Charleston Celebrations on The Wedding Row

Charleston Celebrations has been published!  Check out Ashley and Robert's BEAUTIFUL wedding this past April at Founder's Hall.  Ashley and Robert were SO AMAZING to work with, and we are certainly honored to have one of our events featured on The Wedding Row!

Ashley and Robert on The Wedding Row

Just the Two of Us ~ Elopement Ceremonies in Charleston

Did you know that Charleston Celebrations performs elopement ceremonies too?  We recently rolled out our "Just the Two of Us" elopement package, and Christy and Wade--our newest newlyweds--did just that yesterday!  We make eloping in Charleston super easy, especially since there is only a 24-hour waiting period for your South Carolina marriage license!

Talk about full service...that's me, Melissa, officiating Christy and Wade's customized nuptuals, and I also made their bouquet and boutonniere! So if you're searching for that perfect place as for your wedding's destination, consider beautiful Charleston, and contact Charleston Celebrations to handle all of the details, from elopement to full-service planning and coordination!

(A special thanks to Kate McKinley Photography for capturing Christy and Wade's special moment!  And we LOVE that Christy's "something blue" was her dress!  Gorgeous!!)

Happy Planning, and Happy Autumn!

~Melissa
  

Do I or Don't I?

Hello Nearlyweds!

A few weeks ago, I was chatting about etiquette rules with some friends, and I thought it might be helpful to share some things NOT to do when you're planning to say, "I DO"! We don't need Emily Post rolling in her grave, now do we? ;-) And yes, these have all actually happened, so even if you'd never think of doing any of these travesties, hopefully you'll get a chuckle that someone actually did!!

*Shower Thank You Notes: it is NOT okay to hand your guests envelopes to address their own thank you notes at your shower AND/OR write what they gave you on a card and put it in that envelope!

*Cash Bar at Your Reception: if your budget is squeezed, opt for a smaller bar package, just beer and wine, or even just a specialty cocktail. Cash bars are tacky, and chances are good that most of your guests won't have cash on them! Better to have NO bar than a cash bar!!

*Opening Gifts: Sure, open your gifts in front of your guests at your showers if you choose to, BUT NO ONE wants to watch you open presents at your reception. Seriously.

*Asking for Cash: If cash is really what you want, this is something that should be communicated verbally from your loved ones to your guests, NEVER printed on an invitation. Keep in mind also that you're going to have guests who want to actually get you something, so don't get upset. After all, it IS a gift!

*Different Entrees than Your Guests: Unless you have dietary restrictions, don't upgrade your own meal so that you're eating something different than your guests. I was a guest at a wedding recently, and the bride and groom chose to have filet and lobster tails when the guests were served stuffed chicken (which was delicious, but it wasn't surf and turf).

If you ever have etiquette questions, don't be afraid to ask your planner! We won't lead you astray, and we'd rather you ask! The only dumb question is the one that remains unasked!!

As always, Happy Planning!

~Melissa

Monday Nuptials at Kiawah ~ Sarah and Mark

Yesterday, we had our first Monday wedding, and we absolutely LOVED working with Sarah and Mark, our latest newlyweds from Tennessee! Kiawah Island is a special place for the bride's family, so The Sandcastle was a fitting location for Sarah and Mark's BIG DAY! Peacock feathers were the bride's inspiration for this teal, white, and lime wedding. Amazing ocean views were the backdrop of this 5:30pm ceremony, and the bride's sister/ bridesmaid even sang Sarah's processional--can you say goosebumps? What a sweet moment! Following the ceremony, the guests enjoyed Firefly Mojitos form Mix Charleston and a delicious spread from Newton Farms Catering. Dessert was a trio of scrumptious cakes from Sugar Bakeshop--coconut, lemon with sugared blueberries, and strawberry with sugared strawberries--which delighted the guests' (and this wedding planner's) taste buds. An amazing night for this fantastic couple! Congratulations, Sarah and Mark! Xoxo

Tip for the Summer ~ Bathroom Baskets

We've all been to swanky hotels and clubs that provide little niceties in the restroom...you know, mouthwash, tampons, hand scrub, lotion, and so on...so why not do the same thing for your wedding guests?

This is the basket Danielle Januski Couch did this May for the ladies' room at her wedding. Good call, Danielle!! Especially during these hot summer months, having things like deodorant and body spray are a great addition to this little basket of comfort. Hit the travel-sized aisle that we all love and think of what YOU might need if you were a guest, but before you do, double check the counter at your venue that it will go on to make sure it fits! And don't forget about the guys too!

Here are some suggestions for a bathroom basket...just make sure it all fits! ;-)

*deodorant

*hairspray

*kleenex

*Shout wipes or a Tide to Go stick

*tampons/ pantyliners

*bobby pins

*Band-Aids

*lotion

*mouthwash

*dental floss

*nail file/ emery board

*Q-tips

*lint roller

Happy Planning!!

~Melissa

May ~ A Month of Gardens and Beaches and Beautiful Brides

It feels like May went by in a blink. We were elated to be a part of four amazing weddings this May, all uniquely beautiful and a reflection of each couple.

May 14th brought Emily and Andrew and their loved ones to Middleton Place for a beautiful ceremony in the Octagonal Gardens and a reception at the Pavilion. Emily really wanted to carry the natural beauty of Middleton Place inside the Pavilion, and chose a color palate with a variety of greens. Even the cake by Twenty-Six Divine reflected the theme!

