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UNIQUELY CAPTURE YOUR BIG DAY WITH LIVE PAINTING

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TIPS & TRICKS FROM LOCAL WEDDING PLANERS

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GOWN SKETCHES MAKE SENTIMENTAL KEEPSAKES

g n i d d e W s d n a l e k Two La o D I y a S s e l p Cou CHARLESTON AIELLO + JOSH WARNER RHETTA CHRISTIAN + BLAKE SMITH

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LIVE EVENT PAINTING Event Painting Offers a Fun Way to Capture Wedding Moments

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SPRING BRIDAL A Collection By Oleg Cassini

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WEDDING PROS IN LAKELANDS Making Your Special Day Come Together Flawlessly

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SAY YES TO THE DRESS Sketch or Drawing

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A HOLIDAY WEDDING Rhetta Christian + Blake Smith

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HEIRLOOM BOUQUETS Our Favorite Spring Flowers

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TABLESCAPES Velvet, Logs and Layers

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TOASTING TIPS It's a Toasting, Not a Roasting

Bri Johnson Photography ©

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CHARLESTON AIELLO AND JOSH WARNER WEDDING

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T h e

B r i d e ’ s

Managing Editor Suzanne Polk Fox Creative Director Dianne Waller Production Claire Thomas

R e s o u r c e

Copy Editor Chad Ruiz Contributing Writers St. Claire Donaghy Suzanne Fox Margorie Lanelle Nellie Palmer Amanda Smith Dina Zelden

©2019 Jumpstart Publishing, LLC . • New Orleans, LA All rights reserved. • info@igofox.com www.igofox.com www.foreverbridalmagazine.com Issue 7 • V8

President/Publisher Mundy Burns Price Sales Team Beth Campbell Bill Duncan Bob Roy Brett Stackhouse

Rachaelhughesphoto.com

113 Trinity St., Abbeville, SC 29620 trinityphotographyweddings.com 864.366.9232

Facials Massage Makeup Waxing Services Tinting Services Nail Services Bridal-Party Packages “Merle Norman Cosmetics of Greenwood”

M-F 9:30am - 5:30pm Sat. by appointment (864) 229-3322 • 201-B Hampton Street, Savannah Court, Greenwood, SC • www.MerleNormanGreenwoodsc.com

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Charleston Aiello + Josh Warner

BY AMANDA SMITH PHOTOS BY RACHAEL HUGHES

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Charleston Aiello and Josh Warner tie the knot with a fall ceremony in Uptown Greenwood Charleston Aiello was excited to be in Florida.

She had been dating Josh Warner for four and a half years when the couple posed for photos on the beach with friends and family. During a couples’ outing in February of 2018 in Greenville, Charleston had chosen a ring she loved at a jewelry store. Later, Josh asked if that was the ring she wanted because he wanted to buy it for her.

When they set out for Florida, Charleston kept thinking

how perfect it would be if Josh proposed while they were on the beach. The gulf would be the perfect backdrop for such a happy occasion!

When they got to Florida, however, Josh insisted that he didn’t bring the ring along.

Charleston was disappointed and upset when he told her he didn’t have the ring, but she recovered quickly. Donned in a white sundress, she asked her friends to take photos of her and Josh on the beach by themselves after eating

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dinner at a nearby seaside restaurant. After they had taken a few photos, Josh grabbed Charleston’s arm and pulled something shiny out of his pocket.

It was the engagement ring.

Josh smiled at Charleston while he bent down on one knee.

“It was sweet,” Charleston said. “It was a good surprise.

Everybody knew: my mom and stepdad because we were visiting their house and our friends Allie and Justin because they took pictures of the whole thing.”

On Saturday, November 16, 2019, Charleston Aiello and Josh Warner were married at the Inn on the Square in Greenwood, South Carolina.

The couple’s pastor, H. Bryant Sims, officiated the wedding.

The matron of honor was Alexandra Fricks. Bridesmaids 8

included Kathryn Katz and Abby Spate Ellenberg. Junior bridesmaids were Charleston’s two sisters, Harlin Jane Mason and Addison Aiello. Cassidy Claire Wideman was the flower girl.

The best man was Tim Warner. The groomsmen included Justin Fricks, Ethan Warner and Andrew Price.

Charleston selected a gown from Elegant Bridals in Augusta, GA. Her dress was an ivory mermaid gown with a fitted

bodice and a sweetheart neckline. The gown was decorated with lace and sequins.

She also wore a cathedral length veil with lace trim.

The bride chose dresses from Viola for the bridesmaids. They wore fair pink, V-line gowns adorned with an outline of gold mermaid scales.

The Inn on the Square also hosted the indoor reception.

Special thanks go to wedding organizer Elizabeth Brock, wedding decorator April

Mauldin and Charleston’s stepfather. She also gives special thanks to her mother.

Charleston’s mother, Shelby Mason, provided hair styling for the bride and bridesmaids.

Haley Roark from Wade’s on Waller provided makeup services for the bride and bridesmaids.

