How Sweetgrass Social can help you!

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.

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Top 3 Reasons to colloborate with a Wedding Coordinator:

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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!

Happy Fourth of July!

Hey Ya'll! Happy Fourth from the girls at Sweetgrass Social!

Planning a wedding or event on or around the 4th of July? Here are a few ideas we just had to share...

If you are planning a wedding, first of all, casual is the way to go! Once your guests arrive at the reception, have buckets of flip flops available so they can dance the night away comfortably! If you’re sticking with a red, white and blue theme, daisies, orchids and roses are the perfect flowers to use. A cluster of American flags would make a great centerpiece. And please don’t forget the cocktails! This would be a great way for you and your new hubby to show off your fun side with a couple signature drinks. Cosmopolitans and anything using blue curacao should do the trick!

If you don’t want to go the red, white, and blue route, just make it American! Have an outdoor reception using lots of vibrant colors. Use simple and timeless decorations, such as tea lights or lanterns. Garnish glasses of champagne with strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. Wear a pair of sassy red or blue shoes under your wedding dress. And instead of having your guests throw birdseed or flower petals at you when you make your getaway, hand out sparklers tied with ribbons! For more inspiration, visit Style Me Pretty.

Just having a backyard BBQ for the 4th? Why not use these centerpieces and decorations to inspire you.

Need some more decorating ideas? Click on over to the The Party Dress. They have lots of fantastic ideas.

Real Wedding: Jessica and Todd

Last fall, we donated one of our packages to the Junior League of Charleston's Whale of a Sale auction. We were so happy when Jessica Heilman (now Jessica Trego) quickly contacted us after the event to let us know she had won the package and was ready to start planning. Jessica was the most relaxed bride we had ever encountered. She was perfect to work with and we were so honored to be a part of her special day as she married her husband Todd. The wedding and reception took place at Magnolia Plantation carriage house on May 1, 2010.

Alice Keeney, of Alice Keeney Photography, captured the evening beautifully. Below are some of the pictures from the event that she so graciously shared with us! (Thanks, Alice!)


The fire pit behind the carriage house was filled with a gorgeous arrangement done by Justin Wham of JW Weddings & Events. Justin did all of the floral design for the event and we loved what he put together. He was a pleasure to work with on this event.




The guests took home their choice of Charleston Chews, Lemon Bars, or Brownies that were displayed in brown gift boxes.

Granville catering did a very nice food display and left the guests very satisfied. D'Lish of Daniel Island baked a beauiful square shaped cake with touches of brown and green detail.

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Trego! Thank you for letting us be a part of your big day. You were both such a pleasure to work with!

The Perfect Gift

With wedding season in full-swing, many of us are faced with the all-to-often daunting task of finding the perfect wedding gift.

You might not be the one getting hitched this year, but- chances are- you've penciled in a wedding (or two) in the near future. You've sent the reply card, picked out your outfit and jotted down directions to the ceremony, but alas- what are you going to give the happy couple? Of course, there are the obvious options: china place settings, various accouterments from store registries, gift cards and and a good, old fashioned check (what bride and groom wouldn't love cash?); but if you're looking for something more creative or, perhaps, personal, then we've got some stunning suggestions. Inspired by the June issue of Real Simple, we've picked out 5 go-to gifts that are simple to order, not to mention easy on the wallet.

It's no surprise that we love a good glass of wine (see our Uncork Your Creative Side post) and, as self-proclaimed wineos, it only seems fitting to share this adorable find. While wine glasses, "of-the-month" clubs and fancy corkscrews are great gifts, this one is a tad more unique and is bound to be a hit!

These toast-its would be perfect on the pair's favorite bottle of bourdeaux!

We're always searching for unique ways for couple's to memorialize their big day and these bracelets are just the ticket. They come in a multitude of colors and are sure to fit any personality!

These last three items come from Etsy- one of our favorite places to look for hand-made treasures. Monogramed towels are a newlywed staple, but why not spice things up and give these gorgeous pillows instead?


You can even get an embroidered phrase on the back... perhaps a favorite quote or song lyric?

This show stopper can be personalized to include inititals and/or a date in a few of the hearts. Who wouldn't want this displayed in their living room?

For a couple who enjoys a steamy cup of joe in the morning, these custom-made mugs. You actually send in profile photos and in just a few short weeks, voila; gorgeous drinkware that any couple would be proud to display.

No matter the couple, one of these ideas is sure to be a perfect gift. So, stop stressing and start shopping!

Real Wedding: Jessica & Matt

As promised, here are a few pictures from the Williams reception at Cottage on the Creek in Mt. Pleasant, SC.

These tall arrangements adorned several tables through out the reception. The coolest part? Live fish swam in the bottom of the vases.

The guests sent off the couple by lining the sidewalk and ringing bells. The bells were displayed in this vintage suitcase.

Pomander balls made of fuji mums and coffee berries surrounded the dance floor.

The ladies loved the flip flops they were given to dance the night away. The flips flops even complimented the bride's pink and brown color scheme.

The photographer, Rebecca Hucks, snapped this picture of us right before all of the guests arrived. It turned out to be a great night and a lot of fun! This is what Jessica's Mom had to say...

