After just one date, Allison McLennan and Michael Nordon—who met on Hinge a month after Allison moved to L.A.—never looked back. “It felt like home immediately,” Allison says. Four years later, they went back to their very first date spot for a celebratory brunch after Michael proposed. 

Though their relationship radiates home, ironically, home didn’t feel like the right place to host a wedding. “Choosing our venue was the hardest part of wedding planning, hands down,” Allison says. “I’m from the Midwest and Michael’s from L.A. We wanted it to be closer to my family so my grandparents could make it but have it feel like a destination.”

Allison grew up going to the South, and both she and Michael have an affinity with wildlife and the water, so they began exploring South Carolina venues. “One day, I stumbled upon Kiawah River on Instagram and flew out immediately,” Allison says. And much like her initial meet-cute with Michael, “As soon as I laid my eyes on it, I knew it was the one.” Aesthetically, “we leaned into the Lowcountry feeling, incorporating hues that reminded me of nature, blues for the river, and pinks for the sunsets.” 

The second hardest part of planning, Allison admits, was the fashion. After an exhaustive dress search, she began working with Kelly at Over The Moon. “I wanted plain white, fuller, very classic, and timeless for the ceremony, and Kelly pointed me to Amsale,” Allison says. She found her dream dress and further customized it with thicker straps, a longer train, and buttons down the back. “With the dress and alterations in New York and me living in L.A., there was so much coordination; I couldn’t have managed without Kelly’s help!”

They styled the sophisticated look with classic pearl earrings, white Manolo Blahnik heels, and an Alexandra Grecco veil. “For the reception dress, I loved every Danielle Frankel design,” Allison says. “The Leona was actually one of the very first dresses I tried on and fell in love with, but I knew I wanted something fuller for the ceremony. I kept coming back to it and decided it would be perfect for the reception. I customized it to have sheer sleeves and added Danielle’s signature delicate lace.” 

The wedding party chose their own dresses based on a color scheme Allison curated—her sister and maid of honor was her “something blue”—but the real stars of the show were the miniature attendants. “We had our flower girls and ring bearers wear outfits from Little English,” Allison says. “To say everyone else was obsessed with how cute they were is an understatement!”

On June 15, 2024, the dapper children preceded Allison down the aisle toward a massive oak tree on the river, where a chuppah draped in florals by Festoon was waiting. “Our ceremony felt very emotional, with our joy bursting at the seams as soon as we locked eyes,” Allison says of seeing her groom. “Michael said he couldn’t hold in the tears when he saw me walk down the aisle. As soon as I got there, we locked hands and didn’t let go.” They incorporated both of their religious traditions into the ceremony, which was officiated by a friend. “Once Michael broke the glass, everyone yelled mazel tov, and we walked back down to ‘This Will Be,’ by Natalie Cole.” 

Cocktail hour on the property’s front lawn featured Lowcountry staples like oysters and sweet tea bourbon. “I saw our florist had made a flower-filled ice sculpture [in the past] and knew we had to have one of our own for our warm June wedding,” Allison says. “We filled it with oysters and shrimp and kept the drinks flowing.” 

The sailcloth reception tent, outfitted by Festoon with rentals by Snyder Events, Adorn Charleston, and Curated Events Charleston, featured a neutral checkered dance floor, rattan chandeliers, and abundant vining greenery. An extra-special detail was the bar, a design element the bride and groom made personal. “I was inspired by the location and really wanted it to feel like everything belonged,” Allison says. “I love antiquing, and we made it a fun outing to find antiques that represented us and our interests. We decked out our bar with things we found throughout that year that leaned into the theme, and now we have them in our home as constant reminders of that day.” 

At sunset, the newlyweds snuck away for photos—and to dig up the bourbon they’d buried a month prior in Southern tradition. Back inside the tent, Cru Catering was serving local fish and panzanella salad. “We also had banana pudding shooters, sweet tea Rice Krispies, and mini pecan pies,” the bride shares. After dinner, the dancing was constant, Allison says. “Darby Events’s playlists and live mixes had the dance floor full for pretty much the entire night!” When it got late and noise ordinances kicked in, guests put on headphones for a silent disco. “That’s when everyone really let loose, and the dance floor was at its peak! The whole day just felt like a dream.” 

The next morning, guests gathered at the home where the couple was staying for a brunch send-off; then, the newlyweds headed to East Africa for an adventurous honeymoon.