Monday, January 11, 2010

Something Old, Something New...

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!

Monday, January 4, 2010

Fresh Start...

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!!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Jill and Michael - The Historic Rice Mill Building

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
Elaine's Events
DJ Rob Duren
Red Shutter Studio

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

7 Months Ago Today...

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...









Monday, November 23, 2009

6 Months Ago Today...

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/

Monday, November 9, 2009

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

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/)


Friday, October 2, 2009

Meghan and Josh - The William Aiken House

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