Seven years after Le Creuset Category Marketing Manager Emma Cissel and Daniel Bybee first crossed paths at the College of Charleston, he proposed where it all began, their alma mater. While on the way to dinner, he suggested they take a look at the Christmas decor in the Cistern Yard. There, he dropped to one knee and asked Emma to marry him, surrounded by twinkling lights.
Once engaged, Emma and Daniel chose The Ponte Vedra Inn & Club in Florida for their spring ceremony. “I debated a few locations both in Charleston and destination, but after getting further into planning, I realized just how important it was to me to be married in my hometown church, the same church where my parents and majority of my family have been married,” she says. Lush flower arrangements and hints of orange detail the decor of the coastal-inspired wedding weekend.
“I worked closely with my planner, Nancy Padgett of Soirees Ponte Vedra, and Brent at Glenn Certain Design to bring a sophisticated, yet relaxed decor vision to life that was very true to Daniel and me,” Emma shares. Gayle Brooker stood behind the lens all weekend, photographing each moment, while Erikson Corbin videoed. Hudson & Tuck designed a custom invitation suite, which catered to the theme.
“Finding my dress for a formal church ceremony, and then outdoor spring reception wasn’t the easiest task. I shopped at quite a few places near and far, before arriving at Modern Trousseau on King Street in Charleston,” Emma shares. Alongside the expertise of Modern Trousseau’s Connecticut atelier, the bride created a strapless crepe gown with a French lace bolero. “We worked over months to perfect the lace placement and the fit of the bolero and then used the same lace to create my custom veil. I loved that I was able to stay in my same dress all night, but still had a transformed look from the ceremony to dancing.”
Alexandre Birman shoes completed the look seamlessly. As for jewelry, a long-admired aquamarine ring belonging to Emma’s aunt, her mother-in-law’s pearl earrings, and a diamond bracelet complemented her Croghan’s engagement ring. “For hair, Saskia Penland crafted my small bun with a few pieces left down in the front, and Kimtasha perfected a natural soft glam makeup look,” she notes. Daniel chose a Canali tux for the day of.
“My bridesmaids wore their choice of dress within a color palette that was centered around my sister’s maid of honor dress that we both fell in love with—it was a Lela Rose dress that had both green and blue in it and small citrus lace motifs that of course matched the design of the wedding perfectly,” she says. “I loved every dress they picked.”
On May 20, 2023, Emma and Daniel wed in the church where Emma’s parents exchanged vows thirty years prior. “Daniel and I were both so calm and relaxed during the ceremony—of course, some nerves right before. For me, it was truly just so much fun walking down the aisle with my dad and looking out at Daniel and all the people waiting for us,” she shares. The two shared a first kiss as a married duo and exited the church as Mr. and Mrs. Bybee amidst the applause of loved ones.
Everyone toasted the newlyweds—spritzes in hand—by the inn’s fountain. Fresh citrus margaritas, Champagne, and orange blossom pilsner made their way around as guests took to the putting green and enjoyed the sounds of Gary Starling’s jazz trio. Then guests headed to the West Lawn for the dinner reception. They dined on fresh local fish, crab cakes, and seafood and vegetable tapas served atop Le Creuset Olive Branch mini cocottes and Sea Salt cast iron ovens.
“After the most gorgeous sunset during dinner, the party and dancing moved into the historic Ponte Vedra Inn Lagoon Room, where the Rhythm Nation kicked off and truly didn’t stop!” the bride exclaims. Emma and Daniel danced to Natalie Cole’s “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” and cut their wedding confection by Classic Cakes.
The celebrations came to an end, when the newlyweds shut down the hotel bar lounge with a few remaining guests. On Monday, the bride and groom escaped to the Rosewood Little Dix Bay, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands—“It was an amazing week, can’t wait to go back.”
