18 june 2010
DESCRIPTION
our wedding at middleton place plantation, charlestonTRANSCRIPT
t h e m a r r i a g e o f
Na t e Au s t i n Ho s e a Bo yk in
La u r a El izab e th M e l t ona n d
s a t u r d a y t h e e i g h t e e n t h o f j u n et w o t h o u s a n d a n d e l e v e n
m i d d l e t o n p l a c e p l a n t a t i o nc h a r l e s t o n , s o u t h c a r o l i n a
Nate [30] and I [26] started dating in 2005 when I was just 19. At the t ime, I was studying Art History at Emory, while Nate
pursued his music career recording and touring under Eyeball Records. After listening to his music for months, I tagged
along with a mutual fr iend to see a show. In Nate’s words: “We were introduced and spoke briefly . I thought she was
totally out of my league until she showed up a few weeks later in a different city at a different venue, so I started hoping
that my long shot was a lot closer than I had thought . We spent the next day laughing and talking and have been together
ever since.” Following graduation, I moved to Charleston to work as the Gallery Director at Ann Long Fine Art . After 5
years of music, art , traveling, and dabbling in design, we finally sett led in the same city and graduate school . Despite
our differing career paths, we had shared a li fe-long desire to be architects . Currently, we are both working towards our
Masters of Architecture at Clemson University’s School of Architecture. On our fifth anniversary of dating, Nate proposed
in Charleston under an oak tree in Waterfront Park with a sweet song he had written for the occasion. Our closest
fr iends and family had travelled to Charleston for a weekend of surprise celebrations planned by Nate and his parents .
o u r s t o r y
For this special occasion, we allowed ourselves
to indulge in graphics and papers . To make
our ideas feasible, we designed everything
ourselves then found vendors who could
affordably make our designs into reality . Six
months before the wedding, we sent a “Save
the Weekend” to give guests plenty of notice
for the three days of wedding events . The
letter pressed invitations featured a quote
from Captain Corelli ’s Mandolin by Louis de
Bernieres [the full excerpt was read during
the ceremony] as well as an oak tree [both
our proposal and marriage took place under
oak trees] . Blank RSVP cards allowed guests
to write their own responses, an old tradit ion
that has fallen out of practice. We collected
these responses in lieu of a guest book. I t
was incredibly meaningful to receive a
personal note from every guest sharing in our
excitement, even those who could not attend
the ceremony. The invitation and RSVP cards
were placed in vellum envelopes, wrapped
with gray and white twine, and then pressed
with wax seals featuring the “NL” monogram
we designed [the simple monogram was also
used to customize other design elements] .
My mother addressed all the invitations by
hand, following a family tradit ion to ensure
she would know each guest by name before
she even met them. To make guests feel
welcome, we distr ibuted bags containing a
variety of Charleston treats [benne wafers,
Firefly sweet tea vodka, Charleston chews]
and family recipes [cheese straws, granola,
knick-knacks] . Info cards were included
to let guests know our favorite Charleston
spots, wedding weekend events, and a
bit of history about the Plantation and Inn.
you’re invited !
For two architectural students and design fanatics, Nate and I jumped at the chance to design a truly personal wedding full of
Southern tradit ion and modern design. Just a week after our engagement, we booked Middleton Place Plantation, knowing it was the
perfect combination of those two elements . The onsite Inn [designed by one of our favorite southern architects W.G. Clark] allowed
wedding guests to spend the entire weekend together, one filled with various celebratory events, including a low country rehearsal
dinner in Charles Towne Landing, the spot where Charleston was originally founded in 1670, as well as a pool s ide Fiesta in honor of
our Mexican honeymoon. With only 115 guests, we were able to design a lot of handmade elements that would have been impossible
to make for a larger number. To keep the look modern but romantic, we chose a color scheme of clean gray and white with pops of
pink, peach and coral .
th e s e t t i n g
m i d d l e t on pla c e pl an t a t i on
The Gardens at Middleton Place, which Henry Middleton envisioned and began to create in 1741, reflect the grand classic style that remained in
vogue in Europe and England into the early part of the 18th century. Following the principles of André Le Nôtre, the master of classical garden
design who laid out the Palace of Versailles, great attention was paid to woods and water . Rational order, geometry, balance, vistas, focal points,
and surprises were all part of this garden design.
