Goodness do we have a treat for you today! Today’s wedding featuring a gorgeous plus size bride out of South Carolina stars lovely gardens, historic buildings and vintage everything. Bride Shanna had her wedding at Magnolia Manor Bed and Breakfast. With black watch plaid and tartan everywhere, green blue and black decorated the reception. Shanna even did some DIY details including cards with quotes and vintage buttons as well as black watch tartan ribbon boutonnieres. Lovely!
How did the two of you meet? We first met on the Internet dating site OkCupid. Dale messaged me and I wasn’t very responsive to him due to other things going on in my life at the time. An entire year later he tried again, and after a month of us messaging and texting back and forth we went on our first date, which consisted of driving around for several hours talking. Best date ever! Describe your engagement: We had a year long engagement, to the day. We picked our first date as our wedding date so we’d always only have 1 day to remember for at least 3 different special memories! Keep it simple, I always say. Personal or handmade details: I had no bridesmaids; I got my two brothers to be bridesmen and groomsmen at once! They agreed as long as I wouldn’t make them wear “pink frilly stuff.” They also walked me down the aisle. I handmade my invitations, the quotes cards with vintage buttons, and the boutonnieres. Describe your Flowers: Gorgeous ivory roses with Scottish thistle and baby’s breath, wrapped with the Black Watch tartan ribbon. Simple but stunning! Memories and Stories about the Day: From the bride: All through rehearsal and the morning before the wedding, I was making a big deal with Dale about being sure we looked at each other as we exited back up the aisle, so we could get good lovey pictures immediately after the ceremony. Well, the time came and of course, I forgot! Dale was nudging me as we went up the aisle and finally I realized why and looked at him and we just laughed. From the groom: “Me poking you going back up the aisle!” So, the same story as the bride!! Your first dance song: A cover I made myself of the song Come Rain or Come Shine The thing that we would have done differently is? I kind of wish we didn’t forego the videography. The photographer did an excellent job catching looks and special moments, but when thinking of posterity.. a video would have been nice. If we could have spend our wedding dollars differently, we would have: Not a thing, we were totally pleased with our money decisions! Your advice for other plus size brides: If you are beating yourself up for being plus size, don’t. The wedding industry is inundated with stick figure models, and it isn’t fair. Pretty Pear Bride (along with very few others) narrow the gap a bit! Your man (or woman!) loves you just the way you are, and you will be a gorgeous bride. I found an immense amount of inspiration and confidence looking through Pretty Pear Bride’s content, and this is my way of paying it forward a little bit. Be you and be fantastic! What has surprised you most during the first few months of marriage? From the bride: How very much the same and how very different I feel all at the same time. It is difficult to describe! From the groom: “I’m glad everything stayed the same as it was before we got married, because that’s why I fell in love with you.”
Vendor Love ~ Photographer: Kenny Fey Photography | Wedding Planner: JoAnn Blake & Joyce Collins at Magnolia Manor B&B | Invitations & Calligraphy: DIY invitations by bride | Jewelry: bands and engagement rings by Helzberg, earrings by Diva Designs Inc, bridal hairclip by Veils by Kathy Johnson | Bride’s Attire: Lace Illusion Wedding Gown by Kiyonna | Groom’s Attire: fredperry.com & Ross Stores | Ceremony Location: Magnolia Manor B&B covered garden patio | Reception Location: Magnolia Manor B&B Reception hall | Music/Entertainment: Just Call Ben | Rentals and Décor: Magnolia Manor B&B Package | Officiate/ Minister: Pastor Mike Babb via Magnolia Manor B&B