Peacock Events

Christine and Jeff - October 23, 2010

2011-02-02T20:02:00.027-05:00

There is only one was to describe Christine and Jeff - FUN!! I enjoyed every step of the planning process with them and would look forward to their visits to Charleston! Christine knew she wanted to use jewel tones, brought inspiration photos and then let us handle the rest! It turned out to be one of our most favorite weddings from the Fall! Here are a few of our favorite images from the day...Enjoy!

Christine and Jeff wanted to incorporate the Palmetto Moon throughout the entire wedding! They love South Carolina, Charleston and everything the state has to offer so we started with the wedding programs!

The couple exchanged their vows at Palmetto Presbyterian Church in Mt. Pleasant and then held their reception at The Lighthouse on Shem Creek!

The bride's bouquet, designed by Katie at Timeless Designs, was a beautiful mixture of ivory flowers, eucalyptus berries and lamb's ear greenery! The "silver" foilage was another way to bring in Christine's color palette of jewel tones!

The bridesmaids carried a smaller version of the bridal bouquet with the addition of cymbidium orchids to make them a bit different!

The groom's boutonniere was designed to compliment the bride's bouquet!

Christine was all smiles heading down the aisle on her father's arm!

Here the newly weds are making it legal by signing the marriage license!

While their guests enjoyed a sunset cocktail hour on the deck of the Lighthouse, Christine and Jeff snuck away to steal a moment over looking Shem Creek!

It seemed only fitting that the happy couple have their portrait taken next to the state tree - The Palmetto!

During the cocktail hour the guests enjoyed the sounds of Jazz by Two!

We decorated the Lighthouse with Silver Tuxedo Linen, Gold Ballroom Chairs, several veriations of centerpieces and candle light galore! I loved the way all the different jewel tones came together!

By keeping the cake's design simple it became a stand out in the room!

We added lanterns and crystal lamps to the existing bar to create a bit more of a lounge feeling!

By bringing in a black and white checkerboard dancefloor it showed the guest right where to dance the night away! It is amazing how much bringing in flooring can transfor a space!

Before the guests headed out the door, Christine and Jeff wanted to thank them for coming and let them know they were the "frosting" on their big day!

The couple set out on their new adventure in a white vintage rolls royce! Off to the future in style...

Thank you to all of our wonderful vendors who helped to make this event a huge success!

Photographer: Olive Productions (http://www.olivecharleston.com/)

Caterer: Granville's Catering (http://www.granvillescafeandcatering.com/)

Florist: Timeless Designs (http://www.timeslessdesignsonline.com/)

Rentals: Snyder Event Rentals (http://www.snydereventrentals.com/)

Cake: Elaine's Events (http://www.elainesevents.com/)

Cocktail Hour Music: Jazz by Two (http://www.archermusic.com/)

Reception Music: White Chocolate (http://www.eastcoastentertainment.com/)

2011 Bride's Choice Award

2011-02-02T18:03:00.003-05:00

Peacock Events is happy to announce that we were recently voted a recipient of the Bride's Choice Award for 2011 from the Wedding Wire!

To check out our profile on the Wedding Wire and several reviews from previous clients, please visit...

http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/peacock-events-charleston/68850d62ba8c9425.html

Thank you to all of our wonderful clients who allow us to be a part of their weddings and their lives!

Tara and Steve - The Daniel Island Club

2010-12-31T17:52:00.044-05:00

If I had to use one word to describe the planning process with Tara it would be detailed! Tara knew exactly what she wanted from the start and we worked together to make it happen! On September 5th, 2010 Tara and Steve exchanged their vows on the back lawn of the Daniel Island Club and then greeted their guests in a station style reception in the Club's ballroom! It was Peacock Events first time working with photographers Joey + Jessica out of North Carolina but we are hoping it won't be the last! Here are a few of our favorite images from the day...

Tara carried a beautiful bouquet designed by Katie at Timeless Designs! Throughout the day, we used several shades of pink and orange to really make our accent of chocolate brown pop!

Before heading out to the Daniel Island Club, Tara took the flower dog for a quick walk! You will notice even the pup got a floral garland to match the bride's bouquet!

Steve and his gentlemen looking sharp in their suits with pink ties!

The guests were greeted before the ceremony with sweet tea and pink lemonade!

We served the beverages in mason jars for a hint of Southern and of course we made sure the lemonade was pink to match our color scheme for the day!

The couple chose a natural slatted wood folding chair for the ceremony on the back lawn to compliment the outdoor feel that the marsh background provided!

Tara and Steve exchanged their vows over looking the beautiful view surrounded by their family and friends!

It's official!!

After the ceremony, the couple shared some private time down on the dock!

Then with the help of their officiate; Doug Farmer, Tara and Steve signed their marriage license!

The guests were able to enjoy the sunset at several umbrella tables dressed in chocolate linen during the cocktail hour!

We used chocolate leather furniture accented with hot pink pillows to make the covered patio area into a welcoming lounge!

The lounge area was accented with these footed aluminum side tables which added a touch of glamour to the outdoor seating areas!

Inside the ballroom, the guests were greeted by southern style food stations and the sounds of Two 3 Ways! The existing chandeliers were accented by hanging hot pink ribbons dotted with white orchids!

Throughout the night, the guests visited a photobooth and left a message for the bride and groom in their wedding "scrapbook!" This is always a crowd pleaser if you are looking for something fun for your guestbook!

Before the evenings end, we prepared cones of rose petals for the guests to toss during the departure!

And it was a beautiful exit!

Even in black and white!

Thank you to everyone involved in Tara and Steve's most special day!

Venue and Catering: The Daniel Island Club (www.danielisland.com/the-club/clubhouse-events/)

Photographers: Joey and Jessica Photography (http://www.joeyjessica.com/)

Florist: Timeless Designs (http://www.timelessdesignsonline.com/)

Rentals and Lounge: Snyder Event Services (http://www.snydereventservices.com/)

Officiate: Doug Farmer (http://www.charlestonweddingofficiant.com/)

Band: Two 3 Ways (http://www.otherbrotherent.com/)

Photobooth: Charleston Photobooth Rentals (http://charlestonphotoboothrentals.com/)

Kristin and Scott - July 2010

2010-12-13T14:16:00.026-05:00

You have heard the saying "it's a small world," well that could not have been more true in terms of how I came to work with Kristin and Scott! Kristin was the roommate of one of the bridesmaids in my husband's best friends wedding that I planned in November of 2009. Thankfully when Kristin and Scott became engaged that bridesmaid remembered me and put us in touch! Right from the beginning Kristin, Scott and I hit it off and spent the following months planning their summer nupitals at the beautiful Legare Waring House! Here are a few of my favorite details from the day...

