Ashley + Quinn {Front Porch Farms Wedding}

Tuesday is always ‘detail day’ around A Lowcountry Wedding and rather than jumping right into our normal post, I thought we’d mix it up a little bit and share a Nashville affair that’s just as sweet as pie!  Ashley + Quinn were wed in an intimate, outdoor ceremony atop the soft, rolling hills of Music’s City’s most sought after wedding venue, Front Porch Farms (Lady Antebellum’s Dave Haywood got married there this past weekend!) and Wedlock Images was there to capture it all!  This antebellum house and its picturesque scenery was the perfect backdrop for this Spring-y Southern soiree.  What I love most is Ashley’s exquisite attention to detail on a small budget.  She tackled the bouquets, centerpieces, homemade sweets and jams and, even designed and constructed her bridesmaids’ dresses!  Impressive, eh?  As you can imagine, the combination of the one-of-a-kind venue, the fabulous details and Mrs. J’s Baking and Catering the guests were raving and craving for more!

Southern Wedding Vendors

Photographer:  Wedlock Images  /  Caterer:  Mrs. J's Baking and Catering  /  Reception Venue:  Front Porch Farms

Southern Wedding Vintage Inspiration by Chris Cornwell Photography

Oh, my! Never before have I wanted to don gorgeous red locks so badly until I laid my eyes on this garden themed inspiration shoot from Chris Cornwell Photography.  This natural shoot is full of wedding day inspiration and includes a soft, whimsical color palette of blush pink and creams with an irresistible vintage ease.  So, as I pick my jaw up off the ground, please feel free to get your swoon on with these stunning images...

 Southern Wedding Vendors

PHOTOGRAPHER:  Chris Cornwell Photography  /  SHOES: Feather Your Nest  /   HANKY: PJ’s Attic  /  BEADED NECKLACE, SALT SHAKER, MUSICAL FIGURINES: Feather Your Nest  /  BRIDE ART: Feather Your Nest  /  DISHES: Casafina from Home & Garden Store  /  SILVERWARE: Something Borrowed  /  LINENS, DISHES & BIRD VASES: Home and Garden Store  /  VENUE: Private residence  /  FLORALS: Fresh cut hydrangeas from the garden & pale pink lilies MODEL/ BRIDE/MAKEUP ARTIST: Jemma Merrifield Gayheart   /  HAIR: Kayla Holbrook of Karma Spa and Salon, /  DRESS:  Alfred Angelo  /  EVENT STYLIST: Davida Patrick

Catering: Cocktail Hour Wedding Hors d'Oeuvres

I've always been a big fan of cocktail hour (and not just because I enjoy a good specialty drink), but it sets the stage for the entire evening.  Cocktail hour typically begins as guests start to file into the reception venue and are anxiously awaiting the bride and groom's arrival.  As they wait for the celebration to kick off, it's always nice to treat your guests to a preview of the menu to come.  Wedding hors d'oeuvres are a great way to get the party started and, let's face it, who doesn't love being greeted by servers with trays full of delicious appetizers!  I've rounded up some of my recent favorites that are very fitting for a spring/summer affair!

Our Favorite Southern Wedding Shoes

While I tend to be a big fan of flip flops, I sure do love a good pair of heels...especially with a wedding dress.  I'm not sure what it is but when you throw on a fun pair of heels it automatically gives you a little sass in your step.  So, I've rounded up a few of my favs to spark a little inspiration in your wedding day attire.  I've got dainty and neutral to swanky and colorful.  I've got buttons and bows, ruffles and sparkles...a little something for everyone!  Which ones are you favorite wedding shoes?!

Mint Wedding Inspiration

It's no secret that mint is this wedding season's 'it' color and I couldn't be more excited.  We're kind of obsess with mint wedding inspiration.  I've always loved how this soft, sweet color pairs well with any Springtime pastel shade.  If you're planning a timeless, dainty affair then make sure to check out our darling round up of the perfect ways to keep your wedding minty fresh!

Hair {Wedding Details}

It's no secret that I'm a little obsessed with Pinterest  and once a week I like to share some of my favorite finds with all of you beautiful Lowcountry brides!  We're pretty blessed with a slew of talented hair designers who regularly create soft, elegant  wedding do's that are always very fitting of our brides and with all the buzz around Charleston Fashion Week, I can't help but daydream about all the stunning hairstyles we'll see this Saturday at the Charleston Weddings Bridal Show.   So to prepare everyone for what's to come this weekend, have fun drooling over this fabulous round up!

