Talk about a Christmas tree!

Ran across this AWESOME photo on Green Wedding Shoes and love this never-before-seen decor idea. Wow! This tree was covered in painted ornaments...how's that for time consuming?!

Photo: Green Wedding Shoes

Real Wedding: Alina & Nathan

Alina and Nathan's photos are up on CVI Photography's blog! This intimate 22-person affair took place at the hauntingly beautiful Confederate Home on Broad Street. SOCIAL had the best time designing this event from the large dining table and oversized patterned runner which was a modern twist on the shape and designs of the vintage plates Alina rented for her 3-course seated dinner. Way more photos CVI's blog!

Aisle Style Pics

SOCIAL Event Design & Planning was the design sponsor for the Aisle Style Opening Reception for the Charleston Museum's new exhibition. The party was really great and I have some amazing photos taken by my friend and owner of 120 Design, Christina Bailey!

Ashley Bakery did the cake, which was even more stunning in person and they also provided a variety of other desserts in the monochromatic color scheme of peach and gray (gray sugar crystals on the sugar cookies, cool!)

Other sponsors of the event included PDA Stage for lighting, Tiger Lily Florist for...flowers, Charleston Weddings Magazine, and relatively new and fabulous caterer, Newton Farms Catering.

At the last moment I was racking my brain for a simple garnish for the specialty cocktail, a peach bellini and I bought these sugared peach rings which fit perfectly on the rim of the glass!

Check out the exhibit at the Charleston Museum if you get a chance, the vintage dresses and trousseau items are so interesting!

Photos: 120 Design

Fashion Education

I highly doubt that brides of the 19th century were as concerned with color palettes and ice sculptures as the modern brides of today. Nevertheless, I’m sure that brides of the past were still very much concerned with style. The Charleston Museum has a special exhibit that highlights all things wedding from the past 150 years; starting with the bride's dress to groom's garments and even accessories. Not to mention all of your burning questions about wedding traditions will be exposed. Why was white so significant in choosing the gown or does blue really ensure great things for your wedding day?

This event's opening night is this Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 6pm to 8pm at The Charleston Museum at 360 Meeting Street. For more information, check out The Charleston Museum website at http://www.charlestonmuseum.org/aislestyle.html#about.

Shhhh, a real proposal will happen, don't miss it!

Musings of the Moment

Photos: Josh Goleman, A Bunch of Bliss

Bonjour Charleston Weddings

SOCIAL's most colorful and electric wedding design made it onto the pages of the beautiful Winter issue of Charleston Weddings Magazine! It's really exciting to see Kristin, Russell and their bold style shine through in their wedding photos (well, mostly Kristin's, but Russell was a good sport as long as there was Miller Lite involved)

photos: Jennifer Kemp, Charleston Weddings Magazine

Buzzzzzzing!

One of my best friends, Shanelle, called me yesterday to tell me she just got engaged to her bf of about 5 years Andrew! Of course I have offered to plan her wedding, and I can't wait for our first planning session. The last conversation we had was about how she wanted a destination wedding (Hawaii, Mexico!!!), but that was promptly followed by "We'll see, I'm sure it's a long ways away."... that was a month ago. Needless to say I'm stoked to help plan a beautiful wedding for one of my besties, it definitely helps when you know someone inside and out, and I will keep you in the loop along the way.

Wooden invitation suites by Oslo Press. Shanelle is from Guam and loves island culture, these invitations would be a great way to tie in the islands, especially if her wedding is in Hawaii.

She has somewhat expensive taste...what better shoe for Shanelle than Chanel? Pink and ruffled for that matter.

More ideas to come, it's only been 24 hours!

Dreamy

Thinking about a bouquet with only these beautiful pink astilbes.

Luxurious Mokuba ribbon will tie in the grey.

We are planning a wedding with all the right stuff. Beautiful European pink hues, dove grey undertones and a lot of romance. Check out some of the stuff we're inspired by!

These glasses at Anthropologie are to die for!

The couple will be married on the beach, and what better getaway vehicle than a beach cruiser?!

On another note: I know the blog has been lacking as of late!!! We've been really busy not only with weddings/events/business things, but also being a Mom. Thanks for your support of the blog and the business.

Real Wedding: Cute Couple Sarah & Steven

We did some fun work for a wedding out at the Citadel Beach House in the end of June (HOTTEST DAY EVER) for Sarah & Steven Truschka. The young couple wanted a colorful, playful wedding with design elements to match.

