Southern Wedding {Emily + Will}

Hopefully, everyone enjoyed their Lowcountry weekend, and for those of you in Charleston, hope you made a trip out to Kiawah for the PGA Championship!  We're kicking off this sleepy Monday with a sweet, Southern wedding in Clemson, South Carolina from Charleston-based wedding photographer, Lauren Jonas.  Emily looked effortless in a romantic lace gown with a soft up-do and white hydrangea bouquet.  Will and the rest of the guys rocked tan suits accented with purple ties and bouts.

Seaside Engagement {Sasha + Riley}

Oh, Paul Johnson!  What have you done to me with this gorgeous, coastal engagement session?  Snapped along the Florida shoreline in beautiful Seaside, the camera fell in love with the adorable Sasha + Riley.  Not only was the backdrop flawless, but the duo's effortless style combined with the talents of Paul Johnson Photography made for an engagement session that tops my list of favorites.  Simply perfect.

Charleston Bridals {Mary}

I'll tell you what, there's not much I love more than a perfect Charleston bridal session and this one from  Sweet Tea Imagery is high on my list!  Let's be serious, you drop a timeless Southern Bride  into a picturesque Lowcountry setting and you're bound to get a little Charleston wedding heaven.  Mary looked stunning in a classic gown and dreamy veil which she sported at Boone Hall Plantation before heading to beach...and we're just head-over-heels in love with every minute of it :)

Wild Dunes Wedding via Tiger Lily Florist + Richard Bell Photography

If you're a fan of a gorgeous outdoor ceremony location that's framed by statuesque palmetto trees and accompanied by the faint scent and sounds of the ocean in the background....well, then we've got a treat for you!  A Lowcountry Wedding favorite, Richard Bell Photography, was on hand to capture Becky + Jason's Charleston wedding at the immaculate Wild Dunes Resort on the Isle of Palms.  In addition to their talented photographers, the couple recruited a slew of Charleston's favorite wedding vendors to assist them in pulling off their dreamy, Spring affair.  Tiger Florist created vibrant bouquets and centerpieces in a beautiful color scheme of pink, orange and green, while Cakes by Kasarda created a classic (and delicious!) cake that complimented their preppy, Southern affair.  But most of all, we love the pom poms (Go Dawgs, anyone?)

 Charleston Wedding Vendors

 Photographer: Richard Bell Photography  /  Venue and Caterer:  Wild Dunes Resort  /  Event Planner:  Tiger Lily Weddings  /  Musicians:  Bryan Mahanes- Sitarist,Charleston Chamber Players  /  Dress Store:  La Raine's Bridal Boutique  /  Cake Designer:  Cakes by Kasarda  /  Equipment Rentals:  Stage Presence 

Lowcountry Weddings {Wine Barrels}

There are days where I just can't tear myself away from Pinterest and thanks to all the wonderfully creative people that I follow, I'm usually knee deep in some serious wedding inspiration.  Lucky you for you girls, I just can't keep these beautiful Southern secrets to myself!  One of my favorite recent findings is wine barrels (sigh!).  They're the perfect touch to a gorgeous Charleston, Hilton Head or Myrtle Beach Wedding!  They're classic charm and rustic appeal make them the perfect addition to your Lowcountry wedding!

Fabulous Frocks Trunk Show {Happily Ever BorroWED}

The crew from Happily Ever BorroWED is packing up all of their favorite accessories and heading down South for their first EVER trunk show, and all of you Lowcountry ladies are in luck because...they're coming to Fabulous Frocks!   They'll be joined by a slew of Charleston's favorite wedding vendors including: Britt Croft Photography, Ooh! Events, Duvall Events, Cupcake and D'lish Desserts.   So, mark your calendars, they'll be in town August 17th and 18th and I promise you won't want to miss this weekend of bridal shopping bliss :)  We'll see you under the chandeliers!

Charleston Engagement {Rebecca + Taylor}

We're sailing into the weekend with a lovely, Lowcountry engagement session from Charleston wedding photographer extraordinaire, Paige Winn Photo.  We're loving this stylish couple's relaxed style, groom Taylor's fab tie and all of this perfect natural light.  Oh, and can I have Becca's hair...please?  We can't wait to see their Charleston wedding next Spring at the Historic Rice Mill!

