Southern Weddings {Anna + Patrick}

Whenever I talk to someone who is recently engaged and in the planning stage, (whether I know them or not), my first question is always, "Have you picked out your colors?!"   I love to see the color palette brides choose because it always says so much about their personality.  Today's Florida bride, Anna, picked a perfectly beach-y combo of orange and blue for her October nuptials which matches her and hubby Patrick's vivacious, laid back and classic style.  Anna is just radiant in her white Maggie Sottero gown which she paired with a few blue accessories (lovin' that necklace) that fit the mood of the day just right...don't you think?  The ladies of Stay Forever Photography, Jessica and Melissa, were on hand to capture all the loveliness (and boy did they do their job!).  With a beautiful backdrop of palm trees and a touch of the Florida sun, Anna + Patrick were wed at Fort Pierce Yacht Club.  They continued the evening with some serious dancing, delicious food and gorg flowers by Giordano's.

If I don't respond back to emails or phone calls today it's because this wedding makes me want to take off straight to the beach :)  Sullivans here I come!

To catch more of this beauty, check out Stay Forever's posts (Part I and Part II).

Thanks so much for sharing, ladies!

vendor recap

photographer: stay forever photography  / dress designer: maggie sottero /  planner: jade smith of island party rentals   /  florist: giordano's floral creations  /   shoes: paris hilton /   reception venue: fort pierce yacht club  /  

Southern Weddings {Jada + Dan}

Hope everyone is having a Happy Wednesday and staying cool from this serious summer heat!  I'm so excited to share Jada + Dan's sweet North Carolina engagement session by Charlotte Photographer, Vanessa Schrotenboer.  They spent the day at Latta Plantation as Vanessa captured some very frame-able images of couple in their element.  The lighting is perfect, the setting is beautiful and can you get a cuter couple? I don't think so!

Images by Vanessa Schrotenboer via Two Bright Lights

Purple + Turquoise

I love this color palette and have always thought you need to be a little cautious with it for a wedding and not go overboard...but I think we might have nailed it with this inspiration board.  Don't you just love the tablescape in the bottom left corner?  I like how the farm table gives it a more laid back vibe and you just can't beat those vivid, beautiful centerpieces.  Um, excuse me Cameron Diaz? Can you please give me that entire ensemble? I'm crazy about her necklace and that killer dress.  Perfect Summer color combo...

Images via (1) Tea Lily Photography, (2) Pinterest (3) The Knot, (4) Sweet Dreams Darling (5) Dapper Images, (6) Christian Dior Fall 2007 by John Galliano, jewelry by Fred Leighton, (7) Elizabeth Anne Designs, (8) Wedding Bee  

Southern Weddings {Wedding Bouquets}

You can call Pinterest an addiction but I like to refer to it as research :)  I always thought it would be so fun to be a florist.  Would you not love to be surrounded by gorgeous blooms all day long?  I remember when I was planning my wedding and you could not pry me from the computer. I was constantly searching and searching for the perfect bouquet, boutonniere, centerpieces etc.  Sometimes, I would just find one type of flower or a particular shade of color that would be exactly what I was looking for.  So, my hopes in sharing Part II of Wedding Bouquets (Don't miss Part I!) is that they'll be that perfect bit of inspiration that has been the missing link to your wedding day inspiration board...

Enjoy!

Image via Bippity Boopity Boo

Image by Erin Hearts Court via Style Me Pretty

Image via Helen Carter Weddings

Images via Once Wed and Helen Chapple

Image via Southern Weddings

Image via Kiss the Groom

Images via Wedding Chicks and Ruffled

Image via The Bride's Cafe

Southern Wedding {Katy + Jason}

Ashley of Live. Laugh. PHOTOGRAPH sent over this perfectly charming Southern wedding, complete with cowboys boots and live country music...Texas style!  The couple, Katy + Jason, were wed June 11, 2011 just outside of Dallas at Loma Linda in beautiful Rockett, Texas.  Doesn't Katy just look flawless in her strapless gown, pearls and cowboy boots?  I love it.  The rustic venue allowed for a touching outdoor ceremony under the trees.  After, the guest made their way to the reception where the dined on Randy's BBQ's signature cuisine and later indulged in their choice of two fabulous desserts by Dallas Affaires Cake Co.  To top of the evening, the guests danced the night away to the tunes of Chad McBride and The Drifters. 

All in all, I'd have to say it was a perfect Texas Wedding...

Images via Two Bright Lights

vendor recap

photographer: live. laugh. PHOTOGRAPH   /  cake designer: dallas affaires cake co.  /  band: chad mcbride & the drifters  /  ceremony & reception venue: loma linda  /  caterer: randy's bbq  / 

Southern Weddings {Peach Chic}

I've been developing quite a fancy for the color peach recently, especially when it's used in a  Spring or Summer Wedding.  It's such a soft, sophisticated color and it works well in a classic Lowcountry  Wedding...and I'm really loving that chic floral arrangement and understated cake!

