DIY Centerpieces

We've got a big week on the horizon at A Lowcountry Wedding!  For starters, we'll be teaming up with a crew of crazy, talented Charleston wedding vendors for a nautical-inspired shoot at the South Carolina Aquarium that is going to knock. your. socks. off.   On Thursday, you'll find us at The NotWedding with some of South Carolina's finest wedding vendors as we treat Lowcountry brides to an evening full of inspiration at the beautiful Rice Mill Building, but in the meantime, Blake is showering you with some easy, yet impactful, do-it-yourself centerpieces.

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I just love the idea of using vintage bottles as flower centerpieces. You can use different sizes, shapes, and colors. There are so many things you can do with them and they just look so cute!

If you want to add a pop of color you can do it yourself! All you have to do is pour paint on the inside of the vase and swirl around to coat. So easy!

Images via La Chica de la Casa De Carmelo

XO,

Blake

Intern {Elizabeth}

Last, but certainly not least, I’m excited to officially introduce you to Elizabeth, who some of you may lovingly refer to as Spelly!  I’ve got a feeling everyone will soon be falling in love with her envious sense of style, her humorous approach to wedding planning and her love for all things Lowcountry.  Y’all say hi to Elizabeth! .

Tell us a little bit about yourself…and by a little, we mean a lot :)

My name is Elizabeth and I’m your typical 20-something recent graduate who is trying to navigate the super murky waters of the “real world”. I’m was born and raised in beautiful Charleston, SC and am so excited to explore all my amazing hometown has to offer in the upcoming months with A Lowcountry Wedding! I played competitive tennis for the majority of my life but hung up my rackets after playing for two years for the women's team at Villanova University. While I still play from time to time, now I like to mix it up and stay active by running, doing yoga, spinning, barre, taking my puppy to the beach… you name it. I'm a complete Francophile - French cities, people, language, culture, food - I love it all and would move to Paris tomorrow if I could. I’m a self-proclaimed bookworm and a complete Harry Potter nerd. Other slight obsessions: shopping, any beach or boat related activity, eating awesome food, and spending time with my family and friends. Speaking of my family I have a little sister who often gets mistaken for my twin, awesome parents who have recently become my “roomies”, and Maddie my precious mutt-dog. Like any family they can drive me crazy, but without them I wouldn’t be who I am  today.

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Top Five All-time favorite TV Shows…

Ok, so I wasn’t able to narrow it down to 5 but I’ve got 3 categories for you!

• Go-to’s: Sex and the City and Friends. I’ve seen all the episodes so many times that I can recite them but the story lines and characters never fail to put a smile on my face.
• Guilty pleasures: Grey’s Anatomy and Pretty Little Liars. I watch these religiously for a weekly dose of absurd drama, romance, and mystery. 
• Nerdy obsessions: Downton Abbey and Game of Thrones. Downton appeals to my love of historical fiction and GoT to my epic/fantasy obsession (and I’ve read the whole series). Like I said, NERD.

. What are you excited to bring to the table this summer?

I have always had a passion for writing, which is what drew me to the editorial opportunity at A Lowcountry Wedding. I’m excited to put this to use as well as explore my creative potential as my new teammates and I continue to expand the blog and combine our talents to create the new virtual magazine!

 What’s your favorite thing about weddings?

I’m not a super emotional person and rarely cry, but weddings can really get to me. From the bride and groom, to their family and friends, everyone is filled with so much love and genuine happiness for the couple – gah when my first friend got married last summer I was a wreck! It took some practice but thankfully I’ve learned to keep my tears in check.

It’s Friday and you just cashed your paycheck….what’s your first splurge?

In my real life? A night out with my friends. In my dream life? I’m bringing in the big bucks, so a ridiculously awesome pair of shoes.

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If you were a major league baseball player, what would be your ‘at-bat’ song?

O wow this is so hard because my taste in music is all over the place. Back in my tennis days Nelly’s “Heart of a Champion” always got me fired up because he yells “Did you hear that Elizabeth, here comes the big one!” in the intro so I guess I’d have to pick that!

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Hometown: Charleston, South Carolina

College/Major: University of South Carolina, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing and Management

Favorite Item of Clothing...

