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Charleston, South Carolina: historic charm, Southern hospitality, and unparalleled wedding inspiration.
When couples envision the ideal destination wedding, Charleston, South Carolina inevitably rises to the top — and our editorial shoot at the iconic The William Aiken House perfectly showcases why. This historic estate in the heart of downtown — nestled on Upper King Street among world-class shopping, dining, and culture — offered the perfect backdrop for a day infused with romance, refined style, and some of the most timeless impressions in wedding photography captured by Charleston Wedding Photographer Michelle Behre.
The Venue: Historic Romance Meets Modern Elegance
The William Aiken House is a historic 1807 mansion on King Street that blends 19th-century architecture with sophisticated design elements — manicured gardens, majestic magnolia trees, and grand ballrooms give every wedding a narrative of depth and allure. The estate’s private courtyards and expansive piazzas complement every newlywed portrait with natural light and elegant compositions that make destination weddings unforgettable.
Located steps from beloved Charleston favorites — including Charleston Place for luxury shopping and stylish hotel stays — and surrounded by excellent cafes and restaurants like Palmetto Cafe, Husk Charleston, and Black Door Cafe for coffee — this neighborhood is as guest-friendly as it is picturesque.
Location Choice: Why Charleston Inspires
Charleston’s combination of historic sites, cobblestone streets, pastel facades, and Lowcountry light makes it a dream destination for weddings and for photography alike. Couples traveling from near and far find a perfect blend of Southern grace and cultural life — from boutique exploration on Upper King Street to historic tours of landmark buildings — that makes photography days feel like vacations in their own right.
Top local experiences for destination couples:
- Charleston Place — Exceptional shopping and relaxation, just moments from your wedding events.
- Palmetto Cafe — Casual yet refined bites before or after rehearsal dinners.
- Husk Charleston — Chef-driven Southern cuisine that defines Charleston’s modern food scene.
- Black Door Cafe — A perfect coffee stop between shoots or for guest meetups.
Fashion and Beauty: Channeling Charleston Style
Inspired by Charleston’s timeless charm and Southern wedding inspiration, the bridal fashion in this shoot blended classic silhouettes with modern elegance — from ethereal ceremony gowns to reception looks with contemporary edge. Fine estate jewelry and heirloom gems added another layer of narrative — heirlooms that spoke of legacy, history, and refined taste.
Beauty choices stayed true to the venue’s surroundings: soft, luminous skin, subtle yet impactful touches that held up under Southern sunlight, and looks that transitioned beautifully from garden portraits to ballroom receptions for this Charleston Wedding.
Photography Inspiration: Crafting a Visual Love Story
As a Charleston destination wedding photographer, my approach in Charleston centers around embracing place as a character in your love story. Here’s how I translate this into photography:
- Architectural storytelling: Using historic doors, gardens, and grand interiors as intentional backdrops.
- Natural light mastery: Charleston’s soft golden hour light enhances skin tones and scene depth.
- Directional emotion: Posing that feels natural yet elevated — capturing moments as they unfold, while anchoring images in timeless elegance.
Photography isn’t just about moments — it’s about meaningful context. Every bride and groom deserve imagery that feels both personal and cinematic.
Vendor Team
Here’s the incredible team behind the original Inspired By This editorial — each a best-in-class vendor perfect for destination Charleston weddings:
Featured Inspired by This Charleston Wedding Venues: The William Aiken House, PPHG Charleston Photographer: Michelle Behre Photography Cake: Miri Nadler Cakes Florals: The Gardeners Green – thegardenersgreen.com Hair & Makeup: Charleston I Do Jewelry: Croghan’s Jewel Box Bridal Atelier: Bridal House of Charleston Bridal Designers: Atelier Beccar, Justin Alexander Signature Rentals: Curated Events Charleston Invitations: Every Little Something Wedding Planner: Tara LeClaire Wedding
Curating Your Own Destination Wedding in Charleston
Whether you’re captivated by historic elegance, artisanal details, or dreamy Lowcountry landscapes, Charleston offers a destination wedding experience that feels intimate, stylish, and timeless.
If you’re planning your own Charleston celebration — and you want imagery that elevates both the destination and your love story — let’s start a conversation. Your wedding deserves to be remembered with beauty, intention, and images that stand the test of time, contact us to check your date.
