Southern Chic Weddings and Events

Love is in the air!

2012-01-05T12:34:00.000-05:00

Happy 2012! We are looking forward to another wonderful year at Southern Chic in 2012 and would love to have you be a part of it. Beginning today and lasting through Valentine's Day, February 14th, we will be offering 10% off all packages booked for remaining available 2012 dates. This is the perfect package for those couples who were just engaged over the holidays or even for those couples who were waiting until the new year to jump into the wedding planning. Take advantage of this great special today by contacting us at southernchicweddings@gmail.com. Happy Planning!

Season End Chicness

2011-12-09T12:35:00.000-05:00

Well, another busy wedding season has come and gone and we lived to tell about it. Fall 2011 was one of our best seasons yet and we can't wait to share all the fun we had with all of you. Our fall season began with Jenny's wedding on September 3rd and ended with Rachel's wedding last weekend on December 3rd. It was a busy, fun, and crazy three months. We enjoyed working weddings at the Country Club of Charleston, Confederate Home, Creek Club at I'on, Founder's Hall, Summerall Chapel, Christ our King, Old Exchange Building, Francis Marion Hotel, and William Aiken House to name a few. It was such a wonderful season! In addition to some amazing and new venues, this season also brought lots of new ideas and decor as well as the opportunity to meet some fabulous Brides. We are always so lucky to get to work with such amazing Brides. Not only are they beautiful, but they are so much fun and this season's Brides definitely made it to our favorites list. Speaking of lists, we will of course be updating our preferred vendors list after this season. Charleston has so many wedding vendors and so many great ones to say the least. While we work really hard to keep our preferred vendors list short and top notch, we have to make a few additions for some new friends who really wowed us this season. Check back soon for a blog post on our new and of course old vendor favorites as well as pictures from our fabulous fall fetes!

Happy Planning!

Amanda

M&M Chic

2011-09-29T19:45:00.001-04:00

Martha and Mitchell were married on Saturday, August 27, 2011 in a beautiful ceremony at the Citadel's Summerall Chapel. Their reception immediately followed aboard The Carolina Belle. Martha and Mitchell's guests enjoyed a beautiful evening on the Charleston harbor while dining on Duvall and d'lish's delicious eats and drinking champagne and South Carolina's own Firefly and lemonade. While Martha is originally from Florence, South Carolina, where her family still lives, she currently resides in California with Mitchell. Some of my favorite memories from M&M's wedding weekend are: Hurricane Irene avoided Charleston, the multicolored bridesmaid bouquets that were done by Beth at Wildflowers, Inc., and the fabulous sparkler send off. Martha and Mitchell were a joy to work with throughout the planning process and Becky and I really enjoyed getting to know their friends and family over the course of the weekend. I hope you will enjoy a few of their fabulous wedding pictures that were taken by the talented and fun team at Red Shutter Studios. Congratulations Martha and Mitchell! We wish you a lifetime of love and happiness!

Rice Planter's Chic

2011-07-14T13:15:00.001-04:00

Southern Chic Weddings and Events was proud to be a corporate sponsor of the 2011 Rice Planter's Amateur Golf Tournament. The tournament was a wonderful success that we were proud to contribute to. The tournament week began on Monday, June 20th with a practice round for the players. Monday ended with a party under the tent on the 18th green with food, drinks, and live music by our friend, Patrick Norris. The Pro-Am was played on Tuesday and was a good time had by all - including Tim. The tournament began on Wednesday morning with players from all over the world fighting the heat for the title of Rice Planter's 2011 winner. While the heat got to some of the players, the top players finished strong with scores in the mid 60s. Wednesday night wrapped up with the annual Rice Planter's kick-off party which was a blast with skills competitions, Carrabba's catering, drinks, a simulation truck for games like Tiger Woods golf, live music, and much more. Thursday's rounds were mush like Wednesdays with lots of good scores. Things got serious on Friday as the players prepared for Friday afternoon's tournament cut. There were birdies and eagles galore on Saturday - even a Dan Marino spotting - as the player's completed their final round. Austin Cody, a Charleston local and Duke college golfer, took the prize fairly easily when it was all said and done. Overall it was a great week for all involved and a wonderful experience for Southern Chic.

Spring 2011 Chic

2011-06-07T23:34:00.000-04:00

Wow! What a spring it has been! We've been too busy to even blog about it all...

Twelve successful and beautiful weddings in twelve weeks! We feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to work with twelve amazing Brides and Grooms and of course with all of their talented vendors. We were all over the place this Spring with weddings in Awendaw, Mount Pleasant, Moncks Corner, Downtown, and Folly Beach. We had so much fun being at a variety of venues and implementing so many fun and fresh ideas. Our Spring Brides had many different tastes but were all fun, and of course, chic! Enjoy a few of their attached pictures.

We are looking forward to a fun and successful summer.

Make sure you are following us on Facebook (Southern Chic Weddings and Events) and Twitter (SoChicWeddings) to keep up to date on all the fun!

Happy Planning!

Mother's Day Chic

2011-05-16T11:06:00.005-04:00

Sarah and Malachy were married on Sunday, May 8th, 2011 - Mother's Day. The Bride and Groom chose the Legare-Waring House as the perfect spot for their wedding ceremony and reception. A big thanks to Michel at King Street Photo and Josh at Briteside Productions for sharing a sneak peak to their wedding photos and video with us. Check out their video clip here. Congratulation to Mr. and Mrs. Freidman! We loved being a part of your special day!

From Wodam to Odum ...

2011-02-21T17:48:00.000-05:00

Kristen and Brian were married yesterday and I could not be happier for them!

I have known Kristen and Brian for about five years now. Brian, who is affectionately called by his last name, Odum, and my husband, Tim, were college fraternity brothers and have been friends since. Kristen and Odum actually caught both the bouquet and garter at Tim and I's wedding and their engagement then quickly followed. So, of course, when Kristen and Odum asked me to assist them with their wedding planning, I was thrilled!

Kristen was such a wonderful bride throughout the planning process. She was organized, thoughtful, and always smiling. Kristen really wanted a wedding that reflected both her and Odum's personalities and that is exactly what she got. Kristen pulled off a wedding full of personal touches and lots of fun while sticking to a budget.

My favorite part of the wedding was the flash mob. Kristen's bridesmaids organized a suprise flash mob for the new Mr. and Mrs. Odum and it was pulled off flawlessly. You can see the video of the flash mob by clicking here.

Of course this day would not have been possible without the help of some amazing vendors. Here is the contact information for a few that I would highly recommend ...

Ceremony and Reception Venue - Rachel at Pepper Plantation
Caterer - Francesca at Newton Farms Catering
Bar - Craig at Mix Premier Bartending
Rentals - Greg at Snyder Event Rentals
Ceremony and Reception Music - Ben with Triple Lindy
Florist - Beth at Wild Flowers, Inc.
Photographer - Liz at Liz Duren Photography

Hopefully we can get Mrs. Odum to write a little blog post on all of her fabulous D.I.Y. projects at some point. More to come on that.

A big congratulation to Kristen and Odum!

WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011

2011-01-25T19:00:00.001-05:00

Charleston, South Carolina – January 25th, 2011 - WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, is thrilled to announce Southern Chic Weddings and Events has been selected to receive the prestigious annual WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 for Wedding Planning!

Recognition for the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 is determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 WeddingWire newlyweds. Our past clients are among those that shared their experiences on WeddingWire, the largest wedding review site in the nation.

Southern Chic Weddings and Events stands among the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire community, representing quality and service excellence within the wedding industry. Awards were given to the top wedding professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and were based on the overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is honored to celebrate the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire community,” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “With the annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program, WeddingWire has the unique opportunity to recognize the best wedding professionals across the US and Canada. We applaud Southern Chic Weddings and Events for their professionalism and dedication to enhancing the wedding planning experience last year.”

We are happy to announce that Southern Chic Weddings and Events is among the very best Wedding Planners within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for nominating us to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today.

For more information on the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

Puppy Love Addition

2011-01-12T18:40:00.003-05:00

I feel bad that I blogged about pets and weddings and left out one of our favorite wedding party pooches of all time. It is my pleasure to introduce you to Riley, Julie and Howie Appelt's dog. Riley was well behaved, charming, and of course looked super sharp in his suit. A big thanks to Chris of Chris and Cami Photography for sharing his wonderful talent with us. So fun!

And they call it puppy love ...

2011-01-12T10:12:00.001-05:00

Here at Southern Chic we love love love our pets! When we came across this article on pets in your wedding, we just had to share. Enjoy!

From:
Martha Stewart Weddings
Pets in Your Wedding

As you think about who will be with you on your wedding day, those who are closest to you are likely the first to come to mind. For many , that includes a family pet. There are lots of ways to involve furry (or feathered) friends in your celebration, whether in a formal role -- as ring bearers or flower dogs, for example -- or simply as honored guests.

Determine Your Pet's Role
If you're thinking of including a pet in your wedding, there are a few things to consider. Is it appropriate for the kind of ceremony you're having? "An animal fits a certain type of affair, one at a farmhouse or a private estate, perhaps, but probably not at a fancy hotel," says Sasha Souza, a California event designer.

