“The Big Kahuna” & “Delic” & Braedon – Wedding Highlights with Super 8mm from Life Stage Films

I’m from South Carolina originally and the low-country has a special place in my heart. There’s no other place quite like it – from the smell of the pluff mud to the egrets flying overhead to the Spanish moss blowing in the wind. When Andy and I got engaged we had to decide where to get married – and we had some great options. His family is a Partner in Lambert Bridge Winery in Northern Sonoma – so we could have had a wine country wedding or we could have chosen Atlanta where I was currently living. But after much debate we decided we wanted to share Fripp Island, South Carolina with all our friends and family.

It turned out better than we could have ever imagined. Our goal was to surround ourselves with all the people we loved and create memories that would last a life time. The time was filled with magical sunsets, dolphins, seashell hunting, low-country boils, oysters and bbq, cruising around on golf carts and bikes, cocktails …. all cumulatting with a sunset wedding overlooking the marsh. The sun broke through the clouds as we said our vows and then we all moved on to the reception at the Beach Club where the entire crew danced the night away to the sounds of GrooveTown!

It was a week we’ll never forget – made all the more special by the people that were standing by our sides. My Aunt and Uncle that live on Fripp surprised us with a guest appearance by author Pat Conroy at our rehearsal dinner . I’m still in shock… I cherish his books and go to them when I’m missing that special part of the world. Here’s the toast he presented us with:

“I would like to propose a toast to the bride, Paige Price and her very carefully selected groom, Andy Wilcox. I first came to Fripp Island in the summer of 1961 on a fishing trip with a Marine Colonel as his son. I had no idea by coming to this island before it had a bridge or a single house that I was stepping into my own fate. Five generations of Conroys have walked on this magic island which has always seemed a portion of paradise to me and a Hog Heaven to the Price family. Who could know that Paige Price, a woman who was extremely picky about men, would find her man waiting for her at the Lambert Bridge Winery in the other wing of paradise in Sonoma Valley, California. A love that spent her girl-hood on the beaches of Fripp and finds her bliss working among the grapes and the vines of one of the splendidly beautiful vineyard of Sonoma is a lucky love indeed. What story book ending is better than a southern belle hooking up with a man who spends his life making superb California wines – who could doubt such a vintage. Paige and Andy, tonight you are embarking on a new fate and a new beginning. All of us present tonight are part of your fate. I’m now part of your fate and you are the owners of the first written toast I’ve ever given on Fripp Island. Be happy for the rest of your lives.”

Cinematography: Life Stage Films / Ceremony Location: Ocean Creek Golf Course / Ceremony Coordinator: Becca McCoy / Reception Location: Fripp Island Beach Club / Entertainment: Groovetown / Photography: Jeremie Barlow / Catering: Proof of the Pudding / Floral Design: Laura’s Carolina Florist

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Post tags: Becca McCoy, Coldplay, Fripp Island, Fripp Island Beach Club, Groovetown, Highlight Films, Jeremie Barlow, Laura's Carolina Florist, Life Stage Films, Neutral Color Palette, Ocean Creek Golf Course, Proof of the Pudding, South Carolina, Southern Weddings, Super 8, Wedding Cinematography
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Cinematography

David and I had been dating long distance for about a year and a half. We had talked about getting married, but wanted to be sure he would be able to move closer to me before we took the plunge. After searching and waiting, he finally got a promotion within his company that would allow him to move. Shortly after, we went on a weekend trip to the mountains with another couple we are friends with. We spent most of the weekend enjoying the peace and quiet at their cabin.

On Saturday afternoon David (a part time photographer) mentioned that he wanted to take some pictures of the sunset since it had turned out to be a beautiful day. So we bundled up and took off to the top of the mountain. When we arrived to the top, he started taking various pictures and kept walking toward this particular tree that he has always been fascinated with. When we got close enough, he told me to turn around. When I did there was the ring box hanging from one of the branches. I turned back around to find him down on one knee holding the ring! We toasted to our future with the champagne and strawberries he had waiting, then our friends, Madison and Ashley, came up to join us and take some pictures. After calling our family and friends we capped off the night with an amazing dinner that they had cooked. It was perfect!