Rachael Hughes provided the wedding photography.

The couple selected Greenwood Flower Market for wedding flowers.

The DJ was Charleston’s uncle.

“I wanted the songs to be fun and reflect what Josh and I enjoy,” Charleston said. “I didn’t choose songs I thought other people liked. I wanted it to be about us.”

The couple’s exit song was

by Kiss. They chose “I Was Made for Lovin’ You.” The bride and groom met before they were in high school. They both played golf for Emerald High in Greenwood, SC.

They didn’t reconnect until the end of November in 2013.

Josh messaged Charleston on Facebook and showed interest in her hobby of showing cows and horses. He asked her for a date and she reluctantly agreed.

She brought her mom, stepdad and her sister to the date.

“I hadn’t seen him since we were in eighth grade,” Charleston said. “I was still remembering him as an eighth grader.”

Once she saw his truck pull up, however, she knew she would like him. The front of the truck bore a tag saying, “Eat More Beef ”.

Josh is a welder at KSC. Charleston is a paralegal at the law offices of Edward S. McCallum, III. She recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from USC Upstate.

Both Josh and Charleston have lived in Greenwood their entire lives. They will continue to do so.

Wedding Coordinator: Elizabeth Brock Wedding Decorator: April Mauldin Wedding Photographer: Rachael Hughes Photography Engagement Photographer: Paige Stumbo Ceremony, Reception, Rehearsal Dinner, Food and Drinks, Guest Accommodations: Inn on the Square (Tom Jackson, event director) Cake and Cupcakes: Savannah of Sugar, Spice, & Everything Iced located in Corley’s Market Flowers: Greenwood Flower Market Invitations: BasicInvite.com Wedding website host and online RSVP: TheKnot.com Bride’s Dress: Elegant Bridals, Augusta, GA Bridesmaids Dresses: Voila, Greenwood Groom and Groomsmen's Tuxedos: David Lindsay Clothier, Greenwood Makeup Artist: Haley Roark at Wade’s on Waller Hair Stylist: Shelby Mason Nail technician: Kinsley Watson at Cypress Nail Studio DJ: Trent Henley Favors and bridal party monogramming: Steve Riley of Emerald Ink & Stitches

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ENCHANTED TABLESCAPES

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Elegant RUSTIC PLACE SETTING

Eggplant velvet table runners, figs and grapes with smokey glass plates on wicker chargers gives a completely different take on the rustic Shakespearean setting. Elegant, rustic, enchanting, this tablescape checks all of the boxes.

BY NELLIE PALMER

Set the mood for a reception full of beautiful blooms, wood and rustic elements and a romantic evening of dancing under the stars.

Velvet table runners in shades of mauve and lilacs with pink napkins tied in baby pink satin ribbon are stunning draped on unfinished wood tables. Accent with spring garden bouquets of garden roses in deep and light colors in antique vases. For a Shakespearian look, add figs, grapes and pomegranates to your bouquets and scatter them on your table runner. Don't limit yourself here. Guilded candleholders with ivory candles help to set the enchanted mood. The table runner should be draped with creases and folds to give it the non-traditional unrefined look. Think soft, luscious, deep and light tones with smokey glasses and plates in different layers. Mix it up with plates of different colors. If you are renting, you may find plates with gold rims. Only use one of these, maybe on the salad plate. If you only have one plate and a charger, make the plate white and the charger gold or silver.

Layers and levels, slices of logs at random heights, burlap and roses with baby’s breath. The burlap-covered Mason jar with flower bouquets gives the typical overused Mason jar a whole new look.

Use twine to tie baby’s breath on linen napkins in mint green or choose colors from the centerpieces, like pomegranate or fig.

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Giving your flowers a monochrome background allows you to use less flowers and create a focal point that pops.

Troy Grover Photographers Š

Antique wood chairs with lace tablecloths over tan linens make a subtle, yet stunning statement. Or, for a budget friendly setting, use painter’s drop cloths under the lace.

Belles of Ireland, peach garden roses, baby’s breath, lilacs and ranunculus, are all among our springtime favorites arranged in white vases or depression glass and allows the monochrome linens to act as a backdrop for the vibrant colors.

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Reception for Lauren Fidler and Carver Buis at Boone Hall Plantation in Charleston, SC. Wedding planners: Sparkles, Event Decor & Design, Walterboro, SC. Photo by Trinity Photography

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m o o l r i e H pring BOUQUETS S

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Worthy of a royal wedding: fragrant garden roses, berries and ruscus make a statement far from minimalism.

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Our favorite blooms for the spring used to create the most enchanting heirloom bouquets : Peonies - large blushing pallets of white and pink make a statement by themselves or in a bouquet of other textures.

Garden Roses - not just roses, but the large garden roses found in the Gardens of Giverny in shades of pink and peach.

Sweet Peas - fragrant purple flowers used to highlight the peonies and garden roses. If your wedding has a lilac theme, carry a bunch of sweetpeas tied with a satin ribbon for a soft sweet look.