If the venue does not allow pets, try to find a compromise. Michael Zorek and Shelly Friedland wanted their beagle-whippet mix, Scooter, to participate in their wedding in New York City, but neither the temple in which they were marrying nor their reception site would allow pets. So the couple had Scooter meet them at the doors of the temple (escorted by a hired dog walker), then accompany them and their guests in a procession to the reception site five blocks away. Scooter wore a bow-tie collar with a tuxedo bib for the jaunt. "People got a big kick out of it," says Michael. "We made the evening news."

The type of animal you have may also help dictate his role in the wedding. Some couples with smaller, less social pets such as lizards, ferrets, or guinea pigs are content simply to have the animal present at the wedding; they may ask someone to hold the pet during the ceremony or keep the animal nearby in its habitat or cage. Not all pets are suited to a wedding, and it's important to assess the temperament of yours. Is he friendly or aggressive? Does he make a lot of noise? Does he steal food? If your pet's disposition doesn't lend itself to this type of situation, don't try to train him in the weeks leading up to your wedding.

Be Flexible
Once you've decided how to include your pet, be prepared to be flexible on the wedding day. "You can't force it," says Marc Morrone, owner of Parrots of the World pet store in Rockville Centre, New York. "If you expect your pet to perform a certain feat, have a backup plan in case he doesn't do it."

Also, consider your own personality. A relaxed attitude is crucial. During the outdoor ceremony of Sarah St. Onge and Andrew Howell in St. Helena, California, Sarah's dog, Piper, suddenly began barking. "She saw a squirrel," says Andrew. "But the barks were well timed," adds Sarah. "Piper punctuated the wedding vows and added an element of humor." And it's warm, lighthearted surprises like this that make a wedding memorable.

Planning with a Pet in Mind
Inform Your Attendants
Well in advance, inform attendants and vendors that your pet will play a role, and discuss special measures you'd like them to take. Also notify your officiant. Some may refuse to preside over a wedding that includes pets.

Never Leave Your Pet Alone
Consider hiring a handler with whom the pet is already acquainted, or have a friend be responsible for the pet during the wedding.

Anticipate Potential Hazards
Ask at the wedding site about pesticides or toxic plants on the grounds, and about creatures that might distract or threaten your pet. If your florist is adorning your pet's collar, be sure she uses nontoxic materials. And keep pets, especially dogs, someplace safe during the reception so guests won't feed them. Certain wedding fare, including chocolate, alcohol, and meat with bones, can be dangerous.

Practice Makes Perfect
Bring your pet to the site before the wedding day, and have him come to the rehearsal to practice his part if he will be participating in the ceremony.

The Other "Groom"
Take the animal to the groomer before the wedding so he'll look his best. Keep adornments minimal and easy for the pet to wear. Don't make him wear them for longer than is necessary.

Tech savvy chic!

2011-01-05T18:52:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone!

I hope 2011 is treating you right. I am loving it so far. I wanted to go ahead and fill you in on one of the big changes that will be happening at Southern Chic this year. We are going to be much more tech savvy! Yes, you heard me right. Now get excited!

I have always struggled a little with why everyone needs so many different ways to be available and to communicate with one another in this crazy world that we are all living in. Between a mailing address, a home phone, an office phone, a cell phone, answering machines, voicemails, text messageges, fax machines, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn, websites, blogs and everything else that I might not yet know about, where does it end? Ahh! Can you hear the frustration / excitement in my writing? All that venting behind us, I believe we have come up with a few fun ways to keep the process of updating you all exciting for us and hopefully enough fun for you guys so you want to keep being updated!

Here goes ... Let's start with the basics first. You can always reach us the old-fashioned way by calling us at (843) 270-7837, emailing us at southernchicweddings@gmail.com, or by snail mail at 942 Beresford Court Mount Pleasant, South Carolina 29464. We also have what we think is a fabulous website that can be viewed by clicking here. We keep our website updated with information on us and how we came to be as well as with a variety of pictures and information to help you to decide if Southern Chic is the right fit for you. Our website address will also lead you to our blog which you are obviously reading now. Just in case ... our blog can be accessed by clicking here. From there we are hoping all of you will join us on Facebook and Twitter. Facebook is our favorite place to post. This is the best place to see pictures and videos (yes, we will be doing videos of all of our events this year to show you our amazing brides and venue transformations) and then if you want to read more you can visit our blog to read all the behind-the-scenes details. Twitter is a little bit newer for us but our main goal of Twitter, besides reaching out to more of you, is to share great articles and links that may assist you with the wedding planning process or just be for pure entertainment value. You can access our Facebook page by clicking here. We hope you will become a fan today. Finally, you can view our Twitter page by clicking here. We hope you will follow us on Twiter as well.

Thank you to all of our friends, family, colleagues, and most importantly all of our past brides who have made Southern Chic such a success for the past three and a half years. We promise to make you proud (and keep you updated) in 2011! Cheers to it!

2011! Our best year yet!

2011-01-04T10:20:00.003-05:00

It is looking like 2011 will be Southern Chic's best year yet and we want you to share in the fun. We are offering a 15% discount on all of our packages from now until the end of the month. This is the perfect special for all of you ladies who were proposed to over the holidays. We'll call it our "Cheers to 2011!" special. Contact us today for our packages and pricing information and to schedule your complimentary initial consultation!

Happy Planning!

Cheers to 2011!

2011-01-02T17:57:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year! We are so excited that 2011 is here. We are looking forward to lots of new and exciting changes this year. Stay tuned for more details and lots of fun!

Happy Planning,

Amanda

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-19T17:34:00.002-05:00

Wow! I can't believe 2010 is coming to an end. It has been a fantastic year for Southern Chic Weddings and Events. We have learned a lot, had a ton of fun, and met lots of amazing people along the way. I want to thank all of our brides, grooms, vendors, and everyone else who has made Southern Chic such a success. My dream of helping Brides from all around the country to have their own perfect wedding day would not be a reality without all of your help. Thank you again for everything and cheers to 2011 being the best year yet!

Happy Holidays,

Amanda

Shopping with Friends Brunch Pictures

2010-12-06T15:58:00.002-05:00

Pictures of the Shopping with Friends Brunch can be viewed here. A big thank you to Liz at Liz Duren Photography for capturing it all!

Shopping with Friends

2010-12-05T14:32:00.002-05:00

Shopping with Friends was a huge success. Thank you for all the love and support. I am excited to have this fundraising weekend under my belt and am looking forward to donating my time to assist Lowcountry AIDS Services and other local charities more in the future. I want to send a special thank to Lisa at ooh! Events, Liz at Liz Duren Photography, and Greg at Snyder Event Rentals for being so willing to donate their time to this event. It would not have been possible without them. I also am really excited about all of the new friends that I was able to meet because of this event - Katie at Circa PR, Jessica at Charleston Place, Mary at Lotus Flower and everyone else who was a part of the weekend. I hope I have the opportunity to work with all of this local talent again in the future. A great event for a great cause that I was proud to be a part of. Pictures to follow soon!

Shopping with Friends - Cocktail Party

2010-12-02T20:04:00.000-05:00

Shopping With Friends Cocktail Party is tomorrow, December 3rd, at Biton. Select
merchandise will be 50%-70% off for one night only! Guests will also
enjoy wine, sweet treats from local bakeries, a Fall Fashion model
showcase, and music from DJ Danny Seltzer.

Wedding Wire

2010-11-30T13:47:00.002-05:00

You can see more pictures of our events and read reviews from past clients on our Wedding Wire page. Check it out!

Happy Planning!

The Wedding Row

2010-11-27T11:10:00.002-05:00

We were so excited to hear from Della today that Lindsey and Nick are featured on The Wedding Row's blog. Lindsey and Nick look great on the post. Everyone should check it out!

Royal Chic

2010-11-23T23:22:00.002-05:00

Are you as glued to the details of the Royal Wedding as I am? I can't get enough. April 29th, 2011 - If I can't be planning the wedding or even attending then I will settle for a full day of wedding coverage fun!

Make it a holiday affair!

2010-11-17T19:15:00.000-05:00

Need help putting together that fabulous holiday fete? Southern Chic has got you covered. Contact us today.

Happy Holidays!

Go Red!

2010-11-16T10:36:00.002-05:00

Wade Chic

2010-11-11T16:51:00.003-05:00

Lindsey and Nick were married on October 2nd, 2010 at the Citadel Beach House on Isle of Palms where a reception immediately followed. I loved this couple. Lindsey was such a great Bride to work with. She had so many chic, fabulous ideas for her wedding day. A few of my favorite things about Lindsey and Nick's big day were ...

Their families - I loved their families. They were all such great, fun, easy going people. Everyone was so excited for Lindsey and Nick and just really enjoyed themselves and mainly being together. Lindsey's Dad even brought lunch to the venue for everyone setting up. Isn't that so nice?

The decor - Lindsey brought the best decor items: candles, coral, burplap and so much more. It all came together beautifully. I can only imagine how beautiful Lindsey and Nick's home is. Lindsey has such a great eye for decor. A few days before the wedding, she and I were at Out of Hand finalizing a few of the rental details and she saw this table - a table that has never been rented before - and ended up convincing Lisa, the owner, to rent out the table for her to use as her candy table at the reception. The table was perfect.

