Sweetgrass Social Event & Design

Inspiring Stars

2012-02-21T13:03:00.000-08:00

Historically, celebrity icons and entertainment stars have always set fashion trends in motion. It is no different in the wedding world of fashion. Designers are looking to starlets of the past as inspiration for their current lines. Here are a few of our favorites.

Grace Kelly, an icon that has influenced so many, was a vision in her high-necked lace gown when she married Prince Rainier. Want the look that even Kate Middleton mimicked?
Try the Pronovias' bolero dress.

Judy Garland, on her wedding day, wore a very simple jersey dress when she married Vincent Minnelli. This Anne Bowen crepe gown reminds us of the starlet's chic look.

If you're wanting something a little non-traditional, take a cue from Bianca Jagger. We love the images of her and Mick from their wedding where she donned a YSL tuxedo jacket. You can still get the look from them today.

Want to see more iconic images from star's weddings? You can purchase "Weddings and Movie Stars" available on Amazon.

"I Present To You Mr. and Mrs. Murray"

2012-02-10T19:32:00.000-08:00

This wedding feature is thatof my beautiful cousin Katie Lynch and her now husband Haskell Murray. Thiscouple is one that does not miss a beat with each other. They truly are twothat I can say complete each other in every way. Katie and I have always beenclose and I often wondered who would be the perfect guy to compliment such asweet and sincere girl. The moment that Katie introduced me to Haskell I knewthat he was definitely her other half. Their wedding day was full of wonderfulfamily and friends that surrounded this incredible couple with love celebratingall night long! Katie chose to getmarried in her hometown of Concord, North Carolina in her home church with a reception following at The Club at Irish Creek. The fabulous LindseyLee Hartsell did a magnificent job of capturing this day and all thelove that went into it.

Valentines for Veronica

2012-02-06T10:47:00.000-08:00

It is that time of year where we show our loved ones just how we much we care. This Valentine's Day, we are hoping you will help to support our vendors that have teamed up for a great cause.

Branch Design Studio and D'lish Desserts are partnering with the "Save Veronica Rose" campaign to help raise money for the Capobianco family as they face mounting legal fees in their fight to bring Veronica home! Veronica was adopted by the Capobianco family and recently taken away from them due to the Indian Child Welfare Act. To read about Veronica's story, visit their website here. To support the cause, Branch Design Studio and D'lish Desserts are allowing you to order a beautiful Valentine’s Day flower bouquet and cupcake bundle to be hand delivered to your Valentine on Valentine’s Day throughout the Greater Charleston area.

There are three packages that you can choose from:

"Little V": Small floral arrangement and 2 Valentine’s Day Cupcakes (choice of 1 flavor)- $65.00

"Sweet V": Medium floral arrangement and 4 Valentine’s Day Cupcakes (choice of 2 flavors)- $85.00

"Lovable V": Large floral arrangement and 6 Valentine’s Day Cupcakes (choice of 3 flavors)-$100.00

Flower arrangements will be mixes of white, pink and red flowers in glass vases of varying sizes depending on package. Flowers used will include hydrangea, ranunculus, sweet peas, orchids, roses, tulips, dusty miller, etc. When you call to order you can choose between red velvet, carrot, or chocolate cupcakes. Red velvet and carrot cupcakes will have cream cheese buttercream frosting and chocolate cupcakes will have chocolate buttercream frosting. Please order by February 10th at 5pm to ensure you can take advantage of this opportunity! 100% of the proceeds from each order will be given straight to the Save Veronica fund set up through the CAICW national nonprofit.

This Valentine's Day, we hope you will share the love by giving in more than one way!

A Year in Review

2012-01-01T19:04:00.000-08:00

What a fun year we have had at Sweetgrass Social! We've been blessed to be a part of so many lovely couples wedding days, and have enjoyed every minute of it. Here's a glimpse of some of our 2011 weddings.

2011

Here's to a brand new year and many more beautiful weddings. Happy New Year, y'all!

Real Wedding: Suzanne & Jeff

2011-12-28T14:25:00.000-08:00

We know that we have been a bit quiet on the blog this past week, but we're happy to come back with a fabulous real wedding feature. Suzanne and Jeff were married this past October in an intimate ceremony at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church followed by a reception in the gallery at McCrady's. The images from this wedding, courtesy of Virgil Bunao, are stunning and will speak for themselves. The team at Charleston Stems did the floral work, and did an amazing job as always. We had a great time working with this sweet couple. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Anderson!

Vendors: Coordination: Sweetgrass Social Event & Design; Floral: Charleston Stems; Photography: Virgil Bunao of CVI Photography; Lounge: Snyder Lounge; Invitations, Menus, Signage: Studio R Designs; Event Venue: McCrady's; Church: St. Stephen's Episcopal Church; Band: Two Three Ways

Wedding Inspiration: A first look with Dad

2011-12-21T10:06:00.000-08:00

Although it may break tradition, we love the concept of first look pictures. It captures that special moment when a groom first sees his bride-to-be and that is such a special memory to have documented.

Well we have a bit of a twist on this idea for you today. Why not take this idea one step further and have a first look moment with your Dad! We are loving this idea and found these images of Dads and their daughters especially inspiring. We hope one of our brides will do this soon!!

{via Bridal Guide}

Baby It's Cold Outside..

2011-12-20T09:57:00.000-08:00

....well, maybe not here in Charleston! Unfortunately, we haven't been able to experience that winter chill yet, but despite the weather, we hope you are cuddling up with the ones you love by a Christmas tree as lovely as this one. While we're snuggled up with our sweeties, we're going to be serving something sweet too! Try out this recipe for the perfect hot chocolate!

Ingredients

3 1/2 cups sugar
2 1/4 cups cocoa
1 tablespoon table salt
Whole milk for serving

Directions

In a large bowl, combine sugar, cocoa, and salt, and whisk to combine well. Store the mixture in an airtight container.
For individual servings, pour 1 cup whole milk into a microwave-safe mug, and microwave on high just until hot. Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa mix, and stir to dissolve. For a larger batch of cocoa, warm the milk in a saucepan set over medium-low heat, taking care not to let the milk boil; as it warms, stir in 2 tablespoons of mix for each cup of milk.

While you're in the holiday entertaining mood, why not take some inspiration from some of these table settings for your special holiday gathering with family and friends!

{via Southern Living}

{via Country Living}

{via Better Homes and Gardens}

{via Martha Stewart}

{via Southern Living}

We hope you will feel inspired to bring your loved ones close together this year and

spread a little holiday cheer! Happy Entertaining, y'all!

Spotlight: Hardink Calligraphy

2011-12-19T08:17:00.000-08:00

We are loving the idea of custom invitations, especially handwritten ones. So, of course, we wanted to share with you a vendor that can handmake everything from your wedding logo to your invitations to even cocktail napkins! This girl is talented and a friend of ours, so we are happy to introduce Elizabeth Hardin of Hardink Calligraphy. She is based out of Nashville, Tennessee, but we are so happy she agrees to work with us across state lines. Check out her website and blog, as well as some of her images below. Thanks for sharing these with us, Elizabeth!

Great Gift Idea: The Birch Box

2011-12-18T11:39:00.000-08:00

If you and your friends are like us and love to sample new beauty products, then we have the perfect gift for you! The Birch Box is a brilliant idea, as it is a sampling of hot new beauty products that get sent to your door monthly. You can buy yourself or someone special a subscription for just $10.00 a month. What a steal! We think this would not only make a fantastic Christmas gift, but a great gift for your bridesmaids, as well. Check out all the details on the Birch Box here.

Color of the Year: Tangerine Tango

2011-12-12T05:01:00.000-08:00

Pantone has recently announced the 2012 color of the year. What color will be seeing lots of in 2012 you ask? Tangerine Tango! Here is Pantone had to say about this year's color...

“Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”

What do you think? Will we be seeing this vibrant color in 2012 weddings?

Let's hope so! Here's to a bright 2012!

New Obsession: Wedding Gawker

2011-12-11T14:42:00.001-08:00

We have a great new distraction for all of you brides-to-be and for those that just love to "gawk" at lovely wedding pictures. Wedding Gawker is a new website that we have stumbled upon and it is pretty much pinterest except all weddings. We signed up and had an account immediately. There's no waiting list. So, if you've been put on the waiting list over at pinterest, pop on over and get some inspiration from this fun site. We know we have!

Here's one of our favorite images from our gawking so far. How precious!

If you like that site, you will probably love Craft Gawker, Food Gawker, and Dwelling Gawker too! All of these sites certainly hit some of our favorite interests. Now if we can only get a fashion gawker, we would be all set. Happy Gawking!

Real Enagagement: Bridgette & Asher

2011-11-17T12:34:00.001-08:00

These types of posts are some of our favorites because we get to share with you all the really great stories of how our couples get engaged. Trust us, seeing a bride light up when she tells us how she got engaged is a total perk to this job. One of our newest grooms, Asher, really put in a lot of thought when he decided to pop the question to his now fiance, Bridgette.

Here's what Bridgette had to say....

Asher and I had been talking for months prior about a vacation for Spring Break. He kept asking me if there was one place that i could go where would it be, and i said, "Disney, of course!" I have had a love for Disney since i was a little kid, it was the one place that we could go at least twice a year as a family. Even when i was in high school, I'd rather go to Disney World with my family than to the beach with my friends. It was just a special place to me, and the place i can always think of and not help but think of my parents!

So for months i had searched and searched for hotels and dates and i had planned out our Spring break! I did nothing but talk about it for months! So as soon as March rolled around Asher told me to send him all the hotels i found and he would book the trip for us, so i sent him these few hotels i found around Orlando for super cheap, because i love a good deal! So i was expecting a cheap fun week long trip to the happiest place on earth!

Without be knowing, Asher had been planning a lot more!