David and I both have so many friends and family from all over the country, so in the beginning we contemplated having a destination wedding. After a while, it became evident that we did not have enough time to plan like we would want. My parents have a beautiful property and graciously offered to have it there. Ultimately, knowing it was FREE and that I wouldn’t have to travel the week before the wedding helped to make the decision. Plus, I knew it would be special to have it in the small town where I grew up.

Since the engagement, my mom and I had spent quite a lot of time on Style Me Pretty. There were so many great ideas out there, and I just couldn’t decide. Once we decided we were having the wedding at my parents’ home, I knew everything needed to fit into the outdoor/garden/Southern look of the property, but I didn’t want it to look like I had a specific “theme”. This actually seemed to help becuase it gave me so many more options than being limited to one look or set of ideas. I eventually decided that I wanted to use mason jars for the centerpieces. I thought they were the perfect way to add a Southern touch. Luckily, we were able to get enough of the blue mason jars to add some extra color. I knew this would be perfect with the salmon colored bridesmaid dresses I had picked. After that, I just started picking the things I liked and figured out how to make them work, and everything came together perfectly.

I didn’t want our wedding to be just another wedding that people went to. I wanted our guests to really enjoy themselves and share in our happiness, so we tried to add as many personal touches as possible. We did several signs around the ceremony and reception. The main one in the middle of the reception area started out just as a sign to point the way to different areas of the party (dance floor, restrooms, etc). Then we thought it would be cute to make it more personal. David and I love to travel together so there were signs highlighting several of the places we had been or were going to…..Savannah, GA, Cape Cod, and Greece (our honeymoon destination). We also had a station where guests could leave us a note to read on various anniversaries in the future. Just about everything had some sort of personal touch or meaning. I also wanted everything to be unique. I made DIY programs that were completely “out of the box” and non-traditional. We also had a local gospel choir to sing before the ceremony started.

We actually had my dad join the minister and perform parts of the ceremony. It was so special to have him marry us. After he pronounced us man and wife, the gospel choir sang “Oh Happy Day” as we walked back down the aisle.

The mother of one of my bridesmaids volunteered to do a photo booth as a surprise for the two of us. She even made the backdrop and found all the props. This turned out to be a huge hit, and now we have so many great photos of all our guests.

As much as I didn’t want to, I let some of the wedding day stress get to me. So one of the best moments was when David and I had our “first look” before the ceremony. When I saw the look on his face I immediately felt at ease.

Photography: Chris & Adrienne Scott, Photographers / Flowers: Jonathan Kendrick / Ceremony and Reception Location: Bride’s parent’s house / Invitations: Robin E Designs / Shoes: Target / Dress: Martina Liana from Low’s Bridal / Hair: Scott Little from Haute Heads / Makeup: Anna Sellers / Rings & Pearl Earrings: Mednikow Jewelers / Suits: Jos A. Banks / Ceremony Music: United Voices of Anointance Choir / Reception Music: Magi / Cake: Dinah Fewell of Take the Cake / Cupcakes: HaliHannigan’s Cupcakery / Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale from Bella Bridesmaid

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Post tags: Amsale Bella Bridesmaid, Anna Sellers, Bells, Burlap, Chinese Lanterns, Chris & Adrienne Scott, Color Palette Coral Blue, Cupcakes, Dina Fewell, HaliHannigan's Cupcakery, Haute Heads, Jonathan Kendrick, Jos A Bank, Low's Bridal, Magi, Martina Liana, Mason Jars, Mednikow Jewelers, Outdoor Ceremonies, Outdoor Weddings, Photographers, Robin E Designs, Rustic Chic, Scott Little, Southern Weddings, Take The Cake, Target, Tennessee, Tented Receptions, United Voices of Anointance Choir, Wedding Photography
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Photography

Joseph and I met while he was in Law school and I was in graduate school. We met in passing on a sidewalk. He was wearing a West Virginia hat, so I stopped to ask him if he was from WV. I am originally from WV and it turned out he was too. The conversation ended with him asking for my phone number so we could get together and watch some WVU football games together. A week later he asked me out on our first date. I surprised him with a grooms cake that was a WV hat, since his hat was the whole reason we met. We were together three years before we were engaged and were engaged for year before we got married. He proposed while we were on a bike ride on Kiawah Island. 