The way Lindsey and Nick let loose and had a great time - they laughed and danced and had the time of their lives. I love seeing couples really step back and enjoy their day.

Such a fun day had by Lindsey and Nick, their families and friends, and event their vendors!

A huge thanks to some of my favorites OOH! Events, Cru Catering, Liz Duren Photography, Hart to Heart Media, Absolutely Charleston and new friends Sugar Bakeshop, Classical Charleston, and the Chris Crosby Band, for helping to make the day such a success. You can see more of Lindsey and Nick and Liz's beautiful work on our Facebook page as well.

Happy Planning!

Janine and Jack tie the knot!

2010-10-14T09:24:00.002-04:00

Janine and Jack were married at First Baptist Church Downtown on Saturday, September 25, 2010. A Lowcountry reception immediately followed at the Creek Club at I'on. The guests dined on lobster macaroni and cheese and other delicious treats that were provided by Jacob's Kitchen and Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal. The guests were entertained by Voices of Deliverance after the ceremony and then Two Three Ways at the reception as they enjoyed the beautiful decor that was done by OOH! Events. And of course ... the talented Tara and Rod of Red Shutter Studio who were nice enough to share the photos with me. Tara won me over with her salsa dancing skills. So fun! This really was a beautiful event for a beautiful couple. Janine and Jack - I wish you a lifetime of love, fun, and happiness. Keep in touch!

Beaufort or Bust

2010-09-16T15:59:00.006-04:00

Lauren and Jonathan were married on August 21, 2010. Their ceremony was scheduled to take place at the Old Sheldon Ruins but God had other plans for their big day. The skies opened and didn't close so the ceremony was quickly moved to the reception site, Beaufort's waterfront pavilion. While the Church would have made a beautiful backdrop, the lawn of the pavilion ended up being the perfect setting for Lauren and Jonathan's sunset ceremony. I also have to mention how calm and collected the Groom and especially the Bride stayed through the switch. They were rock stars. After the ceremony, the guests walked a few feet over to the reception site where they escaped the heat with lots of delicious southern style tea and lemonade along with of course plenty of adult beverages as well. Guests were wet and it was hot but it didn't stop this crowd from having fun. DJ Mike from Jay Maxwell's Music by Request kept the dance floor packed all night. Matt and Sol of Del Sol Photography captured it all and were nice enough to share the photos with me. Matt is actually the Bride's cousin so it was a true family affair. I really enjoyed working with Lauren and her fabulous Mom, Danae, throughout the planning process. This is a beautiful family that I am so fortunate to have met. Congratulations Lauren and Jonathan Cooke!

Happy Planning to the rest of you!

Save the Date!

2010-09-01T22:32:00.003-04:00

Southern Chic Weddings and Events is proud to be a 2010 sponsor of Lowcountry Aids Services' Shopping with Friends

SHOPPING WITH FRIENDS

December 4, 2010

Shopping With Friends is celebrating its seventh year, and we are doing it in Style. Grab your friends and shop til you drop to show your support for over 100 caring Red Ribbon Retailers who will give 10% of every dollar you spend to Lowcountry AIDS Services. Guilt free shopping for a great cause!

Cocktail Party and Fashion Show hosted by Biton
20% off any purchase * Swag Bags * Free Giveaways * Signature Drinks
Friday, December 3rd from 6pm-8pm
Biton - 275 King Street
$10 Donation to Lowcountry AIDS Services

Kick-Off Brunch at the Rivera at Charleston Place
Live Auction * Vintage Village * Gift Bags(valued at $100) * Bloody Mary and Mimosas
Saturday, December 4th from 10am to noon
Tickets to this Stylish event are $45

LOVE

2010-08-14T10:44:00.003-04:00

Just a few of the vendors that I am loving on right now ...

Venue: Julie Ann with The Legare-Waring House

Caterer: Francesca with Newton Farms Catering

Cake: Lauren and Will with The Cake Stand

Photographer: Liz with Liz Duren Photography

DJ: Rob with Rob Duren Productions

Band: Michael with Permanent Vacation

Rentals: Greg with Snyder Event Rentals

Floral and Decor: Lisa with Out of Hand and OOH! Events

Transportation: Karen with Absolutely Charleston

Officiant: Jill with Mobile Marriage

Videographer: Christian with Hart to Heart Media

Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music: Mike with Palmetto Strings

Hair and Makeup: Karen with Cover Girl Brides

Attire: Jodi with White on DI

Happy Planning!

Newton Farms Catering

2010-08-11T23:38:00.003-04:00

I had a second meeting today with Francesca of Newton Farms Catering. I am becoming a huge fan. Not only does she really know her stuff, she is also fun, passionate, and extremely helpful. It also helps that their food is fresh and usually local and their staff is excellent. Take a look at Newton Farms before deciding on your reception caterer.

Happy Planning!

Riviera Chic

2010-08-08T14:29:00.003-04:00

Emily and Neal were married in a beautiful ceremony at Trinity United Methodist Church. Emily and Neal are a lovely couple - the number of friends in their bridal party is proof alone. An elegant and fun reception followed at the Riviera Theater. This was my first event at the Riviera and I hope it's not my last. I loved the venue, the staff, and of course the food.

Emily and Neal chose lots of great vendors to make their big day go so smoothly:

Cake - d'lish Desserts
Floral and Design - Bloom at Charleston Place
Ceremony Music - Bob Williams Duo
Reception Music - Soul Function
Transportation - Palmetto Carriage Company and Charleston Black Cab Company
Hair and Makeup - Allure Salon
Accommodations - Charleston Place Hotel
and of course the lovely Emily Horton for photographing Emily and Neal's special day and sharing her work with us!'

A big congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Neil Horton!

Tea Chic

2010-08-04T20:24:00.004-04:00

I love this couple! I met Stefanie and JP through my good friend, Kristen. Kristen and JP work together and she knew we would be a great fit. Stefanie and JP are a lot of what I am not - laid back, cool, etc. We were a great balance for each other. Stefanie hired me to take over the planning of her wedding ten days out and that is exactly what I did.

Some of my favorite parts of their wedding day were:

1. the venue - the Charleston Tea Plantation was a great spot for this special couple. the venue was unique to both locals and out-of-towners alike and proved to be the perfect back-drop for their simply chic decor.

2. the band - the couple hired a local rag time band that kept the dance floor packed all night.

3. Stefanie and JP.

You can see more of Stefanie and JP's AMAZING wedding pictures on our Facebook page. A big thank you to Stefanie and JP's photographer, Nadia, for sharing her gorgeous work!

Carmen Ash Photography

2010-08-04T19:40:00.002-04:00

I really enjoyed meeting with Carmen of Carmen Ash Photography today. She and I had a chance to talk about how we can work together to continue to make Brides all over the Lowcountry have perfect wedding days. I loved Carmen's enthusiasm for her work and her adorable two dogs. You can see more of Carmen on her website.

Happy Planning!

Charleston Bridal Association

2010-07-27T01:43:00.002-04:00

Southern Chic Weddings and Events is a proud member of the Charleston Bridal Association. Check out the site to learn more about Charleston weddings and to see all of the other fabulous Charleston wedding venues and vendors.

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Robinson!

2010-07-20T14:57:00.005-04:00

You have seen and read about the bridal portraits ... now here is the real deal ...

Stefanie and Tradd were married at Christ Episcopal Church in Mount Pleasant on Saturday, July 10th, 2010. Yes, it was a little warm, but it turned out to be a beautiful day.

I fell in love with Stefanie right from the start. She is super organized and on the ball but also really fun, sweet, smart, and beautiful - the kind of girl you should love to hate but you can't because she is that nice.

Stefanie and Tradd have been together since they were two years old. Okay, not two, but you get the idea. They have been together for what might as well be their whole lives and it only takes seeing them together for a hot minute to know why they have lasted and will continue to last.

Stefanie, like me, grew up in Snee Farm ( a Mount Pleasant neighborhood ) and her Dad is a big golfer like all the men in my family. My brother, Michael, actually set this one up for me. Thanks Michael! Stefanie handled most of the planning herself - only using me for opinions and vendor referrals and then letting me take over the week before her wedding. Stefanie was so organized and on the ball throughout the planning process that taking over ten days out was a piece of cake.

Speaking of cake, Stefanie had a beautiful red velvet flavored wedding cake that was done by Michelle at Peacock Feather Cakes. Before enjoying the cake, the guests enjoyed fun hors d'oeurves such as oyster shooters, mini fried green tomatoes, crab cakes, and much more. After the cake, the very smart staff at Cru Catering passed mini grilled cheese sandwiches out to the guests. Nobody left this event on an empty stomach.

Cru Catering also took care of the bar which stayed busy all night. Michael and the guys at Permanent Vacation kept the dance floor of Hibernian Hall packed all night long. And yes, they did play "Mrs. Robinson." Hart to Heart Video captured the day on video while the awesome Liz Duren took care of the photography. A big thanks to Liz for sharing the pictures.

