Memory Lane

Everyone that knows me, knows that I love to create memories and what better way at weddings, than creating the couple's own Memory Lane? We use these wonderful wrought iron posts that we have in stock. However, you can use anything from garden posts to shepherd's hooks. Attach "growing up" photos of you both and line the path to the ceremony site to give your guests an extra surprise upon entering. They'll love sharing stories and marvel at "how fast time has gone by" as they see all those wonderful prints.

Beach Weddings

With Beach Weddings, it's all about the details.
From a RAIN backup to transportation for the guests,

it all has to be planned out accordingly and in advance.

For tips on Beach Weddings, contact us with questions!

info@beachweddingsincharleston.com

A Charleston Event & Bridal Library

843-388-8000

A Place for Bouquets

I love the idea of having the girls in the bridal party having a special place to put their bouquets when they walk into the reception site. Instead at their tables, why not include their beautiful bouquets as an integral part of the Guest Book Table or where you would put Gift Cards? What a beautiful display and with a little added candle light, it truly glows all night long.

Culturally Diverse Weddings

In May 2008, we produced a culturally diverse wedding for the most wonderful couple from New York - Rachel & Milan. The groom was Hindu and the bride was Jewish and with a little help from my staff, friends and colleagues, the wedding was a glorious event.

As is traditional with Indian weddings, this wedding was a four day event that incorporated both Hindu and Jewish traditions and each day held yet other wonderful surprises in store for guests and families on both sides. The formal weddings were held on the last day with the Hindu Ceremony in the morning and the Jewish Ceremony in the evening. The evening ended with a breathtaking formal ballroom reception.

This custom-made Mandap was the platform for the Hindu wedding and the aisle way was all created by A Charleston Event for a dramatic grand entrance.

Small touches on the inside of the Mandap included hung lanterns from India and fresh orchids in gold tea light fixtures. Organza fabric was layered to created the tent ceiling.

The outdoor Jewish Ceremony was held in the courtyard of the hotel and with the help from Lisa Thomas of Out of Hand, the courtyard's permanent structure Gazebo was transformed into this beautiful Chuppah.

Out of Hand also provided the chair rentals for the ceremony and florals for the wedding and reception hall.

The Grand Finale Reception was decorated in rich fabrics hung from the ceiling with hand-made floral wide-hooped lanterns and wrought iron orchid trees on the tables, illuminated by tea lights and candles. In keeping to the themed colors of rich reds and gold tones, the outside perimeter walls were accents by hues of gold up-lights while pin spots focused on the monogrammed dance floor, where guests danced until well after midnight.

Credits: Production, Planning and Coordination: A Charleston Event & Bridal Library, Event Location - Marriott Lockwood Blvd., Charleston, Photography - courtesy of Gissendanner Photography, Videography by Hart to heart Media, Wedding Cake was provided by Lady Fingers Bakery, Custom Print & Programs - A Charleston Event, Florals provided by A Charleston Event & Out of Hand, Custom Mandap - A Charleston Event, Custom Chuppah - Ooh Events, Rentals provided by Snyder Event Rentals, Ooh Events, Other Brother & Stage Presence, Catering provided by Sukhardia New York.

To find out more about this wedding and see more photos, please contact A Charleston Event at info@ACharlestonEvent.com or call us at 843-388-8000.

Destination Weddings and Wedding FAMs

In order to introduce couples to having spectacular weddings in our beautiful Charleston SC, A Charleston Event offers the 'Original Charleston Wedding Familiarization Weekend'. Just some of the sites we go to are Boone Hall Plantation, Middleton and Magnolia Plantations, Charleston Harbor Resort, Wild Dunes Resort, 28 Bridgeside, the Vue of Charleston, Charleston Harbor Tours, the Maritime Center, William Aiken House, Lowndes Grove, Charleston Place, the Renaissance Hotel, and much more.

I believe that couples should have all the facts possible when planning a Charleston Wedding and as much information as possible so that they can make informed choices. For more information on our Wedding FAM's, go to: http://www.charlestonweddingfam.com/

We'll have special spotlights on venues and vendors from time to time on these blogs.

Watch this space.

Arbors, Gazebos and Wrought Iron Gates

I love arbors, gazebos and chuppahs for weddings. They make such a dramatic statement about encompassing the couple in the vows. They bring perfect attention to couples and frame the wedding delightfully.

I particularly like the simplicity of this arbor to the left. It is simply hung with White organza and has a simple arrangement of daisies atop the structure. Two mirrored ferns stand in the bottom corners to tie the outdoor area into the arbor.

Chairs are laid out all in a row with simple pew markers of light organza to match the arbor. Flowers tie the organza off and later on, a long white carpet is laid down for the bride to walk down on. All of this took place under the avenue of oaks at Lagare Waring House.

