The Dewberry (Living Room)

Welcome (optional)

Bar Hopping (optional)

Wedding Day

St. Matthew's Lutheran Church

Ceremony

The Dewberry - Rivers Room & North Terrace

Cocktail Hour

The Dewberry - Walled Garden & Ballroom

Dinner & Reception

Fun Day

Our Wedding

FROM A WALK IN THE PARK TO A WALK DOWN THE AISLE

It all began on a hot summer day with a walk around one of Raleigh’s spectacular downtown squares where they would discover a mutual interest in old houses and architecture. Now five years later, Mark and Ricky are about to take another walk—this time, down the aisle at St. Matthew’s Church, right in the heart of historic Charleston—a city that holds a truly special place in their hearts. You might be asking yourself “Wait, why Charleston? Didn’t this story start in Raleigh?” Good catch, Raleigh was the site of this enchanted couple’s first meeting back in 2020, but it was a weekend trip to Charleston some months later that set the stage for their future together.

The Weekend

Ricky had been invited on a weekend trip to Charleston with some friends from Charlotte and had (in typical Ricky fashion) invited Mark last minute to join. Mark accepted the invite on a whim, booked a room at The Dewberry, and rushed down I-95 to Charleston from Raleigh (no easily predictable journey for those familiar with I-95). The plan was to join the group on a sunset harbor cruise aboard the Palmetto Breeze. So hurried was his journey that Mark very nearly missed the most important cruise of his life. Mark flew from the precarious parking lot abutting the docks at Shem Creek onto the gangway as the Palmetto Breeze was pulling away from the quayside setting sail into the sunset—beginning the journey of a lifetime. The weekend went exceedingly well. Ricky abandoned his friend group in favor of spending time getting to know the very handsome “Mr. Brown.” This did not go unnoticed by Mark—this was supposed to be a weekend for Ricky and his friends. So, prioritizing his time with Mark would leave a significant impression on him. The two whiled away the hours of that weekend together with guided city tours, a walk along the beach, and random Ricky wanderings through the historic city center. The apex of the weekend, though, was their first date night. Mark stood outside The Dewberry waiting for Ricky to walk across Marion Square to meet him. As Ricky came into view and stood across the street, Mark thought to himself “How in the world am I going on a date with that handsome man?!” From there, they strolled over to the renowned Husk on Queen Street where the two enjoyed a magical candlelit dinner that sparkled with laughter and those delightful “so, tell me everything” conversations. After hours and hours of more conversation and laughter back at The Dewberry, the date finally came to an end with an early dawn first kiss. The two parted ways following the weekend promising to keep in touch, both excited and unsure of what the future would hold. Ricky lived in Charlotte, Mark in Raleigh, and the distance seemed a difficult mountain to conquer, but fate it seemed had other plans.

THE MOVE(S)

Fast forward many, many months… (maybe a couple of years). Ricky had relocated back to Raleigh, life had settled down for both, and they were spending an increasing amount of time together fostering feelings and forming an ever-increasing bond. Picture if you will the lifecycle of a volcano, the magma slowly building silently beneath the surface just waiting to burst forth into creation. That’s precisely what occurred on the night of Mark’s birthday when they agreed to make it official. From that moment on, their relationship flourished. Ricky brought Oliver 🐶, Dolly 🐶, and an impressive array of cherished knick-knacks into the home. Mark, Avery, and Jasper 🐶 soon found their midcentury style complemented by a touch of sparkle, as two families came together and blended effortlessly into one.

THE RING

As weeks turned into months, and months turned into years, Mark and Ricky’s shared memories and meaningful moments multiplied, making it clear to everyone around that these two were destined to be joined at the hip for life. So, with some help from a couple of friends from Ricky’s days in the jewelry industry, shopping for the ring commenced. After searching high and low at every jewelry store in Raleigh, Mark believed he had found the perfect ring – with a couple of modifications. First, Mark knew it had to be Ricky’s favorite cut – an Asscher cut diamond. Mark was also pretty sure Ricky would want a single halo of blue sapphires instead of the current diamonds. Within a few weeks, Ricky’s good friend would pretend like Mark hadn’t called him for advice yet and suggested that he and Ricky go look at rings so that he would know what Ricky liked if Mark ever called for his advice. After a thorough look at many, many rings, Ricky really loved one ring in particular. But something just wasn’t quite right. So, while Ricky kept looking around, the salesperson accomplice took the ring back and used a blue marker to color the diamonds in the halo to look like blue sapphires and showed it to Ricky again. That was THE RING, exactly what Ricky wanted. The next day, the salesperson called Mark. “We have a winner,” he said. Mark asked, “Was it the one I picked out?” “Yes” was the reply. “With the blue sapphires for the halo?” “Yes.” We had both independently chosen the exact same ring. It was destiny.

