Southern Weddings

I couldn’t stop smiling as I read through Leanna and Ike’s interview. These two just got it right–not because of the beautiful details at their wedding (though there were plenty of them!), but because of their attitudes about their special day. I love the way Leanna dreamed of a wedding at Lowndes Grove, even before she was engaged, the fact that she and her dad had the song she’d walk down the aisle to picked out for years, and her cherished memories of dress shopping with her mom. It all warms my heart right up, and I can’t think of a more special way to start the week!

Thank you so much to Jamie Clayton for sharing this lovely wedding with us!

Finding the dress was one of the best parts of the whole wedding process for me! My mother and I went to two places and tried on about ten gowns before my heart was stolen by a beautiful Monique Lhuillier gown at Maddison Row in Charleston. The saying is true–when I put it on, I knew it was the one. It was made of silk organza and had a sweetheart neckline and a fit-and-flare silhouette. My favorite detail was the subtle jacquard pattern you could only see up close, like a special hidden surprise that made it even more beautiful. Aside from finding my perfect gown, the best part about the experience was the time spent with my mother. I will cherish it forever!

We had a bagpiper play a song about our family’s clan from Scotland to start the ceremony. My dad and I walked down the aisle to Canon in D, which we have had planned for years, ever since we first watched “Father of the Bride” together. It has always been a favorite of ours–we watched it before the wedding and even called my dad George Banks during the big day! We recessed to “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles, which was perfect, because that’s what it truly felt like–the beginning.

I used to live in a neighborhood behind Lowndes Grove. I would often pass by there on my runs and think “One day…” I lucked out and it really happened! Ike and I both love the outdoors and the water, so it was the perfect venue for us. I also loved that we could have the ceremony and reception in the same location. It made it easier on the guests and gave us more time to celebrate!

Describe your wedding flowers. Our wedding flowers were stunning! We got married in the winter, so our options were limited, but luckily the flower I had to have was in season. Calla lilies have always been my favorite, so the bridesmaids carried mini eggplant callas and I carried a bouquet of all-white ones. Eucalyptus became the main theme of the wedding after Jacqueline, our wedding planner, presented it to me as an option. I was obsessed! It was just the detail I was looking for to make the modern/rustic wedding I had dreamed of come to life. We had eucalyptus garlands strung across the tent, as runners on the tables, and on our head table chairs. We also had a mix of all-white flowers, tons of candles, and antlers (an homage to my hunter husband!). It was really magical!

Our favorite detail of the wedding was: Just having everyone together was honestly our favorite part. It’s so rare to have all your friends and family together, and your wedding is really the only day you have to celebrate finding your soul mate, so to have everyone there was so special. Also, the way everything came together into the most wonderful representation of the two of us as a couple was truly amazing!

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. We met through a mutual friend on Valentine’s Day 2011. I remember shaking his hand and knowing something about him was different and special. This is a total cliché, but it was love at first sight and the rest is history!
Tell us all about the proposal! I was driving home from work on Thursday, March 7, 2013, and Ike kept calling me to see when I would be home. I thought it was strange but didn’t think too much about it. Little did I know, he was planning a big surprise! I walked in the front door to find rose petals all over the house that led to a glass of prosecco and a note saying to meet him outside. Somehow, I still didn’t get it! When I walked outside, he was there on one knee, and before he could even speak, I was in tears. After some celebration and phone calls, he cooked us a delicious dinner. It was the most perfect, intimate proposal, and a total surprise!
When did y’all get married? February 1, 2014
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 300
Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? No, we wanted a traditional Methodist service.
Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding and why you chose them. Ike and I danced to a song he picked out, “I Never Knew How Much” by the Allman Brothers. It’s a classic, and the second he played it for me, I knew it was our song. My dad and I danced to “The Way You Look Tonight” by Phil Collins, a song he has had picked out for years. I cried during both songs!
Describe your wedding cake or dessert. The wedding cake was inspired by a picture I saw in a wedding magazine. I had looked at so many pictures and wasn’t finding many cakes I liked, and at the last minute, I stumbled across that picture and loved it! I decided to keep the cake all-white and classic so I wouldn’t have any regrets about it later. It was red velvet (our favorite) and delicious! I had it for breakfast the next day!
Did you have something borrowed, blue, old, and new? If so, do tell! Yes, I borrowed my mother’s diamond earrings, my dress was new, I had on blue undies, and I had a penny in my shoe that my mom had in hers at her wedding–she and my dad have been married for 35 years!
What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? Our food! We wanted Southern food, but not your typical shrimp and grits. We had snapper, braised short ribs, biscuits, Carolina gold rice, and succotash. Also, the groomsmen wore bow ties from Brackish, which were made out of wild turkey feathers. Another homage to Ike’s hunting! I gave Ike a gun as his groom’s gift–you don’t get more Southern than that!
What was one way you saved money or cut costs at your wedding? Instead of printed programs, we had a calligrapher write the details on a mirror from my parents’ house. We added a mini soup station instead of another full catering station, which was perfect for the weather! We were also able to order the sweaters for the bridesmaids through our clothing store, The Resort Shop.
What is the one detail or vendor that you were so happy to have as a part of your wedding? The ladies of Sweetgrass Social and Patrick Properties. They were all amazing to work with and gave us the wedding of our dreams! We also loved having family wedding pictures displayed at the ceremony. It felt like those who couldn’t be there were watching over us. It was a really special and personal detail.
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? When the doors opened for the first time, seeing Ike and all the guests at the ceremony. It was overwhelming emotional to know everyone was there to see me marry my best friend. My heart felt so full!
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Hire a wedding planner! Jacqueline from Sweetgrass Social was beyond helpful, and I don’t know what we would have done without her! Even if you can only spring for a day-of planner, do it. You won’t regret it and you will be a happier bride! Also, don’t follow trends or opinions of others–stay true to yourself and what you want for your wedding.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you most looking forward to about married life? The day you get married is the day you start your own family, and that’s what we are most looking forward to: being together as a family and hopefully one day soon, expanding the Boatwright clan! Oh, and traveling! Ike caught the travel bug on our honeymoon and we are now planning our next trip to Italy.

Photographer: Jamie Clayton / Planner: Jacqueline Volz of Sweetgrass Social / Venue: Lowndes Grove Plantataion / Florist: Sara York Grimshaw Designs / Catering and Cake: Fish / Rentals: Snyder Rentals and Eventworks / Lighting: Technical Event Company / Band: GrooveTown / Bride’s Gown: “Peony” by Monique Lhuiller / Paper Products: Mac and Murphy / Hair and Makeup: Stella Nova / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Bridesmaids’ Sweaters: 360 Sweaters / Bridesmaids’ Skirts: Ceremony by Joanna August / Bridesmaid Salon: Bella Bridesmaid / Bridesmaids’ Necklaces: Theodosia / Bow Ties: Brackish

Written with love by Lisa