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I fell for BDK the very first day we met–I simply knew he was the man I was going to marry, so I believe Rachel wholeheartedly when she says she knew right away that Shaman was the one for her. I’m sure the guests at their beautiful Keswick Hall wedding could tell as well! You can see just how in love these two are as you scroll through each photo. I can also see why Rachel knew her dress was the one for her the very first second she saw it–that beadwork, y’all! Talk about a beauty!

Thank you kindly to Paige Jones for sharing this romantic wedding day with us!

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. While Shaman and I had been classmates at Roanoke College for three years, we had never spoken to one another until we were home for the summer in Charlottesville, Virginia, just before our senior year. I was interning for UVA Children’s Hospital in the fundraising office, and we were hosting an event at the golf course where Shaman happened to be working for the summer. I spotted him cruising across one of the putting greens and was so delighted to see a fellow classmate! I yelled Shaman’s name and he came over on his cart–we chatted a bit, exchanged phone numbers, and I knew right away he was the one for me. About a week later, while attending the Annual Pink Polo Match at King Family Vineyard, my car battery “unfortunately” died. Shaman was there as well, and I convinced him that he was the only person there that could help me. We remained in constant contact for the rest of the summer, spending every day together, usually eating ice cream and shooting hoops. By the start of school, we were inseparable and totally in love!

My dress was the very first dress I spotted as I walked into the bridal salon and, like my now-husband, I knew it was the one for me the very second I saw it. Five days after we got engaged, I went with my mom and sister to “just try on styles” to get a better idea of what I was looking for. My sister and I walked into the shop together, saw the dress at the same moment, and ran to pull it off the rack. While I tried on a number of other dresses, nothing else compared!

Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? Yes! My favorite phrase was “I promise to hug you when you leave in the morning, kiss you when you return in the evening, and be thankful for each day I wake up beside you.”

What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? When we were presented for the first time as Shaman and Rachel Douglass!! Yay!

What made you choose your ceremony and reception venues? Did they have any special significance to you? We chose our venue for the cozy winter setting–it has historic architecture and beautiful, oversized fireplaces. Food was very important to us, and Keswick is an expert in that area. The level of service is impeccable as well!

We chose to have my mother’s cold oven pound cake recipe (a Southern favorite) with lemon buttercream icing made into eight cakes, which we placed on some of the dinner tables to serve double duty as decor. It is our very favorite cake and we couldn’t imagine NOT having it on our big day. We also chose to have a hot doughnut bar after dinner with every kind of topping you could imagine (chocolate, sprinkles, powdered sugar, and even bacon!), which was a fan favorite with the guests.

What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? It will all fall into place! Remember to take the time to feel loved by those who are helping you celebrate–they are so happy for you, and it is important to recognize how special it is to be surrounded by so many great people.

Don’t miss Rachel and Shaman’s highlights film by Ian’s Creations!

Tell us all about the proposal! I nearly screwed up the proposal! Since I now work at a school, I was home on spring break, and Shaman so thoughtfully took off for the week to spend it with me. On Wednesday, we were both relaxing, and Shaman kept asking if I wanted to go for a hike. I scolded him saying, “No, it’s raining! And, I’m working on emails, AND we need to clean up the house because Lindsey (my best friend) is coming into town tomorrow.” He then had my mother call and ask what we were up to–she too suggested we get out of the house and go for a hike. I thought the two of them were CRAZY! We did not go for the hike, but later in the day, we had an appointment to do our pre-qualification for a home loan. As we were trying to get out the door, Shaman asked if I thought it mattered to the mortgage company that we weren’t engaged yet–I thought he had really lost it, as we had discussed it before and I didn’t understand why he was bringing it up again. I remember looking through my bag, thinking “Whatever, he’s such a guy,” and making a note to pack a snack, when I heard shuffling behind me. When I turned around, he was down on his knee with the ring box open that he had picked out all on his own. I was totally shocked and overjoyed! He explained that this was not how he planned it, but that he couldn’t get me to leave the house! It was perfectly us anyway!
When did y’all get married? February 28, 2015
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 150
Did you have something borrowed, blue, old, and new? If so, do tell! As both of my grandmothers have departed, I had one of my grandmother’s sapphire rings and a hanky from the other side of the family that all the women have carried with them on their walks down the aisle as my borrowed, blue, and old! My something new was the beautiful ruby necklace Shaman gave me as a wedding present. Ruby is my birthstone and one of my favorite jewels!
What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? What was most Southern about our wedding was the warmth in the room from all of our loved ones! We served fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese as one of our canapés, and our very historical estate venue had some Southern flair. Also, my niece’s dress was made from my mom’s wedding gown by my aunt!
How did you plan for your marriage while planning your wedding? We did pre-marital counseling sessions with our pastor and discussed challenging topics, such as money, family dynamics, and career paths. We would encourage everyone to do it and have those open conversations!
If you are comfortable responding, what range did your wedding budget fall into? $25,000-$50,000
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you most looking forward to about married life? Living life and helping our friends celebrate their life events! We were the first to get married and we can’t wait to share in everyone’s adventures.

