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Category Archives: Wedding Coordination

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Charleston Destination Wedding, Charleston Wedding Locations, Wedding Coordination, Wedding Planning

Charleston Venue Options

Charleston Wedding Venues for Your Ceremony and Reception

Although we work all over the Charleston area, we wanted to share some of our favorite Charleston wedding venues that we love working at and of course that couples love just as much.

Wild Dunes Resort

What we love:

There is so much to do at the resort, you and your guests wouldn’t need to ever leave. This resort has so much versatility in regards to their indoor and outdoor spaces for both large and small groups.  One of our favorite hidden locations here is the

What’s Included:

Tables, Chairs, Linens, Food, Cake and Bar.

 

 

Charleston Harbor Resort

What we love:

This venue is a Resort Hotel and provides a fun experience for your guests.  There are many indoor and outdoor venue options here as well, along with gorgeous views.

What’s Included:

Tables, Chairs, Linens, Arbor, Cutlery, Food & Bar.

 

Founders Hall

What we love:

This venue has so much character and many different spaces, both outdoor and inside.  It reminds us of a Frank  Lloyd Wright style.

What’s Included:

Chairs, Tables, Dressing Suite

 

Francis Marion Hotel

What we love:

This hotel has all of the elegance and Southern Charm.  It boasts 4 indoor spaces and overlooks Marion Square Park.

What’s Included:

Chairs, Tables, Cutlery, Linens, Food and Bar.

 

 

 

Regatta Inn

What we love:

This is a luxurious B&B with the most striking sunsets in Charleston.  Located in the famous Folly Beach town, this venue sits back secluded from all of the hustle and bustle. You are able to rent out the entire inn for you and your family, which makes this space completely private and all yours!

What’s Included:

While nothing comes with the venue, it does provide a blank slate to have the wedding of your dreams.

 

 

The Island House

What we love:

Situated on the Stono River on Johns Island, this venue boasts a stunning sunset and free parking for all of your guests. We love that it also already has a permanent tent which will save you a few thousand.

What’s Included:

Tables, Chairs, Arbor and Lighting (additional fees), Tent w/lighting, Wedding Party Suites

 

 

 

The Pavilion at Pepper Plantation

What we love:

This venue is off the beaten path and is perfect for the county chic themes and is on a lake.  Located in a quite equestrian neighborhood, you are likely to see horses trotting by.

What’s Included:

The space includes a lakeside gazebo, indoor and outdoor wood burning fire places, porches, and onsite parking.  There is a dressing suite available for an additional fee.

 

 

The Planters Inn

What we love:

Tucked away on the main strip is a gorgeous courtyard, along with indoor ball rooms.  While this space is for a more intimate crowd, we love the ambiance and romance of the venue, not to mention the superb service.

What’s Included:

Tables, Chairs, Food, Cake and Bar.

 

 

 

The Wickliffe House

What we love:

What’s not to love about an old mansion in downtown Charleston.  This venues offer both indoor and outdoor space.

What’s Included:

Tables, Chairs, Linens, Food and Bar.

 

 

 

Citadel Beach Club

What we love:

We love venues that have options for your ceremony and this one certainly does including out on the beach, on the lush yard facing the ocean, or inside.

What’s Included:

Tables, Chairs, Wedding Suite

 

Contact us today to start planning your dream wedding.

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June182020NOCOMMENTS

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Charleston Destination Wedding, Charleston Wedding Locations, Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Coordination, Wedding Elopement

New Outdoor Wedding Venue: Dogwood Downs

 

 

 

New Outdoor Wedding Venue

Nestled off of US-17 with a short 25 minutes from downtown Charleston lies Dogwood Downs. This family owned outdoor venue has stunning landscape including large oaks, an arbor, small gardens and a scenic pond.  Whether it is a large affair with over 100 guests or a micro wedding of 10 guests, this venue is ready to accommodate.

