Romantic Elopement at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens in Charleston, South Carolina // Event design by Pure Luxe Bride // on A Lowcountry Wedding Magazine & Blog

MELISSA & PATRICK

A Magnolia Plantation & Gardens Elopement in Charleston, SC

VENUE: After a surprise proposal at Disney World, where Melissa was presented with her very own glass slipper, Melissa & Patrick decided on an intimate elopement in Charleston, South Carolina. They quickly hired the team at Pure Luxe Bride, who Melissa referred to as her “fairy godmothers”, to design a romantic celebration on the grounds of Magnolia Plantation & Gardens where the magical oak trees, cobblestone roads, and manicured gardens would be the perfect backdrop for their Spring day.

CEREMONY: The couple kept the guest list small, only inviting their immediate family — 10 including the bride and groom — and two Maltese pups for their outdoor nuptials. Melissa’s nephew Charlie led the way, carrying her family’s Bible down the aisle as her sister and brother-in-law sang the processional hymns. At the end of a petal-lined aisle stood a beautiful draped arbor which was embellished by a garland of greenery and clustered blooms of spirit garden roses, blush ranunculus, astilbe, white polo roses and seeded eucalyptus.

AESTHETIC + COLOR PALETTE: “Blush pink has always been my favorite,” admits Melissa, who says it reminds her of Steel Magnolias when Julia Roberts said her wedding would be “blush & bashful”. They paired blush with navy details and greenery accents for a whimsical and timeless affair.

BRIDAL STYLE: After a day of dress shopping, Melissa, her mom and sister made one last stop at Carolina Traditions where she slipped into a Maggie Sottero design her mother picked out. The fit-and-flare Noelle dress was constructed of delicate tulle and lace and featured an illusion neckline, dramatic back, and pearl buttons — it was the romantic silhouette Melissa had envisioned.

Melissa & Patrick's Romantic Elopement at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens in Charleston, South Carolina // Event design by Pure Luxe Bride // on A Lowcountry Wedding Magazine & Blog

TRANSPORTATION: To add a touch of whimsy to the day’s overall vibe, the couple turned to Lowcountry Valet & Shuttle Co. to put their signature vintage spin on the celebration. The morning of the wedding, Melissa and her girls departed from Charleston Place bound for Magnolia Plantation in a 1958 Crown Supercoach in a soft shade of pink. After the ceremony, the newlyweds chose a smaller ’57 Bentley to transport them to their private dinner at Poogan’s Porch, while the rest of the guests boarded the bus.

BEST PIECE OF ADVICE: “You can still have the wedding of your dreams and it be small and intimate,” says Melissa. “There is nothing I would change about the wedding. Pure Luxe Bride was fabulous and had so many different resources and took the stress off this bride. They made sure our elopement was everything we ever wanted and still stayed within the budget.”