Out of Hand and OOH Events took care of the rentals, floral, and decor making Hibernian Hall even more beautiful than normal. My favorite part of the decor was that all of the centerpieces for the guest dining tables were placed in white milk glass - just gorgeous.

We can't forget about Kristi of Velvet Salon and Leslie of Moore Makeup for helping to make these naturally beautiful girls stunning ALL night long despite the heat and rain.

Kristen and I really enjoyed being a part of Stefanie and Tradd's special day. The families, the friends, the wedding party - everyone was so much fun to be around. We hope to keep in touch with Mr. and Mrs. Robinson and their families for years to come.

Other Vendors:

Absolutely Charleston
Charleston Black Cab Company
Lula Kate
White

Happy Planning,

Amanda

Caldwell Chic

2010-07-20T00:19:00.006-04:00

Kristy and Brian were married in a beautiful outdoor ceremony on Friday, May 21st, 2010 on the lawn of The Palmer Home. The Palmer Home is a beautiful bed and breakfast located on the Battery in historic downtown Charleston. The Palmer Home serves as a great venue for couples who are having an intimate ceremony and want their guests to experience all of the charm and grace that Charleston has to offer. I highly recommend the Palmer Home as a ceremony location.

The Caldwells hosted a beautiful and FUN reception at the Old Exchange Building. Their guests loved being greeted with tours of the Old Exchange Building's dungeon as well as a delicious table of appetizers and passed speciality drinks, sweet tea vodka served in mason jars and champagne with a raspberry garnish, perfect for that warm spring (which we all know feels like summer) night. The guests were also treated to a photo booth which was a huge hit. Kristy and Brian's guests loved going inside the photo booth, playing dress up if you will, and just having old fashioned laughs. This reception really was a good time had by all.

Kristy did a great job of making her and Brian's wedding weekend a reflection of them. They live downtown and love downtown - hence the location of both the ceremony and reception being walking distance from their home. They love the outdoors and being active so the beach day after the wedding with kegs, food, and fun was also right on par. Kristy and Brian even went as far to include their beloved pets, two cats, in their big day by having mock versions of them as cake toppers. These were a big hit as well.

A wonderful wedding for a wonderful couple. So glad we could be a part of it!

Vendors -

Minister - Chris Snelson, Friend of the Bride and Groom
Ceremony Venue - The Palmer Home
Reception Venue - The Old Exchange Building
Caterer and Bar - Cafe Catering
Flowers - Flowers by Frankie
Rentals - Snyder Event Rentals
Ceremony and Reception Music - Jay Maxwell's Music by Request
Transportation - Absolutely Charleston and Charleston Rickshaw Company
Cake - Publix Bakery
Hair and Makeup - Velvet Salon
Photo Booth - CVI Photography
Photographer - Tillman Branch Photography ~ A special thanks to Mike and Rachel at Tillman Branch Photography for sharing the beautiful pictures with us. We are looking forward to working with you again in the future!

Here's to you Mrs. Robinson!

2010-07-19T01:35:00.004-04:00

It's not always that I get to see a Bride's bridal portraits. This time I had the pleasure of seeing lots of the pictures on the Wedding Row - and boy are they fabulous! Stefanie chose the ever-so-talented and wonderful Liz Duren of Liz Duren Photography to shoot her bridal portraits as well as her wedding day. The bridal portraits were taken at Boone Hall Plantation which served as the perfect back drop for this elegant and southern Bride. Stefanie had a little help with hair and makeup from Kristy at Velvet Salon and Leslie at Moore Makeup. Out of Hand provided the gorgeous bouquet. You can see Stefanie's bridal portrait session and Liz's work on the Wedding Row's July 15th, post.

More of Stefanie and Tradd's wedding to come soon!

Happy Planning,

Amanda

Planter's Inn Chic

2010-07-14T16:09:00.003-04:00

We had our first event at the Planter's Inn on Saturday, April 24th, 2010. The Planter's Inn is a beautiful location for an intimate ceremony and / or reception. Christy Loftin and her staff are amazing and of course having Peninsula Grill on site for all of your catering and baking needs is a double plus!

Sharon and Joe made the trip from Alabama to be married in the courtyard of the Planter's Inn's with their beautiful children by their side. After the ceremony, the guests enjoyed a cocktail hour in the courtyard where they were offered delicious appetizers and drinks and listened to the wonderful music provided by my favorite local harpist, Judy McCoy. Guests then went inside for dinner, dancing, and dessert. Yes, the dessert was the Peninsula Grill's famous coconut cake and the guests, like the rest of us, could not get enough of it. A big thanks to Out of Hand and OOH Events for all the fabulous decor and rentals and a special thanks to Brianna at Stello Photography for capturing Sharon and Joe's day in style.

I can't forget about Sharon and Joe's other vendors that helped to make their wedding day happen:

Officiant - Jill Kruger of Mobile Marriage
Disc Jockey - Scott Borgerding of Mobile Disc Jockey and Karaoke
Babysitters - Elite Nannies
Hair - Taneshia Dupreee
Makeup - Antonia Edmonds
Transportation - Palmetto Carriage Company

Celebrating the Hamiltons

2010-07-13T20:08:00.002-04:00

Erin and Phil Hamilton are celebrating their one year anniversary this Sunday. Yay! Congratulations you guys! We wish you many more years of smiles, laughs, and wedded bliss:-)

Chick Chic

2010-07-13T02:42:00.007-04:00

I know the subject line is cheesey with a "Z" but I couldn't resist. I get at least one phone call a month for Southern 'Chick" Weddings. I love everything chic and everything chick which is probably why I loved this Bride from the start. Lacy was easy to work with - so laid back and real. Lacy knew what she wanted and was fun fun fun which of course meant things would be no different for her wedding day. The day was laid back, real, and a fun time had by all. Lacy and Brendan really had a beautiful wedding day. They were married at the South Carolina Aquarium where lots of drinking, eating, and plate breaking took place following the ceremony. Okay, not that much plate breaking but what can I say ... I wanted more ... it was too fun! Lacy chose lots of great vendors to make her big fat greek wedding day go smoothly: Cru Catering, Sweetsmith Bakery, The Flower Cottage, Lee Edwards Entertainment, Charleston Rickshaw Company, DeBorah's Bridal, The Market Pavilion Hotel, and of course the fabulous Carmen of Carmen Ash Photography who was nice enough to share her talents with all of us. A fun and fabulous wedding for a fun and fabulous couple. Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Brendan Chick! Stay chic and keep in touch:-)

Featured Chic - Carolina Bride

2010-07-12T17:41:00.004-04:00

Please check out this month's issue of Carolina Bride. Our 2-20-10 wedding was featured. Rachel and Jeff were such an awesome couple to work with. You can read more about Rachel and Jeff, or the couple we affectionately named "the perfect couple", and their special day on our March 3, 2010 blog.

Happy Planning!

WeddingWire

2010-07-07T13:54:00.002-04:00

Check us out on WeddingWire where we are now officially rated. A big thank you to all of our fabulous past clients who took time out of their busy lives to share their experiences with us on the site.

Aliesha and Josh's Wedding Day

2010-06-16T21:01:00.005-04:00

Two moths ago today, Aliesha and Josh were married in a beautiful outdoor ceremony on the lawn of the Citadel Beach House by Reverend Dr. Holt Clark. A cocktail hour followed on the porch and patio where Cru Catering passed delicious appetizers and served lots of fun drinks - including a green punch recipe that has been in the Bride's family for generations. Rhett of Jay Maxwell's Music by Request handled the reception music while Ashley Bakery handled the stunning beach themed cake. Out of Hand and OOH Events were responsible for the beautiful flowers and decor that everyone raved about all night. Also helping with set-up and decor were Brian of Ice Age and Steve of Fox AV Rentals. Finally, the day was captured by Nathan of Richard Bell Photography and Christian of Hart to Heart Video. One of the highlights of the night was the Bride and Groom's departure. The guests were given fun glow sticks to wave as the Bride and Groom ran down the stairs to the Groom's father's gorgeous yellow corvette. A perfect end to a perfect evening! Thank you everyone for another wonderful event and a big congratulations to Doctors Josh and Aliesha Cleveland!

Cake Stands

2010-05-26T09:56:00.002-04:00

Are you looking for that perfect cake stand? Try Sarah's Stands - a cake stand company. "Sarah's Stands offers custom made pedestal cake stands for cakes that want to stand out. The cake stands are available in 12", 14", 16", 18", 20" and 22" sizes and are ideal for displaying wedding cakes and other yummy goodies. With more than 70 colors to choose from, now every bride can match her cake stand to her wedding color theme!" Visit Sarah's Stands here.

Tims Wedding Video Clip from Briteside Productions

2010-05-20T15:36:00.002-04:00

Kessie & Mark Wedding Day from BRITESIDE PRODUCTIONS on Vimeo.

Kessie and Mark are married!

