FLORALS + LIGHTING

OK, so you are to the point where you really need to focus on the decor part of your reception. You and your florist are talking about the beautiful flowers that will be used in your bouquets, at the ceremony and of course the reception site.

What about lighting? Can't afford pin spots or up-lights around the room? Can't afford draping for your reception? In fact even if you can't afford the chair covers or pretty ballroom chairs, there is a way of decorating and making it gorgeous.

Most floral designers now have handy tricks up their sleeves to add those extra touches to your centerpieces. For instance, the arrangement shown here by Charleston Florals is positioned on custom light boxes. The bowl holds clear beading, water and beautiful flowers wrapped around the inside of the bowl. This look is bot simple and clean. It would suit both contemporary and more whimsical looks equally. The illumination of the lighting adds debt to the arrangement and a romantic look throughout the room. Something so simple, yet so beautiful and when creating a look like this, the focus is all on your centerpieces.

For more information on floral decor or table-top lighting, contact the designers at A Charleston Event and let us come up with some unique ideas just for you.

Budget, budget, budget

Q: Since when has the word BUDGET become a "B" (BAD) word?
A: It's always been in everyone's vocabulary. Its just that nowadays so many more brides are becoming budget savvy and are looking for ways to save more money. The economy hasn't helped.

So many times we're asked about how brides can plan a wedding on a 'smaller budget'. My answer to that is that you can plan a wedding on 'any' budget so long as you are realistic about the expectations. For instance, you will not get the champagne and caviar flowing with the beautiful horse and carriage departure on a lower budget. However, you can have your cake and eat it too! Here's a couple of tips on making it happen.

1. Hire an experienced wedding planner to get the biggest bang for your money. A good planner will save you more money than you realize and he/she will pay for herself in the savings you'll incur.
   
2. Discuss EVERYTHING with your planner about what you are looking to achieve. Be HONEST. If you simply hate roses or lilies, let your planner know. If you are not a pink frilly person, let your planner know. And if you simply cannot stand the site of shrimp, let your planner know. There is no sense in planning anything with a planner unless you're all on the same page from the get-go.
   
3. Be precise about your budget requirements. Do not tell your planner you only have X-amount to spend on the wedding if you truly do have more. Do not tell them you have more if you just 'think' you can borrow more or get family members to contribute. Be sure from the beginning.
4. Decor does not have to mean 'Platinum theme'. Its amazing what you can do with glassware and candles today. Explore different possibilities with your planner. Planners usually have limitless resources that they can pull from to supply you with enough choices.
   
5. When thinking about florals, remember that the more people you have in the wedding party, the higher the costs. A lot of brides today are opting for smaller bridal parties and some are even doing away with the traditional bridal party all together, preferring to just have their guests witness their wedding vows. The most important floral arrangement in the entire wedding is the Bride's Bouquet. It will be photographed the most that day, so splurge a little more on that.
   
6. Instead of spending money in the hobby stores, solicit decorations from your family and friends. Perhaps you have a cousin or aunt that can sew. If you do, you've struck gold. Ask them if they would be willing to custom make some lovely runners for the cake table and guest seating. Perhaps Grandma has a collection of old cut glass she would be willing to lend for your cut flowers or glass jam jars that she may be looking to get rid of. Hanging these from trees with tea lights in them makes a beautiful backdrop for evening weddings.
   
7. Delegate, delegate, delegate. Your planner will do so much or perhaps everything. But if you are not fortunate enough to find a planner in your area that will, then delegate things out to family and friends ahead of time. Its surprising how many people would love to help with some crafty things before the wedding.
   
8. Do not be a Bridezilla. Contrary to what you see on TV, it is not a good thing to be known as a Bridezilla. In fact, its a downright shame and disrespectful to treat others like they need to be at your beckon call. Be precise and 'ASK' your attendants and family members if they would like to help you with some of the preparations. Do not assume they will and do not insist that they do so. Instead be a model bride and you'll have people lined up willing to help.
   
9. Keep your menu options light and simple and when it comes to serving alcohol, consider having just wine or just signature drinks and soft drinks. Pretty drinks dispensers are everywhere now. Ask your caterer to fill with a non-alcoholic beverage to match the colors of your wedding. Practical and lovely for photos too.
   
10. Think about hosting a wedding on a week day or in the morning. You'll be surprised at the reduction in venue and catering fees if you do.
    

When all else fails, remember that you will be marrying the person you have chosen to spend the rest of your life with. Its a celebration whether or not you have a grand wedding reception or not. Don't set yourself up for disappointment and stay focused on what's important to you both. All the little details will come together and you'll live happily ever after.

Wedding planning and florals done by A Charleston Event & Bridal Library

Charleston Florals

A CHARLESTON EVENT & Bridal Library
Don't forget flowers for your 'meeters & greeters' and Godparents. Let us quote you for an all-inclusive floral package.

Charleston Florals

www.charlestonflorals.com

Charleston Florals is a subdivision of the premier wedding planning company A Charleston Event & Bridal Library. Because we’ve been planning weddings for 30 years, we understand the need for particular attention to detail.