My Lululemon crop wunder under pants - I could live in those things.

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Favorite Summer beverage..

I know its finally summer when I can scoop up a Painkiller (recently renamed “Gamechanger” just FYI) from Home Team on Sullivans and head to the beach.

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Current favorite color palette...

Pale blues or purples mixed with neutrals always manage to catch my eye!

Favorite Quote...

"It's no accident, I think, that tennis uses the language of life. Advantage, service, fault, break, love, the basic elements of tennis are those of everyday existence, because every match is a life in miniature... Points become games become sets become tournaments, and it's all so tightly connected that any point can become the turning point. It reminds me of the way seconds become minutes become hours, and any hour can be our finest. Our darkest. It's our choice."

- Andre Agassi, Open

Must have Lowcountry Wedding detail...

Sweetgrass anything - it is such a unique part of Lowcountry culture and can make a beautiful accent!

 Welcome to the team!

xo, Erin

Introducing the Wedding Woes

Here at A Lowcountry Wedding we strive to bring to life the best of local weddings on a regular basis. With the area's skilled vendors, top of the line venues, and the incomparable beauty of the Carolina lowcountry putting together a picture perfect moment seems almost effortless. However we know from experience, just as well as you do, that a lot more happens behind the scenes as the journey to the altar progresses.

While the final result may be flawless, weddings can bring out the worst in people – from bridezilla to the absent maid of honor – its incredible the drama that can arise in the midst of all that planning! As a bride, bridesmaid, or just a friend, we’ve all found our self in the midst of pre-marital mayhem so we decided to create the Wedding Woes. The purpose of the Wedding Woes series is to share real life stories with our readers with the hopes you can relate them to your current frustrations, laugh while remembering past disasters, and at the end of the day come away a little wiser.

And as with any good story, there is always a lesson to be learned, so the ALW team will be putting together our noggins to  come up with the best way to (try!) and avoid all the drama so the special day goes off without a hitch!

So let’s hear it ladies! Email submissions to elizabeth@alowcountrywed.com. And don’t fret, absolute discretion will be enforced!

The NotWedding Charleston {Save-the-Date}

As many of you have heard, The NotWedding is heading to the Lowcountry in TWO short weeks!  This big ol’ fake wedding is taking place at one of our favorite Charleston wedding venues, the Historic Rice Mill Building, and is bound to blow your little socks off.  Literally!  They’ve assembled a cast of crazy, talented wedding vendors to provide you an evening of amazing food, awe-inspiring décor and one heck of a good time.  But you know what’s really awesome…they’re offering 2 lucky ALW readers a pair of tickets to attend the event!  That’s right, grab your hubby-to-be, mom or MOH to enjoy this Lowcountry bash!  To enter, leave a comment, tweet us or facebook us telling us just how much you want to attend!  Winners will be chosen next week :)  .

So, if you thought we were kidding, or semi-exaggerating about just how awesome this event is going to be, check out The NotWedding Charleston Save-the-Date photo shoot from Lime Green Photography and tell me you aren't dying to see what else they've got up their sleeves.  It’s insane…

Charleston Engagement {Noah + Sarah}

When Stefanie of sMm Photography asked Noah + Sarah to pick an activity for their Charleston engagement session, the adorable twosome decided to pull out their tandem bike and head on over to the West Ashley Greenway, and they couldn't have picked a more picturesque backdrop!  The old souls both have a casual, retro style that they incorporated into their outfits. Noah picked a retro, skinny tie, and Sarah decided to wear a modern dress with vintage jewelry. Thanks to sMm Photography for capturing this beautiful Lowcounry afternoon!

Charleston Wedding Vendors

Photographer: sMm Photography

The NotWedding {Vendor Applications}

Just in case you haven't heard, our friends at The NotWedding are heading to Lowcountry in just a few weeks and, lucky for all you Charleston wedding vendors, you can still be involved.  That's right...it's the last call for vendor applications! This bridal show alternative in the form of a big, fake wedding is coming to the Rice Mill Building June 13th, and they'd love to hear from any local wedding vendors interested in joining in on all the fun! They especially love hearing about new businesses, so don't be shy! You can find out more and apply online at www.thenotwedding.com/apply.