AMENITIES INCLUDED FOR MICRO-WEDDINGS:

  • Weekday dates available
  • Lovely and private dressing room area
  • Several areas to choose from for outdoor space
  • Plenty of free parking on the property
  • Access to restroom facilities

AMENITIES INCLUDED FOR LARGE EVENTS:

  • Lovely and private dressing room area
  • Several areas to choose from for outdoor space
  • Liability insurance
  • Electrical power
  • Reception area
  • Plenty of free parking on the property
  • An on-site property manager to facilitate parking and be present during the event
  • Access to restroom facilities
  • 100 dark wooden chairs
  • 15 round tables (60”)

Contact Reynolds Treasures to learn more today about Dogwood Downs.

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January920201COMMENTS

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Beach Weddings, Charleston Destination Wedding, Charleston Wedding Locations, Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Coordination, Wedding Elopement

Charleston Wedding Ceremony Locations

Charleston Wedding Locations

 

Pitt Street Bridge (Mount Pleasant, SC)

This park is located in Mt. Pleasant and boasts water views as well as views of the Ravenel Bridge and Downtown Charleston.

Park Information: No restrooms, free parking

 

 

 

 

Folly Beach (Folly, SC) or Isle of Palm Beach (Isle of Palm, SC)

Combine both the Historic Charm of Charleston and its gorgeous coast lines and there you have it, elegant beauty.

Park Information: Alcohol, glass, fire, and faux flower petals are not permitted on all beaches; free and paid parking is available.

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

Johns Island County Park (Johns Island, SC)

This park offers wooded trails, and Equestrian Center, archery range, and has gorgeous live oaks.

Park Admission:  $2 per person

 

 

 

 

 

 

USS Yorktown (Mount Pleasant, SC)

Get married on the top deck of the USS Yorktown which was built for the Untied States Navy.

Venue Information: Elopements Monday – Friday from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.

 

 

Cypress Gardens (Moncks Corner, SC)

A forty minute drive outside of Downtown Charleston, enjoy the picturesque swamp and gardens that await. Famous movies such as The Notebook, The Patriot, and Cold Mountain were all filmed here.

Park Information: Elopements Monday – Thursday from 10am – 3pm.  Additional travel fees apply for this location.

 

Charleston Aquarium (Charleston, SC)

Indoor and Outdoor Spaces for Vows and Photos and is perfect for the couple who truly want an intimate and private ceremony.

Information: Elopements available Monday – Wednesday in the evenings and bookings allowed 3 months in advance. No reception, food or beverage is permitted.

 

 

 

 

 

Hart Meadows Ranch (John’s Island, SC)

Get married in privacy with Spanish moss, live oaks, an arbor leading to a covered arched bridge, and even a private beach.

Park Information: Elopements Monday – Wednesday. Includes free parking.

 

 

Magnolia Gardens (Charleston, SC)

Get married in one of the most beautiful gardens in America among the live oaks, bamboo forest, cypress swamp gardens, breathtaking bridges, ponds, and the many alcoves scattered throughout the gardens.

Park Information: Elopements Monday – Friday from 9:30 am – 3:00 pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Heart Garden (Charleston, SC)

The garden came to life at the 1997 Spoleto Festival. Enjoy the scents of the plants, the beauty of the design, and the privacy you desire for your intimate wedding ceremony or elopement.

Garden Information:   There is free parking, no chairs allowed, maximum 2 hours on site, cake & champagne option available.

 

 

White Point Gardens/Battery Park (Charleston, SC)

Located in downtown Charleston on the waterfront with Live Oaks, gorgeous Charleston Mansions and panoramic views.
Park Information: no restrooms, free street parking, 1 hour permit fees for the gazebo, gazebo guest count around 25

 

 

 

 

 

Angel Oak Tree (John’s Island, SC)

This park hosts the largest southern live oak tree east of the Mississippi.
Park Information: 25 Guest Maximum. No Decorations or Chairs, Free Parking, Restrooms on-site

 

 

 

 

 

Sunrise Park (Charleston, SC)

Situated on water with a little beach, this park has gorgeous views of the Ravenel Bridge and downtown.