Photographer: Paige Jones Photography / Videographer: Ian’s Creations / Day-Of Coordinator: Just a Little Ditty / Venue and Catering: Keswick Hall / Florist: Hedge Fine Blooms / Dessert Baker: Country Confections / Draping: Blue Ridge A/V and Lighting / DJ: Andrew Hypes / Paper Products: Minted / Bride’s Gown: “Style 9100” in Blush by Allure / Bridal Salon and Veil: Bridal Impressions / Bride’s Earrings and Bridesmaid Rings: Suz Somersall/ Hair Stylist: Claibourne Reppert / Makeup Artist: Stephanie Parker / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Calvin Klein and Adrianna Papell / Groom’s Attire: Simon Spurr and Belgian Shoes

marissa Written with love by Marissa
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For these two Southern California residents, the Greenfield Plantation provided the perfect “something different” that they were looking for! With the help of Donny’s sweet mama (a South Carolina native), Kirsten and Donny introduced their SoCal friends and family to the deep South, and of course, now they can’t wait to go back! They set out to create an elegant, formal, outdoor plantation wedding, complete with a Lowcountry feel, and boy, did they hit the nail on the head! If you aren’t already smitten with these two thanks to their lovely photos by Ray Kang, this peek into their vows is sure to do the trick: Donny said, “I wish I could turn back the clock. I’d find you sooner so I could love you longer.” Swoon!

Tell us about finding your wedding dress. I work for a marketing agency, and one of my clients at the time (Casablanca Bridal) was opening their flagship store in Newport Beach around the same time I got engaged. They were so happy for me and wanted me to come in to try on dresses. Since I had never done that before, I didn’t expect to find “the one” that day, but sure enough, I did. The designer and owner of the company was there and she was amazing. She customized my dress to be exactly what I wanted, and it was perfect!

From Donny: Daytona Beach, Florida always had a piece of my heart, growing up in the motorcycle racing world. I had always followed Bike Week as a kid, and when I got the green light to start heading to the event at the young age of 21, I was ecstatic! While traveling to Daytona with some of my best friends, we came across this spunky 19-year-old local named Kirsten. Throughout the week of events, we all had an amazing time getting the run of the town from her. On the last night, Kirsten took a pair of my Oakley frog skins and failed to return them to me. Unfortunately, all great Daytona trips must come to an end, but as I flew back to So Cal, I knew I had an “in” with Kirsten to retrieve my glasses. Within the next few weeks, through my smooth talking over the phone and Skype, I somehow convinced her to fly out to California and head straight from the airport to Mammoth Mountain for an amazing snowboarding adventure. The future was ever so bright and we were full steam ahead, but the only thing holding us back was 2,500 miles of the United States between us. Ten months after meeting, Kirsten packed her car onto a transport currier and got on the plane to become an official West Coast resident.

What made you choose your ceremony and reception venues? Did they have any special significance to you? We live in Southern California, which is beautiful, but we wanted something different. Since Donny’s mom lives in South Carolina and we visit her often, we knew how beautiful it was there, and after some research, I came across Greenfield Plantation. The website took my breath away, and when Pati (Donny’s mom) went to visit, we knew it was the place. We never even saw the venue until the rehearsal, but it was everything we expected and more. It was also nice to get our So Cal friends and family to the South–most of our friends had never been, but now, they can’t wait to go back!

Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? Yes, we both wrote our own vows. Donny went first, and his favorite line of his vows was, “2,506 miles couldn’t keep us apart. I wish I could turn back the clock. I’d find you sooner so I could love you longer.” My favorite verse from my vows was, “As we say I do to each other, I want us to keep a few things in mind for the future, and they are this: let’s keep each other laughing for as long as we live. Let’s stand together hand in hand until we’re so old that we either can’t stand or can’t hold hands. Let’s overwhelm each other with love, as often as we can, for the rest of our days. And let’s be the best US that we can be until our very last breath.”

As Donny and I planned for our special day, it was always a somber thought that I would be walking myself down the aisle. My dad passed away a few years ago, and I didn’t have another relative close enough to walk with me. A few days before the wedding, we decided that Donny, the new man in my life, would walk me down the aisle. It was an incredible moment for him to come and get me–a man who has been by my side in good times and bad, who loves me unconditionally, and who is now my husband.

My mother-in-law, Pati Heinzmann, and our decorator, Holly Cox of I Do Vintage Weddings, set out to create an elegant, formal, outdoor plantation wedding, complete with a Lowcountry feel characteristic of South Carolina. They accomplished this with antique crystal chandeliers hanging from the branches of the Spanish moss-covered oaks, antique black shutter doors reclaimed from a local church, a bar made of authentic Kentucky whiskey barrels, and a signature drink called “Southern Charm,” served in mason jars.

What is the one detail or vendor that you were so happy to have as a part of your wedding? My mother-in-law was absolutely incredible. She has never done wedding planning for a living, but she planned ours like it was nobody’s business. Our dream day would not have happened without her and I will be forever grateful for all the time she spent on it and everything she did for us.

Tell us all about the proposal! Donny and I travel with his family for Christmas each year, and the year that we got engaged (2013) was no different–we had planned a trip to London and Paris with everyone. As a little girl I had always dreamed of visiting Paris, so we made plans to go there after spending most of our trip in London. On our last day in Paris, Donny decided he was going to take me on a bike ride through Paris and then to the Eiffel Tower, but the bike rental machine wasn’t accepting our credit cards. Donny became quite the stress case and started getting antsy, so he grabbed us a cab to a little spot overlooking the Eiffel Tower. It was the first time I was able to actually look at its beauty, so I, of course, started taking pictures of it, when Donny told me to “relax” and just take it all in. I turned to give him a piece of my mind for being such a stress case that day, and I found him on one knee with a magnificent ring in his hands, professing his love for me and telling me he couldn’t live without me. Best moment of my life. He had hired a photographer in Paris to capture the whole thing!
When did y’all get married? October 11, 2014
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 150
What readings, if any, did you have at your ceremony? Our best friend, a groomsman in our wedding, passed away in a tragic plane accident a few months before our wedding. His wife is my best friend and was my matron of honor, and we decided to have his dad marry us. He went through three months of classes and training through his church to become an ordained minister for us. It was so nice to have him take part in our wedding. One of his readings was 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.
Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding and why you chose them. Our first dance was to “Marry Me” by Train. We also did a special song in memory of our friend Jacob Griffiths (the one who had passed in the plane accident), where we hugged and danced and cried with Amanda (his wife), his family, and our friends to “Angel” by Jack Johnson.
If you are comfortable responding, what range did your wedding budget fall into? $50,000-$75,000
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Never, ever forget what the day is about. Luckily, we had Donny’s mom to help us every step of the way (and take on the majority of the stress), so we didn’t have to deal with a lot of the struggles other couples have had to deal with, but I will say, I understand how easy it can be to lose sight of what’s important.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you most looking forward to about married life? We both really want a family, so we are looking forward to that next chapter!