If you were to ask Kristin, she would tell you that she loves all things preppy, so of course these polka dot shoes with ruffles were a must for her big day! The colors for the day were pecan brown, citadel blue and ivory! Needless to say these fun shoes were perfect!!

Kristin carried a bouquet of all white/ ivory gerber daisies hand wrapped with a monogramed sash! The monogram was stitched in citadel blue to match the color scheme for the day but also to serve as Kristin's "something blue" as she headed down the aisle!

The bridesmaids carried a mixed bouquet that featured white/ ivory gerber daisies and were hand wrapped in the sear sucker fabic we used on a several of the centerpieces!

The bridesmaids wore khaki, knee length, strapless gowns with a citadel blue sash and simple flip flops to finish the summer look!

The men in the wedding party wore khaki sear sucker suits which no Charleston summer wedding would be complete without!

Scott looked handsome and very happy waiting on his bride to arrive by his side!

And Kristin was all smiles heading his way...

Once Kristin walked down the aisle past the pewmarkers of hydrangea bunches, the couple stood beneath the Avenue of Oaks to exchange their vows!

After the ceremony, it was hard to keep the Bride from floating away to Cloud 9 but the groomsmen gave it a shot!

The happy couple took some time to steal a moment in front the beautiful gates entering the property!

As a way to make the historic home feel like a "family property," we displayed photos of the couple on the existing pieces of furniture!

Half of the floral arrangements were simple blue hydrangea mounds in vases wrapped with the reappearing sear sucker fabric! The tables were dressed in pecan bengaline linens which really made the flowers pop!

Beside the dancefloor we placed seagrass lounge seating sections for guests to relax on the dancing breaks!

The catering for the evening was brought in by Granville's Cafe and Catering! The imported cheese, fruit and lobster dip display was a huge hit!

The menu also featured an original "Key West" station that we designed just for the Bride's family!

Later in the evening, the happy couple shared in the traditional cake cutting while their family and friends look on!

And at the end of the night, the newly weds departed in the rain and headed to happily ever after!

To view all of the photos from Kristin and Scott's big day please visit http://www.redshutterstudio.com/lowewed/

Thank you to all of our vendors who helped to make this event a huge success...

Venue - The Legare Waring House - http://www.legarewaringhouse.com/
Catering - Granville's Cafe and Catering - http://www.granvillescafeandcatering.com/
Photographer - Red Shutter Studio - http://www.redshutterstudio.com/
Florist - Timeless Designs - http://www.timelessdesignsonline.com/
Cake - Elaine's Events - http://www.elainesevents.com/
Rentals - Snyder Event Rentals http://www.snydereventrentals.com/
Officiate - Doug Farmer - http://www.charlestonweddingofficiant.com/
Band - The Reality Show Band - http://eastcoastentertainment.com/artist/Reality_Show_Band.html

Misty and Adam - June 2010

2010-12-06T13:34:00.008-05:00

On this oh so cold afternoon it makes me think back to warmer times...specifically the June 2010 wedding of Misty and Adam over at the Ion Creek Club! They are a super fun couple who wanted the day to be meaningful yet easy for their guests to enjoy! I would say that they succeeded on both counts and had a beautiful wedding to boot! The couple married on the back lawn on the Ion Creek Club and then had an "indoor/outdoor" reception by the water! Here are a few images from Patrick Hall of Patrick Hall Photography…Enjoy!

Adam decided to arrive in style to the ceremony with all of his groomsmen!

Here comes the bride...Misty was escorted by her father carrying a bouquet of red gerber daisies ribbon wrapped in tiffany blue! The color combo was repeated throughout the event!

After the ceremony, the couple took a moment on the dock to enjoy being married!

And just to make sure the party was a hit, the bride led the way into the photobooth with her bridesmaids!

If you would like to see a slideshow with more images from the day please click here...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn0eVNhptpc&feature=player_embedded

Thank you to Misty and Adam for letting us be a part of your special day and thank you to Patrick Hall for capturing all the fun for us!

Jessica and Brian - William Aiken House

2010-11-29T10:24:00.020-05:00

In May 2010, after 10 years of dating, Jessica and Brian tied the knot at the William Aiken House! Jessica fell in love with the large Magnolia Tree in the middle of the William Aiken House grounds and from then forward we used it in every aspect of the day! Here are a few of my favorite images from the day...Enjoy!

Jessica was escorted down the aisle by her father holding a "once in a lifetime" magnolia bouquet designed by the very talented Katie at Timeless Designs!

The couple exchanged vows on the front lawn of the William Aiken House. The bridesmaids wore nany knee length gowns that complimented the navy table linens and the groomsmen wore classic black tuxes!

It's Official! Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Brian Hayes!

Nothing says Charleston like stopping traffic to dance in the street!

The centerpieces were elegant yet simple arrangements of hydrangea and magnolia leaves in antique silver urns surrounded by mercury glass votives.

After the ceremony, the guests enjoyed cocktail hour on the front lawn and the first floor of the historic home. The two ceremony altar arrangements that were full of magnolia leaves and hydrangea provided a lovely centerpiece!

Jessica and Brian selected a signature "Sugar Magnolia" cake designed by Elaine's Events (http://www.elainesevents.com/) to continue the magnolia theme.

Then Elaine designed this Citadel Bulldog groom's cake to make sure Brian's alma mater was represented in the evening.

And just to make sure the guests had enough sugar to keep the dancing going...we added a small candy display of jelly beans, sour patch kids, chocolate espresso beans and lollipops!

And what William Aiken House event would be complete without hanging lanterns in the grand Magnolia! It is a must!

A huge thank you to...

Red Shutter Studio - http://www.redshutterstudio.com/

The William Aiken House - http://www.williamaikenhouse.com/

Timeless Designs - http://www.timelessdesignsonline.com/

Elaine's Events - http://www.elainesevents.com/

Snyder Event Rentals - http://www.snydereventrentals.com/

So much to be THANKFUL for...