I fell in love with the Governor Thomas Bennett House for a few reasons. It’s courtyard and gardens were perfect for the outdoor ceremony we dreamed of and for a dance tent. I loved that my guests could enjoy dinner on the piazza and inside the beautiful Charleston style mansion.

The hardest part of planning the wedding for me was choosing colors. I fell in love with a fabric pattern that was green so we planned the entire wedding theme based on that fabric. Cindy did an awesome job at taking my vision of a wedding with a vintage feel and incorporating the pattern into so many details. Every detail and event of the day was even more beautiful than I had imagined. My favorite part of the day was walking with my dad down the aisle to meet Joseph in front of the fountain in the courtyard to exchange our vows.

Photography: Liz Duren Photography & Setup Shots By Collette Mruk Photography / Flowers: Judy Johnston, Engaging Events / Event Planning & Design: Engaging Events / Ceremony & Reception Location: The Governor Thomas Bennett House / Cake: Elaine’s Events / Catering: Good Food Catering / Band: Soul Fish / Linens: Connie Duglin Linens & BBJ Linens

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Post tags: BBJ Linens, Charleston, Collette Mruk Photography, Color Palette Green Pink, Connie Duglin Linens, Elaine's Events, Engaging Events, Good Food Catering, Liz Duran Photography, milk glass, Outdoor Ceremony, Outdoor Wedding, Plantation Wedding, Preppy, Preppy Chic, Preppy Wedding, Soul Fish, South Carolina, Southern Weddings, Succulents, The Governor Thomas Bennett House, Vintage Chic, Wedding Flowers, Wedding Planners & Designers
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Vintage Chic

After spending months searching for the perfect ring, I set out in route for Charleston on Friday, November 5th. Kate new that we were planning to go to Charleston for the weekend, but she thought we were going to celebrate homecoming at The Citadel with friends. Once we got there, we spent time together walking the streets of Charleston and reminiscing on all of the fun times we spent there. When it was time for dinner, I surprised her by driving outside of town to Middleton Place Plantation where we had reservations at their restaurant. Kate and I have always had a special place in our heart for Middleton Place, and we spent many a nights walking the grounds, sipping wine until the sun went down before heading over for dinner at the restaurant. At one point, this was a date we would have together on almost a weekly basis. Dinner was outstanding, and afterward I proposed to Kate on the plantation. It was beautiful, and she said yes!

The inspiration for our wedding was the venue itself! The simplicity of Middleton Place was really the inspiration behind all wedding colors and style. The bridesmaid’s dresses were sable to compliment the greenery around the plantation. I chose lime green, poppy, and gold as colors for the ceremony and reception.   We incorporated moss in the big S hanging behind the wedding cake and also had moss covered pots with floral arrangements on many of the tables. We had poppy colored linens on almost all tables and had a poppy and gold striped stage skirt. That was one of my favorite touches.

It is a Citadel tradition to have the Sword detail consisting 6 Citadel Cadets creating an archway of swords for us to walk under as we exit the ceremony aisle.

Stacey, Missy and the entire crew at Red Letter Events made the entire evening truly magical.They were right by my side if I ever needed them and made the evening seem effortless! Throughout the planning, Stacey listened to my thoughts and dreams and helped to make them a reality.  It was perfect!

