Meredith & Jonathan’s Springtime wedding at The HIstoric Rice Mill Building in Charleston, South Carolina starting with bridal prep at Charleston Place Hotel and ceremony at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, photographed by Shelby Stewart Photography.
Dreamy Spring afternoon for a Mill Creek Equestrian Center Wedding in Statesboro, Georgia inspired by Savannah designer Tara Skinner Events and captured by Mark Williams Studio
Carolina & John Allen’s Holiday Wedding at The Tabby Place at The Beaufort Inn in Beaufort, South Carolina by Courtney Price Photography
Hannah & Brandon’s Westin Hilton Head Wedding in the Grand Ocean Terrace with white orchids by Leigh Hayward Photography and Amanda Rose
Katy + Jordan's southern engagement session from Hiram Trillo Photography gets me excited for cooler weather and the Fall! Not only am I smitten with the gorgeous, natural light and perfect photography, but I'm absolutely loving the sweet couples spot-on attire choices. Classic, timeless and chic.
The Island House is slowly becoming one of my favorite Charleston wedding venues. It's the epitome of all things Lowcountry. It has a view that you just can't beat, and it's perfect location never fails to provide some killer sunsets, which always sets the mood for receptions that make me wish I was there! University of Georgia grads, Natalie + Matt, tied the knot along the banks of the Stono River this past Spring in front of their dearest family and friends, and lucky for us, Studio 1250 Photography was there to capture the venue, the details and this adorable couple and their lively, Charleston wedding!
Charleston Wedding Vendors
Photography: Studio 1250 Photography / Event Planning: Elizabeth Grace Occasions Catering: Saigon Catering / Florist: WildFlowers, Inc. / Entertainment: The Music Maker
I just love when our Lowcountry brides personally send over their engagement sessions and weddings for us to share! It's always fun to finally put a face with an email address. Beautiful bride-to-be Katie is in full on planning mode for her Hilton Head Wedding next year. She's assembled a fabulous team of vendors for her big ol' Southern wedding and I just can't wait to see everything come together. So, to hold us over until the big day, Katie sent over her classic, Washington D.C. engagement session with fiance Nick along the Georgetown Waterfront...aren't they adorable?
Brittani, of Britt Croft Photography, is back, and this time, the bride-to-be is giving us some fabulous tips to keep in mind when picking your Lowcountry vendors... Hey ALW readers! I’m back again, this time spilling on some of our vendor choices. Hiring quality vendors is SO important. You really want to work with people that truly care about how important this day is in your life and respect and appreciate your business and budget.
When choosing vendors…
- Don’t be afraid to meet with a few different vendors in each category that you are looking for. I felt kind of bad about doing this…like I was sneaky and price shopping. But as a bride, it’s your prerogative to ensure you’re finding the best fit for you. Just be honest if anyone asks, and make sure you are polite and kind about it. I knew what kind of food we wanted for our wedding (good ‘ole down home country cooking!), so I inquired with three or four caterers in the beginning. Surprisingly enough, one got back to me immediately, two took weeks to get back to me, and one never did. Obviously that says a lot, and if I had only inquired with one and thought that was the normal wait time for inquiries, I may have hired a company that wouldn’t pay my wedding food much attention. Regardless, it’s always good to meet with several different options to get a feel for who will be a best fit for your type of wedding, your personality, and your budget.
- Try to meet in person. Getting a feel for someone in person can be totally different over email or the phone. How do they dress? Are they timely? Are they polite? Do they come prepared and organized? Are they enthusiastic or overbearing? These things may seem silly, but they say a lot about how this person will be on the day of your wedding. Will they be presentable and professional? On time and polite to your guests? This is hugely important!
- Ask to see examples of their work, reviews from past brides, or a taste test. This may seem like common sense, but its crazy how many brides skip on the little things. Tasting the food beforehand or hearing about what past brides felt about the planner you are sitting down with can make a big difference in how your wedding day flows.
- Who have your friends used? Ask around to your married friends and find out what vendors they used and loved or wouldn’t recommend. What’s better than hearing it straight from someone who has experienced a service previously?
So who have we chosen to work with for our wedding? Remember are getting married at The Pavilion at Pepper Plantation, so almost all of our vendors are located in the greater Charleston area.
