Morgan Harrison & Will Patton
December 3, 2021 • The Governor Thomas Bennett House
For Morgan Harrison and Will Patton, the month of December has always held a bit of extra magic. The pair met as kids when Will’s family would stay at his aunt’s house in Knoxville for the holidays. Her home was across the street from Morgan’s, so the families often convened for Christmas night activities. Years later, both Morgan and Will ended up attending college at the University of Alabama but didn’t rekindle their friendship until after graduation.
Following three years of long-distance dating, while Will pursued his finance career in Memphis and Morgan attended nursing school at Vanderbilt in Nashville, Will popped the question. It was a cold winter’s evening at E3 Chophouse, one of their favorite restaurants in Music City, and Will was adamant about going to the rooftop to watch Jupiter and Saturn merge as the Christmas star for the first time in 800 years. A clueless Morgan eventually obliged, and suddenly realized what was happening. “I said yes, took the ring, and told him to get up because I did not want to make a scene for all the people inside. It was a chaotic blur of a moment, and it was hilarious!” Morgan laughs.
Charleston was a no-brainer destination for the couple, who were smitten with the city’s unique character and knew their guests would love its food scene and thriving nightlife. The historic Governor Thomas Bennett House served as the backdrop for a grown-up spin on a Christmas and New Year’s Eve aesthetic. To achieve this, Fox Events avoided overdone holiday colors, leaning into gold and emerald, with pops of deep crimson.
The ceremony was held outdoors under the lantern-hung branches of the home’s oak tree, surrounded by draped Spanish moss and a bubbling fountain. Morgan and Will said “I do” by a botanical archway studded with flowers, before guests were ushered to a cocktail hour with Bourbon and martini bars. As for the couple’s cake? Baker Jim Smeal created a simple color palette of white, with emerald ribbon accents.
Inside the reception tent, the New Year’s theme came alive with hanging floral arrangements, glass stars, and gold disco balls. The band, Atlanta Rhythm and Groove, kept the dance floor moving all night with rock covers, Motown hits, and oldies before the bride and groom were ushered out—with snow-like confetti—to the start of forever.
Vendors
Planning: Fox Events
Photographer: Anne Rhett
Venue: Governor Thomas Bennett House
Florals: Blossom Bay
Draping: The Social Spool
Catering: Cru Catering
Cake: Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal
Rentals: Snyder and Ooh Events
Bridal Attire: Rime Arodaky
Beauty: Ash and Co.
Entertainment: Charleston Virtuosi (ceremony); Atlanta Rhythm Section (reception)
Stationery: Hatch Cove Designs
Lighting: TEC
