Style Me Pretty Features ACB!

On Feb. 10, 2011 we we had the honor of being  featured on one of our favorite blogs: Style Me Pretty.

SMP wrote, “Charleston, South Carolina is home to many of THE most romantic weddings that grace the pages of wedding glossies and blogs! Some of the very best come straight from the fabulous and artistic talents of the ladies at A Charleston Bride.”

To summarize, Style Me Pretty basically said that we are the QUEENS of creating romantic weddings to be remembered – and we must admit… its true! 🙂

They also highlighted a beautiful wedding we did in May 2010 for Emily & David.

Check out pictures from their wedding and the nice things SMP had to say about us by clicking here

Starting Spring Off Right

We are so excited to kick off the Spring season outdoors with a fun rehearsal dinner at Lowndes Grove Plantation!Picture this: we start the evening off with field games- Croquet, Bocce, & Horseshoes.

 

Before you know it, its a starry night next to the Ashley River. Glowing lanterns hanging from the oak trees & warm fire pits softly light the area. Can you say romantic?

Scattered bales of hay will be lined in plaid & burlap fabric for a natural touch.

Guests will be mingling and noshing on blueberry pie at long wooden farm tables with runners in the hunter green plaid.

If you can’t picture it yet, maybe looking at the layout will help:

I know, I know… you wish you were invited. But hey! that’s what we’re here for. Your rehearsal dinner can be just as fun and amazing.

A Royal Impression

In Charleston, there’s never a shortage of venues located on the water boasting spectacular views, a nice breeze, and the perfect setting for a momentous occasion. For our May 15, 2010 wedding, this is was no exception. Cynthia Gutierrez and Stephen MacKenzie held their wedding reception at the Pavilion at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. After the ceremony, which took place at the Unitarian Church dowtown, the happy couple and their guests enjoyed cocktails and the sunset next to the Charleston Harbor.

Dinner was served under a tent covered in an abundance of fabric. The mood was set with purple up-lighting, the bride’s color of choice, which was incorporated into many aspects of the decor. From the flowers, ottomans, and programs, royal purple was featured prominently and lent the reception venue a rich appearance.

While dining next to the water, watching the sun set below the horizon, guests were seated at island-themed tables. Names include Bora Bora, Maui, Caymans, and Bali. This fun twist on the seating arrangements was a perfect fit for an almost tropical location.

The Pavilion at Patriots Point served as a beautiful sanctuary on such a special day for a beautiful couple. The abundance of royal purple lent a royal impression for a magical evening.

Destination Debordieu

Missy Rickard and Conor Mulkeen celebrated their nuptials at the Debordieu Club, located slightly north of Charleston in Georgetown, SC.  On May 1, 2010, family and friends gathered at the exclusive club for the ceremony and reception in celebration of the newlyweds. The color palette consisted of ivory, midnight blue, gold, and pale pink, accented with lighting provided by TEC and the soft glow of candlelight.

The transformation of Debordieu was mostly due in part to fabric. At the ceremony site on the water, we created a romantic  environment with shepherd hooks, ivory fabric, and glass balls filled with lush flowers. Cocktail hour also saw flower-filled glass balls hung from the trees and ivory ottomans arranged along the banks of the river. This aesthetic element was also transferred to the main ballroom, where the party got started after dinner. The same ivory fabric was used to partition the back of the room into three cozy lounges, each filled with candles, flowers, sofas, and ottomans. The lounges allowed guests a quite place to rest after dancing the night away to the music of Loose Chain.

The weather was perfect, the atmosphere was lively, and the new Mulkeen family was radiant. The incandescence of the colors, fabric, and location helped to make this a truly romantic wedding.

A few weeks after Missy & Conor’s dream wedding they were featured on Charleston’s newest wedding blog, the Wedding Row. Please check out their feature: 

http://theweddingrow.com/?p=2619

Let the games begin

It’s not that often that we’re able to plan an afternoon soiree, but Laura Mabe and Dave Gardner wanted to take advantage of the amazing sunset at the fabulous Lowndes Grove Plantation.  It was the perfect time of year for such an event- Not too hot during the daytime ceremony, cool in the evening while everyone enjoys the beautiful sunset, and of course, a location to that makes all brides’ dreams a reality!

At  the reception, we provided an outlet for guests of all ages to enjoy. Channeling our school days art projects, we created a fun set of games on the side lawn. Guests enjoyed playing bocce, horseshoes, and croquet next to the water during the evening reception. From grandparents to grandchildren, it was clear this was a party favorite for all ages!

