Featured Beach Wedding in Charleston

Amanda & Steve's wedding was sheer magic. It was held on September 13, 2009 at Folly Beach and the reception was held at Charleston Harbor Resort. They had the best of both worlds as they tied the knot on a secluded part of Folly and danced the night away with their out-of-state guests on the deck overlooking the Charleston Harbor with the beautiful Arthur Ravenel Bridge in the background.

Amanda carried a bouquet of crimson dendrobium and orange mokara orchids while the groom had a boutonniere that was made out of a star fish and mokara orchid to match his bride's bouquet. The bridal party each carried a single bird of paradise with tiny star fish tied into the handles and large cylinders with floral pieces submerged in water surrounded swimming gold fish that were later brought to a new permanent home with a staff member.

Great food, wonderful atmosphere and fun entertainment provided guests with a true beach side experience of Charleston SC. The best part of the evening was watching the couple cut the magnificant cakes provided by Artistic Cakes by Linda. All components were edible.

Here is a run-down of the vendors:
Site and Catering - Charleston Harbor Resort Photography - Photography by Terry Inc Wedding Cake - Artistic Cakes by Linda Ceremony Entertainment - Pantasia Reception Entertainment - Lee Edwards Entertainment Florals, Decor & Rentals - A Charleston Event & Snyder Event Rentals Limo Transportation - A Charleston Wedding

BOOKING YOUR BEACH WEDDING IN CHARLESTON

2010 is approaching fast and along with it, the dream of holding a Beach Wedding in Charleston. Charleston is an ideal city to host beach wedding mainly due to our wonderful weather and scenic beaches and while we always encourage you to have a rain backup (just in case), the city is still one of America's favorites for barefoot weddings.

Things to consider if you'd like to have a beach wedding in Charleston:

• Area to host your wedding - A lot of beaches no longer allow organized weddings on the beach in the area. If you are planning on using A Charleston Event to help you plan your wedding, we will advise you on which beaches and areas still allow this.
• Proximity to hotels for guests - Make sure your guests are able to provide their own transportation to your ceremony and back (especially important for destination weddings). Providing lists of hotel accommodations close by is suggested ahead of time.
• There are NO tents allowed on the beach. I often hear a lot of requests for erecting a tent so that the reception can also be held on the beach. This is not allowed in Charleston. There are enough properties that are beach front that will allow for receptions overlooking the water.
  
• Beach access for evening weddings - Most parks and public beach access closes at 6pm. As long as you have an organized permit, you can still hold your wedding. Your planner will organize all this for you.
  
• Decor - Our beaches are so beautiful in Charleston and honestly, the minimum requirements are needed. You can put up an arch, trellis, chuppah or other ceremony decor. Chair rentals will be dropped off at the actual beach entrance. Unless you have a planner, the rental companies do NOT put the chairs up on the beach and it is your responsibility to take them off the beach after the ceremony.
• Sunset weddings - Every bride thinks she may want a sunset wedding until she realizes that this may be a photographer's nightmare. Most of our weddings take place 'right before sunset'. We check the times of the sunsets for your wedding day and plan accordingly. This allows for enough natural light for the ceremony itself and then time for more intimate photos with the two of you while the sun is setting. Its all about timing and I promise you, you'll thank us later on when you see the photos.
  
• Veils and materials on arches - Even in the most beautiful weather, there is always at least a mild breeze blowing on the beaches. Be mindful of this when choosing your veil. A long cathedral veil is not something you want to be worried about during a beach wedding. I've seen many a veils blow off during weddings. I've also seen many of arches blow down because people have loaded it up with tons of tulle (which catches the wind). If you are going to have decor, please consider professionals to do what they do best...decorate with safety and satisfaction in mind.
• The most important factor to keep in mind when hosting a beach wedding is to keep it simple and relaxed. Bring in the elements of the surroundings and let nature be your guide. Have fun and happy planning!

Photos courtesy of Photography By Terry Inc

Happy Holidays!!!

