Down by the River

Down by the River | A Georgia gal and a North Carolina boy bask in natural beauty on the banks of the Wando River

Charleston Wedding The Cotton Dock at Boone Hall Plantation wedding Bella Bridesmaid Boone Hall Plantation Boone Hall White ooh! events gown Husk Knit WildFlour Pastry

What a Handful: Terri Tezza of Ooh! Events assembled bridesmaids bouquets of geraniums, mango gloriosa, marsh grass, orange freesia, persimmon roses, and scabiosa pods.

SEALED WITH A KISS: After a year of dating, Moyer proposed to Mary with an antique family ring.

NATURAL NOTES: Pale green hydrangeas tucked into taupe woven cones hung along the aisle.

BEAT THE HEAT: Guests fended off warm temps with laser-cut sandalwood folding fans from theknot.com.

WHAT A HANDFUL: Terri Tezza with Ooh! Events created a bouquet of antique white roses interspersed with fresh greens. As for the setting? It’s the deck of The Cotton Dock.

TEars of Joy: Teardrop-shaped vases dangled elegantly above the couple without drawing guests’ attention away from their vows.

HEAD OVER HEELS: “Moyer and I just love being around each other all the time,” Mary says.

DRESS TO IMPRESS: Mary says she is “still absolutely in love” with her Jenny Packham gown from White on Daniel Island.

POWER OF A LITTLE FLOWER: An eye-catching boutonniere complemented Moyer’s poplin suit from Joseph A. Banks.

SIMPLE SWEETS: Lauren Mitterer of WildFlour Pastry baked a four-layer confection that she then ringed with wooden shoots banded together with pale pink ribbon.

THE DOCK: “The environment was part of the backdrop for our wedding," says Mary. "There was no need to over-embellish the beauty around us.”

TINY TOUCHES: Small details brightened the evening, like a vibrant peony spilling from this charmingly tarnished antique silver vessel.

CASCADING CUTIES: Old-fashioned antique roses, green hydrangea, and strands of amaranthus green tails added pale-hued texture to the reception décor; the tarnished silver bowl lent an antique touch to the arrangement.

GO GREEN: Vintage soda and tincture bottles served as vases to hold stems of green hydrangeas and persimmon-colored lilies.

PING QUEEN: Mary rented most of her décor, like a vintage popcorn machine, from Ooh! Events. Perhaps her favorite score? The red, lighted “LOVE” sign, which was a surprise donated element from the gals at Ooh! Events.

GOOD EATS: Following the ceremony, Farm Table Catering (FTC) offered guests fresh gazpacho, ceviche, roasted quail, and heirloom tomatoes, along with peach cobbler. The couple is friends with FTC chef Randolph Stafford, so having him cook for everyone made the dinner an intimate experience.

STRIKE A CHORD: Acoustic quartet The Bushels filled the evening with blue grass tunes.

BOOGIE DOWN: Mary’s childhood friend—Macon-native Mal Jones, a member of The Bushels—provided bluegrass tunes.

FESTIVE FARE: Served in clear glasses, the ceviche’s vibrant hues sprinkled the supper spread with color.

A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY: A simple rose and solitary votive echoed Mary’s vision of a “vintage, organic, and laidback Lowcountry” affair.

PASS THE PEACHES: Antique bookshelves held South Carolina peach cobbler for dessert.

PRETTY PYROTECHNIQUES: Mary and Moyer were all smiles as they exited The Cotton Dock amidst a sea of long-stemmed sparklers.

ALL ABOARD! The newlyweds waved goodbye to family and friends as they exited via the creek that runs along Boone Hall Plantation.

Mary Rivers & Moyer Fountain
July 2, 2011
The Cotton Dock at Boone Hall Plantation

After meeting during a party at her Sullivan’s Island home and a date at Amen Street Grill soon after, Mary Rivers and Moyer Fountain dove headfirst into romance. “When Moyer and I met, there was a spark,” says Mary. “After our first date, you could not separate us.” So it was right as rain when post-dinner at Husk restaurant on their first anniversary, Moyer dropped to one knee with a family ring in hand. Mary said “Yes,” and the two celebrated with champagne and a toasty fire. In no time, the couple pooled their passions, his as a timber framer and hers as an interior designer, to concoct a vintage-styled affair.

They choose the rustic, wood-framed barn at Boone Hall’s Cotton Dock, and, inspired by sunsets and the marsh there, Mary jumped into planning. She aimed for a close-knit celebration set in a natural, organic atmosphere and dressed in persimmon and olive tones. Making a point of hiring local vendors, she enlisted Christy Loftin of Details Charleston for day-of coordinating.

On the evening of the ceremony, a cool breeze blew and the waters lapped at the shoreline. Glass droplet vases filled with succulents hung above a wrought-iron cross at the altar overlooking the marsh to frame what Mary says was her favorite part of the day: the ceremony. After exchanging vows, the couple moved inside for a hearty meal under the rafters by Farm Table Catering. As the hours ticked by and the sun sank, its last rays illuminated the couple’s first dance. Mary’s opinion of the night? “Absolutely amazing!”

Vendor List
Band: The Bushels
Bar service: IceBox
Bridal gown: Jenny Packam from White
Bridesmaids' Attire: Bella Bridesmaid
Cake: WildFlour Pastry
Caterer: Farm Table Catering
Ceremony and Reception Location: The Cotton Dock at Boone Hall Plantation
Decor, Florist and Rentals: Ooh! Events
Grooms' and groomsmens' attire: Joseph A. Banks
Photographer: Rick Dean Photography
Planner: Christy Loftin, Details Charleston
Stationery: R.S.V.P. Shoppe, (843) 577-9740
Wedding Design: Mary Rivers

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