Kelsey + Zak

Elegant Tropical Infused Southern Wedding at Boone Hall

June 13, 2020

Kelsey and Zak’s wedding at Boone Hall was- for lack of better words- perfect. Some of you may remember Kelsey and Zak from their adorable engagement session last year that was featured on The Knot- How They Asked. Just incase you don’t remember the absolutely adorable story of how they met- I’ll fill you in really fast. Kelsey had just moved to Charleston and didn’t know a single person. She frequently took her pup on walks at The Battery, when one day, Zak and his pup, Molly walked by. As Kelsey says “Oliver and Molly started sniffin’ and we started talking”. The rest- is history! It sounds like something out of a move, am I right?!

Mr. and Mrs. Petersen’s Best Day Ever

Anyway, fast forward to June 13, 2020. While it wasn’t the original May wedding they had planned, I’d say it was still a perfect day! Their wedding had a tropical feel- with palms, pineapples, and other tropical floral throughout the venue. One thing I know that Zak and Kelsey were extremely excited about was the steel drum. Honestly, I was probably just as excited about the steel drum as they were! It was a great way to really bring that tropical feel and tie everything together. Not to mention, being at the Cotton Dock and walking around Boone Hall wit

h the sound of a steel drum playing gives you such a happy, relaxed feeling.

The day started out with us capturing some getting ready photos at Kelseys house. From there, we headed over to Boone Hall for Kelsey and Zak’s first look. We went ahead and snagged some family, bridal party, and couples portraits before the ceremony as well. Their ceremony was at the Cotton Dock, where Duvall had done a stunning job with draping and beautiful tropical floral. After the ceremony, the guests enjoyed cocktail hour with the relaxing sound of the steel drum playing in the background. We took advantage of that beautiful golden hour light and took some quick newlywed photos of them, then sent them back to enjoy cocktail hour.

The Reception

Walking into the reception, you first noticed a stunning cake, which had a cake topper of THEM on it! How cool right?! Don’t worry, there’s a link below so you can find out how you can get one of you! Their cake was surrounded by delicious treats so their guests could create their own little goody bag of the sweets that Zak’s parents (who are chocolatiers!) provided. The reception tables were clad in lush floral arrangements, and tiny little pineapples on the table were the place markers for the bride and groom’s seats. There were chandeliers with greenery hanging from the ceiling, and white draping throughout added the perfect touch of elegance.

Zak and Kelsey’s wedding was a great little escape from the craziness going on around us. It was a BEAUTIFUL evening, full of dancing, laughing, eating cake, and more dancing. At the end of the night, the guests cheered the newlyweds on and sent them off with the perfect sparkler exit.

A Letter To the Couple

Kelsey and Zak, you two are amazing. You’re good people. Great people, phenomenal. You’re wedding was unbelievable. Frankly, I had an outstanding time capturing this day for you and I am incredibly honored to have been there. I’ve shot many many weddings, and I can honestly say, a Tropical Infused Southern Wedding was something I’d never seen before, ever. But I must tell you, that your wedding was a home run, your vendors totally knocked it out of the park. Your wedding was elegant, really top notch. It was sophisticated and beautiful, believe me. You two certainly made the 2020 wedding season great again, that I can tell you.

*Promise I wasn’t intoxicated when I wrote that last paragraph ya’ll. It’s a joke that I know these two will understand 😉