This is truly my favorite time of the year. Christmas! Its a time for new beginnings and magic is in the air around every corner. Its also a time of year to reflect on the year gone by. 2009 has been a wonderful year for A Charleston Event & Bridal Library. We've planned many weddings over the last year and in 2009 we've seen three new babies from brides whose weddings were planned by us. We are so fortunate to have been a part of all the 'new beginnings' of married life together for so many awesome couples and even more honored to still be in touch with so many of you. Please keep the letters and photos coming so we can keep track of your lives and all those adorable babies!

It is with love that Christy and I and the entire ACE Team wish each and every bride, past, present and future, a truly Blessed Holiday Season and a Happy, Healthy & Love-filled 2010. Happy Planning! XO

Photos on this BLOG courtesy of Nathan Bell of Richard Bell Photography

The Knot 2010 Best of Weddings

We are proud to announce that A Charleston Event & Bridal Library have just been named The Knot's 2010 Best of Weddings. Thank you to all our brides (both past and present I'm told) for voting A Charleston Event & Bridal Library the most awesome wedding planning company!

Christy's Wedding Day

Well, Christy is finally Mrs. Roper! We are still waiting for the formal pics from Heather Forsythe, but here's a sneak preview of some of the pics I took.

Christy's bridal party had just made their way over to the ceremony site. Christy then got on the Trolley with her father on her way to the ceremony site to make her Grand Entrance. Right before they left, Dad had a special surprize for Christy.

Cultural Divide by Charleston Weddings Magazine

DECEMBER 1, 2009 Cultural Divide Span the distance between far-flung family customs, religions, and wedding traditions with finesse WRITTEN BY BRIDGET HERMAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY GISSENDANNER PHOTOGRAPHY Milan Patel and Rachel Bloom When Drs. Rachel Bloom and Milan Patel married at the Charleston Marriott on Lockwood Drive, they wanted to include all of Rachel’s Jewish traditions and all of Milan’s Hindu customs in their celebratory weekend. Thus Elyn Rahman of A Charleston Event & Bridal Library planned a wedding extravaganza ulminating in two elaborate same-day ceremonies followed by one big bash. On their wedding day, the Manhattanites (clad in custom-made saris) first knelt under a mandap, the sacred Hindu wedding tent, and were married by a Hindu priest. A few hours later, Rachel donned an ivory silk and taffeta wedding gown and Milan slipped into a tux. The couple then exchanged vows under a chuppah, the traditional Jewish wedding canopy. As Milan stomped the wedding glass, a rabbi sealed their union for the second time that day. To keep the couple’s celebrations cohesive, Elyn stuck with one location and incorporated the same colors throughout both events. Red and gold linens, along with ample armfuls of lush red and white orchids, brightened the Marriott’s ballroom, and both traditional Indian food and American fare were served. At the end of the night, more than 500 wedding guests hit the dance floor and celebrated the union of the happy couple—and their customs. Lowcountry lovebirds Josia Martin (an Indian expat) and Cooper Strong (a local son) also hosted a blended wedding, although they ran into a few planning challenges at the onset. The initial stumbling block occurred with their church. Both attend Christ Our King in Mount Pleasant, but Josia wanted to incorporate a few Indian traditions into the service, and local Catholic church officials were skeptical. Undaunted, Josia met one-on-one with her officiant to explain the spiritual significance of the traditions, and the church changed its position. “My uncle is a Catholic priest,” says Josia. “So he presided over that part of the ceremony and read in my native language, Malayalam.” When everyone retired to the reception at Hamlin Plantation, guests sampled both chicken tikka masala and she-crab soup while lounging on ottomans outfitted with pillows covered with Indian fabrics. In the end, the couple was thrilled with the outcome, and Josia advises brides in similar situations to create celebrations that represent the melding of families. Her top tip? “Anything special to either family should be included in the wedding.” Takeaway Tips for Blended Weddings • Successfully blended weddings are all about communication. Begin by discussing your dream wedding ceremony one-on-one with your partner. Together, make a list of “musts.” • Present your ideas to a wedding planner: they’ll help make the celebration cohesive. • Ask your planner for advice on talking to families if this promises to be tricky. • If you have more than one officiant, encourage them to work together while planning the ceremony. • Present your ideas to your families as a united pair. • Print programs that spell out special customs incorporated into the ceremony or ask officiants to explain rituals as they are performed. • Provide translations for foreign language segments so all guests can follow. •Print menu cards that name and describe all foods, local and ethnic. Head to the Holiday House! What are you doing this Thursday, December 3rd? A Charleston Event & Bridal Library is throwing a holiday social-slash-networking event for those in the bridal industry. That means the Governor Thomas Bennett House will be dressed to the nines by a host of great local vendors—but it’s not for biz folks alone! Brides who want to preview local talent in action can pop in, too. See you there! GIVING BACK CHEER, December 3, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Governor Thomas Bennett House; free, although a sealed envelope with a donation for Palmetto Project's Families Helping Families is required. For a complete list of vendors, and more, click here!
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Wedding Photography

