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Tracy and Ryne may not be Southern by birth, but after attending a wedding in Savannah, these Chicagoans fell in love with the charm and culture of the South. When it came time to plan their wedding, Hilton Head ended up being the perfect place for the laid back, but elegant, vibe they were hoping for. August Event Design worked in Tracy’s dream color scheme (grey, gold, green, and white) through the florals, but other than that, Tracy and Ryne opted to keep their decor simple, letting the ocean views from the Omni Shorehouse shine. I’m willing to bet that a handful of guests fell in love with the South as a result of this gorgeous celebration, just like Tracy and Ryne had years before!

Thank you so much to Rach Loves Troy for sharing this gorgeous day with us!

Did you have something borrowed, blue, old, and new? If so, do tell! My grandmother meant a great deal to me, so I knew I wanted her represented in our day. I used her vintage initialed pins in my bouquet as my something old. My something blue was my beautiful bridesmaids all wearing shades of blue, as well as the “just married” phrase I had embroidered with blue thread in Ryne’s suit jacket. My veil was my something borrowed and came from a great friend of mine.

Did you decide to do a first look? Why or why not? Yes, we did a first look and loved it! We knew we wanted to spend the most time we possibly could with our family and friends, and a first look allowed us to mingle in between the ceremony and the reception. We are also pretty non-traditional, so we were alright with breaking the rules! Seeing each other before the ceremony helped rid us of any anxiousness and allowed us to truly live in the moment while I walked down the aisle. Seeing Ryne’s eyes tear up and feeling the genuine happiness in that first look moment was one of our favorite parts of the entire day!

What readings, if any, did you have at your ceremony? Ryne and I both chose a reading for the ceremony. My sweet aunt read “Marriage Joins Two People in the Circle of it’s Love” by Edmund O’Neil and our beloved brother-in-law read “Union” by Robert Fulghum. We were so happy to have them as a part of our ceremony!

Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? We did not write our own vows, but we did piece together our favorite borrowed vows to create something uniquely our own. Our favorite line in our vows was “I believe in you, the person you will grow to be and the couple we will be together.” This line really resonated with what is most important to the two of us. We truly balance each other out and we are so excited to continue to grow together. It’s an adventure and we are just beginning!

What made you choose your ceremony and reception venues? Did they have any special significance to you? We have close friends who were married in Savannah two years prior to our wedding and we fell in love with Southern culture. With that in mind, we headed to Charleston and Hilton Head to check out venues. Although we love Charleston, we realized we wanted a really laid back vibe that would allow for the most amount of quality time with our guests. Hilton Head offered everything we were looking for, and the Omni’s Shorehouse was exactly our style. We loved that it didn’t feel like we needed a ton of details, since it stood so beautifully on its own. Located just off the ocean, it was the dreamiest backdrop to our celebration. We are excited to now have Hilton Head as a special destination for our family for years to come!

Describe your wedding flowers. I was not the girl who planned her wedding day from the age of five, but just two days before Ryne proposed, I wrote a note in my phone that simply said: grey, gold, green, and white. Those were the colors I wanted at my wedding one day. Little did I know, planning a wedding was right around the corner! Flowers were extremely important to me, so it took a lot of research to find the person who meshed with my personality and style. When I found Kim Cheney, I was giddy! She and I not only hit it off right away, but she practically knew my vision better than I did! The flowers were all white with heavy greenery. Kim created bouquets and decor that were free-form and beautiful! My favorite accent was the greenery that hung above us during our ceremony and at our head table. It was modern and romantic at the same time.

What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? My sweet father surprised me with a father-daughter dance unlike anything we had ever seen. For months, he secretly snuck away to go to a recording studio and record a custom song just for us. When it came time for our dance and his song played rather than the one we had chosen, I was in complete shock! My dad and I have always had a special bond, but this was above and beyond anything I could have imagined from him–it was beautiful and there wasn’t a dry eye in the place!

Describe your wedding cake or dessert. Anyone who knows me knows that dessert is my favorite meal. We wanted our guests to have several options for dessert, so we decided to have an entire dessert table! We used a simple, yet beautiful, white cake for cutting, and the rest of the table was filled with cookies, whoopie pies, and more! Ryne has an affinity for rice krispie treats, so we surprised him with a two-tiered rice krispie cake! It was whimsical and delicious!