2010-11-24T15:34:00.006-05:00

We have finished up our 2010 event schedule and Thanksgiving is tomorrow, both which I am very excited about! 2010 brought Peacock Events amazing clients, a new assistant and so much to look forward to in 2011! We have so much to be thankful for this year!!

One big item I am especially thankful for and the reason for my recent blogging absence is that my husband Kyle and I are expecting our first child!! We are over the moon excited!! I am 22 weeks along and it is a little girl that is due on March 27th, 2011! She was "in tow" for all of our Fall events and seemed to be a natural! Here is the little "wedding planner" in waiting...

Starting this coming Monday, November 29th, I will be back in blogging mode and I am excited to show you some of the beautiful events we produced this past year!!

Have a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving!!

Lindsey and Chris - Cassique on Kiawah Island

2010-07-22T14:00:00.026-04:00

On April 24th, 2010 Lindsey and Chris had a beautiful wedding on Kiawah Island however it was much different than the wedding we set out planning over a year in advance. The happy couple was originally to be married at The Rivercourse at Kiawah Island however about 1 month before their big day the venue burned to the ground. (I know....gasp!!) After I called Linsdey and they had a moment to wrap their heads around it...the new wedding plans started to form. We had to move quick but thankfully Lindsey and Chris were as understanding as any couple could be about it and jumped right on board! So with plans in motion to make a bigger and better ceremony and reception at Cassique on Kiawah Island in motion, Lindsey and Chris decided to have a little fun with their "situation" and changed their entrance song into the reception to "Great Balls of Fire." So with smiles, on April 24, 2010 the couple had a beautiful ceremony and reception at Cassique! Here are a few of my favorite shots from the day! Enjoy!

Thank you to everyone involved who made this wedding a beautiful reminder that sometimes bad things happen to good people and love does conquer all!

Photographer: Heather Forsythe Photography (http://www.heatherforsythe.com/)

Here is what Chris (the groom) had to say about the process of losing your venue and starting all over 1 month before the big day...

"When our wedding venue burned down about a month before our wedding we were a little panicked to say the least. Somehow Emmy managed to break the news to my wife, keep her calm and assured her that everything would work out. She had answers for us, had already spoken to our vendors, refocused us and talked us through the next steps. She essentially took the reins and all we had to do was make a few decisions, Emmy took care of the rest. In the end, I’m happy to say, it worked out even better than we could have ever imagined and we have Emmy to thank for that! We literally re-planned everything. Emmy sent us options to choose from (flowers, new venue floor plan, changed from stations to sit-down dinner, décor, furniture rentals, draping for the tent, etc). We were here in NY so it was really hard for us to go and see everything, so we trusted Emmy’s input for everything. Without Emmy, I honestly don’t know what we would have done. We would recommend her to any couple looking for a wedding planner. On the day of the wedding, she worked the entire day and even though it was a busy day, she always kept a smile and had a great time. We didn't have to worry about anything like remembering to eat dinner, where to go for the pictures, when to get up for the cake cutting, etc. We were able to enjoy our wedding without worrying about a thing and we really have Emmy to thank for it all! Thank you Emmy, we don’t know how you did it but everything was amazing!! Lindsey keeps saying that she wants to do it all again exactly the same."

Rachel and Danny - The Governor Thomas Bennett House

2010-06-16T17:01:00.011-04:00

When I think about Rachel and Danny, I just sit back and smile! They were a fun couple right from the beginning! They wanted this wedding to be special and beautiful like every couple but they wanted their guests to have fun too...like "I am too tired to move from dancing last night" fun! Rachel and Danny thought long and hard about all the choices along the way! Even the color palette was fun...butter yellow, platinum gray and ivory in a Spring Garden! Rachel's dad would tell you it is the colors of Georgia Tech which is funny because Danny claims I got the job as the wedding planner because I am a Georgia Bulldogs fan like he is! I am just grateful I got to be a part of the fun from the first day of the rest of their lives...

Here are a few amazing photos from Ash Little who captured the day from every angle! You can check Ash out at http://www.ashlittle.com/

Rachel and Danny were married on site at the Thomas Bennett House! It is a beautiful venue in downtown Charleston that I consider to be a hidden gem! You can check them out at http://www.governorthomasbennetthouse.com/

The newly weds shared their first kiss under a beautiful arbor built by Katie with Timeless Designs. She also handle the rest of the floral for this wedding! You can find her at http://www.timelessdesignsonline.com/

And the dancefloor was always full! This crowd loved to dance and Quiana Parlor gave them something to dance about! You can find Quiana Parler and Friends at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Quiana-Parler-Friends-Band/140447951224

If you would like to see more of this wedding and the photos by Ash Little then please check out this video of the images from the day!

http://www.vimeo.com/12522541

Thank you to Rachel, Danny and their families for being so fun to work with and for letting us be a part of your day!

Introducing Ashley...

2010-06-09T11:18:00.004-04:00

I am so excited to introduce Ashley as the newest member of the Peacock Events team! I met Ashley several years ago through her then boyfriend Michael who I have known for years through his band Permanet Vacation. I then had the pleasure of helping the two love birds tie the knot in 2007! After their wedding, Ashley and I have kept up with each other and now she has come to work with me!

So I have asked Ashley to tell the world a few things we should know about her...

I was born and raised in the Low country. Clemson fans for life! I graduated from the College of Charleston in 2006 with a BS in Psychology, which I have already learned can come in handy in this industry! After three years of dating, I married my best friend, Michael Ruthsatz. I fell in love with him while watching him sing with his band at a local bar. His band also plays weddings! (Shameless Plug Here: http://www.pvacation.com/) My sister-in-law Christy, is also in the wedding industry! We make everything a family affair!

