Tiana & Jake’s Wedding at The William Aiken House

There’s a reason so many Charleston couples fall for The William Aiken House the second they walk through the gate. The Gothic Revival architecture, the private courtyard, the way the late afternoon light hits those arched windows right before sunset. Tiana and Jake’s wedding day made the case for all of it, and we were so glad to be behind the camera for it on a gorgeous first weekend of November.

Charleston has always been Tiana and Jake’s favorite place, so getting married here felt like the only option. The two met on a double date at a bowling alley set up by mutual friends, right before the world shut down in 2020, and spent the lockdown that followed falling for each other, getting a puppy, and never really looking back. Six years later they said “I do” at The William Aiken House with 140 of their people around them, planned start to finish by Chauncey Finch with Bouquets and Bowties Charleston.

Getting Ready at The William Aiken House

Tiana got ready inside The William Aiken House itself while Jake and the groomsmen got dressed at the Carriage House next door, hair and makeup by Charleston Bridal Collab. There’s something about getting ready inside a house this old, with a harp in the parlor and light pouring through the original windows, that makes the morning feel like its own kind of ceremony.

First Look and Portraits

Tiana and Jake shared their first look and wrapped up family and wedding party portraits before the ceremony, tucked away among the ivy-covered corners and garden paths around the property.

It’s one of our favorite parts of a wedding day…the rare chance for the two of them to slow down and have a few quiet moments together before the ceremony begins and 140 of their favorite people turn their full attention toward them. A little calm before things get wonderfully busy.

The Ceremony

Tiana and Jake said their vows under Charleston’s most photographed doorway, the arched Gothic entrance at The William Aiken House, and it looked incredible dressed head to toe in greenery and blooms by Pretty Petals of Charleston. Sawdust and Sweetgrass built the chuppah and welcome signage from scratch, and Bettina of Weddings by Bettina officiated.

Jake broke the glass under his heel and the whole courtyard erupted, that mix of cheering and happy tears that only happens once. The timing could not have been scripted any better. The sun dropped behind the garden wall, right as cocktail hour kicked off, so golden hour handed the night straight to the party without missing a beat.

Reception Details

The reception carried the same warmth into the evening, with a dusty blue and gold palette brought together by Sneider Rental Company (furniture, lighting, and draping) and La Tavola Fine Linen with BBJ Linen, and florals again by Pretty Petals of Charleston. Long feasting tables stretched across the courtyard under string lights, with a seating chart and signage built by Sawdust and Sweetgrass, and dessert from The Tenacious Tart.

Cocktail Hour and Celebration

As the evening unfolded, with passed apps and drinks from the William Aiken House’s in house team, Patrick Properties Hospitality Group, the celebration settled into that unmistakable kind of wedding-day joy. The kind that feels a little louder, a little freer, and even more meaningful once everyone has had a chance to take it all in. Their signature drinks felt like the perfect little reflection of them as a couple: Tiana with a spicy margarita in hand and Jake with a vodka and ginger beer. A small detail, but one that made the celebration feel even more personal and distinctly theirs.

There were heartfelt moments, plenty of laughter, and all of those little in-between interactions that somehow become some of the best memories from a wedding day. Power 2 Party played live, and the moments gave way to music and dancing, the whole night took on a life of its own. It was joyful, full of love, and exactly the kind of celebration you never want to end.

Full Wedding Team

Venue: The William Aiken House

Planning and Day of Coordination: Chauncey Finch, Bouquets and Bowties Charleston

Florals: Pretty Petals of Charleston

Hair and Makeup: Charleston Bridal Collab

Catering and Bar: Patrick Properties Hospitality Group

Cake and Desserts: The Tenacious Tart

Live Band: Power 2 Party

Officiant: Bettina Yiannakourou, Weddings by Bettina

Furniture Rentals, Lighting and Draping: Sneider Rental Company

Linens: La Tavola Fine Linen / BBJ Linen

Signage and Custom Builds: Sawdust and Sweetgrass

Wedding Gown: Le Lite Bridal Boutique

Groom’s Suit: Jos. A. Bank

Photo Booth: Bunn DJ Company

Videography: Cameron Kincheloe

Photography: Cana Dunlap Photography

Planning your own wedding at The William Aiken House? Here’s what to know.

How many guests can The William Aiken House hold?

The venue can host up to 500 guests across its two ballrooms, piazzas, and courtyards, and it works just as beautifully for a smaller, more intimate wedding like Tiana and Jake’s 140 person day.