Following sixty years of neglect after the Civil War, in 1925 J . J . Pringle Smith, a direct Middleton descendant, moved to Middleton Place. He
and his wife immediately began a fifteen-year restoration project for which, in 1941, they were presented the Garden Club of America’s highest
award. The Garden Club of America recognized Middleton Place not only as America’s Oldest Landscaped Gardens, but also as the “most
interest ing and important garden in America.”
wedd
ing d
ay !
flowers from my parents
dress by carolina herreraveil by melissa sweet
flats by b
ad
gley m
ischka
the dime my grandfather gave my mother at her wedding
the sixpence from tammy beck, mother of the moh
dress
ing in
the a
shley
river
room
ushers
Ryan Alexander Payne : : Chad Pierson Rochester : : Joshua Madison Kean : : Kenneth Mark McWilliams
th e f i r s t l o ok
“ I a m m y b e l o v e d ’ s a n d m y b e l o v e d i s m i n e . ” S o n g o f S o l o m o n 6 : 3
the ceremony at the octagonal gardens
We were married during a sunset ceremony in the Octagonal Garden next to the Ashley River . So nothing would distract from the extraordinary
sett ing, flowers and décor were kept to a minimum. To dress up the chairs, we tore pink and coral crinkled silk chiffon [the same material as the
bridesmaids’ dresses] into str ips, and then t ied them onto the chair backs, knowing they would flutter in the river breeze. A program tied to a sea
grass fan [used both to keep guests cool and as the favor] was placed in each seat . Arrangements of coral charm peonies and bells of Ireland
appeared to hover in the natural surroundings thanks to glass containers on clear Lucite stands. My bouquet was made of garden roses, veronica,
coral charm peonies, coral gloriosa, hypericum berries, and sweet peas; the bridesmaids’ carried bouquets of parrot tulips, coral charm peonies,
garden roses, veronica, and scabiosa pods. The groom wore a boutonnière of veronica paired with a scabiosa pod and small pink garden rose
that opened during the night to reveal i ts wild green center . The boutonnières were a veronica and scabiosa pod wrapped with pewter wire.
At the beginning of the ceremony, the pastor read a surprise blessing offered by each set of parents . Nature had a few surprises as well – birds, crickets, and
frogs chimed in loudly with the music, while a large white egret took off behind us as we said our vows. One of my favorite moments was when the congregation
prayed silently for our marriage as the gospel choir sang “Down To The River To Pray.” Communion provided another int imate moment shared by only the
two of us while the gospel choir sang “Let Us Break Bread Together .” During our procession as husband and wife, the gospel choir sang “Oh Happy Day.”
The choir continued singing as they led the guests to cocktail hour in the adjacent garden, where everyone joined in with impromptu clapping and singing.
“They will be called oaks of r ighteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah 61:3
officiating minister : : Doctor James Charles Elder, junior
Prelude
Seating of the Family : : “Prelude to Cello Suite Number 1,” Bach
Processional : : “The Swan,” Saint-Saëns
Bridal Processional : : “Trumpet Voluntary,” Clarke
Greeting
Parental Blessing
Presentation of the Bride
Homily
Congregational Blessing : : “As I Went Down to the River to Pray”
Exchange of Vows
Blessing and Exchange of Rings
Communion : : “Let Us Break Bread Together”
The Lord’s Prayer
Declaration of Marriage and Benediction
Recessional : : “Oh Happy Day” c e r e m on y
“Love is a temporary madness, i t erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides, you have to make a decision. You have to work out
whether your roots have so entwined together that i t is inconceivable that you should ever part . Because this is what love is . Love is not breathlessness,
i t is not excitement, i t is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion, i t is not the desire to mate every second minute of the day, i t is not
lying awake at night imagining that he is kiss ing every cranny of your body. No, don’t blush, I am telling you some truths . That is just being “in love”,
which any fool can do. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident .”