I wanted to come on board and be a part of Peacock Events after Emmy coordinated our wedding almost 3 years ago. She made every thing so personal and made my fairy tale come true. We suddenly knew we had chosen the best wedding planner in Charleston! (Sorry Christy!) I’m an Emily Post Etiquette Snob; often at the expense of jokes around the family dinner table; “How many etiquette books do you own?” I have a knack for small details; creating and noticing them. Why? Being thoughtful and adding small little things makes anyone feel extra special. My favorite color is pink! "Yes Mom, I know I’m a big girl now and that means everything I own cannot be pink," but I can and will sure try. Good thing my husband doesn’t mind much. We have two furry children; a 3 year old Chihuahua who is the Queen Bee of the household named Lillian Grace. Our other child is a rescued Border collie. I have a huge heart for strays and he just happened to be around our neighborhood one faithful Friday evening. We took him in on the screen porch overnight and he was ours forever but is more of a Daddy’s boy. We called him John Doe but finally JD just stuck.

So that is a little about me...I look forward to help make your event one to treasure as fondly as I did on my wedding day!

Kate and Grant - Pepper Plantation

2010-05-17T19:04:00.005-04:00

I met Kate when she was a wedding coordinator at Middle Place Plantation and we have kept up with each other over the years so it was an honor when she contacted me to help make her most special day run perfectly! The happy couple selected a Sunday in March at Pepper Plantation to exchange their vows surrounded by family and friends; and even though it rained off and on during the day, Kate and Grant were all smiles. Here are a few images from the very talented Patrick Hall of Patrick Hall Photography (www.patrickhallphotography.com)

To view the slideshow of the whole event please visit...

http://www.patrickhallweddings.com/charleston-wedding-photographer/kate-and-grant-wedding-at-the-pepper-plantation/

Thank you to Kate and Grant for letting me be a part of such a wonderful celebration and your lives!

Big Bang for Little Buck!

2010-05-06T21:54:00.004-04:00

I love spring! As a wedding planner, it is one of the busiest times of year and there is color everywhere! With weddings almost every weekend, I am constantly hearing brides talk about wanting something different for their wedding but how personalizing and detailing your wedding can be too expensive! Well I am here to tell you that you can personalize and detail your event without breaking the bank! Here are a few examples of how…

Use a Decorative Paper throughout the whole wedding…

You can ask your florist or wedding planner to cover cylinders or centerpiece containers in the paper or line the serving trays with it! Check out http://www.papermojo.com/ and http://www.paper-source.com/ for some great patterned papers. This is a great option to get major bank for buck!

Or you could have a monogram designed for your wedding and use it everywhere…

You could put it on koozies, napkins, stickers, welcome bags and so much more!
Check out http://www.marrymonograms.com/ or http://www.weddinglogodesigns.com/

Put out a basket of color coordinated flip-flops by the dance floor…

Try http://www.oldnavy.com/ for buying flip flops in bulk! Remember to order several different sizes!

Use throw pillows on existing venue benches or in your lounge area!

Check out www.zgalleries.com or www.cb2.com or Target, Marshall's or T.J. Maxx...

Remember it is not about how much you spend,
it is about how much thought and personality you put into it!

Denee and David - The French Huguenot Church and The Wickliffe House

2010-04-11T16:29:00.022-04:00

I am a little behind in posting this wedding but I wanted to make sure I could sit down and give it the time it deserved. Sometimes you meet a couple and instantly click…for me…this was the case with Denee and David. From our very first meeting they were so much fun to work with and it was clear that they wanted their wedding day to reflect their personal style and love for each other! The ceremony was held at The French Huguenot Church with the reception immediately following at The Wickliffe House. Denee and David’s wedding was clean and simple with a touch of vintage and a touch of modern. The ladies of Simply Bloom Photography were such a joy to work with and captured the day flawlessly! It was very hard for me to narrow down images for this blog entry! Enjoy…

Thank you to Denee and David for allowing Peacock Events to be a part of your most special day! I would also like to thank the vendors who helped make it all possible!

http://www.simplybloomphotography.com/ – Photography
http://www.frenchchurch.org/ - Church
http://www.wickliffehouse.com/ - Venue
http://www.mediterracatering.com/ – Catering
http://www.elainesevents.com/ - Cake
http://www.otherbrotherentertainment.com/ – DJ Services by Bryan Mahanes
http://www.snydereventrentals.com/ – Tents, Lighting, Tables, Linen, Chairs, ect.

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T08:46:00.004-04:00

I received this cute email from my mom and thought I would share it with you!

All I need to know I learned from the Easter Bunny...

Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
Everyone needs a friend who is all ears.
All work and no play can make you a basket case.
A cute tail attracts a lot of attention.
Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day.
Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits.
Some body parts should be floppy.
The grass is always greener in someone else's basket.
To show your true colors, you have to come out of the shell.

May the joy of the season fill your heart!
Happy Easter to you and your family!

The Lost Art of the Thank You Note...

2010-03-14T21:07:00.004-04:00

There is something so wonderful about opening your mailbox to find a beautiful piece of stationery containing a heartfelt note of gratitude! It is such a simple act that brings such joy to the person receiving it but it seems these handwritten notes are starting to be few and far between! Here are a few tips straight from Peggy Post that will hopefully make this task easier for you!

Ten Do’s and Don’ts of Thank You Notes

1.Do personalize your notes and make reference to the person as well as the gift.

2.Do remember that a gift should be acknowledged with the same courtesy and generous spirit in which it was given.

3.Do be enthusiastic, but don’t gush. Avoid saying a gift is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen unless you really mean it.

4.Don’t send form letters or cards with printed messages and just your signature; don’t use email or post a generic thank you on your wedding web site in lieu of a personal note.

5.Do promptly acknowledge the receipt of shipped gifts by sending a note right away or calling and following up with a written note in a day or two.

6.Don’t mention that you plan to return a gift or that you are dissatisfied in any way.

7.Don’t tailor your note to the perceived value of the gift; no one should receive a perfunctory note.

8.Do refer to the way you will use a gift of money. Mentioning the amount is optional.

9.Don’t include photos or use photo cards if it will delay sending the note.

10.Don’t use being late as an excuse not to write. Even if you are still sending notes a year later, keep writing!

The bottom line is, we have all let Emily Post down at one point or another! Just remember to keep it simple, be sincere, write from the heart and send it out as quickly as possible!

Happy Writing!

*The "Thank You" Note featured above can be found on www.paper-source.com

Furry Friends at the Wedding...

2010-03-01T09:24:00.009-05:00

Let’s face it – we all love our animals way too much!
I am crazy about our dog – General Patton!