Where are the days going? Seems like yesterday that we were planning and trying to decide what to use as a theme for Christy's wedding. Now its come and gone and we feel like we should still be working on it. Yep...wedding planners go through withdrawals too. Not just brides. After all the preparation, flowers, decor and orchestration, the finale seems like an anti climax and all of a sudden its over.

Which is what brings me to this subject. Thank goodness for photographs. These are your forever memories. They are a lifetime of reminders of the magical day you got married. They hold precious elements of the key ingredients that made your wedding so special. That's why if we can advise our brides to invest on any one thing during the wedding planning process, think carefully about your photography. This doesn't mean the most expensive. It just means hiring a professional who will get the photographs you are looking for. You want these photos to show your children one day.

When looking for a photographer, ask some very simple questions:

• How long have you been working as a professional photographer
  
• How many weddings do you shoot in a weekend
• Do you bring an assistant
• How long will he/she be with you on the day of your wedding
• Do they have samples of their work
• Do they have verifiable references
• How long before you will be able to see your photos
• How does the editing process work
• Will you be able to order online as well
  

Do not be afraid to ask questions. Its also a good thing to include a photo session of the two of you or a bridal session before the wedding once you've booked your photographer, so you can get to know each other more. Your photographer (and your wedding planner) will be the ones you spend the most of your time with on your wedding day.


We will be posting pics of Christy's wedding shortly, but the pic above is a sneak preview of her bouquet. I took this photo and just cannot wait to see the photos that Heather Forsythe took. The quality and colors, not to mention the focus will be supreme compared to my little 10MP Cannon.

In the meantime, here's some of the photographers we love:

Taylor Stewart Photography
Richard Bell Photography
Heather Forsythe Photography
A Charleston Wedding
Marni Rothschild Photography
Lowry McKee Photography

Christy's Update

OK...Christy is OFFICIALLY a bride now. She is in full swing last minute, check list, adding and subtracting, and final touches MODE. She is also now prohibited from contacting any of her vendors herself starting tomorrow. (Orders from her boss and co-workers). :)

Needless to say, we are ALL so excited for Christy and Chris as they start their lives together as husband and wife this weekend. The crew at Granville Catering are all poised to create the perfect wedding meal and rehearsal dinner. We can't give you any sneak previews yet of the wedding itself, but we can now give you a sneak preview of the rehearsal dinner menus.

Chris's mother chose a beautiful Southern Style Theme with starfish as the backdrop for the lowcountry feast. These were the invitations that were sent and we used the blank invitation paper as a backdrop to carry the theme through for the menus. Place settings will be laid with the napkins, menus and individual starfish for the guests attending. Family and close friends will be treated to an array of wonderful flavors as we toast the groom and his soon-to-be new bride this Friday evening. Cheers Christy & Chris. Can't wait until this weekend!

Cost-saving tips from Charleston Weddings Magazine

I could not have said it better. In fact, we all pretty much have the same advice when it comes to cutting costs in your wedding plans. See the article below and and check out Charleston Wedding Magazine's new blog.

Brides on a Budget: How to Set Your Lowcountry Wedding Budget & Save

Follow these five simple steps to learn where to put your Big Day dollars…and how to stretch them

Written By Melissa Bigner

One good thing about a tight economy? Budget is no longer déclassé to discuss. And nowhere is it more practical to address than for your wedding. Whether you have a seven-figure affair or the local average of about $25,000 to spend, sticking to that bottom line and stretching your dollars is the name of the game. Here’s how to put on your dream wedding without a disastrous bill.