C A T E R I N G

RECEPTIONS • SHOWERS • LUNCHES & PARTIES Ranunculus - a perfect little round flower in spring colors that pairs well with garden roses and baby’s breath.

Hydrangeas - large delicate blooms that make a statement all on their own. If you are looking for a highlight color other than white or blue, this flower is easily painted with floral paint found at your local craft store.

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Worthy of a royal wedding.

The fragrant blooms of garden roses, berries and ruskus make a statement far from minimalism. Worthy of a royal wedding.

The fragrant blooms of garden roses, berries and ruskus make a statement far from minimalism.

Bouquet for the wedding of Courtney Holmes and Bryan Pauze by The Olive & Poppy in Denver, CO. Photo by Trinity Photogrpahy.

Make a statement by featuring feathers and moss in your arrangement.

Bouquet for the wedding of Juliana Morris and Heath Smith by Greg Hall & Co. of Hartwell, GA. Photo by Trinity Photography.

The enchanted heirloom flower bouquet is loosely arranged to give it an abundance of texture and height. Using larger flowers like hydrangeas or peonies as a base with fillers of garden roses in different hues, accented with texture of greenery makes this the perfect whimsical arrangement.

g n i t s a o TIPS T

BY DINA ZELDEN

Raise your glass to the happy couple

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OUR GOOD FRIEND HAS ASKED YOU TO MAKE A TOAST AT THEIR WEDDING. WHILE PUBLIC SPEAKING STRIKES FEAR IN THE HEART OF MOST, IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT THIS SHOULD BE TAKEN AS QUITE AN HONOR.  BE PREPARED Very few people can “wing it” when it comes to public speaking. Write out your speech and organize it around a central theme. Practice makes perfect.

Read your speech in front of a mirror, and to other people to get feedback.

Ask about the timing and order of toasts at the event. Will you be using a microphone? Think about the size of the venue and what it will take to be heard by all the guests.  START STRONG It is fine to feel nervous, but do not let the guests know it. Smile. Make eye contact.

You’ve got this. Remember to begin by introducing yourself and explaining your relationship to the happy couple. Consider your opening lines. You may want to start by describing the honoree’s best quality or by relating a genuinely funny moment you shared.

 BE CONVERSATIONAL On the big day, leave the paper at home, but be sure to bring cue cards to help keep you on track. This will help your toast sound natural, even when you are nervous.

Be yourself. Convey your feelings in a way that feels comfortable to you. Don’t rush. There is a natural tendency to speed up when you are nervous. Take deep breaths to help pace yourself.  SPEAK WITH PASSION A wedding is an important event in a person’s life. You want the guests to feel the significance by adding some emotional impact. No need to struggle with the right words. Let the likes of Shakespeare or Emily Dickinson help you by adding a quote to convey the sentiment. While it is easy to focus on your friend or family member, don’t forget to include their new spouse in your remarks to welcome them into the family. Speak from the heart. Choose words, whether silly or serious, that you can give your all.  FINISHING TOUCHES At the end of your speech, don’t forget that this is a toast. Be sure to raise your glass to the happy couple, look in their direction and offer cheers to them. When all the guests join you, and after following these tips, you can be sure of a job well done. Cheers to YOU!

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e v i L

Models for a styled shoot watch as Greenwood artist, Ellen Bess Gable, captures the shoot in a live painting.

EVENT E VENT PAINTING OFFERS A FUN WAY TO CAPTURE WEDDING MOMENTS

BY ST. CLAIRE DONAGHY PHOTOS BY TRINITY PHOTOGRAPHY

Gable said this painting style is much Greenwood-based artist and painter EllenBess Gable firmly believes paint different than what many painters do can capture the fluidity of a moment in in an indoor studio environment.

"You have to quickly pick and choose time in a way that photographs cannot. what you are going to include and Gable said she was first asked to do a live event painting for a wedding by a good friend, Celia Steifle Davis, when Celia married Clement Davis in April 2016.

"It really made me go outside of my shell," Gable said. "Celia asked if I would come to her wedding in Greenville and paint at a location near the Reedy River. I thought it was a fantastic idea to capture an actual moment in time in paint. I love to paint outdoors.

At the College of Charleston, I did a lot of painting 'en plein air.'

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you want to capture a moment that is extremely special," Gable said. "You're trying to capture the mood, the lighting.

People went nuts over this first one of these live event paintings that I did."

Heather Smith does live painting in North Carolina.

Gable likes to talk with the bride and groom to be beforehand, or whomever has commissioned the painting.

"I like to get a feeling for the location, the size the painting should be, the general color scheme, the flowers and lighting," Gable said, noting wedding planners are also great resources for these details.

"I've been doing these for a few years now," Gable said. "I've learned to keep my supplies as concise as possible, because this is a one woman show and I do have to carry it all back to my car at the end of the event."

Typically, Gable said these live event paintings are not completed in their entirety during the course of a wedding ceremony or reception or couple's first dance or whatever it is she has been hired to paint.

