It was so fun to be part of Madison and Clay’s wedding day, nearly a year after we did their engagement photos with light sabers in Greenville! This is the third wedding I’ve shot for someone in their family, so it was fun to catch up with everyone again!
Madison and Clay met through the art program at Shawnee State University, so between them, their family, and friends, there’s a lot of artistic talent. Madison made the invitations and helped with the light saber bouquets. Clay built different light sabers for himself, Madison, and each of the groomsmen. Clay’s mom made Madison’s veil and comb, their brother-in-law made Star Wars masks for everyone, including Han and Leia for Clay and Madison, and the groomsmen did such a cool job painting the car!
This spring wedding was held at River Road and Jasmine Houses and Gardens in Columbia, South Carolina. The whole day, they were surrounded by a garden with palmetto trees and flowers blooming. Madison wore her great-grandmother’s pearl necklace, which was a beautiful and sentimental touch to her overall ensemble. The boutonnières had the Rebel symbol on them and coordinated with the yellow flowers in Madison’s hair. Madison walked down the aisle to Leia’s Theme, which made for such a beautiful moment during the ceremony. Clay, of course, incorporated a quote from Anakin Skywalker into his vows: “Compassion, which I would define as unconditional love, is essential to a Jedi’s life.”
After the sun went down, we took some photos in the dark with the light sabers, like we did for their engagement session. You don’t have to be into Star Wars to be impressed with the quality of these light sabers, but if you are, you might recognize some of the different Jedi’s hilts. Madison wanted hers to be modeled after Leia’s in Episode IX. (Check out the video Crissie and I took behind the scenes with the light sabers, and be sure to turn your sound on!)
Keep scrolling to see some of my favorite parts of this wonderful day!
Venue: River Road and Jasmine Houses and Gardens
Dress: Azazie
Catering: River Road and Jasmine Houses and Gardens
Donuts: Duck Donuts
Video: Matt Bowden
DJ: DJ Krystyle
Officiant: From This Day Forward
Hair and Makeup: Studio B at The Old Mill
Light Sabers: The groom himself (Clayton’s Customs)
Assistant Photographer: Crissie Carpenter
Almost everything else you see here was a collaborative effort between the couple, their friends, and their families.
Ready for the best day ever?
My name is Christine (Scott) Gow and I’m an elopement photographer based out of Greenville, South Carolina. I’m a wife and a beagle mom. The three of us have visited beautiful places in every corner of South Carolina, to include all 48 of our state parks. Sometimes we wear hiking boots, sometimes we wear dress shoes, and sometimes we’re barefoot in the surf.
One thing I love about South Carolina is that it’s not just the beaches and colorful houses that you imagine when you picture it. Whether you’re looking for mountains, beaches, or anything in between; I can help you find the perfect place for the two of you and make it as smooth of a day as possible. No matter how you two choose to spend your day, I’m happy you’re doing it the way that you want.
I can’t wait to meet you!
