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Lauren Seeley and Joel Palmer went to the same high school in Charlotte, but they weren’t high school sweethearts. In fact, they didn’t even meet during their four years at East Mecklenburg. It wasn’t until a year after they graduated from college that they met through a mutual friend and made up for lost time. “It might be a cliché,” says Lauren, “but I knew I would marry him shortly after we started dating. When you know, you know!”

Joel felt the same, and the two were engaged on a weekend trip to Savannah, Georgia. Just after breakfast, under beautiful oak trees in one of Savannah’s historic squares, Joel got down on one knee and proposed. Lauren jokes that he’s always been a morning person.

As a corporate meeting and event planner, Lauren knows that for an event to go smoothly and be unforgettable, every little detail has to be perfect. With this in mind, she turned to Debbie Hentschke of Cedarwood Country Club.

Lauren has a long-term connection with the venue; she worked there throughout high school and college. She trusted their experts to handle all the little things. “They took care of everything, and I was so relieved not to have to ask my friends or family to worry about those details. I knew that they would execute on the level that I’m used to in my work.”

On the day of the wedding, all the preparations for this modern and elegant event came together. Light colors like champagne for the bridesmaids’ dresses and pinks for the flowers and other décor created a soft, Southern charm. After the ceremony, Lauren and Joel shared an embrace they will never forget. “It was a beautiful moment,” says Lauren. “Right after we left the sanctuary we just hugged each other and cried, realizing how happy we were to be married. It was a blissful, peaceful feeling.”

At the reception, the music was provided by Split Second Sound, who catered to Lauren’s request that the songs be fun for dancing but still respectful of her traditional, Christian family. On the way out, guests noticed a nod to one of Joel’s (and now, Lauren’s) passions: his alma mater: Clemson. With an orange and purple candy station, the evening finished on a sweet note. Throughout the day, photographer Critsey Rowe was a perfect match for this couple, since Lauren is a photography enthusiast and loves her aesthetic.

After it all, the couple was off to the “Royal Plantation” of Sandals Jamaica. This small resort provided the perfect setting for the newlywed couple to celebrate their marriage. “We drank piña coladas, basked in the sun, and enjoyed being married,” says Lauren. “It was a traditional honeymoon, and it was perfect.”

Featured Vendors

Music
Split Second Sound
704-907-9507
www.splitsecondsound.com

Photography
Critsey Rowe Photography
704-777-7707
www.critseyrowe.com

Continue reading real wedding stories! Up next: 'An artistic touch'