We also worked to create a beverage station everyone could enjoy. Serving Southern sweet tea, lemonade, and water with cucumber, our refreshing display was more than a place for guests to wet their whistle. From the hand tied and decorated mason jars to the personally be-ribboned beverage dispensers, this display was too precious for words!

The wedding decor centered around a photo of a wedding cake Laura found in a wedding magazine.  Covered in oak branches, leaves and Carolina Wrens, it proved to be the perfect inspiration for her sophisticated, yet rustic affair.  Ashley Bakery did an amazing of job recreating the confection, but with a few added touches of their own.  Not only did it look amazing, it was delish!

the monsoon that was october 2008

The past couple of days, I have spent countless hours revisiting old memories. Thumbing through photo albums, cleaning up computer files, updating the website…. and it’s been an fantastic trip down memory lane. In the midst, I found a few stellar events that took place in the ridiculous rain filled month of October 2008.  .  .  .

Contrary to the rest of the month, the weekend of October 4th- the weather couldn’t have been any more gorgeous. Kim Jarvis & Jimmy Moore wed at the William Aiken House. The Charleston based couple, wined & dined their guests & then danced to reggae beats late into the evening. Jimmy, is actually one of the lead musician’s for the local Reggae Band, Jah Rules, so- his surprise serenade of a love ballad to Kim was  definitely the hit of the evening , mon!

Out at Irvin House Vineyards, a fabulously romantic local vineyard and original home of the ever-so-famous, Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka,  Amy Sams & Blake Lyda tied the knot on October 11, 2008. Now I warn- if you do so happen to choose this hidden gem for an event spot – you MUST do a rain dance! From our experience, as well as advice from others- a good luck wedding day rain shower always seems to be in the forecast over this hideaway on Wadamalaw Island. However, rain or shine-  Amy & Blake had a fabulously, unforgettable event. With rain showers off & on all day- we managed to get through the ceremony, photos & cocktail hour without a single drop. The ceremony took place down by the pond & then guest followed the trail of lanterns to the reception barn which took place on the other end of the property- just south of the vineyard entrance. The reception site was adorned with wild smilax, grapevine & hydrangea blooms throughout the entryway & the rafters. Warm amber lights accented the walls & paired well with the amber votives and rich champagne colored linens.

The very next day, the ACB crew headed further south to Wideawake Plantation- a gorgeous property located along  the banks of the Stono River. Rhea Gray & Chris Avera’s peacock inspired wedding color scheme of teals, bright greens, & shades of purples lent a vibrant feel to the grey & rainy day. Rhea & Chris’ Bluegrass & BBQ afternoon reception proved to be a big hit with their guests. Even with the afternoon shower- guests were still able to enjoy croquet & bocce field games under the quickly tranformed ceremony tent. Guests also grabbed their partner & dosey doed on the dance floor- resting only briefly to sit on the fabric covered hay bails.

Jessica Sweeney & Jarrett Pierce caught a huge break with the weather. Their ceremony was on the back lawn of the Kiawah Island Club’s River Course on October 18. The ceremony overlooked the 18th hole & the marsh of the Kiawah River. Cold & cloudy all day with threats of rainshowers- however just as we prepared to send Jessica down the aisle, the sun came out in the nick of time and created a fabulous sunset on the marsh. The lowcountry marshscape was a constant motif through out the wedding. Save-the-dates, Invitations, Ceremony Programs, Welcome Packets & Wedding Decor all revolved around an organic lowcountry marsh scene. ACB constructed canopied walkways to & from the ceremony site to create a romantic and whimsical atmosphere. Organic bamboo rods were planted in floral boxes with marsh grass, sea oats & cattails & connected every couple of feet with a billowing ivory cotton canopy.  The altar was constructed to match the walkways. This clean, simple altar was elegantly dressed with curly willows, sea oats & cat tails.

The rainy month ended with a bang! Literally. Thunder, lightning, a down-right down-pour. But, this was Friday. 24 hours later at Mary Katherine Harr & Dustin Pfief’s wedding reception- you would have never known that Charleston had seen 8 inches of rain less than 24 hours prior.  After sweeping the stationary water & debris from the dancefloor, ACB transformed the Gibbes Museum courtyard into a truly royal affair. We used deep purple & gold fabrics to decorate the tents & tables. Linen drum shades were hung above the dinner tables- casting a romantic glow on the family style dinner service. Our bench ottomans proved to be a hit- allowing guests a quick spot to rest their feet in between dances!

 So that’s it. . . . the ever-so-fabulous month of October! A quick trip down memory lane to prove that there was certainly no ‘rain’ on these bridal parades!