Sweetgrass Socials favorite bridal gowns from 2014 Market!

Today we have a fun blog post for y'all! The gals at Sweetgrass Social decided to compile our favorite bridal gowns from the designers new 2014 collections. There are so many to choose from but we finally narrowed it down to our top choices. We hope you love them just as much as we do!

Our Co-Owner and full service wedding planner Jacqueline Volz picked these dresses below!

1- Rivini - The Avina Gown. This gown is so elegant and sleek, and the back is absolutely stunning. 

2. Rubin Singer Couture- This gown is so royal! The detail on top and the movement of the skirt really makes this fit for a queen!

3. Badgley Mischka - I love the 1920's nod this dress gives! The 20's is my favorite time era and I love how much this dress honors that time. Also love the blush color so different for that bride looking to be bold and out of the box!

Our Co-Owner and full service wedding planner (and bride to be!) Meredith Severs picked these lovely gowns below! 

1. Oscar De La Renta Gown- I'm loving the details on the shoulders. This would be such a fun gown for a bride that isn't afraid to wear it!

2. Monique Lhuillier Gown - Beautiful and classic to me. I love the boldness of the skirt and love Monique. It reminds me of my dress!

3. Marchesa Gown- I love this look. I love the embellishment at the top that glams it up!

Our day of coordinator Brooke Coleman picked a whole collection, she just couldn't choose. She absolutely loves the Pronovias Bridal Collection. 

Date Night at Home: Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

We have something special planned for y'all on our usual date night Thursday, so here's this week's Date Night at Home recipe! We realize it's been awhile since we've promoted you and your man spending some quality time together, so dedicate one night this weekend after all the Halloween madness!

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into thin strips
4 ounces of linguine (gluten free for those GF people out there!)
2 tsp cajun seasoning
2 tbsp butter
1 thinly sliced green onion
1-2 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tbsp chopped sun-dried tomatoes
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp dried basil
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions
Place chicken and Cajun seasoning in a bowl and toss to coast.
In a large skillet over medium heat, saute chicken in butter or margarine until chicken is tender, about 5-7 minutes.
Reduce heat; add green onion, heavy cream, tomatoes, basil, salt, garlic powder, black pepper and heat through.
Pour over hot linguine and toss with Parmesan cheese.

Hors D'oeuvres Anyone?!

With the number of weddings Sweetgrass Social has done, we have seen some pretty great hors d'oeuvres that are passed around during cocktail hour! Often times, people will have mini versions of full meals just to keep people tied over until the delicious dinner is ready. We did a wedding last weekend at the Island House, and the groom was a sea captain so naturally they had ceviche shots being passed around on plates! It was so creative! (Pictures are still to come, don't worry we'll post some on our Facebook page too). For now here are some other creative ideas and favorites to have at your wedding during cocktail hour. We even threw in a cute idea for a dessert bar! 

Because who doesn't love mini fish tacos and tequila?! Talk about a fiesta!          

These mini lobster rolls have stolen my heart.           

  

 Lamb and mint lollipops! So elegant and easy.

Finally for everyones sweet tooth, how about a s'mores bar! What could be more fun than making your own s'mores with your favorite toppings?!

Honeymoon Phase!

Hey Y'all! I was checking out my twitter this morning and was scrolling through my feed when I saw a wedding post dedicated to honeymoons and what time of year is best for which place. So after your special night, whether you leave in the next few days or a month later be sure to have planned the best honeymoon at the right seasonal time. Who says it even has to be for a honeymoon actually? Take a vacation with your hubby whenever you have time! Travel is the only happiness that money can buy :)

Here are destinations lined up per month... Enjoy!

January & February

Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Bali, Belize, Brazil, Canada (ski destinations), Caribbean, Central & South Africa, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Maldives, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, the Florida Keys, USA (ski destinations)

March

Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Belize, Brazil, Canada (ski destinations), Caribbean, Central & South Africa, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egypt, French Polynesia, Hawaii, Maldives, Mexico, Morocco, the Florida Keys, USA (ski destinations, Southeast, Southwest)

April

Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Caribbean, Central & South Africa, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egypt, French Polynesia, Hawaii, Italy, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Spain, the Florida Keys, USA

May

Belize, Bermuda, Brazil, Britain, Canada, Caribbean, Central & South Africa, Czech Republic, Fiji, France, French Polynesia, Greece, Hawaii, Ireland, Italy, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Seychelles, Spain, Thailand, the Florida Keys, USA

June

Bermuda, Brazil, Britain, Canada, Central & South Africa, Czech Republic, Fiji, France, French Polynesia, Greece, Hawaii, Ireland, Italy, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Spain, Thailand, USA (Alaska, Northeast)