After the ceremony, a cocktail party was held in the main house and the reception was held under the clear top tent. The stars shown that night. Romance was in the air and everything was perfect in every way. I just love happy endings.

GAZEBOS

I truly feel that gazebos get too underused in weddings today. The sheer beauty of the structures lend themselves to an array of decorations, whether its fabrics or fresh flower. Each time I use a gazebo in one of my weddings it recreates itself into another work of romantic art.

This particular gazebo was used in a show and we booked 8 wedding from that show, with brides that wanted the wrought iron look with the gazebo.

Wrought iron Gates in another prop I love to use to create a dramatic entrance for the bride. If you are not getting married near an area that has wrought iron gates, then either consider nipping out between the ceremony and reception and having some wonderful intimate photos taken with just the two of you. We also have the most wonderful gates to rent.

Christmas Wedding

What a wonderful time of the year for a wedding. Eric and Katie originally wanted to get married in June, but decided to move their date up and have a Christmas Wedding instead.

They also wanted to keep the wedding simple yet elegant. Only 30-40 guests all in one place
They chose the Holiday Inn in Summerville and the family chipped in and did all the catering.

The only part we helped with was the decor to transform the little hotel meeting room into a ceremony and reception room. Rich red and Black Magic roses, white stock for extra fragrance and seeded eucalyptus made lovely bouquets for the bride and bridesmaids.

We brought in pipe and used our sheer draping to create a ceremony backdrop instead of seeing a wall with hotel pictures on it and added simple finishing touches of red bows and two large wrought iron planters with beautiful poinsettias and curly willow.

Now here's the surprise. This entire wedding cost was under $4,000 from beginning to end. The bulk of that was the cost of rentals, florals and favors. The cost of the flowers was $860, the aisle runner rental $100, all rentals including the backdrop and wrought iron ceremony markers - $485 including labor and the food was sponsored by family members. We utilized the aisle markers for the back of the buffet table and rolled up the carpet to replace that area with the dancing area.

Same-Sex Weddings

COMMITMENT CEREMONIES ARE HERE

In the state of South Carolina, same-sex marriages are not recognized. However, it certainly is certainly not the case for Commitment Ceremonies. A Charleston Event is proud to produce beautiful, memorable and sentimental Commitment Ceremonies and Receptions.

On this particular event shown, the entire event was low key and laid back. The couple's home was absolutely beautiful and there was very little to add to the ambience of the this lovely house. A simple ceremony with close freinds and family was the backdrop. Wonderful food catered by Carolina Catering, fabulous music both pre-recorded and live strings by Brad and Tina Gettlefinger Duo and cherished friends to share this day of love and commitment. The ceremony was moving and not a dry eye in the house.

Decor was kept simple and sedated. As the hosts did not wish to have real candlelight with so many people coming through, we used electronic candles instead. We created large arrangements for the buffet table and for the reception entrance. Small arrangements and posies served as embellishments for cocktail tables. We even created small accents to adorn their pretty little fountain. The couple chose terra cotta colors with pheasant feather accents.

Table pieces were a reflection of the couple's warm personality and brought out the accent colors throughout the home.

Christmas 2008

I cannot believe that 2008 is nearly over. It has been a whirlwind year and I am now trying to focus on the upcoming 2009 calendar, as well as joining the 21st century by learning how to BLOG. You'll all have to forgive me if I'm not even close to mastering this. Hopefully by the end of 2009, I will have a much better sense of blogging and be able to share some useful information along the way.

It is my sheer intention to share with you all, some of my favorite weddings, tips for cost-cutting ideas as well as wonderful experiences we have along the way.

I'm excited to get started and what better way than to start with the recent celebrations of the holidays.

Everyone that knows me, knows that my favorite thing in the world is to be surrounded my family. The next favorite thing is to be surrounded by my family during the holidays.

This year seemed to come so quickly. After a hectic December of Christmas parties and weddings, there hardly seemed time enough to decorate our own home in preparation for our family gathering. My neighbors laugh as each year, my house has less and less decorations on the outside (when we first moved here, we were the Griswalds with class of course). Wreaths on the outside and trimmed tree on the inside. All the collectibles from when the children were small adorning the living areas and sentimental heart tugs when unwrapping the little art pieces they had created throughout the years. Little by little, the garlands go up and fresh wreaths fill the house with the smells of Christmas. Candles are everywhere and sweets in every room. Let the festivities begin!
Aside from planning wonderful events for others, my daughter and I spend most of our holidays cooking and baking feasts of italian and indian delights and sharing with all that bless our threshold. We look forward the huge dinner at the end of our labors and reflecting on the year gone. Then we eat!
From our house to each and every one of yours, may the holidays and the upcoming new year bring you all much happiness and magic that only love can create! Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!