JULY 23, 2020

It was a chilly morning as we unloaded our equipment onto the back lawn of The Veranda at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. Wedding mornings just feel different: as a wedding planner, you’re drinking your morning caffeine boost, preparing yourself for a long day (that often continues into the next day), and you’re usually pretty excited. Watching something amazing being created, where before there was only an ordinary lawn, is pretty mindblowing.

Things were no different for Christine and Dustin’s wedding day… until we saw the finished product. Christine and Dustin decided to have their wedding on The Veranda at Magnolia. They held their ceremony on the White Bridge Lawn, right next to the White Bridge where Dustin proposed. Their dinner and first half of the reception was held on The Veranda, and the party continued with dancing on the back lawn behind The Veranda. We had a large white tent from Eventworks Rentals and a dancefloor where Bunn DJ played all the best grooves, as guests danced the night away.

That morning, as we hung café lights and gorgeous wooden chandeliers from the ceiling of the tent, the November weather got a little warmer and the sun was shining; we knew it was going to be one of those perfect weather wedding days, and we wouldn’t have to be praying for miracles. We steamed the GORGEOUS linens from BBJ Linen, we rearranged tables, and greeted vendors as they arrived. Everything was coordinated and timely and turning out beautiful. Christine later described her wedding day as “absolutely perfect,” and it really was.

Most of all, we wanted Christine’s vision to come to life, exactly as she was imagining it. It was important to her that her wedding be outdoors and have a southern vibe; she wanted light blue, white, and peach colors throughout the venue, and for her guests to enjoy the food, dancing, and just have fun.

We decided to bring out the peach tones in her bridal bouquet, (she mentioned that she wanted the flowers to be a show stopper), and we think her bouquet ended up being subtle and statement-making, at the same time. Her beautiful ceremony flowers were another place where we could add peach tones, without them being overpowering. Her aisle markers were light and airy, while the two statement florals at the front of the aisle were very full and luscious.

We work with a lot of different caterers who are all amazing in their own ways, and we get to sample a lot of yummy food, but Cru Catering worked some kind of crazy delicious magic that night. Christine and Dustin wanted their southern wedding to have southern food, of course, so Cru delivered as only they can. For the Passed Hors D’oeuvres, they chose White Truffle Deviled Eggs with Pink Hawaiian Sea Salt, Butternut Squash Bruschetta with Ricotta and Sage on a Crostini, Mini Black Forest Ham Biscuits with Honey Dijon Aioli, Fried Chicken and Waffles with Honey Syrup Drizzle on a Soft Waffle Bite, and Applewood Smoked Bacon Wrapped Scallops. If that didn’t make you hungry already, just wait until you hear what was on the dinner menu. We chose to do stations all around the corners of The Veranda, including a Shrimp and Grits Station, a Surf and Turf Station, and a “Lowcountry” Station which had all your favorite southern bites, including Cru’s delicious Four Cheese Macaroni, topped with Applewood Smoked Bacon and Scallions.

Christine wanted her cake to be simple, which Sablee achieved with ease. The cake was Caramel Cake with Caramel Espresso Buttercream filling, and the couple saved the top layer which was Cookies and Cream with Buttercream Icing. We set the cake on a simple white cake stand, on top of the Oxford Hidden Garden linen from BBJ Linen (this was our FAVORITE linen and we’re still obsessed, months later).

Christine’s bridesmaids wore matching light blue dresses, designed by Jenny Packham, while her one bridesman wore a navy suit with a white boutonniere. Dustin’s groomsmen wore matching navy blue suits, and his one groomslady wore a navy blue dress, with a white wrist corsage. Of course, the most stunning dress of the day was worn by Christine and was designed by Wtoo by Watters. It perfectly matched her inspiration idea of a “big fluffy white dress” and she looked AMAZING.

The adrenaline starts to kick in around ceremony time, and as a planner, your heart is full as you send the bride down the aisle (or in Christine’s case, the White Bridge). You watch the couple that you’ve worked with for over a year say their “I Do’s” and your eyes start to fill up a little. But there’s no time for tears, because now it’s time to prep for cocktail hour and the reception.

During sunset, if guests chose to wander away from The Veranda, we provided some gorgeous (and comfy) furniture from Eventworks. We paired this super fun velvet blue sofa with two big blue poufs and a coffee table for the perfect lounge seating arrangement. The florals throughout the reception were simple and classic, and included all of Christine’s favorite colors.

We love all of our clients, (we really do!) but we truly enjoyed how down-to-earth and sweet Christine and Dustin are! We asked Christine if she had any advice for future brides, and here’s what she had to say: “The small moments are what will stick with you when you look back at your big day. If something goes wrong, it is not the end of the world. As long as your fiancé is there, nothing else matters! Enjoy the moments with your fiancé, your friends and your family. Thank everyone as much as you can for being there.”

At the end of the night, the newlyweds led their guests to the front of the venue where they took their beautiful departure photos under an archway of sparklers: the perfect end to the perfect day! The clients are ecstatic, we’re all happy, and the guests are having a great time.

As we cleaned up the reception at the end of the night, we knew that it was one of those nights that we wouldn’t forget. Christine and Dustin were so happy, and WE were so pleased that we could make their wedding dreams come true. Whenever their names are mentioned around the office it’s always followed by “those two cuties,” and we’re so glad that we were able to be a part of their special day.