So when my bride’s start to plan their most special day, they always ask, “How we can incorporate our family pet into the wedding?” Sometimes people want to have the pet at the wedding to participate in some way however logistics don’t always make this possible. Here are a few fun ways to include your furry family member in your most special day without having to break out the leash…

1. Postage: Perhaps you have an adorable photo of your pet that you can upload to www.zazzle.com and make it into custom postage for the save the dates or the invitations. This way each guest will receive the invite from the “whole” family!

2. Wedding Party: You could make the pet an honorary Bridesmaid, Groomsman, Flower girl or Ring bearer! You could take photos of the pets and frame them with a sign that says “Honorary Bridesmaids” and place them on the guestbook table where each guest can see your important family member!

3. Favors: Instead of having a traditional favor you could make a donation to your local animal shelter and then have your baker provide cookies in the shape of your pet with a tag that says “In Lieu of a favor, we have made a donation in your honor to Pet Helpers.”

Sarah and Matt - Lowndes Grove

2010-02-22T21:15:00.011-05:00

Today's mixture of sunshine and rain made me think back to a beautiful wedding that I planned last June! All day the setup for Sarah and Matt's wedding had gone so smooth then one hour before the outdoor ceremony the sky opened up. It was pouring rain but thankfully about 15 minutes before the guests were set to arrive the clouds broke and the sun came out. We brought out brooms, mops, towels and began the quick clean up and ceremony flip. We moved the ceremony chairs to a dryer location and with the beautiful background of the Ashley River we were able to still give them the outdoor wedding of their dreams…

Thank you to Renee Brock for sharing these beautiful images!
Check her out at www.reneebrock.com

L-O-V-E...

2010-02-14T10:44:00.013-05:00

Today is Valentine's Day and everyone has different ideas about how to celebrate! My husband and I usually do a card and nice dinner as our celebration! But on a holiday all about LOVE, I definately think back to our wedding day and how Blessed we were to be surrounded by LOVE! LOVE for each other, our families and our friends! Here are a few of my favorite images from our wedding day!

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you day is full of LOVE!!

Super Bowl Sunday Snacks that work at Saturday Night Affairs...

2010-02-01T20:06:00.008-05:00

When considering the menu, I encourage brides not to over think it! If you are drawn to a classic menu item then ask the caterer if there is a way to take that item, dress it up and serve it during cocktail hour! Your guests will appreciate a classic and you will get to eat something you love on your wedding day! Here are a few examples of some of my favorite snacks that could go from super bowl Sunday to a Saturday night affair…

Pigs in a Blanket…FISH Catering serves this favorite as Franks in a Puff Pastry served with whole grain mustard!
http://www.patpropllc.com/

Chicken Fingers…Good Food Catering serves this favorite as Pecan Encrusted Chicken Breast Strips marinated in bourbon & brown sugar, served with honey mustard sauce!http://www.goodfoodcatering.net/

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches…Granville’s Catering serves this favorite as Mini Vermont White Cheddar Pimiento Grilled Cheese Sandwich!
http://www.granvillescafeandcatering.com/

Chips and Dips…Hamby Catering serves this favorite as Hot Artichoke Dip with Melba Rounds! http://www.hambycatering.com/

The sky is the limit on this so be creative!

Once you have determined your menu with your caterer then it’s time to schedule the tasting! This is meant to be a fun part of the planning process and to give you a sneak peek at what you can expect to see at your wedding! On TV the tasting goes like this…the bride and her future spouse arrive, the caterer brings out each item, the happy couple takes one bite and everything is perfect…well here in real world every tasting is not going to go that smooth, items are not always going to taste just as you thought and you may decide you want to adjust the menu! THAT IS OK!! I always encourage brides to speak their minds at the tastings because this is the last time before the wedding to make sure everything taste perfect for your big day! For example, if something is too salty or not salty enough, say so! If you thought the size of something would be smaller or larger, say so! Any good caterer will appreciate the feedback because they want your wedding to be perfect for you and for you to be happy with the final product!

These are a few of my favorite things...

2010-01-19T11:12:00.007-05:00

I love taking an everyday item and repurposing it! It is fun to be creative with items and make them work for you! I tend to be drawn towards the pieces that feel more eclectic and vintage. Here are a few of my favorite things…

1.Mason Jars…they can be used as candle holders, favor jars or specialty cocktail glasses!

2.Cake Stands…they can hold centerpieces, family photos or favors! This would be really cute for a wedding, bridesmaid luncheon or rehearsal dinner too!

3.Tea Cups….they can be used as cake toppers or you could float a single bloom in one as an accent on tables! At my wedding, I used my grandmother's teacup as my cake topper as a way to honor her on my wedding day! I like to think she was there the whole day!

4.Birdcages…they can be used to hold cards on the gift table or as a guest book where each guest can leave wishes for the bride and groom! And thanks to spray paint we can make them match or compliment any color scheme!

5.Postcards…they can be used as fun save the dates, left in a welcome bag with the itinerary for the wedding weekend, or they can be at the wedding for guests to leave a message to be mail to the bride and groom later! It is always fun to drop those messages in the mail while the newly weds are on there honeymoon knowing that when they return they will have tons of loving messages waiting on them at their new home!

Have a Blessed day!

Something Old, Something New...

2010-01-11T20:20:00.013-05:00

If you have ever been in an bridal suite hours before a wedding then you have probably heard some variation of the saying "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue." Since this is a older tradition very few people these days realize that there is actually another sentence at the end of this saying. The whole saying is "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue. And a silver sixpense in her shoe."

The Something Old is meant to symbolize the bride's link to her family. Generally the "old" item is a piece of family jewelry or a piece of a family garment. Any bride would be luck to receive this pair of antique earrings.

The Something New is meant to symbolize good luck and success in their new marriage. Generally the "new" item is the wedding dress but can also be a wedding band or new jewelry that was purchased for the wedding. I adore this Anne Barge dress...

The Something Borrowed should be "given" to the bride by a happily married friend which will symbolize the friend giving some of their marital bliss to the bride to carry into their new marriage. It can be a piece of jewelry, a sorority pin to be pinned into the lining of the gown or a hankerchief that all of your friends have carried on their wedding day. I was a Kappa Delta at the College of Charleston so if I had "borrowed" a sorority pin it would have looked like this.

The Something Blue is meant to symbolize faithfulness and loyalty towards your husband. Traditionally the garter has the blue detailing but these days it can be found on shoes and under garments too!