Asher had bought me the bike i had been looking at forever but i would never buy! He planned to bring the Bike to MUSC where i work, and he was going to have it outside the hospital when i got off work, with a huge Disney balloon and inside the bike basket would be my ring...and i would find him down on one knee ready to propose to me, and we would then be off and on our way to Disney!! How romantic right?

Well...leave it to me to ruin that....i was so excited about leaving for Disney the next day that i called out sick to work!!!!

So when i told him the night before that i wasn't going to work, he kept insisting that i HAD TO go to work! But me being stubborn and completely clueless i told him, 'No, we are leaving early for Disney, i don't want to work when i could be at Disney silly!"

So right then and there, in that moment in his apartment when he knew i wasn't going to budge about going to work, he pulled out his guitar, and in the case where he had been hiding the ring, he pulled out his mother's engagement ring, and dropped down on one knee and proposed to me! Even though i ruined his big plans, it couldn't have been more perfect!

So we celebrated the rest of the night, and the next morning he showed me the bike and his plans....we laughed about the whole situation, and set off for an amazing week at Disney one day early!

Real Engagement: Jennifer and Steven

2011-11-14T11:35:00.001-08:00

Jennifer and Steven are engaged and have chosen us as their wedding planners for their delightful May wedding. They were so nice as to share their engagement story with us. For those of you that are romantics like we are at Sweetgrass Social, this will be a sweet little story to kick your Monday off right!

This is what Jennifer had to say....

"Steven and I enjoy many activities together. On Wednesday evenings, we practice tennis with Todd and Jennifer, another married couple and Don, our tennis instructor.

As all of us began to prepare for the tennis lesson Steven knelt down and reached into his pocket. He said, "Jennifer, I know this is not the most romantic setting, but I could not wait to ask you any longer, will you marry me?" My initial reaction was he was joking but when he opened the black box and showed me the ring I began sobbing tears of joy uncontrollably.

Todd and Jennifer were secretly informed of this proposal moments beforehand and watched with lingering enthusiasm. However, Don was unaware of the proposal that just occurred on his tennis court and was confused by the scene in front of him. Todd and Jennifer are laughing and watching while Steven is hugging his sobbing fiance. Don jokingly replies from across the court, "Why is Jennifer crying?! Did Steven say something about her backhand?" Todd and Jennifer inform Don of what just happened and he excitedly embraced the both of us and we continued the best tennis clinic of my life. "

Real Engagement: Matt & Lauren

2011-11-08T12:07:00.000-08:00

We love sharing our clients' unique engagement stories. Below is a description of Matt and Lauren's engagement story in the bride's own words. It's a good one! Enjoy!

Matt had surprised Lauren with tickets to Kailua, Hawaii for her birthday. The day Lauren arrived in Hawaii (Matt had already been there a few weeks for work) he suggested getting up early the next morning for a "sunrise hike" up on the cliffs. Early the next morning (5am, to be exact) they both got up and started hiking up to the top of the cliffs. Matt (who was anxious to get to the top before sunrise) was practically sprinting up the trail, while Lauren was struggling to keep up and wondering why he was going up the trail so quickly; in fact, about halfway up Lauren stopped to catch her breath and said something to the effect of "if we keep going at this pace I'm going to throw up". How romantic!

It was all worth it, however, when they made it to the top and as the sun came up Matt got down on one knee and proposed as the sun was coming up over the ocean.

Look out for their wedding pictures this Spring! Congrats, Matt and Lauren!

Wedding Advice: Choosing a Color Scheme

2011-11-07T17:55:00.000-08:00

One thing we know that brides tend to struggle with is defining the color palette for their wedding. So, what should you consider when you're choosing your wedding colors? Here's what we suggest.

1) Examine your home and see what type of color schemes you use to decorate. A person's style is showcased in their home decor. Let those colors used in the spaces that make you feel comfortable inspire your wedding design. If you decorate with a lot of clean neutrals, you may also want to consider this for your wedding. If you have a bolder taste with lots of fabrics, consider a vibrant color palette for your big day. Most importantly, choose a color scheme that will create a space that makes you feel comfortable.

2) What colors do you wear on a day to day basis? Flip through your closet. Do you see a theme? If so, let that inspire you. Are your clothes classic, whimsical, or modern? Your personal style should always shine through on the day of your wedding. Once you decide what type of bride you are, the colors and design fall right into place.

3) You know that pile of magazine clippings and the inspiration board you've created on pinterest? Well, it's time to connect the dots and find a common theme. Generally we find if a bride is having a hard time defining her color scheme and design style, that really she should look back to her inspiration. About 99% of the time, we are able to find a commonality in all the pieces that have been pulled. You've pulled 10 magazine clippings of the same flowers in the same colors? Well Ta Da! You've got your answer and your color palette.

Need some extra inspiration and want to explore color palettes used in real weddings? Check out the color palette section on Style Me Pretty.

Resources for Images: Live Like You & Marmalade Interiors; Style Me Pretty

Real Wedding: Jenny & Will

2011-11-02T14:24:00.000-07:00

We love a good fall wedding. The weather is crisp and the color palettes give a nod to the fall foliage that we don't get to see a lot of here in Charleston!

Jenny and Will were married on October 2nd, 2011 in Washington Park followed by a reception at The Historic Rice Mill. Didn't Jenny look gorgeous? How can you not notice that Vera Wang gown! It was to die for and we loved her bird cage hair piece, as well! Make sure to take note of the DIY favors our bride created, custom Charleston coasters. A very neat idea for all of you planning your wedding! For more of Jenny and Will's wedding, visit their feature on The Wedding Row.

Vendors: Event Planning: Sweetgrass Social Event & Design; Photography: Sweet Tea Imagery; Catering: Good Food Catering; Venue: Historic Rice Mill; Ceremony: Washington Park; Rentals: Event Drs & EventWorks; Floral: Horst Wholesale Florist; Cake: Artistic Cakes by Linda; Exit Transportation: Charleston Rickshaw

My My My Boogie Shoes!

2011-10-28T10:01:00.000-07:00

"Girl, To Be With You Is My Fav'rite Thing
Uh Huh
And I Can't Wait Til I See You Again
Yeah, Yeah
I Want To Put On My My My My My
Boogie Shoes
Just To Boogie With You, Yeah
I Want To Put On My My My My My
Boogie Shoes Just To Boogie With You,Uh Huh"
-Boogie Shoes, KC & the Sunshine Band

When a wedding is over, we always anxiously await for the photographer's e-mail to pop in our inbox saying the pictures are done and up on their website. We, of course, scour through the images of the bride and groom and the shots of the details, but want to know what are some of our favorite kinds of pictures? The dancing shots, of course! Once the bridal party and guests have had a chance to relax and "let their hair down", the photographer is always able to get amazing pictures. Here are some of our favorites from the classic first dance to the party on the dance floor!

Jessica & Todd share their first dance at Magnolia Plantation.

Lauren and Chad had their first dance at their New Year's Eve wedding at the Cotton Dock. We love this image of Chad dipping back Lauren!

Our hands down most creative first dance was from Ann and Ryan at their Daniel Island Club wedding. The couple did a choreographed dance to "Get Down Tonight" by K.C. and the Sunshine Band.

Pay attention here, Dads! This father and daughter had the most amazing choreographed dance we've ever seen! It was a medley of songs leading in to a Tina Turner finale! Absolutely amazing!

Lauren and her mother boogied down on stage with the band!

A jubilant father of the bride!

Keep on dancin', y'all!

Spooktacular Ideas for your Pumpkins!

2011-10-27T08:22:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween, y'all!

Look at these spooktacular ideas we have come across for your pumpkins.

Paint them with your address like Holly from Life as a Thrifter!

A bowl for your treats....

or a cooler for your drinks!

Painted or carved...either way is cute!

Happy decorating! We can't wait to see what you come up with for your pumpkins!

Resources: Martha Stewart, Life as a Thrifter, Pottery Barn

Pin It!

2011-10-26T14:46:00.001-07:00

We have to let you in on our pinterest obsession. What in the world is pinterest you may ask? Pinterest is a website that we use to collect inspiration for all of our clients and store it all in one place. It keeps us super organized and is great for our brides to look at while we're busy designing their special day.

If you are planning a wedding, we would definitely suggest opening an account. You might be put on a waiting list, but it's well worth the wait. When you find the perfect image online that you want your vendors to see, you can just reference your pinterest board!

Check out all the fun here.

Want to see what we're up to? Follow both Jacqueline and Meredith!

Charleston gets national recognition as #1 U.S. City!

2011-10-12T09:45:00.001-07:00

Charleston recently received the huge honor of being named as the #1 city in U.S. by Conde Naste Traveler. We couldn't be more pleased that our city is getting this recognition, but as Charlestonians, we've always thought our city was #1!

The magazine gives it's reasons for the award, but we would like to tell you our favorite things about Charleston from the categories they've listed that make it #1 in our hearts.

Atmosphere and Ambiance

Jacqueline's Favorites:

1) Sullivan's Island Beach
2) Shem Creek Restaurants & Bars
3) The Market area

Meredith's Favorites:

1) Roof Top at Market Pavilion
2) Isle of Palms Beach
3) Strolling through the Market

Culture & Sites

Jacqueline's Favorites:
1) Thomas Bennett House
2) The Battery
3) The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
4) Jacqueline had to add a fourth option here. She loves the culture and history of the sweetgrass vendors that sit at the ends of the market. They really represent and preserve our Charleston culture!

Meredith's Favorites:
1) Middleton Place Plantation
2) Boone Hall Plantation
3) Old Exchange Building

Friendliness
Below are some of our favorite places that we think have the friendliest Charlestonians.

Jacqueline's Favorites:
1) Any of our restaurants
2) The downtown Farmer's Market in Marion Square
3) Walking on the streets of downtown Charleston, you always see a smiling face!

