embellishedevents, Author at Wedding Planner Hilton Head, Savannah, Charleston

Hilton Head Wedding at Sea Pines Resort

Abigail and Jarrett planned their wedding on Hilton Head after spending summer months vacationing with their families. Residing in Charlotte with thriving careers, they hired a wedding planner to enjoy the experience without unnecessary stress.

Abigail always dreamed of getting married at Sea Pines Resort, home to the famous Hilton Head lighthouse. Their ceremony took place in Harbourtown, under the Liberty Oak, which was covered in florals. Guests then boarded red trollies and headed over to Sea Pines Beach Club for cocktails, dinner, and dancing.

Abigail and Jarrett consider the beaches of Hilton Head to be their sanctuary for rest and relaxation. Abigail expressed her desire for a wedding with a coastal chic vibe and wanted to incorporate peaches, the Harbourtown lighthouse, and watercolor art.

I always love to be challenged creatively and feel grateful for brides like Abigail to trust me with designing a stunning wedding reception that infuses their personal love story and unique ideas into an elegant affair. Thank you Jordan and Landon for capturing their colorful day so beautifully!

Embellished Events
Planning & Design for the Modern Bride
(843) 290-2590
Hello@EmbellishedWeddings.com

To learn more about our wedding planning packages for your event in Hilton Head, Savannah, or Charleston, please fill out our questionnaire so we can get started!

Chefs Tie the Knot in an Elegant Charleston Wedding at the William Aiken House

Lauren and Graham’s wedding was the perfect blend of west coast flair and traditional Charleston charm. A white and blue palette embraced the elegance of the South while subtle unexpected details infused the couple’s style.

I first met Lauren when I planned her sister’s wedding in fall 2014 on Hilton Head. Repeat business doesn’t happen often (if ever!) in this industry so I was truly honored to be asked by their mom to assist in planning another daughter’s wedding.

Lauren and Graham are professional chefs that met while studying at Johnson and Wales in Charlotte. They own a successful gourmet Southern food truck, Neue Southern PDX and wanted to treat their guests to a culinary experience like no other. Let me just say, their tasting goes down as the best in the books!

10 Ways to Make Your Guests Comfortable at Your Wedding

Your guests are coming from all over the country to beautiful South Carolina to celebrate your wedding day. Staying true to what the South is known for, hospitality, here are several ways to serve up southern hospitality and ensure your guests are most comfortable at your wedding:

First up, uninvite those pesky MOSQUITOS – They won’t stand a chance at feasting on your guests if you arrange to have the grounds sprayed by a professional company like Mosquito Nix or Mosquito Joe. You should also plan to have natural bug repellant available just in case. I love these repelling bracelets.

Serve up Pre-Ceremony Beverages – Whether it’s a hot summer day or cool afternoon, serve up something refreshing and delicious to your guests as they arrive for your outdoor ceremony. Fruit infused sparkling water, hot tea bar, bellinis or hot toddies…you choose the sips (or spirits) and your guests are sure to delight.

Embellished Events Butler served champagne ceremony wedding

Ashley Seawell Photography

KEEP GUESTS COOL

Butler pass chilled towels infused with lemon or eucalyptus oil while guests are waiting for your beach ceremony to begin or during your cocktail hour if taking place outdoors.

Rent several large white patio umbrellas to provide added shade for your outdoor ceremony. Dress them up by having your florist wrap the poles in greenery or wrap the bases in large nautical rope, depending on your setting and design concept.

Provide a basket of fans for your guests to grab if they desire an extra breeze to keep cool. You can plan to order one for every 2 guests. (Don’t forget to rent fans for your reception tent!)

Lowcountry Weddings

KEEP GUESTS WARM

Pashminas in your wedding color palette serve as a beautiful little detail that will keep your guests warm all day and night. Ranging in price from $5 to $50, you can decide how lavish they’ll be. For outdoor reception, consider placing a rolled pashmina on every other seat or draping them ever so beautifully over your ceremony chairs.

Ashley Seawell Photography

Another great way to keep guests warm at your outdoor wedding is to hire a local company to setup a portable coffee bar and serve up signature lattes and cappuccinos. Throw in a dash of Bailey’s and a display of delectable sweets and your guests will delighted. I love this coffee cart from Corner Perk that Meagan and Chris had for their wedding last fall at Oldfield.

Ashley Seawell Photography

Don’t forget to rent space heaters if the temperature is expected to dip below 60 degrees.

