Dagmara & John are engaged! I met them on a blustery March day in Washington Square Park in downtown Charleston. Isn’t hard to imagine a cold day with the heat wave we’ve been having? We started in the park then ventured down to Church Street and ended in Philadelphia Alley. Congrats to you both, and best of luck with the wedding planning!
Sarah Goldman is a photographer in Charleston, SC.
Josie + Caison are engaged! We incorporated some drone photography into their Hampton Park engagement session, and it was so COOL! Thank you, Rivers Rudloff Photography for the awesome drone shots.
Sarah Goldman is an engagement photographer in Charleston, SC
Katie + Ryan are celebrating 10 years this month as husband and wife! We did a “trash the dress” session at Folly Beach to mark the occasion.
Sarah Goldman is a photographer in Charleston, SC.
Live oaks draped in Spanish moss, colorful historic buildings, ornate iron gates, and cobblestone streets: Charleston has no shortage of beautiful locations for photo shoots.
I have been photographing engagement sessions and weddings in Charleston since 2009. When a bride-to-be asks me where we should go for their engagement photos I have a list of favorites in my back pocket. Today I will share my top 5 locations for engagement photos in Charleston, South Carolina.
Still looking for the perfect photographer for your Charleston engagement session? You can view my gallery of weddings and engagement photos here: www.sarahgoldman.com
1.
East Bay Street, Chalmers Street, and Waterfront Park
Highlights: cobblestone streets, 2 fountains (including the pineapple fountain), gas lights, rainbow row, water views, swings, live oaks.
2.
College of Charleston campus
Highlights: Old Buildings, Live Oaks, brick walkways, iron gates, and azaleas
3.
King Street
Highlights: More of an “urban feel”, the American Theatre, alleys, old buildings and storefronts, and Marion Square
4.
Unitarian Church Graveyard
Highlights: Wild and overgrown, flowering trees and shrubs, winding walkways, and old buildings
5.
Side streets South of Broad Street
Highlights: Old buildings, carriage tours going by, hidden alleys, old walls with creeping fig, interesting doorways – unlimited possibilities!
Sarah Goldman is a family, wedding, and engagement photographer in Charleston, SC.
Sarah Goldman Photography has teamed up with WedTexts this year to follow several Charleston couples on their wedding journey – from their engagements to the big day!
In February, I met and photographed Erica and Logan, who are planning a North Carolina wedding in September. Read their write up in Charleston Weddings here! Erica and Logan will be using WedTexts to coordinate their wedding weekend. See the highlights from their engagement here.
“I think WedTexts is going to help me keep my wedding celebration from being complete chaos. It is so hard to get everyone on the same page and “in the know”. I think it will save me a lot of phone calls and confusing texts, and I think every bride could use an app that helps reduce the stress.” – Erica
We caught up with Erica to find out how the planning was going for their intimate wedding at Castle Ladyhawke.
SGP: How is the wedding planning going?
E: The planning is going very well, for our ceremony, as it is only our parents joining us for that. As you know, we have invited family and close friends to join us the weekend after our ceremony, this is were I think WedText is going to be awesome! We haven’t been to Asheville, NC before and that is were we will be heading. It’s been a bit stressful thinking of things we can all do and coordinating with everyone, as most everyone will be coming from different state.
SGP: Is Logan helping with the plans?
E: Logan is definitely helping with the planning, maybe even a little too much! He is choosing his own tux and making sure his side of the family stays “in the loop” with any plans. I’m thankful he is helpful with everything, it’s taken a lot of stress off of me.
SGP: What is your biggest challenge right now?
Our biggest challenge right now has been keeping up with all of the guests we’ve invited and making sure everyone is able to book a hotel or has somewhere to stay. It’s very hard knowing if hotels/cabins are in the same vicinity as we will be, I’d hate for someone to book something and have to drive a half hour or more to get to things. Google works great, but it’s not always accurate.
SGP: Were you two nervous for your engagement session? Was it what you expected?
E: I wouldn’t say we we’re nervous, we were very excited, just a bit unsure of what to expect. We had a blast! Logan even commented that he, “fell even more in love” with me as we stared into each other’s eyes, so very sweet. We will always cherish those moments, especially because it was our first photo shoot together.
