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We could honestly not have asked for a more gorgeous weekend for this beautiful event!
Chris and Courtney contacted me from Washington, D.C., where they worked, to help them plan their very southern wedding in Pawleys Island some time ago. They came to me with lovely, sophisticated ideas. They wanted a true beach wedding, fun and unique cocktail hour paired with an elegant reception- we helped it all come to life!
Being native Southerners, they wanted their guests to fully experience the beauty of our southern beaches along with some history of South Carolina. They picked the breathtaking Atalaya Castle in Huntington State Park. The wedding was to take place on the beach just behind the castle then guest would come in to the courtyard for cocktail hour and a lovely stroll around this beautiful ‘winter home’ of Anna Hyatt Huntington. The reception was placed at the Crown Reef Resort.
As we began our final week before the wedding and making all the last minute preparations, we of course were thrown the true ’seasonal curve ball’ – Hurricane Fay began to threaten this wedding – truly…
We all had our fingers crossed, hoping and praying for things to change ever so slight. I told the couple we would wait as long as possible to make the call on any changes for the plans at the castle. We went forward with the rehearsal Friday night on the beach just to see and it was needless to say, very rough- so again I told them we will see what tomorrow brings. I will say, they just seemed so sad that their wonderful plans may have to change – I just felt so horrible for them but these things happen- that is why we always have back up plans.
Saturday morning came about and I stepped out the door to a light cloud cover and soft breeze. We got all items set up at Crown Reef and moved to the castle. We arrived on the beach to more cloud cover and a little more wind but needless to say, it honestly was perfect- come time of the wedding, you could not have asked for a perfect setting!!!!
After the wedding, guest had a great time in the castle enjoying a drink station, mini cheeseburgers and sweet potato chips from Cheeseburger in Paradise that B.I.O. set up.
Below are photos Darren took during the day- hope you enjoy.
Here is a shot during the ceremony- it was great!
Chris and Courtney just after the ceremony- truly Southern with his Seersucker suit and starfish bout. we made for him! Courtney was just lovely – perfect for the beach and beautifully elegant!!!
Bridesmaid and groomsman-
We had a bench and stand for shoes and brushes – guests left their shoes just before the path down.
The courtyard of the castle.
The entry to the castle -
The ‘adult beverage section’ of the drink station 
The “Southern” drink station- sweet tea and lemonade!
Here we are at Crown Reef- if it looks a little pink, that would be due to the pink tinted windows they have to reduce glare in this large room, not from the linens The couple wanted a candle centerpiece so we used tall pillar candles and tons of magnolia leaves to bring that Southern flare right through the entire event.
Here it is with the lights down and dark out!
For their favors, the couple shared something near and dear to their hearts – donuts!! When you first glance at these, you may just miss it but if you notice, these are not ‘Dunkin Donuts’ favors but instead ‘Dinkins Donuts’ which of course represent Chris and Courtney Dinkins, and yes, they do contain donuts inside!!
As a really special surprise, a family member made these personliazed large candy bars for all the guests- they were fabulous!
And the last lovely little treat was the ‘cake’…CUP cake that is. They decided to go with something a little different and served 5 different flavors of cupcakes for their ‘wedding cake’. They were so yummy!
Oh the fun we had!!!! I began working with Jennifer and Joey some time ago. They told me the main thing was from the to do nothing but focus on getting married that day…not having all their families and friends help them create and set up an event like this- but to marry each other!
The beautiful couple come for the wonderful town of Batesburg. Even though both of them work in Columbia, they wanted to get married in their home town with everyone present. Jennifer told me the options were limited for wedding reception venues in the town that would accommodate the guest list of 350+ so we had to do a little creative design to bring her vision to life!
B.I.O. had the wonderful pleasesure of working in a very unique venue this weekend! I will say however, this one brought back fun memories for all involved. They decied to use the very open venue called Celebrations- it is actually a skating rink- which turned out perfect for such an event! Nice big open floor plan and tall ceilings!
The bride wanted to break it up in to a few sections, cocktail area, dance/seating, and food. So we got creative with pipe and drape to make these. Food was ‘hidden’ behind a created wall until the couple arrived.
The ceremony was at their home church of Mt. Ebel- then they drove over in a gorgeous red ’57 Thunder-bird with white leather interior.
After the couple arrived and a full bridal party introduction the ‘dinner and dancing’ part got underway… Billy James with Partytime DJ kept them moving all night!
The GORGEOUS and YUMMY catering was done by Sweet Magnolias. I have never seen so much food!!! Bartending by Ed’s Bartending- and the girls did a wonderful job.
Jennifer picked breathtaking floral arrangements to make a statement at their reception. Debby West, owner/designer, Think Floral just outdid herself. There were 4 different types of floral arrangements created as you will see below. We ended up adding a few tables at a late date due to increase in those attending so I suggested we add a non-floral aspect to those so we used the lit paper lanterns and candles, it joined in well with the lanterns we had already designed in the layout.
As you can see, instead of using large floral arrangements on each food table, we placed the lanterns over them for effect- it turned out so lovely. We added the same array of lanterns on the dance floor as well!
Kathy Mooredid the photography- she was lovely to work with and I can not wait to see the final images!
I have to thank the large team that worked Friday- I never could have done it without all of you given the situation. You are so wonderful. Thank you Jill and Keith for handling things, thank you to my Mother for coming and helping after such a long day and thank you to my most wonderful husband- without you, NONE of this is ever possible! You are my knight and my rock! I love you more than you know!
REMEMBER-I AM NOT A PHOTOGRAPHER!!!
This is the space before we began anything!