VIEW THE POST
Charleston, South Carolina: historic charm, Southern hospitality, and unparalleled wedding inspiration.
When couples envision the ideal destination wedding, Charleston, South Carolina inevitably rises to the top — and our editorial shoot at the iconic The William Aiken House perfectly showcases why. This historic estate in the heart of downtown — nestled on Upper King Street among world-class shopping, dining, and culture — offered the perfect backdrop for a day infused with romance, refined style, and some of the most timeless impressions in wedding photography captured by Charleston Wedding Photographer Michelle Behre.
The Venue: Historic Romance Meets Modern Elegance
The William Aiken House is a historic 1807 mansion on King Street that blends 19th-century architecture with sophisticated design elements — manicured gardens, majestic magnolia trees, and grand ballrooms give every wedding a narrative of depth and allure. The estate’s private courtyards and expansive piazzas complement every newlywed portrait with natural light and elegant compositions that make destination weddings unforgettable.
Located steps from beloved Charleston favorites — including Charleston Place for luxury shopping and stylish hotel stays — and surrounded by excellent cafes and restaurants like Palmetto Cafe, Husk Charleston, and Black Door Cafe for coffee — this neighborhood is as guest-friendly as it is picturesque.
Location Choice: Why Charleston Inspires
Charleston’s combination of historic sites, cobblestone streets, pastel facades, and Lowcountry light makes it a dream destination for weddings and for photography alike. Couples traveling from near and far find a perfect blend of Southern grace and cultural life — from boutique exploration on Upper King Street to historic tours of landmark buildings — that makes photography days feel like vacations in their own right.
Top local experiences for destination couples:
- Charleston Place — Exceptional shopping and relaxation, just moments from your wedding events.
- Palmetto Cafe — Casual yet refined bites before or after rehearsal dinners.
- Husk Charleston — Chef-driven Southern cuisine that defines Charleston’s modern food scene.
- Black Door Cafe — A perfect coffee stop between shoots or for guest meetups.
Fashion and Beauty: Channeling Charleston Style
Inspired by Charleston’s timeless charm and Southern wedding inspiration, the bridal fashion in this shoot blended classic silhouettes with modern elegance — from ethereal ceremony gowns to reception looks with contemporary edge. Fine estate jewelry and heirloom gems added another layer of narrative — heirlooms that spoke of legacy, history, and refined taste.
Beauty choices stayed true to the venue’s surroundings: soft, luminous skin, subtle yet impactful touches that held up under Southern sunlight, and looks that transitioned beautifully from garden portraits to ballroom receptions for this Charleston Wedding.
Photography Inspiration: Crafting a Visual Love Story
As a Charleston destination wedding photographer, my approach in Charleston centers around embracing place as a character in your love story. Here’s how I translate this into photography:
- Architectural storytelling: Using historic doors, gardens, and grand interiors as intentional backdrops.
- Natural light mastery: Charleston’s soft golden hour light enhances skin tones and scene depth.
- Directional emotion: Posing that feels natural yet elevated — capturing moments as they unfold, while anchoring images in timeless elegance.
Photography isn’t just about moments — it’s about meaningful context. Every bride and groom deserve imagery that feels both personal and cinematic.
Vendor Team
Here’s the incredible team behind the original Inspired By This editorial — each a best-in-class vendor perfect for destination Charleston weddings:
Featured Inspired by This Charleston Wedding Venues: The William Aiken House, PPHG Charleston Photographer: Michelle Behre Photography Cake: Miri Nadler Cakes Florals: The Gardeners Green – thegardenersgreen.com Hair & Makeup: Charleston I Do Jewelry: Croghan’s Jewel Box Bridal Atelier: Bridal House of Charleston Bridal Designers: Atelier Beccar, Justin Alexander Signature Rentals: Curated Events Charleston Invitations: Every Little Something Wedding Planner: Tara LeClaire Wedding
Curating Your Own Destination Wedding in Charleston
Whether you’re captivated by historic elegance, artisanal details, or dreamy Lowcountry landscapes, Charleston offers a destination wedding experience that feels intimate, stylish, and timeless.