Photographer: Ray Kang Photography / Videographer: Hart to Heart / Venue: Greenfield Plantation / Florist: Barry West of Blossom Events / Cake Baker: Incredible Edible Cakes / Caterer: Inlet Affairs Catering / Rentals: American Tent Rentals / Special Details: Holly Cox of I Do Vintage Weddings / Paper Products: Print Experience / Bride’s Gown: Casablanca Bridal / Hair Stylist: Shelby Johnston of Kim Vo Salon / Bride’s Shoes: “Pigalles” by Christian Louboutin / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: “868552” by Ralph Lauren / Menswear: Calvin Klein

marissa Written with love by Marissa
6 Comments
  1. avatar Anna reply

    Thanks for the post! So many unique ideas.
    Love vintage cabinet with flower centerpieces.

    http://www.thesmellofroses.com

  2. avatar Classic Wedding Invitations reply

    Gorgeous ceremony!

  3. avatar Greenfield Plantation Wedding, South Carolina reply

    […] Featured on Southern Weddings […]

  4. avatar Greenfield Plantation Wedding, South Carolina by Ray Kang reply

    […] See the full feature at Southern Weddings […]

  5. avatar R Read reply

    Your wedding was beautiful! Your vows and the rest of your story made me cry. So lovely! Congratulations to you both!

  6. avatar Geoff Schatzel reply

    Looks like an incredible place. Love the sparkler send off too. Makes for a great ending.

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Y’all already know I love plantation weddings, and it’s safe to say that Celeste and Michael’s wedding takes said planation love up a notch! Nottoway Planation was the perfect combination of classic Southern charm and relaxed elegance that these two were looking for. Since Celeste grew up on a sugar plantation in Louisiana, the cane fields reminded her of her home and her roots, making this place extra special. With the help of their planner, Leslie Campbell, these two created a Louisiana wedding I wish I’d been able to attend, if just for the spread! A beignet bar? You’d know where to find me! To top it off, I’m not sure a more Southern phrase has been written in our interviews than “with a New Orleans-style medley playing as we walked out to the front of the plantation, facing the Mississippi River, and watched an amazing firework display over the levee.” Truly magical, indeed!

Thanks to Dark Roux for sharing such a sweetly Southern day with us!

My bridal bouquet was a cluster of white tulips. I’ve always loved the romantic, cascading element of the tulip, and February was the perfect time of year for them. My bouquet was perfectly executed by my florist and exactly what I had envisioned in my head. My bridesmaid bouquets were clusters of beautiful white flowers, including tulips, hydrangeas, and leafy greenery. I wanted them to look organic and cascading–not too structured or perfect. The table arrangements were tall vases with white french tulips and curly willow with hanging votives.

Did you decide to do a “first look”? Why or why not? No! We are traditionalists. I wanted his first sight of me to be walking down the aisle of the beautiful church.

What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? As the ceremony ended and we finished the recessional, Michael leaned over and kissed my hand. We had our family, friends, and this beautiful celebration behind us, and we were finally able to share in the special moment for ourselves. The photographers happened to capture the beauty of the moment and it’s our absolute favorite picture!

What made you choose your ceremony and reception venues? Did they have any special significance to you? I chose Nottoway because of its beauty and Southern charm. I grew up on a sugar plantation in Houma, Louisiana, and the cane fields reminded me of home and my roots. I wanted the day to be full of Southern elegance, and to have a relaxed and casual feel.

I made a lot of the special details myself. My mom is an incredible seamstress, so she and I created custom monogrammed linen pillows with a “V” crest gilded on them. We placed them on all of the lounge furniture arranged throughout the tent. It really helped cozy up the venue and added a very personal touch. I also made the cake topper, and brought a lot of decorative items from home, including the candelabras and picture frames to decorate the tent and lounge seating areas. Guests joked that I brought my living room to Nottoway!

Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding and why you chose them. We chose our first dance and song based on the style of our band, which we picked even before the venue. It was a cover of Audra Mae’s cover of “Crazy Love.” Michael arranged for dance lessons specific for our band’s version of the song. We already love to dance together, but to have choreographed moves together made for such a transcendental moment. Our band, Gal Holiday and the Honky Tonk Revue, had authentic soul and passion that truly helped define the event.