"The light is always changing and it's a huge part of capturing the feel of a moment," Gable said. "Movement is another important thing to capture. I take a series of photographs that I refer to, but I try to rely on those as little as possible. Once light is so dim that it is difficult to continue painting on site, I bring it back to my studio and work on it. There's always this awesome, magical moment the next day, when I look at the painting and can recall exactly what the moment was like."

Gable said she loves paint and all of the things it can do.

"I've done more than a dozen live event paintings for weddings," Gable said. "I've also done gifts for bridesmaids, such as portraits of bridal bouquets, details of the bride's dress.

People have also requested maps of places guests go to or visit during their wedding stay. But, I've also done live painting for non-wedding events, such as the Self Regional Healthcare Foundation's annual Mid-winter Ball fundraiser."

Should someone commission a map painting, Gable said the person

commissioning the work buys the rights to the map from her. Then, the map can be scanned and made into postcards for guests or prints.

"After weddings, I've gotten commissions to do baby shower hostess gifts as well, with paintings reflecting color schemes," Gable said. "I feel honored to be chosen to capture these events. They are such joyful occasions."

From the time she was 16 years old, Gable said she has been studying to be a painter. She has degrees from the South Carolina Governors School for the Arts and Humanities, the College of Charleston and Lander University.

Her work is internationally collected and published. She specializes in custom commissions of all types, portraiture and live event painting. Contact Gable at: cluckandcompany@gmail.com and via Instagram: @cluckandcompany.

"I'm still learning every day," Gable said. "As I do these live paintings, I learn more and more about the process. It's always changing and the eternal education in this career is the best thing."

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NEW YORK FASHION WEEK 2019

A COLLECTION Between Looking Good & BY OLEG CASSINI

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Troy Grover Photographers ©

Spring Bridal The Difference

BY SUZANNE FOX

Christmas 1936, the day Oleg Cassini arrived in New York, was the beginning of a new fashion era.

His sparse possessions as described in his autobiography consisted of a tuxedo, two tennis rackets, a title and talent. Born with the title of Count, the son of a Countess and the grandson of the Russian Ambassador to the United States, Cassini lived an intriguing life. It’s no surprise that he would follow in his mother's footsteps by going into the fashion industry which made him an award winning fashion designer for the stars.

His introduction to stardom began on the tennis court when he played a doubles match with the head of Paramount Pictures, which in turn led to a job offer as a full designer.

While at Paramount, he designed costumes for stars such as Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe and Gene Tierney, whom he eventually married.

His latest designs were worn by stars such as Renee Zellweger, Kim Basinger and Taylor Swift.

A model walks the runway during the Oleg Cassini Spring 2019 Bridal fashion show on April 12, 2018 in New York City.

Cassini brought color to the Tonight Show when he began dressing Johnny Carson in colored shirts.

One of his greatest achievements was his appointment by Jackie Kennedy as her Secretary of Style.

He created the “Jackie O” look that revolutionized women’s fashions and was copied by women all over the world. Cassini visualized her as an American Queen and Mrs. Kennedy acknowledged that “Oleg dressed me for the part.”

A model flaunts her full-length veil during the Oleg Cassini Spring 2019 Bridal fashion show.

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Jacqueline Kennedy at the Inaugural Gala Ball 1961

Oleg Cassini Spring 2019 Bridal fashion show in New York City.

Geometric dresses, pillbox hats, boxy jackets with oversized buttons and occasionally dramatic gowns. Cassini designed a reported 300 outfits for the First Lady including a Swiss double satin white gown decorated by a single flower appliqué which she wore to the Inaugural Gala Ball in 1961. The dress was subsequently named one of the “50 Dresses that Changed the World” by the Design Museum in England.

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Today, even though Cassini is no longer alive, his designs are carried on through his design house with the same flair of style he used to create the “Jackie O” look.

It’s no wonder that Cassini's gowns sparkle, as he once won the award, “Most Creative Presentation” for an evening gown painted in dramatic colors on silver foil. His brilliant use of color and texture is what makes his designs so unique. If you have an opportunity to wear an Oleg Cassini gown on your special day, wear it with pride because as Oleg Cassini said, “My preoccupation is to make women look beautiful.” *

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A wedding at Greenville’s Wyche Pavillion by Abbeville-based wedding planners, It’s Your Party.

Wedding pros in the Lakelands dish on making your special day come together flawlessly

BY ST. CLAIRE DONAGHY

Wedding professionals can take guesswork out of the planning process.

There are wedding planners who handle everything from logistics to the day-of nuptials.

There are also wedding coordinators who step in during the final weeks leading up to the big day, to keep everything on schedule.

And, there are wedding designers who focus on the look of the big day, leaving many of the other details to you.

When you seek out wedding pros, find out what is included in their services and how much those services cost.

Artemus Hart of That Perfect Touch wedding and events.

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PHOTO BY MARLO DUNLAP

Artemus Hart, 50, of That Perfect Touch in Greenwood, offers a full-range of services. He's been a professional wedding planner for about five years.

