Discover your Wedding Theme

So may brides today start the wedding planning process without really thinking things out and figuring out what type of wedding they truly would like. I don't mean just the style (traditional, casual beach wedding, black tie formal, etc.). Every wedding should be MAGIC, no matter how big or how little. The wedding day itself is the joining of both your hearts, souls and personalities, so why not incorporate both your personalities into the wedding and create a theme the both of you can look back on and truly say, "that was the best day of our lives".

Starting the theme can be as easy as agreeing on a color to bring into the entire wedding ceremony and reception. Take this rich copper color for instance, which is all the rage nowadays for autumn weddings. The bride had custom made wedding programs and brought the beautiful copper colored ribbon into the programs with a small accent bow on each one. Also, a simple ivory flower girl's dress is spruced up even more with the same color-themed copper sash, which matched the attendant's dresses. Pulling the same color throughout with other colorful accents, will ensure that your wedding is beautiful, color-coordinated and original by design. It's easy to do and your florist and/or design consultant will love you for it. Add sparks of extra colors in your florals, hair pieces and table embellishments.

Bringing the same color theme from the ceremony, right through to the reception is again, a way to keep everything flowing. Linens these days have such a wide variety of colors to choose from and allow you to be so much more creative than 20 years ago. Long gone are the traditional 'white only' linens and instead are substituted for fabulous iridescent and print assortments now. Chair covers and ties to match are a great way to finish things off with solids.
Place your own personal touches on things like guest books, wedding favors, place cards, etc. to get the full effect of your creativity.

Photos courtesy of Nathan Bell with Richard Bell Photography

Lowndes Grove Wedding

One of the prettiest venues in Charleston is Lowndes Grove Plantation. Set in aged oak trees, dripping with spanish moss and situated on a spectacular waterfront property, the venue boasts character, history and charm. Its no wonder why couples all over the world book this site for their wedding day celebrations. This property is managed by Patrick Properties, who also manage the William Aiken House (covered in a previous Blog).

Congratulations and Good Luck Annalise

Most of you already are very familiar with my daughter Annalise, who has been a regular face at A Charleston Event & Bridal Library since the beginning. It is with special pride that I would like to announce that Annalise has been formally accepted into the PhD Neuro Psychology program at Wayne State in Michigan.

While we are all truly sad she will be leaving us (and I am particularly sad that my dear daughter won't be as close to us physically), I'm sure you'll all join in our happiness by wishing her much success and good luck on her new journey! She embarks on a long educational path, but as a great achiever, she will come back a flying success fulfilling all her dreams! Your father and I are so proud of you my Dolling and love you dearly!!! XOXOX

JUNE INVITATION MADNESS

Attention all soon-to-be Brides...

For the month of June 2009, A Charleston Event will be clearing out their inventory of inventory to make room for all new designs coming in for Fall '09 and Spring of next year.

We are offering a SPECIAL 15% discount off ALL invitations, save-the-dates and programs ordered through the last day of June 2009. That's 15% discount!!! It's easy and this is a one-time limited offer and is valid for everyone. Just go to our website and choose your style, lettering, color themes and order. It's just that simple. In order to obtain your discount, when placing your order, after your name (and right next to it) type in code 0609.

To browse, go to http://www.ACharlestonEvent.cceasy.com

We look forward to filling your order and giving you your special discount. Happy Planning!

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).

It's all about the Details

Photo Courtesy of Richard Bell Photography

So you've ordered the bouquets and centerpieces for your wedding celebrations. You've even though about the small arrangements in the restrooms, but what about the other areas that are sometimes forgotten? Here's some tips to think about when planning your special day...

Instead of the usual guest placecards, consider planning a theme such as a lowcountry themed wedding, complete with these adorable sweetgrass flowers above. Sweetgrass weaving is not only an artform, it is a rich cultural tradition in Charleston and the Lowcountry.

Thinks like mantle pieces are often overlooked. Placing the simplest of decor and candle light can make a big difference.
If having a seated dinner, think about printing up menus ahead of time. Some catering companies will do this for you at no extra charge. Adding a small color coordinated ribbon around the napkin brings out your colors even more.
Linens come in a huge variety of prints and colors now. Instead of just having a solid color linen, think about a solid underlay and placing a printed overlay. For a more dramtic look, pull the linens up and hang embellishments from them.

For the Bride & Groom, Bridal Party and Mothers, Grandmothers seating markers, Tussie Mussies are adorable and can be used after the wedding as keepsakes. They are not only affordable, but look gorgeous when hung off the backs of chairs as shown in the photo below.

Cost Effective Props and Rentals

Nowadays, more brides are looking for most cost effective and green ways to decorate their wedding receptions without having to cut back on quality. One way I suggest is to start looking for more unique options that will also give that WOW factor.

At A Charleston Event and Bridal Library, we stock a wide variety of glassware and small lighting effects that are perfect for centerpieces on guest tables as well as focal points throughout the reception site. These are rented as opposed to being bought and are used over and over again, with the exception of the small amount of florals that are inserted to soften the look of the glass cylinders. The lampshades themselves are utilized on a variety of different stands, vases and cylinders in order to bring a couple's personal look to each table.

Also, these unique little etched lanterns make great accents on the cake table, cocktails and hung at different levels. Placed with an electronic candle, they are ideal for beach and outdoor weddings when votives just won't stay lit due to windy conditions.

For more ideas on props and rentals, check back on this blog and be sure to check the Bridal Library site for updates. The new website will be completed in June. www.BridalLibrary.com