Leave your guests with a lasting impression, a good one at that.
I visited historic Boone Hall Plantation in Charleston, S.C. yesterday afternoon. If you haven’t been there, and you’re interested in the history of the south and how slavery impacted the area, I highly recommend a visit.
What’s this got to do with a wedding?
Let me set the stage.
It’s 94 degrees with 75% humidity. I’m walking around in shorts and a tee-shirt, constantly flapping the shirt to generate a little air flow and cool off. Shade is helpful, but you can’t escape the temperature and humidity in the shade.
It’s an old plantation, so all of the roads are really just sandy dirt paths that have been there for 100′s of year. Getting the dust stirred up happens.
The plantation has appeared in many movies, including The Notebook and North & South. It’s picturesque entry through 200+ year old live oak trees with hanging spanish moss is breathtaking. If you can dream up a southern wedding with sweeping views, then you’re probably dreaming about Boone Hall Plantation.
I can imagine there are many weddings booked at Boone Hall Plantation. There was one yesterday afternoon, complete with a beautiful bride, bridesmaids in royal blue, and gentlemen in classic seersucker suits. It really was the quintessential southern wedding.
With all of that beauty, planning, live musicians for the ceremony, amazing views and photo opportunities, what do you think the guests will remember the most?
Probably the 200 yard walk on the dirt road from the parking lot to the wedding/reception area while wearing appropriate wedding attire (suits and cocktail dresses) in a 94 degree/75% humidity day.
Could this have been solved? I don’t know. I would’ve investigated an air conditioned limo/bus to carry people back and forth. Even a carriage drawn by horses would’ve been appropriate, fun for the guests, and much better than the walk.
I wasn’t working the wedding (I’m on vacation), and I’m glad I didn’t have the sweaty, cranky guests at the reception. Please, do your guests a favor and think about their day too, and how pleasant/unpleasant you are making it.