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. Ryne and I met through a mutual friend. It took us a couple of interactions to realize there was more than just a friendly banter between us, but once we did, we were pretty inseparable. Ryne traveled every week for the first year of our relationship, so we really relied upon our communication and activity-filled weekends to lay down a foundation for our relationship. After dozens of postcards and hours of conversation, Ryne made the decision to leave his traveling job and move back to Chicago (I don’t like to say I had anything to do with this, but let’s be real!). After that, it was pretty clear we were meant to continue the fun for the rest of our lives.
Tell us all about the proposal! Ryne is the sweet, thoughtful one in our relationship. He had been planning our proposal for months and decided to execute his plan at the beginning of January. His uncle works for the city and has special access to the historical Chicago water tower. We had always planned to visit the water tower to see the unparalleled views of Michigan Avenue from its top windows, so I was unsuspecting when his uncle invited us to a “happy hour” there one Friday night. After some convincing, I followed Ryne up 15 flights of stairs, where he proposed in front of those amazing Chicago views with a champagne toast and roses. We went on to celebrate just the two of us while the second part of Ryne’s plan fell into place. He had all of our family and close friends waiting to surprise us at the next stop! I was in complete shock and blissfully happy!
When did y’all get married? May 14th, 2016
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 130
Tell us about finding your wedding dress. It would be cliché to say I bought the first dress I ever pinned, but it’s true! I knew I wanted something simple and sleek, yet dramatic. The dress I landed on had very simple lines with no embellishment, but the long train added that level of drama I was looking for. The process of finding the dress was quick and painless. My mom, two sisters, and I went out just one day and to just three boutiques. I waited to try on the dress I pinned until the end of that day and knew it was the one!
What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? Although we are not Southern born or raised, we have a love for Southern culture. We wanted to make sure we gave a nod to the warm and welcoming feeling we get whenever we travel to the South, so we used pineapple decor as a sign of hospitality at our welcome party! When it came to our signature cocktail, we included Southern sweet tea as a main component, and our guests loved them.
How did you plan for your marriage while planning your wedding? You learn a lot about each other through the wedding planning process. I learned I am more high strung than I ever want to admit and that Ryne will forever be supportive of me. We already knew we could get through anything together, but it’s nice to be reassured in tough situations.
What was one way you saved money or cut costs at your wedding? There was a bride getting married at our venue the Monday following our wedding, so we tried to find ways to share items and split the costs. Our lighting company was nice enough to extend their pickup so we could do just that!
What’s next for you as a couple? What memories are you looking forward to making together? We are house hunting in Chicago! We are excited to find a house that we will make a home together. We are also excited for a bit of travel over the next year!

Photographer: Rach Loves Troy | Planner: Leah McCarthy | Venue and Caterer: The Shorehouse at The Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort | Florist: August Floral Design | Cake Baker: Downtown Catering Company | Lighting: Amazing Event Rentals | DJ: Lucas The DJ | Calligraphy: Allie Hasson Calligraphy | Paper Products: Minted and Leveret Paperie | Bride’s Gown: “Dakota” by Nicole Miller | Hair Stylist: Bride’s Side Beauty | Makeup Artist: Bonnie Jean Beauty | Bride’s Shoes: Schutz | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Adrianna Papell, Joanna August, and Donna Morgan | Menswear: Jos. A. Bank

lisa Written with love by Lisa
2 Comments

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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 !

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Whenever I hear that one of our Real Weddings took place at a historic plantation, I’m instantly excited to see it! Maybe it stems from my love for Gone with the Wind or the amazing antebellum homes of Mobile that I grew up visiting. Either way, they’re so Southern, and completely romantic! Page and Blake chose to tie the knot at the beautiful Pebble Hill Plantation, and just as I suspected, Pebble Hill was the perfect backdrop for their big day! I know Emily (who had a tented reception herself!) would be equally smitten with their classic white Sperry Tent and twinkle light combo!

We’re so happy Harwell Photography was on hand to capture this lovely day!

Describe your wedding flowers. I wanted something simple, elegant, and in all soft colors. We had a great florist who brought my vision to life. My bouquet was full of white and ivory peonies, seeded eucalyptus, and dusty miller.

Tell us about finding your wedding dress. I was lucky to have had a stress-free experience, and I tried on around ten dresses total. I knew that I wanted something strapless and lace, and once I found one that I loved, I didn’t hesitate to say yes to the dress!

We had a first look, and I am so glad we did. We wanted to have a special moment together, just the two of us. It was also less stressful getting a lot of pictures done beforehand, so we didn’t keep all our family and friends waiting!

Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? We decided on traditional vows. We asked our former teacher and good friend to perform the ceremony, while one of Blake’s groomsmen led a prayer. Having a Christ-centered marriage is very important to us, so we had Ephesians 5:25 and Isaiah 61:3b read: “They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” This verse went perfectly with our ceremony under the giant oak tree!

Our favorite detail of the wedding was: One neat detail was the horse and carriage we had waiting at the end of the aisle to pick us up after the ceremony. Riding it gave us the chance to be alone together in the moments right after becoming husband and wife. We wanted to remind each other to enjoy every minute, knowing the night would go by fast! It was also our getaway “car,” which was so fun and unique. At the end of the night, we were able to ride around the property for a little bit, already reliving every minute of the day! It was magical.