The Sixpence in her shoe is meant to symbolize wealth and finicial security in the future. It is said that for the sixpence to bring the most luck it should be in the left shoe!

Have fun putting your "somethings" together!

Fresh Start...

2010-01-04T11:42:00.012-05:00

There are few things in life I enjoy more than a new year. The idea of a fresh start and a clean slate has alway excited me! When I was in school I always loved going to the store and picking out new school supplies that were going to help me be organized and efficient. There was and is something magical about making the first notes on a new page of a new book. Luckily for me, I work in a profession that allows me to make fresh notes on the new pages of bride's lives everyday!! Here are a few resolutions for wedding planning in 2010...

#1 Don't be afraid of color! You can use color in so many different ways from linen on tables and bars to throw pillows on lounges to cocktails in hand! Take your colors and milk them for all they are worth! If you are not sure about pairing colors then let the artists pave the way for you...check out a color wheel...you can use colors side by side together or you can use colors directly across the color wheel from each other!

#2 Be Inspired! Willie Wonka had it right when he said "if you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it." Inspiration is everywhere...a flower, a painting, an album cover, a throw pillow, a candy wrapper, ect. Here are a couple inspirations that I plan on using this year...

I love the mixture of rustic barrels and modern sofas!

I adore this painting by VanGogh - "Peach Tree in Bloom." I can see ice peach linens with natural wood chivari chairs with mercury glass containers spilling with white and ivory blooms. I can see using branches to display placecards
and having baskets of fresh peaches as favors...

#3 Learn something NEW everyday! When you are planning a wedding it is the perfect time to do research and really to ask questions! You could sign up for a subscription to a new wedding magazine, read a new blog every week, attend a local truck show or just take notice at an event you attend! When I attend an event, I am looking at everything from the lighting to the flowers to the trays the food is passed on!

#4 Be 10 Minutes Early! Always a good rule of thumb. It shows respect for the person you are meeting or the appointment you have and it will keep your heart rate down because you won't be stressed about being late causing you to be healthier in the long run!

#5 Make it personal! Your personality is reflected in your home, your clothes and should definately be reflected in your wedding! Take a moment and make a list of some of the special moments in your relationship...where did you get meet, where did you get engaged, was there a special treat that he always brought you, ect? Then find a way to bring those items into the wedding. For example, my husband (Kyle) and I met at the Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store so as a surprise I had the Piggly Wiggly Mascot at the rehearsal dinner to greet guests!

The most important thing to keep in mind when starting a new year or a new chapter of your lives...look around and be thankful for the Blessings each day brings!!

Thank you for an amazing 2009 and best wishes for an amazing 2010!!

Jill and Michael - The Historic Rice Mill Building

2009-12-29T12:04:00.014-05:00

5 Days before Thanksgiving Jill and Michael were surrounded by family and friends at The Historic Rice Mill Building and they had plenty to be thankful for…especially the weather! It was November 21st in Charleston but it felt like June and the sky was an amazing blue! The couple exchanged vows on the back patio of the Rice Mill Building where 115 guests were seated comfortably in slatted wood chairs. The pew markers were fabric sashes that matched the linen on the entrance and cake tables. It was a beautiful service and “the force” was definitely with them since Jill had her childhood Princess Leia doll tied to her bridal bouquet as her something old. After the ceremony, guests were greeted with a cocktail hour and a stations reception with the catering provided by Good Food Catering. Jill wanted every guest to have a seat so we did family style rectangular tables where guests were assigned a specific table but could then sit at any seat within that table. The menu included a Wadmalaw Island Mixed Green Salad with julienned vegetables, blueberries, candied pecans and vidalia onion vinaigrette; Deep Fried Turkey with giblet gravy; Brown Sugar and Dijon glazed ham studded with mustard greens; Lowcountry Shrimp & Grits, Sweet Potato Puree with candied pecans, Roasted Asparagus and Sauteed Julienned Vegetables. Yummy!! Needless to say if anyone left hungry it was their own fault! :0) After dinner the guests danced the night away to the sounds of DJ Rob Duren and enjoyed a slice of heaven from Elaine’s Events – Cakes of Distinction. Best wishes to Jill and Michael and thank you for letting Peacock Events be a part of your special day! Thank you to Rod and Tara at Red Shutter Studio for capturing the evening and sharing these images…

The beautiful Historic Rice Mill Building!

The bridal bouquet with Princess Leia as Jill's "something old."

The groom's boutonniere!

The bridesmaid bouquets!

The family style rectangular seating with lanterns and floral centerpieces!

The lottery ticket favor tree...there was a sign that stated that since Jill and Michael were lucky in love each guest should take a ticket to try their own luck...it was a big hit!

The Magnolia Cake was made and designed by

Elaine Mincey of Elaine's Events!

The happy couple and their bridal party in front of the Rice Mill Building!

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Lear

Best wishes in the future and thank you for letting us

be a part of your special day!!

The vendors I mentioned above can be found at the following sites...

The Historic Rice Mill Building and Good Food Catering

http://www.goodfoodcatering.net/

Elaine's Events

http://www.elainesevents.com/

DJ Rob Duren

http://www.robduren.com/

Red Shutter Studio

http://www.redshutterstudio.com/

7 Months Ago Today...

2009-12-02T11:24:00.011-05:00

It's crazy to think that 7 months have passed since Ashley and Craig were married! On May 2nd, 2009 a new chapter of their lives began and I was lucky to be a part of it. They held their ceremony and reception at Kiawah Island's Rivercourse. Ashley wanted a simple and beautiful wedding so we decided on a color palette of ivory/white, navy blue and hot pink. The talented Heather Forsythe photographed the wedding and shared these stunning images...enjoy...

6 Months Ago Today...

2009-11-23T14:39:00.015-05:00

6 Months ago today I was happy to be working at the William Aiken House on Stacy and Justin's wedding day! It was a wonderful and beautiful day. Stacy and Justin were married on property at the coy pond, followed by a cocktail hour and seated dinner for their guests. Stacy and Justin knew exactly what kind of wedding they were looking for and thankfully they chose me to bring their vision to life. Their photographer, Liz Duren, was a pleasure to work with and captured the following details and moments from the day...enjoy...

