Lena & Greg Say “I Do”

I had the honor of coordinating Lena & Greg’s wedding back in April. The venue was beautiful…. Cypress Tree Plantation out on Edisto Island. Lena and I are actually sorority sisters and we even worked together back in college at the corporate office for a local southern jewelry company.  Her husband Greg is such a sweetheart and these two were made for one another. I wish the two of them nothing but happiness and joy!

Photographer: Kristin Vining 

Videographer: My Memories Film

DJ: East Coast Entertainment – Chuck Hendrix

Caterer: Souther Affair

Cake: Declare Cakes

Flowers: Coming Up Roses

Transportation: Limos For Less

Bar Service: Spike By Snyder

Ready To Say “I Do”

Tomorrow, this beautiful couple will say “I Do” and go from two individuals to a couple. I’m so honored to be coordinating Lena & Greg’s wedding. They will tie the knot at the beautiful Cypress Tree Plantation in Edisto, South Carolina.

About the bride

Lena grew up in Tega Cay, SC. She attended the College of Charleston before transfering to the University of South Carolina where she got her degree in Advertising. Lena currently lives in New York City where she works as a media buyer at MediaVest. Her love for college football brings her home each year to see at least one Carolina football game. Go Gamecocks! Lena & I are actually sorority sisters (Gamma Phi Beta) and worked together in college at HandPicked, Inc.

About the groom

Greg grew up in Alpharetta, GA. He attended Young Harris College before transfering to the University of South Carolina. Greg graduated with a degree in Sport Marketing from USC. He now lives in New York City where he works as a media planner at MindShare. His southern accent charms all the northerners and his love for college football, Roll Tide Roll and Go Gamecocks, keeps his southern roots grounded.

How they met

Lena’s roommate’s boyfriend decided to come down for the University of South Carolina vs University of Florida football game and bring his friend, Greg, along with him. Immediately upon seeing a picture of Lena on Facebook, Greg called ‘Dibs!’ and the rest is history.

The Bride’s version of the proposal:

Date of event: Friday, December 23, 2011

I flew down to SC from NYC to spend Christmas with my family and of course Greg (Greg and I were living in different cities at this time). Greg and I decided to drive to my friend, and Greg’s partner-in-crime, Erin’s house so we could all exchange Christmas gifts. I was waiting patiently all day and finally convinced everyone that we should open our presents. Greg was reluctant but eventually gave me one of my presents, which Erin had helped him pick out. I opened the box to discover a beautiful blue topaz ring with diamonds. I loved it, but also knew that this meant I would not be receiving ‘The Ring’ this year. I went outside with Erin and told her that I was just going to stop working myself up for an engagement. When he is ready he will ask me. Erin agreed and we left it at that.

Little did I know the plans that they both had in store for me later on in the evening.

Erin said we had to go to her Grandmother’s to say hello. We drove the golf cart up the path to Grandma’s house and chatted for a little while. After a little time had passed, Erin told me that her Dad had a light show that he wanted to show us. “Just amuse him’ she had said. A light show seemed pretty normal to me considering that Erin had lights on the barn for her wedding in October so I thought, he probablly just added more to it.

We drove the golf cart back down to the barn where it was pitch black. Erin cut the lights off pretty quickly which annoyed me, but I now understand why. Instead of driving all the way down the hill Erin insisted on staying at the top and making me walk down. (Side note: I do not do well in the dark. It freaks me out.) So in typical Lena fashion I started to complain and yell at Erin to just drive down the hill which she calmly told me ‘No’ and that she ‘Didn’t want to get the cart stuck’ which I knew there was no way this would happen. Annoyed, I got off the golf cart and started walking down the hill. Since it was dark, and I was starting to think I was going to be attacked by a wild animal, I started to call Greg’s name to come find me. A figure started walking towards me and annouced himself as my sweet boyfriend. As he got close to me he grabbed my right hand, yes ladies, my right not my left, and got down on one knee to pop the question. I was confused and thought he was joking since he knew everyone was joking about us getting engaged during every major Holiday recently. All I kept saying was ‘Are you kidding me?’ until I noticed he was putting an actual ring my finger.

