From electric blue wedges hidden under her classic gown to an open-air photobooth that proved to be a “photo bomber dream” (her words, not mine), Laura + Chad’s wedding at the Oldfield Plantation seems like it was a complete blast! I mean check out the photo of Laura and her daddy getting down on the dance floor – pure fun! I’d be remiss not to mention the gorgeous clear tent strung with twinkling white lights because I know Nicole is loving them as much as I am! Be sure to read Laura’s “most memorable moment” in her interview, because it might not be what you’d think!
Thanks to Heidi from Our Labor of Love for sharing this fun soiree with us!
You can’t get much more Southern than blue suede wedding shoes!
I knew without a doubt I wanted to wear blue shoes. Deciding which pair of blue shoes to wear, however, is a different story. Balancing my love of high heels with the fact that I would be walking down a flight of brick stairs during the ceremony and on grass during most of the reception proved to be quite difficult. Finally, I opted to go with electric blue suede wedges. I loved that they provided a unique and unexpected twist under my otherwise traditional dress, while simultaneously serving an incredibly functional purpose!
Did you decide to do a “first look”? Yes. On a personal level, we welcomed and embraced the opportunity to share a calm, private moment before the ceremony and reception whirlwind began. In addition, it made logistical sense. By doing a first look, our extraordinarily talented photographer, Heidi and her team were able to maximize the best light of the day and the high tide of the river to capture many incredible shots that would have otherwise been impossible had we waited until after the 5:30 pm ceremony.
My hand-tied bouquet consisted of white hydrangeas, white freesias, white polo roses, and green cymbidium orchids. The bridesmaids had bouquets of white hydrangeas and white freesias. Chad’s boutonniere was made of green cymbidium orchid and the groomsmen’s boutonnieres were white freesia. For the ceremony, we had ferns with white Asiatic lilies. At the reception, our centerpieces were made of white hydrangeas, white lilies, and assorted white flowers in palm leaf-lined vases. The reception napkins had white dendrobium orchids
Y’all, I’m a sucker for a fellow in saddle shoes or oxfords as my husband calls them! So dapper!
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? When my veil snagged itself on the bricks as my dad walked me down the steps during the ceremony! We didn’t realize it was caught until it actually started to pull my head backwards and almost caused me to loose my balance. Luckily, my dad had a strong grip, we were able to free it from the bricks almost immediately, and after a deep breath or two, everyone (myself included) exploded with laughter. The snafu was a blessing in disguise – it broke the nervous energy and reminded us all to relax and have fun!
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Don’t allow yourself to get burdened by the details. Also, as our “most memorable moment” story clearly illustrates, no matter what, something will always go wrong, but in the end, it will be fine.
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: The clear tent strung with twinkling white lights, which gave us the ability to look up and see the trees and stars after dark.
Describe your wedding cake or dessert: It was essential our cake tasted as good as it looked, so we chose three tiers of red velvet cake with whipped cream cheese filling and vanilla butter cake with vanilla butter cream filling and homemade vanilla custard. The flowers on the wedding cake were handmade edible sugar replicas of the polo roses in my bridal bouquet.
Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding. Our selections were traditional songs throughout the ceremony played by a solo harpist. We wanted the music to compliment, not overwhelm or distract from, the natural beauty and surroundings of Oldfield Plantation. Once we were ready to celebrate, we started the evening with very Southern-traditional South Carolina Shag, which got all of our guests, young and old, up dancing immediately!
Describe the proposal. (From the groom) Laura and I had just gotten back to her parents’ home after a nice dinner with her parents and a large group of family friends. Even though it was pretty late at night by that point, I asked if she would like to go on a walk. After some convincing that it wasn’t that cold out, she reluctantly agreed. We walked to the brick patio of the River House, where weddings are frequently held on Oldfield Plantation, the gorgeous low-country community in which her parents live. I knew Laura always wanted to get married at this exact spot so I dropped to one knee, asked if she would, and the rest is history.
