Banking on Good Ideas

Fall/Winter 2013

WRITER CREDIT:

PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT:

Banking on Good Ideas | Serving as her own planner and stylist, one Magnolia Plantation and Gardens bride schools us on delivering a cohesive DIY Big Day

Charleston Wedding charleston wedding diy wedding wedding bridal veil veil dresses Engaging Events diy gown favors Inc Shoes WildFlowers

A SPECIAL SPOT: Chinyere and Johnnie exchanged vows on the lawn beside the carriage house at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. "The drive to the venue is absolutely beautiful," says the bride. "Even the parking lot is pretty!"

WORD TO THE WISE: Etsy vendor Wed Designer crafted programs with the bride’s direction.

HAPPY BUNCH: WildFlowers, Inc. fashioned stunning bridal and matron-of-honor bouquets of pink, coral, white, and sage green florals.

GAL PALS: Flower girls looked angelic in frocks found on www.PinkPrincess.com.

BETTER TOGETHER: Chinyere's stepfather escorted her to the start of the aisle, then her father walked her to where Johnnie was waiting. "There's no way I could imagine not having them both participate," Chinyere says.

PAVE THE WAY: Pink rose petals lined the ceremony aisle and glass vessels holding coral, pink, and white florals served as lush aisle markers.

TIE ONE ON: The wedding palette of sage green, coral, and gray got a boost with jewel tones suggested by the groom. Chinyere cut ribbons in the full span of colors, while the day-of coordinator looped them onto chairs.

LOOK SMART: Chinyere wore an Enzoani gown while Johnnie donned a suit from Men's Warehouse.

TOP THAT: Chinyere found her veil at Claire’s—for $12!

THE DISH: Chinyere worked with Atlanta’s Elocin Designs on menu cards, which, like the florals, featured the event’s signature colors.

VIP SEATS: The newlyweds' sweetheart table was marked by "his" and "her" chair signage by Elocin Designs.

GATHER 'ROUND: Wooden boxes painted in one of the reception's lead hues held bright florals and were surrounded by a circle of sweet and simple tealight candles.

SMART MOVES: Magnolia’s carriage house chandeliers were draped with Spanish moss for inexpensive, organic elegance.

CANDY LAND: The bride made lollipop centerpieces for the children’s table.

SAY WHAT? Chinyere crafted playful props for the photo booth, provided by Charleston Party Booth.

LIGHT THE NIGHT: Uplighting trees and hanging strands of bistro lights across the patio proved to be two of the couple’s favorite elements. “Lighting is often overlooked,” says Chinyere, “but it takes the average to the extraordinary.” Group Dynamics tackled this installation.

Photographs by:

Richard Bell Photography

Chinyere Stinson & Johnnie Watson, III
March 15, 2013
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

San Antonio, Texas, residents Chinyere Stinson and Johnnie Watson, III, are both bankers by trade, but after the two hosted their stylish DIY wedding, they might just want to reconsider their professions. The pair—who met at a networking event when both lived in Charlotte, North Carolina, and fell for Charleston on a romantic weekend trip here—started planning with a questionnaire and a spreadsheet. Since location was a key item to both, they listed pros and cons of several venues, and Magnolia Plantation and Gardens won out for history, ambience, and landscape. From there, they scoured online sources from eBay to Etsy and more for décor, favors, invitations, and everything in between. Johnnie pitched in by sorting out the palette, among other things, and friends spent a night assembling hotel guest gift bags. “There is no way I could have the wedding of my dreams without the help of others,” says Chinyere. When the day came, WildFlowers, Inc.’s Beth LeonGuerrero acted as the day-of coordinator to execute the couple’s vision, and, says Chinyere, “Ultimately, I was completely satisfied.”

Vendor List

Bar: MIX Premier Bartending, www.mixcharleston.com

Bridal Gown: Enzoani, www.bluebyenzoani.com
Bridal Makeup: Dannon Collard, www.dannoncollard.com

Bridal Veil & Accessories: Claire’s Boutique, www.claires.com
Cake: Artistic Cakes by Linda, www.ibakecakes.com

Ceremony & Reception Location: Carriage House at Magnolia Planation and Gardens, www.magnoliaplantation.com

Day-Of Coordinator: Charleston Wedding Studio, www.charlestonweddingstudio.com

Draping: Engaging Events, www.engagingeventscharleston.com

Florist: Wildflowers, Inc., www.wildflowersinc.com

Flower Girls’ Dresses: Pink Princess, www.pinkprincess.com

Groom’s & Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Warehouse, www.menswearhouse.com
Groom’s Shoes: Ferragamo, www.ferragamo.com
Invitations: Amore Paper, www.amorepaper.com

Photography: Richard Bell Photography, www.charlestonwedding.com

Rentals: Group Dynamics (lounge furniture, string lights, lanterns, iron pillars,, www.groupdynamics.biz
Signage: Elocin Design (reception and bar), nmpomeroy@yahoo.com.au

Video: Charleston Video Service, www.charlestonvideoservice.com

The Wedding Row

November 28 2018

Lacey & Jason | Engagement Session

The Wedding Row: How did you and Jason meet? Lacey: We met at work and I had no interest in him at first. I had affectionately called him “Eyebrow Man” given the thick, bushy unibrow...

