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