I actually was lucky enough to recently mix and mingle with the crew of vendors involved in this season's NotWedding Charleston just a few weeks ago, and I'll tell you what...it is one talented group!  We munched on delicious Lowcountry cuisine at Rue de Jean from Holy City Hospitality that included oysters, ham biscuits and mac and cheese as Angela Cox captured the entire evening.  Can't wait til June!

Fripp Island Wedding {Paige + Andy}

Destination wedding photographer, Jeremie Barlow, recently traveled to the Lowcountry to capture a beautiful Fripp Island wedding and y'all are going to go crazy over it!  The couple met when Bride Paige visited a winery in Napa and, lo and behold, her soon-to-be Husband Andy was the owner.  After a whirlwind romance, they fell madly in love and Paige now resides in wine country where the duo produces Lambert Bridge wine!  As a child, Paige frequented the sleepy, coastal town of Fripp Island, so it was the obvious choice for their destination wedding which made for quite the effortlessly elegant Lowcountry affair.

 Lowcountry Wedding Vendors

Photographer:  Jeremie Barlow Photography  /  Event Planner:  Fripp Island Golf and Beach Resort  /   Reception Venue:  Fripp Island Country Club  /   Cinema and Video:  Life Stage Films

Old Sheldon Ruins {Judianna + Chris}

Some of you may have already heard that we’re ramping up for a huge summer here at A Lowcountry Wedding, starting with the launch of our first ever online Publication (yay!).   What does that mean for you?  We need real weddings!  We’ve started accepting submissions for the best Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach and Charleston weddings that were photographed in the past year.  To submit, shoot us an email at hello{at}alowcountrywed.com and we can talk details!  Now….onto the good stuff!  When you pair the beauty of the Lowcountry with one helluva of a Southern wedding photographer, the end result is always breathtaking.  Always.   So, when Amy Arrington spent a beautiful Beaufort afternoon capturing Judianna + Chris as they soaked up the scenery at Old Sheldon Church Ruins, what we were left with was simply magical.  Go ahead, get your pin.  I know you want to!

 Lowcountry Wedding Vendors

Photographer: Amy Arrington Photography

Middleton Place Wedding {Jessi + Matt}

If you're in the mood for a Southern plantation wedding, then we've got just the Middleton Place stunner for you!  Jessi + Matt tied the knot last summer in an airy affair that is sure to get your Lowcountry wedding motor running!  The vibrant flowers laced with bright peonies were a lovely match for the bridesmaids's grey dresses while Bride Jessi was the picture of perfection in a one-shoulder gown.  Guests were treated to what looks to be a lively celebration while dining on Lowcountry staples like She  Crab Soup and corn pudding!  Thanks to Patrick Hall Photography for capturing all the fun!

 Charleston Wedding Vendors

Reception Venue:  Middleton Place  /  Photographer:  Patrick Hall Photography

Southern Weddings {Cakes}

Just in case you missed the big announcement last night, A Lowcountry Wedding is hiring TWO new interns to assist with some big projects we have coming up this summer, so head on over and check out the details!  We'll be accepting resumes for the next few weeks and hope to have everyone in place towards the end of May.  If you have any questions, feel free to shoot us an email at hello{at}alowcountrywed.com.  We've been seeing some serious wedding cake loveliness throughout the blogsphere recently and figured it was well overdue that we share some of our favorite pins with our favorite readers.  This delicous round-up includes a handful of ah-mazing cakes that are perfect for a Charleston, Hilton Head or Myrtle Beach weddding!

Beaufort Wedding {Ashlee + Brennan}

The team of vendors involved in creating this dreamy, Beaufort wedding are enough to make you stop dead in your tracks (or, at least I did!) but add in the Beaufort Waterfront Pavilion and your working with a Lowcountry wedding from the books.  Bride Ashlee resides in the Washington D.C. area and is the owner of Ashlee Virginia Events, so she understands the importance of enlisting seasoned wedding vendors in executing your big day....and boy, did she do just that!  With the boys in Jos. A. Bank and Ashlee in a stunning Vera Wang, the afternoon kicked off with a traditional ceremony at St. Helena's Episcopal Church.  After, the couple and their lively bridal party snapped a few frame-able images before heading over to the Pavilion for an evening of serious celebration!  The crew at W.E.D. was the brains behind this coastal masterpieces, while talented Tim Will Photography captured all the loveliness.  Enjoy!