If you’re planning your own Charleston celebration — and you want imagery that elevates both the destination and your love story — let’s start a conversation. Your wedding deserves to be remembered with beauty, intention, and images that stand the test of time, contact us to check your date.
February 18, 2026
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Why the engagement session is so special
The engagement session is a celebration of this moment in time. This moment your proposal is so special. As you grow in life, it is so special to document and capture the essence of the moment. It is so important for us to document stunning photos of you today so years from now you can look back from our photos and be so proud, so humble. Capturing the essence of this moment, your lives and this chapter in life together. Below are just a few tips to kickstart your engagement session planning!
With that being said, your engagement session planning process deserves so much attention to detail and
So much love
We’ll want to bring so much attention to detail to ensure that your engagement photography session is planned beautifully and goes off with a hitch. Below I have just a few details and helpful hints on how to plan that dream engagement photography session that you have been dreaming of.
When to photograph the engagement session
You’ll want to plan and execute your engagement session surrounding when you send your save the dates out. The basic rule of thumb is to send save the dates out approximately six months prior to the wedding. It is always best to give your guests plenty of notice for your day so they can of course, be with you to celebrate your best day ever! If you are planning for a destination wedding, it is customary to ship save the dates 10-15 months in advance. For a local affair, 9-12 months will suffice.
With that being said, it takes a little while to review your images and choose your selects so from your engagement session. Plan on two months to finalize your images. Once your images are finalized, you’ll then want to narrow down your selects. Selects are your top choices from your session that you could use for your save the date and your wedding website.
bride-to-be it is
Your time to shine
I highly recommend to choose your save the date in advance and communicate/share this link to your save the date. As I process your images, you can work out the kinks of the save the date such as narrowing down your typography on your save the date. You’ll also want to iron out details like guest addresses uploaded into the Minted spreadsheet. Once I have the engagement session complete, you can simply place photos in there and purchase your save the dates. My favorite part of all, they are shipped direct to your guests with Minted.
Planning your session
So if your day is scheduled for September of next year and you are hosting a destination wedding, you may want to think about hosting your engagement session during the summer, fall or earlier winter of this year pending the session aesthetic you desire.
The season chosen and venue(s) will further influence the mood and aesthetic of your images.
Questions about your upcoming New York City engagement session and photographing your romantic engagement session? Comments? Drop me a line in the comments.
Engagement Session Venue
While dreaming and choosing of your engagement session venue(s) envision you both. You may want to sit with a few questions:
What inspires you together?
Where do you find yourselves?
What kind of story do you want to tell with your images?
The engagement session is a nod to your relationship and your love story. How do you want to share the very beginning of your love story?
Engagement Session Vendors
Once you have your engagement session venue chosen, you’ll then want to plan and prepare the details of your session. From styling outfits and accessories to hair and makeup. All details are crucial. Let’s not forget about his details and grooming, too! Executing your vision is key.
More things to think about
It’s always great to have more than not enough when it comes images. Go the extra mile. It’ll be worth it, I promise.
Read more about planning Engagement Sessions here: Top 5 Tips on Engagement Session Planning.
What engagement session tips questions are you thinking about right now? Let me know in the comments below!
Vendors
Couple: Jennifer DeCillis & Joe MacLellan
Hair: MJ Bridal Artistry
Makeup: MJ Bridal Artistry
Stylist: The Style Duo
Venue: 620 Loft & Garden, Rockefeller Center & Maison Close Restaurant
NEW JERSEY ENGAGEMENT SESSION PHOTOGRAPHERS
Michelle Behre is based in Northern New Jersey Wedding Photographer and specializes in romantic, timeless, and sophisticated weddings. Michelle services New York City engagement sessions, New Jersey engagement session and beyond for your destination engagement session. Her fine art photography style is the perfect blend of editorial and documentary photography. Michelle Behre Photography captures all beautiful moments unfolding throughout your session and wedding day including the excitement as the champagne pours to your picture-perfect bridal details. Are you planning your dream engagement session? Are you planning your wedding? We accept a limited amount of proposals, engagement sessions and weddings per year. Inquire to learn about our New Jersey Wedding Photography services and availability today.