That Perfect Touch can assist with everything from scheduling, venue selection, invitations, caterers and more.

"I will even go with the couple on their various appointments," Hart said. "Planning can take a minimum of seven to nine months before the wedding date. My top three things to suggest to couples are: set a date, set your budget and get your wedding venue reserved.

Those things need to be done as soon as possible."

Artemus Hart of That Perfect Touch wedding and events, assisted Mr. and Mrs. Sterling Hill with their May 25, 2019 wedding at the Commerce Club in Greenville.

Artemus Hart of That Perfect Touch says seating trends for weddings and events include head tables for the wedding party and special guests that are decorated differently from other tables.

Here, Hart used massive elevated fresh florals and gold chairs to bring the elegant look together. Photo by Marlo Dunlap

For couples that have already done significant planning, Hart said he can assist three months out. He also is ready to step in on the day of the wedding for those who have already done all the detail work, but he encourages scheduling several meetings with him in advance of the wedding.

"When I was young, I sung in just about everybody's wedding," Hart said. "I saw a lot about what would go wrong and what would go right."

Hart said one of his favorite parts of the process is meeting with couples at the very beginning of the planning process.

"I want them to tell me about their love story," Hart said. "How did they meet? Who made the first move to introduce them? I want their vision on how they want their wedding to look. I want their personality to come out in the design of the wedding."

Part of Hart's planning includes the crucial budgeting component.

"Couples have all of this inspiration from Pinterest, but you have to figure out the financials of what a certain wedding look is going to cost," Hart said. "You have to tell me what your budget is and we have to see what we can do that fits into that. I want the couple to be happy."

Be up front about your likes and dislikes from the start of the planning process, Hart said. "I had one bride who was just very hard to read about what she liked, but when they walked in to the reception, her mouth just dropped. She gave me the biggest hug. At that time, I felt my job was satisfactory. Keep lines of communication open. By the time the planning is over, I want to feel like one of the couple's best friends."

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Hart's advice: hire as many professionals as you can afford, to make the wedding day the best it can be, from the cake, to the photographer to the floral designer.

"If you try to do it all yourself, you will be too tired to enjoy the day," Hart said. "Your guests might enjoy it, but you might not have time to dance and mingle and enjoy."

Another piece of advice: be where you are supposed to be when you are supposed to be there, Hart said.

"It's my job to be a step ahead of everything that's fixing to take place," Hart said, noting he's been involved with weddings with 700 guests to intimate gatherings of 35 people or fewer.

It's Your Party! Events and Weddings in Abbeville, has provided services for weddings throughout South Carolina and regions of Georgia and North Carolina.

Established by friends Jane White and Beck Eleazer, the two took a wedding planning course together in 2005 and received certification.

White and Eleazer coordinated their first wedding together in 2006.

White and Eleazer help clients with referrals for vendors and venues, budget management, venue set-up, timelines, schedules, and

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An outdoor wedding by It’s Your Party.

PHOTO BY KNAPP YOON JEN YUSON PHOTOGRAPHY

coordination of both the rehearsal and the wedding.

"We also offer month-of services which begin four to six weeks before the wedding day, to assist in finalizing details, as well as orchestrating everything on the wedding day," White said. "Customized services can be provided when necessary."

Working with clients and taking care of all the details are two of the big reasons why White and Eleazer enjoy what they do.

Seeing a couple's reaction to making sure candles are lit and the groom's tie is straight are all part of it.

"It is sometimes a real challenge getting everyone involved with the wedding to understand that this is the bride and groom's wedding," White said. "Throughout the planning process, there may be differences of opinion, but we are the bride and groom's mediators, to be sure their wishes are being met."

White and Eleazer's advice for engaged couples planning a wedding is to establish a budget first, then decide on the number of guests that budget can accommodate. From there, search for a venue that suits the guest list size and budget.

Once you have a venue and its price, White and Eleazer recommend finding out precisely what the venue price includes: tables, linens, set-up, etc. Then, you can begin searches for florists, photographers, caterers, etc.

"Hiring skilled experts for all phases of your wedding will, surprisingly, save you money in the long run and cut down on your anxiety," White said.

Hot humid days can wreak havoc on wedding cakes, Eleazer said, noting icing can melt and layers can slip and slide.

At one reception, Eleazer said one cake layer "completely collapsed" and had to be removed from the cake.

A wedding in the beautiful mountainside chapel at the Cliffs at Glassy in Landrum, SC, planned by It’s Your Party.

"Adding to this issue, no flowers were left to decorate the cake," Eleazer recalled. We had to resort to cutting crepe myrtle blooms to disguise damaged icing. We made sure the couple and guests were never aware something was amiss."

In 2013, Allison Doares-Sykora launched a boutique wedding and event company, Callie Weddings and Events. Laura Katherine McCallum joined the business first as an intern for her own sister's wedding and later as an executive wedding planner, certified internationally through The Bridal Society.

McCallum says it's important to set realistic goals for what can be accomplished within a couple's wedding budget and being open to compromise.