Planner: Red Letter Events / Ceremony: Butterfly Lakes at Middleton Place / Reception: Pavilion at Middleton Place / Caterer: Duvall Catering / Bar: Duvall / Ceremony Music: Classical Charleston / Reception Music: Gentlemen & Their Lady / Photographer: Captured by Kate / Florist: Lotus / Pastry: Ashley Bakery / Rentals: Duvall, Eventworks, PDA Lighting, & BBJ Linens / Bride Dress: Monique Lhuillier / Bridesmaid Dress: Badgley Mischka

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Post tags: Ashley Bakery, Badgley Mischka, BBJ Linens, Black Tie, Captured by Kate, Charleston, Classic, Classical Charleston, Duvall, Duvall Catering, EventWorks, Gentlemen & Their Lady, Lotus, Middleton Place, Military Wedding, Monique Lhuillier, Neutral Color Palette, Outdoor Ceremony, Outdoor Wedding, PDA Lighting, Plantation Wedding, Red Letter Events, South Carolina, Southern Weddings, Sparklers, Traditional Elegance, Wedding Cakes, Wedding Planners & Designers
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Traditional Elegance

From Southern Event Planners … Guests traveled from all over the country to be a part of Amanda and Erik’s wedding day. They were greeted at the hotels with goodie bags that included a bunch of Memphis favorites: GooGoo Clusters, Goody’s Powder, Elvis Postcards, Jelly Krimpet TastyKakes, an itinerary of the wedding, and brochures from local museums and tourist attractions.

Amanda and Erik met at a sushi restaurant in Las Vegas, Nevada where they both lived. A year and a half later, Erik proposed at the top of the Stratosphere…or as they like to call it “the top of the world.” For their wedding, they knew it would be a requirement to incorporate the elements of Las Vegas. Amanda grew up in Memphis, Tennessee and that’s where she wanted to be married. Planning this wedding from afar was nothing new to Southern Event Planners, and the details were quickly worked out in the first few visits.

It was important to Amanda and Erik that the adult guests of their wedding could enjoy the celebration, so they hired an event sitting service to watch the children. The sitters brought activities and gift boxes for each child, and the parents were free to have fun!

The ceremony was held in the Japanese Garden overlooking the lake at the Memphis Botanic Gardens. A guitar and violin duo serenaded the crowd as the family and bridal party entered and took their places. Amanda looked stunning and overjoyed as she made her way down the aisle to her future husband. One of Amanda’s closest friends sang “Songbird” as the flute and guitar accompanied her, and there was not a dry eye in the house! After being pronounced “Mr. and Mrs.” by the officiate, guests made their way inside to Hardin Hall.

Blue lighting, candles, and elegant place-settings topped with a California Mixed Greens Salad greeted the guests as they entered the room. Soft music was playing and the atmosphere was very cool and relaxed. Guests sipped on cocktails as they found their seats. Amanda made real casino chips into escort cards! She printed labels with the guests’ names and table numbers and stuck them on the chip. She purchased custom shot glasses that housed glittered bonbons, and the escort chip was laid on top of the glass for each guest! On each table, a picture frame housed a photo of the casino and the corresponding poker chip. Guests had fun calling out their casino names and helping each other find the tables.

Amanda and Erik were soon announced into the reception, and the dances begun. Their first dance was a medley of songs, but little did the guests know…they had a second choreographed dance planned! The reception carried on as planned with a Father/Daughter Dance, Mother/Son Dance, and dinner. Wedding guests feasted on two buffet stations: a Jersey station (for Erik’s personality) and a Southern station (for Amanda’s personality). Hand rolled sushi, mini cheese-steak sandwiches and stuffed manicotti were among the groom’s choices, while grits, fried green tomatoes, and catfish bites with hush-puppies were among the bride’s requests.

After the champagne toast and cake cutting,  Natalie Cole’s voice began the first verse of “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love).” Amanda and Erik waltzed across the dance floor to each other and guests clapped and shouted when they realized what was happening. This was their second surprise dance for the guests. All of the events of the night were captured on video and edited together with footage from the rehearsal dinner the night before. A few minutes before the grand exit, Amanda and Erik invited their guests to huddle around the projection screen to watch a recap of the wedding events. The videographer did a wonderful job with the same day edit!

