Charleston Women Spring 2021

www. Char l es tonWomen . com | www. ReadCW. com | www. Facebook . com/Char l es tonWomen CW have been difficult due to the timeline but serendipitously ended up being the easiest part of the planning. N. Mickle Photography, a local duo of talented Air Force veterans whom I knew from my own time serving, had Camden and Sophia’s preferred date available. Then a friend from high school who creates inspired florals with Roadside Blooms also signed on to handcraft the bouquet, boutonniere and table arrangements. With these major boxes ticked, we started discussing officiants and their collective vision for the exchanging of vows. Being a bit unconventional and not requiring a religious ceremony, the couple suggested that I do the honors. At first, I assumed this was a joke, as we all laughed about it at the time. But as the planning continued, the request came again – this time with great sincerity. I was deeply humbled — and admittedly a bit nervous. That same night, I went online and researched how to become ordained and what the rules were for officiating a wedding in South Carolina. A few hours later, I had credentials on order through the Universal Life Church, a nondenominational religious organization that credits among their ministers Sir Paul McCartney, Lady Gaga, Conan O’Brien and South Carolina native Stephen Colbert. In less than a week, I received in the mail my official certificate of ordainment and a handy booklet that guides you through officiating a ceremony. I sat down with Camden and Sophia to get their thoughts on a few key points and traditional vow phrasing and, already knowing a lot about their love story, I began to write the ceremony script. I practiced my final version three times and barely made it through on the last round without dissolving into tears. On the day of the wedding, I stood before this couple whom I love deeply, joined by just immediate family and walked them through perhaps the most important moment of their lives thus far. With a light sprinkle of rain as a blessing, I saw them exchange rings and profess their everlasting love for one another with tear-filled eyes. In a scene that almost felt like watching myself in a movie — and in keeping with their desire to lean into the unconventional — I said, “by the power vested in me by the state of South Carolina, I now pronounce you married AF. You may now kiss your forever life partner.” It was truly the most beautiful and joyous moment of my year – and theirs – and the most profound honor. In keeping with my practice rounds, I cried throughout the entire ceremony. Thankfully, the newlyweds admitted they wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. bridal Helping Buyers and Sellers with LUXURY Waterfront Properties Zelda Bryant Broker in Charge Zelda: 843.330.7507 (Deborah Zelda Bryant Lic#49940) BRYANT REAL ESTATE GROUP info@BryantRealEstateGroup.com Dunes West The Tides Paradise Island SOLD $1,089,000 SOLD $1,187,500 SOLD $1,789,500 Listed and Sold the highest priced North Mount Pleasant home in 2019