STEP ONE: Establish how much you have to spend on your wedding.

STEP TWO: Apply these ballpark percentages to that figure to determine the dollar breakdowns.

• Reception (location, cake, food/beverages, rentals): 40-50%

• Attire (gown, tux, hair/makeup, accessories): 10-12%

• Décor/Flowers (ceremony and reception): 8%

• Music (ceremony and reception): 7-10%

• Photos/Video: 7-10%

• Gifts/Favors (welcome bags, reception guest gifts): 3-4%

• Ceremony (officiant, location): 2%

• Stationery (invitations, thank yous, postage): 2-3%

• Wedding Rings: 2%

• Transportation (couple, guests): 1%

• Miscellaneous: Remaining percent

*Don’t forget to add 5% of the subtotal for tips and taxes.

STEP THREE: Determine what can be done on your own, what can be farmed out to reliable family and friends, and what is best left to professionals.

STEP FOUR: See if these savvy solutions might work for you.

Location: Hold the ceremony and reception at the same location to eliminate double location fees and travel expenses. Backyard garden weddings obviously save money, too.

Guest List: Trimming your invite list is the fastest way to maximize—and save—your dollars.

Date: Pick an off-peak date and/or time (Saturday noon and on is peak time) and see if vendors and/or locations will cut you a deal.

TIP: They might be able to book more than one wedding that day; or they might not have any weddings on that day, which means they might be more flexible about rates.

Food: Brunch is less expensive than dinner; hors d’oeuvres are less expensive than a meal; “food stations” are less expensive—typically—than a formal, sit-down dinner.

Photograph by Peter Frank Edwards

Beverages: Elect for a signature cocktail and wine or beer, rather than an open bar to cut liquor costs.

Photograph by Peter Frank Edwards

Attire: Look for past-season gowns and local sample sales for deals. Off-the-rack white evening gowns can work as wedding apparel, too. Check out our fashion features here for inspiration.

Flowers: Choose blooms—or greens—that are in-season at the time of your wedding and the cost should go down. Work with local farms to see about growing blooms for your event. Look into wholesale local florists (they are open to the public) to source flowers and foliage. See what you can make on your own (wreaths, tabletop flowers, garlands) and what you need to hire out.

Cake: A dessert bar (homey cakes, pies, cupcakes, sweets) can be less pricey than a formal cake. And a smaller formal cake—especially one without fondant—with cut slices of sheet cake for guests also saves money. If you have a friend or family member who can bake and ice a pretty cake, you can dress it up with fresh flowers, and other DIY crafts. Check out what we did in the Summer 2010 issue here.

Photograph by Roo Way

Stationery: Instead of a printed menu, get creative. Chalkboard signs work for, say, a homespun supper reception at the Cotton Dock.

Music: iPod receptions are becoming more popular, but nothing beats live music for a ceremony. If cost is a factor, look into student musicians, but know that professionals tend to be more reliable. If you go the iPod route, you’ll still need to appoint a DJ.

Décor: Paper lanterns, mason jars with candles, ribbons streamers…there are lots of inexpensive—and environmental friendly—ways to save on décor.

Favors: Centerpieces fashioned from small potted plants and flowers can also be your guests’ “green” favor. Otherwise, make your own favors and welcome bags. There are great local bites here (grits, benne wafers, pralines) to share. Or make a donation to a local charity in lieu of a gift, in honor of your guests. State as much on the program.

STEP FIVE: Enlist a planner. Even if some elements of your wedding are DIY, a planner/designer/coordinator will help create your budget based on what’s important to you, make sure the Big Day looks cohesive, that service runs smooth, that everyone’s where they are supposed to be, and will be that cool voice of reason amid a lot of moving parts.


More Planning Help? Click Here

Wedding Flowers? Click Here

How to prevent this

The internet is buzzing lately with the horrible story about the couple who returned from their wedding reception to find their apartment ransacked. The thieves even took the toilet roll off the holder and the clothes from the closets. It was a complete 'move-out'! So how could something like this possibly happen?

