Banking on Good Ideas

Fall/Winter 2013

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Banking on Good Ideas | Serving as her own planner and stylist, one Magnolia Plantation and Gardens bride schools us on delivering a cohesive DIY Big Day

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A SPECIAL SPOT: Chinyere and Johnnie exchanged vows on the lawn beside the carriage house at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. "The drive to the venue is absolutely beautiful," says the bride. "Even the parking lot is pretty!"

WORD TO THE WISE: Etsy vendor Wed Designer crafted programs with the bride’s direction.

HAPPY BUNCH: WildFlowers, Inc. fashioned stunning bridal and matron-of-honor bouquets of pink, coral, white, and sage green florals.

GAL PALS: Flower girls looked angelic in frocks found on www.PinkPrincess.com.

BETTER TOGETHER: Chinyere's stepfather escorted her to the start of the aisle, then her father walked her to where Johnnie was waiting. "There's no way I could imagine not having them both participate," Chinyere says.

PAVE THE WAY: Pink rose petals lined the ceremony aisle and glass vessels holding coral, pink, and white florals served as lush aisle markers.

TIE ONE ON: The wedding palette of sage green, coral, and gray got a boost with jewel tones suggested by the groom. Chinyere cut ribbons in the full span of colors, while the day-of coordinator looped them onto chairs.

LOOK SMART: Chinyere wore an Enzoani gown while Johnnie donned a suit from Men's Warehouse.

TOP THAT: Chinyere found her veil at Claire’s—for $12!

THE DISH: Chinyere worked with Atlanta’s Elocin Designs on menu cards, which, like the florals, featured the event’s signature colors.

VIP SEATS: The newlyweds' sweetheart table was marked by "his" and "her" chair signage by Elocin Designs.

GATHER 'ROUND: Wooden boxes painted in one of the reception's lead hues held bright florals and were surrounded by a circle of sweet and simple tealight candles.

SMART MOVES: Magnolia’s carriage house chandeliers were draped with Spanish moss for inexpensive, organic elegance.

CANDY LAND: The bride made lollipop centerpieces for the children’s table.

SAY WHAT? Chinyere crafted playful props for the photo booth, provided by Charleston Party Booth.

LIGHT THE NIGHT: Uplighting trees and hanging strands of bistro lights across the patio proved to be two of the couple’s favorite elements. “Lighting is often overlooked,” says Chinyere, “but it takes the average to the extraordinary.” Group Dynamics tackled this installation.

Photographs by:

Richard Bell Photography

Chinyere Stinson & Johnnie Watson, III
March 15, 2013
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

San Antonio, Texas, residents Chinyere Stinson and Johnnie Watson, III, are both bankers by trade, but after the two hosted their stylish DIY wedding, they might just want to reconsider their professions. The pair—who met at a networking event when both lived in Charlotte, North Carolina, and fell for Charleston on a romantic weekend trip here—started planning with a questionnaire and a spreadsheet. Since location was a key item to both, they listed pros and cons of several venues, and Magnolia Plantation and Gardens won out for history, ambience, and landscape. From there, they scoured online sources from eBay to Etsy and more for décor, favors, invitations, and everything in between. Johnnie pitched in by sorting out the palette, among other things, and friends spent a night assembling hotel guest gift bags. “There is no way I could have the wedding of my dreams without the help of others,” says Chinyere. When the day came, WildFlowers, Inc.’s Beth LeonGuerrero acted as the day-of coordinator to execute the couple’s vision, and, says Chinyere, “Ultimately, I was completely satisfied.”

Vendor List

Bar: MIX Premier Bartending, www.mixcharleston.com

Bridal Gown: Enzoani, www.bluebyenzoani.com
Bridal Makeup: Dannon Collard, www.dannoncollard.com

Bridal Veil & Accessories: Claire’s Boutique, www.claires.com
Cake: Artistic Cakes by Linda, www.ibakecakes.com

Ceremony & Reception Location: Carriage House at Magnolia Planation and Gardens, www.magnoliaplantation.com

Day-Of Coordinator: Charleston Wedding Studio, www.charlestonweddingstudio.com

Draping: Engaging Events, www.engagingeventscharleston.com

Florist: Wildflowers, Inc., www.wildflowersinc.com

Flower Girls’ Dresses: Pink Princess, www.pinkprincess.com

Groom’s & Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Warehouse, www.menswearhouse.com
Groom’s Shoes: Ferragamo, www.ferragamo.com
Invitations: Amore Paper, www.amorepaper.com

Photography: Richard Bell Photography, www.charlestonwedding.com

Rentals: Group Dynamics (lounge furniture, string lights, lanterns, iron pillars,, www.groupdynamics.biz
Signage: Elocin Design (reception and bar), nmpomeroy@yahoo.com.au

Video: Charleston Video Service, www.charlestonvideoservice.com

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