Meredith's Favorites:
1) Hall's Chophouse (Meredith is always greeted with a hug and a welcome back when she walks through the door! It's one of her family's favorites too!)
2) Local coffee shops like Jake's on Broad and Kudu
3) The Harbour Club of Charleston. John, the front desk attendant, always greets her with a huge smile!

Lodging

Jacqueline's Favorites:
1) Restoration on King
2) The Battery Carriage House Inn
3) Charleston Place

Meredith's Favorites:
1) Market Pavilion Hotel
2) The Inn at I'on
3) The Sanctuary at Kiawah

Restaurants
This a hard category, y'all! We have so many fabulous restaurants so this is hard to narrow it down to 3!

Jacqueline's Favorites:
1) High Cotton
2) Coast
3) Virginia's on King

Meredith's Favorites:
1 & 2) This is a tie for Meredith. It is a totally toss up between Hall's Chophouse and High Cotton. Both are fantastic!
3) Magnolia's

Shopping

Jacqueline's Favorites:
1) Luna
2) House of Sage
3) Teal

Meredith's Favorites:
1) Teal
2) House of Sage
3) Francesca's Collections

We hope all of you can enjoy some of our favorite's next time you're visiting our wonderful city! As the video says, Thanks Y'all for making us #1!

Real Wedding: Chuck & Elyse

2011-08-31T11:38:00.001-07:00

Chuck & Elyse
June 18, 2011
St. Mary's & The Harbour Club

We're so pleased to be able to share this special wedding with y'all! Chuck and Elyse are such a great couple and made our jobs so easy. They were so much fun to work with and we were sad to see our time with them come to an end.

There were so many neat aspects to this wedding. One of them being the bridal party gifts. The bride and groom definitely took a lot of time thinking of ways to honor their bridal party. The bridesmaids all received cute robes with their monograms along with Tom's wedges and ray ban sunglasses. The boys also all wore Toms shoes and custom belts and bow ties paired with ray bans, as well. The shoes were the couples way of donating to charity while also giving their bridal party something special and comfortable to wear on their wedding day. As always, Liz Duren did a fantastic job of capturing all of these details.

The ceremony took place at St. Mary's followed by a very high energy and fun filled reception at the Harbour Club. Guests enjoyed cocktails on the veranda and then made their way to the second floor for a seated dinner following by dancing on the first floor. It was so fun having three separate spaces to work with and having something different on every floor! The flowers were done by the girls at Charleston Stems while the lighting and draping was done by TEC.

Ceremony: St. Mary's of the Annunciation; Reception: Harbour Club of Charleston; Event Coordination and Design: Sweetgrass Social; Florist: Charleston Stems; Cake: Ashley Bakery; Linens: Connie Duglin; Rentals: EventWorks; Lighting & Draping: TEC; Photography: Liz Duren; DJ: Rob Duren

Real Wedding: Shelley & Greg

2011-08-23T11:19:00.000-07:00

Shelley & Greg
July 3, 2011
Creek Club at I'on

Y'all have already gotten a sneak peak of this event with the Edwin McCain video from last month, but now we're pleased to bring you the details of Shelley & Greg's July wedding courtesy of Virgil Bunao of CVI photography. As always, the Creek Club at I'on served as a perfect back drop on this sunny July day. As we all know, Charleston can have some warm weather, but this day was just right. Before the ceremony, guests were able to grab a refreshing lemonade in the garden and fan themselves to make sure they were comfortable. The ceremony took place on the lawn and ended with a surprise. As the bride and groom were announced, gospel singers sang out "Oh Happy Day" from the porches of the Creek Club, and sang some other gospel favorites as the guests mingled for the cocktail hour.

Probably the biggest surprise of the night though was, of course, Edwin McCain. We had received a call a week earlier from Edwin's manager saying that there was a great possibility that he could make it. Of course, we kept this a HUGE secret! We knew he had arrived to the venue when we heard our bride scream from the garden because she caught a glimpse of him walking by. She cried with joy which made us all tear up. What a special surprise. He then sang the songs for her first dance and father/daughter dance. It was a truly special moment that we will always remember.

The great music continued all night with the band Loose Chain. These guys really kept the party rocking and the guests dancing. In all, this event was packed full of fun little details from the cute koozies to the special first dance to the yacht departure. Check out the images below.

Vendors: Venue: Creek Club at I'on; Floral: Branch Design Studio; Event Coordination: Sweetgrass Social; Catering: Creek Club at I'on; Rentals: EventWorks; Band: Loose Chain; Gospel Choir: Spiritually Yours; Cake: Wildflour; Special Music: Edwin McCain; Boat Exit: Day Maker

Real Wedding: Erica and Brandon

2011-08-18T07:22:00.000-07:00

Erica and Brandon
April 16, 2011

We absolutely love when we get to go back to each of our home towns and do a wedding for some of the people we love. Erica and Brandon were married in Jacqueline's home town of Florence, SC and have been good friends of hers for many years. We had a blast working with this wonderful couple. Here are a couple shots from their beautiful and fun filled wedding day.

Erica added many sentimental touches in her wedding through family heirlooms. The ring she gave Brandon was her late grandfather's wedding ring. She added Brandon's initials and their wedding date to it to match her grandfather's and her grandparents wedding date. Erica also had the florist add one of her grandmother's pearl broaches to her bouquet as her "something old".

Vendors: Coordination & Event Design: Sweetgrass Social Event & Design; Flowers: Flowers by Starks; Reception Venue and Catering: Osbornes; Photographer: Fred Salley Photography; Cake: Carol's Cake and Candy Kitchen, Reception Entertainment: DJ Dan E Lockemy, Hair and Makeup: Kirby Weaver at 2nd to None, Ceremony Musicians: Mr. Nick Townsend - Soloist, Mr. Joe Greer - Organist, Mrs. Susan Graham - Flutist, Officiant: Pastor Dr. Jimmie E Harley

Real Wedding: Katie & Keegan

2011-08-17T11:31:00.000-07:00

Katie & Keegan
Pepper Plantation
April 16, 2011

Katie and Keegan were married this past April at Pepper Plantation in Awendaw, S.C. We were so excited to work with them and make their dreams of a country chic wedding come to life. The color scheme consisted of plum purple, natural shades, and green. We hope you enjoy some of the shots from their big day!

Vendors: Coordination & Event Design: Sweetgrass Social Event & Design; Flowers: Pretty Petals; Rentals: Snyder Event Rentals; Band: Hipshack; Catering: New Dream Catering; Bar: Snyder Bar

Real Engagement: Shana and Alex

2011-07-18T10:26:00.000-07:00

Shana and Alex have one of the most unique engagement story's we have ever heard and we only thought it was fitting to use Shana's story!

"On May 21, 2011, I was standing at the kitchen counter finishing making a cake for a dinner party, and Alex came up behind me and tossed the ring on top of the cake.

Then he sang me the song he wrote:

You're the Yin to my Yang
 Like buffalo sauce on a chicken wing 
Would you like to wear a wedding ring?

And then got down on one knee. (It took the old guy a while to get back up though)

Of course I said yes. It was a total surprise, and very silly, and very Alex. I loved it!

Plus the ring has purple stones, and I do LOVE purple. Nice work fella!"
Here is the real note that Alex wrote the song on...

Congratulations Shana and Alex! We are so excited for your beach wedding!

Real Wedding: Jennifer and Brad

2011-07-12T08:49:00.000-07:00

Jennifer and Brad
May 15, 2011
Alhambra Hall

It was clear at the rehearsal on May 14th that Jennifer and Brad were not only ready but also very excited to be getting married. This only became more evident as we talked with the bride and groom on their wedding day. They were both calm and thinking of each other. We were even lucky enough to catch Brad dropping off Jennifer's present where she was getting ready! It was a beautiful day filled with love as you can see in these pictures!

How beautiful does Jennifer look in this photo?! Notice the flower fascinator in her hair too!

The ceremony took place out on the lawn of Alhambra Hall and was just breathtaking despite a little bit of wind.

Looks like Evan Laettner was not the only photographer at the wedding... So precious!

JW Weddings and Events did such a fabulous job on the bouquets!

The reception space was taken over by the orange and pink color scheme with paper lanterns, draping and gorgeous flowers. The family style table looked wonderful with understated flowers lining the entire table.

The new Mr. and Mrs. Baker were all smiles as they shared their first dance!

It did not take long for the rest of the guests to join Brad and Jennifer on the dance floor and stay there all night!

The guests all lined up with rose petals to send off the newlyweds in their Black Cab. Congratulations Jennifer and Brad!

Thank you Jennifer and Brad for making Sweetgrass Social a part of your special day!

Special thanks to: Alhambra Hall; JW Weddings and Events; Jade from Sweet Street Designer Cakes and Cupcakes; Good Food Catering; Music By Request Jay Maxwell; Snyder; Snyder Lounge; Classical Charleston; Charleston Black Cab Company; Evan Laettner Photography

Real Wedding: Surprise Performance

2011-07-05T08:55:00.000-07:00

We had the wonderful Lane/Ashcroft wedding on July 3rd only made better by an unexpected performance by..... Edwin McCain! This fantastic surprise brought the bride to tears and all of the guests to their feet. Check out the video above of Edwin singing for the bride and groom's first dance!

The photos from the wedding by CVI Photography are coming soon so keep an eye on our Facebook page!

Feature: Alexandra Styles

2011-06-09T12:23:00.000-07:00

Hey y'all! We know it's been a while since you've heard from us but what a great way to kick things back up with Alexandra Styles!

Alexandra is a stylist here in Charleston who does everything from personal styling to styling bridesmaids for weddings. We were lucky enough to be able to sit down with Alexandra to learn some of her secrets and can't wait to share them with you!

The first thing we learned from Alexandra is that there are a couple of wardrobe staples that are well worth the investment: a great pair of jeans, a black pencil skirt and a nice handbag. We all know jeans are a staple in every girls wardrobe, so if you find a great pair of designer jeans it is okay to invest the money!