During the planning process, McCallum strives to make sure everyone's opinions are heard, but she said "it is ultimately most important that the couple is comfortable with each and every decision regarding their wedding."

It's also important for planners and the families and guests to be flexible in the event of a need for alternative options on the wedding day, McCallum said, noting a severe May rainstorm popped up at one wedding at Cokesbury College in Hodges.

"We made the call to implement a 'plan B' and move the ceremony inside the Cokesbury College chapel," McCallum said, noting the cocktail hour also had to be moved indoors and tables beneath a tent to accommodate more covered seating during the dinner.

"Thanks to a fabulous catering team—a shout out to Grits and Groceries—a determined event staff and a very positive couple, we pulled off a miracle," McCallum said. "I love stepping back in the middle of the reception to enjoy the happiness and joy that fills the room."

A trend McCallum is seeing, particularly with rising wedding costs and couples taking on more financial responsibility for their nuptials, is styled elopements.

"These allow for all the bells and whistles of a big wedding without the cost and stress of a large guest count," McCallum explains. "These are detailed, gorgeously styled and intimate ceremonies. They allow for couples to have the weddings of their dreams, with plenty to time to focus on each other."

McCallum says styled elopements can include beautiful locations, flowers, cake-cutting ceremonies and stellar photography.

WE’RE A PERMANENT SOLUTION FOR YOUR TEMPORARY NEEDS!

E AL H T NT R RE NTE76 9 E 1 e C S i nc Come See Us For All Your Wedding Party Needs • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Tents Chairs Power Tools Linens Plates Glasses / Stemware Coffee /Beverage Serving Tables Flatware Bar Equipment Serving Items Fountains Punch Bowls Sound Lights Inflatables Heaters

Wedding planners have access to resources for practically every detail of planning a couple’s perfect day, from flowers and catering, to makeup and transportation, making the process of tracking down specialty vendors, such as for this vintage bus, much easier.

PHOTO BY RACHEL CRAIG PHOTOGRAPHY

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Say Yes To the Dress (sketch or drawing)

BY ST. CLAIRE DONAGHY

Kristen Bennett, gallery manager and art education coordinator at Main and Maxwell in Greenwood, says clients adore her bridal gown sketches and drawings. "I did a lot of test sketches for friends and family who were brides," Bennett said. "I saw their pictures on Facebook and printed those and did sketches and gave them to the brides."

Bennett was a visual arts major at Lander University. After graduation, Bennett said she found it difficult to carve out time to draw and paint in free time outside of her work as _________.

"Sketching these dresses is a way to get creative juices flowing and make other people happy," Bennett said. "There can be a lack of sentimental, simple, effective and affordable gifts. This kind of fills that need. "I sketch dresses, bouquets and people's first homes.

Someone just asked me to sketch a sentimental piece of furniture that was her grandmother's. It started with the dresses, but I'm open to suggestions."

Bennett often works in pencil on an 8x10-inch piece of paper.

"I frame them in an 11x14 frame," Bennett said. "My favorite part about drawing is working with shadows and details.You can do that with lace and ruffles at the

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A sketch of a friend’s wedding gown by Kristen Bennett.

Artist, Kristen Bennett

bottom of a dress. It's simple, but it stands out on the paper.

"I love the idea of sketching the groom's attire, too," Bennett said. "I want to try that. It's a really good feeling to have a little, tiny idea grow. People have told me that they cried when they saw the sketches and that their faces just lit up."

Initially, Bennett said part of her learning curve was figuring out how best to sketch a gown — hanging on a hanger, worn on the body or from a photograph.

"On the hanger, the dress has no shape," Bennett said. "It's basically a rectangle. Now, when I ask people to send pictures, I ask if there is a photo of the bride to be wearing the dress. It makes it look more shapely."

Bennett said a gown sketch is typically priced at $75 and a sketch of a detailed house or bouquet is priced at $85.

Bennett, of Elberton, Georgia, said she has always loved art and being creative. Her dad is an art teacher.

"Maybe I got it from him, but I have been drawing and painting forever," Bennett said.

The first house Bennett sketched belonged to a woman who went to high school with in Georgia who now lives in Greenwood.

"I also drew the house of my middle school science teacher," Bennett said. "If people live nearby, I like to deliver sketches by hand. Getting to reunite and connect with people through this is really special."

Sketches of bouquets also make personal and unique gifts.

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A Holiday Wedding Rhetta Christian + Blake Smith December 7, 2019

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Just as ride on a carousel comes full circle, so does this love story. Sometimes in life there are second chances with a first love; so goes the story of Rhetta and Blake.

The bride and groom met about ten years ago in high school. She was a sophomore who had just transferred from a private school, and he was a freshman. What started out as just having a mutual circle of friends blossomed into a closer relationship between just the two of them. They became the best of friends, spending a lot of time together. “I was attracted to Blake because he is the most genuine-hearted person I have ever met. He is a friend to everyone he meets and is willing to go the extra mile to help anyone!” explained Rhetta.