In what month did you get married? October. It is the perfect time of year for an outdoor wedding in the low country.
How many guests attended your wedding? 124
Tell us about finding your wedding dress: It was surprisingly easy. I found my dress on the first day that I (along with my mother, a couple of close family friends, and my maid of honor) went dress shopping. Initially, I pulled vintage-inspired lace dresses since I thought that style would be best for an outdoor wedding. While the dresses were beautiful, we all agreed they weren’t right for me. The wonderfully accommodating bridal consultant, Flo at Bridal’s by Lori, then convinced me to try something different and brought in a stunning Rivini satin fit and flare gown. It was unlike anything I had tried on before, but I knew instantly the classic, refined, timeless (and comfortable!) dress was perfect. On my wedding day, the dress looked flawless paired with my mother’s pearls!
Did you write your own vows? We pieced together our vows and ceremony with the help of our officiant in order to make them special and meaningful. One of the most meaningful aspects of our ceremony was that we actually exchanged our vows on the exact spot that Chad proposed to me.
What readings, if any, did you have at your ceremony? Our long time mutual best friend and bridesmaid Megan read Blessing for a Marriage, by James Dillet Freeman.
What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? Our wedding weekend was filled with Southern details and activities, all set under the picturesque live oaks and Spanish moss on the banks of the Okatie River. To kick off the weekend, our family and friends joined us for our rehearsal dinner, a traditional Low Country Oyster Roast. The day of the wedding, while the guys headed out for a morning of shooting targets on a nearby sporting clays course and hunt club, the ladies enjoyed a relaxing bridal luncheon complete with Diet Coke in glass bottles (my favorite). The most Southern of all though was our food! We had the ultimate “Southern with a twist” menu. Chef Jason with Oldfield Plantation truly went above and beyond our wildest expectations and created a phenomenal meal that literally left our guests raving for months. The delicious menu included (just to name a few) shrimp and grit wontons, fried green tomato lollipops, low-country oyster shooters and, of course, Southern style chicken and waffles.
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? Planning and coordinating an entire weekend of wedding activities and events while I was living and working full time in Atlanta and Chad was living and working full-time in Charlotte. We couldn’t have done it without the help of our incredible friends and family, especially my parents!
What is the one thing you are most happy you splurged on? An open-air photo booth!! To this day, looking through the photo booth pictures causes us all to laugh until we cry. By setting up the photo booth facing the river and completely open without any walls or backgrounds, it enabled our guests to have a lot more freedom to hop in and out of each other’s pictures, embrace the spontaneity of the photo booth, and encourage one another to be silly. The open space was a photo bomber’s dream come true!
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Peyton Dismukes, January 29, 2013 11:17 am reply EEEK! I vote for Peyton!
Candice Robinson, January 29, 2013 11:31 am reply I vote for Peyton! You have turned into a beautiful southern bell!
Kayla Cook, January 29, 2013 11:34 am reply Peyton and Melissa are my vote!!
katie, January 29, 2013 11:44 am reply Peyton
Dee Shore, January 29, 2013 11:47 am reply Darn these are all so adorable! But I do have to admit "Lucy O" melts my heart. Such sweetness!
Marilu, January 29, 2013 11:51 am reply Peyton!
Stephanie Baker, January 29, 2013 12:00 pm reply Peyton!
Karen Dismukes, January 29, 2013 12:23 pm reply Peyton
Krista, January 29, 2013 12:38 pm reply Peyton!!!!!!!
Kat, January 29, 2013 12:40 pm reply I'm a sucker for the puppy! Julianne has my vote!!
Karen Dismukes, January 29, 2013 12:44 pm reply My vote goes to Peyton!
Amber, January 29, 2013 12:47 pm reply PEYTON!!! She is beautiful on the inside and out, and a woman I am proud to call my friend! I cannot wait to be there for her special day.