Then we got to talking about styling for weddings and she has a really fresh perspective and is excited for the changes that are coming to the bridal world. Alexandra feels that the pictures of your wedding party should reflect the wedding as a whole. Her goal is to make the bridal party look more cohesive with the rest of the decor. Alexandra thinks it is important to find more creative and unique options for bridesmaids just like this fabulous headpiece.

Other trends that she wants to see in weddings are patterns, full length bridesmaids' dresses, and pops of color throughout the bridal party and wedding decor.

After hearing all of Alexandra's wonderful ideas for styling and the future of wedding styling we can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

For a taste of Alexandra's work check out her monthly style spread in Skirt magazine.

You can find Alexandra at alexandrastyles.com or follow her on Facebook.

It was such a pleasure getting to talk style and weddings with Alexandra!

2011 Trends: Hairstyles

2011-05-03T12:57:00.000-07:00

We have been inspired this week by the Royal wedding to talk about hair styles for your wedding day. Once we saw Kate Middleton's classic styled curls, we thought to ourselves that this surely is going to affect the styles we see in 2011. We love the look. It's simple, chic, and timeless!

However, we also love these up-dos courtesy of the Knot.com. The side bun and side pony tail are both playful but elegant at the same time. We love this look for brides or even their bridesmaids!

We loved how our bride, Stefanie Sudduth's, hair turned out in her September beach wedding. It was classic but had subtle waves that gave it a great texture. Perfect for her Seabrook wedding!

Our favorite way to accentuate your hair style, whether it's an up do or styled down, is with a bold accessory like the ones below from B H L D N.

Not crazy about the bold "fasincator" look? Try some simple accents like these...

Royal Wedding: Kate & Will

2011-04-29T08:28:00.000-07:00

Y'all knew this was coming! We've been anticipating this day for a long time, and we're always giving you updates on the Royal wedding. The moment we all waited for was well worth it.

Didn't y'all love seeing all the fascinators? We're not sure how some guests could see over some of the ladies in front of them!

Always love a David & Victoria Beckham sighting. Very "posh" indeed.

How cute was Harry too? We couldn't help to notice how good looking William's little brother was in his uniform!

Let's talk about Kate's dress. One word...STUNNING! We have had several girlfriends call us with their feedback this morning all agreeing that they now want a similar dress to Kate's. How could you not? I'm sure we will be seeing some very similar styles walking down our aisles here in Charleston!

Did you know that Kate's train was over 6 feet long! The Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen gown is described on the royal website as "ivory and white satin gazar. The skirt echoes an opening flower, with white satin gazar arches and pleats. The ivory satin bodice, which is narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips, draws on the Victorian tradition of corsetry and is a hallmark of Alexander McQueen's designs. "

Probably one of our favorite parts of the day were when William & Kate shared not one but two kisses on the balcony above the crowds. Way to break tradition! We love it. It just shows how modern they are and how in love they are! We also loved when they rode out in the Astin Martin.

Although we doubt we'll get a peak into the reception, we at least get to take a look at the cake!

All in all, this wedding was truly royal and well worth our wait. We loved all the details!

Congratulations to the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge!

Real Wedding: Ann & Ryan

2011-04-28T10:00:00.001-07:00

This wedding was near and dear to our hearts and we are thrilled to finally be able to share it with you. We were so honored when one of our friends, Ann Ward, asked us to coordinate her March 5th wedding. We first met Ann when we joined the Charleston chapter of the Junior League and instantly adored her. She has a contagious laugh and is one of the sweetest people you'll ever meet. Our group of Junior League girls was anxiously awaiting Ryan to pop the question and we were so happy when she announced their engagement! So, we jumped at the chance to plan their March wedding.

If there was one way to describe the color scheme for this soiree, it is BOLD! How fantastic are the colors? Probably our favorite phrase of the day was "Man, it really looks like spring in here!" From the colors to the fabulous floral arrangements done by Charleston Stems, this event really kicked off our spring wedding season.

We have to send a HUGE thank you to Heather Forsythe for sending us these images. She did a phenomenal job. Thank you, Heather!

These pictures speak for themselves, y'all! See all the details below...

The invitations and all paper goods were designed and printed by Remember Me in Moorestown, NJ, Ann's hometown.

Y'all, let's take a minute to talk about Ann's style for her wedding weekend. You can see her lovely dress here by Emerald, but don't fail to notice the fuschia accessories. She also had all white/cream outfits for every event she had going on from Thursday-Sunday complete with some type of hot pink or fuchsia fascinator!

The ceremony took place at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in downtown Charleston.
The guests were greeted by a bagpiper on the steps of the Cathedral.

Naturally, with such an elegant church, you would expect a ceremony to be very prim and proper. Well, the children thought otherwise. These cuties below ran down the aisle giggling the whole way!

Ann's mother was stunning on the day of the wedding. What a fabulous hat!

Like mother like daughter, Ann was such a gorgeous bride. These shots are just so timeless. We can't get over how beautiful she looked!

The reception was held at the Daniel Island Club. A huge thank you to their staff, especially Erin Foster! Y'all were fantastic to work with and made our job so much easier!

After the bride and groom made their entrance into the room, they did not share a "typical" first dance. They wowed the crowd with a hysterical choreographed dance to "Get Down Tonight" by KC and the Sunshine Band.

The guests danced the night away and got to enjoy a fun photo booth that was complete with some great props. We even joined in on the fun!

The bride changed into her 2nd outfit of the night for the big send off. She wore a fuschia fascinator and fuschia shoes with her white dress and fur wrap.The happy couple was sent off with a sparkler exit and rode off in a British Black Cab.

Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Treat!

For even more photos, visit our facebook album here.

Vendors: Event Coordination: Sweetgrass Social Event & Design; Photography: Heather Forsythe Photography; Floral: Charleston Stems; Ceremony Site: Cathedral of St. John the Baptist; Reception: Daniel Island Club; Catering & Cake: Daniel Island Club; Invitations: Remember Me; Lounge: Snyder Lounge

Real Wedding: Bonnie & Matthew

2011-03-30T12:11:00.000-07:00

Bonnie & Matthew
March 15, 2011
Old Wide Awake Plantation

Remember that adorable engagement session we shared with you a few weeks back? Remember how we told you that you were going to LOVE the details of the wedding out at Old Wide Awake Plantation? Well here they are! We're so excited to share these images with you. Our job is fantastic because we get to see one of the happiest days of people's lives. This was no exception. If there is one thing we can say about Bonnie & Matthew, it is that they are so in love. They are one of those couples that makes our job so fulfilling because they were beaming on their wedding day. Needless to say, this was a really fun one to be a part of!

With all that being said, we couldn't have done it without awesome vendors. We were privileged to be able to work with extremely talented and extremely fun photographers on this event. Chris and Allie of The Reason did a phenomenal job of capturing this spring brunch style wedding. We also have to give a huge thank you to Beth of Wildflowers, Inc. She made the bride's cotton dreams really come true with gorgeous and whimsical bouquets and arrangements.

The ceremony took place at Old Wide Awake park at 11:30 a.m., just down the road from the Old Wide Awake Plantation house. Bonnie's request was simple as far as the decor. She wanted cotton to be incorporated and "there really couldn't be too much." So, cotton lined the aisles and the bridesmaids all carried cotton bouquets. Bonnie's bouquet was made of cotton with bright pops of yellow accents.The groomsmen wore boutonnieres also made of a single bud of cotton. We loved how it all turned out!

The reception was a casual lunch where guests munched on lowcountry favorites from Gourmet Bay Catering and sipped champagne while playing some of their favorite lawn games. Our favorite detail was the make your own grilled cheese station. Talk about a hit with the guests!

There were lots of little whimsical pieces that made this day special. For example, a puzzle guest book. Each guest signed a piece of the wooden Georgia puzzle and "left a piece of love" for the bride and groom.

Keeping with the cotton theme, instead of typical rose petals or sparklers, this exit was a burst of color. The guest threw craft cotton pom poms as the bride and groom ran by. The pom poms were stored in a white vintage suit case.

Lastly, here are a few of our favorite sweet moments from through out the day. Does this look familiar? A wedding twist on "A War's End Kiss"!

Congratulations Bonnie & Matthew! Thank you for letting us be a part of your special day!

Charleston Fashion Week: Spring Bridal Show

2011-03-25T07:25:00.000-07:00

Fashion is in the air this week in Charleston with the annual Charleston Fashion Week. We have had so much fun seeing all the beautiful people and talented designers throughout the week. We are especially thrilled about Saturday and the Spring Bridal Show! We absolutely cannot wait to see the gorgeous gowns and bridesmaid dresses hit the runway!

So all brides-to-be, bridesmaids, and fashionistas come join us for a beautiful and wedding-filled spring day!

Engagement: Katie & Keegan

2011-03-24T13:00:00.000-07:00

We love this engagement story and can't wait for this couple's big day in April. Read all about this theatrical engagement below...

Katie & Keegan met in 2004 in a studio class at UNCG. Both Media Studies majors, graduated together in 2005. Keegan began working in Charleston for Army Wives in 2007 while Katie stayed in North Carolina. Katie took the plunge and moved to Charleston in '08 where they shared their first apartment.

After 5 years of dating, Keegan popped the question on February 6, 2010 in typical showbiz fashion. With a massive under-cover production set up throughout the entire neighborhood, Keegan "proposed proposals" in multiple too-cheesy-for-Katie-ways.

Fake Proposal #1: Sitting at dinner with a table full of desserts and a fake ring in the champagne glass.
Fake Proposal #2: Walking outside by a sting quartet playing "The Glory of Love" from the Kartate Kid II soundtrack.
Fake Proposal #3: Hanging out in a local pub with a surprise appearance by a number of close friends and family.
Fake Proposal #4: A movie montage was set up in the local park (see video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjEqSimLpAs)
REAL PROPOSAL: The couple was alone in the park under a street lamp where Keegan got on one knee... with the real ring!