After the video, sparklers were lit outside as the bride and groom made their way to their waiting towncar. It was truly a day they will never forget!

Photography: Christen Jones Photography / Cinematography: Daybreak Cinema / Flowers: Deedra Stone Designs / Event Design: Deedra Stone Designs and Southern Event Planners / Event Planning: Southern Event Planners / Ceremony Location: Memphis Botanic Gardens, Japanese Garden / Reception Location: Memphis Botanic Gardens, Hardin Hall / Invitations: RSVP Stationers / Dress: Alfred Angelo / Catering: A Moveable Feast / Transportation: Tennessee Limo and Cline Tours, Inc. / Event Sitters: Elegant Event Sitters, Inc.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: A Moveable Feast, Alfred Angelo, Beer Coozies, Casual Elegance, Christen Jones Photography, Cline Tours Inc, Color Palette Blue, Coozies, Daybreak Cinema, Deedra Stone Designs, Elegance Event Sitters Inc., Fans, Floral arch, Japanese Garden, Memphis, Memphis Botanic Gardens, Outdoor Ceremony, RSVP Stationers, Southern Event Planners, Southern Weddings, Tennesee, Tennessee Limo, Wedding Planners & Designers
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Little Black Book Blog

Grahm and I met during our Junior year at East Carolina University when I was running for Student Body Vice President. Grahm helped me campaign and it wasn’t until we graduated that we decided it was time to take our friendship to next level and begin dating.

We got engaged on July 4, 2010 and since I work in politics I decided to hold off on any planning until after the November 2010 election. Planning a wedding in six months proved to be much harder than anticipated!

Luckily with the help of our family and some incredible vendors we pulled of a wedding that we will never forget. The Highgrove Estate was the perfect “Southern” venue and allowed us the flexibility to customize our ceremony/reception and make it perfect for the two of us.

During the whole planning process I “stalked” SMP for ideas and focused on reception details. My mom is very crafty and helped with all of the diy projects from the flower balls hanging from the altar, the drink stirrers, moss monogram and sinage. These diy projects really helped us add a personal touch while staying on budget!

I was the bride that was most looking forward to celebrating at the reception and at the end of the day, the ceremony was the most magical and memorable aspect of the entire day. We were so fortunate to have my Uncle John preform the ceremony. He is an amazing speaker and very close to Grahm and I. The ceremony was incredibly personal and told stories of our childhood and the strength of marriage in our families.  It was very important to Grahm and I to include our guests so we decided to have a “blessing stone” ceremony where we gave each of our guests a stone to keep with them during the ceremony. As our guests held them they were infused with loved and then placed into a glass jar before the reception began. We now have a wonderful keepsake from our wedding and the rocks are proudly displayed on our mantle.

The entire day was a dream. From the mason jars, mini bbq sandwiches and sweet tea, the reception was just as “southern” as I imagined. After heartfelt toasts we dined “family style” and then danced the night away with our friends and family.

We are so grateful for each other and our amazing families that helped us during the process. Our wonderful vendors brought our vision to life and we cannot thank them enough. We can’t wait for the next chapter of our lives to begin!

Photography: Brent and Amanda Holloman, Millie Holloman Photography / Flowers: Suzanne Page / Event Planning & Design: DIY / Ceremony Location: Highgrove Estate / Reception Location: Highgrove Estate / Invitations: Envelopme / Shoes: Nina / Dress: Paloma Blanca / Reception Hair Piece: Etsy

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 14 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Birdcages, Chandeliers, Color Palette Navy Pink Green, DIY Projects, Do-It-Yourself Inspired, Etsy, Evelopme, Fuquay Varina, Higrove Estate, Lanterns, Millie Holloman Photoraphy, Nina, North Carolina, Paloma Blanca, pies, Southern Weddings, Sparklers, Stripes, Suzanne Page, Wedding Photography
Post categories: Do-It-Yourself Inspired, Little Black Book Blog

From Jen of Embellished Events … The ceremony design was created to look rustic, yet elegant. Guests were seated on long wooden benches and the aisle was marked with 3-4’ tall mahogany pillar candleholders draped in Spanish moss. To soften the look of the ceiling and brighten up the barn-turned-chapel, we embellished the reclaimed wood beams with sheer ivory fabric. The most unique element of the ceremony décor was the 20’ long Spanish moss aisle runner. It pulled everything together and added the perfect finishing touch to the ceremony décor.

