Ah, where to begin with this summer DeBordieu wedding with fun families? Abundant love and so much to love, which seems to be the case each time I head up the road to the quiet refuge of DeBordieu in Georgetown, South Carolina. (For any folks beyond the Carolinas, you should know that we mangle French names, and that “Debby-Doo” is not Scooby-Doo’s sister pup but a haven for golfers and birders on a serene stretch of the Atlantic.)

Let’s start with the elegant bride. I doubt I’m the only one who thinks she could be a Ralph Lauren model with her radiant smile and relaxed grace, but she’s so laid-back, that’s probably the last thing on her mind. Then there’s Pat, whose grin, like his bride’s, lit up the room. Each time he hugged someone, it was a greeting befitting a long lost friend. And the way he looks at McNeill demonstrates adoration that makes everyone around them swoon.

The Smart and Kelley families are both so much fun and seem to really enjoy each other, which is awesome. Seriously, really fun — as in moments after the salad course was served, more than a hundred people crammed the dance floor to start the party at 8:15. Why wait until late-night to “Shout!?” The toasts were stellar — Mr. Smart, McNeill’s sister and the best man each had a turn at bringing everyone in the room to tender tears and hearty laughs. Gobs more dancing was interrupted only for the cake cutting — oh, and an errant fire alarm, which could easily be attributed to all the heat generated on the dance floor. The couple honeymooned in Europe before returning to Washington, DC, to start their lives as Mr. and Mrs. Kelley. Take a look at this magnificent day, where the rain stopped at the perfect times, and check out all the contributing vendors at the end of the post.

 

Bravo, y’all! And heartfelt thanks for choosing me to document the weekend festivities. Even if you didn’t roll with my chosen hashtag of #GetSmart, I know that Patrick did just that, and it was my pleasure to witness it. Thanks also to my trusty sidekick for the day, Liz Duren; Kelly and the tireless DeBordieu staff and the wonderful vendors who made the day a pleasure for the guests and a breeze to photograph.

Church: Pawleys Island Community Church
Venue and Catering: DeBordieu Club
Gown designer: Janell Berte
Gown boutique: Katherine’s Bridal, Alexandria, Virginia
Hair: Stox & Co., Litchfield
Bridesmaid dresses: J. Crew
Guys’ suits: Kenneth Cole
Florist: Greenskeeper Florist
Cake: Incredible Edibles
DJ: DJ Scott & Company
Harpist: Becky Nissen
Transportation: Carolina Limousine
Videographer: Archer Films

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