Natalie & William | Magnolia Plantation and Gardens



These two Terps Alumni (that’s the University of Maryland, for those fans only familiar with the SEC) Natalie and Will dated for six whopping years before getting engaged. Over their stint of time as BF and GF, Natalie was off getting her Doctorate from Gallaudet University, and Will, his Masters from Maryland. Throw in bringing home a pup, moving twice, and a lovely Sunday sunrise proposal in Middlebury, Virginia, and it soon came time to plan a Chucktown wedding. (The bride’s mom and sister reside in Mount Pleasant.) Magnolia Plantation & Gardens fit the bill for both the couple and their now three-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer, River, as the site is home to many a roaming peacock. and River just happens to be a bird dog. “He started stalking a gaggle of them and once they opened their tails he booked it in the other direction,” says Natalie. Their modern reception embraced the natural beauty of the venue and was rife with small, yet important details like these precious silver turtle napkin holders. Now, for the most humorous part of their whole shebang? That would be when Will’s father, their officiant, glanced at his wife in the first row after asking if anyone had any objections to their son’s marriage. (In reality, he was gesturing for her to come forward and give the Irish blessing.) Startled, she said, “No, I am good. I am very happy for them,” which as you can imagine, elicited chuckles all-around. The Washington, DC, residents concluded their ga-ga-gorgeous alfresco day with a cake-cutting of sorts. Instead of cake, the couple cut into a peach cobbler, and swapped what no doubt, were delicious bites. Now, can we have a piece, please?

Planning + Design: Ooh! Events | Venue: Magnolia Plantation & Gardens | Images: Sara Bee Photography | Catering + Bar + Desserts: Cru Catering | Florals: Out of the Garden | Beauty: Blo Blow Dry Bar | Transportation: Carolina Executive Limo Line | Music: 19th Street Band

The Wedding Row

February 24 2020
Molly and Chris’s colleagues at J.P. Morgan in New York had a feeling the two were perfect for each other and tried for months to set them up. When they finally met up at an event? Cue: magic. Over...

February 24 2020
After Long Islanders Tom and Danielle met in chorus class during their freshman year of high school, it took him a full year to build up enough courage to ask her to be his girlfriend. Her response...

February 24 2020
On the first day of college at the University of Georgia, a complete stranger tried to convince Sarah to drop freshman English; he’d heard the professor was terrible. Turns out the professor was,...

February 14 2020
To all the single ladies (and gents): Valentine’s Day isn’t only for those already in love. As Alex and Pete’s story proves, it may be the perfect day for a meet-cute. Pennsylvania-born Pete was in...

February 12 2020
Four days before Allison and Brendan’s dream Charleston wedding, Hurricane Florence was making its way toward the Lowcountry and the city was under evacuation orders. The Dallas-based couple pulled...

February 11 2020
Courtney wasn’t looking to settle down, but when friends convinced her to take Kristen on a date, something felt different. Before long, they found themselves in a long-distance relationship—Courtney...

February 7 2020
Bumble may be responsible for introducing this couple, but it was a magical first date filled with sushi, hours of conversation, karaoke, and endless laughter that truly brought together Michelle and...

February 6 2020
Maggie and Mike’s story puts a whole new spin on bro-mance. It all started in Chicago when her boss, who was dating a fellow named Eric, wanted to set Maggie up with her boyfriend’s younger brother....