This is with all the lights still on so you can see all the different arrangements and the pipe and drape behind to conceal the food.
The arrangements- you can see the lanterns hung over the dance floor behind it.
With the lights off except for the food area-
More flowers-
This is just HALF of the food tables -
Both are Clemson grads so this is a must…
Photo without flash-
And the tiger!
Hello again-
I just received the slide show link from Shellie and Andrew’s wedding this past weekend- it is AMAZING- Ricki Ford did the photography and I am just blown away- they captured the essence of the this couple beautifully.
Here is the link- these photos give you a true feeling of the look and feel that we experienced!! I wish I had this talent but I will stick to planning and taking candid shots Enjoy.
Once upon a time…in a land far, far away an exquisite couple fell in love, got engaged and planned a fairytale wedding!!!! Well, maybe not so far away but Disney World takes you to another land
The wedding we were lucky enough to have been a part of this weekend held an EXTREMELY special place in our hearts!!!! When Tim, one of Darren’s closest and oldest friends called him and said his daughter was getting married and could we help out- we were honored and thrilled! We meet with Shellie, Andrew and the whole family in the beginning to start putting things together.
This couple, to say the least, were/are the biggest Disney fans I have ever meet. Andrew had proposed to Shellie at Disney with an amazing glass slipper and all.
The couple knew exactly what they wanted- we just helped bring in some design features that not everyone is always aware of and gave it just a little more based on their ideas. The bride loved the look of silver centerpieces- so she used a combination of teapots, bowls, pitchers and candelabras to create the look she wanted. Some belong to the bride’s grandmother and the rest we had- it worked out perfectly!! It all fit perfectly with the fairytale feel-
This wedding was extremely emotional for everyone- including us. Darren and I were right beside Shellie and Tim just before we opened the doors to send them down the aisle- I think we all had tears in our eyes! The ceremony took place at the lovely East Minster Presbyterian Church – it was so moving. The reception was set at Embassy Suites – they had appetizers in the atrium with dinner and dancing in the ballroom.
Both Shellie and Andrew are music majors, so their love and appreciation for it comes through in the details surrounding the reception music and timing. Andrew beautifully choreographed the bridal party introductions with just breathtaking music- it all was timed on lovely notes of highs and lows. I don’t think we have every done something like this but with the help of Keith (Jill’s husband) and Darren working as the “MC” team, it came off without a hitch! It gave me chills…
The night was just perfect, everyone seem to have a wonderful time- the one moment that every planner holds their breath on is the ‘unveiling’ I guess you could say. It is our job to make sure we create the dream – we want it to be perfect! When we took Shellie, Andrew, Vicki and Tim into the ballroom before the guests came in, the were moved to tears- saying it was exactly what they wanted and hoped for…that is the most wonderful reaction I can ever hope for- I was so happy we created that fairytale for them!
I am so thrilled with my team- Darren, Harriet, Jill and Keith- thank you so much for all of your hard work- I can’t do it without you. I do want to say as well, Embassy Suites did an amazing job- one of the best and most organized sit downs we have had the pleasure of experiencing! The staff was beyond wonderful- Brandt Hulteen- Catering Manager, went above and beyond!!!
So- on to some pictures
Here is Shellie and her mother, Vicki just before the ceremony- they are just amazing!!! Shellie truly looks like a princess!
All the bridesmaids with Andrew just before- flowers are by Southern Stems.
The bride’s lovely bouquet.
This is the room before- just with table linens that we ordered in place.
And here it is all set!!!
Each table had a name that tied it to Disney and their fairytale wedding!
Below is one of the family tables and of course the head table in the back…
A close up of the table, with the silver tea pot, menu cards placed in castle and coach card holders, and the crown tea light holders!
Here is a close up of the menu card we made for this event!
The gorgeous cake by Parkland Cakes, with Micky and Minnie on top of course!
The groom’s cake…
Thier seating cards and photos of the couple out front.
I know I am a little behind but we are busy, busy!!
So- this past weekend, B.I.O had two weddings going on- I had one here in Columbia and Laura had one in Charlotte that we went up to help with.
Unfortunately we did not get too many photos, so please forgive me- but we will give just a few and at least share a little bit of the story since this was a unique and special situation…
When I was first contacted by Dawn, she explained in detail her situation- she first and foremost said that her date was tentative and would need to work with a planner that was flexible and understanding to change!
As we shared emails, I quickly learned Dawn was not ‘close by’ to sit down for a meeting- both Dawn and her fiance we currently serving duty in Afghanistan. I was so impressed by all that she had accomplished over seas but now she needed some help and called on us! She would not be returning until late spring so we needed to get a few things accomplished before then.
This was such a unique situation- I am so glad they had faith in us to let us handle the most important day of their lives. Dawn and I shared some very ‘real’ moments- I remember her calling early one morning (due to time differences), we were talking ‘wedding’ then she began to discuss how her fiance may be in a dangerous situation- it was surreal but a whole new connection came about between us! I have such an appreciation for those that serve- I was glad I could be more than just a ‘planner’ to her- we have a friendship that is special.
Dawn had lovely ideas – she picked the Riverbanks Botanical Gardens for her wedding and reception, with soft pink for her main color – the bridal party was just AMAZING and loads of fun – we had the best time!
These gorgeous flowers were by Southern Stems- perfect for a garden wedding!!
The flower girls going down the aisle!
Dawn and her Dad…
Her PINK candy bar.
And yes…that crazy, fun bridal party doing “Y.M.C.A”!!
These two are from the wedding in Charlotte-
I just wanted to share a neat little idea- each table had an individual book that guest at the table left wishes in- this took the place of a traditional guest book.
The program fans for guests!
