Suit or Tux?

Whether you are going for a traditional or trendy look, you need to understand the elements of style at your disposal. When deciding if you want a suit or tux think of your venue, theme of wedding, color scheme and what your personal style is, differences in style convey different moods and messages. Regardless of what you decided to do, make sure its a great fit! Make sure it fits you correctly and it fits with the mood theme of wedding and your personal style. 

Tuxedo

The tuxedo is  formal wear at its very best. The tuxedo has been the standard for men's formal wear for years, they come in several styles and are easily updated with different accessories Black tuxedos can be for multiple events, gray or white tuxedos are strictly wedding attire. To get an idea of the classic tuxedo, think Frank Sinatra.

Go with a vest. You can have color but remember that there are flowers to coordinate with, and don't forget to match the handkerchief! Cuff links are a great accent of class and style, they can also make great grooms men gifts. Either a bow tie or long ties are appropriate. Ties can be modern and sleek and are a nice alternative to the traditional bow tie. The bow tie is mainstay of a classic tuxedo. If you decided to go with a real bow tie, make sure you or someone else knows how to tie one! For step by step directions and pictures check out the knots website. http://wedding.theknot.com/groom-groomsmen/tuxedo-styles/articles/how-to-tie-a-bow-tie.aspx

Traditional tuxedo or black tie: Usually worn after 6pm, but can appear at a formal daytime wedding or anytime in the afternoon. A back or gray jacket with a single button is the most classic look. For a more modern look, think Danielle Craig in 007.

Cutaway or morning coat: In its traditional design, this coat is for the most formal morning weddings. Coats are black or gray with a single button at the waist and one broad tail at back. Above, Real Wedding: Ann & Ryan

Dinner jacket: Great for a casual wedding or rehearsal dinner. It has peaked lapels or a shawl collar. It works well in summer months or in warm climates, in the afternoon or evening and is considered an appropriate substitute for a standard tuxedo. Think Sean Connery in 007 (above) or Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (below) both in white.

Stroller Coat: Variation of the morning coat, usually hip length, looks good with fancy waist coats. (Ambassador formal wear by Gilda)

                   
                                                           Modern gray tux, clean lines and sleep look. Vera Wang

Update black tie: These tuxedos are worn with a regular tie or bow tie and often a belt rather than suspenders. A classic look infused with modern elegance, a perfect fit for everyman.

Suit

A refined suit can leave a lasting impression Think of Don Draper from Mad Men, who wears a sleek clean cut suit with a trimmer waist. Inspired by trends in the 1960's, this classic style is and forever will be popular. Depending on your style a suit may be a better choice. It can be a practical option for many grooms. After the wedding, a suit can be used for variety of occasions. Think of your grooms men as well when choosing your wedding attire. It is always nice to have your own tux, but depending on your lifestyle a suit may be a much more useful. However, quality rarely comes cheap, but if a well-made suit is properly taken care of, it can last a lifetime.

Usually, suits have a plan front shirt, long sleeved, with full length buttoned. The jacket lapels are made of same material as the rest of the jacket. Formal shoes like Oxfords, Derbies or smart slip ons are suitable for more conservative and formal affairs. Hip colored tennis shoes can also fit in perfectly with the theme of your big day. Find what works for you and what you are conformable with.

A nice suit can be very classy at a less formal event. Find a brand that matches your budget, fit and style and stick with it. Above, Real Wedding: Jenny and Will.

Beach weddings can be extremely causal. Linen pants, a fine white pressed suit and barefoot. Above, Real Wedding: Stephanie and T.

Seer sucker is a classic Charleston look. It is comfortable and great on hot days. Real Wedding: Chuck and Elyse

The gorgeous dark suit: For a dressy but not formal wedding or for the groom who absolutely won't wear a tuxedo. Choose charcoal, black or navy and a solid-color or patterned tie to dress it up. (Men's Warehouse)

Some other fun colors and accessories ideas....

                                                                               Real wedding: Shelley and Greg

                                                                                 J. Crew- Modern gray suit

Men's Warehouse-White suit

                                                                          Men' s Warehouse -Brown suit

Kate Spade for you and the girls!

Kate Spade is always a great resource for the perfect piece of jewelery to complete any outfit. Here are a few pieces that we're loving for bridesmaids and brides!

 

The Bridesmaid Idiom Bangle $58.00

 

The "Partner in Crime" Bridesmaid Locket  $78.00

 

"I do" necklace $78.00

 

"Mrs." Necklace $78.00

 

"Mrs." Earrings $48.00

 

New Engagement: Kristy and Timothy

Love at first sight

Kristy and Timothy were two American’s living in Hong Kong; they will be getting married this September! This unique love story is a real case of “love at first sight”. Kristy and Timothy give us the inside scoop of their foreign romance

How did you meet? – “I was having dinner with my good friends Dave and Jen and Dave kept saying I needed to meet a great guy.  He kept bugging me and asking me to point out a guy who was my "type" in the bar.  I finally did from across the room (I pointed at Tim) and he finally quit bothering me.  Somehow Tim's friend Marelize bumped my chair and we ended up meeting that night.  Tim gave me his card and the rest is history.  We were all watching the World Cup that night in Hong Kong.”

How did you become engaged?- “We were getting ready to go to brunch with our friends on the weekend and it was just before Christmas.  Tim said he wanted to have a picture taken by the Christmas tree.  You would have to see this tree to understand, but it's the world's tiniest "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree.  We didn't have a big tree since we planned on spending Christmas in the US with our families.  I told him we could take the photo later but he persisted and said he had decorated the tree and everything.  Wondering how in the world he could decorate such a tiny tree I walked over to find the ring under it.  He walked over, took it from my hand, got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.  I responded with OF COURSE!!  Our friends are still picking on us for being late to brunch.  Ha ha.