Images: (1) Forget Me Knot Weddings, (2-4) Style Me Pretty, (5) DIY Weddings Magazine, (6) Martha Stewart Weddings, (7) In Honor of Design (8) Her Muse, (9) Ruffled, (10) Grey Likes Weddings

Myrtle Beach Wedding {Jordyn + Joe}

When Carolina Studios photographer, Gillian Reinhardt sent over this Myrtle Beach wedding, I couldn't get over how much fun everyone seemed to have. It looked like such a good time!  This past May, Jordyn, a stunning blonde, donned two separate gowns as she wed her handsome husband, Joe, in this perfect Lowcountry affair. 

The couple said 'I do' at First Presbyterian Church and then moved the party (and boy do I mean par-tay!) to aPalmetto Properties' private residence where the guests were treated to a gorgeous tented reception under the Carolina sky.  By leaving the details to their trusted team of vendors, the sweet couple was able to enjoy every moment celebrating with their friends and family. Wedding planner, Sara Barnhill of Stunning & Brilliant Events, executed a beautifully detailed Kelly green wedding complete with lavish  flowers by Callas Florist and a darling cake by Cake Creations by Melanie.   The band, N'Tranze kept everybody up and out of their seats which, not only made for some truly entertaining pictures, but one heck of an evening.  Luckily, Carolina Studios was on hand to capture it all...

This one's my favorite....

Images via Two Bright Lights

vendor recap

photographer: carolina studios by gillian reinhardt  / hair stylist: mirage hair studio /  planner: stunning & brilliant events   /  florist: callas florist  /  cake designer: cake creations by melanie  /  band: n'tranze  /  reception venue: callas florist  /  cinema and video: dv production company  / men's attire: men's wearhouse

Lowcountry Weddings {Specialty Drinks}

I'm a big fan of specialty drinks.  If done right, they're the perfect welcome to your reception, especially on a hot, Lowcountry evening.  The key is to find an appealing beverage that both women and men can enjoy but also something that won't scare off who usually aren't big drinkers.  Go for a cool drink with a little color (not to matchy-matchy) and something that is easy to produce in large quantities.  Take a look at some of our favorite Lowcountry concoctions from Charleston and Hilton Head and all the way to Myrtle Beach...

For those that may want to skip the alcohol, try one of these oh-so refreshing bevs...

Happy 4th of July!

A Lowcountry Wedding and this awesome guy want to wish you and your family a happy and safe Fourth of July!  Whether you're spending the weekend in Hilton Head, Charleston or Myrtle Beach, enjoy the water, have a fruitty beverage (or two!) and stay safe.  We'll see yall on Tuesday!

Around the Blogs

After a featuring some gorgeous Charleston weddings this week, we are looking forward to a beautiful weekend here in the Lowcountry.  Take a look at some of our favorite posts on our weekly blog round-up...

Todd and Cyndi's gorg wedding via Love and Lavendar.   Loving the bridal party's attire and this soft color palette.  Check out more here.

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Over on Ruffled, this inspiration shoot was featured full of homegrown wedding ideas.  I can't get enough of these rustic paper goods by Magpie Paper Works.  They would be perfect for a Hilton Head wedding, don't ya think?

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Our friends over at One Stylish Bride featured Beth and Dan's Australian Peacock Farm wedding.  I love the girls' brightly colored dresses and the guys' casual but stylish attire...perfect for a coastal, Myrtle Beach wedding!  Besides being gorgeous, this wedding seemed so effortlessly cool.

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I'm a big fan of this preppy, coastal inspiration board I ran across on Postcards & Pretties.   It's all about the stripes!

Charleston Weddings {Pretzel Station}

It might have a little bit to do with my past experience in catering but my favorite part of a wedding is ALWAYS the food.  How I see it, a Charleston wedding can be absolutely exquisite but if the food is blah or just flat out bad that will be the only thing guests take away from the evening.  On the other hand, if the food is out-of-this-world and they can experience items differently, either by presentation or taste, I can promise they will be raving about your big day for years to come.  I always love dreaming up menus that put a fun twist on an old favorite, so recently when I was snacking on a soft pretzel at a USC baseball game, it hit me...I love pretzels (of all shapes, sizes and flavors!) and I'd die for a late night pretzel station.  This is what I'm thinking...

Pretzel bites or miniature pretzels served warm in a variety of flavors like: original (all nice and buttered up!) cinnamon sugar, garlic or even stuffed like a little pizza with pepperoni and mozzarella.  For sauces: mustard, marinara, cheese and chocolate.  Present them in cute baskets (below) and have cups or pretzel bags available (that you can coordinate with your wedding colors) to allow guests to move freely around while snackin' and dippin'!

Most importantly, don't forget include some chocolate covered pretzels!