2017 Guide to Your Perfect Wedding
wants you We need your pictures and stories for the
2017 Spring / Summer I Do!
Send your memories of your beautiful day to writer@sophiemagazine.com
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pg. 10
Vintage Charm
pg. 16
Classic Beauty
pg. 20
Destination Bliss
pg. 26
Country Chic
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General Manager / Publisher Patricia M. Betts
IT / Production Manager Jeff Ruminski
Creative Editor Guide to Your Perfect Wedding
Rachel Hoeft
Creative Services : Carrie Harder | Debi Manfre | Randy Whittington Advertising Consultants : Rose Lunsford Circulation Manager : Sam Howell
To advertise in the next edition of Carolina Venues, please call 828.274.8888 ext. 310 or email rhoeft@iwanna.com. Carolina Venues, a publication of Sophie Magazine, has accepted contributions which may not reflect the opinion of the publisher. No portion of Carolina Venues may be reproduced without permission of the publisher.
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N. Charleston Greenville Spartanburg Anderson Asheville
Saturday, January 7th, 2017 | Greenville Saturday, January 14th, 2017 | Spartanburg Saturday, January 21st, 2017 | Anderson Saturday, January 28th, 2017 | Greenville Saturday, February 4th, 2017 | Asheville Sunday, February 19th, 2017 | N. Charleston
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HIDDEN RIVER EVENTS celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2017 as a destination wedding venue, 15 minutes from Asheville. Hidden River couples appreciate the scenic views of the mountain ranges surrounding the valley, flower gardens that grace its fields, and the gentle sound of the Swannanoa River as a backdrop for ceremonies. All inclusive packages include everything couples need for a truly complete wedding: food (from our five star rated catering vendor), flowers, dessert, photography, DJ, Officiant (as needed), horse carriage/driver, all labor to set up and take down the event, event management, day of coordination, and on site housing for up to 50 people, comfortably. The only item that is typically added to most weddings is the alcohol,
which couples can purchase and provide from any source with no mark up. There are no hidden fees at Hidden River! The price of the entire event is guaranteed at contract signing. Hidden River attracts couples who love the outdoors, want a leisurely time on the property with family and friends, and who want a lovely event without any stress during the engagement and during the event. Guests repeatedly tell us they feel as if they are guests at their own weddings. •
828.333.3401
hiddenriverevents.com
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Vintage
Charm
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here are 3 elements to a vintage wedding: antique details, lace and weathered accents. Using these old world elements in a charming fashion, not too upcycled or faux antiqued is the key to pulling off beautiful vintage decor.
This wedding theme can be applied to almost any type of venue. Let your chosen space help fine-tune your specific style (secret garden, glam or rustic vintage). A ballroom would be well suited for a Gatsby-inspired 1920s Art Deco celebration for example while a barn for more of a rustic feel.
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1 1. This beautiful wedding dress was inspired by the Art Deco art movement that began in Paris in the 1920s. 2. Decorate your centerpiece with vintage inspired stemmed crystal candle holders.
Stick with pastels for flower arrangements with pops of green to keep that simple tasteful feel.
3. Have fun with Save the Dates by stamping handker- chiefs with your date and give guests a unique keepsake. Copy and photos derived from theknot.com
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Photo by Stylish and Hip Weddings
) To create your own vintage style wedding bouquet, stick to neutral pastels like pinks, creams and purples with pops of dark green for emphasis for the colors. ) For a more realistic period appropriate bouquet, research what flowers were popular during the period theme of your wedding. ) Place antique broaches and hat pins in the bouquet for a modern vintage flair.
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The modern bridal shower may trace its origins to the 1890s. “The Old Farmer’s Almanac” says the first bridal shower hostess filled a paper parasol with small presents and turned it over the head of the brideto-be. This custom is believed to have evolved from an old dowry system, in which a bride was expected to bring valuables to the marriage. Some parents of the bride were not rich enough to afford an ample dowry, so friends and family members would offer small gifts to help offset this financial responsibility.
According to The Knot 2015 Real Weddings Study, the average wedding cost, excluding honeymoon costs, in the United States in 2015 was $32,641, an increase of more than $1,400 from the year prior.
