Semper Fidelis ~ they will be! {Columbia Wedding Planning}

Kate, Tony and their families are the coolest people~ we became family once we began working on their wedding with them~ they were so much fun yet focused on creating a memorable event that guests would be talking about for years to come.

The dedication that went in to the planning warms our hearts every time we talk about it.  They were very specific about certain items but then let us run with some of our own thoughts that really made this beautiful Fall day emerge so beautifully.

The couple married at the elegant St. Joseph Catholic Church and picked the gorgeous Millstone at Adams Pond for their reception. Guests arrived to cocktails out front with the couple then enjoyed the yummy tastings in the house from Southern Way Catering.

Once everyone’s tummy was full, they all moved out back under the draped tent to enjoy the wonderful sounds of The Finesse Band!  They rocked all night long~

Take a look at the wonderful images captured by the talented All Dressed Up Photography to see how lovely this event turned out.

Vendor LOVE:

Reception ~ The Millstone at Adams Pond

Catering ~ Southern Way Catering

Photography ~ All Dressed Up Photography

Floral Design ~ Something Special Florist

Event Rentals ~ Palmetto Party Rental

Band ~ The Finesse Band

Draping and event design ~ By Invitation Only…Event Planning  Design

Cake ~ Parkland Cakes

Grant at Something Special Florist started at the front doors with the ‘love’ ~ the great floral monogram of the couples initial.

This is so pretty~ Tony’s cover and her stunning bouquet at the altar.

This moment melts me ~ Kate and her dad.

XOXO!

The traditional arch~

Beautiful Adams Pond

Closer view.

One of the food tables inside~ this arrangement is just gorgeous.

Cute koozies.

We draped the tent in toffee colored fabric and covered tables in rich navy.

Rust colored chandeliers matched perfect!

The cake table was gorgeous with the ivory rosette linen.

Tony’s sword!!!

…and the traditional ‘swat’ from the sword….I just love BOTH of their faces 🙂

Just gorgeous~

*Star ‘Cross’ Lovers * {Columbia Wedding Planner}

Once again, I had the honor of working with  another member of a family I already had the pleasure of working with!  I loved working with Brittany and David to help bring together this beautiful fall wedding. We had fun creating custom details and unique touches.

The beautiful yellow and gray color palette got expressed in some really amazing textures threaded in to this day.  The couple hand crafted several of their wedding details that made it so special ~ we had fun creating details with them like the chalkboard vases that we got to write fun words on to the ‘Harry Potter’ inspired candy bar!

Grant at Something Special Florist designed such a lovely look with the yellow and whites, incorporating succulents in to the mix.  We decided to add in some antique furniture to bring in unique flare that the couple wanted~

As you go through the images, take a look at the description so you don’t miss some neat, fun ideas!!!

Dave Gilbert Photography provided us with the amazing images below~ thank you so much!!!

Vendor Love:

Ceremony and Reception ~ Magnolia Plantation

Catering ~ Criket and Kyles

photography ~ Dave Gilbert Photography

DJ ~ Partytime DJ

Florals ~ Something Special Florist

One of my favorite images of this couple!

LOVE this bouquet~ and that polka dot ribbon is super fabulous.

Lovely custom hanger~

I am a sucker for a bow tie~ David put together a great ensemble for his wedding day…

Candid photo of the space.

As guests arrived, they met this sweet little antique table dressed with hand-made poms on the tree~ galvanized tubs held pashminas and programs that were crossword puzzles on the back.

This program/crossword puzzle was so great!  Guests had the best time with this before ceremony began~

Another angle of the ceremony space ~ the handmade yellow fabric flower balls hanging we beautiful hanging behind them!

This was so sweet~ David came back down the aisle to meet Brittany and start their journey together at the beginning of the aisle.

Great chalkboard vases with custom messages 🙂

Of course we have to have Lawn Games for cocktail hour!!

This couple had the most amazing sense of humor!!!!

Inside ~ tables and ceiling were drapped in gray tulle!!!

Guests go the answers when they went in 🙂

Yummy yummy cupcakes for dessert!

So cute~ recycled paint can created to match the wedding was a great chiller!

The ‘Harry Potter’ candy bar on one of our pieces of antique furniture.

Can’t you just feel the love!!!

Grits and Gratitude ~ Columbia Wedding Planner

Caroline and Harris came to us from another one of our beautiful brides!  I love when our past couples ‘pass us on’ to our new couples ~ it warms our hearts.  Working with Caroline and Harris as well as their families was a wonderful experiene~ each of them had great ideas/thoughts about the details and specifics ~ we teamed up to help create a gorgeous, memorable event.