November 27 2018

Aly & Dan | Charleston Belmond Place

The Wedding Row: Let’s start from the beginning … Aly: Like many modern-day couples we swiped right, engaged in some initial messaging, and decided to go out on a date. We met at a sushi restaurant...

November 26 2018

Styled Shoot | Wingate Plantation

To help you ease into the work week after Thanksgiving (raise your coffee if you’re still dreaming of turkey and dressing and naps), join us as we say “Hello” to one of Charleston’s newest wedding...

November 23 2018

Jennifer & Brad | Legare Waring House

The Wedding Row: Alright, start us from the beginning. How did you and Brad meet? Jennifer: We met in the Fall of 2013 unexpectedly through mutual friends at my all-time favorite Mexican restaurant....

November 21 2018

Andrea & Gustavo | Anniversary Session

Boy, do we have a sweet one for you all. In the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday (ah, tomorrow!), we’re feeling extra thankful this year–not only for our readers, but for the talented weddings...

November 19 2018

Taylor & Andrew | Boone Hall Plantation

Taylor and Andrew met one another when they were at Georgia Southern University (she was on the swim team and he was the pitcher on the baseball team). Fast forward to four years later, Taylor was...

November 17 2018

Charleston’s Top Bridal Boutiques

We don’t know about you all, but when the weather’s chilly and with the holidays are right around the corner, there’s nothing we want to do more than pop inside the most hoppin’ boutiques around town...

November 15 2018

Samantha & Sean | Cannon Green

Get ready, gals, because today’s couple is bringing some serious glamour to the blog. After Richmond natives Samantha and Sean got engaged (he surprised her with a sparkly something during a girl’s...

Feature

'Tis the Season

With a ceremony in her childhood church, a reception (for 350!) at the beach club where she grew up, a groom who’s her best friend, this winter wedding was all this bride could hope for

Feature

Throwback Style

When a Charleston bride designs an antique-meets-modern wedding she finds her life’s (other) passion along the way

Feature

Reception Rescues

Fix wedding-day fiascos with some expert advice from local event coordinators.

Feature

A Shore Thing

A baker’s dozen of family and friends celebrate with these sweethearts at Wild Dunes

Feature

Blush & Bashful

Summer never looked so sweet as on this Mount Pleasant couple's wedding day, which was dressed in pale blush florals, gold accents, glittery linens, and warm lighting

Feature

Home Run

Two Charleston natives make their Big Day all theirs with at-home vows, kilts aplenty, and their favorite grocery store cake

Feature

Wedding Announcements

Feature

Big Top Goes Black Tie

Charleston's Gaillard Center grand ballroom plays host to a wild, wonderful, over-the-top wedding to remember

Feature

Game On!

Bring on the fun and family bonding at your reception with these games that can be dressed up for the most elegant of affairs

Feature

Wishing Tree

Designer Annie Mueller of A New Leaf Studio designed this tree for guests to tag with their sweet sentiments. Plant it in your new front yard post-wedding

Feature

Flower Power

Abundant floral and rattan accents turned Daniel Island Club into a resplendent garden party

Feature

Gilded Retreat

Southern Protocol time travels to the 1920s for a reception styled in gold-kissed glamour

Feature

Fine Print

Feature

Bold Statement

A bold design inspired by a couture football helmet (yes, really!) colors this local pair's sentimental nuptials

Feature

Silver Belles

<p> <em>Use your gift registry to start your collection of silver serving pieces</em></p>

Feature

A Soulful Love

A pair of college sweethearts exchange vows in the Holy City with a perfectly pared down celebration at McCrady's Restaurant

Feature

Good Tidings

Let the holidays fill your winter wedding with a cozy, festive look

Feature

Labor of Love

The groom and bride’s sister join forces to plan a surprise wedding

Feature

Staying the Course

Feature

Gossip, Girl!

From new dress shops to chic stuff for your mom (and mom-in-law), and lipstick that’s so pretty you’ll pucker right up, here’s the latest in wedding style headlines

Banking on Good Ideas

The Wedding Row

RELATED ARTICLES

Popular Tags

Search form

Banking on Good Ideas

The Wedding Row

RELATED ARTICLES

Popular Tags