town bride
Welcome to town bride , Anderson’s premiere bridal magazine featuring all things wedding. We are a semi annual magazine that focuses on everything the bride, groom and their guests need to know for the big day. Beautiful pictures, informative articles, engagement and wedding announcements, how to’s, what if’s and a whole lot more are who we are. We have everything a bride and groom need to make their day one of a kind and we’re wrapping it all up in a big beautiful bow. We publish in spring/summer and fall/winter. Issues will be available in all vendor locations plus key distribution spots in Anderson, Easley, Starr/Iva, Greenville, and surrounding areas.
So here comes the bride ... town bride . Because there’s a bride in every town.
TOWN BRIDE MAGAZINE, LLC
PUBLISHER
Julie Bailes Johnson (864) 221-9269 townbridemag@gmail.com
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Bride: Jordan Billingsley
Gown: Katharine Marie
Weddings
Hair & Makeup: Olivia & Emma Erskine
Flowers: Electric City Blooms
Venue: The Rainey House
Photography: Van Sullivan
Photography
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Kim Acker von Keller
Kristine March
Alexandria Stathakis
Katie Beth Johnson
Gay McLeskey
Cynthia Motes
Debbie Moore
Erin Coughenour
Jerrad Fenski
Allie Walker
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Pamela Brownstein
Southpaw Media pamelauhles@hotmail.com
Nate Thomason
Signal 43 Design
signal43@live.com (864) 933-1444
GUIDE TO A
winter wedding
By Katie Beth Johnson | FOSTER’S MAIN EVENTS
While winter months used to be considered “offseason,” we are finding that more and more brides are embracing the character winter weddings can provide. You have chosen this time of year for a special reason, so embrace it and relish in all of the things this season has to offer.
WINTER WHITES… AND GREENS
Now is the perfect time to play with different colors and textures. Velvet, wool, and plaids add for an extra warmth that can only be achieved in winter months. Imagine tables aglow with candlelight and set with sumptuous linens and extra greenery. These seasonal touches create a beautiful and cozy ambience.
CREATING (REAL) WARMTH
Whether your wedding is in early December or late February, it is ideal to offer a coat check. Your guests will be arriving in their most special winter coats, and having somewhere to keep them during the night will be appreciated. If your venue has outdoor space for a fire, consider using it, as it will add a quaint spot for your guests to retreat in between dances. Having an outdoor wedding? Make sure to have sides and doors on your tent, along with rented heaters.
DRESS FOR THE SEASON
While anything goes for your wedding dress, winter weddings are the perfect time to channel your inner Princess Kate and find a beautiful, long-sleeve gown with lace details. A winter wedding is also a good time to pull out that family heirloom, the fur coat, as your something old. Your bridesmaids would love something to drape over their shoulders. Shawls are a lovely gift for your bridesmaids, and they can use them for years to come. And consider having warm boots and gloves on hand for your bridesmaids if the pictures are outdoors.
OUTDOOR PICTURES
With the sky becoming darker earlier, consider a first look with your groom. If you’re not familiar with the concept, a first look is the opportunity for the bride and groom to see each other before the wedding, and the moment is usually captured by the photographer. If you are having an evening wedding, a first look allows to you have outdoor pictures of the wedding party taken before the ceremony. By doing a first look, you can achieve all of your pictures and get right to celebrating with your guests at your reception.
From your gown to your photos to your reception details, every choice you make as a winter bride is an opportunity to create a wedding full of warmth and intimacy. Happy planning!
planning
HOW TO THROW AN UNFORGETTABLE
engagement party
It seems like every season is wedding or engagement season these days. And to kick off the wedding festivities with a bang, an engagement party is a great way to start. If you would like to honor a special couple but have never thrown an engagement party before, here are some tips for an event that you, your guests, and the happy couple will long remember.
THE HOSTS
Who can throw the engagement party? Anyone who loves the wedding couple. Traditionally, the engagement party was hosted by the parents of the bride. Today, however, anyone can throw the party, even the couple-to-be. One person or couple may host, as well as several individuals or couples. If you’re considering hosting a large party, it helps with cost and responsibilities to have several hosts involved.
THE INVITATIONS
The engagement party should be the first party given to honor the happy couple. Engagement parties usually take place soon after the couple announces their engagement, but if the couple is planning a long engagement, the engagement party can be held at a later date. When setting a date for a fall or winter engagement party, be sure to confer with the couple and their families to avoid clashing with holiday plans.
Whom should you invite? As with most pre-wedding parties, there is one important rule: If they are on the guest list for the engagement party, they should also be on the guest list for the wedding. Therefore, if you are hosting the
Candlelit dinners are always a beautiful choice for an engagement party.
engagement party, be sure to review your guest list with the couple before sending invitations
If the engagement party is going to be formal, paper invitations are a good rule of thumb. If the party is more casual, e-vites are an option. Invitations to an engagement party don’t have to match to the wedding invitation, so there are endless possibilities for design and/or theme. And keep in mind that an engagement party is not the same as a wedding shower. Although some guests may choose to bring a wedding gift to the engagement party, it is not appropriate to include a registry in the party invitation.