Please check out some of the vendors on this wedding at...

Photography

http://www.lizduren.com/

Florist - Branch Design Studio

http://www.branchdesignstudio.com/

Venue - The William Aiken House

http://www.patpropllc.com/

Tents, Linen, Chair Rentals - Snyder Event Rentals

http://www.snydereventrentals.com/

Stacy and Trevor - St. Luke's Chapel and The Rice Mill Building

2009-11-09T16:40:00.016-05:00

Stacy and Trevor were married on September 26, 2009 at St. Luke's Chapel followed by a celebration at The Historic Rice Mill Building! Stacy and Trevor were wonderful to work with and wanted to make sure their guests had an amazing time! They loved the color purple and we decided to embrace it throughout the whole wedding including the bridesmaid dresses! Thank you to Tracy Turpen (www.tracyturpen.com) for capturing every detail...Here are a few images to enjoy...

Stacy and Trevor in one of their cute engagement pictures...

Stacy looking fierce in one of her bridal portraits...

The newly weds signing their marriage license...

The wedding party...

The couple by the marina behind the Rice Mill Building (http://www.goodfoodcatering.net/)

Kissing by the cake...thank you to Elaine's Events (http://www.elainesevents.com/)

Meghan and Josh - The William Aiken House

2009-10-02T12:47:00.009-04:00

Where to I even begin...there are too many wonderful things to say about this couple and their wedding! Meghan and Josh were so much fun and we had a blast planning their late August wedding at the William Aiken House! I just received a sneak peak of their wedding pictures from their photographer and thought I would let the photos do the talking...Enjoy!

Meghan and her dad before the ceremony!

Josh before the ceremony with his mom in the reflection of the mirror!

A Moment Alone...
the newly weds standing where just hours before the said "I do!"
By suspending a piece of fabric we were able to make the beautiful pergola
into a chuppah to represent Josh's Jewish heritage!

Mr. and Mrs. Murphy steal a kiss under a beautiful
Magnolia Tree dripping with candle light!

As always the William Aiken House and their staff were a pleasure to work with and I highly recommend this venue! Check them out at www.williamaikenhouse.com

Thank you to Brady with My Favorite Memory for the beautiful images I can't wait to see the rest!! Check Brady out at www.myfavoritememory.com

Say Yes To Picking A Dress...

2009-09-23T22:36:00.007-04:00

Today's post is all about wedding fashion! Every bridal magazine is filled with hundreds of ads displaying mouth watering designs for bridal dresses and while it can be exciting it can also be overwhelming! As if picking out "THE DRESS" for yourself isn't hard enough then you have to pick out a beautiful gown for your closest girl friends to wear and feel comfortable in! Lucky for all of us...there is help! Katherine Mullins McDonald, one of my favorite bridal designers, is actually a local gal and one of my previous brides! Her company LulaKate offers silk dupioni, shantung, chiffon and seersucker dresses in a plethora of colors and styles and their gowns are designed, made-to-order and sewn locally to make sure each dress is perfect! You can visit http://www.lulakate.com/ to see all of the beautiful options!

In my wallet, I carry a little card that say "Over the years I have learned that what is important in a dress is the woman wearing it." The quote is by Yves Saint Laurent and my mother sent me this card when I got engaged and I just think it is a wonderful message to all Brides and women!!

These beautiful images are from Juliet of Juliet Elizabeth Photography - who I love!! If you are in need of a super fun and talented photographer or if you just want to find inspiration then do yourself a favor and check out her at http://www.julietelizabethblog.com/

10 Items Every Bride (or wedding planner) should have on Hand on the BIG Day!

2009-09-02T15:18:00.007-04:00

1. Bobby Pins and Safety Pins
2. Shout Wipes
3. Travel First Aid Kit
4. Lint Brush
5. Manicure Set
6. Tums
7. Travel Sewing Kit – including scissors
8. Feminine Hygiene Products
9. Tylenol
10. Deodorant

You can purchase "survivial kits" or make your own!

If you decide to purchase we recommend you visit http://www.mrandmrs.com/

They have a kit for every occasion!

Blast from the Past!

2009-08-27T09:37:00.011-04:00

Since it is the end of August and people are starting to talk about the Fall I thought I would share some photos from a past Fall wedding! And since Peacock Events is producing a wedding this weekend at the William Aiken House it seemed only fitting to feature a Fall wedding at that venue! Kristin and Greg were married last October and they totally embraced fall colors, candle light and even football! Enjoy!

Thank you to the William Aiken House (www.williamaikenhouse.com) and staff for another flawless event and to My Favorite Memory (www.myfavoritememory.com) for the beautiful images!

Julie and Bob - Trinity United Methodist Church & Hibernian Hall

2009-08-13T23:04:00.012-04:00

In the wedding business it is rare that we get repeat clients however sometimes we get lucky enough to be involved in the weddings of siblings! It is always fun because you already know the family! This was the case for on June 27th with Julie Young because I was involved in her brother Brett’s wedding in 2006! Julie and Bob were married at Trinity United Methodist Church and then celebrated at Hibernian Hall with more than 300 family and friends. Here are a few of the images…

Tie It Together...

2009-07-26T21:05:00.003-04:00

With brides thinking of every detail of their special day it is important not to forget that a tie is a great way to make the groomsmen coordinate with the rest of the wedding party and decor! There are a ton of wonderful vendors out there for stylish ties but I ran across a couple of my favorites this weekend and thought I would share...

Best of luck shopping with...

Tiecraftershttp://www.tiecrafters.com/

Me and Matildahttp://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5213706

The Tie Barhttp://www.thetiebar.com/

Duties of the Father of the Bride...

2009-07-20T11:42:00.002-04:00

A recent father of the bride took me to the side and asked me a question…he said “I’ve never been the father of the bride before. Besides walking her down the aisle, what am I suppose to do?” He brings up a good point that if you have never been the father of the bride you most likely don’t know what is expected of you during the wedding process. So I have listed some items here that should be discussed with dad before the big day…

Budget – In the past, the father of the bride paid for all or a large portion of the wedding expenses. These days the contributors to the wedding budget are ever changing but you should at least have a conversation with your dad about the budget early into the engagement so everyone will be on the same page.

Attire – The father of the bride should dress to match or coordinate with the other gentlemen in the wedding party.