Park Information: 25 Guest Maximum. No Decorations or Chairs, Free Parking, Restrooms On-site

 

 

 

 

Brittlebank Park (Charleston, SC)

Situated in downtown behind the baseball stadium, this park is on the water and has a pier as well as a wooded area.

Park Information: Free parking and no restrooms

 

 

Waterfront Park (Charleston, SC)

Gorgeous views of Charleston Harbor, Gardens, and Fountains, including the iconic Pineapple Fountain.
Park Information: restrooms nearby, 2 parking garages nearby, No chairs or decorations allowed

 

 

 

 

 

Lovegrove Estate (Summerville, SC)

As a member of the National Register for Historic Places, this venue is along the Ashley River surrounded by oaks trees.

Includes outdoor space for ceremony as well as chairs.  Bridal Suite upon availability.

 

 

Meeting House (Ion in Mt. Pleasant, SC)

This cute indoor space offers a church like feel with high ceilings and is perfect for your ceremony.

Venue Information: Can only be reserved within 30 days of wedding date and from Mon-Friday from 9am to 5pm.

 

 

Washington Square Park (Charleston, SC)

Lots of charm with brick paths and surrounded by buildings, also offers gorgeous oak trees to hide from the sun.

Park Information: no restrooms (1 block away), metered street parking and/or a parking garage
  

 

 

 

 

 

Hampton Park (Charleston, SC)

This local park boasts gorgeous floral displays, a gazebo, fountains, as well as large live oaks. Think of this as the Central Park of Charleston.
Park Information: restrooms on-site, free parking

 

 

 

 

 

Charles Towne Landing (Charleston, SC)

This park offers beautiful marsh views and large live avenue of oaks.

Park Information: Free parking once in park and restrooms available.  Monday – Friday from 9:30 am 3:30 pm and Saturday – Sunday from 9am 12:00 pm

 

 

 

Magnolia Gardens Pavilion (Charleston, SC)

Have your intimate ceremony under live large oaks.

Venue Information: Ceremonies can be conducted after the gardens are closed to public.  A bridal suite is available pending availability.

 

 

Thomas Bennett House (Charleston, SC

As one of the Federal Style Architecture homes, this house was home of Thomas Bennett Jr. in the early 1800’s. The house over looks a large fountain and brick courtyard, a gorgeous garden with large oaks.

Venue Information: Ceremonies can be conducted with 2 hour rental Monday – Thursday from 9am – 1 pm.  Dates open 60 days prior.

 

 

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September1320192COMMENTS

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Charleston Wedding Locations, Planning, Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Coordination, Wedding Planning, Wedding Time line

Why Day-of Coordination Doesn’t Really Exist

Why Day-of Coordination Doesn’t Really Exist  

Lately, we have been getting lots of inquiries asking for just “Day-of” services.  Day-of Coordination doesn’t really exist.  Month-of Coordination is the service that is required.

Many couples believe that they can plan their own wedding and simply have a coordinator show up on the day of the wedding and jump in.  Then came the newer planners, who decided to offer this service at a lower price to build a portfolio.  Long ago, we admit we did the same thing, but not for long as we realized that this simply doesn’t work. Keep reading and I will explain.

Experienced Wedding Planner

Experienced Wedding Planners have been in business for years and are professionals at identifying every potential issue that can arise at your wedding. They are able to manage all vendors prior to and on your wedding day.  They are also very resourceful, problem solvers, and calm under stressful situations. They built relationships with many of the vendors in town, along with venues.  Most importantly, they are licensed and insured.

Inexperienced Wedding Planner

They are most likely starting up their business and may only have a few weddings under their belt.  Knowledge of contracts and timelines is lacking along with insurance and being licensed.