How cool is that!? We applaud Keegan for his creativity. Get the full story here with even more detail.

Check back with us for their wedding blog in April. This country chic wedding is sure to be special.

Congrats, Katie & Keegan!

Engagement: Jenn and Brad

2011-03-22T17:03:00.000-07:00

Jenn and Brad first met about seven years ago at a get together for his birthday. However, he was arrived at the party just as Jenn was leaving, so they were quickly introduced and that was it. A few months later, they met again at a mutual friends birthday party. They got to know each other that night, and Brad offered Jenn a ride home and of course got her number. He called the very next day and they went out their first official date the following weekend.....and the rest is history.

They had been dating for about six years when Brad proposed (In Jenn's words:"Finally!"). Jenn always takes a yearly family vacation to Wisconsin to visit her grandfather and step-grandmother, and for the past couple of years Brad also joined the Greenwell clan for this adventure. After dinner one night, Brad asked Jenn to come sit down by the water with him. While they were looking over the still lake and gazing up at the starry sky, Brad took Jenn's hand and began a very sentimental speech. Right about this time, bats began swooping in close to us....Jenn if terrified of bats! Before he could go any further, Jenn ran inside and ruined the moment! The next morning when Jenn woke up, Brad came over to the side of Jenn's bed, knelt down and asked her to marry him. Of course she said yes! And we got to share the happy news with my family.

We are so excited to help these two celebrate on May 15th!

Royal Wedding: The Website!

2011-03-03T10:01:00.000-08:00

Here we are again, on the royal wedding watch. This was not intended to be a blogging series, but my has it turned into that! We can't help it. We're so excited to see the details of this event unfold. The latest and greatest news and place to get all the details....

The Official Royal Wedding Website!

We couldn't help but share! Consider it bookmarked!

Engagement: Bonnie & Matthew

2011-03-02T18:15:00.001-08:00

Hello, Charleston wedding season! We're so glad you are here. We LOVE a good spring Chareston wedding and this one is sure to be a perfect Southern celebration of a wonderful couple.

Bonnie & Matthew are set to be married this march March at Old Wide Awake Plantation. Were so pleased we are able to be a part of this wedding. There are so many cute details we can't wait to share with you about their big day. However, we won't give away any of the wedding goodness just yet...(you'll have to check back for their wedding post!) For now, check out their engagement story below.

In Bonnie's words...

Matthew and I met through the family that I nannied for, for two years in Alpharetta, GA. Starting out as friends and running partners, we started to become close and soon realized our mutual feelings for one another. Spring turned into summer, and we spent many lazy days enjoying boat rides and evening picnics on Lake Lanier. We soaked up every minute spent together, because at the end of the summer I had plans to move to Nashville, TN where I had taken a job working for Young Life Capernaum working with kids with disabilities. After moving to Nashville, we travelled back and forth to see each other as often as we could. One september weekend, I came home to celebrate my niece's birthday and spend time with Matthew. I woke up on that saturday morning and started making banana bread for Matthew and I to have on a picnic. He came and picked me up and we went to one of our favorite spots on the lake, where we had shared a favorite date. We finished eating our breakfast, and I could tell Matthew was a little nervous, when he got down on one knee and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. I said yes!!

For more precious engagement pictures, click here....

Real Engagement: Brittany and Brandon

2011-02-24T12:14:00.000-08:00

We are so excited to be planning Brittany and Brandon wedding! They are such a cute and fun couple who's engagement story is absolutely priceless!

Brittany and Brandon have actually known each other since daycare but it wasn't until college that sparks began to fly between these two. Brittany first caught Brandon's eye in high school and he asked her out. At the time she thought her friend would be a better match for Brandon so she set him up with her friend instead, but we all know that wasn't what was meant to be. After Brittany starting college at USC, she and Brandon started hanging out a bit more. The following March, Brandon mustered up the courage to ask Brittany out once again. This time she decided to give him a chance and their love story began!

As their relationship blossomed and talk of marriage began, Brittany joked with Brandon that he was too scared to ask her father's permission to marry her. She also teased that his proposal would be really obvious because their dates were never "outside of the box." Little did Brittany know that Brandon had something up his sleeve.

On October 16, 2009, the couple went to dinner in the Vista(per usual). After dinner Brandon decided they should take a walk through the State House grounds since he had never been there before and Brittany use to work there. Brittany gave him the grand tour, and on the way back to the car Brandon asked her if she was mad that he hadn't talked to her dad about marrying her. She promised she wasn't mad, but teased that he'd have to talk to him sometime! Suddenly, Brandon grabbed Brittany's hand, got down on one knee and said, "so you wouldn't be too mad if I did this..." and he asked her to marry him right then and there! ( And he had her father's permission of course!)

Brittany and Brandon are tying the knot on August 6th. We're so excited for their big day!

Hello Gorgeous...

2011-02-15T14:45:00.000-08:00

We have been anticipating this week, not only because of Valentine's Day, but also because of the big unveil of a new bridal line. Anthropologie launched their new bridal line, BHLDN, yesterday and we couldn't be more thrilled with the results. It definitely has the Sweetgrass Social stamp of approval. How could it not with these gowns......

....and these bridesmaid's dresses...

...and did we mention amazing accessories!?

Do you want to know my favorite part? The hair pieces! I'm a sucker for feathers and a dramatic piece that makes a girl stand out.

We're thrilled to finally see the line and we welcome it with open arms! Can't wait to see one of our beautiful brides wearing one of these beautiful frocks.

Tell us what you think. Would you wear something from the new line?

Be Mine....

2011-02-13T19:15:00.000-08:00

First of all, Happy Valentine's Day y'all! Obviously we LOVE this holiday. How could we not? We're in the business of love, and our job is to create celebrations of people's love stories. Well for this Valentine's day, we wanted to share some sweet love filled moments from some of those celebrations....

We can't help, but swoon over these images, and are thankful that we were able to be a part of each of these celebrations. It reminds us of what is truly important in life. As the Beatles so elegantly put it many years ago, all you need is LOVE....

Sending you lots of love from the Girls of Sweetgrass Social on this Valentine's Day!

Real Engagement: Adrienne and Jon

2011-02-04T10:51:00.000-08:00

Adrienne and Jon are one of our newest couples here at Sweetgrass Social and we couldn't be happier to be working with them! We absolutely love their engagement story and had to share it with you!

Adrienne and Jon met in pharmacy school back in 2007, but it wasn't until September of 2008, after being study buddies for a while, that their romance began to bloom. The couple dated for two years before Jon finally popped the question.

On Thursday, October 7, 2010, Jon surprised Adrienne by taking her to Hodges Family Farm to pick out a pumpkin because she had never been to a pumpkin patch before. Adrienne was very excited about this and, much to Jon's dismay took her time finding the perfect pumpkin! So, finally, after unintentionally making Jon sweat for an hour or two, Adrienne found a suitable pumpkin. Jon took her hand and got down on one knee in the middle of the pumpkin patch. He said, "I love you. Will you be my wife and stay with me forever?" Through a mixture of giggles and happy tears, Adrienne said yes and the rest is history!

Adrienne and Jon are getting married on October 16th! We're so excited to continue working with them to create their perfect wedding! Congratulations, Adrienne and Jon!

Featured on the Wedding Row!

2011-01-26T12:49:00.000-08:00

We are so excited and honored to be featured again on The Wedding Row! Check it out!

A Recap of Trends from 2010

2011-01-20T19:37:00.000-08:00

Time sure does fly! It seems that 2010 was over just as soon as it started. It was such a wonderful year for us because we were fortunate to work with so many fun and amazing couples.

So, as a way to properly send of the fabulous year of 2010, we decided to discuss the most popular trends of the year.

2010 was all about vintage weddings. Anything retro looking was a huge hit! Many brides were having their receptions outdoors using short floral centerpieces to give that old-fashion feel to their wedding.

Photo booths were also very popular in 2010, and they are absolutely perfect to have with a vintage wedding! Grabbing some fun props for your guests to pose with made this addition such a memorial piece to the wedding day.

Green is in, and 2010 brides were much more environmentally savvy. Many brides printed their programs on recycled paper or used locally grown flowers. They made sure their guests didn't have to travel far to get from the ceremony site to the reception, to save on gas and put out a better green foot. And, our personal favorite idea, they gave "plantables" as their favors! A plantable is simply seeded response card. Once the response card was received, the bride placed these in small flower pots and set them out as favors for guests to take home and plant in their home garden. These eco-friendly additions come in many different shapes and sizes and are the perfect favor for a bright and retro inspired wedding!

These wedding invitations were made from recycled paper! How cute are they?

Wedding fashion of 2010 was bold, romantic, and colorful. Blues and purples were the most popular colors and it was very common for a bride to choose for her bridesmaids to wear different shades of the same color. As it has become popular for weddings to be a bit more casual, tea-length bridal gowns with romantic details such as lace and flowers were huge hits in 2010. The Knot found that brides enjoyed tying every aspect of their wedding together by using the fabric and pattern of their weddings dress as inspiration for their invitations, programs, and cake.

Finally, it seems that one of the most common trends of 2010, and a trend that has always been around, is the grand exit. Whether the bride and groom are showered with rose petals, bird seed, or guided down a walkway lined with sparklers held by guests. A grand exit has been, and always should be, a must at the end of a fabulous wedding!

Real Wedding: Lauren and Chad

2011-01-09T12:08:00.000-08:00

First of all, we would like to say "Cheers" to the New Year! 2010 has been a wonderful year for us here at Sweetgrass Social and we're so thankful for all of our wonderful couples that we have been privileged to work with!

So with all that being said, we know that we have been neglecting our blog and so we figured we should come back with a BANG! There's not a better way to do it than with Lauren and Chad's New Years wedding. We had so much fun with these two and couldn't have picked a sweeter bride to work with. Lots of logistic planning went into this New Years gathering as the ceremony was held downtown and then the guests were shuttled back to Mt. Pleasant to the always gorgeous Boone Hall Plantation. This couple was lucky to be surrounded by so many loving friends and family to not only kick of their new lives together, but also 2011! We couldn't imagine a better way to bring in the New Year!