For the reception shoot, I envisioned an elegant, unpretentious backyard wedding where guests felt relaxed by nature. We positioned everything under an ancient magnolia tree, which provided long beautiful branches adorned with the beauty of magnolia leaves and hanging moss, perfect for my idea of suspending anything I could from it. The dining table featured a long Spanish moss runner set over a burlap tablecloth with rattan chargers, lemon yellow napkins and colorful menu cards.  Hanging over the reception table were moss-lined baskets filled with many candles. They reminded me of the tree swings I played on when I was a child and brought back some sweet youthful memories. I draped the bride and groom’s chairs in long, sheer ivory fabric to add a touch of elegance and keep the table from looking like an everyday picnic.

Instead of a traditional tiered wedding cake, guests were treated to individual wedding cakes that were presented on an eclectic mix of fine-bone china. The sugar magnolia flower and lavender stems complemented the overall theme of the shoot and tied in a piece of nature.

After dinner, guests could wander down the lantern-lit pathway to a cozy lounge stationed in front of an area of low-lying branches full of beautiful magnolia leaves and Spanish moss. To provide ample lighting over the lounge, we secured a large wrought-iron chandelier to the tree’s strongest branch and hung it directly over the ottoman. It was the perfect embellishment to the design of the reception space.

Stationed underneath an adjacent magnolia branch was the self-serve beverage bar, where guests could help themselves to a selection of fine wines, a variety of micro-brewed beer and mint-infused lemonade. The hanging mirror behind the beverage tub gave the perception of a 360-degree view of the surrounding beauty of nature.

Photography: Allison Reisz Photography / Flowers: Kiwi Fleur / Event Design: Embellished Events / Event Planning: Embellished Events / Ceremony Location: Cypress Bay Plantation / Reception Location: Cypress Bay Plantation / Linens and Rentals: Amazing Lowcountry Event Rentals / Cake: Sheri’s Edible Designs / Invitations: emma j designs / Shoes: MeToo / Dress (Long): Bleu Belle Bridal / Dress (Short): Ramona Keveza via Bleu Belle Bridal / Hair: Lynn McDonald Quann / Makeup: Joni Taylor

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 27 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Allison Reisz Photography, Amazing Lowcountry Event Rentals, Bleu Belle Bridal, Casual Elegance, Color Palette Green Yellow Blue, Cypress Bay Plantation, Embellished Events, Emma J Designs, Inspiration Shoot, Joni Taylor, Kiwi Fleur, Lynn McDonald Quann, MeToo, Outdoor Wedding, Photo Shoot, Ramona Keveza, Sher's Edible Designs, South Carolina, Southern Weddings, Wedding Inspiration, Wedding Invitations & Stationery, Wedding Photography
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Photo Shoot

all photos by Mary Claire Crow, wedding planning by Elizabeth James

The entire wedding just seems so alive, so completely down to earth. Here are a few more details from Bonnie…

At the reception we really used the farm aesthetic, but in an elegant way. There were long tables in the tent which were topped with burlap. Down the tables were a mix of peonies and dahlias in various silver julep cups mixed in with chicken feeders, with wheat grass growing out of them. Everyone feasted on a big southern supper – chicken croquettes, green beans, cheese grits and bbq in corn meal crepes – just to give you a taste.

We danced the night away then pulled away on the hay wagon as guests waved sparklers!

Stay tuned to hear about Bonnie’s gorgeous invitations…that she designed herself!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 6 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Dahlias, Elizabeth James, Julep Cups, Mary Claire Crow, Nashville, Peonies, Southern Supper, Southern Weddings, Sparklers
Post categories: Casual Elegance, The Blog, Traditional Elegance