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. I was going to church regularly with a friend of mine who had just met this “good Catholic boy.” He set us up in a very casual manner, but didn’t tell either of us about it! He met both of us at a local hot spot, made the introduction, and then disappeared. Michael and I came by deep conversation easily and three hours flew by. Very quickly into our conversation, I wanted Michael to ask for my number, but he never did! I took it as disinterest, but if you ask him, he’ll tell you he REALLY wanted it, but couldn’t work up the nerve! At the end of the night, we walked out together, and right outside the entrance, Michael asked to walk me to my car. Without thinking about it, I said, “Not necessary, I parked right over there.” Walking away, I realized the opportunity I had just missed. The next day, I asked my friend more about Michael, and he responded, “Are you kidding? You kicked him to the curb, I thought? He was pretty dejected.” I didn’t delay–I asked for his number and, against my upbringing, made the first move. We had dinner, and our love story began.
Tell us all about the proposal! It was our second anniversary, and Michael had everything planned out. He started by playing the game, “let’s see how much I can frustrate Celeste before I propose” – of course unbeknownst to me. He had me at the absolute breaking point by first “forgetting what day it was,” then not reacting appropriately and making dinner plans after he was “reminded,” and then, the coup de grâce was that he wasn’t dressed when I got to his house, even when he had insisted I drive! This was all very out of character for him, and he had never treated an occasion this way. After he eventually got ready for the evening and I was boiling mad, he led me outside to his patio. As it turned out, Michael had written detailed accounts of the best dates we had experienced in our first year together, and he recreated some element from each of them in a wonderful candlelit setting in his backyard. Much to my surprise, everything was in place and he then walked me through each of the date memories. As I began to tear up, he got down on one knee and told me this was just the beginning of our lives together. Of course, I said yes!
When did y’all get married? February 15, 2014, our three-year anniversary
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 275
What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? There was a cocktail hour serving mint juleps on the veranda of the plantation. Some Southern treats served at dinner included a beignet bar, which included traditional, red velvet, and a savory option topped with crawfish etouffee; a grits bar with toppings of shrimp Creole and traditional grillades; and boudin-stuffed chicken. We did a traditional second line. The band unplugged and performed a New Orleans-style medley as we walked out to the front of the plantation, facing the Mississippi River, and watched an amazing firework display over the levee. To top it off, there was a full moon that appeared as the lights and smoke faded. It was truly magical.
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? The guest list. We both have large families and Michael makes friends with everyone he meets! We wanted the day to be intimate, but still wanted to celebrate with everyone who is special in our lives. We finally gave in and the numbers just kept growing.
If you are comfortable responding, what range did your wedding budget fall into? $75,000-$100,000
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Trust your instincts and do what you love. Be true to your style and don’t do things purely because you think it’s what “should” be done at a wedding. It’s your day and should reflect your style and your relationship. Focus on the important aspects, like celebrating with your love and your family and friends. In the end, that’s all that really matters.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you most looking forward to about married life? We want our love and commitment to grow stronger each day as we ready our lives to brace for the increasing soft sound of little feet in the house. Ten little feet, to be exact!

Photographer: Dark Roux Photography / Videographer: JCW Productions / Planner: Leslie Campbell Weddings / Ceremony Venue: St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church / Reception Venue, Catering, and Rentals: Nottoway Plantation / Florist: The Plantation Florist LLC / Cake Baker: The Ambrosia Bakery / Band: Gal Holiday and the Honky Tonk Revue / Paper Products: The Keeping Room / Bride’s Gown: “Style 432” by Martina Liana / Veil: Bustle / Hair Stylist: Bliss Hair Salon / Makeup Artist: Olga Longoria / Bride’s Shoes: David Tutera / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: “Style 771” in Latte by Bill Levkoff / Men’s Attire: Ralph Lauren

Dark Roux is a delightful member of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

marissa Written with love by Marissa
3 Comments
  1. avatar Emily reply

    Such a simple and stunning bouquet. I also adore the shot of Celeste outside the church!

  2. avatar Cassidy reply

    10 little feet?

  3. avatar Brianna reply

    Hi there- where are these mauve dresses from? I love !

Southern Weddings reserves the right to delete comments which contain profanity or personal attacks or seek to promote a business unrelated to the post.  And remember: a good attitude is like kudzu – it spreads.  We love hearing your kind thoughts!

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