Every day millions of brides around the world are busy announcing their weddings, talking about the time-lines and making plans for their honeymoons. And...they talk openly about everything that is taking place. In restaurants, in the hair salon, at work, in the supermarket and just about everywhere.
This poor couple did the same thing and when you watch the clip, you may think to yourself, well that's just not possible where I live. But think again, after doing a little research, we've found that the most prime times for burglaries are, believe it or not, during weddings and funerals! As horrible as it seems, this is what professional burglars prey on. They scan through newspapers and scope out the sections with announcements such as weddings and funerals. This is when they are sure no one will be home. Not even neighbors, as they'll no doubt be attending too. They calculate and move with speed and can clean an entire 3 bedroom apartment out within one hour. People passing by will just assume its moving day and be none the wiser.
So how can you prevent something like this happening to you? Always lean on the side of caution and make preparations before your wedding. If you've announced your wedding and know you will not be returning to your residence before the honeymoon, then make arrangements for someone or a good soul neighbor to keep an eye on your apartment/home while you're gone. Enlist the help of a good neighbor to be particularly aware of the wedding day itself and report anything suspicious. If you don't know your neighbors, make it a point to introduce yourself before the wedding and also the local police department if you're going to be away for more than a couple of days. Better yet, see if you can find someone that will be willing to stay at your home while you're gone.
This posting is not meant to panic anyone or make anyone paranoid, but do be aware. Better being safe than sorry.
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Are you considering a Candy Bar or Dessert Table at your wedding reception?

Today's weddings incorporate fun and more whimsical ideas than the old fashioned traditional weddings where a served dessert and wedding cake only are served. Brides have a chance to show off their personalities by placing their favorite candy, popcorn or cookies at their reception and guests can treat themselves when they're ready or even take some home in treat bags.

When offering a treat bar, make sure it is easy access to all your guests or offer a server there to assist. If you are presenting your sweets in glassware, this will ensure there are no accidents.

Also consider having pre-packaged treats to send home with your guests with a short thank you note and a sweet dreams message from you and your groom. This will allow your guests to take a bit of your wedding home with them and enjoy the flavors even after the reception is over with.

Contact the Bridal Library for more ideas on customizing your wedding day celebrations with added treats! CLICK HERE
Photography courtesy of A CHARLESTON WEDDING

Charleston Wedding FAM

Are you interested in having a Charleston Wedding but really don't know where to start? Good news. A CHARLESTON EVENT & BRIDAL LIBRARY have teamed up with the local wedding venues in Charleston to present a stressfree, fun-filled weekend of tours, information and tips from the pros on planning a destination wedding in Charleston.

A Charleston Event are the creators and organizers for the original and informative Charleston Wedding FAM (FAM meaning familiarization). Travel in style while we take you through a step back in history and present you with beautiful historic homes and mansions, plantations and even more contemporary sites to hold your nuptials and wedding celebrations. You'll find surprises along the way as each site offers their hospitality to those who grace their premises and you may even get to see a few preparing for upcoming weddings while you're there.

For more information on Charleston Wedding FAM go to the website by clicking HERE.
The best news? Once your FAM is over, you're not left on your own. If you'd like to book any of A Charleston Event & Bridal Library's planning services, the cost of your FAM will be transferred over as part of your deposit. Call the Bridal Library today for more information on wedding planning services or visit the website BRIDAL LIBRARY.

You can also call our office at 843-494-9501 for more information on our upcoming FAMs.

Lace Inspired Water Bottles

Absolutely LOVE these lace inspired water bottles by Evian! Evian® dresses in Christian Lacroix! Christian Lacroix's Prêt-à-Porter bottle comes decorated with glittering snowy crystals that charmingly symbolize the purity of this natural spring water. The coppiced lace pattern provides the bottle with a classic frosted feel and is reminiscent of the flora that can be found at the French Alps. Distinguished, understated and so very Lacroix, it will add that final touch of chic and elegance to every festive table. 750ml glass bottle.

Update from Christy on planning her own wedding!