- Photographer: Katelyn James, Richmond, VA
- Caterer: The Crazy Dutchman, Charleston
- Florist: WildFlowers, Inc., Summerville
- Cake and Cupcakes: Publix in Mt. Pleasant (Don’t judge – I will be writing more about this later!)
- Rentals: Group Dynamics, Charleston
- Hair and Makeup: Bellezza Salon & Spa, Charleston
- DJ: The Party Music, Roy Palmgren, Charleston
Who have you chosen to work with for your big day? What were some of your challenges choosing or finding vendors that fit your vision? Leave a comment and let me know – I’d love to hear!
Lauren + Garrett tied the knot this June, just outside of Charleston, South Carolina, at the beautiful, Old Wide Awake Plantation. While creating their Lowcountry wedding, the couple wanted to reflect their Southern roots, strong family bonds and modern vintage style...and thanks to Richard Bell Photography, we get to see every last detail! Lauren prepped for the day in a monogrammed button up, before her and her maids threw on their cowboy boots and gowns. As an ode to the bride and groom, guests were gifted navy croakies to honor their Tennessee and South Carolina heritage. The rustic reception was accented to perfection with navy and burlap decor, while guests dined on shrimp and grits and a slew of other Lowcountry treats.
This charming, Charleston wedding boasts an adorable color palette of red, white and blue, breathtaking views of the South Carolina Lowcountry and a Southern bride with impeccable taste. Everything you could possibly ask for, right? The sweet couple were married on a family friend’s plantation in Awendaw, where Bride Chelsea dazzled in a beautiful gown that featured a flattering, ruffled neckline. The bridesmaids donned blue gowns and sassy, red shoes, while the dapper gentleman rocked tan suits and bowties. Combining the classic, Southern attire of the bridal party with the picturesque backdrop of this stunning South Carolina plantation, and you’re bound to fall in love with every detail of this Charleston wedding from Diana Deaver Photography!
Don't you love a good-looking, Southern gentleman dressed to the nines? You don't have to answer, I already know you're shaking your head 'yes'! Luckily, our Lowcountry grooms sure know how to add their classic, Southern style to their wedding day, and this round up of our favorites will show you how the men of South Carolina do it best! In Hilton Head, you'll find the boys draped in seersucker. At a Charleston wedding, they'll be rocking classic, black tuxedos, and the men in Myrtle Beach are fans of a tan suits and preppy bowties! So tell us, what will your dapper dudes be wearing?
Hopefully, everyone enjoyed their Lowcountry weekend, and for those of you in Charleston, hope you made a trip out to Kiawah for the PGA Championship! We're kicking off this sleepy Monday with a sweet, Southern wedding in Clemson, South Carolina from Charleston-based wedding photographer, Lauren Jonas. Emily looked effortless in a romantic lace gown with a soft up-do and white hydrangea bouquet. Will and the rest of the guys rocked tan suits accented with purple ties and bouts.
Oh, Paul Johnson! What have you done to me with this gorgeous, coastal engagement session? Snapped along the Florida shoreline in beautiful Seaside, the camera fell in love with the adorable Sasha + Riley. Not only was the backdrop flawless, but the duo's effortless style combined with the talents of Paul Johnson Photography made for an engagement session that tops my list of favorites. Simply perfect.
I'll tell you what, there's not much I love more than a perfect Charleston bridal session and this one from Sweet Tea Imagery is high on my list! Let's be serious, you drop a timeless Southern Bride into a picturesque Lowcountry setting and you're bound to get a little Charleston wedding heaven. Mary looked stunning in a classic gown and dreamy veil which she sported at Boone Hall Plantation before heading to beach...and we're just head-over-heels in love with every minute of it :)
If you're a fan of a gorgeous outdoor ceremony location that's framed by statuesque palmetto trees and accompanied by the faint scent and sounds of the ocean in the background....well, then we've got a treat for you! A Lowcountry Wedding favorite, Richard Bell Photography, was on hand to capture Becky + Jason's Charleston wedding at the immaculate Wild Dunes Resort on the Isle of Palms. In addition to their talented photographers, the couple recruited a slew of Charleston's favorite wedding vendors to assist them in pulling off their dreamy, Spring affair. Tiger Florist created vibrant bouquets and centerpieces in a beautiful color scheme of pink, orange and green, while Cakes by Kasarda created a classic (and delicious!) cake that complimented their preppy, Southern affair. But most of all, we love the pom poms (Go Dawgs, anyone?)
