Mary + JP: From California To Caledonia

Wow! I can’t believe an entire year has passed since Mary and JP Parkhurst tied the knot. Their elegantly understated affair featured tones of ivory and blush set against the impeccably manicured backdrop of historic Caledonia Golf & Fish Club.

Mary and JP’s story begins more than 20 years ago when they met as coworkers at a California electronics company. Eventually their lives diverged, but fate was not done with them just yet. 10 years later, a chance encounter at a local wine bar transformed what was once a casual friendship into a blossoming new love. Soon the pair were inseparable.

With their lives intertwined, JP joined Mary and her family on their annual visits to the Grand Strand. Just like Mary, the area stole his heart. When JP popped the question on a dream vacation to Machu Picchu, the California couple chose the Carolina coast as the ideal destination for their nuptials.

Nestled in the heart of Pawleys Island, Caledonia Golf and Fish Club is the very definition of Southern charm. Once a bustling rice plantation, the sprawling property dates back to 1797, but is best known for its breathtaking alley of live oaks. Some of my favorite photographs from Mary and JP’s big day feature the couple gazing into each other’s eyes beneath the swaying Spanish moss.

Mary was a vision of elegance in a silk, full length sheath dress with off-the-shoulder sleeves. JP’s classic black suit and ivory vest complemented her beautifully. The blush accents in Mary’s bouquet and JP’s filigree tie were reflected in the flowing mermaid-style dress worn by Mary's daughter, who served as maid of honor.

The newly-christened Parkhursts spoke their vows beneath one of Caledonia’s 150-year-old live oaks. After a 5-star plated dinner, Mary, JP, and 39 of their closest friends and family members were ready to celebrate with a lovely garden reception among the colorful azaleas.

As the sun slowly set over the marsh, I reflected on the beauty of the venue and the genuine love between Mary, JP, and those they hold most dear. I like to imagine they spent their first year as a married couple doing the things they love most: playing golf, sipping fine wine, preparing meals together, and most of all, basking in newlywed joy.