Once I realized what this was really happening I was in shock and utter surprise. Erin was yelling at me to look up and as I did I saw, in Christmas light on the barn, a sign that said ‘Will You Marry Me’ which I thought read ‘Wilson’ and was confused but eventually figured it out. Of course I said Yes and Johnny, Erin’s Brother-in-Law, began shooting off fireworks. It was amazing and wonderful and I all happened while I was wearing an oversized gray sweatshirt.

 

(Engagement Photos by : Kristin Vining Photography)

 

 

 

 

 

Take Me Out to The Ball Game

I am a huge Atlanta Braves fan and now that baseball season is here, besides wedding planning, you can find me watching the Braves. One of my first out-of-town trips with my now husband was to Atlanta to go to a Braves game… and in fact, that’s where we went again to celebrate our first anniversary last year! (On a side note, I’m headed to Atlanta this weekend for my matron of honor’s baby shower… and I checked, hoping their was a Braves game and unfortunately, they’re on the road)

Atlanta 2009

Atlanta 2012

Some people love sports so much, they incorporate that in to their weddings. So with baseball season underway, I wanted to share some ways you can incorporate the love of the diamond (the one with 4 bases) into your big day.

Have guests sign a bat instead of a guest book

Baseball Cufflinks

Baseball-themed Wedding Invitation

New York Mets Garter

Candy Trays

Table Numbers

Petals Down The Aisle

If it within your budget, instead of using a traditional aisle runner, consider having flower petals instead!  These are just a few creative designs that I have Google’d.  DollarTree.com also sells packs of silk flower petals (300 count per bag)… at you guess it… for $1.  You can get various colors on sites such as Amazon.com, WalMart.com, etc.

Wedding Dress Styles

Check out this awesome infograph on various wedding dress styles, trains, necklines, and more!

 

Achieving Your Dream Wedding

Are you feeling very overwhelmed while you are planning your wedding? Does eloping seem like a better solution? You can make your wedding less stressful by following a few simple tips. There is information contained in this article that will ease some of the wedding frustration.

Keep in mind this is your day and not anyone else’s, so do what you want to do and don’t be forced to do any family traditions you aren’t comfortable doing. Thank your relatives for their suggestions and ideas, but make it clear to them that the events of the wedding day will ultimately be planned by you and your partner. This way, your wedding day will have good memories for you, and not one filled with regrets on things you wish you had done.

Perhaps you could borrow something from a friend. This can give you the look you want to achieve and make the wedding even more special.

Your wedding day can be very stressful, so plan it a little later in the day. This gives you plenty of time to get ready in the morning without the chore of waking up early. If your time allows, do something for yourself that is relaxing and calms your nerves.

There’s nothing more important in a wedding than the person who you are marrying. There is not need to hurry this important choice. You should consider the things you enjoy in your companion, as well as the things that irritate you.

If your mother, bridesmaids, or other special people are going to assist you with your wedding gown, have them be dressed and ready to go well in advance of when you expect to be dressing. In the last bit of time before your wedding, all focus should be on your preparations. If they are worried about getting themselves ready, they’re not focused on assisting you.

It’s important to buy a dress which is appealing to your eye, but it should also fit you in a flattering way. If you are short, stay away from altering normal length dresses and opt for the petite section. You will notice the difference and your guests will too!

Despite what you might have been told, you can put on a excellent wedding without spending six figures. Remember to follow these tips for a great wedding without any financial stress.

New Trend? “You’re Not Invited” Invitations

I came across this story this week and just had to share. Please tell me what you think too… Is this the new trend? Or is it just rude?

 

GREENVILLE, SC (FOX Carolina) – It’s the day some soon-to-be brides wait for all their lives, their wedding day.

“It’s one stop shop for a bride,” Mary Sims Costigan said.

She’s the owner of Wedding 101 in downtown Greenville. Costigan consults with couples on just about everything wedding and does it for free.

“We’ve got photographers, venues and invitations,” Costigan said.

The invitations and guest list is where she said it can get tricky for brides-to-be. They have to determine who to scratch off the list and who to keep.

“A lot of times, they aren’t familiar with how much they should budget for their wedding,” Costigan said.

And now with social media and the world of sharing, Facebook friends know when you’re engaged. But, sometimes you’re really just acquaintances with that so-called “friend” who may expect an invitation. In fact, the new trend is to send “you’re not invited invitations.”

“I’m not sure if I’m OK with this ‘you’re not invited’ thing,” Costigan said.