When sending out invitations to the engagement party, plan to send them at least one month in advance. Be sure to include the names of the engaged couple, the location of the party, the date and time of the party, the appropriate dress, and the names of all hosts. It is also
important to include the RSVP deadline and the phone number or email address to which to respond.
THE EVENT
When hosting an engagement party, consider the type of party you want to have. While passed appetizers and champagne in a formal living room are always nice, a beautiful backyard gathering with a buffet dinner is a lovely option if you’re looking for a more casual affair. But if you prefer a more formal option, dinner at a favorite restaurant or a formal sit-down dinner at a home are great ideas.
For a casual party, an interactive event, such as an oyster roast, is a good way for guests to get to know each other. You might also consider a barbecue buffet, a taco bar, or even an old-fashioned hamburger and hot dog cookout. For a more formal party, hors d’oeuvres or stations of meat, cheese, and crudité displays might be more
appropriate. A plated dinner is also an option for more formal events, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to have a five-course meal. And regardless of the type of food, if alcohol is served, be sure to have enough food and nonalcoholic beverages for your guests to enjoy.
When planning the party décor, strings of patio lights create a festive atmosphere for an outdoor party. Small votives and casual floral arrangements are an attractive and inexpensive way to decorate your tables. For a seated dinner, candlelight and more formal floral arrangements might be more appropriate. And in either case, consider displaying photos of the engaged couple. These could include their formal engagement portrait, high school yearbook photos, and even baby pictures!
Finally, consider the dress. Attire for outdoor gatherings can range from shorts and t-shirts to sport coats and sundresses. Indoor festivities traditionally call for suits and cocktail dresses for guests, with the couple following the same guidelines.
THE TOAST
When the decorations are in place, the food and drinks prepared, and the guests are gathered, kick off the engagement party by introducing your cohosts, serving something bubbly, such as sparkling wine or cider, and offering a toast to the guests of honor. The toast might be inspired by a poem, a line of scripture, or even a movie quote. But no matter the inspiration, include best wishes for the happy couple. After that, let the engagement season festivities begin!
wedding planning
DO ME A FAVOR
Give your guests gifts to remember after the reception has ended
By Kim von Keller
The DJ has packed up his sound system, and there’s nothing left of the cake but crumbs. Your reception may be ending, but that doesn’t mean that your guests’ memories of your wedding have to end too. As you’re planning your wedding budget, make sure to include some room for the wedding favors your guests will take with them as they leave.
The tradition of the wedding favor goes back centuries, with sugared almonds as an early gift to departing guests. Today, wedding favors may be simple or extravagant or even homemade. So if you’re considering what to offer your guests as the festivities wind down, decide on a budget and then choose from one of three broad categories of wedding favors: things to consume, things to use, or things to grow.
THINGS TO CONSUME
A recent trend in wedding favors is the candy buffet, a display of sweets from which your guests will fill small boxes to take home. A long table is set with jars and platters of various candies, such as fun-sized chocolate or bags of Reese’s Pieces, Skittles, and the like. (You can even offer personalized M&M’s featuring your names or pictures. Visit mms.com and click on “DESIGN YOUR OWN M&M’S.”) Offer small personalized boxes, such as mini-Chinese takeout boxes, with stickers or stamps bearing your wedding date and your names. (Amazon.com lists 100 mini Chinese takeout boxes for $16.99.) In addition to the beauty of the candy buffet, I have seen adults become absolutely giddy in its presence, carefully examining every container and tray as they decide which treats to take home.
A newer trend in wedding favors is the doughnut wall. If you’ve not seen one, imagine
a peg board propped against a wall in the reception space. Towards the end of the reception, catering staff place doughnuts on the pegs. Beside the peg board is a table arranged with tongs and boxes that can hold two doughnuts. Bakery boxes of appropriate size are available at many online merchants. Boxes are decorated with stickers or stamps, usually referencing “hole-y matrimony.” Contact your local doughnut shop for more information.
Another trend involves nonperishable food and drink. Many merchants on etsy.com offer reusable coffee bags printed with the phrase “A Perfect Blend” and listing your wedding date and your names. (The coffee is not always included, so you may have to fill them with coffee beans yourself.) And for a reasonably priced wedding favor, consider purchasing stickers for boxes of Tic Tacs printed with the phrase, “Mint to Be,” your wedding date, and your names. These stickers may also be found on etsy.com.
THINGS TO USE
A popular practical wedding favor is the reusable wine bottle stopper. The stoppers generally have metal tops with plastic cone bottoms fitted with rubber seals, although more expensive versions may be made from cut glass. Along with your names and your wedding date, phrases like “Eat, Drink, and Be Married” are often featured. These personalized wedding favors are generally less than $3 per unit, plus setup fees.
