Heather & Chuck | Magnolia Plantation & Gardens



It’s confirmed: Heather and Chuck absolutely let the dogs out. The pet lovers (and now newlyweds) met back in Gainesville, Florida, while in veterinary school. Chuck was getting his PhD in animal nutrition, and Heather was in her second year of school, busy focusing her studies on equine surgery and doting on her fur baby, Ryder. From what Heather can tell us, it seems that Chuck would flaunt his recently adopted puppy, Kili, around the vet school as an effort to meet the ladies. Heather remained unimpressed by his use of Kili as a babe magnet until Chuck messaged her individually, asking to take her out. She suggested Swamp Head brewery, a local hangout for students. While they hit it off on the first date, the next few left them agreeing that it might be better just to be friends. “They felt a little forced and awkward,” admits Heather of these following few meetings. That was until they went on one more doggy play-date, a week after Heather hadn’t heard anything from Chuck. With the pressure off and the stress of forced dating at bay, they realized that hey, this could be worth a real shot. In 2018, Chuck proposed and the wedding planning commenced. The Sunshine state couple decided to join us here in the Lowcountry at The Carriage House at Magnolia Plantation for their Big Day and it was one for the books. Pink everything (umm, that corn hole board is tops), a candy and coffee bar, and you guessed it, Ryder and Kili as wedding attendees made this a summer affair to remember. And to celebrate their love for each other and animals, duh, they had not one but two cakes. A girly one for Heather and a lifelike fish-shaped cake from ABCD Cakes for the groomie. If this story has taught us anything, it’s that man’s best friend can also be a man’s best wingman. 

Images: Aaron + Jillian Photography | Planning + Design: Charleston Wedding Planner | Venue: The Carriage House at Magnolia Plantation | Bar: Spike | Beauty: Ash and Co.| Bridal Attire: Badgley Mischka + BHLDN | Bridesmaid’s Attire: Piyama + Kleinfled’s Bridal | Cake: ABCD Cakes | Calligraphy + Invitations: Do Tell Designs| Catering: Salthouse Catering | Entertainment: Palmetto Strings + DJ Wade | Draping + Lighting: Lowcountry Entertainment | Floral: Petaloso | Men’s Attire: Men’s Warehouse | Linens: Eventhaus | Rentals: Ooh! Events | Photo Booth: Charleston Booth Company | Transportation: SC Express Charleston |

The Wedding Row

January 4 2019
Now, we’ve run our fair share of gorgeous weddings at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, but we swear we think this wins the award for most gorgeous to date. It makes sense, though, considering...

January 2 2019
On the heels of New Year’s we needed a classic wedding with black-tie panache to carry us through the rest of this holiday-wind-down week. Enter Vera and Brien’s dreamy day, lovingly designed by A...

December 31 2018
We searched high and low for a wedding to close out the New Year, and what better pick than Annie and Matt, whose ceremony ended with the officiant (the bride’s brother-in-law, or in this case, we’re...

December 28 2018
Here’s a little discussed fact: A great DJ can make (or break) a wedding. And the difference between a first dance that has everyone sighing and posting (instead of cringing) and a party that...

December 27 2018
Here’s the thing: Charleston’s in the tropics, more or less. And here in the jungle, it rains from time to time, which can put a damper on a portrait sesh out and about if you don’t plan well. The...

December 26 2018
Ok, people. Yes, you’re gonna love Jesse and Will’s wedding photos (al fresco reception in the Old Village? Yes, please!). But their proposal story? It might even beat the pretty out for best in show...

December 21 2018
Lindsey and José didn’t start off on the right foot (he didn’t do a double-take when he first met her at Boston College, so she gave him the same indifferent treatment, and sparks didn’t fly for...