Lowcountry Wedding Vendors

Ceremony Venue: St. Helena's Episcopal Church  /   Reception: Beaufort Waterfront Pavilion  /  Caterer: Granville's Catering  /  Rentals: Synder and Amazing Event Rentals  /  Planner and Florist: Weddings Elegantly Designed  /  Dress: Vera Wang  /  Groomsmen Suits: Jos. A. Bank  /  Bridesmaid Dresses: Davids Bridal  /  Band: Last to Leave Band  /  Wedding Cake: Savannah Custom Cakes  /   Grooms Cake: Family Friend  /  Lighting: Stage Front Productions  /  Cocktail Linens: Nuage  /  Photographer: Tim Will Photography

Charleston Bridals {Joanne}

We love when our friends at Richard Bell Photography send over their latest work.  Their timeless approach always has us weak-in-the-knees and Joanne's bridal session is the perfect example!  Joanne is absolutely stunning.  The epitome of a Southern bride, she's graceful and effortless while her style is simply chic.  Check back this afternoon to catch a peek of Joanne's Charleston wedding at the South Carolina Aquarium!

Charleston Wedding Vendors

Photographer: Richard Bell Photography

Cumberland Island Wedding by Lone Pine Photography

We're roadtripping to the Georgia coast for Part II of Southern Wedding Sunday to show off this intimate affair on the rustic Cumberland Island from Lone Pine Photography.  Bride wowed in a strapless gown that paired with a truly stunning red bouquet.  The couple said 'I do' in a private outdoor ceremony before taking a jaunt around the island to capture some seriously stunning images.  Thanks to beautiful Bride Stacy for a sharing a few intimate details about their relationship and engagement. "Todd and I lived at the same apartment complex and met through a mutual friend. We started dating and about 6 months in, I was diagnosed with Melanoma. The tumor was removed and around mid-April the wound became infected staph. I wasn't able to get my leg wet or walk until June and he was there...the entire way, nursing me back to health. I knew then I wanted to marry him. A year and a half later...he became my rock when my mom, really my best friend, was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He took such great care of her and she loved him so much! I remember Thanksgiving and we were all at hospice having the last "family day" and she was comatose but woke up when Todd walked in and kissed her on the forehead and we all had our last conversation. She passed away the following Monday. Long story short...he proposed on 10/15/2011 at Lake Lanier , the last place we went with my mom. I had always planned on a Plantation wedding and when my mom met Todd she said,'You finally met your southern gentleman to give you your plantation wedding.' But once she passed it was to hard to plan. We set a date and nothing was getting done. My best friend has a home on Saint Simons Island and we started looking up an elopement there and the only reason we chose Cumberland was because of Carla's blog. It was everything we wanted without the craziness of a wedding. We had never been to Cumberland, so we literally trusted her pictures to give us the wedding of our dreams and it was so much more than we could have ever imagined! I hope this makes since...I'm balling as I'm writing this. "

 Southern Wedding Vendors

Photographer:  Lone Pine Photography  /  Hair Stylist:  Studio 412  /  Event Planner:  St. Simons Elopements  / Floral Designer:  The Perfect Stem  /  Dress Store:  David's Bridal   /  Venue:  Cumberland Island National Seashore

New Orleans Wedding {Ginger + Chris}

Oh, y'all....we've got a Southern Wedding Sunday on deck that is going to have you pinning your pretty little hearts out!  First up is one of our favorite destination photographers, the great Meg Baisden Photography, who made the trip to the Windsor Court Hotel to capture Ginger + Chris's luxurious, New Orleans wedding.  With the help of Second Line Weddings & Events, the couple went with timeless details for their black tie affair by dressing the men in classic, black tuxedos, the bridesmaids in evening gowns and the tables draped in silver linens with an abundance of dreamy roses and hydrangeas from Kim Starr Wise Floral Events.  Oh, and of course, candlelight.  Ah-mazing!