Melissa, January 29, 2013 1:39 pm reply I vote PEYTON... because I'm the Melissa in the picture! :) We had no idea this was for a contest!! So thankful I have such a sweet friend to be a part of my engagement AND give me the Southern Weddings magazine for my first bridal magazine!
Cameron, January 29, 2013 1:54 pm reply I love Julianne's photo!
Aubrie Moates, January 29, 2013 2:20 pm reply PEYTON is adorable!!
leg, January 29, 2013 2:27 pm reply pup+bow tie+southernweddings = katey
Melissa Borden, January 29, 2013 2:27 pm reply I love "Lucy O"!!
Ashleigh, January 29, 2013 2:30 pm reply I vote Julianne! Puppy + ring + SW5? Yes, please!
Sara Perks, January 29, 2013 2:31 pm reply I vote for Lucy O!!!
EBNicholson, January 29, 2013 2:33 pm reply Lucy O!
KC Fisher, January 29, 2013 2:34 pm reply Lucy O!!!
Stuart Goetke, January 29, 2013 2:34 pm reply I vote for Kristin Shyla! She took pictures at my church, Integrity, a few weeks ago! So glad she's one of the top picks!
Ali W, January 29, 2013 2:36 pm reply LUCY O + her little Edith!
esther, January 29, 2013 2:37 pm reply Lucy O
Rachel, January 29, 2013 2:37 pm reply Can't beat the cuteness of Lucy O and her little girl, Edith! Precious!
Elizabeth, January 29, 2013 2:40 pm reply Lucy O!
Maggie, January 29, 2013 2:41 pm reply Lucy O!
Julia, January 29, 2013 2:43 pm reply Lucy O
MB Miller, January 29, 2013 2:44 pm reply Lucy O
paula rowan-page, January 29, 2013 2:45 pm reply without a doubt... Lucy O
Lora, January 29, 2013 2:46 pm reply Love Lucy O baby!!!! So cute!
paula rowan-page, January 29, 2013 2:48 pm reply Absolutely Lucy O!
Crystal, January 29, 2013 2:53 pm reply Gabrielle
Jenny, January 29, 2013 2:57 pm reply I love Lucy O!
Evey, January 29, 2013 2:59 pm reply Peyton!!!
Jessica, January 29, 2013 3:03 pm reply Gabrielle :)
Cassie Wicks, January 29, 2013 3:03 pm reply I vote for Gabrielle! She's a sweetie! :)
Ashley Flippin, January 29, 2013 3:04 pm reply All very cute but Julianne has got to be the sweetest thing ever!!
Edward B, January 29, 2013 3:05 pm reply Lucy O baby ftw!
Jill Powers, January 29, 2013 3:11 pm reply Lucy O! ...cutest baby ever!!
Mary, January 29, 2013 3:12 pm reply Lucy O!!
Kelsey, January 29, 2013 3:13 pm reply Gabrielle!
Madelynne Moulton, January 29, 2013 3:13 pm reply Nina is JUST PRECIOUS. She has my vote!
Kelsey, January 29, 2013 3:14 pm reply I vote for Lucy O!
Rachel L., January 29, 2013 3:17 pm reply Lucy O
Suzie, January 29, 2013 3:19 pm reply Lucy O gets my vote!
ADokun, January 29, 2013 3:20 pm reply Lucy O. has my vote. Love the baby!!!
Molly, January 29, 2013 3:22 pm reply Lucy O!!
Rebekah Hoyt, January 29, 2013 3:50 pm reply LUCY O!!!
Tiffany Caddell, January 29, 2013 4:01 pm reply My vote is for Peyton!!
Kathleen Beede, January 29, 2013 4:05 pm reply Lucy O
Angela, January 29, 2013 4:11 pm reply They say train up a child-I guess Lucy O is preparing for wedding rehearsals even before walking down hallways.
Rebekah, January 29, 2013 4:15 pm reply Peyton!!
Cameron, January 29, 2013 4:18 pm reply Goodness me, of course lucy o!!!
Sarah, January 29, 2013 4:20 pm reply Marissa!!
