With an existing love for Charleston, Stephanie and Ashley knew they had to go venue scouting in the area while there as guests for another family wedding. They took one look at Magnolia Plantation and knew it was the spot for their own celebration. Tara Nicole Weddings guided them in planning a happy, colorful day that was uniquely them. It’s quite apparent from Danielle Harris‘ snaps that these beautiful Brides were simply bursting with joy and understandable while it’s their goal to one day move there. See their day unfold below!
From Danielle Harris Photography… Stephanie & Ashley were married at the beautiful Magnolia Plantation in Charleston, South Carolina. I would venture to say that this southern city produces some of the most romantic weddings on earth, and the charm of Charleston never disappoints. The wedding was filled with vibrant colors, thoughtful touches, and guests spanning from five states to watch these two say their vows. The love and joy of the day was contagious and you couldn’t help smiling at the excitement that filled the air. I’m so excited to share just a few of my favorites.
Where do you end a wedding as epic as Stephanie & Ashley’s? Well I think the only way to finish up is with the theme song of the day by the Black Eyed Peas. “Be different. Be nice. Just smile, I promise it’ll change your life”.
From the Brides… We picked Charleston because it is one of our favorite places to visit. The charm of the city along with the beaches, shopping and historic sites you just cant beat. There is something magical about Charleston. We have always wanted to move there it is a goal in the future. So we were vacationing there for my brother and sister in laws wedding and we decided to go to Magnolia for a tour and when we got there I told Ashley this is it. This is the place we are getting married. I was totally and completely in love with it. All of it. The Spanish Moss trees were everything I wanted and dreamed of in my head it was perfectly magical.
When I went to pick out my dress I was not entirely sure of what I wanted but I knew what I was looking for. I wanted class and sophistication but I wanted SEXY. I wanted Ashley to see me and pass out because of how HOT I would be in my dress. This is the first dress I saw the ONLY dress I personally pulled off the rack the first dress I tried on and even though I tried on 7 dresses I knew from the moment I saw it this was MY dress. It was made for me. Everything about it screamed Stephanie.
OHHHH the colors!!! Here is what I knew. I wanted DIFFERENT. I absolutely did NOT want people to say “did you see her colors those are THE wedding colors this year EVERYONES using them.” Our personalities are very big and bold and there was no way my colors or my flowers or makeup for that matter were going to be anything but that! The usual pale pinks, blues, whites, Ivy, champagnes and all of the other pretty but boring mess that is a thing right now just isn’t MY thing. It isn’t OUR thing. Summer makes me HAPPY sunshine puts me in a fantastic mood and gives me energy and excitement . That’s the vibe I wanted in our wedding happy excited great energy!! Those colors to me are bright pink, yellow, orange, purple, blue and whatever else you want to throw in there.
Special touches…
1. We love the plantation house. Those types of houses come with these beautiful skeleton keys for unlocking those perfectly old doors. So as our wedding favors we purchased skeleton keys for our guests but added a modern touch by making them bottle openers!
2. Southern China is BIG in any southern family event. Coming from North Carolina where my grandmother always had her crystal China out for any special occasion I knew China was a must. We were so lucky to find a great southern china piece that encompassed all the colors of the wedding.
3. Ashley being an Art Major actually made the “It was always you sign”
Traditions: 1. Ashley’s grandmother, grandfather and little brother have all passed away. The family brings their pictures to every family event we have so that they are always there with us.
2. HAHAHHA Ashley’s something blue shoes!!
Decisions…
1. We made every single one of our playlist from ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner and dancing we hand picked each and every song that was played. This made the wedding keep the feel and the vibe we wanted at each section and made it very special and tailored to us.
2. Liam my 6 year old walked me down the aisle.
3. We wrote our own vows…I actually prepared mine weeks in advance. Ashley, you know she made them up there on the spot hahaha.
4. Unplugged ceremony. I wanted to make sure no one and their crazy cell phones got in the way of our pictures!!
Favorite moments of the day…
1. The whole day start to finish was amazing BUT I loved my first look with Ashley. I am so Happy that we had that alone time together and I am so happy it was just us and you without friends and family it was perfect.
2. I LOVED taking pictures all of the pictures we could have done that all. day. long.
3. I loved walking in with Ashley when we were announced at reception!! It hit me like its my turn to be the bride!! I LOVED that moment.
4. I loved the first dance with Ashley.
5. I loved Liam walking me down the aisle.
6. I loved the MOH toasts they were so on point and FUN!!
7. I REALLY loved watching Ashley with all of her crazy speeches, hahaha!
Ashley’s Favorites…
1. Seeing me for the first time.
2. Taking pictures with Danielle because she is SO FUN and she would hang out with you allllll day long.
3. Loved the dance party we had at reception.
Photography : Danielle Harris Photography | Event Planning: Tara Nicole Weddings & Events | Floral Design: The Bearded Florist | Cake: Ashley Bakery | Hair & Makeup: Paper Dolls | Venue: Magnolia Plantation Carriage House | Rentals: Eventworks | Second Shooter : The Harris House