Signature Bouquets

One of the Signature Design Bouquets by A Charleston Event & Exquisite Events by Elyn
The beautiful and delicate caging around the bouquet can be done in an array of colors. It is a symbol of protection and encompassing the precious bouquet inside, which itself is the symbol of LOVE on the wedding day. Cages come in medium or small varieties, with or without pearls, rhinestone, and can be reused around vases or jars after the wedding as a keepsake that will last for years to come. They also make the perfect keepsake for bridesmaid's gifts.

Contact us for more information on creating your signature bouquet or to purchase the cages yourself.
A Charleston Event 843-494-9501

Christy & Chris's Wedding

We posted some of the photos from our own Christy's wedding back in January. Here are some others that were taken by Heather Forsythe Photography. This was such a wonderful day and brings back such fond memories. Fresh, simple and fun!

Hydrangeas infused with natural wood flowers

This was probably one of my favorite details. The Perfect Pair was reflected through bartlet pears that were covered in caramel and nuts, then packaged just like candied apples. Badges on the packaging had the couple's name and wedding date just below "The Perfect Pair" logo. I even wrote a poem just for my favorite couple.

Caramel Covered Pears were served during the reception & as favors for guests to take home.

A poem for Christy & Chris

Simple Centerpieces

Beautiful Ceremony Site - this is why we LOVE Charleston.

Casual Seating areas

Cocktail Table Arrangements

Bridesmaid's Bouquets

Mom's Bouquets

Tana & Patrick

When Tana and Patrick decided to hold their destination wedding in Charleston, they wanted a venue with a simple, laid-back type of feeling. They also wanted a resort style but not something that would be stuffy or too far away from downtown Charleston. The choice was easy. The Charleston Harbor Resort in Mount Pleasant was ideal. Just on the other side of the new bridge, with easy access to scenic tours and located right on the Charleston Harbor with Water Taxi access attached to the hotel.

With a skyline of the City of Charleston directly across the harbor, the hotel boasts a man-made beach area that was the perfect area to hold their wedding ceremony. Palms tress swayed in the breeze as The Pantasia Steel Band played Caribbean music for the formalities and cocktail hour.

Seashells and starfish were nestled into the girls bouquets and matching boutonnieres with natural raffia and dendrobium orchids were worn by the gentlemen in the bridal party.
The mothers of the bride and groom carried small nosegays and after the ceremony dropped their small treasures in these cute little vases with embellishments of dendrobium orchids and raffia.
Accent florals were also created for a Memory Table (in honor of the bride's grandmother) along with other touches for the banquet tables.
Pew markers for the ceremony were looped on the tops of natural wood folding chairs.

Tables were laid with pale green linens to match the theme with large Monstera leaves used for placemats to hold natural themed centerpieces. The bride's invitations also had monstera leaves on them.

Small seating areas were created with wicker settee furniture and plain white cushions.

Simple accents for the banqueting tables and bar areas added the final touches to this beautiful day.

Venue - Charleston Harbor Resort
Planning - A Charleston Event & Bridal Library
Florals - A Charleston Event - Charleston Florals

For more information on planning your destination wedding in Charleston, SC, contact our wedding planners at 843-494-9501 or email us at info@acharlestonevent.com

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

Charleston Florals on Facebook

Charleston Florals is now up on Facebook, the most widely used internet networking, informative and search site in the world. As a division of A Charleston Event & Bridal Library, we invite you to ask all your friends and people you know who may be getting married to check us out on facebook. You can also go to our new website: http://www.CharlestonFlorals.com
Please post your comments/suggestions and let us know what you'd like to see on this blog and on Facebook.

Wedding at William Aiken House

Crystal and Kevin fell in love with Charleston and couldn't think of a better place in the world to hold their wedding. So the search began to find the perfect venue that would boast charm, sophistication and historic background. Enter William Aiken House, the perfect wedding venue for a beautiful setting, close to all downtown hotels and easy to find.
The large wooden arbor structure lends a perfect backdrop to gorgeous ceremonies and couples have a choice of using the footbridge which goes across the fish pond as shown here on the left or they can choose to forgo the bridge and walk around the pond or hold their ceremony in front of the pond itself. We chose to use the bridge and bring in our white carpet aisle runner for extra finishing. We dropped draping down the arbor on both sides which blew softly in the summer breeze during the ceremony. The aisle was lined with our ACE wrought iron orbs, simply decorated with colorful touches of florals and ribbon. Black benches replaced guest chairs.

A Charleston Event and Bridal Library like to use clear top tents in settings such as this to allow guests to see the beautiful live magnolia trees at William Aiken House, especially during this time of year when the magnolias are blooming. Large lanterns were hung from branches of the trees to give additional lighting in the trees during the evening. We also customized these wonderful boxes shown on the four corners of the dancefloor, which are changed out with each bride's particular color theme. We used large live ferns as shown here, but from time to time, place large urns with flowering arrangements or use as cocktail tables. We have these boxes in 3 ft and 5 ft sizes and they also make a wonderful dramatic look for aisle markers. Boxes are a regular stock item at ACE Rentals, along with custom monogram cake runners as shown in opening, photo, draping fabrics and aisle runners, curtains and a huge selection of wrought iron props and planters, custom table runners and ties.

For questions on ACE Florals & Rentals, please call us at 843-388-8000

Look out for our new floral division website (coming soon).