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According to the 2015 Real Weddings Study from the premier multi-platform wedding resource The Knot, the most popular month for couples to get engaged is December. Sixteen percent of survey respondents became engaged in the final month of the calendar year. The survey also found that the average length of a couple’s engagement is now 14.5 months. Though the idea that white wedding dresses symbolize virginity and purity is often cited as the reason behind wedding dresses being white, a 2014 exhibit at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London indicated that white wedding dresses were a symbol of wealth and had little, if anything, to do with virginity. The exhibit, titled “Wedding Dresses 1775-2014,” noted that, during the 18th and 19th centuries, white wedding dresses indicated a family could afford to buy a dress the bride would wear only once. During that time, white dresses were especially difficult to clean and that made it impractical for any but the wealthy to purchase dresses that would likely never be worn a second time. - Metro Creative Connection
Real brides. Real love stories.
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2017 Spring / Summer I Do!
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Sophie Magazine’s
Wedding Guide
Look for at these upcoming bridal show events: The Bridal Showcase January 8 Charlotte Convention Center TheBridalShowcase.com
HAPPILY RIES
11 REAL WEDDING STO
stal Pafford
Cover photo by Cry
Carolina Bridal Fair January 22 & August 6 Cabarrus Arena CarolinaBridalFair.com
Wedding Festivals January 7: Greenville | January 14: Spartanburg January 21: Anderson | January 28: Greenville February 4: Asheville | February 19: N. Charleston WeddingFestivals.com 2017
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The classic wedding is the timeless wedding; foregoing the trendy, this style is the traditional beauty that you’ll always remember. Traditional doesn’t necessarily mean stuffy. Keep what has come before but add your own personal flair to time-honored traditions. White ball gowns with veils and color pairings like black and white; Tiffany blue with accents of white and gold; gold and cream; or even all-white are examples of how to ensure that your wedding has the classic theme you’re looking for. 16 | 2017
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1. Serving your guests cham- pagne in pretty flutes or old fashioned coupes is a must for a classic themed drink item.
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2. To match the style of a classic wed- ding, the cake should have a sim- ple color palette, primarily white trimmed with either black, gold or blue. Keep flower accents muted. If too colorful the cake will start to have a romantic theme rather than the desired classic theme.
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3. There is nothing more classic than a veil. Modern weddings usually leave out the veil completely and opt for a simple headpiece or hair jewelry.
Floor length veils provide a dramatic entrance as well as a timeless touch to your overall look.
Copy and photos derived from theknot.com
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Photo by Carly Fuller Photography
) To create your own classic style table centerpiece, take a tall clear vase to place in the middle of the table. Then add clear glass marbles or rocks to the bottom. This will serve as a weight to balance the flowers on the top as well as a subtle visual element to the vase. ) Use primarily white or cream colored flowers (roses or hydrangeas work perfectly for this theme) and garnish with fresh leafy greens and a pop of blue or a different accent color of your choosing. ) Place a piece of florist foam on the top of the vase and arrange the flowers. You want to place your tallest pieces first then build around it. This centerpiece will give your reception area that feel of timeless elegance for you and your guests. 18 | 2017
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, is the any ways m in is g din ding. tion wed your wed A destina ersonalization to p g for ultimate ld meanin e o h s g in nce to b nal wedd e experie re traditio o th t m n flect e a il w h rs W on that re , othe ti s a le c p lo u o d c many mony an ith a cere colors. unique, w their true traditionding in a d e w a f o freer to strictions ou’ll feel y re , e n th w t to u e uld have hom Witho le you co like your p , m n a o x ti e a r c or get Fo al lo ey World wn rules. n o is r u D o t y a e ! ding mak ba diving filled wed while scu r te a fantasy a rw e nd hitched u
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1 1. Beach weddings are one of the most popular type of destination wedding.
Keep decorations simple as the natural beauty will be your back drop.
2. Instead of a unity candle, try sand in a bottle! Have a main sealable bottle with two dif ferent color sands. During the ceremony, bride and groom will take turns filling the bottle with sand until filled.
2 Copy and photos derived from theknot.com
After sealing, it can be easily transported and used as a memorable decoration. 3.
For the guestbook, get a solid shape of the country where your wedding is being held and have guests sign in the shape.
