Sweet Magnolias



WRITER CREDIT: 
PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT: 
Sweet Magnolias | Classic décor, romantic candlelight, and magnolia touches gathered from the bride's parents' backyard fill this Pennsylvania pair's beautiful Big Day 
William Drinkwater & Elisa Woodward
May 20, 2016
Boone Hall Plantation
 
Sometimes, you make your own luck. When William Drinkwater spotted Elisa Woodward at a fellow West Point grad’s Big Day, he slyly adjusted the seating chart to cozy up next to her for dinner. Three years later, he found another spot by her side—this time, at the sweetheart table of their wedding reception at Boone Hall Plantation, where chandeliers and candles filled the site’s Cotton Dock with a glow and magnolia accents dotted the décor. “When I close my eyes and think of Charleston, one of the first things to come to mind are magnolias,” explains Elisa. Thanks to planning by Rebecca Woodland Weddings and help from Mama Woodward (who collected the verdant touches from her own yard here in the Holy City), the day was sentimental, chic, and brimming with love. 
 
Words from the wise ...
• Forage when you can. Elisa’s mother, who lives downtown, gathered 250 magnolia pods and leaves from her yard, which Out of the Garden worked into the floral plan.
• Juxtapose your venue’s aesthetic. Grand chandeliers, gilded décor, sophisticated draping, and traditional tablescapes added formality to the 
rustic space.
• Be thoughtful about fashion accessories. The maids’ multicolored BHLDN pumps brought a pop of color to the day’s mostly muted palette.
• Play with texture. Subtle, monochromatic patterns—like on dinner plates and the buttercream confection by Jim Smeal—added intrigue to the day’s design.
• Don’t hide the bride! Clear umbrellas are fashion-friendly (and photo-ready) amid spring showers.
 
VENDOR LIST: 
Wedding planning, umbrellas: Rebecca Woodland Weddings, www.RebeccaWoodlandWeddings.com 
Florals: Out of the Garden, www.OohEvents.com/Services/Floral/
Images: Evan Laettner Photography, www.EvanLaettner.com 
Rentals, linens, lighting, draping: Ooh! Events, www.OohEvents.com 
Tent: Sperry Tents Southeast, www.SperryTentsSoutheast.com 
Tabletop décor: Polished!, www.PolishedTabletop.com 
Catering, bar and wine service: Cru Catering, www.CruCatering.com 
Cake: Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal, www.WeddingCakesbyJimSmeal.com 
Stationery: Embossed Graphics, www.EmbossedGraphics.com 
Menus: SAS-E Ink, www.SaseInk.com 
Bride’s attire: Pnina Tornai, www.PninaTornai.com (gown); Badgley Mischka, www.BadgleyMischka.com (shoes)
Bridesmaids’ attire: Alfred Sung (gowns, available in Charleston at Bella Bridesmaids, www.BellaBridesmaids.com); BHLDN, www.BHLDN.com (shoes) 
Beauty: Lashes and Lace, www.LashesAndLaceCharleston.com 
Groom’s attire: Jos. A. Bank, www.JosABank.com 
Music: Classical Charleston, www.ClassicalCharleston.com (ceremony); Darby Events, www.CharlestonWeddingDJs.com (reception) 
Transportation: ACW Limo, www.ACWLimo.com; Shuttle Hogs, www.RideLowcountry.com/shuttle-hogs 
Pecan favors: Molly & Me, www.MollyAndMePecans.com

 

Planning by Rebecca Woodland Weddings / Images by Evan Laettner Photography

The Wedding Row

January 8 2020
Wedding Wednesday is in full swing over here at The Wedding Row office and we’ve got a stunning styled shoot to prove it. When photographer Leigh Heyward submitted this gallery to us, it stuck out...

January 7 2020
Bride Meagan is a gal who certainly has her priorities straight. Besides finding the man of her dreams in fiancé Derek, she was pretty adamant about what was most important to her on her Big Day at...

January 6 2020
Welp, ladies and gentlemen, our holiday hiatus is officially over and we are back at it once again on the blog. To kick off 2020 we are sharing a super (duper) special post, something “outside the...

December 19 2019
The Wedding Row: So, how did you two first run into each other? Caitlin:We worked together on a tennis tournament in California; I was an intern and Patrick has worked for my boss the three years...

December 18 2019
Although they met as freshmen at Clemson University, it took four years of undergrad and plenty of greek life functions for South Carolina natives Lisa and Jack to realize they were destined to be...

December 17 2019
Jessica and Casey’s first date involved the both of them, obviously, and a very fluffy third wheel (wait for it). After meeting on Memorial Day weekend through mutual friends, Casey became smitten...

December 16 2019
Katie and Gil are just too cool. For starters, just look at their Big Day ensembles. Him, a burgundy suit and floral button-down shirt for their September wedding at Founders Hall and her, a beyond...

December 12 2019
Caroline and Robert are a special couple for many reasons but one of them is that miss Caroline was born in France, right outside of Bordeaux (hello, vino). She’s European, you all, and there...