We can assist you in photographing and engagement session planning for your romantic New Jersey and New York engagement session and your wedding day! Inquire with Michelle for availability and further details, today!
Comments? Leave them below!
Questions? Contact us to learn more about our wedding photography services.
December 30, 2022
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Every year Adam and I enjoy traveling during the winter months. I find travel off-peak season the best time for us as well. We have found attractions not too busy. During this time, we visited the beautiful, sunny beaches of the sunshine-state, Florida. During our travels we love to kick back, relax, soak in some sun and explore the beautiful locations that the sunshine state has to offer. We have visited Tampa and Clearwater, Florida and explored this beautiful seaside city.
During this trip we rented our vehicle directly at from Enterprise car rental at the Tampa International Airport (TPA). Travel time was less than 2 hours from Newark International Airport (EWR). Having a rental vehicle allowed for us to travel as we pleased instead of relying on Uber. The rate for the rental car was pretty reasonable considering the amount of locations per day that we visited and parking our rental in the city was also not an issue as there was an abundance of street parking available.
I find to that the CityPass is a hidden gem. I love to plan my days while traveling and purchase CityPass tickets to utilize a discounted rate while traveling if visiting the major attractions. As we were traveling during the COVID-19, unfortunately some of the beautiful destinations were closed. So we’ll definitely want to travel back to visit the beautiful ChiHuly Collection and Ringling Musuem of Art. Otherwise, we enjoyed an abundance of locations and also hitting up the beautiful local beaches, as well!
Check out a few favorite photographs below and our Tampa travel guide for a relaxing and family-friendly trip while visiting Clearwater, Tampa and Tampa Bay, Florida!
Comments? Questions? Drop them in the comments below!
Places to Stay in Tampa
- The CURRENT Hotel, beautiful ocean views
- Le Méridien Tampa, The Courthouse, stunning architecture in the heart of downtown
- Tampa Marriott Water Street, waterfront views and a rooftop pool
Things to Do in Tampa
Parks/Excursions
Shopping
Museums & Art Galleries
- Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota, Florida
- ChiHuly Collection, St. Petersburg
- Tampa Bay History Center
- The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts
Beaches & Outdoor Recreation
- Madeira Beach
- Tropics Boat Tours
- Siesta Key
- Kai Lani Catamaran, Sunset Sail in Clearwater
- Beach, Caladesi Island (ferry departs at 10am from Honeymoon Island Docks every 30 mins)
- John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk at Madeira Beach
- Treasure Island
- Hog Island at Honeymoon Island (ferry to Caladesi departs at 10 from Honeymoon Island)
- Fort de Soto Park, Tierra Verde (40 mins from Tampa)
Places to Eat in Tampa
Casual Dining
- Bar Taco
- Crabby’s Beachwalk Bar & Grille
- Green Lemon
- Salt Shack On the Bay
- Sparkman Ward Downtown
- Frenchy’s Rockaway Grille
- Hog Island Fish Camp Seafood Restaurant & Bar
- Salty’s Island Bar & Grille
VENDORS
Venues: Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas, Flying Cloud, Powerboat Adventures
Bahamas Destination Wedding & Engagement Photography: Michelle Behre Photography
Inquire today to learn all about our New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and destination wedding photography services. Visit Nassau, Paradise Island, Dunmore Town, and Harbour Island to see more photos from this property. We can assist you in photographing your romantic engagement session and your wedding day! Inquire with Michelle for availability and more details, today!
Comments? Leave them below!
Questions? Contact us to learn more about our wedding photography services.
September 30, 2021
MICHELLE BEHRE, THE PHOTOGRAPHER
GET TO KNOW her
xoxo,
Michelle
With cheerful energy, a contagious smile, and an intentional eye, award-winning celebrity New Jersey wedding and commercial photographer, Michelle Behre, captures love stories to stand the test of time.
She uses her refined fine art photography skills to expertly capture the wedding day. From the excitement as the champagne pours to your picture-perfect portraits, Michelle expertly blends editorial documentary, and photojournalism photography in fine art curation of your special wedding events and day.
She confidently empowers each client who steps in front of her lens. During your time together, she illuminates your personalities, genuine compassion, and captures the joy that you and your families bring to one another in an unobtrusive fashion.
