Southern Charleston Wedding

Southern Charleston Wedding.

From the bride: Stephen and I met the summer before our senior year of college at Vanderbilt.  Stephen was quite timid about his feelings at first, and I basically eventually told him to take me out on a real date! By the end of the year we knew we had something special and spent a year long distance (me in Nashville, him in California) with our new jobs. I eventually moved out to California for something new, and then a year later we moved right back to Nashville when I got into medical school at Vanderbilt! We have been through long distance, multiple cross-country road trips, a very busy first few years of medical school for me, lots of cooking and hiking, and can't wait for all that the future holds.

What made you two decide to get married at Magnolia Plantation?

We were looking for a venue in Nashville where we live or in Austin, TX, where Stephen is from, but couldn't find any venues that stood out to us. My older sister had a beautiful barn wedding in Maine and my twin sister got married on a wharf with mountain views in Australia, so I wanted something that would stand out from my family's already amazing weddings! We stumbled upon some photos of Charleston venues, and we had already been wanting to visit the city. I fell in love with Magnolia Plantation from photos, with the grand entrance of southern oaks and romantic untamed garden feel. I was worried I would be disappointed in person, but we visited and knew immediately that this was the place for us!

What was your inspiration for the décor & ambience of your wedding?

I really wanted a romantic, enchanted feel and dreamed of having an open air reception with string lights overhead. I don't love tents and I feel like if you are outside, you should really be outside under the stars! We were so lucky to have not a cloud in the sky that day so our vision could come to life. In terms of colors I wanted a spring-y vibe with light colors; I loved the pale blue bridesmaids dress color that I found and really wanted some romantic bouquets with light and bright pinks to pop with the light blue color. 

What was your (and Stephen's) favorite moment (or moments) of your wedding day?

I think our favorite moments together were our first look on the bridge (we both had so much anticipation to finally see each other and read our private letters to each other!) as well as our first dance. Stephen was nervous about the dance but he spun me and dip me without any problems and we had a blast! I also loved first pulling up to the Plantation; when I got out of the vintage bus everything started to feel real. I think we also both just loved our wedding being relatively intimate and being able to have a lot of time with our guests at dinner and on the dance floor! Everyone has kept telling us that our wedding was one of the most fun weddings they have been to, which was definitely our goal! 

Photographer:  Philip Casey Photography//Officiant: Kristen Barner//DJ: Melodic Entertainment//Musicians: Classical Charleston//Makeup Artist: Lashes and Lace Bridal Hair and Makeup//Event Planner: Duvall Events//Caterer: Duvall Catering//Floral Designer: Duvall Decor//Reception Venue: Magnolia Plantation and Gardens