OPERATION PALMETTO BREEZE

Sensing the time was right, Mark began orchestrating a secret plan—Operation Palmetto Breeze—with the help of his band of co-conspirators. Ricky, ever perceptive, suspected something was brewing and began to interrogate close friends as to the plans being orchestrated beneath a veil of secrecy. His efforts – while close to successful – had failed to uncover the plot. When the day arrived (on the five-year anniversary of their initial conversations) Operation Palmetto Breeze played out perfectly (well, almost perfectly) to plan. Mark convinced Ricky to join him for a pet-free weekend in their favorite city of Charleston, explaining that his original, grander plans had been postponed. Despite Ricky’s many delays in getting the trip underway, the two finally arrived in Charleston, taking a last-minute detour from Ricky’s vacation house to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens for the first stop of the weekend. Under the guise of a garden and house tour, Mark hurriedly meandered the couple through the gardens, revealing a stunning long white bridge surrounded by majestic live oaks draped in Spanish moss. So caught up was Ricky in taking pictures of a “swamp puppy” (low country slang for alligators) that he failed to notice Mark down on one knee. When he turned to see him on display – stunning ring in hand – all he could muster was “Oh, you are not doing this…” to which Mark replied with his signature cheeky grin “Oh yes I am.” Surprised and delighted by Mark’s proposal, Ricky replied “Of course!” just as two talented photographers emerged from the marsh to capture the moment. Following the parade of photos, the celebration continued with champagne, and Mark revealed another surprise: “Well, now that we are engaged, will you please stay the night with me at The Dewberry? I have booked the same room I had on our first trip.” Mark hadn’t stopped there though. He had thoughtfully recreated that first spectacular weekend in Charleston with another cruise on the Palmetto Breeze. As the couple rounded the gangway to board the ship, Ricky spotted some familiar faces. Mark had even brought along a contingent of his co-conspirators from Raleigh &amp; Charleston to celebrate the occasion. The big day wrapped with a return to the scene of their first date – a celebratory candlelit dinner at Husk with their friends. The weekend became an unforgettable celebration, filled with laughter, love, and a few memorable mishaps (we won’t discuss the wardrobe malfunction here, but photos will be on display at the reception for those curious).

BRINGING IT FULL CIRCLE

That’s how our journey has brought us to this moment. Charleston isn’t just the backdrop for our wedding—it’s the place where so many of our most treasured memories were made, and where we recently found and furnished our first “together (vacation) home”— known as “Palmetto Breeze.” We chose this city to celebrate our special day because it holds a unique magic for us, and we can’t wait to share that with the people who mean the most. We hope you’ll join us at St. Matthew’s and a final return to The Dewberry as we walk down the aisle and step into forever together.

Our Story

Our Engagement

Magnolia Plantation &amp; Gardens | Charleston, SC | Friday, March 21, 2025

Our Family

Mark, Ricky, Avery, Jasper 🐶, Oliver 🐶, Dolly 🐶

Photos

Wedding Party

The Charleston International Airport (CHS) is approximately a 17-minute drive to the wedding area of Downtown (The Dewberry, St Matthew's, Marion Square).

Charleston International Airport (CHS)

Hotel Suggestions

Booking very early is highly recommended as early October is still peak season and hotels will fill up quickly. We have established a room block at two of the nearby more moderately priced hotels — Moxy Charleston (Downtown) and Embassy Suites by Hilton (Charleston Harbor, Mt. Pleasant). We have also listed below several hotels that we would recommend at a variety of price points. There are others to consider too — search for hotels near the wedding venues (The Dewberry Hotel, Marion Square, and St. Matthew's Lutheran Church). Note: The reception venue — The Dewberry — tends to be on the more expensive side. However, if you want to stay there, let Mark know (phone number below) and he'll see if we can get a discounted rate if enough people express interest. If you run into any issues with the Moxy or Embassy Suites room blocks, or finding a hotel in general, please reach out to Mark at (919) 593-3394 and we'll see what we can do to assist.