Create a Beautiful Bathroom Amenity Basket – These are provided for your guests in case they have a minor emergency or just need to be refreshed. I love displaying the items on a beautiful tray with a softly scented candle and petite floral arrangement. I wrote a post about what your basket should entail.

Provide Comfortable Shoes for Dancing – Some guests will grin and bear the pain of their Jimmy Choo stilettos, but others will be ready to kick off their heels as soon as possible. No one wants to see bare feet in their wedding photos and we surely don’t want anyone to step on broken glass! Keep your ladies happy by providing a basket of flip flops in near the dance floor. Go with gold or silver (if available) since the colors blend with any color palette and coordinate with all dresses.

Cheers y’all!

Embellished Events | Jen Leiti
Boutique Wedding Planning & Design
Serving Hilton Head, Savannah, Beaufort and Charleston, SC
(843) 757-7762
Hello@EmbellishedWeddings.com

10 Best Wedding Venues in Hilton Head and Bluffton

After establishing a detailed budget with my clients, the next big step in wedding planning is to pick the venue. Hilton Head and off island Bluffton have some of the Lowcountry’s most beautiful venues with views to die for. From beach front to historic plantation, I’ve rounded up the best spots to say, “I Do” and celebrate the night away in our area.

Located in Bluffton, SC

1. Oldfield Plantation Club – There is no place more charming than Oldfield’s River House for your ceremony and reception. Ceremonies typically take place on the front steps, but offer more options too. The reception can take place inside for intimate gatherings or beneath a tent on the sprawling lawn out back, which sits right on the water. Oldfield holds a special place in my heart because it’s where I married my best friend and husband of 8 years!

Oldfield-plantation-Bluffton-SC-wedding-planner-210

Billie Jo and Jeremy Photography for Studio Mynt

Suggs Photography

2. Colleton River Plantation Club – Colleton offers two gorgeous clubhouses for your wedding, the Nicklaus and the Dye. The venues can accommodate both intimate and large weddings. Depending on your vision and guest count, you may decide to take advantage of the view at the Nicklaus clubhouse and host your event on the spacious lawn. The sunset is magical and something you’ll want to build your wedding day timeline around.

Tim Willoughby Photography

Tim Willoughby Photography

3. Palmetto Bluff Resort – Follow the road less traveled through live oaks and red cedars all the way to where the land ends. Here you’ll find the Lowcountry’s hidden gem for luxury weddings. Once your guests come inside the gates, they’ll neither need nor want to leave until it’s time to catch their flight home. With so many new additions being added to the resort, you’ll have a wide variety of spaces to choose from for your rehearsal dinner, ceremony, and reception.

The Wedding Chapel

The Inn at Palmetto Bluff

4. Historic Rose Hill Mansion – Built in the late 1850’s, the mansion sits on a large piece of land near the Equestrian Center inside Rose Hill Plantation. Intimate weddings may hold their reception inside while larger events take place under a tent on the sprawling lawn, which is sprinkled with oaks. Due to the level of planning involved and the historic nature of the house, couples are required to hire an approved wedding planner upon booking.

Hopkins Studios

5. Belfair Golf Club – Belfair is the perfect venue for larger weddings. The ceremony can take place on the back lawn, which provides a beautiful view of the golf course and marsh. The lawn is expansive so you may choose to hold cocktail hour out there well. If you envision a tented wedding, but want the comfort of having a beautiful backup space indoors that can accommodate up to 200 guests, Belfair is a great venue to consider.

Peachtree Photography

Location on Hilton Head, SC

1. Westin Hilton Head Island Resort and Spa – The Westin has really exciting renovations happening at their oceanfront pavilion (shown below). From what I hear, the space will be elevated and climate controlled, while still offering up to 300 guests that picturesque Hilton Head beach view. I’m SO excited to see the completion, expected in April 2017!

Hopkins Studios

2. Omni Oceanfront Resort – The Shorehouse at the Omni offers guests a beautiful view of the dunes and beach. Your ceremony can take place on the beach, which offers a private boardwalk for you and your guests next to the reception venue. The Shorehouse is perfect for groups between 100 and 125. The openness of the venue makes for a clean canvas to build your dream wedding upon. I also want to point out that their team is incredible in flipping space faster than lighting should you elect to have your ceremony beneath the Shorehouse as well as your reception.

Photography by Anne

3. Sonesta Resort – This resort underwent a HUGE renovation several years ago and has since become a top contender on Hilton Head as far as venues are concerned. The pavilion on the beach is spacious and offers both indoor and outdoor dining options. If you’re hosting a group of 125-150 for a seated dinner and want to be on the water, this is a great option to consider for your wedding.