2010-05-04T22:28:00.003-04:00

Kessie and Mark got married at the beautiful Old Santee Canal Park on May 1st, 2010. Kessie and Mark really are the perfect couple - so laid back, fun, and real. I met Kessie a few years ago through her sister, Erin, and brother-in-law, Walton. Walton and my husband, Tim, have been friends for years so I was honored to be able to help Kessie and Mark when it came to their own special day. Kessie and Mark love being outside so we really wanted to reflect that throughout our theme. They were married with the water behind them and Palmetto Strings playing music with a beautiful tent set-up for the reception just feet away. Hamby's catered the event with hits such as seared tuna, chicken bog, and even venison that was caught by the Groom himself. Publix of Goose Creek did the cake and cupcakes while Snyder provided the drinks - the blue speciality drink was a huge hit and looked great floating throughout the tent. Tomme of Tomme Hilton Galery and Josh of Briteside Productions captured the day for us while the Travis Allison Band played some great music that all the guests really enjoyed. The night ended with mini grilled cheese sandwiches being passed before the bride and groom departed in a Charleston Black Cab with a sparkler departure to the Vendue Inn. Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Mark Tims!

Cutlip Wedding Video Clip from Briteside Productions

2010-04-20T13:04:00.002-04:00

Citadel Beach House Wedding from BRITESIDE PRODUCTIONS on Vimeo.

Megan and Will are married!

2010-04-18T22:49:00.004-04:00

I loved this wedding! Megan was such a wonderful Bride - So laid back and fun. Megan plans political events in the D.C. area so she knows event planning and knew what she wanted for her and Will's big day from the start. Very few things got to Megan throughout the planning process. Although there is one thing did get to her ... Sorry Megan you know I have to do it ... Megan hated a certain kind of chair - she said that particular type of chair reminded her of her brother's poker chairs and they would be all that she could see at the wedding if we used them - too funny! Megan really was wonderful though, a dream bride for all of her vendors. We also fell in love with Will, Megan's Mom, Hunt, and the rest of Megan and Will's friends and family. Everyone was just so happy to be celebrating Megan and Will. We should also take a moment to give credit to Megan and Will's wonderful vendors that helped to make The Cutlip's wedding day such a success. Megan's hair was made even more beautiful by the ever so talented Michelle Panek. The couple was married by Mr. Richard Bennett of Mobile Marriage. All the action took place at the Citadel Beach House and was captured by the always awesome Liz Duren of Liz Duren Photgoraphy and Josh Ambite of Briteside Productions while guests dined on some of Hamby Catering's and The Cake Stand's tasty treats . The ceremony music was provided by the Bob Williams Duo while guests danced the night away to the tunes of DJ Rob Duren. Flowers and decor were done by the amazing ladies at Out of Hand / OOH Events. My favorite part of the decor was that the centerpieces were held in blue milk glass - so unique and beautiful! The couple departed at the end of the evening in a Charleston Black Cab with a streamer departure. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Cutlip. We could not be happier for you. We wish you a lifetime of love, laughs, and happiness and will be anxiously awaiting to hear news on the status of your move to Charleston!

Seaside Gift Baskets

2010-04-05T00:03:00.002-04:00

Looking for wedding party gift ideas? Host gifts? Gifts for parents? Check out Seaside Gift Baskets for all of your gift giving needs.

Courtney and JC's Wedding Day

2010-03-24T12:01:00.003-04:00

Courtney and JC were married at The Citadel Beach House on Saturday, November 7, 2009 in a beautiful outdoor ceremony. One of my favorite details of this event was the colored tiki cups that were used to serve the couple's signature drink to guests during cocktail hour - this was significant because the Bride and Groom met at the "Tiki Bar". I also just loved this Bride's attitude - she was so in love and so real. Courtney really enjoyed her wedding day and the photographer, Kim Graham, of Kim Graham Photography, did a great job catching that vibe. This was a super fun event to be a part of and a super fun couple to get to know!

Charleston Fashion Week

2010-03-18T15:50:00.001-04:00

* Bridal Couture Show, March 20, 2010, Marion Square: Doors, Bridal Style
Lounge, and bar open at 11 a.m.; shows run noon to 2 p.m.; lounge and bar
remain open till 2:30 p.m. For more information and to order tickets ($45),
visit charlestonfashionweek.com or call 1.800.514.ETIX (3849).

Featured Chic - Charleston Weddings

2010-03-18T14:37:00.004-04:00

Please check out this month's issue of Charleston Weddings. Our 6-12-09 wedding was featured. Jennifer and Jamie were such a wonderful couple. You can read more about Jennifer and Jamie, or the couple we termed D.I.Y. Chic, and their special day below on our August 22, 2009 blog where Jennifer blogged about how to be creative on a budget and then their original blog that I wrote on June 18, 2009.

Happy Planning!

Mr. and Mrs. Simon

2010-03-18T08:09:00.002-04:00

Happy first anniversary week to Anna Kate and Erik Simon! Anna Kate and Erik were married on March 21, 2009 at The Citadel's Summerall Chapel with a really fun reception that followed at the Citadel Beach House. I can't believe it has already been a year. We wish you many many years of wedded bliss. Congratulations!

Wedding Babysitters

2010-03-11T17:10:00.005-05:00

Contact Beth at Elite Nannies and Sitters for all of your event's childcare needs.

Lauren and Jason

2010-03-10T15:24:00.003-05:00

Lauren and Jason were married on October 17th, 2009 at St. Luke's Chapel on the campus of MUSC. Following the ceremony, the couple had a beautiful reception at The Historic Rice Mill Building. Lauren was a dream to work with throughout the entire planning process - always smiling and a ton of fun. Check out Lauren and Jason's wedding album. Photos by Charlie Thiel Photography.

Happy Planning!

Facebook Fan

2010-03-09T23:39:00.002-05:00

We are always looking for new ways to keep in touch with our brides. We would love for you to become a fan of us on Facebook. We will be uploading pictures of events and advertising coordinating specials on the page as well. Check out our new page!

Our Newest Addition

2010-03-03T10:09:00.005-05:00

I am so excited to announce the newest addition to our team - my cousin, Bruce Miller. Bruce is the perfect person for this job - loyal, smart, detail-oriented, hard working, motivated, experienced, positive, and lots of fun! Bruce began at the beginning of the year and will be there this spring to help implement the beautiful dream days that our brides have envisioned for so long. I am really excited about the changes that are happening here at Southern Chic and can't wait to introduce Bruce to all of you!

Happy Planning!

Rachel and Jeff's Special Day

2010-03-03T09:22:00.008-05:00

I knew I was going to love this couple from the start...

Unfortunately, I had to cancel my first meeting with Rachel and Jeff because I was sick. When the meeting was finally rescheduled, Rachel and Jeff showed up to it with a box of Vitamin C for me - how cute is that? Rachel and Jeff were a joy to work with throughout the entire planning process - always smiling and positive - not to mention extremely sweet, intelligent, and beautiful on top of it all. Yes, they were lovingly referred to as "the perfect couple" by the time their wedding weekend came to a close.

Rachel and Jeff's weekend was full of good people, delicious food, strong drinks, and lots of fun. Following the rehearsal on Friday, the couple along with their family and wedding party, went for a nice dinner at Anson's. Post-dinner the bride, groom, and everyone else in town for Rachel and Jeff's big day met up at Blind Tiger Pub for a meet and greet and some fun.

Saturday rolled around and the good times continued. Up until this weekend the weather had been freezing here in Charleston and Rachel and Jeff's wedding day turned out to be the most beautiful day that Charleston had experienced in weeks (karma for the perfect couple:-). The bride and her bridesmaids began their day with a bridal luncheon at Poogan's Porch and then it was back to the bridal suite for the ladies for a little hair and makeup by the fabulous Michelle Panek and Leslie Moore of Moore Makeup (respectively).

While the ladies were getting beautiful (not that it took much effort), Bruce [*see next post] and I along with Rachel's fabulous vendors were busy getting things ready at the reception site, The Historic Rice Mill Building. The Rice Mill is such a great venue for a number of reasons - the view, the blank canvas, the details and furniture of the building, the staff, and so much more. Lisa Ferguson and her team of florists worked away on vases full of floating orchids and other stunning arrangements of hydrangeas and bear grass that were surrounded with candlelight.

The ceremony began that afternoon at Charleston's oldest Church, First Baptist Church. The ceremony was beautiful. The ceremony music and flowers were provided by the Church's vendors.

When the ceremony was over and Rachel and Jeff were officially married, the guests headed over to The Rice Mill Building in Old City Buses and Old-Fashioned trolleys. As the guests arrived, they were greeted with food and drinks done by Good Food Catering As guests continued to dine on items such as a goat cheese macaroni station and a boiled peanut bar the there was no lack of entertainment.

Lots of great music was played throughout the night by The Dickens Band who kept the dance floor packed. However, the band did have some competition. The groom's brother's toast was top notch - slide show to boot. I will never hear the term "5 star" and not think of Jeff and this toast. Too good!

If you are interested in seeing more of Rachel and Jeff, please check out the "Featured Chic" portion of our website.

A huge thanks to Rachel and Jeff for letting us share your special day with you!

Wedding Shoes

2010-02-10T13:30:00.002-05:00

I came across this website today and fell in love with all of their wedding shoes. I am going to go ahead and say it can be your one-stop-shop for wedding shoes. Check it out!