The coupled married at Alhambra Hall in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina.  The event had elements from both Charleston and Columbia, places dear to the couple.  I had the pleasure of working with some of the most wonderful vendors as well that made a perfect team to bring it all together.

Sara York Grimshaw created the floral design that was so lovely~ incorporating Southern cotton bowls in to Caroline’s bouquet and boutonniere.  Magnolia leaf garlands draped the back of the ceremony chairs in richness ~ and  large wrought iron lanterns hung from the rafters inside and dress the tables to create beautiful Southern elegance.

Guests were treated to a true Southern item (and Columbia tie)…Adluh Grits!

Lindsey Alexander captured this wedding and its details ~ she documented the day exquisitly….this wedding had such lovely details that it had the honor of being featured on The Wedding Row blog http://theweddingrow.com/caroline-harris-alhambra-hall/!

Vendor Love:

Venue ~ Alhambra Hall

Photography ~ Lindsey Alexandar Photography

Floral Design ~ Sara York Grimshaw

Catering ~ Cafe Catering

Rentals ~ Eventworks

Ceremony Music ~ Chris Teves

Planning, design, lounge ~ By Invitation Only…Event Planning & Design

Gorgeous couple coming down the aisle.

I just love the lush magnolia garland!

Beautiful bout with the cotton bowl incorporated…check out the tie that matches with cotton 🙂

So Southern and elegant.

Great view back across the cocktail area and ceremony in the back ground overlooking the bay.

Drink station with goody bags for the youth!

His and Hers signature cocktails.

LOVE~ guests favors were custom bags of grits from the couple.

Classic photo of 3 generations.

Beautiful shot inside Alhambra Hall

Another angle

Lanterns area  favorite of mine…

More magnolia leaves bring the South inside.

So sweet ~ couples seats.

Check out this cake topper~ being a Lilly fan myself…I just LOVE

Our favors~

Meant to Bee – {Columbia Wedding Planner}

This couple is so romantic and loving ~ we enjoyed every minute with them as we helped them plan this most amazing day all the way from Hawaii!  Both bride and groom serve in the US Army ~ and they wanted to come home to South Carolina and get married in a relaxed South Carolina style.

They married on Fort Jackson in a beautiful service ~ then entertained guests at the beautiful Millstone at Adams Pond, perfect Southern backdrop for this wedding.

The evening was filled with laughter, tears of joy, and lots of great dancing!

Thank you so much Lucas, Kickstand Studio, for sharing these gorgeous images!

Vendor Love:

Photography: Kickstand Studio

Catering: The Southern Way

Venue: Millstone at Adams Pond

Flowers: Rosewood Florist

Beautiful couple coming down the aisle~

Love this image of the front of Adams Pond as the sun set.  We added cafe lights over the patio for a beautiful effect.

Guests played fun lawn games while the couple finished their photos.

We created a beautiful wishing tree for guests to leave them great wedding advice!

Laura really loved the simplicity of the mason jars with candle light for their tables~ set the ton perfect.

One of my favorite photos~ lucky lady bug on her gown 🙂

So here is where the title comes in….they gave their guests local honey that said ‘Meant to Bee’

Guests were informed that a donation was made in their honor to the Wounded Warrior Project.

So lovely….

Love is their great source of ‘strength’ ~ Columbia Wedding Planning

This is a hard post for me, not in a bad way, but in a way that I just love this couple, this family, this wedding and all the vendors that helped bring it together in to one absolutely beautiful and breath-taking event, I could talk forever.

Ali and Ryan are one of the most loving, giving, understanding and relaxed couples I have ever met.  When we began planning with them, we knew it was an instant  connection and jumped in with both feet.  The ideas that they brought paired with our resources and experience created an event that was beyond gorgeous and memorable ~ so much that it got featured on the amazing blog ‘Southern Aisle  http://www.southernaisle.com/2012/05/lace-house-love.html?spref=fb

Don’t over look the details in each photo~ there are so many from the floral chandelier to the unique table numbers!

The photos below will tell the story, I mean I could talk about this forever but I will let Brantley’s beautiful images show you 🙂

Vendor Love:

Ceremony & Reception: South Carolina Lace House

Photography: All Dressed Up Photography

Catering: Southern Way Catering

Floral Design: Something Special Florist

Lighting Design: Ambient Media

Cake: Parkland Cakes

Rentals: Palmetto Party Rentals

DJ: PartyTime DJ

Video: Life Stage Films

LOOK~ just gorgeous!

Our ceremony set in the Memorial Garden. Petals and crystals hung from the trees.

Sweet pomander balls.

Guestbook table

I adore this program!

Their direction sign…they crack me up!