Meredith + Keith {Beaufort Weddings} Angela Cox Photography

My inbox has been dripping with Lowcountry wedding fabulousness, and I'll tell you what...this girl is not complaining!  South Carolina photographer, Angela Cox, sent over this knockout and I couldn't wait to share these stunning images and darling DIY details.  Meredith + Keith tied the knot in the laid back town of Beaufort this past Fall under dreamy Oak trees in Meredith's parent's backyard.  Meredith's girls were dressed in gorgeous green Dessy dresses that they complimented with vibrant bouquets.  All the maids arranged their own bouquets and the Bride's aunt tackled the boys boutonnieres....pretty impressive, huh?  After the ceremony they moved into the Lucy Creek Dock house where guests were treated with Lowcountry cuisine from Wren's, grandma's pound cake and tunes from A Sound Celebration!

Hilton Head Wedding Vendors

Photographer: Angela Cox Photography  /  Venue: Parent's Backyard, Lucy Creek Dock house (Beaufort, SC)  /  Event and Floral Designer: Bride, Mother of the Bride  /  Hair: Vanity Box  /  Caterer: Wren  /  Officiant: Keith's Grandpa Alastair Walker, and Steve Keeler  /  Ceremony Musician: David Walker  /  DJ: A Sound Celebration (Bluffton, SC)  /  Wedding Dress: David's Bridal  /  Bridesmaid's Dresses: Dessy  /  Groom's Suit: Men's Wearhouse  /  Groom's Shoes: Banana Republic  /  Groomsmens' Suits: Men's Wearhouse  /  Stationery: Designed by Keith's Sister, Lauren Walker

Lowcountry Centerpieces {Wedding Details}

I think it's the warm weather, or maybe it's the fact I tend to get lost in a sea of Pinterest pinning amazing one-of-a-kind centerpieces like a crazy person. Either way, now that Spring wedding season is upon us, I just had to share some of these beauties with yall,

Specialty Drinks for Southern Weddings in Charleston, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach

Wedding season is upon us and for all of you Spring and Summer brides looking for the perfect tasty libation to welcome your guests, look no further!  We've rounded up plenty of options.   Charleston, Hilton Head and Myrtle Beach are blessed with the beautiful Lowcountry landscape that lends itself way to jaw dropping wedding venues that offer one-of-a-kind views on the water.  These coastal spots will naturally put wedding guest into a celebratory mood, so your choice of food and beverage needs to share the same spirit.  Welcoming your guests with a killer specialty drink will get the party started!

Blood Orange Margarita

The Brooklyn Beauty

Raspberry Beer Cocktail

Pineapple Mint Rum Punch

Pomegranate Spritzer

Meyer Lemonade with Rosemary

Blackberry Sage Cooler

...and who could forget our favorite Lowcountry specialty?

A John Daly - Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka and Lemonade

Seersucker {Wedding Details}

We're in the midst of gearing up for quite the wedding season here in the Lowcountry and with that comes one of our favorite Southern elements...seersucker!   When the weather gets warmer, seersucker is the fabric of choice along the coast and it's no wonder brides feel the need to doll up their Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach and Charleston weddings with this classic material into their wedding day decor.  You'll most commonly find our Southern grooms donning a seersucker suit but it's not unusual to see it accessorizing lovely invitations or gorgeous bouquets.  From favors and gowns to bridesmaids dresses and linens, we've rounded up a sampling of our favorite ways to include seersucker in your Lowcountry wedding!

Southern Weddings {Burlap} Wedding Decor

Who's got two thumbs and like a little burlap wedding decor!? THIS GIRL!  I mean, isn't it obvious? :)  I remember the first time I saw this Burlap + Bling inspiration shoot (see above and below!) from Nashville Photographer, Kristyn Hogan and the team at Cedarwood Weddings, my jaw dropped right to the floor.  Ah-maz-ing!  I remember thinking, if only I had seen this before I got married.  I'm pretty sure I would have translated every ounce of this shoot into some aspect of my Charleston wedding decor.  There's just something about burlap all dressed up that I can't get enough of.  It's easygoing, classic, beautiful...it just screams Lowcountry.  From serving trays to invitations, I've bundled up some of my favorite ways to incorporate burlap into your fabulous Hilton Head wedding.  Hope you enjoy!

Fly Home Married {Destination Wedding Contest}

Ok, so how does this sound?  Reserve your dream Charleston, Hilton Head or Myrtle Beach wedding venue (think Lowndes Grove, Hibernian Hall, Cassique, William Aiken...the list goes on!), buy your fabulous gown, one that will make any Southern bride swoon, book your plane tickets and then...FLY HOME MARRIED!  Not bad, eh?