Congratulations to Captain and Lieutenant Ferro!

2010-01-28T22:04:00.004-05:00

Allison and James were married on January 23rd at the Citadel's Summerall Chapel. The ceremony took place at 1:00pm on a chilly but beautiful day. The bridesmaids wore floor length olive green dresses while the groomsmen wore a mix of military dress blues and regular black tuxes. The ceremony consisted of a unity candle lighting and excellent music sung by the Citadel's Ms. Nancy Lefter. The bride carried a beautiful bouquet that was created by Out of Hand. Everything was just lovely. After the bride and groom were introduced properly at the chapel with sword bearers and all - their guests from as far as Sweden and Hawaii were transported back to the hotel in white trolleys to get dolled up before the real fun began. The reception followed a few hours later at The Francis Marion Hotel on King Street. There, the guests were entertained by a Spanish musician during cocktail hour before they danced the night away to the ever-so-talented DJ Rob Duren. The Francis Marion served some delicious food for the guests - a pasta station, a salad bar, and so much more. The groom used his military sword (yes, he checked it on the plane) to cut into their yummy cake that was done by The Cake Stand, my favorite. A few really nice toasts were given before an awesome slide show was played to give all of us a little insight into how Allison and James came to be Mr. and Mrs. Ferro. The night ended with Allison and James joining their guests at the Swamp Fox Bar where the fun continued ... well until the bartender said last call. All in all a wonderful event for a wonderful couple. Thank you for letting Kristen and I share in your special day.

2010

2010-01-13T09:54:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year Everyone! I could not be more excited about 2010 and the changes and progress that it is bringing to Southern Chic Weddings and Events. We have some of our best events coming up with some of the most wonderful clients around. Look for upcoming events at The Francis Marion Hotel, The Historic Rice Mill Building, and Alhambra Hall. I promise to do a better job with blogging our events in 2010. Stay tuned!

Happy Planning!

"Cities for Vows"

2009-12-18T10:59:00.003-05:00

Make sure you check out photos from two of our past events on the "Cities of Vows'" website. Featured on the site are Kristin and Rob who were married in July of 2008 and Shannon and Joel who were married in April of 2009. Both are fantastic and fun couples who were lucky enough to have their special day photographed by the talented staff at Richard Bell Photography. Have fun looking!

Happy Holidays and Happy Planning to Everyone!

Holiday Parties

2009-11-29T22:59:00.005-05:00

Planning a holiday party? Southern Chic Weddings and Events is here to help with all of your holiday party panning needs. Happy Holidays! Read more here

2009-11-24T07:51:00.004-05:00

Here are a few shots from one of the three events that we did this summer at Alhambra Hall. Erin and Phil were married on a warm but gorgeous day in July. Following the ceremony, guests dined on eats by Good Food Catering before they headed upstairs and danced and danced to Plane Jane. Some highlights of this event were the bride's brother's Christopher Walken impression, the stunning sunset, and the packed dance floor! It was such a fun reception! A big thank you to Liz Duren for capturing all of the wonderful memories for us.

Smythe Park Chic

2009-11-24T01:12:00.004-05:00

Adrian and Jody were married on September 19th at the beautiful Smythe Park on Daniel Island. The weather was perfect and the view was spectacular! Adrain and Jody live just a few houses down from the park which made things very convenient. Cru Catering served up the yummiest food while guests danced the night away with the Ravenel Bridge as their backdrop. A beautiful night for a beautiful couple - so happy we could be a part of it!

Citadel Beach House Chic

2009-11-02T16:38:00.005-05:00

I had such a wonderful time helping Julie and Howie with their October 24th wedding and reception at the Citadel Beach House on Idle of Palms. Julie was a pleasure to work with from the start - sweet and simple. Some of my favorite parts of Julie and Howie's big day were ... that their precious dog Riley was included in the ceremony as the ring bearer, that their friend Will was the officiant and kept things so light hearted and fun, and of course the fireworks departure. What a great day! This day would of course not have taken place without the help of some wonderful vendors. I would like to thank a few of them here ... the ever-so-talented Chris Smith of Chris and Cami Photography, Karen of Keepsake Florist, Ryan of Hamby Catering, Scott at Charleston Black Cab Company, and Steve at East Coast Entertainment. Check out more pictures from Julie and Howies big day under the "Featured Chic" portion of our website or on Chris' website. A fabulous day for a fabulous couple! Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Appelt!

Patriot's Point Chic

2009-10-05T17:02:00.004-04:00

On September 19 of this year, I had the pleasure of being the day-of wedding coordinator for Jenna and Amit's special day. What looked like it would end up being a rainy day, turned out to be a beautiful day. Jenna was a pleasure to work with from the start. She is extremely organized and on the ball - a dream bride for any wedding planner. Jenna brought a lot of fun ideas to the table for her big day. A few of my favorite ideas of Jenna's that we were able to implement were the childrens' tables and her musically talented friend singing and playing the piano Billy Joel style. (Yes, I know what I am getting myself into by comparing someone to Billy Joel - but it is definitely a fair comparison.) Any child would have been lucky to attend this wedding - Jenna had a yummy looking pasta dish served to the children at their table which was decorated with candy and fun things to do. The little ones even had a babysitter and a photo booth to keep them entertained - as if the personalized games and coloring books were not enough:-) Jenna and Amit's good friend - who is the best Billy Joel type cover singer that I have ever seen or heard - entertained guests for the latter part of the reception while the DJ was given a break. All of the special moments of Jenna and Amit's wedding day were captured by the ever so talented Chris Smith of Chris and Cami Photography. When the guests were not dining on the delicious eats that were provided by the Pavilion's catering company, they were enjoying a wonderful cake designed and baked by Lauren at The Cake Stand. A few other vendors that I can't go without mentioning ...

Venue, Bar, and Catering - The Pavilion at Patriot's Point - Contact Lacy Davidson at (843) 849-2412
Florist - Flowers by Frankie - Contact Frankie at (843) 296-4252
DJ - Jay Maxwel's Music by Request - Contact Jay or Donna at (843) 832-3535 and request Darius
Photo Booth - Joe Bunn DJ Company - Contact Kent (919( 610-7970
Rentals - Snyder Event Retnals and Staffing - Contact Connie at (843) 766-3366
Lighting - Fox AV Rentals - Contact Steve at (843) 729-7267
Decor Rentals - Stage Presence - Contact Alex at (843) 225-5631

You can see more of Jenna and Amit under the "Featured Chic" portion of our website. All in all a wonderful time had by all - Even if they were Gator fans! Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Amit Vyas!

Eco-Friendly Chic

2009-10-02T13:31:00.002-04:00

Look at me go - four blog posts in one day! That is more than I usually blog in a year!!

I was surfing the web trying to figure out how to get a recycling bin for our home (my husband and I are a little behind on these things) when I can across these recycling bins for events. So I know they are not the most glamorous things but I am confident we could find a way to drape these in linen just like we do the trash cans - yes trash cans at weddings are most often placed behind the bar and draped in linen - that's why you don't notice them:-) If your friends and family drink like mine then just think about all of the bottles and cans that are gone through during a four or five hour reception. Let's get on board. Click here for more details. xoxo

Warrior Chic

2009-10-02T11:37:00.005-04:00

When I first came on the scene a few years ago ... it became clear to me very quickly that Charleston wedding makeup and Leslie Moore of Moore Makeup were one in the same. Since then, numerous brides have raved to me about what an awesome job Leslie or members of her team did on their makeup. Not only are they extrememly talented and professional, but they also have this amazing ability to make you laugh and relax at the same time. I know this first hand because I was lucky enough to have Leslie do my makeup for my cousin Lauren's wedding in November of 2008. Leslie came across to me as beautiful and strong from the start, but after reading this article in the Post and Courier today - I feel that way about her more than ever.

THE FIGHTER
The faces of breast cancer
BY ALLYSON BIRD , KRISTEN HANKLA
The Post and Courier
Friday, October 2, 2009

"As the chemicals ooze into Leslie Moore's body, she glances down at the tattoo on her forearm.

The cursive black letters remind her to stay focused on what she has become: Warrior.

She knows that over the next six hours of chemotherapy, her mind will become foggy. Tomorrow, she will feel like a cement truck has poured its load on her. And the day after that will be the worst: kind of like the flu, kind of like early pregnancy. But worse than both.

She'll experience a nausea so intense that for a week she'll be able to eat only bananas and crackers.

The 37-year-old Hanahan resident found the lump four months ago. Since then, she's had both breasts removed and then reconstructed; she's had six lymph nodes taken out; and she's completed three of 16 rounds of chemo. Later, there will be radiation.

Her hair has gone from long, shiny auburn strands to reddish patches on a pale scalp.

She runs a manicured hand over her head. The dark polish prevents her from knowing if her fingernails have turned black. A makeup artist with her own business, Moore used to tell her clients how important inner beauty is. Now she's having to tell herself.

While she dreads the treatments, she shows up for them because of her 2-year-old daughter, her 5-year-old son and her husband who need her. She fights because she's not finished here. She feels like her life is just beginning.