Beautiful signature cocktails…

This is SO fnny~ their is a video of this too but I just loved this moment!

The fronot of the beautiful Lace House with a perfect wreath.

An all time favorite~ seating chart on a window taken from their home renovation!

Gorgeous table setting with home made table numbers.

So pretty~

This moment is a favorite of mine.

Guests were treated to prelines as a treat!

Look at the show stoping cake!

So my favorite photo in here…you see the floral chandelier hanging, the custom gobo and our beautiful couple right in the center!

Great night shot!

They really do crack me up!!!

They will for{ever} have each other’s {hart}… Columbia Wedding Planner

Introducing…The ‘Everhart’s  ~ this wedding is the perfect Fall wedding.  Gorgeous couple, rich colors, lush florals and photos to die for!

Kelly and I had been working together for some time to bring this beautiful design to life ~ we began with this  great rustic venue {The Hall at Senate’s End} , soften the exposed brick feel with textured linens and elegant candelabras wrapped with gorgeous fall florals by American Floral.

This oh so fabulous wedding was captured by the very talented Courtney Dox ~ thank you so much for sharing your beautiful images!

Vendor Love:

Ceremony & Reception ~ The Hall at Senate’s End

Catering ~ Dupree Catering

Photography ~ Courtney Dox Photography

Floral Design ~ American Floral

Cake ~ Parkland Cakes

Rentals ~ Celebrations

Event Design ~ By Invitation Only…Event Planning & Design

Look at them~ so lovely!

I just love these aisle pieces~

One of my favorite programs!

Perfect fall bouquet.

I just love this moment!

Their unity sand~

Guests entered the hall through these doors in to a beautiful room!

Inside 🙂

Yummy as always and so beautiful from Parkland Cakes

Great centerpieces.

You can’t go wrong with this candy bar ~

I just adore this…

All that glitters {IS} gold! [Columbia Wedding Planner]

I fell in love with this rich color palette the minute I saw it~ Danielle and Matt were so easy-going and relaxed about all the details ~ they wanted to have a fabulous event where everyone enjoyed every minute while being exposed to Columbia landmarks.

The couple picked 2 lovely venues for their wedding day~ Rutledge Chapel and Capital City Club.  Both spaces were beautifully designed with the gold and black colors so that they complemented the space!

Scott at American Floral brought in floral design that perfectly balanced the rich metallics and textures ~ I love using the variety of tall and low centerpieces at Capital City Club…it did not interfere with the breath -taking views.

Vendor Love:

Ceremony ~ Rutledge Chapel, USC Horseshoe

Reception ~ Capital City Club

Photography ~ Michael Koska Photography

Flowers ~ American Floral

Cake ~ Parkland Cakes

Lounge, decor ~ By Invitation Only…Event Planning & Design

Thank you Michael Koska for sharing some images ~ so lovely!!!

Beautiful shot of the chapel all set and ready for their ceremony.

Great evening shot of our family table.

Candid photo of the room…

Another angle of the room all set.

LOVE this custom monogram over our seating card table.

Our table changed over to coffee favors for guests to enjoy.

The sleek lounge area!

And of course the yummy and beautiful cake!

B.I.O. is looking for Winter/Spring Interns for 2013!

By Invitation Only… is currently accepting internship applications for Winter/Spring 2013. Ideally candidates should be available to assist from December through June to assist on site and with some in office work during the busy wedding season.

The ideal candidate will be a current student or recent graduate studying hospitality, recreation or event management. Candidates should be serious about event planning and willing to work long hours on site at events. Candidates must also be outgoing, problem solvers and always willing to go the extra mile for clients. You MUST be a TEAM PLAYER.

The internship experience will entail 10-20 hours a week working remotely or in office assisting with final details for each weekend’s events. Duties may include confirmation calls with vendors, wedding related errands for clients, preparing final documents, event set up/take down and conducting follow up calls. The candidate must be willing to work Saturdays during the internship to assist on site at weddings.

The internship is unpaid, candidates must have reliable transportation, a laptop and a cell phone.

We are NOT looking for someone who would like to see the backend of how B.I.O. works and access to our paperwork just so you can open up your own planning company.

We are NOT looking for someone who needs to be hand-held and is not-self sufficient.

We are NOT looking for someone who thinks this job is as glamorous as it seems on TV ~

Interested candidates should forward an email titled ‘Internship’ to murphyweddings@aol.com and include an updated resume, three references, available start date and an essay. The essay should explain why you are the ideal candidate and why you are pursuing a career in events or weddings. Applications will be accepted through November 25 with interviews on going. No phone calls please.

Thank you~ The B.I.O. Team