July & August

Bermuda, Brazil, Britain, Canada, Central & South Africa, Czech Republic, Fiji, France, French Polynesia, Ireland, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Seychelles, Thailand, USA (Alaska, Northeast)

September

Australia, Bermuda, Brazil, Britain, Canada, Central & South Africa, Czech Republic, Fiji, France, French Polynesia, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Spain, Thailand, USA

October

Australia, Bali, Belize, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Central & South Africa, Egypt, Fiji, French Polynesia, Hawaii, Italy, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Seychelles, Spain, USA

November

Australia, Bahamas, Bali, Belize, Brazil, Canada (ski destinations), Central & South Africa, Egypt, French Polynesia, Hawaii, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Seychelles, Spain, USA (ski destinations, Southeast, Southwest)

December

Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Bali, Belize, Brazil, Canada (ski destinations), Caribbean, Central & South Africa, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, the Florida Keys, USA (ski destinations)

Thanks to The Knot Twitter for posting this helpful list of destinations and times! 

All Things Drapery!

 
Good morning, y'all! Today, we've looked through a bunch of our past Sweetgrass Social weddings and looked for all things drapery! We've done a lot of different things with drapery; whether you want a clear top tent with drapery and lights or simple pole drapes, we've done it! Thanks to all of our vendors, we were able to bring these beautiful ideas to life. Check out some of our photos below to see what the ladies of Sweetgrass Social are capable of...

 

Guest Blog: Emily Easton and her six wedding thank you note no-no's!

BYLINE:  Emily Easton

Today we have a lovely guest blog from Emily Easton and she definitely has the expertise for thank you note writing! Listen to her great tips that way you can get to writing those wedding thank you notes! Take it away Emily...

Everyone loves getting a thank you note for a shower or wedding gift. The gift-giver loves it even more when the note-writer does not make these missteps:

1. Making the note too short. Each thank you note should be at least two sentences. Two full sentences. Three is better.

2. Not naming every gift. Don’t thank the giver just for the darling placemats if she also gave you napkins and napkin rings. Somehow, convey that you appreciate each gift – even if you use phrases like “an assortment of kitchen tools.”

3. Failing to mention why you like the gift. Include some description of why you appreciate the gift, such as:

·       We need so many items for our kitchen and the blender you sent is one of our favorite additions! We love smoothies …

·       Mom always brought out special serving items for entertaining, and now the gorgeous pewter platter you gave us starts our collection.

·       Tyler and I are so grumpy without our first cup of coffee. The coffee maker you selected …

·       No need to wonder if the gift you sent will be used! Thanks so much for the check you sent. It went right into our honeymoon fund …

4. Starting with “I.  You do remember your grade school teacher telling you never ever to start a thank you note with I. It’s too me-me-me.

5.  Starting with the words “Thank You.”  Of course you need to write the words “thank you” in the body of your note. But only the dullest notes start with those words. Force yourself to start with anything but “thank you” and you’re on your way to a great note. Here are some openings that will be appreciated:

• How surprised we were to open the box and see the lovely pitcher you sent us!
• Cold Wisconsin nights will be easier to take with the big plush blanket you gave us.  
• It’s party time! Thanks for the terrific ice bucket you gave us …

6. Complimenting your own wedding. You certainly hope your guests will have – or did have – a good time at your wedding. But don’t brag in your thank you note. Avoid any phrase such as “We’re so glad you were able to come to our wonderful wedding!”  

Emily Easton is a note-writing expert. Her website on Wedding Thank You Notes can be found at www.emilyeaston.com

Recipe Twist! Fancy Sandwiches

Hey Y'all! Todays recipe blog is a little different. Here are some awesome ideas for creative sandwiches for lunches and maybe even for mini hors d'oeuvres at your wedding reception! These are some of my favorites and they are pretty quick to make once you get the ingredients at your local grocery story. Have fun! 

B.A.L.T (yum, bacon!) 

A perfect mix of salty and sweet!

A French Favorite! 

A Lovely Gift For Your Mother

This is one of the most special days of your life and you want to make sure to share it with the people who are closest to you. Your mother has been there by your side through everything this wedding planning process threw at you, so as a token of appreciation and love give her this hand embroidered handkerchief to dry her tears of joy.This is just a template seen below. You may embroider it on any fabric you would like with the message of your choice. I think that this is so special and a meaningful gift to for your mother. She will keep it for the rest of her life!

Date Night at Home: We're Getting Fancy

We were so excited to get eatin' at the Greek Fall Festival last weekend that we skipped Date Night at Home! Don't worry, y'all - we're back and fancier than ever! The ladies of Sweetgrass Social are excited about this week's recipes: Filet Mignon with Shallot-Red Wine Sauce, Garlic Frites and Chocolate Fondue for dessert! Enjoy cooking this weekend with your hubby-to-be and let us know how your yummy meal together turns out!