Moore said she used to be too busy but has learned to be more present. She sinks into each moment and logs them in her mind.

"It's been a really sweet time for me and my family.""

Some more inspiration for you ladies ... I LOVE the part about inner beauty. Please keep Leslie and her family in your thoughts and prayers. xoxo

September Chic

2009-10-02T11:19:00.002-04:00

A sneak peek at two of our three September weddings ...

Adrian and Jody at Daniel Island's Smythe Park on 9.19.09 - Photographed by the fabulous and fun Valerie Schooling of Richard Bell Photography

Jenna and Amit at the Pavilion at Patriot's Point on 9.26.09 - Photographed by the always inspiring and ever so sweet Chris Smith of Chris and Cami Photography

More September to come! xoxo

White Thread Chic

2009-10-02T10:50:00.008-04:00

My friend and colleague, Juliet Jones of Juliet Elizabeth Photography, just posted a facebook message that featured a link to check out some of her work. Little did I know that this link would lead me to a blog featuring all things I love (weddings, shoes, the Carolinas, etc.). Check it out! Below is a sneak peak at the blog for those of you who may be a little too "tired" to check out the site right now.

Charleston Museum celebrates 150 years of wedding fashion: Posted by Dina Holland in Aisle Style on October 1st, 2009

"Like you needed yet another reason to visit Charleston right? Beginning October 16th, the Charleston Museum will be displaying an original exhibition celebrating the wedding wardrobe in a way only a history rich city like Charleston can. Aisle Style: 150 Years of Wedding Fashion will showcase accessories, trousseau items and, of course, the white gown in all its incarnations. Make it to the opening reception and you can enjoy cocktails, light hors d’oeuvres and yummy wedding cake courtesy of Newton Farms Catering and Ashley Bakery. Get your tickets here. Can’t be there for opening night? Fear not! You can follow along with all the fun on the Aisle Style blog. But be sure to get there before June 30th, 2010 when these beauties go back into storage. This is definitely a must for all fashion and wedding connoisseurs alike."

Talk about inspiration ... Hope to see you ladies there! xoxo

Bouquet - Garter Toss Chic

2009-09-08T10:30:00.002-04:00

Does catching the bouquet or garter at a wedding really mean you are destined to be the next to get married? My husband and I ended up in a discussion about this last night after finding out that the couple who caught the bouquet and garter at our wedding announced their engagement yesterday. While we would like to be able to take some credit for this wonderful news, statistics show that catching the bouquet or garter at a wedding could actually prolong your future nuptials. Sorry ladies! What began as a tradition in Midieval Eurpoe, catching the bouquet or garter these days may only mean that you have the keenest wits and the sharpest elbows around. Think twice before rushing to get in line to catch that bouquet!

Old Exchange Chic

2009-08-25T12:42:00.004-04:00

Mandy and Jerry were married at the beautiful St. Luke's Chapel on the Medical University's campus on the very warm day of Saturday, August 15th. Their reception followed at the Old Exchange Building where guests were entertianed by the Joe Clark Band while dining on Mediterra Catering's delicious eats. The entire day and all the details that most of us missed were captured by the amazing Chris Smith of Chris and Cami Photography. Some of my favorite parts of this event were Mandy's Father's toast - it really came from the heart and gave us outsiders some insight on to how Mandy became the beautiful woman she is today, Mandy's accessoreis - her dress, her veil, the hair piece that she put in after she took off her veil, her jewelry that was perfectly put together - she looked like she was put together by Rachel Zoe, and lastly - the bride and groom's laid back attitude when things did not go exactly as planned. Congratulations and best wishes to Mandy and Jerry!

Some budget tips from my D.I.Y. Chic Bride

2009-08-22T12:47:00.005-04:00

"BUDGET WEDDING WISDOM!!"! by Jen Koshorek Rader

"Track your expenses!!! Even little purchases add up. If you're keeping track, you're less likely to over-spend!

Keep it simple! Decide what is most important to you and spend the bulk of your money on those things! (For us, it was FOOD, PHOTOGRAPHER and MUSIC).

Choose a venue that has some amenities (ours included tables). Also, choose a venue that lets you have all-day access and does not charge for additional hours if you have a longer reception.

Go with vendors you can trust! Up-front pricing and service will SAVE you cash! No surprises!!! Also, pick vendors that are willing to work with your budget and be willing to say "NO!". If you didn't want it when you walked in, you don't need it!

Know when to spend money! Time and sanity are important, too! Printing is relatively inexpensive and home printing jobs can be a headache. Know when to "fold 'em". If you're doing complicated or precise folds (like our programs) leave it to the professionals.

If you pay attention to the things that matter, people won't notice the things that don't! No one mentioned the fact that we got the most basic chairs because they hadn't noticed! They were on the dance floor with us!

Pay attention to the details that show your love and care of your guests. Yes, the day is about you, but that little extra effort shows and if your guests are happy, your day is even better! It doesn't cost a lot to show people that you care.

We stayed true to who we were and what we wanted out of the day. We were happy and because of that, no matter what little things may have gone wrong, the day was perfect and our guest noticed. If you're having a good time, your guest will, too!!!

Finally, our wedding motto "Good enough"! Its one day...it should be fantastic and all you've ever dreamed of, but in the end, its about getting married to the person you love. Make all of the other decisions once...changing your mind takes time and in the end will cost money and sanity!"

Detailed Chic

2009-08-17T19:19:00.004-04:00

Where do I begin? I LOVED this wedding. Tara McLees and Brad Clark were married at St. Luke's Chapel on a rainy day in May. They had a beautiful candlelit ceremony that was followed by an elegant and toast filled sit-down dinner at the Historic Rice Mill Building. Tara was referred to me by the amazing Juliet Jones who owns Juliet Elizabeth Photography. Before I met Tara, I had already decided I was going to take the event just to work with Juliet (not only is she incredibly talented but she is also one of the kindest and most inspirational people that I have ever met). Fortunately, Tara and I clicked from the start. She has this aura about her - sweet, cute, and real - it's infectious. Tara made things extremely easy for me - she was always organized and on top of things - she really should be a coordinator herself. Her attention to detail is what set things apart - she had everything from custom table runners to fabulous wedding shoes - she did not miss a beat. No detail was left untouched. Some of my favorites ideas that Tara had me implement were a beautiful display of desserts which were kept on an awesome unfinished wood table that was provided by OOH Events, a cigar rolling station for the last hour of the event (this was a huge hit and I loved that the bride took the time to partake in the festivities as well), the faux floral pieces that were placed on top of each menu card (which matched the bride's hair piece), and of course the tree that was set-up to hold well wishes from guests on its branches and eventually become ornaments for the new Mr. and Mrs.'s Christmas tree. I really enjoyed being a part of this event - from the easy and organized planning process to the finale filled with dancing, drinking, cigar smoking guests, and fireworks - it truly was a SUPERB event!

East Bay Street Chic

2009-08-10T15:10:00.004-04:00

Melissa Garcia and Austin Mosier were married on Saturday, June 27 at the historic Palmer Home on East Bay Street (technically East Battery). Their beautiful indoor ceremony was followed by a reception at the Old Exchange Building which is also on East Bay Street. Melissa was a very easy bride to work with. She had done the majority of the wedding planning on her own and just hired me to help her out with a few of the last minute details. Her organization and attention to detail made me picking up things late in the game very easy. Melissa was one of those brides that we could all learn a thing or two from - she made her decisions based on what would make her friends and family most comfortable - not herself. These decisions paid off as her guests stayed late in the night despite the crazy thunderstorms that were taking place outside. All in all ... a beautiful day for a beautiful couple.

Memorial Day Weekend Chic

2009-06-29T22:46:00.007-04:00

Amanda and Jay were married on Sunday, May 24th at the Thomas Bennett House. It was a rainy day but the skies cleared up like clockwork when ceremony time rolled around. The blue skies allowed Amanda and Jay to get married in the garden like they had dreamed of all along. The Thomas Bennett House ended up being the perfect venue to host this special event. Amanda and Jay's 120 guests enjoyed a cocktail hour in the garden and on the porch before they headed to the tent for dinner and dancing. Some of my favorite parts of this special event were that Amanda's Mom hand made her dress and the beautiful table runners, how the bride and groom added parts of Jay's Filipino culture to their ceremony, and that the bride and groom relaxed and let go on their wedding day and truly had the time of their lives. This was a great event that I loved being a part of.

Citadel Chic

2009-06-23T19:51:00.002-04:00

Yes, I said it - The Citadel can be chic! Ashley and Griffin were untied in holy matrimony on March 28, 2009 at Summerall Chapel on the Citadel's Campus. They had a beautiful reception that followed at the Francis Marion Hotel in the Gold Ballroom. Laura and I really enjoyed this one. Ashley was incredibly organized and easy to work with. I am tempted to say that her planning process and wedding day went perfectly - no problems at all! Ashley is a great example of a bride that vendors love to work with. She was respectful and generous to all of her vendors throughout the planning process and on wedding day. While Laura took the lead on this one, I had a wonderful time getting to know Ashley and Griffin during the pre-planning process and loved being able to feel like I was a part of their special day as I viewed their pictures a few days ago. Big props to the amazingly talented Liz and Rob Duren for helping to make Ashley and Griffin's day go so smoothly. Ashley is one of those brides that I know I will always keep in touch with - especially because she likes facebook almost as much as I do...

