Some invitations arrive on cardstock. The very best ones arrive with a key.


On September 27th, we had the absolute delight of attending, and photographing, The Enchanted Apothecary, the latest public tea party from our dear friend Megan, owner and founder of the wonderfully elusive Pinky's Up. Guests were given secret keys, the location remained a closely kept secret until the night before, and when the doors finally swung open, the evening was every bit the hidden gem the whispers had promised. Pinkies up, darlings: this was easily one of the most charming evenings Charleston has seen all season.

 

Crunchy craquelin-topped cream puffs on a glass dessert stand with ornate silver tray, purple flowers and a perfume bottle on green grass.
Smiling woman in a teal maxi dress stands on a grassy lawn near a decorated table with flowers, surrounded by trees at golden hour.

 

If you haven't yet had the pleasure, Pinky's Up is a luxury tea party experience unlike anything else in the Lowcountry. Every party open to the public is thoughtfully curated from the first steep to the final crumb, each with its own unique theme, party favors, decor, and a menu designed to match. Megan began hosting these gatherings as a way to connect with her community, to share her love and knowledge of tea blends, and to create a space where strangers could sit down as guests and stand up as friends. If the Mad Hatter ever hired a stylist, a tea sommelier, and an etiquette coach, he still wouldn't come close.


And enchanted it was. Luxurious draping softened every corner of the room, cozy sitting areas invited guests to linger (and linger they did), and a bookmark-making station had everyone happily crafting keepsakes that Belle herself would have pulled up a chair for. It was no surprise that every single guest left thoroughly smitten with the evening.


 

Two people in colorful patterned robes share a warm hug outdoors while smiling guests look on at a sunlit garden gathering.
Woman with long dark hair and a black lace cardigan sips from a floral cup at an outdoor gathering among trees.
Smiling woman in a teal dress and gold-trimmed shawl laughs with friends gathered outdoors among trees in warm evening light.

 

As if the evening needed one more twist of enchantment, the party welcomed a very special guest of honor: author L.L. Schmid, who brought along copies of her new book, Daughter of Origin. She spent the evening chatting with guests about her book and signing copies for partygoers, and there was something wonderfully fitting about a book signing tucked inside an apothecary full of secrets. A teacup in one hand and a freshly signed book in the other? We can't imagine a more perfect party favor.


The moments that stole our hearts, though, had less to do with the decor and everything to do with the people. Again and again, we watched friends who had first met at previous Pinky's Up parties find each other across the room, reunite with hugs, and settle right back in as if no time had passed at all, laughing the evening away over a spread of delicious treats made by Megan and her favorite pastry chef, Abby. There is a particular kind of magic in watching a community take root in real time, and as two photographers who believe the best stories are the ones happening just off to the side of the main event, we were in absolute heaven. Having two lead photographers on hand meant the party never went undocumented while the portrait corner was in full swing, and the portrait corner never sat empty while the party carried on. Two perspectives, one beautifully steeped evening.

 

Smiling woman with curly dark hair sits in an ornate chair holding a pink book, surrounded by glowing candles and draped curtains.
Pink book Daughter of Origin with purple flowers rests on green moss beside a cup of tea and an ornate silver tray.

 

Speaking of that portrait corner, we couldn't resist dreaming up something that felt like it had been plucked straight from an apothecary storybook. Our backdrop featured rich brown satin drapes paired with a vintage floral backdrop, pillar candles scattered at the base, and floating candles hung with care above it all, glowing like a spell mid-cast. At the center sat our pièce de résistance: a gorgeous vintage rocking chair with swans carved into the armrests and a paisley print cushion that looked as though it had been waiting decades for exactly this evening. One by one, guests took their seat, and one by one, they became the heroine of their very own fairy tale.

 

Smiling woman in a dark satin slip dress sits on an ornate chair surrounded by glowing candles and draped burgundy curtains.
Woman in glasses and a pink floral dress sits on grass holding a teacup, surrounded by glowing candles and red draped curtains.
Three smiling women pose with mugs, one seated in a floral skirt and two standing behind her, amid glowing candles and burgundy drapes.
Two smiling women in floral boho dresses pose together outdoors on grass in front of a red curtain and glowing candles.

 

We had such a blast working this event. Opportunities like this one are a true joy for us, not only because we get to mingle with the wonderful people of our community, but because we get to collaborate with the fabulous small Lowcountry businesses that make Charleston feel so special. As event photographers here in South Carolina, these are exactly the kinds of evenings we live for: intimate, intentional, and brimming with real connection.


If you'd like to be in the know about future gatherings (and trust us, you do), hop on over to Pinky's Up CHS and give Megan a follow. Her parties have a way of filling up faster than a teacup at a Mad Hatter's table.

 

Woman in a lavender dress sips tea at a vintage tea party table with lace linens, floral teacups, a decorative box, and colorful candy.
Woman in a black dress holding a phone and dark jacket smiles inside a draped tent with warm lamps at an outdoor event.
Smiling woman in a floral dress stands beside a table of yellow flowers in a brass pitcher under a white garden tent at sunset.

 

And if we took your portrait at The Enchanted Apothecary, keep an eye on your inbox! Your gallery was sent out on Sunday, October 18th. If you haven't received an email from us, peek in your spam or promotions folder first, then shoot us a message and we'll make sure your portraits find their way home to you.

 

Gold tiered stand of macarons beside a Harvest Moon Macaron sign, a pink perfume bottle and a pitcher on a wooden table.
Woman's hands holding a white porcelain teacup with gold trim and a golden tassel, wearing rings and a bracelet with a plaid dress.
Glass jar of dried loose-leaf herbal tea spilling onto a black lid on a lace tablecloth, with white flowers and green leaves behind.
Wooden bookshelf with pink and green books and a potted plant, framed by red and white draped curtains beside a red upholstered chair.
Round white decorative spheres resting in a clear, ruffled glass bowl with warm golden light and blurred festive lights in the background.
Overhead view of craquelin-topped choux pastry puffs filled with cream and garnished with caramelized shards on a clear glass plate.
Vintage open suitcase filled with floral fabric sachets and handwritten notes on a lace-covered table outdoors among sunlit trees.
Enchanted Pixy's Sip Apothecary floral-print pouch with purple and green design resting on white lace with orange medallion pattern.
Rustic wedding table with a black spice rack, glass apothecary jars, lavender and pink roses on white lace under a sheer canopy tent.
Wooden cabinet with books, candles and trailing plants beneath a framed painting, set in a cozy tent with red and teal velvet curtains.
Stack of Daughter of Origin paperback books by L.L. Schmid with pink covers showing a gothic manor, purple flowers, and silhouetted figures.
White porcelain teacup with red and gold rim filled with tea, resting on lace doily beside a red tassel and a jar of dried tea leaves.
Dessert table with mini terracotta pot treats, a Midnight Forest sign, lavender in a blue-white vase, a lit candle and a vintage teapot.
Overhead view of a golden herbal tea in an orange-rimmed porcelain cup on white lace doily, beside glass jars and green leaves.

 

Planning an event of your own that deserves to be remembered in full?



Fill out the form below and let's curate something magical together.

 

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