So we brought in the bridesmaid dress colors of bright pink, purple and green and incorporated them into the linens, flowers, favors, everything! We did lemon and lime place cards because the refreshments at the cocktail hour were huge glass jars of lemonade, limeade, punch and peach tea. The favors were mason jars with pink and yellow lemonade mix for guests to take home.

Congratulations Sarah & Steven!

photos: Richard Bell Photography

Real Wedding: Meredith & Eric

Meredith and Eric, from Columbia, got married at St. John's Lutheran Church and had their reception at the Historic Rice Mill on a beautiful Sunday in May.

Their style is eclectic and artsy, their wedding elements definitely echoed their unique tastes!

Meredith is a graphic designer and not only did she design her invitation suites, but all her printed material had her own personal touch. Like this menu card, below.

The long dining tables were draped in ivory linen with different patterned runners on each table brining in the couple's colors of tomato red and a touch of turquoise in the huge mason jar vases and fun birdie votive holders.

photos: Ashley Brokop

Let's hear it for the boys & pups!

It's HER big day, but THEY have to look good, too! Twigs & Honey by Myra Callan is quickly becoming the go-to for unique and gorgeous adornments for the bride, and now the groom and four legged friends.

In addition to her famous hair accessories, Myra's also started designing beautiful belts and other dress embellishments. Her Etsy shop is burnin' up!

photos: Twigs & Honey

New Photographer Friend

It's rare that you immediately heart a vendor you've just met at a wedding, but when Ashley Brokop and I got to talking this weekend, we dished about how our bride's style was what we both loved (photos to come, I promise)! Ashley is a former military combat photographer who has a knack for capturing every fleeting moment and apparently flattering lighting, too.

She's out of Columbia and available everywhere, these are a few of my favorite shots from her blog.

The wedding we worked together this weekend was at the Rice Mill and I'll post photos as soon as I get them!

On a side note, some of you who have been following and are wondering about my "Cotton Dock Bride" and all the posts leading up to the wedding which was scheduled for mid-May...unfortunately it won't be happening, and though I would have loved to create her perfect day, our thoughts go out, and I wish her the best in finding her happiness!

photos: Ashley Brokop

Out of this world!

Wowza, ever wonder how they party in other countries?! I've always wanted an inside look into how they throw weddings across the ocean.

Metrophotography is out of the Phillippines and this beautiful beach wedding took place in Boracay. Talk about sand in between your toes!

photos: Metrophotography, Amorphia Photography

Yum.

I've been so MIA. April had us working a lot and also catching up with family and friends to show off our new little baby toy. Back to the grind stone!!! Love the look of this pendant lamp, visualizing it for our next project, tent and party design for a Harbor Club reception. Think stylish Southern cosmopolitan Charleston peninsula party. It will be fun to work with beautiful Kendall in Michigan on her fabulous day.

Okay, way more soon, we've got weddings in the next few weeks at the Rice Mill and on Fripp Island!

Shoes....shoes...shoes, OMG, shoes

Most people say wearing a white wedding gown signifies purity, some say wealth, but what does your shoe color say about you? White gowns have a long history, but who said the slippers have to be white, too!

Lemon yellow can bring out your cheerful personality and whoever gets a glimpse of your pumps will know you love being happy!

Pink is the sweet side of red. Pink peep toe platforms will provoke passion with a pinch of playfulness (all about some awesome alliteration).

Red delicious shoes might tell people you LOVE love, something serious. You're and angel and a devil with canned heat in your heels all night.

Blue hues are calming and friendly. They may evoke feelings of stability. You'll have your lucky "something blue", and a reason to smile, as if getting married isn't reason enough.

Colorful shoe=modern bride.

photos: projectwedding.com

Over the River and Through the Woods

Ever go to a wedding and feel like you're running from place to place? Laura Hooper of LHCalligraphy based out of Northridge, California custom designs one of a kind maps for weddings or weekend getaways. You can map out an entire city with fun attractions for out of town guests, mark all the spots of your wedding festivities, or can be used to feature a couple's journey through life.


Laura also designs everything from place card holders to menu signs to invitations- check out her custom made compass place cards!



Laura's beautifully crafted designs have been featured in several wedding and event publications. Great idea for your guests to find their way around a new town!




Photos by: LHCalligraphy.com

Handy work

We received the hand made invitation suite for our client Jenny's wedding, awesome! She's so talented.

The recurring theme in the stationery has been the use of her and her fiance's silhouettes and the oversized ampersand which creates so much character and consistency.



She also kept things simple with the use of craft paper for her invitation envelope, invitation sleeve and response card envelope. This should go great with the Cotton Dock as their reception venue, and burlap used in the linens.