Home Wedding on Sea Island | Martha Stewart + Dallis

Swing dancing (we’re talking flips and everything), fresh seafood, grits, and so much fun went down on Martha Stewart and Dallis’s wedding day! These two high school sweethearts wanted to include as many friends and family as possible, and Martha Stewart has vacationed on Sea Island since she was a girl. So, it made perfect sense to host their celebration in Martha Stewart’s parents’ backyard and the ceremony at the local church they attend (not to mention Martha Stewart had always hoped she’d wed on the island).

Our timeless bride (who spun, flipped, and glided in her Astrid & Mercedes Joy gown) shares all the details, including the fireworks that sparkled the night Dallis proposed

 

How did your sweetie propose?

 

“We’ve been dating since high school so I always assumed I would know before Dallis proposed. Last summer, he convinced me to go to his family’s farm for the weekend, and claimed it was to celebrate his birthday. Little did I know he was planning to propose, and did so in one of their fields while the sun set. There were fireworks, both our families brought out champagne and it was the best surprise of my life!”

wedding dress: full length Astrid & Mercedes Joy via J. Majors | photographer: Kelli Boyd Photography| scroll down for full vendor list

How did you choose your gown?

“I had an idea of what I wanted, but wasn’t sure that the style I liked would look good on me! I had my mom, aunt, both my sisters, my future mother-in-law and best friend come to Charlotte to help me pick a dress. We quickly sorted through what we didn’t like—my sisters were very vocal and helped me realize exactly what looked good on me. I planned to wear my grandmother’s veil that my aunt brought to the appointment, and once I thought the dress might be “the one,” I put it on. It made all the difference, and I knew the dress I picked would be perfect!”

 

Tell us about your day!

“I grew up going to Sea Island every Thanksgiving, and I’ve wanted to get married down there ever since I can remember! We decided to have the ceremony in the church to which we go when we’re down there, and the reception in my parents’ backyard. We wanted to include as many friends and family as possible, so we ended up with a pretty large wedding! We put a lot of emphasis on the food—fresh seafood, shrimp and grits, and late night pizza from the wood-fired pizza oven at the house.”

 

What was your first dance song?

“Like There’s No Yesterday by Mark Wills”

 

What was the funniest moment of your day?

“My husband’s family loves to swing dance, and more than that, they love to flip people on the dance floor. Dallis’s little brother flipped my little sister and completely ripped her dress down the side—our wedding planner came to the rescue with a bunch of safety pins!”

 

What was your something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue?

“Something old—my earrings, they used to be shoe clips that I had made into earrings. Something new—my dress. Something borrowed—my grandmother’s veil (also worn by my mother and my aunt, that my great-grandmother purchased in Brussels in the 1950s). Something blue—my bridesmaids and my toenails!”

 

Three words that best describe your significant other (you or both of you can answer!):

“Dallis is loyal, strong, and keeps me grounded.”

 

Where did you go on your honeymoon?

“We went to Sugar Beach in St. Lucia and had the most amazing week relaxing, scuba diving, and eating some amazing food!”

 

Any advice for future brides/grooms?

“Pick vendors you trust and let them do the work for you! We had an incredible team that pulled our vision together seamlessly.”

Martha Stewart + Dallis’s Sea Island Wedding Vendors

wedding dress: full length Astrid & Mercedes Joy via J. Majors | photographer: Kelli Boyd Photography |  planner: Caroline Carter Events | florals: Garden on the Square | hair: Tiffany Taylor of Bienvenue Salon | makeup: Occasions by Blakeley | bridesmaid dresses: Bella Bridesmaids | catering: Halyards  | rentals: Beachview | wedding cake:  Mary Ann Daniels  | videography: Jeff + Mollie Weddings | band: A-Town A-List (Sam Hill Entertainment)

Were you a Lea-Ann Belter bride? We’d love to see your pictures and share your story! Email [email protected].