July at the Pavilion

Social is having the chance to design a wedding for a July bride at the Pavilion at Patriot's Point. The couple hails from the Windy City (Chicago) and their color palette is pink, wine, cappuccino and ivory. Below is my inspiration board so far.

The bride said she likes a contemporary feel so I suggested dahlia and callas, as well as some other filler flowers for various groupings on their guest tables. Now I just need to find a clever escort card display that won't blow away on the Patriot's Point links right on the harbor.

Lotsa Bloggin' Love

Hope everyone had a nice long weekend! I've been reading a lot of blogs lately which have been started by really talented people here in Charelston's event and weddings industry. Here's some food for blog.

Above, photographer Leigh Webber's amazing images of events and weddings around the city are just one reason to read her blog. Below, Juliet Jones- of Hair by Juliet, gives everyone a taste of what she's doing and some great inspirational ideas as well.

photos: Leigh Webber, Juliet Jones

Memorial Day Message

Happy Memorial Day, do whatever you can to honor and remember those lost fighting for our country today!

Make it Al Fresco

WOW! I love this kind of stuff, who thinks of this?!?! Dinner in the Sky is just that; up to 22 people and 3 chefs can be hoisted up to 160 feet in the air and enjoy up to 8 hours of al fresco entertainment. Can you imagine cocktails in the sky? Woohoo!

This Belgian based company can do Dinner in the Sky just about anywhere there's enough room for a big huge crane. They will even rent a smaller platform for your musicians or other entertainment.

photos: Dinnerinthesky.com

BEaM

I know it's Monday and all...

but it's my birthday today, and I've celebrated all weekend! This made me think of specialty cocktails and how fun they can be to tailor to your party, for any occassion. I made the Rosebud Martini for my little shindig at my friend X-tina's house on Saturday.

The Rosebud Martini- I got this recipe from a bartender friend of mine and it's yum! Real rose water (steep rose petals in hot water then mix with simple syrup), raspberry vodka, splash of lime juice, splash of bubbly, and a rose petal floating on top for garnish.

White Wedding Signature Cocktail- From theknot.com blog, this one's a little intensive, but maybe your bartender won't mind taking, like, 5 minutes to make your signature drink while the bar is 10-deep.

-- 5 fresh mint leaves
-- 1 1/2 oz. Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur
-- 1 1/2 oz. NAVAN Natural Vanilla Liqueur
-- 3 oz. heavy cream
-- 1 oz. agave nectar (at the corner store, promise)
-- Vanilla bean, for garnish
-- Oro Fino edible gold leaf, for garnish

1. Muddle the mint in a shaker until fully deconstructed and in tiny pieces. Add both liqueurs. Shake vigorously with ice and strain into a classic cocktail coupe glass.

2. In a second shake, combine heavy cream, agave nectar, and five ice cubes. Shake vigorously for at least 15 seconds until loosely whipped. Layer cream slowly on top of white chocolate base and garnish with a vanilla bean and Oro Fino edible gold leaf.

The 007- James Bond probably wouldn't go for this martini — a combination of Stoli Orange, orange juice and 7-Up. (O-O-7 — get it?)

photos: theknot.com, flickr

Hot Spoleto

Highly anticipated US debut of Monkey; Journey to the West

Spoleto is kicking off next week, and if you're not familiar with this festival or Charleston, it means 2.5 weeks of constant buzz of artistic energy around town! Along with the Spoleto wave comes the City of Charleston's Piccolo Spoleto, featuring a lot of local genius-ity, and various other endeavors, like Philip Hyman's Evolution art show(s), and live music everywhere.

Above, Charleston Ballet Theater is performing for Piccolo, and
below, Evolution art show poster.

How Social of me: part deux

Okay, I was waiting for the disc with the images on it, but thought I'd just take one more quick look before we move on to some other exciting events. Gotta love it when your ideas come together (and don't end up looking like a circus tent)!

Social was an event sponsor--this is comparable to our name in lights!

Guests came to the Gibbes Museum of Art to view the exhibition, curated by newly appointed Executive Director Angela D. Mack, called "Landscape of Slavery: The Plantation in American Art". There were large scrims in orange (Identity), red (Politics), purple (Protest), and green (Nostalgia), that helped tell the story of the exhibition-- very powerful, please go see it!

I brought the colors down to the Courtyard for the party, which not only tied it into the exhibition, but also gave the party a splash of Spring!

Duvall Decor helped with some really beautiful pieces from their rattan furniture collection, sheer pole covers and the colorful draping. I rented the tables/linens/chairs from Snyder, the Gibbes Women's Council flower committee did the fab florals, and Carolina Catering did the food and bar.

The menu included southern delights like duck and collard spring rolls, shrimp on mini grit cakes with remoulade sauce, and key lime tart sandwiched between benne seed wafers.

The evening was finished off by the sweet tunes of the Charlton Singleton Trio and the nice early-May Charleston weather (not too hot, not too humid).

See Katie Kern's Charleston Magazine Fete Set blog post about the party HERE and her party pics HERE. More CharlestonPictureCompany.com photos HERE.

photos: CharlestonPictureCompany.com

Happy Mother's Day

Greg and I drove to Orlando today to surprise his mom for her Mother's Day dinner. While here I'll be visiting one of my best friends, Shanelle, and eating some food I miss, Chipotle. See ya in a few.

How Social of me...

A few "candids" of last night's party at the Gibbes from my camera. More to come soon from Charleston Picture Company. Woot!

paper + cutouts = shabby chic

cute cake stands and fancy filigree cupcake wrappers,

Martha... is that you?

Don't you love it when you stumble upon those websites that have everything you wish for when creating a stylish wedding? I found Estilo Weddings via another blog, and couldn't tear myself away until I had scoured through every page. Very sweet somethings at very reasonable prices!

See the cutout trend here? Shabby chic fo sho'.

photos: Estilo Weddings

What a difference...

3 weeks makes. When I started planning the Gibbes Museum of Art's opening reception for the exhibition, Landscapes of Slavery: The Plantation in American Art, I had a dainty little idea about a pretty party. Then, seeing Angela Mack's ideas for designing her exhibition, I have almost done a 180°. See, I've realized that I love using color, lots of it, and that's exactly what Angela has done as well, so I decided to bring the colors of the exhibition down to the party.

The tents will be draped in the same colors as the scrims in the exhibition, deep jewel tones of red, purple, green, and orange. It's crossed my mind that this may end up looking a bit like a circus tent, but it's past the point of no return, now... In any case it will be full of color and light. With the Charlton Singleton Trio playing, it's sure to be a sweet southern evening.

BUY TICKETS TO THE PARTY! Call Wendi at 843-722-2706 x. 22, and tell them Sarah sent you.

Latin Love Tomorrow

Charleston’s third annual Cinco de Mayo Festival will take place on Friday May 2, 2008 at the Visitor's Center Bus Terminal (375 Meeting Street) in downtown Charleston from 7p.m. to 11p.m.

Guests are invited to sample local Mexican foods while relaxing with Margaritas and Mexican beer and enjoying live entertainment. Tickets for the festival are $10 at the door. Food and alcohol will be sold separately at a cash bar. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Trident Literacy Association.

May 5th marks the Mexican army’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. In the United States, this day has become a celebration known as “Cinco de Mayo.” It has become a time to commemorate Mexican heritage and culture.

Mark your calendars to come join the fiesta this year on Friday, May 2, 2008!