Wedding Snapshots

By Muffie Vardell Wells

Caroline Robinson attended USC, and Mike Gillespie moved from Gainesville, Florida, for his job as a sports anchor for ABC. Hence they met in Columbia, and their first date was a James Taylor concert. After dating five years, they were engaged on election day and married on tax day, April 15th. The wedding and reception were at Corley Mill House and Gardens, Lexington. Amanda Kane Photography

As we celebrate weddings in this issue, we see that memories of a bride and groom’s first date are always part of their story. Couples may have been friends since they were teenagers, started dating in college, or met at their workplace. Regardless, every newlywed has a unique story to tell. In our Wedding Snapshots in this edition, we are excited to share with you the joy of eight couples beginning their own “happily ever after.”

Lauren Swink and Ian Weschler were married under the live oak trees at Caledonia Golf & Fish Club on Pawleys Island. Lauren wore her late mother’s Belgian lace veil and carried a calla lily bouquet wrapped in her aunt’s blue and white handkerchief. Music at the cocktail reception was performed by the Perfect 10 Band. The couple honeymooned in France. Paula Player Photography
Lauren Swink and Ian Weschler were married under the live oak trees at Caledonia Golf & Fish Club on Pawleys Island. Lauren wore her late mother’s Belgian lace veil and carried a calla lily bouquet wrapped in her aunt’s blue and white handkerchief. Music at the cocktail reception was performed by the Perfect 10 Band. The couple honeymooned in France. Paula Player Photography
Leslie Marie Yevak and Hugh Chapman Boyd met as students at Washington and Lee University, falling in love with the Blue Ridge Mountains as well as each other. They married at Farmington Country Club in Charlottesville, Virginia. Leslie incorporated small parts of the wedding gown of her late mother, Ellen, into her dress. Since they both love to travel, Leslie and Hugh enjoyed an amazing honeymoon in France and Italy. The couple currently resides in New York City. Jen Fariello Photography
Leslie Marie Yevak and Hugh Chapman Boyd met as students at Washington and Lee University, falling in love with the Blue Ridge Mountains as well as each other. They married at Farmington Country Club in Charlottesville, Virginia. Leslie incorporated small parts of the wedding gown of her late mother, Ellen, into her dress. Since they both love to travel, Leslie and Hugh enjoyed an amazing honeymoon in France and Italy. The couple currently resides in New York City. Jen Fariello Photography
Mary Anne Kleitches and Jamie Mason met in 2018 on their first day of work at a digital marketing agency in Charlotte. They were married at Eastminster Presbyterian Church and enjoyed a beautiful reception planned by Meagan Warren at the gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion. On her wedding day, Mary Anne wore a pink diamond ring given to her by her father, Johnnie Kleitches, which he had previously given to her mother the day Mary Anne was born. The couple currently resides in Greenville. Courtney Price Photography
Mary Anne Kleitches and Jamie Mason met in 2018 on their first day of work at a digital marketing agency in Charlotte. They were married at Eastminster Presbyterian Church and enjoyed a beautiful reception planned by Meagan Warren at the gardens of the Hampton-Preston Mansion. On her wedding day, Mary Anne wore a pink diamond ring given to her by her father, Johnnie Kleitches, which he had previously given to her mother the day Mary Anne was born. The couple currently resides in Greenville. Courtney Price Photography
Although Columbians Abigail Thomas and Reese Way attended Hammond together, they did not meet at that time; instead, they were set up on their first date by a mutual friend. Despite the fact that Reese is terrified of heights, he proposed to Abigail in the lighthouse on Tybee Island. They were married at First Presbyterian Church, and Abigail was walked down the aisle by her 99-year-old grandfather, Press Roberts. The reception was at Forest Lake Club with their first dance to Everything’s Tuesday, by Chairmen of the Board. The couple honeymooned at Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort at Saint Lucia. Jessica Roberts Photo
Although Columbians Abigail Thomas and Reese Way attended Hammond together, they did not meet at that time; instead, they were set up on their first date by a mutual friend. Despite the fact that Reese is terrified of heights, he proposed to Abigail in the lighthouse on Tybee Island. They were married at First Presbyterian Church, and Abigail was walked down the aisle by her 99-year-old grandfather, Press Roberts. The reception was at Forest Lake Club with their first dance to Everything’s Tuesday, by Chairmen of the Board. The couple honeymooned at Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort at Saint Lucia. Jessica Roberts Photo
Columbia residents Charley FitzSimons and Baylis MacInnis started dating when they were 15. After a breakup in college during which they remained good friends, they decided to give the relationship another chance. They became engaged after being quarantined together during COVID. The couple was married at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral with a reception at Forest Lake Club. They honeymooned in Greece. Annie Laura Photo – Laura Talley
Columbia residents Charley FitzSimons and Baylis MacInnis started dating when they were 15. After a breakup in college during which they remained good friends, they decided to give the relationship another chance. They became engaged after being quarantined together during COVID. The couple was married at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral with a reception at Forest Lake Club. They honeymooned in Greece. Annie Laura Photo – Laura Talley
After Taylor Wolfe asked Walt Tollison for his daughter’s hand in marriage, he proposed to Thea at Palmetto Bluff. The Greenville ceremony was at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral with a reception following at Greenville Country Club. Thea wore a veil also worn by her sister Emilie, made from lace from the wedding dress of their mother, Angel. The couple honeymooned in Anguilla. Christine LeGrand Photo
After Taylor Wolfe asked Walt Tollison for his daughter’s hand in marriage, he proposed to Thea at Palmetto Bluff. The Greenville ceremony was at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral with a reception following at Greenville Country Club. Thea wore a veil also worn by her sister Emilie, made from lace from the wedding dress of their mother, Angel. The couple honeymooned in Anguilla. Christine LeGrand Photo
Cecilia McDonald and Ben Vondenbrink met at Clemson, where both were studying engineering, and became engaged amid family and friends during a memorable football weekend. They were married at Eastminster Presbyterian Church with a reception at the Columbia Museum of Art. Ben wore a custom needlepoint McDonald plaid cummerbund made by Cecilia, and Santa paid a surprise visit while Finesse Band played All I Want is You. The specialty cocktail was a “Selwyn Spritzer,” named for their dog. Stee Garman Photography, LLC
Cecilia McDonald and Ben Vondenbrink met at Clemson, where both were studying engineering, and became engaged amid family and friends during a memorable football weekend. They were married at Eastminster Presbyterian Church with a reception at the Columbia Museum of Art. Ben wore a custom needlepoint McDonald plaid cummerbund made by Cecilia, and Santa paid a surprise visit while Finesse Band played All I Want is You. The specialty cocktail was a “Selwyn Spritzer,” named for their dog. Stee Garman Photography, LLC

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