SGP: Which photos are your favorites from the engagement session?
E: Oh my gosh, it is so hard to choose my favorites!! I love the one with Logan and I kissing with the bushes and iron fence behind us, I love the colors. I also love the ones done in the middle of church street and down Philadelphia Alley, so cool. I really love them all, you did an amazing job Sarah!
Thanks for letting us tag along on your wedding planning journey, Erica and Logan! We can’t wait to hear about your wedding at Castle Ladyhawke!
WedTexts is an app that enables engaged couples to share important event information with their guests via pre-scheduled text messages.
Sarah Goldman is a photographer in Charleston, SC.
Craig is a model. As a professional, he insisted on having his own music (I’m too sexy…) at his and Carrie’s Charleston engagement session. We met at the cistern at the College of Charleston for their engagement photos since Carrie went to school there.
Carrie + Craig – Congrats on your engagement! Best of luck with the wedding planning.
Sarah Goldman is a wedding, family, and engagement photographer in Charleston, SC.
These two are a perfect match. One of those couples that are so love it almost makes you blush. Rachel and Brad are having a destination wedding this spring, and they traveled to Charleston for their engagement session.
Brad and Rachel are good friends of ours and before we set out for downtown Charleston, they let me experiment with my “fog in a can” in the studio.
We started in the graveyard of the Unitarian Church downtown. Even though it was winter, we found a few flowering trees.
Brad said “should I point out the obvious?” ha ha! Ironically, I’m photographing Andrew and Heidi’s wedding in Jackson Hole, WY in September.
We ran into Miss Luna Tuna during our walk to the church.
Congrats, Brad + Rachel! You deserve all the happiness that fills your lives.
xoxo,
Sarah
Sarah Goldman is an engagement and wedding photographer in Charleston, SC.
I recently sat down with Caleb White, Co-Founder of WedTexts. WedTexts, a communication app, is based in Columbia, SC. I have been recommending this app to all my engaged couples because I know it will be super handy during both their planning process and during the wedding weekend.
SGP: What exactly is WedTexts?
CW: WedTexts is an app that allows engaged couples to communicate with all of their guests, or groups of their guests, via pre-scheduled text messages. If everything goes as planned WedTexts becomes the modern day weekend itinerary letting your guests know when and where events are taking place. Couples can schedule this type of message weeks in advance, giving them one less thing to worry about during their wedding weekend. If things don’t go as planned, then WedTexts can help save the day. When plans change, couples can send out real time updates letting guests know new event details. This was extremely helpful for one of our couples that had to re-plan their entire wedding in 2 days due to a flood. With one WedTexts’ message to their guests they were able to keep everyone in the loop! In short, WedTexts is the easiest way to WOW your wedding guests!
SGP: How did you come up with the idea for the app?
CW: I can’t take the credit for coming up with the idea of WedTexts. My wife and I got married in New Orleans in June 2015. Because she is from Connecticut and I am from South Carolina, we were nervous about all the logistics surrounding events for our family and friends who had never been to New Orleans. (In addition, I think she was nervous about all my college buddies making it to the wedding on time.) Anyway, 5 weeks before our wedding she recommended that we use the software my company had been developing to send scheduled text messages to keep our guests in the loop throughout our wedding weekend. So that’s what we did, and WedTexts was born.
Our loved ones were traveling from far away, so we wanted to show them a good time in the Big Easy. To do this, we had events Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We scheduled at least one text message each morning (around 10am) letting our guests know the events for that day. For example: that Thursday we had a crawfish boil, so Thursday morning we sent a text to everyone saying, “Thank you for spending the weekend with us! If you are in town we are having a crawfish boil @ 5pm @ The Fly! bit.ly/23Z7WT7″ Our guests loved receiving the messages! Three of our engaged friends asked us about the “texting thing”. All three of them have used it along with couples across the country. I am very grateful for my wife!
SGP: Could the app be handy for communicating with people other than wedding guests? Vendors?
CW: Yes! Many wedding planners and photographers have expressed interest in using WedTexts. Wedding planners are excited to be able to communicate with all the wedding vendors and the wedding guests to make sure everyone knows the crucial details. Photographers are very eager to use WedTexts to round up the wedding party and family before weddings for pictures.