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) Give leather luggage tags as favors to your guests. Not only does this show appreciation for them traveling to be there on your big day, but it’s also practical for their journey home. ) Customize the back of the luggage tag by having it branded or stamped with a symbol of your wedding, like a palm tree for a tropical wedding or the Eiffel Tower if it was held in France. ) These favors can also be used as escort or place cards for guests. 22 | 2017
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YOUR DREAM WEDDING awaits you at Sleepy Hollow Inn & Event Center. Nestled in the Swannanoa Valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this charming Southern Estate offers a peaceful retreat just minutes from downtown Asheville, The Biltmore Estate, and lovely Black Mountain. The fusion of historic ambiance and modern amenities is sure to be a crowd pleaser for all! Picture yourself exchanging vows while surrounded by nature, outside by the pond, or inside with the beautiful fireplace roaring elegantly in the background. At Sleepy Hollow, the goal is to make all events as stress-free as possible. The personable, professional, and knowledgeable team has put together comprehensive packages that are ideal and affordable for every group; from 24 | 2017
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a private elopement, to a 150-person extravaganza! (Typical Wedding packages include everything from Ceremony Chairs, Music, and Photography to the Flowers, Cake, Food, DJ, and More!) Their Event Coordinator works closely with a trusted group of local vendors to accommodate each couple’s unique desires; and to make sure your special day is one that you and your guests will cherish for a lifetime! This peaceful all-in-one venue is truly a home away from home. On-site lodging allows for up to 26 persons to stay on the property and transform your Wedding Day to a Weekend Getaway! Don’t wait, contact them today for more information and to schedule your private tour of this breathtaking facility! •
828.298.1115
sleepyhollowweddings@gmail.com
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Country CHIC
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or some, the outdoors have had a big part in their life. If you grew up on the farm or you enjoy being in nature, the country outdoor wedding is the best choice to celebrate the start of your new life being married to your best friend. Although this might seem like a relatively simple theme to do, it can be tricky and might get confused with a vintage themed wedding. While the vintage theme relies on minimal faux antiquing and upcycling, this theme has no limits. Depending on the look you want, you can range from woodsy craftsman decor to more modern antiqued furniture with burlap and mason jar accents.
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1. For outdoor wed dings, string lights are a must. They make reception areas feel warm and intimate.
1 Copy and photos derived from theknot.com
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2. For outdoor country chic weddings, popular places to hold the ceremony include fields, woods, or very oftern inside a barn.
3. Incorporating rustic furniture is a memorable touch to an outdoor wedding. Old bookcases and desks can be used as a sign-in area, gift table or refreshment bar.
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Use the foliage around you as hanging spots to really tie nature into your special day.
Use sliding barn doors to serve as a reveal as you walk down the aisle for an extra “wow� factor. 2017
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Nikki and Chip Photography
) To create your rustic card box, go to your local craft store and purchase a non-painted small wood chest. ) Paint the box with a color that matches your wedding color theme or stick to classic white. After painting, use a scouring pad and rub the box to distress it. ) To add some flair to the box, cut out burlap triangle shapes and glue letters spelling out “cards� or word(s) of your choosing. Cut a string and use clothes pins to attach the triangles to the string. Tape the ends of the string inside the box and have it drape outside. 28 | 2017
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List of Advertisers Asheville Masonic Temple...................................................... 13 Biltmore Farms Hotels............................................................13 Biltmore Village Inn................................................................. 31 Carolina Bridal Fair.................................................................. 19 Carolina Country Weddings.................................................... 25 Evergreen Plantation.............................................................. 25 Forge Valley Event Center...................................................... 4 Hidden River Events............................................................... 8 Kenmure.................................................................................. 4 Majors Estate.......................................................................... 6 Sleepy Hollow......................................................................... 32 Photographer: Katy Cook
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AN ELEGANT EIGHT-BEDROOM Queen Anne Victorian built in 1892, the Biltmore Village Inn is a picturesque luxury bed and breakfast and wedding venue getaway tucked away on a quiet historic street just a short 10 minute walk to fine shops and restaurants. The closest bed and breakfast to the Biltmore Estate and just 2 miles from the heart of Asheville, we offer a AAAfour diamond rating, friendly and knowledgeable staff, delicious cuisine, mountain views and well appointed guest rooms. Victorian homes were built for romance and Biltmore Village Inn is a lovely outdoor bed and breakfast venue offering a ceremony space with mountain views and an intimate setting. From a romantic elopement to an elegant and intimate ceremony and recep30 | 2017
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tion for up to 50 of your guests, our experienced staff would love to host your special day. We offer inclusive packages that include everything from on site catering to live music to help make planning your destination wedding simple. As our venue coordinator for the last 5 years, Monica Hampton will put you at ease from the moment you speak with her. She will take care of all venue related details and also be your day of coordinator making sure the day runs smoothly. Please email monica@biltmorevillageinn.com for package pricing and availability. •
828.274.8707
biltmorevillage.com