Wickliffe House Chic

2009-06-23T19:10:00.002-04:00

May 16, 2009 I had the pleasure of working my first event at the Wickliffe House. The downtown historic home was the perfect spot for Ashley and Joseph's intimate wedding and reception. The ceremony took place upstairs with a cocktail hour immediately following on the porch and side lawn. Guests then came inside for a delicious dinner catered by Mediterra Catering. Katie was the site coordinator and catering manager and was wonderful to work with both during the planning process and throughout the event. I love how upbeat and energetic she remained throughout the duration of the event. She was definitely a breath of fresh air. Chris Smith of Chris and Cami Photography photographed the event and was a pleasure to work with. He always makes the bride and groom (as well as the guests and vendors) feel so comfortable and comfortable guests equal happy guests. I love working with Chris and highly recommend him. After dinner, Ashley and Joseph's guests hit the dance floor before the bride and groom left in a Charleston Black Cab to a bubble departure. Check out some more shots of Ashley and Joseph's wedding under the "Featured Chic" tab on our website. Thank you Ashley and Griffin for inviting us to be a part of your big day!

D.I.Y. Chic

2009-06-18T16:41:00.007-04:00

Are you a savvy do it yourself bride? I was not but I have lots of brides that are. This past weekend's bride was no exception. Jenn and Jamie were married on Friday, June 12th in a beautiful ceremony on the lawn of Alhambra Hall. Jenn was escorted down the aisle by both her parents to Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours" which was played and sung by Chris Crosby. The bridesmaids wore beautiful hot pink dresses by J. Crew and were given matching bright orange J. Crew flip-flops by the bride. They looked amazing! One of my favorite part's of this wedding (besides how the guys went to the Battery to play Bocci ball while waiting on the girls to get ready - what a great idea!) was the bride's dress. She wore a short fun dress that was just perfect for her. After the ceremony, the happily married couple headed upstairs with their 80 or so guests to enjoy a sit-down dinner that was provided by Carolina Catering. The guests dined to their delicious meal while enjoying music played by DJ Rob Duren and while being photographer by Rob's talented wife, Liz Duren. They are both incredibly fun and easy to work with both during the planning process and on wedding day. Out of Hand brought in beautiful pink and orange flowers to go with Jenn and Jamie's design. We hung 40 off-white paper lanterns and placed tons of candles around the room to give the room a more intimate feel. Jenn had the best ideas when it came to seating chart ideas and her guest book. I am going to try and get her to post a how-to blog when she has some free time. Jamie even made their card box. They really are one talented duo. Fortunately for us, Jenn is a teacher and is sharing her creative ideas with our future decision-makers every day. Everything about this wedding was chic and fun and planned to a tee. This was an example of a wedding where no detail went unnoticed. The guests loved all the special touches - especially the bottled water at the ceremony site and the late night milkshakes, fries, and make your own hamburger station - a huge hit! You can see more of Jenn and Jamie and Liz's work on our website under the "Featured Chic" link. I loved being a part of Jenn and Jamie's special day!

Big Apple Chic

2009-06-18T15:56:00.005-04:00

Hi!

I just wanted to take a few minutes to blog about one of my favorite weddings. I had the pleasure of being a part of Laura and Jay's wedding this past March. Laura and I actually knew each other from attending Ashley Hall together back in the day. Both Laura and Jay's friends and family members immediately made me feel like I was part of the group. They were all so kind and welcoming. I felt like I became the Corless' fifth daughter within minutes. Yes, Laura has three beautiful sisters who were bridesmaids along with two of her friends from college. Laura and Jay live in New York, New York and were full of creative and chic ideas right from the start. Laura works for a publishing company and is very talented in the areas of writing, paper, fonts, and design - she will probably be upset when she sees how poorly written this blog is - ha. Laura and Jay fell in love with their venue, The Legare-Waring House at Charles Towne Landing, very quickly. They loved its southern charm and earthy and outdoorsy feel. They also picked some of the most amazing vendors to work with. They chose to have Jenny at Cru Catering come up with their unique and scrumptious menu while choosing Jim Smeal to create another one of his masterpieces in their cake. Matt Powell from Boone, North Carolina captured the day with his camera while Kevin Graham from KG Media recorded their special day via video. Matt did an amazing job with the pictures - despite the horrible weather conditions (flooding and a tornado watch). Please check out Laura and Jay and Matt's work under the "Featured Chic" section of our website. There you will also be able to see how well Lisa from Out of Hand captured all of Laura's ideas in the flowers and decor. Lisa's work was truly amazing. The guests enjoyed their dinner to the sounds of the rain and DJ Frank from Nustar entertainment while dining on filet and crab cake. The ambiance made this event. The guests sat at long wooden farm tables from OOH Events that were covered in candlelight and other special details. Lisa truly captured Laura and Jay's vision and so much more. The couple and their guests danced the night away for the remainder of the evening and departed to the Inn at Middleton Place via a Charleston Black Cab and lots more rain. All in all, a wonderful and wet day had by all. I feel so honored to have been a part of it.

Happy Planning!

Chic Newlyweds

2009-06-11T11:31:00.009-04:00

On May 2, 2009 I married the man of my dreams. We truly had the most beautiful wedding day. The weather was perfect and everything ran very smoothly (for the most part). We had some amazing vendors that made our big day possible. I want to take the time to thank a few of them here. To Lauren at the Cake Stand: Our cake was amazing and we are still getting compliments on both the design and the flavor. Thank you! To our band, The Mighty Kicks: You were amazing. Thank you for keeping our dance floor full the entire night. I also want to throw out a special thanks to Greg and Alex at Stage Presence. They ended up providing the most gorgeous dance floor and stage at the last minute and were just all around great to work with. Lastly, to Lisa and all the girls at Out of Hand and OOH events: You MADE our day. The flowers and decor were just amazing. Everything came together perfectly. We can not thank you enough.

The Cake Stand
The Mighty Kicks
Stage Presence
Out of Hand

Chic Eats

2009-04-13T19:34:00.003-04:00

Hi Everyone!

Are you still searching for your caterer? Trying to decide which of the wonderful lowcountry caterers is right for you? I know it's a tough choice. If you have the luxury of having a venue that allows you to bring in your own caterer, then keep Jenny at Cru Catering and Elaine at Hamby Catering in mind. They are both wonderful to work with and come up with the most delicious menus. Cru is known for it's unique menu items and for being willing to make any menu reqest within reason happen. Hamby's has the most amazing lowcountry choices - their ham buiscuits and shrimp and grits can't be beat. Don't forget that Cru Catering offers all Southern Chic brides 10% off of their total balance - yummy.

Cru Catering

Hamby Catering

Happy Planning!

Featured Chic

2009-01-27T19:04:00.006-05:00

Hello Everyone!

Please check out A Wonderful Wedding's website: www.awonderfulwedding.com/. There, you can download a free copy of the January 2009 issue of "A Wonderful Wedding" magazine. Kristin and Rob's July 2008 wedding at Folly Beach is featured in the issue. You can see more pictures of them on our website under "Featured Chic." We really enjoyed working with Kristin and her family!

Happy Planning!

Chic October

2008-10-17T09:27:00.004-04:00

Wow! What an October! I thought five weddings in four weeks would be exhausting but it is turning out to be just the opposite - a blast! I can't wait to share the exciting details with all of you. We have had the opportunity to work with some amazing brides and some super creative and fresh, new vendors. Check back soon for information on these chic vendors and their contact information. Happy Planning!

Chic Friends

2008-09-01T15:21:00.007-04:00

Hi Friends!

Happy Labor Day!

I am happy to announce Miss Taylor Lyon as the newest addition to our preferred vendors list. Taylor is not only a friend of Southern Chic's but also is an innovative graphic designer specializing in invitation and stationery design. Her designs are fun, flirty, and fabulous! Let Taylor create you your own "chicly" custom designed save-the-dates, wedding invitations, wedding announcements, thank you notes, and so much more! Taylor is currently offering all clients and friends of Southern Chic a free custom thank you note design with the purchase of any custom design or printing package. Check out some of Taylor's work at: www.ciaotaydesigns.com

Happy Planning!

Chic Website

2008-06-24T12:37:00.004-04:00

We are so excited about our new website! What do you all think? We love how fun and fresh it is. Special thanks to our beautiful brides that were so willing to share their pictures with us. Please check back again soon as we will be adding new pictures often.

Chic Beginnings

2008-05-01T00:36:00.000-04:00

Hello Ladies and Gents!

Welcome to our blog!

This is our first and hopefully not final post. We thought that with our blog we could have one more way to keep in touch with you all. We will try to keep you all up-to-date on our latest adventures and ideas. We will post pictures from our events and links to some of the newest trends and sales. We also hope that our brides may get to know each other a bit and benefit from both Southern Chic's and each other's stress and success. I hope you all are able to participate and enjoy!

Happy Planning!