In order for a Wedding Planner to be successful at your event, the following should be considered:

  1. Your Planner needs to know who all of your vendors are and have read the contracts. They also need to understand each of their duties, what exactly they were contracted for, setup times and start times.  I can’t tell you how many things we catch just by reading the contracts.
  2. The Planner should know all of the aspects of the venue. This is a MUST!  It is mandatory that the planner have a walk through with the venue manager prior to the wedding to finalize the floor plan, load in and out location, electrical outlets, extra equipment, etc.
  3. Planners also are in charge of drafting a timeline for your wedding day. This is distributed to all of your vendors to follow, but may also need to be adjusted in real time if problems arise.
  4. What about rehearsal? Your Wedding Planner will direct your rehearsal.  Do not expect the venue manager to do this unless they are specifically contracted to do so. 
  5. And then there are your wedding decorations. The favors, welcome table, cake serving set, escort cards, etc.  Your Wedding Planner will obtain these items from you ahead of time so that they can review and inform you if there is anything missing.

Costs of a Wedding Coordinator

So the most popular question asked is, why does it cost so much? Let me break it down.

Contracting Vendors and Obtaining Contracts

3 Hours

Review of Contracts

3-4 Hours

Venue Walk Through

2 Hours

Timeline Creation

3-4 Hours

Rehearsal

1 Hour (usually everyone is late so 2 hours realistically)

Floor Plan Creation

1-2 Hours

Other Pre Planning

1-2 Hours

Wedding Day

10-12 Hours

Total Hours

24-31 Hours

Note that this doesn’t include business expenses such as assistants, insurance, licenses, and other overhead costs. So next time you ask a Wedding Planner to drop their pricing, you are asking them to work for an average of $4 an hour. Providing Month-of Services allows us to provide the correct level of service and professionalism that allows you to have the best day of your life.

 

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May1620191COMMENTS

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Wedding Budget, Wedding Coordination, Wedding Gifts

Unique Wedding Gifts

Everyone loves personalized gifts, so why not give a gift that can be enjoyed and reused.  We hope that you love the gifts that we recommend.

For The Wedding Party

Try a personalized floating pearl necklace.  Pearls are classic and timeless and can be worn on your wedding day as well as for years to come.

Custom drinking glasses.  Have glasses made that can keep liquid hot for up to 3 hours or cold for up to 9 hours.  Here is one that I have received and use quite often outside as it doesn’t sweat and keeps my wine nice and cool on these hot summer days.  These are wonderful to give as these can be utilized daily or even at your bachelor/bachelorette party.

One of my favorites is the custom bridal party button up flannel shirts.  Dress in-style on the day of without worrying about messing up your hair and makeup once you’re ready to get dressed. They make for cutest getting ready photos and your tribe can all match as well.

 

 

For The Couple

Are you still old-fashioned and prefer to provide a gift over simply money, then these are for you.

Give the couple customized art of what the constellations were in the night sky of their wedding night.  Local artist Nicolas Lyford-Pike illustrates constellations from memory for a specific date.  I am not sure of anything more romantic that than your wedding night sky! To inquire about having a Night Sky created for you, contact Fabulon.Art@gmail.com.

Does the couple love to travel?  Let them map their adventures with a custom keepsake map. The honeymoon should just be the beginning of your travels together.  We love this world map where the couple can keep track of all of their travels.

 

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February122019NOCOMMENTS

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Wedding Coordination, wedding planning, Wedding Planning

10 Things you Need to Know about Wedding Contracts.

You are floating on air that your engaged, now comes the stress… choosing a date, a location, and your vendors.  Of course, we recommend hiring a wedding planner or coordinator to help you through this.  However, even with your wedding planner/coordinator, you will need a contract from them as well.

Here is what you need to look for on your contracts.

1 – If a wedding vendor does not have a contract.  They are not a legitimate wedding vendor as you should have a contract from each of your vendors.

2 – Verify your wedding information.  Is your name spelled correctly? Is the location, time and date correct.  I know it sounds like a simple thing, but there was a case where the contract had a different date than the bride had wanted.  We were able to catch it in time, and make adjustments.