“When two hearts are joined in love and all of li fe is shared, this becomes the foundation for the home. Your decision to begin a home calls upon God for
the miracle. Unless the Lord builds the home, any effort that you make will be in vain . The gift of marriage is in more than simply offering vows of fideli ty and
love to each other . This is the story of our lives . From the separate paths that each of you were walking from the moment that you entered the world, your
paths crossed and there you found love. You bring to this moment all the li fe experiences to date and begin a new chapter in your lives together . When
the Bible speaks of two people becoming one, this brings together all the hopes, dreams, ideals, and strength of the two of you into one beautiful home.”
“ Intreat me not to leave you, or to return from following after you.
For where you go, I will go; and where you stay, I will stay. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” Ruth 1:16
“Place me like a seal over your heart , like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death,
i ts jealously unyielding as the grave. Many waters cannot quench love; r ivers cannot sweep it away.
If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, i t would be utterly scorned.” Song of Solomon 8:6-7
Oh Happy Day !
Mr. a
nd M
rs. N
ate A
ustin
Hosea
Boyk
in
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Arthur Melton Doctor and Mrs. Calvin Victor Boykin, senior
parents of the br ide parents of the groom
matron of honor
Jensen Mast Melton
bridesmaid
Carter Blanchard Staplesmaid of honor
Emily Shea Beck
best man
Doctor Calvin Victor Boykin, senior
wedding party
groomsman
Zan Wilson Boykin
groomsman
Blake Neisler Melton
groomsman
William Neisler Melton
groomsman
Jason Rowland Stone
bridesmaid
Brianna Michele Spann
bridesmaid
Sarah Kent Butler
grandparent
Mrs. William Harold Melton
gospe
l cho
ir
During the cocktail hour, the sun finally set and a cool mist crept into the marsh – i t was magical, just like a scene change from a movie. The cellist
and classical guitarist played an assortment of our favorite jazz and Beatles songs, while glasses of pink champagne, to match the peonies, and
sweet tea were passed on trays to help guests cool off after the warm summer ceremony. With Nate and I busy at school, all the handmade details
were truly a family effort . Even my dad pitched in to assemble gray and white str iped paper straws with flags reading “Oh Happy Day.” In lieu of
paper napkins, we used linen hemstitched cocktail napkins, pooled from my grandmother’s linen closet and vintage eBay finds .
cockta il hour
Like most Southern wedding receptions, our meal included various heavy hors d’oeuvres served at stations, which allowed guests to mingle and dance.
We omitted tradit ions such as the bouquet toss and cake cutt ing in favor of an uninterrupted party . On the long rectangular tables, numerous candles
intermingled with arrangements of peonies, garden roses, scabiosa pods, veronica, glorisa, and parrot tulips in shades of white, gray, pink, peach and coral .
Gray and white table clothes combined for a clean look. By chance, we found white “confett i” linens that perfectly matched my Melissa Sweet petal veil .
the pav il ion for dinner and dancing
Being true architecture
nerds, we used the
laser cutter at school to
make all of our signage,
including the “Oh
Happy Day” sign that
hung with hand painted
ribbon over the dessert
bar . A seating area,
cheaply furnished by
Ikea, provided a cozy
spot for guests to relax
and watch the dancing.
In keeping with our Charleston sett ing, all the food was inspired by low country cuis ine. Cocktail hors d’oeuvres, passed on clean white trays,
included wild rice pancakes topped with grilled scallops, purple potato mousse and wasabi caviar; pistachio encrusted goat cheese lollipops with
clover honey and peach coulis ; petite sweet potato biscuits with smoked turkey and mango chutney; and petite lump crab bakes with Cajun caper
remoulade. Reception fare included a mac and cheese bar with creative toppings for the vegetarian bride, as well as shrimp and grits with lobster
Parmesan cream sauce served in martini glasses . A dessert bar replaced the tradit ional cake and included our favorite Southern-inspired desserts
in mini form [chocolate chip pecan pies served with bourbon whipped cream, key limes pies with strawberry compote, red velvet cupcakes, and
peach panna cotta with cream cheese brownies] . Strawberry and mandarin orange French macaroons were not only delicious but also matched
the color scheme. In honor of my Georgia roots, various peach elements were incorporated in the cuis ine [peach coulis and peach panna cotta]
as well as in the décor [peach candies holding the dessert table signage and peaches submerged in tall glass cylinders in floral arrangements] .
