Bridal portraits are a southern tradition that actually first originated in Europe well before photography was even invented. The bride’s family, often royalty, would commission an oil painting of their daughter in her wedding attire to commemorate this special time in her life. This tradition has evolved over the years – moving from oil paintings to photographs – and is still a time-honored tradition celebrated in the American South. Until I moved to Charleston, I had never even heard of a bridal portrait – but bridal portraits are actually my favorite now!
I love spending time with my bride before her wedding day, who typically brings her mother, sister, cousin, or best friend to the session to help out. It’s so nice to meet my bride’s support system prior to the wedding day! I feel very lucky to be able to get a sneak peek of her wedding dress and I love watching her expression in the mirror as she sees herself as a bride for the first time. The relaxed atmosphere and the time we get to spend together, celebrating her and talking about the upcoming wedding day… it’s a very special type of session, for sure.
I met up with Kathryn and her mother a little over a year ago at Lowndes Grove for her bridal portraits – and I just realized that I never shared these images! On a beautiful December day, we spent the afternoon together as I captured Kathryn in her gorgeous Anne Barge ballgown at Charleston’s most popular wedding venue. Soon after these portraits were taken, she married Thomas in a beautiful wedding at William Aiken House. Kathryn and Thomas just celebrated their one year wedding anniversary – so I thought I should get these bridal portraits posted ASAP! So without further ado, here are a few of my favorites of Kathryn’s Lowndes Grove bridal portraits…
Wedding Photography: Dana Cubbage Weddings | Venue: Lowndes Grove | Bouquet: Justin Wham Weddings | Wedding Dress: Anne Barge | Hair + Makeup: Ash + Co | Bride’s Jewelry: personal
With a well-worn passport in hand, and an affinity for a good cocktail, Dana works with fun-loving and kind-hearted clients around the globe.
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Bridal portraits offer a rare pause in the wedding season – a moment to step away from timelines and celebrations and focus entirely on the bride herself. Bri’s bridal portrait session took place at a private residence in downtown Charleston, and the setting could not have been more perfect. Rich teal walls, layered textures, patterned […]
Some wedding days just feel easy in the best possible way – not because nothing is happening, but because everything unfolds exactly as it should, surrounded by the people who matter most. Dana and Hayden’s celebration at Cannon Green was exactly that kind of day. The morning began at their home here in Charleston, a […]
Taylor and Clay’s wedding at the The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort felt like a natural extension of who they are – thoughtful, intentional, and deeply rooted in what they love most. Traveling to South Carolina from central Missouri, the two share a connection that’s been shaped in many ways by the game […]
Ava and Alex’s wedding day felt like the perfect blend of classic elegance and genuine, unfiltered joy – the kind of celebration where every moment feels light, meaningful, and deeply felt all at once. The two now call Greenville home, and their season leading up to the wedding was a full one. Ava just graduated […]
Tucked into the heart of historic downtown Charleston, Bri and Brett’s wedding felt less like an event and more like being invited into something deeply personal. Hosted at a private residence South of Broad – a home Bri knows well, as she manages the property for the owners – the setting carried a level of […]
Kendal and Alec’s wedding day at Sea Pines Resort felt relaxed, joyful, and beautifully personal from beginning to end. With close family and friends gathered on Hilton Head Island, their celebration was intentionally small – the kind of wedding where every guest feels deeply connected to the couple and the reason everyone is there. While […]
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