Well, you're in luck.  Nathan Peel Photography has rounded up a group of truly talented vendors to offer you the destination wedding of your dreams and all you have to do is enter (check out the rules below).  That's it. But don't wait, the deadline is this Friday, February 17th.  So, get crackin'to win your free Lowcountry wedding!

The lucky couple will receive...

Photography – Nathan Peel Photography ($8500 value)

• 12 hours of coverage on your wedding day by 1 photographer
• Day After Session for perfect couple/bridal portraits
• 10 spread leather album
• Digital Negative DVD of wedding and portrait session
• Up to $1500 paid travel budget for photographer

Stationery – Five Dot Design ($1000 value)

• A credit will be applied to the final balance of your wedding stationery package.
• This can be used towards Save the Dates, your invitation suite, reception pieces like programs, favors and thank you notes.

Planning – Blue Dahlia Events ($750 value)

• 3 sessions of expert planning advice to assist you with your destination wedding planning: budget, style + design, travel, timeline, etc.

Makeup - Brideface ($125 value)

• Custom DIY makeup consult to help you create two looks.
• *if couple isn’t local or plans to hire an artist on location then a gift basket with product of equal value will be sent.

$10,000 toward the destination wedding of your dreams…not too bad, huh?

Here’s how to enter:

Round 1:

1. Send an email to contest@nathanpeelphoto.com. Round 1 entries will be accepted through email only. All Facebook, Twitter, blog comments, etc will be disregarded.
2. Include couple’s names, wedding date, wedding location and wedding venue. (A booked wedding venue and date will be valued highly.)
3. Include a 100-200 word blurb (keep it short!) about you guys as a couple. We’re looking for insight into your personality.
4. All Round 1 entries must be received by noon on February 17, 2012.

Round 2:

1. 10 finalists will be selected and contacted by February 18, 2012.
2. Finalists will be asked to submit a picture and a short description of their wedding.
3. Voting will be opened to the public via online poll.
4. Voting will close at noon March 1, 2012. The finalists with the most votes wins.

Fine Print:

1. All finalists will be selected by Nathan Peel Photography.
2. A wedding will be considered as a “destination” wedding at the sole discretion of the photographer.
3. If you have already contracted a photographer please consider your contractual obligations before entering.
4. Current NPP couples are not eligible.
5. Votes will be handled via secure online poll.
6. Photographer travel will include 1 coach plane ticket, 3 nights of lodging on site, transportation and food.
7. If $1500 budget is exceeded the winning couple will be responsible for extra expense.
8. Wedding date availability will be taken into consideration when selecting finalists.
9. To protect the integrity of the contest wedding vendors above reserve the right to disqualify any entry at any time

A Brand New A Lowcountry Wedding!

I'm sure most of you guys thought this day would never come for A Lowcountry Wedding (and sometimes neither did I)!  But, it's finally here!  Our brand, spanking new site has gone live and I couldn't be happier.  It looks better than I could have ever imagined and it's all thanks to a few truly talented individuals and I just have to sing their praises...

First up, Mrs. Emily Ley.   Emily is the creative mind behind A Lowcountry Wedding's fabulous branding.  Emily hit it out of the park with the perfect color palette and spot-on logo and for that I have to give a HUGE, HUGE thank you!

Then, we have Sarah Kate Snyder, owner of Studio Snyder who, to put it mildly...nailed it.  Sarah Kate took our perfect branding and translated it into a killer new website.  It's got that laid-back, Lowcountry ease we were missing before.   I'm so over-the-moon with how everything has turned out  that I just can't say thank you enough!

I hope y'all love it as much as I do!  We appreciate everyone's kind words and are excited about all the big surprises we have in store for you this year!  Don't forget to subscribe to our RSS feed here.

Andra + Chad {Texas Engagement}

Yesterday, my sister Emma called me to tell her boyfriend had finally proposed!  Yay! I'm so excited and happy for them.  Being engaged is such a fun, memorable time and I, personally, can't wait for the wedding planning to begin :)  So, now all I have to do is plan a trip out to Houston to see that shiny, new rock!  Congrats, you two! Since the newly engaged couple resides in Texas, I thought what better way to kick off the week then with a vintage-inspired engagement session from one of my favorite Texas photographers, Love Caryn Photography.  This darling couple wanted their quirky, off-beat style to shine through and with the help of Love Caryn Photography, they were able to achieved some stunningly beautiful images.