SGP: Where do you see WedTexts a year from now?
CW: We are humbled and excited each time someone signs up for a WedTexts account. The most exciting thing about being in the wedding industry is helping couples make their special day their own. We built WedTexts with this in mind. You are able to put your own personal flair on every WedTexts’ message you send to your guests. We are excited to see all the ways thousands of couples will make WedTexts their own. A year from now, we think we will be fortunate enough to be a part of thousands of couples’ weddings across the country.
Thanks, Caleb for telling us about WedTexts! I’m excited to see what’s to come. For more information about WedTexts, check out www.WedTexts.com.
Sarah Goldman is a wedding, engagement, and family photographer in Charleston and Columbia, SC.
She was Cindy Lauper. He was a priest. They may not have seemed like a match made in heaven, but they were.
It was Halloween 2009 and Julie and Brian met through mutual friends at The Brick in Charleston. Brian knew right away he wanted to spend more time with this fun girl that had just moved back to Charleston, so he kept asking their mutual friend, Becca, to invite her out with them. After MANY lunches, they went on their first date to Theatre 99, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Brian proposed on February 15, 2014 (making Julie wait disappointingly through Valentine’s Day!) at the pineapple fountain after a treasure hunt that led her to all their favorite spots.
It sounds obvious to say, but the theme of their wedding day was LOVE. The love between Julie and Brian, of course, but also the love their friends and family showed for this amazing couple. The love between Julie’s parents (who looked like teenagers, and couldn’t take their eyes off each other!), the love between parents and children, the love between Julie’s brother and his girlfriend, sibling love, friend love – just LOVE!
Julie and Brian – Congratulations! I’m so glad to call you both friends. I am inspired by your love and the love your families have for you. I wish you the best as you navigate life…..together! Much love and thanks, Sarah
East Main Guest House was a charming backdrop for Julie, her bridesmaids, and her family to get ready for the big day.
Julie’s father made the ring box for the ring bearer to carry.
Julie’s beautiful dress was from David’s Bridal.
Julie’s shoes were Gianni Bini. Under a layer of the dress she tucked a handkerchief that was carried by her great great grandmother on her wedding day and by most of the women in her family. Her brother lent her the first four-leaf clover he picked for his girlfriend, Autumn. She wore a silver bracelet borrowed from her Aunt Debbie and a pearl hair accessory from her friend, Amber. Her something blue was her toe nail polish.
The diamond in the center of Julie’s ring was from her grandmother’s ring.
Michelle, a friend who rode the bus with Julie in elementary school, styled her hair.
Julie’s mom designed all the flowers for the day.
Glencairn Garden was the idyllic setting for their wedding ceremony. The landscape was beautiful with trickling fountains to set the mood.
We found a tree with their initials in it! (OK, just their first initials – but still pretty amazing!)
Then it was off to the City Club of Rock Hill for a perfect city central reception.
The desserts were all homemade – lovely and delicious!
The toasts were touching and funny.
When the DJ started playing ‘N Sync and Backstreet Boys, the girls got a little crazy.
We recreated Julie’s mom’s favorite photo from her wedding.
They left the City Club as wedding guests showered them with bird seed.
Many thanks to this amazing team for making Julie and Brian’s day so special:
Venues: Glencairn Garden, City Club or Rock Hill, East Main Guest House
Dress: David’s Bridal
Flowers: Patti Whitaker, Julie’s mom
Hair: Michelle Woods Hinson
Makeup: ULTA
Reception Event Coordinator: Margie Barnett
Day of Coordinator: Lanette Plyler
Catering: The City Club of Rock Hill
DJ: Christian Robles with Crackerjack Sound Decisions
Photographer: Sarah Goldman Photography
2nd photographer: Sarah Limehouse Batson
Cookies: Aunt Alice, Aunt Debbie, Jane, cousin Steven and Kristen, and her Nona’s bakery in Charlotte
Favors: Julie’s grandparents and Aunts
Rings: Skatell’s
Ceremony music: Julie’s cousin, Hollie Dzierzanowski and Stefanie Schore
Officiant: Benj Lipchak
Sarah Goldman is a family and wedding photographer in Charleston and Columbia, SC. She is also available for weddings in Rock Hill.
Sarah Goldman Photography 