08 May Rachel & Rob | Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
One month after meeting at a New York City barbecue festival, Rob helped Rachel move apartments. Like a true urbane gentleman, Rob drove his lady to Ikea and then spent the next 24 hours helping her put together her furniture. “Couples who assemble Ikea furniture together, stay together,” laughs Rachel. Two years later, after completing their first half-marathon together, the pair booked a trip to Mexico for a post-run celebration. (In the weeks leading up to their getaway, Rachel says Rob would play with her rings and ask “Is this a size seven? Feel’s big.” We’d be raising our eyebrows too, Rachel. And still, when Rob popped the question on the beach in Mexico one evening as the sun went down, everything was perfection. When it came time for their Big Day, they hired Pure Luxe Bride and geared up for a romantic outdoor Southern soireé at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens on the 28th of October (an anniversary date for both sides of their families). Rachel, something of a crafty queen, pitched in and made acrylic table numbers, flower girl signs, and even a corn hole game with a little help from her grandfather. For his part, Rob brewed beer and packed it into monogrammed carriers for his groomsmen. But our favorite homemade element: Rob engraved Rachel’s favorite poem (“I Carry Your Heart” by E.E. Cummings) on a locket that she wrapped around her bouquet. Too sweet for words. Scroll on for all of the romantic photos from Cana Dunlap Photography.
Photographer: Cana Dunlap | Planner: Pure Luxe Bride | Florist: Wildflowers Inc | Catering: Mosaic Catering | Cake: Sablée | Desserts: Swank Desserts | Ensemble: Palmetto Strings | DJ: DJ Wade, OtherBrother Entertainment | Videographer: Hart to Heart Media | Rentals: EventWorks