Filet Mignon with Shallot-Red Wine Sauce
Ingredients
2 tsp margarine/butter
2 (1 inch thick, about 4 ounces each) beef tenderloin steaks of filet mignon
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
1 large shallot, finely chopped
1/2 cup dry red wine
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Directions
In non-stick 10-inch skillet, heat 1 tsp margarine/butter over medium-high heat until melted.
Add steaks; sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Cook 10 minutes for medium-rare or until of desired doneness, turning over once.
Transfer steak to dinner plates.
Add shallot to same skillet, and cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes or until tender and golden.
Add wine and heat until boiling. Cook 1 minute, constantly stirring.
Remove from heat and stir in remaining margarine.
Spoon sauce over steaks; transfer potatoes to plates, sprinkle with parsley and enjoy!

Garlic Frites
Ingredients
1/4 bag (28 ounces) of frozen shoestring potatoes (about 2 cups)
1 clove garlic, crushed with garlic press
3/4 tsp grated fresh lemon peel
Directions
On large cookie sheet, toss potatoes with garlic and lemon peel and cook as label directs, shifting them occasionally.
*Tip* Broil fries - this will speed up the cooking process and your frites will come out crispier!

Chocolate Fondue
Ingredients
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup milk
1/4 cup sugar
2, 12 oz. bags semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Apples, pretzels rods, strawberries, etc. for dipping

Directions
In a medium saucepan, combine cocoa powder with 1/2 cup water and cook over low heat for 1 minute. Stir occasionally.
Stir in the milk and sugar and bring to a simmer.
Add the chocolate chips and vanilla extract. Cook and stir until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth - about 5 minutes.
Serve the fondue warm with the apples, pretzel rods, strawberries - whatever you'd like!

Bridesmaid Gifts: Jewelry Edition

Yesterday the ladies of Sweetgrass Social posted about some great ideas for groomsmen gifts, now how about the bridesmaid gifts! There are so many fun ways to thank the amazing women in your life who you have asked to be a part of your special day! What better way than giving the jewelry that they can keep for the rest of their life. Your girls will love whatever you get them and they will know how much you appreciated having them by your side. 

Monogrammed necklaces from Moon and Lola are always a fan favorite, and one of mine! You can head over to the Charleston based store on King Street and check out all the customization options they have. The colors, fonts, sizes, and designs are all able to be played with! 

Another great idea are earrings for your bridesmaids that can be worn during the ceremony with your dresses. Kendra Scott, a jewelry designer, makes gorgeous earrings that I am obsessed with. They come in so many colors it will be hard to choose! If you are picking out your bridesmaid dresses, head on over to Bella Bridesmaid Charleston and let Allison Long, owner of the Charleston store find the perfect dress for you and perfect pair of Kendra Scott's. 

Now for all of you ladies that are just as crazy about Kate Spade as the girls at Sweetgrass Social are, here is an adorable bangle that is perfect for tying the knot. Your gals will definitely love this one! 

Gifts from the Groom for his Manly-Men

This past weekend at our Sweetgrass Social wedding, we got to talking about groomsmen gifts. Often times, the groom gets stuck on how to thank the best men in his life for being part of his special day. As a sort of "thank you", the groom tends to get them a gift, something unique to their relationship or something that symbolizes their group as a whole. Below, we've compiled a list of some of our favorite fool-proof ideas - my personal favorite is a monogrammed flask!

The most popular groomsmen gift is typically cufflinks - a trinket the groomsmen can wear on the special day and beyond. Cufflinks come in a variety of shapes and styles, purchased to match the groomsmen suits come wedding day. They can be monogrammed or designed with letters, symbols or anything to represent the bond between the groom and his best men.

Personalized flasks are my favorite groomsmen gift idea! This gift is also something they can use during the wedding and even after as a party essential! You can do a monogrammed flask for each groomsmen or do something that represents the fun you all had together at the bachelor party/wedding reception. What a fun, and I mean fun, way to thank your groomsmen!

Another way to celebrate your groomsmen is with bar essentials. Mugs, coasters, bottle openers, shot glasses and more are a great way to personalize a gift they will actually use. We love the concept of flights for both beer and liquor. We also love personalized mugs and glasses.

The most practical gift is luggage or a duffle bag. We heard from a groomsmen this past weekend that that was a groomsmen gift he's gotten the most use out of. Think about it - they can use it for travel to and from the wedding, travel with family and friends, or just a bag to throw everything in when heading to the gym. What a great idea!