Brandon Lata Photography

4. Sea Pines Resort – When you think of Hilton Head, more than likely a red and white striped lighthouse comes to mind. This is the iconic Harbour Town Lighthouse and is the backdrop for some of the island’s greatest traditions and events. Sea Pines offers so many options for venues and guest accommodations/activities, it’s no wonder it is Hilton Head’s top destination wedding venue.

Hunter McRae Photography

5. Haig Point (on Daufuskie Island) – Last but not least is Haig Point, a private golf community on Daufuskie Island. If you’re interested in having your wedding here, you’ll be happy to know the club does NOT require you to be a member. I absolutely love the lighthouse for ceremonies. The canopy of trees provides the most romantic setting and perfect lighting for exchanging vows. The best spot for the reception? Why tented of course. The spacious lawn in front of Strachan Mansion not only features historic ruins, but it’s also situated right smack on the water. The best advice I can give is to try to book a date that falls on a full moon. SWOON!

The Reason Photography

Embellished Events
Planning & Design for the Modern Bride
(843) 290-2590
Hello@EmbellishedWeddings.com

To learn more about our wedding planning packages for your event in Hilton Head, Savannah, or Charleston, please fill out our questionnaire so we can get started!

How to Incorporate Lowcountry into your Wedding

Engaged couples flock to the Lowcountry to plan their wedding because they love the beauty of the outdoors, the richness of it’s history and the memories they have vacationing here as a child. Incorporating local nods into the wedding design is important to give guests a taste of the culture.

Here are 4 easy ways to bring the beauty of the Lowcountry into your wedding design:

1. Oyster Shells – The drastic tide swing and moderate temperatures between September and April cultivates the perfect environment for harvesting oysters. As farmers shuck the oysters, they often throw behind the beautiful shells they grow in. I LOVE incorporating these beauties into a wedding’s decor. From chandeliers and table runners to place cards and candles, oyster shells are symbolic of the area and stunning works of art.

2. Sweetgrass – Gullah families have been making items from sweetgrass for generations. They’re best known for their baskets, which are perfect for your flower girl to toss petals from. I also love how sweetgrass was added as a decorative band to the cake below.

3. Palmetto Roses are a fun alternative to fresh floral bouquets or boutonnieres. They also make a sweet gift to include in your welcome bags along with a note talking about their history.
Magnolias – Known for their large blooms and bright green and copper leaves, magnolias are everywhere here in the South. The sky is the limit when it comes to incorporating these into your wedding.

Evan Laettner Photography

Peachtree Photography

Evan Laettner Photography

The Lowcountry is geographically comprised of the coastal areas between Savannah, GA and Charleston, SC. The area is known for its vast marsh views, moss draped oaks, relaxed pace of life, front porch sitting and ice tea sipping. It’s a way of life and one you’re sure to enjoy. So come visit y’all!

Header image by Evan Laettner Photography

Embellished Events | Jen Leiti
Boutique Wedding Planning & Design
Serving Hilton Head, Savannah, Beaufort and Charleston, SC
(843) 757-7762
Hello@EmbellishedWeddings.com

UberEVENTS launches in Savannah

Uber may be a taxi cab’s worst nightmare, but they just became a dream to couples planning their wedding in Savannah, Bluffton, or Hilton Head. UberEVENTS is the latest extension of the brand and lets you buy rides in advance for your guests.

“You arrange how, when, and where your guests ride so they can focus on having the best time.”

Basically, it’s like setting up a hotel room block. You coordinate the details with the local UberEVENTS manager and they’ll send you a group code. You are only charged for what is used on the night of your event, which means, you’re not paying for empty cars. Contact helms@uber.com to coordinate drivers for your upcoming wedding in or around Savannah, Hilton Head and Bluffton.

Embellished Events | Jen Leiti
Boutique Wedding Planning & Design
Serving Hilton Head, Savannah, Beaufort and Charleston, SC
(843) 757-7762
Hello@EmbellishedWeddings.com

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Hilton Head Wedding at Sea Pines Resort

Chefs Tie the Knot in an Elegant Charleston Wedding at the William Aiken House

10 Ways to Make Your Guests Comfortable at Your Wedding

10 Best Wedding Venues in Hilton Head and Bluffton

How to Incorporate Lowcountry into your Wedding

UberEVENTS launches in Savannah

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