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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

lisa Written with love by Lisa
6 Comments
  1. avatar Charmaine reply

    How romantic are those centerpieces

  2. avatar Emily reply

    Those tables are gorgeous! And the blankets – what a sweet touch for a winter wedding.

  3. avatar Jamie Clayton reply

    Ladies, y’all are my absolute favorite. Please come to Nashville ASAP!

  4. avatar Occasions In Print reply

    So beautiful! Love the bouquets!

  5. avatar Flashbacks of 2014: The Year in Review | Sweetgrass Social reply

    […] In early February, Leanna and Ike celebrated with a glam rustic themed wedding with an elegant tented affair at Lowndes Grove. You can see more of their wedding on Southern Weddings. […]

  6. avatar Sarah reply

    Hello, can you please tell me where the candelabras are from? I would love to rent or buy them.

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This winter is making me eat my words, but usually we don’t get much snow in the South. So before we say goodbye to the colder months for good, we thought it would be fun to celebrate with a little sprinkling of the white stuff! We love all of the cozy, knit details that Mobella Events incorporated into this shoot as much as we love the soft and sweet photographs Bumby Photography produced. And the best part? The high school sweethearts who posed as our bride + groom just got engaged! Fingers crossed we’ll get to share their real wedding somewhere down the line.

This team came up with the sweetest story to inspire their shoot – I think y’all will love it!

Anna and Lucas’ first date celebrated their favorite time of the year – winter. They made dinner together, and while cozying up to a fire, something magical happened: it started snowing! When it was time for Lucas to be deployed, he couldn’t leave without marrying the love of his life, so he proposed on Christmas day.

The first day of their marriage was not only inspired by their first date, but also by the Bible verse, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12). This verse was significant to these two, as in their relationship, they knew they would be separated by his overseas deployments — but they would always be woven together by God. This passage also provided the inspiration for our cozy, cable knit filled winter wedding filled with love, warmth and Southern comfort.

They got married in front of a wooden cross that her father hand made. During the ceremony, they braided three strands together – a white strand – representing the bride, a purple strand – the groom and a gold strand – God. This ceremony symbolized them weaving their lives together with God at the center of their marriage. As they walked down the aisle, guests made it “snow” just like their first date.

Then their family and friends went inside for a cozy family style dinner! The wooden tables and mismatched chairs were set with cable knit blankets and scarves, white china and deep blue glasses. The napkins were tied with soft velvet ribbon and candles and table numbers were wrapped in yarn. The centerpieces were placed in baskets collected from relatives.

The cake included fondant buttons molded from handed down vintage buttons. The bride and groom danced in the snow and ended the night cozying up by the fire enjoying hot cocoa and s’more pies!

Fun Notes: The bride and groom for this photo shoot are high school sweethearts. He flew from Pennsylvania just for the photo shoot. They hadn’t seen each other in months and their expressions were so sweet and genuine! The blanket they are wrapped in was made by the bride’s grandmother.

Thanks to Imprint Cinema for giving us the chance to see this winter wonderland in action!

Bridal gown and accessories: Malindy Elene | Cake: Everything Cake | China, glassware, and silverware: Dishie Rentals | Design and coordination: Mobella Events | Florist: Bluegrass Chic | Hair and makeup: Hairstyles and Makeup by Jackie | Handmade decor: Katie K. Franklin | Napkins: Kirby Rentals | Officiant: A Beautiful Ceremony | Photography: Bumby Photography | Snow and cloud effect: Our DJ Rocks | Stationery: Nu.B.Era Paperie Boutique | Tables, chairs, and vintage rentals: Wish Vintage Rentals | Venue: Mission Inn Resort & Club | Videography: Imprint Cinema

emily Written with love by Emily
6 Comments
  1. avatar Lisa reply

    So gorgeous! I love the guests throwing “snow”–what a great idea for winter weddings in the South, especially!