There is one detail of this wedding that we cannot neglect. THE DRESS! Lauren's dress was purchased right here in Charleston at the Gown Boutique of Charleston. However, it wasn't one that you can just find on the rack. Lauren had two gowns combined into one. The creation turned out beautifully. Below are some of her gorgeous bridal portraits. She is currently Sweetgrass Social's model on our facebook page, as well!

Lauren and Chad had an absolutely stunning New Year's Even wedding! The ceremony took place downtown at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke and St. Paul and the reception was at the Cotton Dock at Boone Hall.

We always love working with the fabulous Liz Duren of Liz Duren Photography, who captured all of these wonderful moments.

Lauren gave Chad a letter to read before the ceremony. We think this is such a sweet idea!

Lauren and Chad are such a fun couple and they really let their personalities shine through with their choice of decor. The Cotton Dock was the ideal setting for this black tie affair. The rustic feel of the building complemented the chic black and white theme extremely well! Leave it to Justin Wham of JW Weddings and Events to create the most fabulous floral arrangements. The table centerpieces were topped with huge white feathers- perfect for a New Year's wedding!

Not only did the cake look beautiful with just a touch of sparkle in the frosting, but it also tasted like Heaven. We can always count on Hayden of Ashley Bakery to make not only a beautiful cake, but a great tasting one, as well!

This was such a fun crowd to work with! After everyone filled up on the delicious food from New Dream Catering, they danced the night away. We love this shot of Lauren and her Mom breaking it down on stage!

We sent them off with a sparkler exit. Their transportation was provided by the Black Cab company.

Lauren and Chad were so much fun to work with! We are so honored to have been a part of their special day!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Y'all!!

2010-12-22T08:00:00.000-08:00

Sweetgrass Social Girl's Christmas & Holiday traditions

Hey Y'all! Here we are in the middle of another wonderful holiday season. This year, we wanted to share some of our traditions with you. Read on to find out how we spend our holiday seasons!

Jacqueline's Christmas Traditions

When spending Thanksgiving with my family, the day after Thanksgiving is the start of the decorating season. However for my parents, who own a florist, their Christmas decorating starts in the beginning of November when they are hired to decorate houses throughout my hometown. To begin the celebrations with my side of the family, we first head to the tree farm to find the most perfect Christmas tree. Perfect for us means tall and FAT! We then venture into the attic to retrieve all the boxes filled with Christmas decorations. The Christmas tree is decorated with a combination of ornaments that my sister and I made throughout elementary school as well a collection of beautiful ornaments we received from friends and family over the years. There is always a theme of stunning ribbon with a dazzling bow adorned the top of the tree. And of course you can’t forget the Christmas pickle ornament, which is hidden by my parents, and my sister, husband, and I search for it on Christmas day! Whoever finds it gets the Christmas pickle present!

Outside my parents line the doors with magnolia garland which is accompanied by beautifully lit grape vine balls huge in the trees, candles in the windows, and fresh made wreaths embellish the front of the house. This is all topped off with our wooden snow man announcing our name. Each neighbor in our neighborhood places one with their name in their yard as well.

Back in Charleston, my husband and I have begun a few of our own Christmas traditions ourselves in the past few years. We also always go out to the Christmas tree farm to find a fat, but slightly shorter tree as our ceilings aren’t quite as tall as my parents. We also have a collection of décor building that we use to decorate throughout the house. My favorite is our Dickensville Village that I began collecting when I was just 9 years old! Between the village, our Christmas tree, and our candles in the window the Christmas glow is always warm and illuminating in our house.

When decorating our house and tree it is our tradition to always have something delicious baking in the oven and pop in the Home Alone DVD. Because let’s face it we are 80’s kids and since that movie was made it just isn’t Christmas until Home Alone is on!

Every year since we moved to Charleston, we also go to the James Island County Park Christmas light, It’s a beautiful display and always gets everyone into the Christmas Spirit!

For my husband and I Christmas vacation is the also known as The Tour of South Carolina. We both have family all through the state so make the hike to try to see everyone we can. This year our first stop is in Greenville, SC to see David’s family. Our traditions there start with Christmas Eve mass, followed by dinner and lots of fellowship with family. Christmas morning, no matter where we are, always starts with Christmas day parade! If we spend Christmas morning at my parents house my sister, husband, and I are required to wait in the hallway as my parents get their camera prepared. My sister and I still wear matching pajamas and fix our hair for pictures just as my mom use to when we were little. Last year we even decided to pull a joke on her and pull out the big red bows to put in our hair for Christmas morning because when we were little we always always had one on Christmas morning. So in case you’re wondering…Yep that’s right, in my house Santa still sets out all our presents!

Our next stop will be in Florence, SC to see my family. We will do a Christmas dinner that evening with my Grammy & Granddaddy and my dad’s entire family, and our course tons of presents. At Grammy & Granddaddy’s house all four grand children always sit in the same order on the couch when waiting for Grammy to pass out our gifts!

The following day we will have another Christmas with my mom’s side of the family at our house….this is when I start to look like a pot bellied pig from all the Christmas gorging on delicious food!

Our final stop will be in Georgetown, SC to my grandfather’s ( aka Daddy Bo) beautiful home that sits right on the inter-coastal waterway. We will have yet another dinner and more presents there. We will take our sleigh (aka my car) full of present and bellies full of food back to Charleston that evening where Meredith and I will be preparing for our FABULOUS New Year’s Eve wedding! (More details soon!)

So Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to y’all and I hope you enjoy all of your holiday traditions too!

Meredith's Christmas Traditions

Christmas is hands down my favorite time of the year (other than my birthday month, of course)! I jump for joy the first time my friends at Starbucks hand me over that red cup! It means the season is upon us and it's close to the time that I get to travel home and spend time with my loved ones. This year we decided we would let you in on how we celebrate. Here is a little taste of my Christmas..

At home in Charlotte, my house is filled with festive decor just days after Thanksgiving. Our first step is usually picking out the perfect tree. My Daddy has become quite the tree connoisseur over the years. There is no tree that is too large. One year, we even had to take off the front door to load in the 14 foot tree he had purchased in the mountains of North Carolina. What was even more crazy about it is that there was not one but TWO of these enormous trees. One of them was displayed beautifully in the front window of our foyer and decorated with whites and golds. We called this tree our angel tree. The other, which is the tree that stays consistent through out the years, is our red and gold tree. It is always tucked neatly in the corner of our den for everyone to enjoy while they are watching their favorite movies or snuggling up by the fireplace. This picture below is not my house, but it sure does remind me of the gold bows my Mama uses on her tree. Maybe this is the reason that I love to accessorize with gold so much?

Y'all, you know that I wouldn't spend any season without Elvis. Well Christmas is no exception. While I decorate with my Starbucks peppermint mocha in one hand, you better believe that sounds of "Blue Christmas" can be heard through out my house. People think I am crazy (and maybe I am), but I usually always watch the tree lighting ceremony at Graceland on Elvis.com too. I can't help it!

Red poinsettias line our staircase along with lighted garland. These touches really warm up our living room, especially in the evenings.

The red and gold theme stretches through out our house from the tree to accessories to the centerpiece on the dining room table. With that being said, if you're coming to my house for Christmas, your gift wrap better match or else it's going in the back! This obviously affects my gift wrap purchases. Every year, right around Thanksgiving, I start my search for that year's wrapping paper and ribbon. This year I chose a red and white damask print with a shear gold ribbon. I also have two alternates, a gold with silver and cream Christmas trees and a cream with gold classic paper. I'm serious about the presentation of my gifts, y'all! No stick on bows for this girl...I do all my bows by hand!

As far as our traditions, you can always find my family at the Christmas Eve candlelight service at our church Forest Hill and then following up the service with a Christmas Eve dinner at home. After dinner, I will exchange gifts with my sister Mallory and my brother Brad. These are the only gifts we allow ourselves to open on Christmas Eve.

On Christmas morning, we wake up and all gather around our tree to exchange gifts and spend some time together as a family. My mother then traditionally fixes a large Christmas breakfast that we will eat together in our dining room. In the afternoon, we always make our way to the movie theater. This year, we are already arguing over which movie will be our Christmas day matinee! After our movie, we all make our way down to my grandmother's house for Christmas dinner. I am so looking forward to keeping all of these traditions during this year's Christmas season.

Aly's Christmas Traditions!

I absolutely love the Christmas season! If I had it my way, it would be Christmas all year 'round! We start the season early in my family by going to pick out our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. It's a huge famliy affair that begins with a delicious cup of hot chocolate in our hands as we pick out the tree! We trim it with ornaments that once belonged to my great grandparents as we listen to classic Christmas songs sung by Bing Crosby and Natalie Cole (There may be a few Christina Aguilera and Mariah Carey songs thrown in there too! I have to confess, those are my personal favorite Christmas albums!). After we top our tree with our golden Santa Claus ornament, we watch It's a Wonderful Life and order Chinese food or Pizza and enjoy our time together as a family.

As Christmas gets closer, my Mom begins to decorate the house with pretty reds and golds. The centerpiece on our dining room table is always a pretty crystal vase filled with deep red and gold ornaments, much like this picture.

Like Jacqueline's family, we also hide a pickle ornament in our tree and the winner gets a special prize. We also always do a Chinese gift exchange. Each person gets a gift that costs between $15 and $20. It can be a serious gift or something absolutely hilarious (and in my family, it's usually something ridiculous!). Each person picks a gift and opens it one by one. The first person who opens their gift is stuck with it, so it's better to open your gift later because you can then swap gifts with someone else. It's a really fun game that gets us all in the holiday spirit!

