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...
Megan Guest & Patrick Tracy
May 24, 2015
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
After anonymous notes led to a childhood romance, Lawrenceville, Georgia, natives Megan Guest and Patrick (“Pat”) Tracy proved that young love can endure when he proposed at Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards & Winery in California. (The Navy man managed to plan the surprise trip with only 15 minutes of daily phone access.) Vineyard style subsequently set the tone for the couple’s Big Day, and after seeing Magnolia Plantation & Gardens online, Megan booked the venue, pronto. Next, she enlisted the women of Pure Luxe Bride who “took all my jumbled thoughts and made them into a beautiful wedding,” says Megan. When the betrothed pair got to town—their first time here—they celebrated in a setting that subtly accented the already magical location and unmistakably magical moment.
TOP TIPS
Take It from the Tracys ...
• Think outside the box. Wine crates from the vineyard where Pat proposed were used for cake stands.
• Hire a dog nanny to keep your pooch content, and only tie on floral collars moments before the ceremony or photos.
• Customize—and keep— décor. Personalized Mr. & Mrs. Tracy pillows now populate the couple’s home.
• Polaroids (later put into a photo album) are user friendly for older generations who might be baffled by a wedding hashtag. Megan and Pat enlisted junior wedding party members to take snapshots of guests before seating each.
Vendor List:
Event design: Pure Luxe Bride; www.PureLuxeBride.com
Photography: Aaron & Jillian Photography, www.AaronAndJillian.com
Venue: Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, www.MagnoliaPlantation.com
Florals: WildFlowers Inc., www.WildFlowersInc.com
Rentals, linens: EventWorks, www.EventWorksRentals.com
Lounge furniture: Snyder Event Rentals, www.SnyderEvents.com
Catering, bar service: MOSAIC Catering + Events, www.MosaicCateringEvents.com
Cakes: WildFlour Pastry, www.WildFlourPastryCharleston.com
Stationery: Minted, www.Minted.com
Signage, menu, programs: Anna Hobbs, www.AnnaEHobbs.wordpress.com
Bride’s attire: Mikaella (gown), www.MikaellaBridal.com
Beauty: Paper Dolls, www.MyCharlestonWeddingHair.com
Groom’s attire: Men’s Warehouse, www.MensWearhouse.com
Dog nanny: Dog Tired, www.DogTiredSC.com