Pepper Plantation Wedding {Jessica + Elliotte}

Call me a sucker, but send me a Charleston wedding at a beautiful Lowcountry venue with a gorgeous, Southern bride, adorable Southern details, and a man in a kilt and you better believe I will post it for all the world to see! Jessica + Elliotte selected The Pavilion at Pepper Plantation to host their outdoor ceremony and, later, their happening celebration!  With the help of Ashley from An Event to Remember, the bride was able to incorporate her groom's Scottish heritage into an irresistible, rustic evening.  They included burlap throughout, bales of hay at the ceremony, boiled peanuts, charming bouquets and centerpieces from Country & Lace and, my personal favorite, a S'mores Bar!  Thanks to the crew at Richard Bell Photography for capturing yet another perfect Charleston wedding!

Charleston Wedding Vendors

Reception and Ceremony Venue: Pavillion at Pepper Plantation  /  Photographer: Richard Bell Photography  /  Event Design/Coordinator: An Event to Remember  /  Cake: Family Friend  /  Dress Shop: Bridals by Jodi  /  Hair & Makeup: Vanity Salon SC  /  Bridesmaids’ dresses: Davids Bridal  /  Floral Design: Country and Lace Florist  /  Entertainment: Complete Music  /  Stationery: DIY  /  Rentals: Group Dynamics  /  Favors: DIY Candy Bar  /  Bar Services: Synder Bar

Myrtle Beach Weddings {Stunning & Brilliant Events}

Now, don't get me wrong, married life is heaven, but I'll tell you what...being engaged was a blast!  It's an exciting time and I hope everyone takes full advantage of all the showers, cake tasting, venue tours and all the fabulous wedding related events.  You don't need to tell me, I know the whole planning process can be truly overwhelming (stressful, crazy...pick your choice of adjective!) but Lowcountry brides are in luck!  The Myrtle Beach wedding planners at Stunning & Brilliant Events are hosting a 3-hour interactive seminar on September 9th that is catered to you.  With what's sure to be a laundry list of the Lowcountry's top wedding vendors to assist and educate, this will be an event I promise you don't want to miss this.  Don't wait to RSVP, it's limited to a handful of lucky brides.  

William Aiken House {April}

I was pretty blown away when I laid my eyes on April's Bridal Portraits (and just wait, you will be, too!) captured by Riverland Studios.  April's basically the definition a timeless beauty.  Truthfully, she reminds me of Kate Middleton.  Not only is she gorgeous, her entire ensemble is effortlessly perfect.  The Lowcountry session kicked off at one of Charleston's favorite wedding venues, The William Aiken House, where April stunned in her strapless wedding gown from the Gown Boutique of Charleston, that she accented with an embellished sash around the waist.  She carried an elegant bouquet designed by InventivENVIRONMENTS,  which complimented her killer shoes (seriously, aren't that fabulous?) and those jaw-dropping earrings.

Island House Wedding {Ellen + Bryan}

The Lowcountry is all about the water, so it's no surprise that brides and grooms flock to many of the area's wedding venues that highlight the region's most-prized possession and today's couple, Ellen + Bryan is no different!  They took full advantage of the Island House's prime location on the banks of the Stono River when planning their late, Spring nuptials.  They started with a low-key, outdoor ceremony before treating their guests to a lively, Charleston reception by the water!  Guests were treated to Lowcountry cuisines from Hamby Catering including tasty ham biscuits and a to die for Shrimp and Grits bar!  With the help of Elle Courtney Events and the floral design team of O.K. Florist, the entire event featured a preppy, Southern color palette of navy and pink.  As always, thanks to the oh-so-talented team of Richard Bell Photography for capturing this gorgeous, Southern wedding and that beautiful, Charleston sunset.

