The couple met at a local supper club in Mount Pleasant where Alan won Mary over with his gentlemanly ways, huge smile and the fact that he reminded her of her dad. A week later he took her on the best first date and she decided over dinner that she would marry him. After eight months together, they went to Mary’s family’s house in Murrells Inlet for a quiet weekend. Alan acted completely cool all day and Mary suspected nothing as they sat on the beach drinking Coronas. Mary was even reading the book Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberger. Four hours later, he took her on the back lawn overlooking the inlet and proposed. Both families were waiting as a surprise to help them celebrate. The ceremony was held at First Presbyterian Church in Florence, and since the bride is a “full on girly-girl,” the theme was glamorous with everything fit for a princess. The couple lives in Columbia.

Photograph by Gillian Claire