Emily, January 29, 2013 4:22 pm reply Marissa obviously! Gorgeous!!
Henry, January 29, 2013 4:33 pm reply Team Marissa!!
Sydney, January 29, 2013 4:34 pm reply Peyton!!! For sure. So beautiful!
Allison, January 29, 2013 4:38 pm reply Lucy O!
sarah der!, January 29, 2013 4:39 pm reply LUCY O!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nina, January 29, 2013 4:40 pm reply Haha! Awesome! I put a vote in for "Nina", but truly the vote goes to my twins that are in the pic! :) They LOVE talking about brides and grooms and getting married. :)
Jen O., January 29, 2013 4:42 pm reply Nina! Her twins are so cute!
Erin Pivonka, January 29, 2013 4:42 pm reply Nina!
Steph, January 29, 2013 4:43 pm reply Definitely Nina! Those are two adorable kiddos.
Lisa Marie Anderson, January 29, 2013 4:44 pm reply Nina and her twins!
Jane, January 29, 2013 4:47 pm reply Lucy O!
Amanda, January 29, 2013 4:49 pm reply Nina
Lisa C, January 29, 2013 4:50 pm reply I vote for Marissa!! She's the best!!
Mallory, January 29, 2013 4:51 pm reply Oh, that Lucy O! My vote goes to her and her sweet babe Edith! xo
Palma T, January 29, 2013 4:53 pm reply Marissa is great at everything she does!
Carolyn, January 29, 2013 5:02 pm reply Peyton is my vote !
Lauren | Lauren Nicole Photography, January 29, 2013 5:04 pm reply My vote is for Gabrielle! She's the sweetest thing ever and totally deserves to win! Love you guys!
Maureen, January 29, 2013 5:08 pm reply Lucy O! Edith is sooo cute!!!
Abby Grace, January 29, 2013 5:10 pm reply Ahhh Lucy O's little one is the CUTEST! Get 'em hooked at an early age :)
ASM, January 29, 2013 5:14 pm reply Peyton!
Lisa J, January 29, 2013 5:33 pm reply Nina!
Jen, January 29, 2013 5:40 pm reply Nina!
Emily Rhyne, January 29, 2013 6:22 pm reply Peyton fo sho!!!!!!!!!
Lauren, January 29, 2013 6:59 pm reply Peyton!
marissa, January 29, 2013 7:09 pm reply What a great photo.
Amanda, January 29, 2013 7:17 pm reply Nina is adorable!
Hannah Freeman, January 29, 2013 7:28 pm reply Peyton!!!! (Of course;my beautiful future sister in law!!!
Keith, January 29, 2013 7:47 pm reply Peyton,definitely!
Marissa, January 29, 2013 8:01 pm reply Great photo - I took it!!!!
Linda, January 29, 2013 8:05 pm reply You Go girl - Marissa!!!
Faith, January 29, 2013 8:24 pm reply Gabrielle! :)
Daniel White, January 29, 2013 8:26 pm reply Lucy O takes this one.
Andy Flowers, January 29, 2013 8:39 pm reply Peyton
Carolyn, January 29, 2013 8:43 pm reply I vote for Peyton!!!!
Robin, January 29, 2013 8:43 pm reply Love the adorable puppy proposal by Julianne! Great magazine with awesome inspiration..
adam barnes, January 29, 2013 8:46 pm reply lucy o! :)
Megan Martin, January 29, 2013 8:47 pm reply JuliAnne for the win! Xo-- Megan : )
Carolyn, January 29, 2013 8:47 pm reply I vote for PEYTON!!!!!!
Portia Phillips, January 29, 2013 8:54 pm reply I vote for Gabrielle!!
John Phillips, January 29, 2013 8:55 pm reply I vote for Gabrielle.
Libby, January 29, 2013 8:55 pm reply How could anyone say no to JuliAnne's precious puppy!!!