Blake shared that, other than her obvious, natural beauty, he was attracted to Rhetta’s sense of adventure and how she is so selfless and hard-working.

The two grew closer as the days turned into weeks, months, and a couple of years. Going on adventures, hiking, and exploring new towns are a few of their favorite things to do. They also love hunting, fishing, and watching the Clemson Tigers together.

However, as often happens with young love, the two went their separate ways, attending different colleges and pursuing their own career goals. Rhetta earned her degree from Anderson University, while

BY MARGORIE LANELLE PHOTOS BY TRINITY PHOTOGRAPHY

Blake played baseball for East Tennessee State. Time marched on, and so did their lives; different paths, different plans, different agendas.Yet, somehow in the grand scheme of this thing called life, destiny would make sure that their paths would, once again, cross.

“Well, Blake and I reconnected after I graduated from Anderson University. He was still in college in Tennessee, and he had come home for the summer right before his senior year. I sent a simple text, just asking how he was doing and, well, the rest is history” smiled Rhetta. “I would travel to watch him play baseball, and after he graduated, he then played for the Detroit Tigers. It’s like we just picked up right where we left off.”

“Well, I’ve always known that she was ‘the one,’ ” added Blake.

“He never gives up on a dream, no matter what it takes, and he has pursued me ever

since those awkward high school years and never gave up on our love. We truly are best friends,” said Rhetta.

The couple dated, again, for two years, and then Blake decided that it was time to propose to the love of his life.

Knowing that New York is one of Rhetta’s favorite places to visit, Blake planned a November (2018) trip to NYC, his first to the Big Apple, with Rhetta, and he asked her mother to join them.

Being the weekend after Thanksgiving, New York was already in high gear for the Christmas season, which happens to be the couple’s favorite time of year. Little did Rhetta know that Blake had already met with her father and her two brothers to ask for her hand in marriage.

“Well, I knew Blake had been acting a little different that day; he was very antsy and seemed

very nervous. We were dressed very nicely. I was wearing a black dress and Blake was ‘dressed to a T’. The plan was to take a stroll in Central Park and then dine at a nice restaurant, so we were dressed fancier than usual.

It was a cloudy day and Blake took me to the fountain where many movies had been filmed.

HE PROPOSED RIGHT THERE! I knew as soon as he got down on one knee that he was going to propose. I immediately started crying and it was such a surreal feeling that I do not even recall what he said!” explained Rhetta.

But she definitely remembers that her answer was “Yes”.

Her mother took photos of the proposal, and Rhetta was so happy that her mom was there to experience the special moment. “It was an absolute dream!” Rhetta said.

With modern technology as it is today, the couple face-timed 35

with their two families, as well as with several friends, to share their good news. Rhetta arrived in New York single, but she left as a fiancé!

Now came the time for planning the wedding! The date was set: December 7, 2019. Not only would the wedding guests be celebrating the couples’ wedding, but also the magic of the holiday season!

Keith and Jean Ann Polatty were deemed the wedding planners, and according to the bride, made the reception exceptionally beautiful and absolutely magical! Rhetta’s mother, Patti and two of her best friends, Marsha Lloyd and Debbie Fish, pitched in to make 36

sure that the wedding day was as close to perfect as possible.

“My wedding planning experience was a little bit of every emotion,” giggled Rhetta.

“There were so many happy times, and there were many stressful times too, trying to fit everything in while also meeting deadlines. I had twelve bridesmaids, which is a lot, but I would not have had it any other way. They (the bridesmaids), too, were so wonderful during the planning! My matron of honor and very close friend, Sarah Rogers, planned the BEST weekend in Nashville for my bachelorette party. Through it all, with the people closest to my heart, I felt beyond loved!”

The groom, too, helped plan the wedding. “He helped SO much!” exclaimed the bride.

“On the stressful days he kept me calm and, through it all, he had some of the best ideas. The exit area [at the reception] with the lights…well Blake put ALL of those lights up, which took him about 10 hours!” boasted the bride of her new husband.

The cake was designed, baked, and decorated according to the couple’s specifications by the cake artists and bakers of Publix of Greenwood: Crème icing/ semi-frosted and in the flavors of chocolate and vanilla.

The couple decided to have a traditional wedding with traditional vows, as well as to write their own vows.

During all of hustle and bustle of the planning, the wedding portrait photo shoot had to be scheduled as well.

The location for the portraits was Black Balsam Knob near Pisgah National Forest (Asheville, North Carolina).

“I knew that I wanted to take pictures in the mountains, because the mountains are very special to Blake and me,” smiled Rhetta. “I kept the location a secret from him until the unveiling of my bridal portrait.

The day of the photo shoot was a very foggy day as it had been raining for days before. A funny story: I actually forgot my boots to hike up the mountain and had to climb it barefooted!

It was very interesting to say the least, but we had an amazing time! I cannot thank Trinity Photography enough for the wonderful pictures! They truly are amazing!”