Last Day to Book: Wednesday, September 02, 2026Brown | Poe Wedding 7-minute Uber/Lyft/ride to St. Matthew's Lutheran Church

Moxy Charleston Downtown

Last day to book: Wednesday, September 2, 2026Brown | Poe Wedding Just across the Ravenel Bridge. 12-minute Uber/Lyft/ride to St. Matthew's Church.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston Harbor Mt. Pleasant

The location of the Wedding Cocktail Hour and Reception, The Dewberry is where Mark stayed on our first date weekend during Covid, and where Mark surprised Ricky as the hotel for our Charleston engagement weekend. Everything is coming full circle as we celebrate our wedding at The Dewberry. The historic Dewberry Charleston is a mid-20th century boutique hotel located in the in the Mendell Rivers Federal building and features an American Southern brasserie-style restaurant and a craft cocktail bar. Spa at the Dewberry, a fitness center, and library are available as well as the Fieldshop from Garden &amp; Gun on-site shop. The 2283 feet of indoor and outdoor event space includes a glass-enclosed rooftop venue. Floor-to-ceiling windows, flat-screen TV, and mini-bar are standard in every room at the Dewberry Charleston. Extras include an en suite with Vermont marble accents, free toiletries, and slippers. The Charleston Museum, American Theater, and Charleston Farmers Market are 3 minutes’ walk from the Charleston Dewberry hotel. The South Carolina Aquarium is 0.6 mi away.

The Dewberry Charleston

Francis Marion is the hotel where Ricky stayed during our first date weekend. Set in the heart of Charleston across from Marion Square, this historic hotel features a full-service spa and an on-site restaurant serving classic Southern cuisine. The French Quarter is 0.6 mi away. Free WiFi is provided. A flat-screen TV with premium cable channels is featured in all rooms. A custom-made vanity and seating area are also provided. Guests will enjoy the convenience of a coffee maker. A fully equipped fitness center is provided. A Starbucks Coffee® shop and full-service are on site as well. While staying at the Francis Marion, guests can enjoy regional specialties for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the Swamp Fox Restaurant. Live jazz music along with cocktails is also available at the hotels Swamp Fox Bar. The College of Charleston, the Gibbes Museum of Art and the Charleston Museum are all within 0.8 mi from the Francis Marion Hotel. This hotel also borders the King Street shopping district.

The Francis Marion Hotel

Courtyard by Marriott Charleston Historic District is on the corner of Meeting Street and Calhoun Street in downtown Charleston. Features include an outdoor pool, courtyard, and free Wi-Fi. A flat-screen TV and an iPod docking station are found in each decorative, modern room at Courtyard by Marriott Charleston Historic District. A small refrigerator and coffee-making facilities are also included. The Courtyard Bistro is open daily for breakfast and dinner. Guests can enjoy beverages from the rocking chairs on the porch. A fitness room and a business center are open to all guests at the the Charleston Courtyard. Concierge services and newspapers are also available. The historic Powder Magazine landmark is less than a 5-minute drive from the hotel. The South Carolina Aquarium is a 10-minute walk away.

COURTYARD CHARLESTON HISTORIC DISTRICT

The original site of The Citadel, built in 1829, this hotel is a Registered National Historic Landmark and is within walking distance from downtown Charleston. The all-suite hotel offers in-room microwaves and refrigerators, an on-site restaurant and outdoor pool. Suites at the Embassy Historic Charleston feature a separate living area with a sofa bed and dining table. A 27-inch flat-screen TV with cable and in-room movies is also provided. Guests at the Charleston Embassy Suites can use the modern gym and business center. Dining options include a daily breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Tobacco Road Restaurant, and room service. Child services are available. The Charleston Music Hall is 2 blocks from the Embassy Suites Charleston-Historic Charleston. South Carolina Aquarium is a 5-minute drive of the hotel and the College of Charleston is a 3-minute walk away.

EMBASSY SUITES BY HILTON CHARLESTON HISTORIC DISTRICT

Blending the historic charm of 1860 with all of todays modern conveniences, this historic hotel is situated adjacent to the Charleston Museum and close to many other popular attractions. Ideally placed in the heart of the city, the Hampton Inn Charleston-Historic District is within walking distance of historic sites, world-renowned restaurants and unique shops. Guests can also enjoy the South Carolina Aquarium, the American Military Museum and historic Fort Sumter. The Charleston-Historic District Hampton Inn offers guests all the amenities needed for an enjoyable stay, including free high-speed internet access and a free hot breakfast. Guests can also enjoy relaxing in the courtyard garden or planning area activities and excursions with help from the on-site tour desk.