Every Christmas Eve, my Dad gives my Mom, sister, and me Christmas pajamas to wear the next morning! We always make sure we have fun Christmas pajama pants to give to him too!
Some of my favorite childhood memories involve baking Christmas goodies with my Mom and sister. During the holidays, my house is filled with all kinds of yummy treats, including cinnamon rolls, rum cake (my favorite!!) breakfast pastries, and enough cookies to feed an army! There's nothing better than creating delicious holiday desserts with my family while listening to Christmas music and sipping some eggnog! We use recipes that have been in my family for decades and make everything from scratch, so this is definitely a tradition that will continue for years to come!

May you and your family have a warm and happy holiday!

Merry Christmas, Y'all!

Love, The Sweetgrass Social Girls

Royal Wedding!

2010-12-15T13:17:00.000-08:00

Ahhh...A Royal Wedding! We can't help but to follow along with all the wedding madness that is surrounding the newly engaged Prince William and Kate Middleton. We are all anxiously awaiting their April wedding and seeing pictures of that delightful soiree. One detail that we are so excited to see is which wedding gown she will choose. Will she wear a classic gown like Diana or will Kate incorporate her own contemporary twist? You can see all of the designer sketches here.

Here are a few of our favorites....

There is one thing we would be willing to bet. No matter what type of dress, there is sure to be a gorgeous cathedral veil just like her late mother-in-law, Diana's. How could you not wear one walking down the aisle of Westminster Abbey?

We can't wait to see all the Royal details unfold!

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!

2010-11-24T12:58:00.000-08:00

Turkey for me...turkey for you...Let's eat the turkey...

In light of the holiday tomorrow we thought we would share a few ideas of how to start the holiday tonight and continue through the weekend!

Tonight is Thanksgiving Eve, a wonderful time to get together with some dear friends and celebrate how thankful you are for each other. Put your wine in a ice bucket and help out your landscaping by pulling some pine cones to place in your wine ice bucket for a fall festive look.

Put together some quick apps, display them in pumpkins, and you will have have a beautiful Thanksgiving Eve party!

Tomorrow of course is Thanksgiving. Make sure and tell your family how thankful you are for them, eat LOTS of turkey, and watch the Macy's Day Parade!

BLACK FRIDAY is this Friday! So get up early and shop shop shop! Afterwords have the girls over for some post shopping black Friday cocktails and share all the great deals you found. Check out all these cute ideas from Kelly at The Party Dress.

Gobble gobble goo and
Gobble gobble gickel
I wish turkey
Only cost a nickel
Oh I love turkey on Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

Love, Jacqueline & Meredith

Engagement: Chuck & Elyse

2010-11-12T12:50:00.001-08:00

Hey Y'all! We're thrilled to be a part of this cute couple's wedding. Chuck & Elyse will be married in Charleston in June 2011 and they have asked us to make their Southern vision come to life. Not only are we super excited about their precious invitations they've designed (stay tuned for those), but we couldn't be more excited to share their cute story.

Check out their engagement story in their own words.....

"Chuck and I planned on going to Charleston for the weekend of August 12-15 for an OAR concert on that Saturday with our friends Ryan Barker and Megan, his girlfriend. This was going to be a good get away for me before school started back and Chuck's favorite band is OAR so we were both excited for the vacation. Now, if any of you know me, I haven't exactly been subtle with hints that I thought Chuck should propose in the near future.....but Chuck had been telling me for a few months that he wanted to propose to me after he finished at Auburn, which was in about 2 years. So I really stopped thinking about "the proposal."

On the first night we were in Charleston, Chuck got reservations at Magnolia's, a really great restaurant right on East Bay St. We had an amazing dinner, good drinks, dessert, and conversation. Nothing was different about this evening. As we are walking out of the restaurant, I am in my own little world looking around at the sights, and all of a sudden Chuck says, "Look!" pointing to the street. When I look, there are 3 rickshaw drivers carrying signs saying, "Elyse, will you marry me?" After what felt like 5 minutes, I came off my cloud and I turn around to see Chuck on one knee holding a beautiful ring! I was speechless! But really all I could say was "Holy S***!" over and over again. He looked like he was in pain on his knee, and he says "Is that a Yes?" I said "uh huh." Kiss ensued, strangers took pictures, I started shaking....yadda yadda yadda.

After we called token family members, Chuck took me to a dessert and martini bar named Kaminsky's on Market St. We got a fancy martini and a snickerdoodle cake, which I could only enjoy one bite due to sheer excitement and relative placement of feet on the floor. (get it..... cloud 9)

Chuck really likes telling the story how he organized this surprise from Charlotte, so feel free to ask him.

The second best part of the weekend is that Chuck arranged for a surprise party for me by inviting Kim and Katelyn (and their boy toys) to Charleston. I was so shocked when we would enter restaurants and find such wonderful friends to enjoy my engagement with. Really, I think it was so Chuck didn't have to bare the brunt of squeals all weekend...but hey, it works and was really sweet! This surprise made it truly unforgettable!"

We're busy at work here at Sweetgrass Social helping these two plan their big day. They will be married at St. Mary's of the Annunciation and will hold their reception at the Harbour Club of Charleston. Check back with us for all the details.

Real Wedding: Lauren and Andrew 10-17-10

2010-11-09T12:24:00.000-08:00

Fall is one of the best seasons in the south to throw a wedding and this wedding was absolutely surrounded by all gorgeous fall elements. Beautiful fall colors, leaves on the ground, crisp chill in the air, and a crackling roaring fire in the porch fireplace.

The bride and bridesmaids carried bundles of gorgeous sunflowers, and each bridesmaid wore a different fall color in their dress and shoes! This made the wedding color scheme and decor come together beautifully. All the stunning floral work was done by Keepsake Florist. Thanks also to Robert Luna Photography for providing these pictures so we could share some with you!

Congrats Lauren and Andrew!!!

Real Wedding: Stefanie & T

2010-11-01T20:29:00.002-07:00

Stefanie and T were married on Seabrook Island in late September. We had so much fun at this lighthearted beach wedding, and it was all beautifully captured by Leslie Walker of Leslie Walker Photography!

Congratulations, T & Stefanie!

Happy Fall, Y'all!

2010-10-30T09:25:00.000-07:00

All right, so autumn officially began weeks ago, but it’s finally starting to feel like fall in Charleston! With the crisp mornings and festive foliage, we’re preparing for one of our favorite times of the year- the holiday season! Whether you’re planning a big wedding or an intimate gathering of family and friends, we’ve got the decorating ideas to make you the talk of the town. Chic, simple boutonnieres and spiced silhouette cookies put an elegant touch on fall weddings, while clusters of monochromatic candles and a decorative wheat wreath create the perfect atmosphere for a stunning soiree!
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Check out some of our favorite fall inspirations…
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Faux Bittersweet Wreath, Fall Spice Cordial, Door Monogram, Silhouette Cookies, Boutonniers, Pumpkin Centerpiece, Wheat Wreath, Glass Candle Holders, Gourd Candles

From the girls at Sweetgrass Social, have a very happy Halloween and stay tuned for pictures from our gorgeous October weddings!

A Glimpse of our Portfolio...

2010-10-22T18:05:00.000-07:00

We have had a busy year so far. Take a look at some of our work over the last year...

Real Wedding: Mary & Jeff

2010-09-27T11:58:00.000-07:00

Mary and Jeff were married on September 18, 2010 at the beautiful Creek Club at I'ON. We were a little worried about some rainy weather, but the day ended up being perfect. The bride walked down the aisle to Vitamin String quartet's version of "Just Like Heaven" and upon the announcement of newlyweds, there were sounds of "All you need is love."

This day was filled with love and special moments, like this one below. The groom's sister and bridesmaid hugs the newlyweds.

At Sweetgrass Social, we like to include some special details. The bride and groom collected matches from all over the Ohio area while we collected ones from Charleston. Combined they served as "perfect matches" for the guests to light their sparklers for Mary and Jeff's exit.

As always, Justin Wham of JW Weddings & Events did an amazing job with the flowers and Liz Duren captured it all beautifully.

The party really picked up after a while. Being that majority of the guests were from Ohio, when the DJ played "Hang on Sloopie," the crowd responded with O-H-I-O! There were also some Michael Jackson impressions and a few conga lines! Our absolute favorite part of the night....when we saw our groom "throw his hands up like yeah!" to a popular Miley Cyrus tune!

We are sad this event is over! We had so much fun working with Mary and Jeff and being a part of their special day.

Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Laybourne!

Vendors: Wedding Planning & Design: Sweetgrass Social Event & Design; Floral: JW Weddings & Events; Photography: Liz Duren Photography; DJ: A Charleston DJ; Cake: Sweet Street Designs; Venue: Creek Club at I'ON

Engagement: Ann and Ryan

2010-08-30T12:11:00.000-07:00

Ann and Ryan met at a College of Charleston Alumni event, but it wasn't until their second meeting that the sparks really started to fly! A friend, who happened to be Ann's boss at the time, decided to play matchmaker and prompted Ryan to get Ann's number to ask her out. He did, and the rest is history!

Ann and Ryan dated for exactly four years before Ryan proposed to his lovely bride-to-be on April Fools Day, the fourth anniversary of their very first date!

This fun-loving couple will tie the knot on March 5, 2011! We are so excited to be a part of their beautiful day!

Gift Baskets for Out of Town Guests

2010-08-19T19:02:00.000-07:00

Chances are you have guests traveling near and far to see you and your hubby-to-be tie the knot! So how do you let family and friends from out of town know how much you appreciate them celebrating your big day with you? Welcome Baskets are the perfect way to say thank you with a bit of personality!

One of our favorite Charleston vendors for welcome baskets and bridal party gifts is Seaside Gift Baskets. Whether you’re welcoming your guests to your wedding weekend or thanking your bridal party for being a part of your special day; they have gorgeous items for everyone!

Your bridesmaids would absolutely love a fun basket like this!

