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A Wedding Under the Live Oaks and Spanish Moss

By Alexandra Macon | Photography by 

Perry Vaile Photography

Caroline Mayberry and Wyatt Stephens first meeting was one of few words. “We were in the same sign language class in college,” says Caroline. “Talking was strictly prohibited, so for months before we became friends outside of the classroom, we only signed to each other.”

The two had been dating for about one and a half years when they ran into their sign language professor while walking to dinner in downtown Greenville, SC. “We stopped and said hello to his wife and he then proceeded to ask us to sign,” remembers Caroline. “He asked me questions like, ‘How long have you been dating Wyatt?’ and ‘Do you think you’ll get engaged soon?’ and then ‘How about getting engaged right now?’ Wyatt then took a knee.”

The bride worked with her friend and the head designer of Lula Kate, Katherine McDonald, to customize a gown that fit the romantic, but with a modern twist vibe that they were going for. “The removable tulle skirt with floral lace was everything,” gushes Caroline.

They kept the ceremony short and simple. The bride walked down the aisle, escorted by her brother, to Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy.” The couple then exchanged their vows inside the tiny chapel on the property. “We both really enjoyed the gospel choir soloist singing the Lord’s Prayer at the end of our ceremony,” says Caroline.

After a tented seated dinner, guests moved inside the hotel for a dance party. “I might be bias, but the pictures prove our guests had a darn good time,” jokes Caroline. “We nixed the bouquet toss as dancing to the Perfect 10 Band as much as possible was the top priority.” To keep things interesting, the newlyweds made their exist on a tandem bike—and then soon after the big day, they jetted off to St Barths for their honeymoon.