According to reports, invitations and email alerts are filling up mailboxes and inboxes because brides-to-be don’t know how to break the news to those who aren’t invited.

“There’s no need to be rude,” Anne Courtright said.

She said when she got married, she and her husband kept it classy.

“I like the old fashioned method of simply stating ‘we’re having a nice, intimate wedding,'” Courtright said.

Cristina Kotschate said she handled a runaway guest list by being honest.

“In my case I just kind of said that I was going to have a very small ceremony,” Kotschate said.

Costigan said brides should just have a conversation with those who won’t get invitations.

“Go through and pick who are the people they must have at their wedding,” Costigan said.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE STORY: You’re Not Invited

Picking The Right Centerpiece

Whether you are having a wedding, bridal shower,  or any other celebration for that matter, centerpiece is a very important aspect. Centerpieces help tie together the entire décor of the.

Here are some tips on choosing centerpieces:

1. Numbers! If you are using more than one item in the centerpiece go with odd numbers it is eye catching.

2. Layer! Positioning is everything.

3. Height! Creates great visual!

4. Space! Do not over crowd your table with favors, place cards, formal place settings. Make sure you have room for the centerpiece.

5. Venue! Make sure you are aware of ALL the restrictions of your venue.

6. Setting! Take into consideration your environment. Surrounding and temperature is key.

Centerpieces add a special touch to an event. Be sure to think your ideas through in order to have an event that is a vision of excellence.

 

Source: VOEevents

Fantasy Sports Weddings

Fantasy Isn’t Just For Football.

Source: magnetstreet.com

Now that the Big Game is history, it’s time to turn our attention back to the second most popular contact sport in America: wedding planning.  Just kidding, but occasionally the stress can feel like a blindside hit from Ray Lewis.  So relax, and think about throwing an All-American wedding using your favorite sport as your theme.

It all begins with a proposal on a football field, with a couple in jerseys and tennis shoes. If you’re at a major stadium, you can even arrange to have that special moment displayed on the Jumbotron for all sixty thousand of your new best friends to see.

Then the planning starts. Are you going to schedule the wedding for a game day? Not unless you don’t mind having most of the guests hanging out in the bar, glued to the TV.

If you so choose, your ceremony can begin with the national anthem, and there should be a field nearby so your photographer can take pictures of your wedding party playing football.  I’ve seen it done more than once, but you have to make sure you have enough attendants to make a game of it.

And if you want to go the whole nine yards (sorry), you’ll need football inspired wedding attire. The officiant should be wearing black and white stripes, the bride’s shoes could be sequined cleats and the garter can sport your team’s logo.  The groom will be wearing his lucky game-day socks, the same pair he wears every Sunday afternoon in the fall.

What better way to enter your reception than with a bride and groom touchdown dance? When you hit the dance floor, the DJ will rock classic fight songs.

But there is one big difference.  As a famous NFL running back said when asked about the Super Bowl, “If this is the ultimate game, how come there’s another one next year?”  For you, there really is no next season, so just get out on the floor and dance!

5 Unique Wedding Gifts

 

Personalized cake topper from Etsy

Most couples have a registry where they have listed items they would like for their new home/life together. However, why not get them one thing they requested and then another special present that will be unique to just the two of them?

Below are a few gift ideas that could be perfect for the different types of Mr. & Mrs.

1. For the Romantics. Personalized tree swing from Red Envelope. In future years, the couple may swing their children on it.  Obviously, it would only work if you have 1) a tree and 2) a house.

 

2. For The Cooks : When your going to a potluck or party, its hard to locate your pan afterwards…unless its been personalized  🙂 It can be purchased at this fun site.

 

3. For The Wine Lovers: Most people like wine… So this find was extra special. The buyer gets to choose the box, wine, the message on the box, as well as a note on the inside of the lid.  Each step is personalized for the couple. You could even put: 1 year Anniversary, 1st House, and 1st child.

4. For The Happy Couple: Personalized art with names, and city skyline (of choice) where the couple reside. Found this on Etsy!

 

5. For The Coffee Lovers: Last find: A monthly coffee subscription! There are monthly wine, as well as spice and beauty subscriptions….Why not coffee? This would be fun for the couple, in the early morning hours before heading off to work.

 

Source:  Mrs. & The Misc.