And this Charleston theme basket is just the thing to give guests who may not be familiar with the area!

There are so many great Charleston items to include in your welcome basket, these are a few of our favorite ideas!

As Charleston is one of the south's oldest and greatest cities (and who doesn’t love this fabulous city?!), why not give your friends and family a little piece of this southern town's oldest past times! Use baskets made of sweetgrass and make sure you include gorgeous sweetgrass roses, such as these.

A visitor’s guide, some yummy pralines, and of course an item decorated with our beautiful South Carolina Palmetto Tree, also make wonderful items to include in your guests welcome basket! And don’t forget a bottle of wine from Irvin-House V ineyards, Charleston’s only domestic winery!

These seashell coasters from Crate & Barrel would add a great coastal flair to a guest welcome basket!

Finally, send your guests home with the ability to bring some of that southern flavor into their kitchen at home. The Junior League of Charleston’s cookbooks include some of the finest and most exclusively southern recipes!! They are currently celebrating their 60th year in print and all the delicious recipes were contributed by Charleston natives throughout the years. Your guests will be sure to fall in love with our southern food while visiting local restaurants in Charleston, so why not send them home with some of the best of southern recipes!

How Sweetgrass Social can help you!

2010-08-16T18:44:00.000-07:00

With the summer nearing to an end, we're gearing up for a busy fall season packed with lots weddings and parties. At Sweetgrass Social, we strive to create extraordinary events that reflect our clients' vision, personality and style. If you see a wedding in your future, we'd love to help with your big day.

Top 3 Reasons to colloborate with a Wedding Coordinator:

Time

We know that y'all are busy people! Between work priorities, social gatherings and hanging out with family, you may not have a lot of time to devote to creating seating charts, planning a menu or handling flower arrangements. Working with an event coordinator takes a lot of responsibility off of your shoulders and allows you to relax and enjoy your engagement. We're there for you every step of the way and always willing to go the extra mile to ensure that your event exceeds your expectations.

Money

Many brides and grooms-to-be see planning their wedding themselves as a way to make the event more affordable. While hiring an event planner may seem extravagant, it can actually save you money in the long run. We're always on the look-out for the best deals and we know how to cut costs. Because we've established relationships with our favorite vendors, we're able to help you create the event of your dreams, while keeping the costs within budget.

Knowledge

Event coordinators have a vast knowledge of weddings, etiquette and local resources. Whether you're trying to decide when to send out your save-the-dates, how to address your invitations, or where to find the best bakery in town, we can assist with every detail it takes to make your day perfect. We have preferred vendors and a firm grasp on what the Charleston area has to offer. We've scoured the city for the very best and we'd love nothing more than to share our knowledge with you!

If you or someone you know is planning a Charleston wedding, please visit our Web site and don't hesitate to contact us at sweetgrasssocial@gmail.com. We can't wait to hear from you!

The Charm of Charleston: There's Always Room for Brunch!

2010-08-06T15:09:00.000-07:00

In Charleston, brunch isn't just another meal, it's a way of living. Some Charelstonians spend hours enjoying leisurely brunches each and every Saturday or Sunday morning. In fact, many of Charleston's restaurants offer Sunday brunch specials.

We've spent many-a-morning enjoying scrumptious food and good company and wanted to share some of our favorite spots with y'all.

If you're planning a wedding in Charleston, brunch is the perfect setting for a bridal shower, bridal luncheon or post-wedding get-together. There are tons of places to get a delicious brunch. We've done some research (it's a tough job, but someone's got to do it!) and here is a sampling of our favorites:

Charleston's Cafe

Formerly on King Street, this Mount Pleasant locale offers huge portions and low country specialties- fried green tomato eggs benedict, anyone? If you go, you must try the cinnamon-infused sweet tea!

Virginia's on King

This local favorite offers up bottomless mimosas for brunch. It always has a quiche special and the she crab soup is a Charleston must!

Tristan

Along with an array of gourmet dishes and an impressive list of brunch cocktails, Tristan offers live jazz music every Sunday for brunch.

Old Village Post House

Located in the quaint old Mount Pleasant, Old Village Post House is the place to dine for the ultimate low country feast. The bonus? It also offers six rooms above the restaurant that you can rent to stay in. Talk about bed and breakfast... this would be a great place for guests to stay during your wedding weekend.

Hominy Grill

Hominy Grill is another local favorite offering up a slue of southern specialties. With freshly baked breads and biscuits, It's always packed for brunch and the outdoor seating is a summer must!

Among our other favorites are High Cotton, Morgan Creek Grill, and Marina Variety Store.

Save the Date

2010-08-02T10:24:00.000-07:00

Save the Dates are great ways for a couple to show off their creative side! Whether you choose the traditional route of sending a card with a picture of yourselves or do something a little more modern like creating a magnet for the fridge, there are plenty of ways to let your guests know about your big day!

We’re huge fans of some of these Save the Dates from Etsy:

　

If you want to spice things up a bit and take a non-traditional approach for your Save the Dates, we have just the thing for you! Save the Date Films, located right here in Charleston, creates save the date videos for couples to send out as dvds and post on their wedding website. How cute is that?! We absolutely love this because it really gives couples a chance to show off who they are in their own unique way!

Check out The Knot for more Save the Date tips!

Beating the Heat

2010-07-30T09:20:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, Charleston can be one HOT city. We're not talking about hot in the sense that Charleston has the best boutiques and trendiest restaurants (although, we all know it does!) We're talking hot as in perpetual 90 degree weather. The kind of hot that makes your ice cream melt before it hits your lips.

While the heat may create near-perfect beach weather, it certainly makes one think twice about hosting a summer soiree. Don't get us wrong, summer is a beautiful time to get married in Charleston. You just have to make sure you're equipped with the right tricks to keep your guests cool...

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Stay hydrated.

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We're partial to signature cocktails (watermelon bellini, anyone?) at the reception, but for the main event, we love the idea of good old H20. Lots of companies offer personalized labels- Forever Wed has a great selection- but to save a few bucks, you could always go the DIY route with a quality printer and some willing-and-able bridesmaids!

Grab some shade.
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There are a multitude of fabulous indoor (aka air conditioned) venues in Charleston, but we realize that many brides-to-be choose our great city for it's stellar scenery. If you're hosting an outdoor wedding, make sure that there is plenty of shade. Depending on the location, trees offer great, natural ambiance and tents are also a fantastic way to give your guests a break from the sun rays. However, no matter where the event, parasols are always a hit. Both stylish and functional, they add a unique twist to any setting. Why not incorporate them into your bridal party? Our inspiration comes from The Party Dress.

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Enjoy the breeze.

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If you're lucky enough to say "I do" by the water, you're guests will most likely enjoy a much-appreciated sea breeze. But, don't fret. If you're getting married elsewhere, you can always create your own breeze! We love the idea of personalized fans. You can even customize them to double as programs for the ceremony! Beau-coup has a great selection.

Trends of 2010: The Guys

2010-07-22T18:45:00.000-07:00

We've decided to start an ongoing topic on wedding trends of 2010 to ensure that you're as stylish as possible on your big day! This category includes everything from popular color choices and wedding locations to attire, menu selections, and favors. Our goal is to cover the hottest trends of the year and give you the lowdown on our favorites!

Let's start with the groomsmen. Sure, the groomsmen are pretty easy, and sometimes their part in a wedding can even be a bit boring, but not this year! We have found plenty of fun trends to keep your groomsmen looking spiffy!

The Knot suggests ditching bow ties and cummerbunds and going with long ties and vests that match the bridesmaids' dresses. If you're having a casual wedding, Brooks Brothers offers several styles of tan, light weight cotton, or linen suits. Or, you could go with our personal favorite look for a casual affair! Dress the guys in khakis and a blazer with matching belts-perhaps with a palmetto tree and crescent moon for a little South Carolina flare!

Mixing up the boutonnieres is a big trend of 2010. Simply choose two different flowers to use and alternate them. Getting married on the beach? Chatterberries gave us the idea to use seashells as boutonnieres. If you want your day to focus a bit more on the nautical, have the groomsmen wear ties with sea creatures on them. And instead of a typical boutonniere, they can wear mini sailor knots. It's casual and creative and will leave your guests with something to talk about! After all, who says you have to use flowers?

These boutonnieres are perfect for a casual, beach themed wedding! They stray away from the typical flower boutonniere while still being simple and classy. They are very trendy and very 2010!

For more head turning looks for your groomsmen, be sure to check out M. Dumas & Sons downtown!

Streamers, Garlands and Other Fun, Strung Decorations

2010-07-13T17:27:00.000-07:00

As y'all know well by now, we love to read blogs as much as you do! A few days ago, we were inspired after perusing Oh, Pickles!

This talented lady created the aptly themed Lingerie Luncheon for one of her friend's bridal shower. How adorable is that? After the bride-to-be opened her gifts, the unmentionables were hung on a clothesline behind her for the rest of the party to admire. What a fun (and, hello, affordable!) idea!
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This got us to thinking... what else can be hung on a clothesline for decoration? We love lanterns and strung lights, but we're always on the prowl for new and unique decorating ideas.

Charleston is the ultimate destination for outdoor weddings because of it's incredibly scenic backdrops- not to mention the near-perfect year-round climate- and these following ideas would be great for an outdoor event...

100 Layer Cake featured this blushing bride and handsome groom with a streamer setting as the background to their nuptials. We adore this array of pink, but you could, of course, choose any colors of ribbon that fit your occasion. Don't the ribbons make for some incredible photos?

How about these fabric flower garlands? Once Wed gives step-by-step instructions on how to create these beauties and we think they'd be a fantastic addition to your wedding decor

Featured by the Wedding Row

2010-07-11T04:06:00.000-07:00

We are so excited and honored to see that the Wedding Row has featured the Heilman/Trego wedding this past week. We are such a fan of this blog and we're sure you will be too. Check out all the details of our post and much more here.