The bride chose her wedding dress because she wanted something timeless and unique. The cathedral veil complimented the ensemble perfectly and was chosen by the ladies at Dimitra Designs. She carried a beautiful cascading bouquet of white flowers with a hint of red, accented by seasonal greenery. The bouquet was designed by Jana Witt. Rhetta accessorized her wedding dress with her great, great grandmother’s ring on her right 37

hand during the photo shoot. It is a very sentimental gift that she cherishes and was given to her on her 21st birthday. She also wore her grandmother’s fur that has her grandmother’s initials monogrammed inside. “It was very special to have something of hers on my special day because she is no longer with us,” shared Rhetta.

As far as something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue, she wore her mother’s blue garter, which encompassed something old, borrowed, and blue; and her groom gifted her with a gold bracelet engraved with their wedding date.

When their wedding day finally arrived, the weather was perfect - a warmer-than-usual December day. Everyone was in place, and just before the doors opened for the father-of-thebride, Dr. Richard Christian, to walk his little girl down the aisle, he looked and her and uttered these words: “You look beautiful,

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and this is what we have been waiting for,” words the bride said she will never forget.

“My daddy ALWAYS knows just what to say when I’m nervous,” said Rhetta.

It was time. Rhetta would enter the church as Miss Christian and leave as Mrs. Smith.

“I knew Rhetta would look like a princess when she walked through those doors” admitted the groom, “But when I saw her flowers go past the side window, I lost it, as I knew I would. I just remember saying ‘she’s beautiful’. I could not hold my emotions back so there was no need in trying. It was the most unbelievable feeling in my life.”

“I knew Blake was going to cry when he first saw me walking down the aisle. I had dreamed of what that first look would be like, but it was so much better than I could have ever expected. I was beyond excited to be walking towards

my future husband and he looked more handsome than ever!” shared the bride.

The best man was the fatherof-the-groom, Mr. Travis Smith.

“Well that was the easiest decision of the whole wedding planning,” shared Blake. “I always knew that I wanted my dad to stand by my side on our special day. He has always been the leader in my family, and he knew the right roads to lead me

down. He has shaped me to be the man I am today.”

The couple shared that on their wedding day they missed their grandparents and a cousin of the groom, Lindsey, who have all passed on. They expressed how they wished that they could have been there to see them get married.

“As soon as we walked out of the church, Blake looked at me with the biggest smile on his face and said, ‘You’re my wife!’ I could not help but smile from ear to ear, thinking that I was the luckiest person in the world to be married to my best friend!” smiled Rhetta.

The rehearsal dinner was hosted by the groom’s parents at The Inn on the Square in Uptown Greenwood. The wedding ceremony was at First Presbyterian Church in Greenwood, and the reception was hosted at The Batson Barn, owned by a very close family friend of the bride, Mr. Wade Batson.

The newly wedded Mr. & Mrs. Smith honeymooned in Cancun, Mexico and were sick with the flu all during their trip. However, they were there together,

in sickness, and in health, as husband and wife.

When asked where the couple would be in 50 years, in a rocking chair on the front porch, or traveling the world, together they answered: “Both!”

“We have envisioned growing old together and sitting on our front porch, we also love to travel and look forward to traveling the world together. We both truly believe that our love is a divine appointment and like a merry-go-round, has come full circle. We, too, believe that the Lord, indeed, brought us back together again,” smiled Rhetta.

“I have always admired the way Rhetta loves The Lord. It has had such a positive impact on our relationship and our lives. She pushes me to be better each and every day! I am such a lucky man to come home to her,” said Blake. “Having her by my side daily, going on adventures with me, and for her to love such a hard-headed rascal like me is pretty attractive!

I still can’t believe Rhetta Christian Smith is my WIFE!” Advice from the newlyweds to those planning a wedding: Rhetta to the future brides:

This is YOUR day! You have envisioned this day for so long.

Have it the way YOU want it, and make it fun! Do not let stress take over or keep it from being perfect. I had to remind myself that it is just one day!

Remember: you are gaining a husband and that should be the most important thing!

Blake to the future grooms: Just say ‘YES’! LOL! Even though it is the most stressful time, just make sure that you are there to help in any way with your brideto-be.

Advice from the father-of-thebride, Richard Christian, to the groom:You had better take care of my baby girl!

Wedding Coordinator: Keith and Jean Ann Polatty Decorator: Keith and Jean Ann Polatty Florist: Jana Witt Wedding Venue: First Presbyterian Church Reception Venue: Batson Barn Caterer: Corley’s Market Catering Spirits/Bar Services: Corley’s Cake: Publix Bridal Gown: Dimitra Designs Bridesmaids Gowns: David’s Bridal Tuxedos: David Lindsay Hair Stylist: Anna Snipes - The Beauty Shop (Bride) and Carolyne Horton (bridesmaids) Makeup Artist: Cotton Rouge Ceremony Musician: Bob Glick and Amy Fennell DJ: Calvin Henderson Invitations: Fig Calligrapher: Jane Roper Wedding Registries: Thayer's and Fig Travel Agent: Traveling Tradition by Kristin Videographer: Hart to Heart

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