Charleston Wedding Vendors

Photographer: Richard Bell Photography  /  Caterer:  Hamby Catering & Events  /  Event Planner:  elle courtney events  /  Floral Designer:  O.K. Florist  /  Cake Designer:  Artistic Cakes by Linda  /  DJ:  FingerSnappin' Entertainment  /  Event Venue:  The Island House

Bluffton Wedding {Nicole + Blake}

Debra Gulbas Photography teamed up with Embellished Events for this stunning, low key beach affair in Bluffton, South Carolina.  Just outside of Hilton Head, Bluffton is one of the Lowcountry's hidden treasures for brides hoping for a laid back wedding with that signature, dreamy scenery...which is exactly what today's couple, Nicole + Blake, took full advantage of!  They kept it simple with a beautiful ceremony on the beach before celebrating the night away with their closest friends and family!  I'm totally loving (okay, maybe drooling over) Nicole's oh-so-flattering gown and her gorgeous, seasonal bouquet.  Doesn't it make you want to head for the beach?

Hilton Head Wedding Vendors

Photographer:  Debra Gulbas Photography  /  Caterer:  Embellished Events LLC

Myrtle Beach Wedding Vendor Spotlight {Memorable Events}

It's no secret the Lowcountry is blessed with some seriously talented Myrtle Beach wedding vendors who, time and time again, deliver one-of-a-kind, customized Southern weddings that perfectly represent every Bride and Groom.  One of our favorites, Leslie Menich, is the owner of the Grand Strand's Memorable Moments Event Planning and is a pro at delivering the Myrtle Beach wedding of your dreams!  She takes pride in relieving her ladies of the stress the planning period can bring and makes sure to create a wedding that fits their needs, style and budget.  We caught up with Leslie where she filled us in on how she got started, what she offers, and why she loves her job!

How did you get started?

I have over seven years of event planning experience. I graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelors of Science in Public Relations. I am originally from South Charleston, WV and moved to the Myrtle Beach area in May 2004. When my family or friends had parties, weddings, events, showers, etc., I always found myself becoming a part of the planning process.  There is true thrill and excitement in helping plan someone's special occasion and watching it turn into a lasting memory from start to finish. The passion I have for event planning started with this feeling and grew from helping friends and family while also planning and coordinating all events as the Event Planner/Marketing Manager at Celebrations Nitelife for over five years at Broadway at the Beach. During my time there, they became one of the Top 100 nightclubs and bars in the country (awarded by Nightclub & Bar Magazine).  From my past experiences and working with contacts and vendors through this full time job, I took the opportunity and decided to start my own business, and this is how Memorable Moments Event Planning was born!

What kinds of services do you provide for area brides?

I offer everything from Full Planning to Day of Coordination. Full Planning tends to be my most popular package. I become close with the couple, usually more with the bride because we do everything together. I am with her every step of the way from right after the engagement until the last event of her reception. Assisting in vendor selections and appointments, layouts of ceremony & reception, helping to determine an accurate total wedding budget, providing decor ideas and advice along the way are among some of the many things we will do together to create the bride’s vision, met with the couple’s personality and style.  Memorable Moments will act as the main point of contact for their venue & vendors and will continually make all the necessary accommodations, with their input, allowing the couple, especially the bride, to sit back and enjoy the experience. My signature wedding timeline and budget tracking sheet are also included along with everything included in the Day of Coordination Package.

For Day of Coordination, I come on board during the last months or weeks of the planning process to help the couple wrap up all loose ends with the vendors, assist with any last minute bookings, and coordinate the important events of wedding weekend. All the steps and timelines will be set into place and passed along to all major contacts so vendors, bridal party, family, the bride and groom, and more know where they need to be and when. The entire weekend’s events are put into order from vendors contracts and times confirmed to when the bouquet is thrown. This package also includes on site Rehearsal & Day of Coordination!

*Customized and a la Carte packaging are also available options. Every bride is entitled to a complimentary consultation to make sure we are a right fit before getting started.

What is the best part about your job?

Meeting wonderful couples and sharing in one of the biggest days of their lives. Nothing is better to help plan this day with them and then be there to see the whole process carried out to witness their happiness and appreciation! Many of my clients have become close friends due to the experiences we share together.

