The Cliffs at Glassy | Landrum, SC (Chris & Amber)

The Engagement -
Chris and Amber met during their sophomore year of college at the University of South Carolina. Chris grew up in Raleigh, NC and Amber grew up in Greenville, SC. They started out as next door neighbors, which turned into close friends, which eventually turned into a date night at their favorite burger joint during the fall of their senior year. Dating quickly turned into a long distance relationship between Charleston, SC and Atlanta, GA while Amber was in physical therapy school and Chris started his first sales role after graduating from USC. Fast-forward 3 years and they were finally in the same place again as Amber made the big move to ATL after earning her doctorate. Two years (and two dogs) later, on a Saturday in September as they casually walked the streets in Savannah, he surprised her with a very important question...and of course she said "YES!" The surprises continued as their parents, Ron & Margie Thomas and Kevin & Kathy Burns, traveled to celebrate the newly engaged couple.

The Wedding -
They set a date of July 28, 2018 to be wed at The Cliffs at Glassy Mountain. The wedding weekend started off with an intimate rehearsal dinner at The Lazy Goat in downtown Greenville, followed by a welcome party for all guests to celebrate the wedding eve of Amber and Chris. Finally the big day had arrived! The couple prepped for the day with their bridal parties at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The ladies hair and make up was provided by Hannah McCall of Cotton Rouge. Amber and Chris didn't contact one another that day other than to share a special moment by writing and reading letters written to the other full of sweet memories and excitement for the future. Amber kept her wedding dress a surprise from everyone and revealed her dress to her bridesmaids at the Cliffs Clubhouse. Although the couple did not have a first look, Amber decided to have one with her father at the clubhouse. She also surprised him with a tie that had a personal message sewn on the inside as a gift.

The countdown was on! The wedding took place at the Chapel at Glassy Mountain with spectacular views of The Blue Ridge Mountains. It was a very emotional day for everyone, filled with so much excitement and joy as they were surrounded by their closest friends and family. The surprises didn't stop there. As the bridal party stayed in the chapel for pictures, Chris' brother and best man, Michael, made an announcement that there was one guest who hadn't been invited that he felt should have been. Out of the back room walks Cocky, their college mascot! "We were both SO surprised. We had no idea what he was about to say or do. It was awesome!" After waiting out a brief summer shower, the couple were ready to make their debut as husband and wife, with their new very special escort, Cocky. They shared their first dances and toasts with guests before taking a moment to themselves on the rock at Glassy Mountain. This moment wasn't planned for, but was one of their favorite moments of the wedding day. "At first I thought I wanted my bridal party pictures there, but it was actually so nice to get away and to just be present in the moment of being newlyweds. It was so peaceful and breathtaking and couldn't have worked out more perfectly." After that the cake was cut, the drinks were flowing, and the dance floor was packed! Jars filled with local honey harvested by the father of the bride were given to all guests as party favors. The new Mr. and Mrs. Burns ended the night with one of their favorite songs, Wagon Wheel, and made their way back downtown where the after parties continued! "I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. It was more beautiful than I had ever imagined."