BRIDAL PORTRAITS
This was an experience all in it's own and something I would recommend to all brides. It not only gave me the opportunity to finally feel like a "real" bride, but also allowed me to get the feel for my dress and shoes. I also could not decide if I wanted to wear my hair up or down so I did both for the portraits. It was great to be able to look at the pictures afterwards and see how I would look either way on the wedding day. So, I made up my mind, but you will just have to wait and see! Thank you to my "entourage"...make sure you take one with you! I was blessed to have my mother, furture mother-in-law and Elyn there with me. Heather, as always, you made me feel so beautiful! Laurel and Sara from Patrick Properties were nice enough to lend me Lowndes Grove for a couple hours to make it all come together. Can't wait to post pictures but will have to wait until after the wedding...can't have anyone seeing me in my dress:)

STOCK THE BAR PARTY

Our Bar is Stocked! This is my advice to bridal parties...give your bride and groom a Stock the Bar party. Some of our bridesmaids and groomsmen gave us one and it was a perfect "couples shower". We not only have our bar stocked but also had the chance to hang out with all of our friends and celebrate. It was such a great time!!!!

DECISIONS, DECISIONS...
Did I just make a Decision? Being proud of myself doesn't even explain it! I finally decided what I wanted for florals. Not only did I make a decision...I am going to stick to it. I can't give myself full credit because Elyn had to finally sit me down and "help" me make up my mind. Again, reason number 526 to have a supportive wonderful wedding planner and floral designer! I can't show you the designs yet. You'll have to tune in after my wedding and see all the final touches. In the meantime, here's a sneak preview of my colors........

ONE MONTH OUT

Wow, I can't believe that the wedding is less than a month away! The past year has flown by and Chris and I both are so excited that we will finally be married. My advice for brides during the last weeks before the wedding is to remember that everything will fall into place. In my case, thanks to Elyn! Instead of being stressed out, enjoy the last few weeks engaged. Chris and I have had fun rearranging my house and buying small things to make it "ours". We have also been going through our presents and deciding where everything will go. It has been a lot of fun playing "house". Can't wait until it is our HOME!

Inspiration

Check out this new entry on favorite wedding blog - Wedding Bee. Crisp spring colors with a turquoise and robin's egg blue. And below, rich aubergine (eggplant) and a soft lavender palette. Check out the site for tons of ideas and inspiration!

Wedding Bee Blog

Decorating with candles

OK, so you're on a budget and want to decorate your wedding reception without having to break the bank. You want a romantic effect and something that will WOW your guests. Nothing screams romance louder than candle light and here's a perfect way of doing it yourself with little effort.

Buy, rent or have friends donate glass cylinders (all different sizes) and add a couple of dendrobium orchid buds and water. Then top off with single tea lights or floater candles and a sprinkled orchid blossoms around the bases. Delegate one of your friends or catering crew to light right before your guests are due to arrive at the reception and watch as they bring a sense of beauty to any room. Simple and cost-effective elegance!

Facebook Updates

Hi everyone. If you are on facebook, make sure you check out our new Facebook Page:

Just click on A CHARLESTON EVENT & BRIDAL LIBRARY

We enjoy hearing from you so sign on as a fan and give us your feedback on new designs and items posted. See you on Facebook!

BLOG ACTION DAY for Climate Change

Today is Blog Action Day for Climate Change and while some of you may think that has nothing to do with weddings or special events, I beg to differ. I'm not an activist or have any political stake in this subject. But I am passionate about TRYING to make a difference in our world and do believe that each one of us has a conscious and moral obligation to try to do the same, no matter how small that might be.

There is a lot of debate today about things such as recycling, chemicals that we use on a daily basis, pestasides, and even radiation. All are claimed to be just a fraction of the cause of global warming on our planet right now. Truth or myth? I'm not sure what the true causes are but I do know this; when I was a child, we used to lie for hours under a beautiful sun, on the back lawn that wasn't swarming with ants and we didn't get swathed in sun screen before we went outdoors. We never wore insect repellent. We had strong winters and hot summers and also had beautiful springs and autumns, the way nature is supposed to be.