3 – What services is the vendor providing?  It should be spelled out.  For example, is the rehearsal included?  Or if a wedding photographer, engagement photos?  If cake or caterer, is a tasting included?  Make sure you are receiving the services you want.

4 – Is the deposit refundable?  Industry standard is that the deposit is non-refundable.  For clarity in relation to planners/coordinators, a full refund is not possible because the majority of the Wedding Services (e.g., planning, timelines, bookings and visitations with third-party vendors, etc.) will be performed prior to the wedding date and the company must be compensated for Services that are rendered prior to the cancellation.

5 – What is the cancellation policy?  If you need to cancel or postpone your wedding, what are your options with this vendor.

6 – Is there an “act of nature” clause?  What are your options in the event of a hurricane or other act of nature? If an outdoor wedding, what are your options if it rains?

7 – What if a vendor cancels?  Life happens, if the vendor suddenly has a death in the family the day before your wedding, what is the plan?  We get a least 1 call a month asking for  last minute officiant or coordination due to the vendor backing out at last minute due to life situations.

8 – How is your balance treated?  When is it due?  Can you pay it off early? What happens if your late in paying?

9 – Are there time limits?  Are there exact times on the contract, such as a photographer saying their service is 2 hours, 5-7 pm.  What if the wedding starts late?

10 – Do you understand everything in the contract?  If not, ask the vendor for clarification!  The best method of this is email so you have a hard copy of the answers that you can file with the contract.

Wedding vendors are not out to trick you.  Their contract should be set up to protect both you and them for the services you are needing.  By making sure you understand the answers to these questions for each vendor, it will prevent stress and worry later.  As with any contract, you should read  all of it before signing.

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December1020181COMMENTS

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Charleston Destination Wedding, Planning, Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Coordination, Wedding Planning

Achieve Your Dream Wedding with a Wedding Planner

How Wedding Planners Can Help You Achieve Your Dream Wedding

Planning a wedding can be stressful, even overwhelming at times. After all, this will likely be the largest event you’ve ever hosted in your life, and most of us have little to no experience in the matter. If only there was someone out there… anyone that could help. Oh wait, that’s what wedding planners are for! But aren’t wedding planners only for movie stars? Not quite. In fact, a wedding planner is really quite affordable in the grand scheme of things. If you find yourself ready to elope to escape planning stress, read on and see why a wedding planner is your perfect solution.

Planners can help make wedding planning stress-free

Weddings require a lot of research, phone calls, negotiations, and so on. When you have a wedding planner, much of this can be done for you. In many cases, it’s easier for vendors to communicate with a planner. Why? Because many are often reluctant to burden couples with last-minute details as the wedding fast approaches. A planner can work out these issues so you can focus on looking forward to and enjoying your big day.

Planners can help make your wedding dreams come true

Once a planner is aware of your wedding dreams, they have one mission: making it come true. That is, after all, what they’re being paid to do. Unlike the average couple who probably doesn’t have a background in wedding planning, most wedding planners take on more than one wedding per day or per weekend. Therefore, they’re able to leverage professional experience and vast pre-established networks to ensure your day goes exactly to your liking. It will take a huge load off your shoulders knowing there is someone out there willing to see your journey through from beginning to end.

Planners can help keep your budget in check

One of the main responsibilities of any planner is being able to do the most with whatever budget is given. Given their extensive experience, a planner knows how to make a dollar stretch and when a vendor’s quote is too high. They’ll also be able to recommend which vendors and services align perfectly with your preferences, making sure you get the best for your money. If you have a lot of time until the big day, consider utilizing mobile banking apps that can expedite your savings each month before the wedding. You’ll be able to explore more possibilities and allow your planner more creative freedom with a larger budget.

Planners can help save your money

Many planners manage to get a vendor discount. Why? Because planners give vendors repeat business. Vendors will want to make sure their services are meeting or exceeding expectations so that they can make sure they’re contacted again. When multiple vendors are giving your planner a better rate, it can amount to huge savings overall!

Contact us today so that we can begin planning the wedding of your dreams.

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