Stephen von Heyking, January 29, 2013 8:56 pm reply I vote for Gabrielle because she is my cutie pie wife!
Amber Garvey, January 29, 2013 9:07 pm reply Julianne!!!!
Ia Williams, January 29, 2013 9:10 pm reply Nina and her beautiful twins.
lauren, January 29, 2013 9:28 pm reply Juilianne
Emily Steffen, January 29, 2013 9:31 pm reply DEF Ms. Edith (Lucy O!) She is an adorable fan!!!! :)
Sally Kelley, January 29, 2013 9:39 pm reply Julianne is awesome!! The perfect combination of love and beauty with her design !!
catherine, January 29, 2013 9:41 pm reply LUCY O!!!
Debbie golub, January 29, 2013 9:55 pm reply My favorite is Marissa! What a beauty! She's a winner from head to toe!
Katie K, January 29, 2013 10:03 pm reply Lucy O!!!!! She is fabulous and her daughter is adorable. Love little Miss E!!!
Erin, January 29, 2013 10:20 pm reply Lucy O!!!!
Keith, January 29, 2013 10:45 pm reply Hands down - Lucy O. The fact that it is my baby doesn't sway my judgement at all!
Tammy, January 29, 2013 10:53 pm reply My vote is for Peyton!!
Ashley, January 29, 2013 11:06 pm reply Julianne's is more than adorable its perfect!!! (Soft spot in my heart for Goldens)
Teri, January 29, 2013 11:06 pm reply Who could resist a proposal that employs such an adorable puppy? My vote us for JuliAnne!!
Sara, January 29, 2013 11:07 pm reply Lucy O!!
Carla, January 29, 2013 11:53 pm reply LUCY O
Evan G Cooper, January 30, 2013 12:41 am reply I vote PEYTON!!
kayla zimmerman, January 30, 2013 12:46 am reply Peyton Dismukes
Ashlee, January 30, 2013 5:20 am reply JULIANNE!!!
Linda Stowell, January 30, 2013 6:25 am reply Love JuliAnne's pup!
Vicki, January 30, 2013 7:49 am reply Marissa is a beautiful model with a great personality!
Emma, January 30, 2013 7:51 am reply Marissa!!! She is the best!!
kathe, January 30, 2013 7:52 am reply definitely Lucy O!!!
Carly Totten, January 30, 2013 8:11 am reply Lucy O! I remember your post of her on Instagram. Too cute. : )
ayelet jonisch, January 30, 2013 8:18 am reply marisa - awesome photo!
Jackie, January 30, 2013 8:18 am reply I vote for Julianne!!! What a great photo!
JuliAnne, January 30, 2013 8:39 am reply I am in desperate need of a new iphone case and would love to win this! After all who doesn't love puppies, proposals & planning with SWmag...JuliAnne is my vote :)
Brittany, January 30, 2013 9:10 am reply Marissa!!!
Nicole Masi, January 30, 2013 9:11 am reply I vote for the beautiful Marissa!
Jeanna, January 30, 2013 9:14 am reply Marissa's photo
Chris, January 30, 2013 9:47 am reply Marissa!!!!
Edie, January 30, 2013 10:04 am reply My vote is for Peyton....too cute!!!!
Kristyn M, January 30, 2013 10:16 am reply Julianne for sure!!
taylor lord, January 30, 2013 10:32 am reply NINA ALL THE WAY! :) :)
Ruthie, January 30, 2013 10:56 am reply YAY Kristin Shyla!
Victoria Derrick, January 30, 2013 11:00 am reply Love them all, but my favorite would have to be Kristin Shyla! The tongue sticking out is just perfect.
liz, January 30, 2013 11:07 am reply Go Marissa!!!!
Carolyn, January 30, 2013 11:10 am reply Peyton!! So adorable. I gifted my best friend V5 right after she got engaged as well.
Darby, January 30, 2013 11:13 am reply Peyton!
Victoria, January 30, 2013 11:43 am reply Lucy O!!!