The arctic was truly a world wonder and there was no talk of ice melting and mountain tops disappearing or even endangered species. We ate things with real sugar, real butter and real fruit and vegetables. They were all from local farms and we never heard the word organic.

While there was cancer and illness in the world, it was nowhere near what we see today. I can remember only once hearing about a hurricane and the tornadoes I heard about was on the Wizard of Oz. Drought wasn't a word that was ever used and floods were only heard of when referring to Noah and his ark.

Perhaps I grew up sheltered from the real world or my parents weren't as educated and worldly as parents are now. We watched the news every night but never do I remember such intensity in climate changes in the world as there seem to be today. A dear friend of mine argues that this is because reporters today have more freedom of speech and better financing to research and get to the stories. I believe that reporters of every generation had the ability to report storms, disasters and current events and it is evident that today's climate change IS different and is changing drastically.

In our home, we are trying so hard to do more than just recycle. We have changed light bulbs to energy efficient ones, we've stopped wasting water by turning it off when it doesn't need to run and we're trying to educate ourselves on the impact of waste that is consumed by millions of us every day in order to learn something and teach our children and grandchildren. We've stopped buying plastics and styrofoam and use glass instead. Using real plates and cloth napkins (so what...you have a few more plates to wash up after a BBQ).

The biggest thing is being conscious of trying to make changes. Say what you'd like about Al Gore and his documentary about global warming. You may or may not like the man, but in my mind, he is one of the very few that had the guts to stand up to the world and create a film that SHOULD get everyone thinking!!!

There are a lot of people out there that use the word 'green' too loosely because it is such a raging topic right now. Green houses, green cars and even green weddings. In my industry, there are wedding planners popping up all over, who are truly trying to create the ultimate 'GREEN WEDDING'. Hats off to those who do it successfully and from the heart. From my standpoint, if each one of us try a bit, it adds to the big picture.

Please do go to http://www.blogactionday.org/ and post your comments and feelings. This is a one day event and an opportunity to give everyone around the world a voice that can be heard. If nothing else, it give us all the opportunity to 'think' about the changing climate as it stands today.

Catering Previews

We have been so blessed in working with such a large variety of wedding vendors in Charleston and one of the things we were asked to cover by our brides was more information on some of our favorite vendors. Today, we'd like to tip our hats publicly to two of our favorite caterers in Charleston.
Quite a few brides leave a lot of the menu planning up to their caterers and planners. Frankly speaking, we plan weddings and our caterers plan menus. We know what we like as individuals, but no one knows what your taste buds crave but you. So while we can make suggestions on menu favorites for your cocktail hour and reception, there is no simple answer to this question and there is no set menus to choose from.

Everything depends on your caterer and the dishes that they specialize in creating. For instance, above you'll see these wonderful little shrimp and grits pears that were created for a number of our weddings and special events by Iverson Catering. Any catering firm or chef can make shrimp and grits, but Chef Iverson created a twist on the original dish and came up with these wonderful two-bite morsels. Large jumbo shrimp are packed all around with a creamy seasoned grits (a southern favorite) and lightly breaded, baked and topped with a bay leaf.

Other options include things such as rolled flank steak with a seasonal garden vegetables display and accompanying mac & cheese singles with a ceasar salad station (chicken, shrimp and other toppings on the side, a pasta station and so much more. Iverson Catering

If you are thinking about something a little more relaxed without sacrificing the show, then perhaps you'll consider these wonderful finger sandwiches created by Royal Grand Events. It's all about the display of food. Here, Curtis Labitue arranged these chicken salad sandwiches on three different levels with a pretty sign that made the guests at this beach wedding feel like they were eating at a beautiful beach resort. A grand fruit and cheese display and fresh lemonade in beautiful decanters was also provided at this wedding and budgetary requirements were met while maintaining a beautiful and artful presentation.

Royal Grand Events

When all is said and done, what does your palate crave? If you're a meat lover, you can never go wrong with a great tenderloin or prime rib. Cou ntry ham biscuits are made differently by each catering company and make great appetizers or late reception snacks. Seafood lovers can enjoy a mixture of oysters, shrimp and local trigger fish with another southern favorite - crab cakes. Chicken, carved turkey or glazed ducking in a sweet orange sauce for poultry lovers and nothing beats a great mashed potato or pasta station for vegetarian options. The choices are unlimited.

