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...
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