Olivia, January 30, 2013 11:56 am reply JULIANNE!!!
Liz, January 30, 2013 11:57 am reply Julianne has my vote!
Erin Dudley, January 30, 2013 12:23 pm reply Julianne
Amanda, January 30, 2013 1:32 pm reply i LOVE Lucy O's!! there is just something about babies!!
Stefania, January 30, 2013 1:57 pm reply Peyton!!!
Sonya McCarley, January 30, 2013 3:52 pm reply Peyton
Dani, January 30, 2013 5:24 pm reply congratulations, Love Peyton's picture. She is adorable!
Alice, January 30, 2013 7:56 pm reply Peyton I love you
Mildred Tanner Wynne, January 30, 2013 8:22 pm reply PEYTON!
Diane, January 30, 2013 8:30 pm reply Marissa - great going!!
Emily Wertman, January 30, 2013 11:16 pm reply Marissa
Lisa, January 31, 2013 1:53 am reply I vote for the beautiful Gabrielle!!!
Ermanno, January 31, 2013 8:48 am reply I vote for Marissa. Love the photo.
Elizabeth Losi, January 31, 2013 8:53 am reply Looking good, Marissa!
Andrew, January 31, 2013 9:18 am reply Marissa!
Francesca, January 31, 2013 10:35 am reply I vote Gabrielle!
lacy, January 31, 2013 10:45 am reply I vote Julianne
Stephanie D, January 31, 2013 10:48 am reply Voting for Gabrielle!!
Jamie K!, January 31, 2013 10:55 am reply Gabrielle!!
Kelly, January 31, 2013 11:05 am reply Gabrielle
Mandy Caudill, January 31, 2013 11:14 am reply Gabrielle :)
Tori Watson, January 31, 2013 11:15 am reply Lucy O!!!
Chelsea T., January 31, 2013 11:19 am reply Gabrielle!!
Linda, January 31, 2013 11:20 am reply A vote for Gabrielle
missy, January 31, 2013 11:24 am reply Gabrielle Von Heyking
mandy, January 31, 2013 11:31 am reply I vote for Gabrielle!
tara, January 31, 2013 11:50 am reply Gabrielle!
Paige, January 31, 2013 11:52 am reply Gabrielle!!
Brenda Eley, January 31, 2013 12:00 pm reply Gabrielle von Heyking is my vote!
rachelle, January 31, 2013 1:44 pm reply I vote for GABRIELLE!!!!
Amanda, January 31, 2013 2:38 pm reply Gabrielle!
Lyndsey, January 31, 2013 2:52 pm reply Gabrielle!
Ashley Victoria Photography, January 31, 2013 3:36 pm reply I vote for Gabrielle :)
Lucille Cappello, January 31, 2013 7:49 pm reply My vote goes to Marissa's photo.
gradchica, January 31, 2013 9:13 pm reply Lucy O!!
Sarah, January 31, 2013 9:30 pm reply Lucy O
Manisha, January 31, 2013 9:34 pm reply Lucy O photo for the WIN!!!
Katie K, January 31, 2013 10:20 pm reply Lucy O and Baby E are my fav!!!!!
Katie K, January 31, 2013 10:21 pm reply Lucy o photo and Baby E are my favorites!!
Edwina, January 31, 2013 10:25 pm reply I vote for Peyton
Wendy, January 31, 2013 10:50 pm reply lucy O
Carmen, February 1, 2013 11:54 am reply I vote for Lucy O!
Phillip, February 1, 2013 1:44 pm reply Lucy O by far!
Ashley Crute, February 1, 2013 2:36 pm reply Lucy O all the way!
Maria Norcia Santillanes, February 1, 2013 7:56 pm reply I chose MARISSA ... she's beautiful!
Hillary Fitch, February 2, 2013 1:57 pm reply Julianne for sure!!! So cute!
Maggie Shealy, February 8, 2013 1:19 pm reply The puppy is too cute, my vote goes to JuliAnne!!