Southern Wedding Vendors

Event Planner:  Second Line Weddings & Events  /  Reception Venue:  Windsor Court Hotel  /  Photographer:  Meg Baisden Photography  /  Floral Designer:  Kim Starr Wise Floral Events  /  Invitation Designer:  Nico and Lala

Creek Club at I'On wedding {Jenny + David}

Since it's Sunday Funday in the Lowcountry, we've decided to shower you with a few of our favorite Southern weddings.  This darling gem comes to us from Reese Moore Weddings and was shot at one of our favorite Charleston wedding venues, Creek Club at I'On.  Guests were welcomed to the reception by the cheerful sounds of The Plantation Singers and fresh, Carolina peaches in wicker and burlap baskets.  They sipped on specialty drinks in mason jars, engaged in a casual game of cornhole and dined on authentic, Lowcountry cuisine.  We're talking about a delicious dose of barbecue, mac and cheese and buttermilk cornbread!   They bid farewell to their guests in a classic sparkler exit before hopping in a boat to end the night!

 Charleston Wedding Vendors

Photographer: Reese Moore Weddings  /   Hair Stylist:  Stella Nova  /  Caterer:  The Creek Club at I'On  /  Musicians:  The Plantation Singers  /  Reception Venue:  The Creek Club at I'On  /  Dress Designer:  White  /  Cake Designer:  Amelia Claire's Sweets and Treats

Charleston Engagement {Meg + Justin}

I'll be the first to admit that I took a longer than expected Christmas vacay away from blogging.  I couldn't help it.   I was surrounded by my favorite people, cold beverages and great food and just couldn't tear myself away.  So, my apologizes for the lack of posts but don't worry, I'll be making it up to you over the next week!  We're getting started with Meg + Justin's classic, Downtown Charleston wedding engagement session from the fabulous Priscilla Thomas Photography!

 Charleston Wedding Vendors

Photographer: Priscilla Thomas Photography

Folly Beach Engagement {Katie + Adam}

Katie + Adam's laid back, coastal engagement session from Whimsey Photography by Cana is what every Charleston bride hopes for.  With the picturesque Lowcountry as the backdrop, the adorable couple was relaxed and in their element.  The duo kicked things off with a casual walk along Folly Beach before taking a stroll downtown through White Point Gardens.

Charleston Wedding Vendors

Photographer: Whimsey Photography by Cana

Pastel Wedding Gowns {Trends}

Please excuse my absence the past few days.  I've been on the road and far from my laptop!  Everything will be back to normal tomorrow but until then, I wanted to leave you with some prettiness that's oh-so easy on the eyes.  I've been digging the color wedding gown trend in soft pastels a-la Jessica Biel.  That little hint of color takes the romance level up a few notches why still keeping it traditional for this ol' gal.

Southern Wedding {Jenny + Daniel}

If you're anything like me, you spent most of yesterday obsessing over some very important college football games.  Luckily for my team, after their win against Auburn last night, my Georgia Bulldogs will be making another trek to Atlanta to play for the SEC Championship :)  So, before my husband takes over the TV and gets down to business with his fantasy football team this afternoon, I thought I could provide you with some Southern wedding loveliness from Alabama wedding photographer, Erin Lindsey Images.  This stunning May ceremony took place at the Roundhouse Depot in Downtown Huntsville and ended with a beautiful rustic reception adorned with whimsical lanterns that you will just love!

 Southern Wedding Vendors

Photographer:  Erin Lindsey Images  /  Event Planner:  Miss Susie Weddings & Events  /  DJ:  CityBeatz DJ Services  /  Event Venue:  The Roundhouse Depot

Pawleys Island Bridal {Meg}

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of a good Southern bridal portrait shoot,   Add a picturesque, Pawleys Island backdrop, a beautiful, blushing bride and Priscilla Thomas Photography behind the lens and you've got a little slice of Lowcountry wedding heaven!  Dressed in a strapless, lace gown, Southern bride Meg looked stunning on this perfect Spring day.