Ask your caterer to send you their menu suggestions and choose from what they offer, but don't be shy in asking them if they can create a menu around your personalities and favorite foods. 99% will be more than happy to do this for you! Bon appetit!

Martha Stewart does it again

Want a favor with a difference? Try these lovely little cones as chair markers or hang from a tree in the entrance way of your reception for your guests to take with them. I doubt there will be any left over after the wedding has ended.

These cute little favors came from Martha Stewart Weddings. With tons of tips and ideas for wedding decorations, favors, gifts and much more, Martha Stewart Weddings still beats all others for cost-saving DIY projects. For more ideas and tips, go to www.marthastewartweddings.com

Hair & Makeup Artist for Weddings

Karen Yarborough

Just recently we had the pleasure of working with Karen and her associate at a wedding a couple of weeks ago. We were blown away by the caliber of work that they did for our bridal party and parents. They were personable, professional and fun to be around on the wedding day itself.

The bride looked beautiful and the makeup had a warn glow, her lashes looked natural and her hair looked beautiful without being over the top. She felt as good as she looked.

Karen and her associates are truly a wonderful addition to our offered services for our clients and their prices are awesome!!! Check out their website and don't be fooled by the Hollywood style...these people are real pros and their work shows!

For more information, go to: http://covergirlbrides.com/id74.html

Wedding Hankies & Linens

Want a keepsake that will be cherished and used at the same time? Try these simple but precious embroidered handkerchiefs. This one has been used to wrap the small nosegay bouquet for the mother of the bride. Another was made for the mother of the groom and the grandmothers.

Handkerchiefs are used more and more again these days. Especially true for mothers after receiving the sensible and pretty little keepsakes. Try ordering a different one for each of your bridal party and don't dismiss the thought of giving one to Dad. Most men carry handkerchiefs as well, so why not give Dad a keepsake treat too with a special message stating that you're "Still Daddy's Little Girl"?I'm particularly fond of Fine Linen and Lace and love the idea of linen runners for cake tables, guest seating and head tables. These are things that can add special touches to your wedding and then be used every day throughout your marriage.

Buying good linen should be viewed the same as buying good china. It can be an investment and it is something that you will use over and over again. Embroidered napkins, table cloths and even good linen doilies. Every bride should have some linen and/or lace to add to her hope chest! Linen pillow cases, pillows, bath towels or even the ring bearer pillow. Find a place like Oakbrook Embroidery in Summerville that will put monograms, messages or anything that will fit on to handkerchiefs or other fabrics and materials, and you're all set.What about these great lace umbrellas for the bridal party?
A useful site for fine wedding handkerchiefs and other super ideas is:
http://bumblebeelinens.com/

Wedding Thank You Notes

When saying Thank You after the wedding, what better way than to send a card that shows how happy you both were on the day itself? These wonderful Thank You Notes allow you to show off your wedding photos after the wedding while taking the tine to ensure your guests know just how much you appreciated them being a part of your special day.

Also, with the holidays coming up, why not have your cake and eat it too by sending out Holiday Cards that include your wedding photo in them? This is especially wonderful for sending to family that you cannot be with for the holidays and a special treat for those guests that could not make it to the wedding.

For helpful tips on writing Thank You Notes, click on the following Links:

Tips on writing the perfect Thank You Note

Emily Posts Etiquette Ideas for Thank You Notes

Thank You Note Wording

For ordering custom Thank You Notes, Save-the-Dates, Invitations or Photo Holiday Cards - A CHARLESTON EVENT CUSTOM INVITATIONS

Gazebo Rentals

There is nothing prettier and more rustic than this beautiful wrought iron Ceremony Gazebo. Add the green moss Oblisks and black benches and you have a beautiful ceremony site fit for a queen and her guests.

For more information on our Gazebo Rentals, contact Charleston Florals Rental Division on line or call us at 843-494-9502.