Written By Melissa Reardon
Photographs By Lucy Cuneo
A transplant from Virginia, Weston “Wes” McAfee vividly remembers the first time he saw his future bride-to-be. Charleston native Dana Elaine...
Ahhh, Boone Hall Plantation. While this spectacular venue is widely known for its infamous scenes in Nicholas Sparks’ film “The Notebook,” and as the setting of Hollywood hotshots Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds’ 2012 nuptials, it has also served as the perfect venue for many, many, many other love stories over the years. For example, there is Lauren and Dylan’s tale … two University of Georgia alums that planned for the ultimate Charleston soirée at Boone Hall. “It’s what Southern dreams are made of,” says Lauren. (Enthusiastic head nod, over here.) Once the two selected their venue, they met their planner Natalie Knox, who is also, coincidentally, a fellow Georgia Bulldog, and the trio, hitting it off instantly, created a wedding filled with picture-perfect greenery at the Cotton Dock and tasty treats from Cru Catering. While Lauren and Dylan were set on their venue and a blue color palette, just a few minor decisions were put in place that really made their wedding day extraordinary. “My husband and I decided last minute that we were going to do handwritten vows,” Lauren tells us. “It was pretty special when my papaw came up to me at the end of the night to tell me that [it was] his favorite part of our wedding day.” Indeed, it was. Cheers to you both!
Photography: The Happy Bloom | Venue: Boone Hall Plantation | Design & Planning: Natalie Knox of Boone Hall Plantation | Florist: Out of the Garden | Hair + Makeup: Paper Dolls | Bride’s Dress: Martina Liana available locally at Gown Boutique of Charleston | Videography: Life in Rewind | Music: Darby Events | Catering: Cru Catering | Cake: WildFlour Pastry | Rentals: Ooh! Events | Rentals: Snyder Events | Lighting: IES Productions | Linens: La Tavola Linens | Getting Ready Outfits: Plum Pretty Sugar | Shoes: Bella Belle | Ring Box: The Mrs. Box | Invitations: Minted