The following weekend brought us back to back weddings on Saturday and Sunday, which we made an exception when we met locals Tara and Scott in January, because we really wanted to help them out! They were halfway though the planning process and needed us! They chose Alhambra Hall for their May 22nd wedding, a stunning setting overlooking the Charleston harbor, and they exchanged vows under a large oak tree. The bride and groom wanted a fun, casual atmosphere for their navy and khaki event, so they brought Cornhole and other lawn games to be enjoyed at cocktail hour--what a hit! Miniature adirondack chairs were used as place card holders--SO CUTE!

Mount Pleasant locals Danielle and Darren chose the Citadel Beach House as the venue for their May 21st wedding, and it was a stunning day. The ceremony was on the back lawn under a simple and elegant white arbor, and the ballroom was decorated in neutrals with hints of light turquoise and a touch of soft pink. Darren's family is affiliated with a local seafood restaurant who catered the event, and constructed an ice sculpture raw bar--the focal point of the room, besides the bride of course.

May 29th brought us back to the Citadel Beach House, the venue of choice for Pennsylvanians Tobi and Jeremiah. This fun couple wanted to exchange their vows on the beach, and it was a stunning day for it! They brought the essence of the beach inside using hues of teal and sand, and the bouquets and boutonnieres by First Bloom of Charleston even incorporated sweetgrass roses, grasses, and seashells.

I love the fact that, even though two of our may weddings were at the same venue, the events were totally different. We really encourage our couples to have fun with their choices and to put their personal touches on their BIG DAY!

The events this month were shared with some amazing vendors: Newton Farms Catering, Gourmet Bay Catering, Event Works Rentals, Ascend Entertainment, Twenty-Six Divine, The Cake Stand, Wildflour Pastry, Mix Charleston, Wildflowers, Inc, First Bloom of Charleston, and The Party Music.

Congratulations again to Charleston Celebrations' newest NEWLYWEDS!!

This time last May...

...we were getting ready for some amazing weddings. Congratulations, and a very Happy One Year Anniversary to Meg and Andrew Jaffee, Laura and Sean Gildea, and Lindsey and Andrew Croy! I can't believe that it's been a year already! Thank you all so much for allowing us to be a part of your special day! <3

Hugs and Best Wishes,

Melissa

Legare Waring House Elegance ~ Julie and Pete

April 17 was one of the prettiest days I've ever witnessed in Charleston, and the Legare Waring House was the PERFECT setting for Julie and Pete's wedding! The ceremony took place under the Avenue of Oaks, an amazing canopy of oak trees, and the reception utilized the house itself and its grounds--truly the quintessential Charleston setting. And did I mention the weather was absolutely PERFECT? After the ceremony, guests enjoyed cocktails on the side of the house by the lagoon, and even though the property warns to not disturb the alligators, no reptilian guests were seen. Chef Eric Gaffin with New Dream Catering did not disappoint, Mix Charleston kept the guests refreshed into the evening, and guests danced the night away to the sounds of the Travis Allison Band. What a beautiful evening filled with lots of love for the happy couple!

April's Tip of the Month~Where's the Book?

Finding a spot for the guest book can be tricky. It doesn't necessarily need a 6 foot table all to itself, and it might get lost amongst all the awesome gifts on the gift table...so where should this extremely important little book go? Solution: a cocktail table! It can be put in a prominent, high-traffic location, and it's the perfect height for your guests, so they don't strain their backs trying to bend over a regular table while leaving their Best Wishes for you! Also, if I notice that many guests aren't frequenting the guest book table, I'll have the band or DJ announce its location at an appropriate time, and that usually does the trick! I would HATE for a bride to flip through a half-empty book post-wedding! Not up in here!! ;-)

Stay tuned for more tips for your special Celebration!

Happy Planning!

Melissa

Ashley and Rob have Tied the Knot!

April 9 was a beautiful spring day, and Founders Hall was the perfect setting for Ashley and Rob's Wedding. Pink hydrangeas, roses, orchids, and peonies added amazing color to the outdoor setting for the ceremony, while lanterns of shepherds hooks lined the aisle from A Floral Affair. Pink and white Japanese lanterns hung from the porch and swayed in the spring breeze while guests enjoyed post-nuptial cocktails from MixCharleston and a wonderful stationed dinner by New Dream Catering followed by a variety of cupcakes from The Cake Stand--topped with sugar orchids! Two3Ways entertained the entire evening, and Shannon Michele Photography captured the entire event. I can't wait to see those pictures! Congratulations to Charleston Celebrations' NEWEST newlyweds!!

Kelly and Collier are Married!

Congratulations to our first 2011 couple to tie the knot: Kelly and Collier! What a BEAUTIFUL Charleston day it was on Saturday--sunny and warm! The Thomas Bennett House was the perfect backdrop for this elegant wedding! Following the 5:30pm ceremony, guests were greeted with Firefly cocktails in Mason jars by MIX Charleston, while the wedding party had fun taking photos with King Street Studios. After an amazing seated dinner by Newton Farms Catering and scrumptious wedding cake by D'lish Dessert, Kelly and Collier's guests danced the night away to the sounds of local band Permanent Vacation under a gorgeous white tent with chandeliers from Event Works Rentals and florals by Branch Design Studios. What a fantastic start to our 2011 wedding season!