Right before our first dance to “Real
Love,” Nate and his band [who were also
our ushers] played the sweet song that
he wrote for our proposal [“Encore” by
The Internet] . Following the tradit ional
dances, I had requested the band play
a surprise “Second Dance” for Nate and
our wedding party – “You Make My
Dreams Come True” by Hall and Oats .
“ you are my encore”
“ it’s
real
love ”
by j
ohn
lenno
n
all my li t t le plans and schemes, lost like some forgotten dreams. seems that all i really was doing was wait ing for you. just like li t t le gir ls and boys,
playing with their li t t le toys . seems like all we really were doing was wait ing for love. don’t need to be alone, no need to
be alone. i t ’s real love, i t ’s real , yes i t ’s real love, i t ’s real . from this moment on i know, exactly where my life will go. seems
that all i really was doing was wait ing for love. don’t need to be afraid, no need to be afraid. i t ’s real love, i t ’s real , yes i t ’s
real love, i t ’s real . thought i ’d been in love before, but in my heart i wanted more. seems like all i really was doing was wait ing for you.
“ alw
ays ”
by fra
nk si
natra
“days may not be fair , always. that ’s when I ’ ll be there, always”
“not for just an hour, not for just a day, not for just a year but always.”
“ i’ll
be th
ere ”
by th
e jack
son 5
“ just call my name and i ’ ll be there.”
you make my dreams come true !
The sparkler send off after midnight ended with Nate’s dad
driving us away in his 1950 green Studebaker that he had spent
years carefully restoring. My Maid of Honor, also a design
student, hand-made and water colored the “Just Married” sign.
j u s t m a r r i e d !
o ff t o m ex i c o a sM r . and Mr s . Bo yk in !
Site : : Middleton Place Plantation [www.middletonplace.org]
[Ceremony in the Octagonal Garden, Cocktail Hour under the Middleton Oak, Reception in the Pavilion]
Lodging : : The Inn at Middleton Place [www.theinnatmiddletonplace.com]
Flowers, Décor and Coordination : : Out of Hand and Ooh! Events [www.shopoutofhand.com]
Catering : : Duvall [www.eventsbyduvall .com]
Photographer : : Harwell Photography [www.harwellphotography.com]
Invitations : : designed by Nate and Laura, printed by Superior Letterpress Company, [www.superiorletterpress .
com] envelopes from Paper Presentation, [www.paperpresentation.com] custom seal design by Nate and Laura
and made by Old School Seals, [www.oldschoolseals .com] twine from Etsy
Programs : : designed by Nate and Laura
Welcome bags : : designed by Nate and Laura
Welcome sign : : painted by Laura and made by her dad
Bride’s att ire : : dress by Carolina Herrera, veil by Melissa Sweet, shoes by Badgley Mischka, earrings by Alexis
Bittar, reception Dress by Tadashi , coral clutch by J .Crew, bracelet was a gift from Laura’s parents [a custom
made bracelet using her mother’s childhood pearls and a handpicked Tiffany diamond]
Groom’s att ire : : tuxedo by Calvin Klein, bowtie by Mountain & Sackett , cuff links by Acme Studio [“Dots” design
by Charles and Ray Eames] , shoes by Hugo Boss, sterling silver studs were a gift from the bride earlier that day
Band : : Professors of Soul [www.theprofessorsofsoul .com]
Ceremony and Cocktail hour music : : Unwind Duo [cello and classical guitar] [www.archermusic .com/unwind.htm]
Gospel Choir : : Spir i tually Yours
Bridesmaids’ Dresses : : two different styles by Melissa Sweet
Makeup : : Tiffany Carnahan at Bella Segreto [www.bellasegreto.com]
Hair : : Hair Affair by Tanesha [www.affairhairbytanesha.com]
Trolley : : Absolutely Charleston [www.absolutelycharleston.com]
Videography : : Briteside Productions [www.britesideproductions .com]
o u r v end o r s