What are some things you both enjoy doing together? - Tim and I love to travel and we've seen most of Asia together over the past 2 years.

If you had to pick one characteristic you love about one another what would it be? – “I love that Tim has such a kind heart.  He's truly a great guy and I'm so lucky to have him in my life.”

Tim says he doesn't love any one thing about me, but everything about me...well that was super sweet.

To see their love story in film check out this great video!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5pV6Csgx3o

Like us on facebook!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sweetgrass-Social/89022006315

New Interns!

We are pleased to announce our two new fabulous interns Kathryn and  Elaine!  Elaine from University of Georgia and Kathryn from University if South Carolina, are both a perfect fit to our team at Sweetgrass Social!

Kathryn Peters grew up in Baltimore Maryland, after graduating from Catonsville High school moved to the south to attend the University of South Carolina. Kathryn will be a senior next year at USC and is majoring in Hospitality Restaurant Tourism Management with a focus in event planning; she has also attended the Culinary and Wine Institute program at USC as well as studied abroad at in Italy at Apicius International School of Hospitality where she studied event planning, culinary management and Wine and beverage management. Kathryn has done events at the James Beard foundation, Astor Center and Macy Herald Square through Apicius. Prior to studying abroad she has worked at Family Circle Cup in Charleston, Master tournament in Augusta Georgia, among many other hospitality related jobs in hotels and restaurants.

Elaine grew up in the small town of Florence, South Carolina.  After graduating from West Florence she went on to the University of Georgia where she studied Consumer Economics.  Throughout college she took on many event coordinating roles within her sorority which sparked her interest with planning and putting on events.  She then worked for The Classic Center, a venue, in Athens where she supervised weddings along with countless other events.  After graduating this May from UGA she knew she wanted to move to Charleston and Sweetgrass Social was the perfect fit.   She is so happy to be working with Jacqueline and Meredith and has already learned so much from her time with Sweetgrass Social.

A year's worth of Congratulations

As our 2012 Spring wedding season comes to an end we want to wish a very happy one year anniversary to the amazing 2011 Spring couples we worked with just one year ago!

Ann & Ryan Treat, March 5

Bonnie & Matthew Ivester, March 19

Erica & Brandon Hooks, April 16

Katie & Keegan Sacko, April 16

We also want to congratulate all of the newlyweds from our Spring 2012 wedding season!

Alisa & Enrique Via-Reque, February 26

Kelly & Brandon Schneider, March 3

Lauren & Matthew Barker, March 10
Take a look at their adorable wedding trailer!
http://www.sc-wedding-videographer-blog.com/2012/03/charleston-wedding-hibernian-hall-circular-church

Meagan & Liam McDonough, March 24

Sheena & Chris Aldrich, April 14

Shana & Alex Beach, April 21

Shanna & Justin Taylor, April 27

Jennifer & Steven Loveless, May 27


We wish all of you the very best in your new lives together! We hope your first year has been, or will be, the best year of your lives! Thank you for allowing Sweetgrass Social to be a part of each of your special days.  CONGRATS!

Spoleto Festival

Mark your calendar to visit Charleston during Spoleto Festival, May 25-June 10, 2012

Every Spring, the Spoleto Festival USA fills Charleston South Carolina for 17 days and nights. Charleston historic theaters, churches and outdoor spaces are taken over by 140 performances by renowned artist as well as emerging performers in disciplines ranging from opera, theater, music theater, dance and chamber, symphonic choral and jazz music as well as visual arts

Spoleto Festival USA has firmly established its self as one of the worlds major arts festivals presenting 100 world premieres and 93 American premieres since its inception in 1977. The festival is an artistic home for a large group of artists, both traditional and experimental, who found the mix of dance, theater, opera music and visual arts to be both exiting and stimulating.

                                                                                               Joy Kills Sorrow

       Trombone Shorty & Orland Avenue: One of the best Jazz jam

              bands out there. All proteges of New Orland's these talent young men have been playing    on  the  street of New Orland's at young ages, they now tour throughout the US.

Check out some of these great videos from artist preforming this year

Jake Shimabukuro
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zjO0LlghTI&feature=player_embedded

Leo of Circle of eleven
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHFuBEJVmzM&feature=player_embedded

                                                                                           Rebirth Brass Band

                                                                                      Old Crow Medicine Show

                                                                                   Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Check out this years program and a schedule at:
http://spoletousa.org/current-season/program-view/
http://spoletousa.org/current-season/schedule-view/

View full website at: http://spoletousa.org/home/


http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sweetgrass-Social/89022006315

6 Must Have Wedding Photos

Your wedding day is one of the most special days of your life, so it is certainly a day to remember.  Picking out a photographer that will capture all of the special moments is one of the most important aspects of planning your wedding.  We've all seen the cute and typical wedding shots, the bride getting ready, holding hands without seeing each other before the ceremony, and so many more! While these are definitely must haves for your wedding album, we wanted to point out a few more shots that you won't want to miss out on!

1. A (really good) Kissing Shot

This is a great photo to look back on and remember all of the love you shared on your wedding day!

2. Your Dresses (Bride's and Bridesmaid's)

You will of course have a photo of your amazing gown, but getting a shot of your bridesmaid's dresses is a great and unique idea!

3. Your Favors

A lot of thought goes in to these and you will want to remember them! 

4. Getting Ready with Your Mom

Such a special time to share with Mom!

5. Before the Ceremony Toast

Celebrating with your bridesmaids!

6. A Scene Setter

Of course you want to remember the beautiful city you got married in! Hopefully it's Charleston!

With these unique & fun photos, plus all of the other amazing shots your photographer captures you are sure to have many great memories from your special day!


Credit: TheKnot.com; Chi Photography; Liz Duren Photography