand exit to Phish’s “Tweezer Reprise” while guests blew a trail of bubbles before the Curtisses hoppef aboard their getaway trolley.

Key Vendors:
Planner: Gigi Strong, SLP Events
Photography: Crystal Gwenshon
Venue: Brookgreen Gardens
Catering: Inlet Affairs
Florist: Willow Event Design
Cake: Croissants Bakery
Transportation: Carolina Limo
DJ & Video: Eyecon Entertainment
Hair & Makeup: Beautifully Wed
Rentals: Event Works
Signage: Alison Pennline
Couturiere: Gizelle James