I feel the same about many of the wonderful wedding industry professionals I have met along the way while running my business. We all work hard and it is great to have a genuine group of colleagues who I can count on and have the pleasure of sharing stories of true success.

What is one of your most memorable moments on the job?

This past October, I had a wedding on my birthday. It was a 12 hour work day and the wedding turned out beautiful and the couple was more than pleased. Towards the end of the night, the bride and groom went up on stage and took the microphone from the DJ and had the music stop. They had all their guests tell me Happy Birthday and then proceeded to thank me for my friendship and work I had done over the past year. It was a small surprise that meant a lot to me and is something I will remember forever!

What do you say to a bride or groom who is having “cold feet?”

I am lucky that I have not had this happen yet. However, if I did ever have this happen, I would tell whoever is having the “cold feet” to remember how they got where they are in the first place and all the reasons to why they love and appreciate their partner.

What is the most important thing that you do for future brides?

Many brides are experiencing getting married for the first time, so I would say that the most important thing I offer to my clients is KNOWLEDGE! I know the places where she can save, the vendors she can trust, the unique ideas she can use, and more to help her customize her day, her way! When a bride books Memorable Moments Event Planning, she is relieved of much of the burden and work, since it is my job to help her create a wedding to not only meet her needs, wants, personality, style, & vision, but also her budget.

What are you waiting for? Give her a call!

Memorable Moments Event Planning!

Leslie Menich

116 Governors Loop

Myrtle Beach, SC 29588

843.450.9936

Nicole + Rees {Charleston Wedding}

I told you it was going to be a good blog week around here at A Lowcountry Wedding and to keep the pattern going I've got a charming Charleston wedding from our friend Britt Croft Photography.   I feel in love with this wedding the moment I laid eyes on it.  Not only was it the perfect Spring day in Charleston, but the couple looked timeless. Bride Nicole was a classic, beauty in her knee-length gown and her man looked handsome in his Navy uniform.  I'll let Britt take it from here... "Nicole and Rees arranged a very sweet and simple elopement for only their most beloved friends and family this past March. Since Rees is in the Navy and stationed in Charleston, and Nicole was living in Florida at the time, they were more than ready to begin their lives together and finally be able to live in the same city. I was honored they hired me for such an intimate day. Their ceremony took place on one of the beautiful outside porches of the quaint Phillip-Yates-Snowden Bed & Breakfast on Church Street in Charleston, then afterward we were able to stroll the cobblestone streets where passersby wished the newlyweds congratulations. We then made our way toward Waterfront Park, then back to the Battery and it was such a blast as Nicole and Rees sunk into the fact that they were finally husband and wife."

Charleston Wedding Vendors

Venue: Phillip-Yates-Snowden House Bed and Breakfast  /  Photographer: Britt Croft Photography  /  Shoes: Badgley Mischka

Charleston Weddings {Champagne Cocktails}

If the Lowcountry knows how to do one thing right, it's how to have a good time and, of course, that good-natured spirit always spills over to our weddings!  We love good Southern cookin', a salty coastal breeze and a stiff, fruity cocktail :)  I regularly get asked about fun, new specialty drinks that everyone will enjoy.  Well, I ran across this guide to champagne cocktails and thought it would be very fitting for some of our Lowcountry brides.  Not only would they be perfect for a Charleston wedding, but could hit the nail on the head for a bridal shower, bridesmaids luncheon...or a Tuesday night :) Enjoy!

Edisto Island Wedding {Ali + Josh}

The South Carolina coastline has this mystical quality about it that, let's be honest, holds the key to all of our hearts.  One of our favorite coastal spots for stunning, Lowcountry wedding imagery, is the dreamy, coastal town of Edisto Island, just an hour south of Charleston.  Thanks to lenses of Sarah C Photography, today we get to share Ali + Josh's whimsical, Just Married session along the shores of Edisto.  The afternoon started with an abundance of romantic, Spanish moss at Trinity Episcopal Church of Edisto before heading to beach to finish up at sunset.  Talk about Lowcountry heaven, right?