The Walk – The father of the bride should walk his daughter down the aisle and give her away.

Speech – The father of the bride should give the first speech. This speech is a welcome, a thank you and a please enjoy yourself all wrapped up in one. Usually the father of the bride welcomes the groom and his family into their family and then shares something sweet about the bride.

Dance – After the newlywed couple has their first dance, it is traditional that the father of the bride and the bride have a special dance.

Keep in mind that these are the traditionally duties and that you can do it anyway you like because it is your wedding day but these are at least some items to talk over with your dad.

NEW WEBSITE!

2009-07-07T16:18:00.002-04:00

We are so excited to have launched the new website!

www.peacockeventscharleston.com

We would like to thank Mike with Migrating Eye for
the beautiful layout and design of the site!

You can connect with Mike at www.migratingeye.com

Melissa and Brian - The William Aiken House

2009-06-25T22:29:00.008-04:00

Pink, Champagne and Happy all over! This wedding was simple, sweet and thoughtful. Melissa and Brian chose a color scheme of Ice Pink, Champange, Yellow and Ivory which really complimented the venue (http://www.williamaikenhouse.com/). The guys wore sear sucker suits with pink ties and the ladies wore pink strapless tea length gowns. Melissa chose to incorporate birds throughout in remembrance of her grandmother. Please enjoy a few of the details…

Melissa and her father about to walk down the aisle...

Brian, the groom, in his Charleston Wedding Attire...

The sweet and artful "lovebirds" cake
by Elaine's Events (http://www.elainesevents.com/)

Pink floral balls hanging from the Magnolia Tree...

Melissa bouquet up close...notice the bird...in honor of her grandmother...

A moment alone...

Thank you Red Shutter Studio for the wonderful images from this wedding!

Check them out at http://www.redshutterstudios.com/

Jennifer and John - Stella Maris Catholic Church and Ion Creek Club

2009-06-25T22:06:00.006-04:00

Jennifer and John were married on Friday, May 15th, 2009. The couple love Charleston and really wanted their guests to experience the Lowcountry at it's best! Jennifer and John wed at Stella Maris Catholic Church on Sullivan's Island and then headed to Ion Creek Club to dance the night away. Together we hired Hamby Catering to wow taste buds of their guests and stocked the bar with Sweet Tea Vodka. Jennifer chose a color scheme of hot pink, celery green and black....here is a sneak peak...

Thank you to Red Shutter Studios for sharing these wonderful images...

Check them out at www.redshutterstudio.com...

Maggie and Scott - First Scots Presbyterian Church & Gibbes Museum of Art

2009-06-25T21:33:00.005-04:00

Maggie and Scott were especially fun to work with on their wedding! I have known Scott, the groom, since we were in middle school so I was thrilled to help his bride-to-be plan the wedding of their dreams. It just so happens that Maggie dreams in pink!

Enjoy the details from their May 9th, 2009 wedding…

This is Maggie's bouquet...

This is Maggie and Scott before entering the reception...
I loved the pink gerber balls on the stairs....

Check out the bridesmaid shoes...

they looked great with the pink dresses the girls wore...

Here is a view of the band tent before the guests entered...

At the end of the night...
the couple had a colorful rose petal send off...

Thank you to Olive Productions for a sneak preview of the wonderful images!!

Check them out at http://www.olivecharleston.com/

May 2nd, 9th, 15th, 16th, 23rd and 24th...

2009-05-17T18:43:00.002-04:00

Needless to say May is definately wedding season and I am so Blessed to be invited to be a part of 6 weddings this month! Congrats to Ashley and Craig, Maggie and Scott, Jennifer and John, Amanda and Angelo, Stacy and Justin, and Melissa and Brian! I will be posting photos and thoughts from all of these as soon as my feet hit the ground again. Stay tuned...

Oh Snap!! Is that a photobooth?

2009-04-26T15:39:00.015-04:00

Why yes it is! Couple's are always looking for creative guestbook ideas and I highly recommend having a photo booth! Your guests have a blast and the end result it priceless!

And if you are adventurous...add props...

Please visit www.ohsnapphotobooth.com for more information!

Denise and Andy - The William Aiken House

2009-04-26T15:03:00.025-04:00

Last Friday, 4/24/08, Denise and Andy were married at the William Aiken House! It was a perfect Spring Day in Charleston...beautiful weather, a happy couple and a timeless setting. We used the colors red, champagne and tiffany blue to make the historic venue pop! Here is a sneak peak of the event…

Thank you to all of my wonderful vendors who were involved - The William Aiken House, Red Shutter Studio, OK Florist, Elaine’s Events, Snyder Event Rentals and Lounge, Chris Teves, and Loose Chain.

Sarah and Alex - The Historic Rice Mill

2009-04-20T22:26:00.007-04:00

Last weekend, 4/18/2009, Sarah and Alex were married at the Historic Rice Mill Building! Definitely one of my most favorite weddings ever! What a fun couple and rich color scheme! Sarah chose the theme of "purposely haphazard" and the colors of ice peach, orange and royal blue to incorporate throughout the venue! Annie with A New Leaf Studio created 2 orange trees to mark the ceremony site, and then accented the floral centerpieces with the oranges as well to tie it all together. The color scheme also showed up on the "Scoop Your Own" candy display with gummy orange slices, blue raspberry airheads, orange jelly beans and blue m&m's. Can't wait to share some of the images when they are up and ready but here is a sneak peak from my camera!

I would like to thank all of the wonderful vendors involved...The Historic Rice Mill Building, Good Food Catering, A New Leaf Studio, Elaine's Events, Oh Snap! Photobooth, Lea Dales Photography, Two 3 Ways, and Events by Duvall Lounge Furniture!

We've moved...

2009-03-27T21:18:00.009-04:00

Peacock Events has moved to a new downtown office!!! We are now located at 44 Morris Street and would love for you to stop by and check out the new space whenever you have a chance…

2008 in Review...

2009-03-27T20:31:00.000-04:00

2008 was a big year for Peacock Events and for me personally. I coordinated and designed 30 rehearsal dinner/weddings and I married the man of my dreams! It was very exciting to experience being the bride and the entire planning process! Now I feel like I can understand and relate to my brides more than ever before! I look forward to 2009 and hope all of you will come along for the ride...