HAMPTON INN CHARLESTON-HISTORIC DISTRICT

Located in Charleston, a 8-minute walk from Rainbow Row, John Rutledge House Inn has accommodations with a garden, private parking, a shared lounge and a terrace. Located around a 18-minute walk from Marion Square, the hotel with free WiFi is also 1.2 miles away from Cannon Park. The property is a 10-minute walk from Charleston Waterfront Park, and within 0.8 miles of the city center. All rooms at the hotel feature air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, DVD player, and a private bathroom with a shower, free toiletries and a hairdryer. All guest rooms will provide guests with a fridge. Guests at John Rutledge House Inn can enjoy an à la carte or an American breakfast. Staff at the accommodation are available to give information at the 24-hour front desk. Charleston Museum is 1.2 miles from John Rutledge House Inn, while South Carolina Aquarium is 1.5 miles from the property. Charleston International Airport is 12 miles away.

JOHN RUTLEDGE HOUSE INN

Mills House Charleston, Curio Collection by Hilton features on-site dining and is located in Charleston city center. Each room offers a 55-inch flat-screen TV and guests will have access to an outdoor pool. A work desk, in-room coffee-making facilities, and a cable TV are included. A fitness room is on site at Mills House Charleston, Curio Collection by Hilton. The Iron Rose is the Restaurant at this Charleston hotel, which is open for all meals and serves Southern Fine Dining Cuisine. The Black Door Cafe mostly serves coffee and pastries. This hotel is less than 5 minutes’ walk from the Charleston City Market. White Point Garden on the Ashley River Waterfront is less than 1 mile away.

MILLS HOUSE CHARLESTON

This luxury South Carolina inn is in the heart of Charleston’s historic district on Meeting Street and 138 ft from Market Street. Features include free continental breakfast and 19th century-style rooms with free WiFi. A 4-post bed, hardwood floors, and an en suite are standard in all rooms at Meeting Street Inn. Extras include a small refrigerator, desk, and wardrobe. An enclosed garden courtyard is available to all guests throughout their stay. Guests can also take advantage of the complimentary reception each evening, which includes wine and hor doeuvres. Historic Charleston City Market is 167 feet away. The Dock Street Theater is 1476 feet away, and the South Carolina Aquarium is 1 mi from the Meeting Street Inn. Waterfront Park is 3 minutes drive away.

MEETING STREET INN

This historic hotel is located in Charleston city center 1581 feet from College of Charleston and 1 mi from South Carolina Aquarium. Offerings include 3 restaurants, 4 bars, and a full-service spa. An indoor and outdoor saltwater pool and a fitness center are featured at the The Charleston Place. Shops and a full-service concierge are also available on site. The rooftop Clocktower Terrace bar located at the pool deck is available to guests. The Charleston Grill is on site, which features live jazz and modern Southern American cuisine. Guests can have breakfast and lunch in the casual Palmetto Cafe or a cocktail in the Thoroughbred Club. Free WiFi, a cable TV, and an en suite with bathrobes are provided in each room at The Charleston Place. Room service is available 24 hours. The hotel is 328 feet from Peninsula Grill, 984 feet from Charleston Historic District and 1640 feet from Old Slave Mart Museum. Charleston International Airport is 9.3 mi away.

THE CHARLESTON PLACE

Travel and Lodging

Places to Eat

Things to Do

This is where Mark and Ricky got engaged!

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

Where the journey of a lifetime started...

Palmetto Breeze

Drayton Hall

Middleton Place

Nathaniel Russell House Museum

This is the spot where a famous scene from "The Notebook" was filmed.

Cypress Gardens

Rainbow Row

Historical tours, Ghost tours, Food tours, etc.

Bulldog Tours

Old Charleston Jail Tour

South Carolina Aquarium

Where the first shots of the Civil War were fired

Fort Sumter National Monument

1-hour historic Charleston carriage tours

Old South Carriage Company

King Street Shopping District

RESERVATIONS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED

One of our favorite places for a special dinner, this is where we had our first dinner date in July 2020 — in the adjacent 19th century kitchen house  — and where we had our engagement celebration dinner in March 2025.

Husk

This is where we celebrated New Year's Eve in 2023.

One of our favorite places for good seafood

Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar

This coveted neighborhood restaurant is in especially high demand&nbsp;now —&nbsp;it was just recognized in the Michelin American South category. Plan to make your reservation weeks/months in advance.

Vern's

One of our favorite lunch/brunch spots and located in a former service station, Leon's serves amazing fried chicken, oysters, southern style seafood and sides, frozen gin &amp; tonics and a full bar.

Mark & Ricky

Mark & Ricky

M&R