I love elopements! I know they’re not for everyone, but for me there’s nothing like an elopement for intimacy and romance – and today’s stunning celebration of love is no exception. Faith & Adam exchanged their vows beneath the bows of a Spanish moss strewn oak tree at Magnolia Plantation, one of America’s most beautiful gardens, in a stylish affair that shows just what makes elopements so very special!

Faith shared how this super sweet couple met at the most unlikely of places….. “Adam and I met when I was a Sophomore in High School, and he was a Junior. We met through a close mutual friend of ours at a Truck & Tractor Pull. If you knew me at all in High School you knew this was most likely the last place you would find me. I was the super sweet, quiet, and pretty shy girl. Adam on the other hand, was quite the opposite.  Joseph, our friend, introduced me to Adam when we got to the pull. His big blue eyes and goofy smile immediately caught my eye. Lucky for me, he was not shy like I was, and immediately struck up conversation. It came so easily between us. It was like we had known each other for years. We talked and were inseparable all night, and he definitely kept me laughing the whole way home at the end of the night too. He walked me to my door, we exchanged numbers, and now here we are almost 7 years later. Married and still best friends.”

What were your favorite parts of the day?

“Honestly, I couldn’t pick a favorite part. The entire day was exactly what we hoped it would be. Although, I will say hearing Adam’s handwritten vows, and getting to read him mine, is a memory I will never forget. It was such a special moment!”

“From the moment I got engaged, I started browsing bridal magazines looking for wedding inspiration and the perfect dress. I knew from the very beginning that I wanted something form fitting to flatter my curves, a pretty back, and all lace. So I thought. I kept pulling the same Maggie Sottero dress out of every bridal magazine, because I couldn’t get over how incredible the dress was, even though it wasn’t ALL lace like I thought I wanted. When it came time to actually go try on dresses, a few of my girlfriends and I went to a local bridal shop in Boone. Lo and behold, the first dress I found that caught my eye was the same Maggie dress that I had pulled out of every magazine.  I tried it on first, and as soon as I slid it on, I knew. I walked out to the mirror and had the biggest smile on my face. I did not want to get out of that dress. It made me feel so pretty and so comfortable. All I could think about was walking down the aisle in that dress to Adam standing there in his USMC Dress Blues.”

Pearls of Wedding Wisdom from the Bride…

“For the sake of your sanity, worry about yourselves. And I mean that in the best way possible. Before Adam and I decided to elope, we had gotten so caught up in what everyone else wanted us to do for the traditional wedding we were planning. It started to cause tension and arguments not only between us and family members, but us as a couple as well. Let me be the first to tell you, it’s not worth it. Your wedding day is YOUR wedding day. Be considerate and kind to others, but make sure you put yourselves first, it is YOUR special day. If you wanna run off and elope, go. If you prefer a DJ over a live band, get a DJ and give him every song you want played. If you want pie instead of cake, get a pie. No one will remember the little details that cause the tension. What they will remember is how much fun they had, how happy you are as a couple, and the beautiful pictures that you have to look back on your day.”

Tell us a little bit about your photographer…

“I could seriously brag on Avonné for days if someone would let me. She was the easiest person to work with. From the moment I contacted her, she was willing to work with our timing, location, and budget without fuss. She was always quick and eager to respond to any email or text I sent her.   When the day of the wedding rolled around, she actually got there early, because she said she was so excited to explore our venue in Charleston.

She was the definition of calm, cool, and collected that day. We both share a love of Frank Sinatra and old classic music, which I had playing while I got ready. We quickly bonded over that. Then the ceremony rolled around, and y’all she captured the most beautiful pictures of our intimate little ceremony.   When it came to the shots after the ceremony, she was so much fun to work with. She kept Adam and I laughing the whole time. It’s so easy to be around someone as genuine and bubbly as Avonné, and our pictures clearly show that. She knew when to catch the funny pictures and when to let Adam and I have a moment and catch the more special and intimate shots. Like I said before, I could go on for days. But all in all, Avonné is truly wonderful to work with.”

VIEW THE GALLERY

Isn’t it perfection?? I think those smiles say it all! And I couldn’t agree more with Faith’s pearls of wedding wisdom. Many many congratulations to the happy couple, Faith & Adam, and a heartfelt thankyou to them and photographer Avonné Photography for allowing me to share their beautiful celebration with you. If you love Avonné’s style of photography and would like to see more of her work, pop and take a peek at this snowy Winter bridal shoot (at the most stunning British Abbey) or head on over to her website at www.avonnephotography.com, and be sure to follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest!

Or if you’re considering an elopement and are looking for more inspiration then you will love this romantic affair at Hammersky Vineyards, or Beatrice & Gabriele’s on Viverone Lake, Italy or how about this chic city hall elopement? Oh and this enchanting Venice elopement is one not to be missed!

Amy

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Photography – Avonné Photography // Ceremony Venue – Magnolia Plantation // Event Planning – Jenna Leak Events // Floral  Design – Jenna Leak // Officiant – Two Guys and a Wedding // Wedding Cake – Daphnes Bakery // Wedding Ring – Diamonds Direct // Bridal Boutique – Dar-Lynn’s Bridal // Wedding Dress – Maggie Sottero // Submitted via Matchology