“While we had many mutual friends, we did not start to date until our junior year,” Ashley Klepadlo reveals about her high school sweetheart, Benjamin White. “We have been together ever since.” While visiting Charleston, South Carolina one year, Ben proposed to his beloved while watching a beautiful sunset in the park.

The pair spent more than a year planning their destination wedding, which rightfully occurred at a plantation in the same city in which they got engaged. “It was important for us to find a venue that could accommodate all aspects of our wedding – pre-ceremony cocktail hour, ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception,” the bride explains. “[Our venue] was unique as it allowed us to utilize different locations for each aspect of the wedding without requiring our guests to leave the grounds.”

The couple’s ceremony took place outdoors beneath a stately tree on the manicured lawn of the property. One of the most heartfelt elements of the nuptials was the surprise procession of two canine companions. “We had two rescue puppies that walked down the aisle with one of Ben’s groomsmen to honor [our] sisters who have passed and both shared a great love for animals,” the bride tells.

“It was incredible for us to look at all the people who traveled so far to be with us on our special day. It was a moment we will not forget.”

After the newlyweds said their I dos, guests entered the cocktail hour accompanied by the sounds of live music. “We had gospel singers walk the guests to the cocktail party singing several songs, starting with ‘Oh Happy Day,’” Ashley remembers. The couple pursued a simple, two-toned palette of white and green, which was carried out through the floral décor for the reception.

“All of our centerpieces were a mix of beautiful white flowers with greenery,” the bride says. “Our head table, which sat 28 people, had a beautiful floral arrangement draping all the way down the middle.” They additionally honored the weddings of their relatives with a family photograph display. “We did a generational photo collage, which featured wedding pictures from both parents and sets of grandparents.” A live band and sunglasses featuring the duo’s wedding hashtag, #NiceDayForAWhiteWedding, helped to keep up the energy of the celebratory occasion.

For couples preparing for their own weddings, Ashley passes along a piece of advice: “Step aside during the reception and have a quiet moment between the two of you,” she encourages. “It was incredible for us to look at all the people who traveled so far to be with us on our special day. It was a moment we will not forget.”