What’s included in a wedding rental at The William Aiken House?

A rental gets you exclusive use of the property for a 4 hour event window, with flexible vendor arrival and setup time and a 2 hour breakdown afterward. That includes the ballrooms, both courtyards, the piazzas, the private gardens, and the pergola and reflection pool. Patrick Properties Hospitality Group is the exclusive in house caterer and bar service, and the venue requires a licensed, approved event planner to run the day.

What’s the best time of year to get married at The William Aiken House?

Spring and fall book up fastest, thanks to the mild weather and the golden hour light that pours through those arched windows in the late afternoon, exactly what made Tiana and Jake’s November ceremony glow the way it did.

Is The William Aiken House indoor or outdoor?

Both! You can move between the sweeping ballrooms and formal rooms inside and the courtyards, piazzas, and gardens outside, which gives you options for both your ceremony and your reception regardless of weather.

How far in advance should you book The William Aiken House?

Most couples book 12 months or more out, especially for a popular spring or fall Saturday. If this venue is on your list, it’s worth reaching out to Patrick Properties Hospitality Group as soon as you have a date range in mind.

Thinking about The William Aiken House for your own Charleston wedding and still searching for your dream photographer? I’d love to talk through your vision and show you more real weddings I’ve photographed at this venue, like this one.

Lauren + Shane // Cannon Green Wedding // Charleston, SC

I’ve had the honor of shooting at Cannon Green in Charleston, SC multiple times this year and I love it more and more with every wedding that I shoot there! Lauren and Shane got married there this spring and their wedding day was a dream. The weather was bright and breezy and their “First Look” on Chalmers street was absolutely breathtaking. Read more about their story below!

Lauren and Shane met each other in their very first class at SCAD together! Lauren said she could remember it like it was yesterday. They both shared the mutual connection of being two New Yorkers in Georgia for the first time — and were so excited about all that was ahead in their college years in beautiful Savannah. After a year of always bumping into each other and lots of small talk during those run-ins, one of Lauren’s best friends met Shane separately in a film class of his. He invited Shane to hangout with them one night and they ended up becoming really good friends. Lauren was actually dating someone else at the time - that ended, and Shane swooped in shortly after! Apparently they always had a crush on each other but the timing was never right until they both realized it was long overdue to finally give it a shot. January 2019 marks 10 years of us being together and they wouldn't have it any other way!

When I asked what they loved most about each other Lauren said she love’s Shane's passion. Passion for his family, passion for his work, passion for our partnership. She said “He's always pushing me to better myself in every way possible, even though he wholeheartedly accepts and loves me as I am in this moment and as I've been every moment before. We've grown so much together this last decade — we're still growing, and a big reason why is because he challenges me and believes in me. I hope we never stop growing.”

Shane shared with me that “It's the little things I see in Lauren that I love and think about most often. I'm talking about her bright glowing smile, her sweet, kind demeanor towards others. Then there is her world class sense of humor that I can always share a laugh with. On the serious side her sharp intellect always keeps my idiot tendencies in check (I need this). And finally she has a style and beauty that I think is so authentic and reflects her character so well that I think is rare to find.”

These two’s story has been 10 years in the making and I could not be more honored to be document this season of their life! Check out some of my favorite moments from their Cannon Green Wedding.

Vendor Team

Coordination // Cruz Coordination

Venue/Catering/Bar // Cannon Green

DJ // DJ Malike

Rentals // Fox Audio

Flowers // Tiger Lily

Hair and Makeup // Slate Hair & Makeup

Officiant // Kristen Barner

Cake // Ashley Bakery

Transportation // Lowcountry Valet

Videography // Ivory and Iron 

The Pavilion at Patriots Point Wedding // Alyssa + Biko // Charleston, SC

Vendors: 

Venue: Patriots Point Pavilion // Gown Boutique: White on DI // Florist: Creech's Florist // Caterer: Mosaic Catering // Band: Other Brother Entertainment

Oak Pointe Plantation // Caitlin + Hough // Charleston Wedding Photographer

Gown Boutique: David's Bridal // Florist: Sweet Magnolia Flowers // Caterer: Serve Charleston Catering // Cake Artist: Sablee // Musician/DJ: Dance Doctors // Venue: Oak Pointe Plantation // Event Coordinator: Serve Charleston // Hair & Makeup Stylist: Tease Dry Bar