  2. avatar Kat reply

    I just LOVE that wedding cake!!

  3. avatar Friday Fresh Squeeze #128 | Floridian Weddings reply

    […] a wee bit obsessed with the idea of a snow 'toss' over the bride and […]

  4. avatar Malindy Elene » Couture for the Bride » Tampa Bridal Boutique / Tampa Bridal Shop / Tampa Wedding Dress – Feature in Southern Weddings Magazine! reply

    […] Here are a few of the amazing shots Bumby Photography captured. Check out the rest at our feature in Southern Weddings Magazine. […]

  5. avatar Links to Love | Down Home Brides reply

    […] Toss “snow” instead of birdseed! A fun, unique idea for that walk down the aisle. […]

  6. avatar Bonnie Dutka reply

    It’s been surprisingly chilly in Florida the last couple of days on and off and it reminded me how much fun creating this love story was! Every time I see cable knit and anything cozy it makes me smile :) Thanks so much Southern Weddings for featuring us!

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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I am loving all of the cozy winter wedding inspiration we’ve been sharing lately, aren’t y’all? I’m glad that even though it doesn’t often snow in the South, it does get chilly enough to make drinking hot cocoa and snuggling by the fire reasonable activities. Photographer Julie Paisley and the ladies of Southern Grace Events and Gatherings agree, and were sweet to share this rustic and romantic inspiration with us!

What a gorgeous tulle gown! Love this one and all the others on our Southern Style Pinterest board.

Twine and bark make for a beautiful and unexpected bouquet wrap.

Pancakes at a dessert buffet? Since doughnuts are my absolute favorite sweet, I wouldn’t say no to mixing genres!

That cotton is the perfect Southern touch for this bouquet, isn’t it?

Our inspiration for the shoot all started with a craving for a cozy setting, a stack of country flapjacks, fresh cotton, soft greenery, and a desire for an intimate setting with an organic feel. We wanted to put a fresh twist on combining rugged with feminine. Drawing inspiration from airy neutrals and deep shades of berry, we incorporated this seasons “go to” print – plaid! It provides the perfect pop of playful texture and can be both modern and classic.

Photographer: Julie Paisley | Calligrapher: Calligraphy by Cami | Makeup Artist: Makeup by Paulina Perez | Event Designer: Southern Grace Events and Gatherings | Cake Designer: Sugar Rush Confections | Florist: Ruby Reds Floral & Garden | Invitation: Rifle Paper Co. | Dress Salon: The White Magnolia | Bridesmaid Dress Salon: J. Ashley Boutique

emily Written with love by Emily
4 Comments
  1. avatar Lindsay {Everistta} reply

    This bridal look is simply stunning! I love the modern head piece with the huge ball gown. So chic!

  2. avatar Friday Fresh Squeeze #124 | Floridian Weddings reply

    […] Woodsy, pancake-filled, plaid-inspired loveliness. […]

  3. avatar Rustic Woodland Editorial | Nashville Wedding Photographer » Julie Paisley Photography reply

    […] One of my most favorite things ever is when I’m asked to shoot an editorial.  Coming together with an amazing group of vendors and making something lovely is just a magical thing!  What’s even more special is when it is picked up by a major wedding blog!  We were beyond thrilled when Southern Weddings decided to feature this shoot on their blog.  I’m a HUGE fan of Southern Weddings and yes, I was “tickled pink” to say the least.  Enjoy this lovely editorial, and stop by and show these amazing vendors some love!  AND, if you want to check out the feature on Southern Weddings, just click HERE. […]

  4. avatar 14 Perfect Winter Bridesmaid Looks | Ultimate Bridesmaid reply

    […] A scarf is a simple and incredibly affordable way to add warmth to the bridesmaid look. Layer a classic winter white on colored dresses or opt for a tartan or textured scarf with neutral-toned frocks. Top: Wedding Obsession| Bottom: Southern Weddings […]

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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