Oh, and make sure to check out their adorable video...

Jillian + Tim {California Wedding}

Happy Friday everyone!  Can you believe next week is February?!?  2012 is already flying by!  We've got a lot in store for you next month like...a brand spanking new blog, we'll be introducing new weekly features, a monthly update of all the fabulous wedding events taking place in Charleston hopefully a new intern (or two!), and, of course, more amazing weddings from the Lowcountry and beyond! I figured we could wrap up the week with a lively California wedding.  The weather has been far from normal this winter and  I won't lie, it's already got me daydreaming of an early summer.  Jillian + Tim's vibrant outdoor affair from Rochelle Mort Photography just puts me in summer mindset.  With the help of Sweet Memories Flowers , Jillian and her maids rocked a jazzy yellow and grey color palette accessorized with bouquets full of billy balls, dahlias and succulents.  The ladies wore dresses from Charleston based designer Lula Kate in a spunky shade of mustard.  After a beautiful ceremony, the celebration continued at the home of the bride's parents where guests were treated to 'Boomerang' cocktails (which sound fabulous) by the pool.  Perfectly executed by the team at Soiree Event Designs & Couture Floral, a stunning tented reception followed with an amazing amount of details...including an over-the-top band and a late night taco station!

Vendors

Photographer: Rochelle Mort Photography  /  Event Designer: Soiree Event Designs & Couture Florals  /   Bridesmaids Dresses: Lula Kate  /  Floral Designer: Sweet Memories Flowers  /  Rentals: Classic Party Rentals, Town and Country Party Rentals

Inn at Palmetto Bluff Bridal Session by Kristin Vanzant Photography

I've said it before, but one of my biggest wedding regrets is not having bridal portraits taken.  It's just so necessary. You get one good run thru of how you're going to look the day of.  You can test out your hair, your shoes and get a feel for your photographer.  It also gives you the time to capture some really beautiful (and frame-able) images and will free up precious wedding day minutes.  So, when my baby sister gets engaged one of these days, girlfriend's getting bridal portraits taken whether she likes it or not (Sorry, Emma, but it's happening!). Jacque teamed up with destination wedding photographer, Kristin Vanzant for a gorgeous coastal bridal session at one of the Lowcountry's most stunning venues, The Inn at Palmetto Bluff.  The Inn's located in Bluffton, South Carolina which is just south of Charleston and right outside of Hilton Head Island and Savannah...and it is a sight!  It's the definition of the word 'Lowcountry' and is the perfect retreat for a destination bride looking for joyous weekend long wedding celebration.  On this low-key day in March, darling bride-to-be Jacque and Kristin Vanzant toured the expansive property from the tides to the Waterside Chapel for a timeless afternoon of photographs.

Kristen + Jonathan {Hawkesdene House Wedding}

Before we jump right in today fabulous Southern affair, we had to tell you about a new resource for all things travel in Charleston.  Our friends over at the uber-luxurious Charleston Place Hotel have started up a new blog, Hidden Charleston.  Whether you're a lifetime local or Lowcountry newbie, this is your guide to the most talked about dining establishments, favorite watering holes, one-of-a-kind events and all the historic hotspots. Normally, I like to write a little somethin' somethin' about the weddings that we post but  I just love what Louisiana photographer Claire Elyse had to say about Kristen + Jonathan's destination wedding that I thought I'd let her share today. So, from Miss Claire Elyse herself...

"Kristen and Jonathan’s wedding was one of those where I found myself counting down the days ‘til show time! It may have been because the wedding took place in the mountains of North Carolina, or perhaps because the bride and groom brought all the best of Louisiana to meet those mountains. It was all that and more. The details of this wedding were stunning, and even the vendors were the perfect mix of fun-loving South Louisiana meets breath taking North Carolina mountain highs. Jonathan proposed to Kristen in Andrews, North Carolina, so it was only appropriate to pack up the dress, cake, family, and bar and make a vacation out of it. The Hawkesdene House was one of my favorite venues to work with. The owners matched elegance with comfort. From the flowers, to one of Zoe’s Bakery’s masterpieces, to Abita Blues playing the requests of the bride and groom mixed with their own style. Kristen dreamt an amazing day into reality."

Southern Wedding Vendors

Photographer: Claire Elyse Photography  /   Venue: Hawkesdene House  /   Floral Designer: An English Garden  /   Hair Stylist: Barbers and Bombshells  /  Dress Store: Southern Bridal  /   Band: Abita Blues Band  /  Cake Designer: Zoe's Bakery