A Love That Weathered the Storm and Bloomed Along the River at The Dunlin

By Kevin Harson19 January 2026

White, black, gold

Rebekah and Benjamin originally planned to wed at The Biltmore, but after Hurricane Helene devastated the Asheville area, they were forced to pivot. With only three weeks until the big day, their planner worked tirelessly to redesign the wedding and redirect the vendors to South Carolina, as well as having to bring aboard a few new vendors on board, given the devastation of the hurricane and the new location. They discovered the newly-completed Dunlin on Johns Island, which ended up being the perfect alternative. “The venue was so stunning that we barely had to do anything in terms of decor, but what we did add transformed it into exactly what we had dreamed of,” they shared. Accented by a southern sunset along the river and framed by dramatic veils of Spanish moss, the charm of their new venue came to life.

While attending virtual classes during COVID, Rebekah first met Benjamin through their shared law school program. After sending him a message on Zoom to join a study group, the two became friends. Ben thought Rebekah was too serious about school, and Rebekah thought Ben was too chaotic. As they later remarked, “We were both right.” A year passed before something simply clicked, and their friendship turned into a relationship. Two years later, Ben proposed, catching Rebekah completely off guard. While visiting a so-called “castle” in South Carolina, he suggested she change her outfit to something nicer. Rebekah refused, slightly annoyed, and remained so as they walked the grounds. Following his request to check out the garden and then the well, she rolled her eyes and joked, “Wow, it’s a well, cool,” only to turn and see Benjamin pulling out a ring. “It was the greatest moment, and exactly what I wanted it to be,” she reflected.

For her bridal look, Rebekah chose a high-neck halter gown by Oscar de la Renta — a textural, dramatic silhouette with timeless sophistication. Her unique after-party look featured a hand-bedazzled white Mets jersey to surprise her new husband.

After enjoying classic coastal bites like cocktail shrimp and crab claws, guests dined on a duo of grilled filet mignon with bordelaise and seared grouper with citrus butter sauce.

The ceremony unfolded along a wooden platform through the trees, where candles lined the path and branches arched overhead, opening to views of the river and grasslands. As the sun dipped below the horizon, candlelight softly illuminated the gathering. Subtle nods to history appeared throughout their details, from custom logos to designs inspired by South Carolina’s colonial currency.

The couple’s classic white wedding cake included delicate feather details for a natural touch.

The couple held a Jewish ceremony, as Rebekah had converted to Judaism shortly before their wedding day.