Photographer: Richard Bell Photography / Venue and Caterer: Wild Dunes Resort / Event Planner: Tiger Lily Weddings / Musicians: Bryan Mahanes- Sitarist,Charleston Chamber Players / Dress Store: La Raine's Bridal Boutique / Cake Designer: Cakes by Kasarda / Equipment Rentals: Stage Presence
There are days where I just can't tear myself away from Pinterest and thanks to all the wonderfully creative people that I follow, I'm usually knee deep in some serious wedding inspiration. Lucky you for you girls, I just can't keep these beautiful Southern secrets to myself! One of my favorite recent findings is wine barrels (sigh!). They're the perfect touch to a gorgeous Charleston, Hilton Head or Myrtle Beach Wedding! They're classic charm and rustic appeal make them the perfect addition to your Lowcountry wedding!
Call me a sucker, but send me a Charleston wedding at a beautiful Lowcountry venue with a gorgeous, Southern bride, adorable Southern details, and a man in a kilt and you better believe I will post it for all the world to see! Jessica + Elliotte selected The Pavilion at Pepper Plantation to host their outdoor ceremony and, later, their happening celebration! With the help of Ashley from An Event to Remember, the bride was able to incorporate her groom's Scottish heritage into an irresistible, rustic evening. They included burlap throughout, bales of hay at the ceremony, boiled peanuts, charming bouquets and centerpieces from Country & Lace and, my personal favorite, a S'mores Bar! Thanks to the crew at Richard Bell Photography for capturing yet another perfect Charleston wedding!
Charleston Wedding Vendors
Reception and Ceremony Venue: Pavillion at Pepper Plantation / Photographer: Richard Bell Photography / Event Design/Coordinator: An Event to Remember / Cake: Family Friend / Dress Shop: Bridals by Jodi / Hair & Makeup: Vanity Salon SC / Bridesmaids dresses: Davids Bridal / Floral Design: Country and Lace Florist / Entertainment: Complete Music / Stationery: DIY / Rentals: Group Dynamics / Favors: DIY Candy Bar / Bar Services: Synder Bar
Now, don't get me wrong, married life is heaven, but I'll tell you what...being engaged was a blast! It's an exciting time and I hope everyone takes full advantage of all the showers, cake tasting, venue tours and all the fabulous wedding related events. You don't need to tell me, I know the whole planning process can be truly overwhelming (stressful, crazy...pick your choice of adjective!) but Lowcountry brides are in luck! The Myrtle Beach wedding planners at Stunning & Brilliant Events are hosting a 3-hour interactive seminar on September 9th that is catered to you. With what's sure to be a laundry list of the Lowcountry's top wedding vendors to assist and educate, this will be an event I promise you don't want to miss this. Don't wait to RSVP, it's limited to a handful of lucky brides.
I was pretty blown away when I laid my eyes on April's Bridal Portraits (and just wait, you will be, too!) captured by Riverland Studios. April's basically the definition a timeless beauty. Truthfully, she reminds me of Kate Middleton. Not only is she gorgeous, her entire ensemble is effortlessly perfect. The Lowcountry session kicked off at one of Charleston's favorite wedding venues, The William Aiken House, where April stunned in her strapless wedding gown from the Gown Boutique of Charleston, that she accented with an embellished sash around the waist. She carried an elegant bouquet designed by InventivENVIRONMENTS, which complimented her killer shoes (seriously, aren't that fabulous?) and those jaw-dropping earrings.
The Lowcountry is all about the water, so it's no surprise that brides and grooms flock to many of the area's wedding venues that highlight the region's most-prized possession and today's couple, Ellen + Bryan is no different! They took full advantage of the Island House's prime location on the banks of the Stono River when planning their late, Spring nuptials. They started with a low-key, outdoor ceremony before treating their guests to a lively, Charleston reception by the water! Guests were treated to Lowcountry cuisines from Hamby Catering including tasty ham biscuits and a to die for Shrimp and Grits bar! With the help of Elle Courtney Events and the floral design team of O.K. Florist, the entire event featured a preppy, Southern color palette of navy and pink. As always, thanks to the oh-so-talented team of Richard Bell Photography for capturing this gorgeous, Southern wedding and that beautiful, Charleston sunset.
Charleston Wedding Vendors