"Thank you so much for the beautiful reception you put together for my daughter, Jessica and her new husband, Matt! What a fabulous job you did! Everyone commented on how beautiful the flowers were and what a fun party it was. I will certainly recommend you girls to other people who are having events in Charleston area. Jessica loved it and that is all that really mattered, anyway, but the rest of us loved it, too. The venue you chose was fabulous!! Thanks for making Jessica’s day so special. "

Real Wedding: Jessica and Matt

One of our couples, Jessica and Matt said "I Do" this past weekend on the beautiful beaches of St. Lucia.

Since the couple exchanged vows in St. Lucia, everyone they love dearly was not be able to attend. Although they are already celebrating as you can see below, they wanted the opportunity to celebrate with their family and friends here in Charleston. They asked for our help and we have created a fantastic reception to welcome them back! The gathering will take place this Saturday, April 17th at Cottage on the Creek in Mt. Pleasant, SC. Lots of pictures to follow...

Spring Has Sprung

The sun is shining and it's starting to feel warm again in Charleston! Has spring finally sprung? We sure hope so! We thought we'd celebrate this warm weather with some inspiring ideas for spring. Here are a few ideas associated with some of our favorite things: Weddings, decorating and, of course, shoes.

Everyone knows that spring is a popular time to get married. With gorgeous weather and flowers in bloom, spring creates the perfect setting for a spectacular wedding. It's no surprise that many couples opt for outdoor ceremonies and receptions. For these events, paper lanterns are the perfect way to create a romantic ambiance. Strung from trees or hung from a ceiling, they can transform any setting into a whimsical venue.

These white lanterns, from Polka Dot Bride are perfect for a garden ceremony.

With an array of bright colors and fun shapes, this look from New and Blue livens up the dance floor.

This look, from Credit Crunch Bride is set indoors and the cluster of lanterns helps to create an intimate dining experience for guests.

If you're looking for somewhere to purchase lanterns, Lunabazaar has a great selection.

Whenever there's a wedding, there's bound to be a bridal shower. Women have spent centuries draping crepe paper in celebration. While we adore tradition, we also love putting a new twist on decorating. How sweet is this centerpiece, featured on The Party Dress? The best part? It'd be perfect for a baby shower as well!

As many-a-bridesmaid can attest, posing for pictures, dancing and sprinting for that bouquet can get awfully painful when you're wearing heels. Fit in Clouds invented these ingenious shoes that can literally fit in the tiniest of handbags.

These compact cuties are perfect for bridal parties or, really, any gal who needs a break from stilettos. With an rainbow of colors, these shoes will make any occasion a walk in the clouds!

Charleston Fashion Week

The tents are up, the models are dressed and Charleston Fashion Week is officially underway!

Come out to Marion Square to celebrate local designers and see some spectacular shows! The festivities will wrap up on Saturday with seven bridal couture shows- including Project Runway designer Carol Hannah Whitfield's debut bridal line debut!If you are specifically looking for the bridal portion, you can find the show schedules here. Some of our other local favorites that will are included in the show are Bella Bridesmaid and Maddison Row. This is one stylish event you won't want to miss!

Also, keep a look out for one of our favorite photography studios, King Street Studios. They will be covering fashion week, and regularly post updates on their blog. Check out this great video they they put together of some of their fashion week photos.



We had the privilege of doing a photo shoot with Todd Surber of King Street Studios recently. Stay tuned for those pictures and the new website.

Check out Charleston Fashion Week's Web site to meet the designers and purchase tickets.

From the girls of Sweetgrass, we hope you all have a fun and fashionable week!

Creature Comforts

You want your family and friends to feel comfortable at your wedding. Why not incorporate the comfort of home into your reception? Sure, when cousin Carl's not hitting up the open bar, he'll be dancing the night away... but Great Aunt Millie might need a place to rest her feet. A lounge provides the perfect ambiance for your guests to mingle and relax. These couch-laden areas are becoming more and more popular and we absolutely LOVE the idea! They're a fantastic way to both personalize and cozy-up the area for your special day.

Dubbed "cozy chic" by Brides.com, an assortment of candles adds subtle sophistication to this seating area.


The Knot features a twist on traditional seating.



Displaying photos and wine bottles add a personal touch to this area from Martha Stewart Weddings.

Indoor lounge areas are fabulous, but outdoor lounge areas seem to be all the more romantic. Imagine your guests lounging on a chaise while sipping champagne under the moonlit sky. Sounds perfect, right?

Strung lights make this evening reception from The Knot sparkle and the addition of blankets assures that guests will be warm as the sun goes down.


Brightly colored bouquets really freshen up this look from The Knot.



Sea foam green pillows accent this beach wedding from Martha Stewart Weddings perfectly.

This monochromatic white color scheme really stands out against the beautiful backdrop of this reception from Charleston Wedding magazine.



The bonus? Lounge areas make for a fantastic photo shoot!

Another great way to make your reception more home-y is to display photos. You can have childhood pictures of the bride and groom or even photos with friends and family. Why not offer a slide show or have picture frames depicting the moments in which you and your one-and-only fell in love? Remember those engagement photos? Perhaps you could scatter those throughout the reception area as well. Photos are inexpensive to print and chances are you already have some frames lying around that would be the perfect accompaniment to your wedding decor.

Check out this cool photo vase from Beaucoup.