Our food was very Southern, and it was a hit! We served watermelon salad with candied pecans, quail with tomato jam, fried green tomatoes, and pimento cheese sandwiches. We had several food tables that featured seafood, beef, poultry, and a cheese display with local honey and berries. Our caterers made each table look beautiful and put a lot of effort into making great-tasting food! Towards the end of the night, we surprised our guests with a snack of chicken and biscuits.

We are blessed with awesome family and friends. With our wedding being out of town for many of our guests, we were blown away by how many people traveled to the South to celebrate with us! Our band had us come to the stage to thank all of our guests for being there. I will never forget that moment, and I’m so glad I had the chance to slow down and take that in. It reminded us how much love and support we have from everyone.

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. I was a sophomore and he was a junior… yes, we are high school sweethearts! We were both trying out for the musical that year, and I am pretty sure I got butterflies the first time he talked to me. Later, he sent me a Facebook message asking for my number, and soon after that, we started dating.
Tell us all about the proposal! The proposal was very much a surprise! Blake took me back to the theater at our high school, which is where we met and our story began. I walked in and he was standing at the bottom of rose petal-lined steps, and the stage was decorated with pictures from our time together. We were so excited and filled with emotion! Both of our families were there to celebrate with us afterwards. I felt so special seeing all the thought, time, and love he put into making his proposal so memorable.
When did y’all get married? May 31, 2014
What made you choose your ceremony and reception venues? Did they have any special significance to you? Many of my family members are in Thomasville, and I’ve spent every Christmas there, so I knew it would be the perfect location to get married. We chose Pebble Hill Plantation. We held our ceremony under the oak tree, and it fit the vision I had pictured for our wedding day perfectly! We opted for a tent for the reception, which was just steps away from the ceremony site, and kept everyone cool.
Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding and why you chose them. Blake chose all of our songs, which I loved, because it was one less decision I had to make! He chose “Canon in D” for me to walk down the aisle to–we loved that it was traditional and beautiful. Our first dance was “Can’t Help Falling In Love With You” by Elvis Presley. Blake is a big Elvis fan, and it was perfect!
Did you have something borrowed, blue, old, and new? If so, do tell! My something borrowed/old was my great-great-grandmother’s pin, which I attached to my bouquet. All of the women in my family had it with them on their wedding day, so it was pretty special. My something blue was my garter and my something new was my earrings.
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Many of your family and friends will want to help with planning and day-of things, so don’t hesitate to ask for help. It will make your wedding day a lot less stressful if you don’t have to worry about last minute decisions or details. Don’t forget to take time on your wedding day to slow down and take in all the details that were your vision for so long. Most importantly, remember that the day is ultimately about the two of you becoming one, so don’t sweat the small stuff!
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you most looking forward to about married life? We just got a place together in Nashville and are in the process of making it our own. We are just excited to do everyday life together! It is so wonderful to have someone to go through life’s ups and downs with and to have a constant companion and supporter.

Photographer: Jeremy Harwell / Videographer: Shutter Life Productions / Planner: Tricia Willis Custom Event Planning / Ceremony and Reception Venue: Pebble Hill Plantation / Florist: Singletary’s Florist / Cake Baker: Savannah Moon Bakery / Caterer: Jeannie Bracy and John Thomas / Rentals: Sperry Tent / Band: The RiverTown Band / Linens: La Tavola / Bride’s Gown: “Alana” by Maggie Sottero / Bridal Salon: Formally Yours / Hair Accessories: BHLDN / Hair and Makeup: Dreamstate Salon / Bride’s Shoes: “Chrissy” by J.Renee / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: “555” by Bari Jay in Misty Blue /Menswear: Joseph A. Banks

Harwell Photography is a delightful member of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

marissa Written with love by Marissa
10 Comments
  1. avatar Robyn Van Dyke reply

    LOVE their first look image!! What a gorgeous wedding!

  2. avatar Happy Weekend // Around The Web | Coastal Bride reply

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  3. avatar Finley reply

    This is such a lovely and sweet style. Thanks for sharing!

  4. avatar Wedding Chalkboard Signs: 20+ Ideas For the Best Day Ever reply

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  5. avatar Deb frank reply

    what was the name of the vine you used on chalkboard

  6. avatar Andrea | The Pink Bride reply

    Such a timeless wedding! I love every detail, from the colors to the bride’s shoes. Fabulous!

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  8. avatar Lindsay reply

    What a beautiful wedding! I just love the bridesmaid’s dresses! Would you mind sharing who the designer is? I’ve fallen in love and would really like them for my wedding!

    Thanks!

  9. avatar Mariya khmaruk reply

    I love your chalkboard! I was wondering where you got it!?

  10. avatar Elisabeth Haas reply

    Hi! So I’m wondering where you got your bridesmaids dresses!

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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