Another practical choice is the mason jar candle. More expensive than the bottle stopper, this rustic wedding favor has your names and wedding date printed on the jar’s lid, along with whatever phrase you choose. Mason jar candles are featured by many
merchants on etsy.com, and they are available in a variety of scents. Expect to pay $5-6 per unit.
A final practical wedding favor is the stemless wine glass, found at many online merchants. The glassware can be monogrammed with your names and your wedding date, along with a cute wedding phrase of your choosing. Look for glasses with a 9-oz. capacity. These are usually available for less than $2.50 per unit, plus the setup fee. Many merchants offer the wine glasses boxed for an additional fee.
THINGS TO GROW
If your guests have green thumbs, consider miniature succulent plants as wedding favors. These small, flower-like plants are sturdy enough to survive the trip home and may be found at online merchants such as Amazon for $2-3 per unit. Arrange them on a table with a sign reading “Let Love Grow” for a beautiful addition to your reception.
Seed packets are also a lovely wedding favor for your gardening guests. Etsy has multiple
merchants offering customized packets of sunflower or wildflower seeds with the phrase, “Plant these seeds and watch them bloom, just like the love of this bride and groom,” along with your names. Expect to pay less than $1 per packet.
A particular trend in green wedding favors is the seed bomb. Compressed soil, herb or flower seeds, and fertilizer are pressed in to beautiful shapes, such as hearts, and decorated with a dried bloom. When your guests return home, they simply throw the seed bomb into an area suitable for planting and let nature take its course. Expect to pay between $1 and $2 per unit.
These are just a few suggestions, and many more can be found on social media sites such as Pinterest. Keep in mind, too, that the costs quoted above may vary depending on the vendor and the number of units purchased, and final costs will include taxes and shipping. But no matter what you choose to send home with your guests, the wedding favor is a way to keep the memory of your celebration alive just a little longer.
For brides-to-be, skin care starts now
By Erin Coughenour | Merle Norman Cosmetics and Day Spa
Everyone wants glowing skin for that special day, for that one walk down the aisle. Planning a wedding is stressful, but getting the best skin of your life ahead of the big day doesn’t have to be.
It’s always best to start revamping your skin care routine at least a year in advance. Your wedding is the perfect excuse for some extra pampering. European facials, rejuvenating facials, microdermabrasion and swedish massages are all great choices to get you on your way to glowing skin. These all help with massaging your skin, scalp and decollete and stimulate the blood circulation to keep your skin looking healthy and fabulous.
While a trip to the spa sounds inviting, not everyone
is able to do that. But it is the time to invest in your skin so that you will have the glowing
skin that you want when it comes to your big day and beyond. There are many skin
care lines that offer a wide variety of skin care products.
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Some of the best products to invest in are cleansers, toners, eye serums and creams and moisturizers. Products with Vitamin C and brightening agents help to improve the skin’s clarity and help diminish any signs of spots or discolorations. Anti-aging peptides work with the Vitamin C and optical diffusers to reduce the look of fine lines.
Look for cleansers that work with most any skin type. A brightening cleanser will refresh your skin and dissolve dulling impurities and excess surface oil. Follow up with a great toner to help sweep away any dulling residue or impurities left after cleansing. A good toner will deliver a dose of brightness and will leave your skin looking and
feeling fresh, even-toned and youthful. Follow up with a great serum and moisturizer to maximize your results and it will help infuse your skin with essential hydration as well as brighten your skin to give it a beautiful, luminous glow.
Along with this skin care regimen, exfoliating at least twice a week initially then switching to every day is highly recommended. There are many exfoliators available. Make sure you find one that is good for you and your skin. And try a serum with Retinol to increase cell turnover, unclog pores, boost collagen and helps diminish hyperpigmentation. Besides amazing skin care, a lot of women love to have lash extensions applied before that special day. While they are
beautiful, they don’t last forever and have to be filled in every few weeks. Look for brand names such as Revitalash. It is one of a kind and developed by ophthalmologists and has a conditioner that enhances the look of the lashes while protecting against breakage and improving health, flexibility and strength to the lashes. It is rich in Panthenol, peptides, lipids, biotin and green tea extract to nourish, strengthen and condition lashes while protecting them from environmental damage, as well as damage caused by lash styling products that can cause breakage and brittleness. Start your skin care regimen now so when the big day comes, you’ll be radiant, glowing and ready for your new life ahead.
A BRIDE’S GUIDE TO VEILS
Throughout history, the wedding veil has been a staple in the bride’s ensemble. At one time the veil was always worn, but as time moved on and fashion changed, the veil’s presence came and went. However, the veil has come back to its place of importance once again and continues to make a statement at most weddings. Although beautiful, the origin of the wedding veil may surprise you.
The first known veil was not the beautiful accessory that we see today. It was actually a red sheet called a flammeum. Ancient Romans believed that evil spirits would try to destroy the wedding, so the bride was covered in the sheet to ward away the spirits by making the spirits believe the bride was on fire. Over time, the veil was made shorter and was used to disguise the bride instead of suggesting she was in flames. There were various patriarchal cultures that chose the shorter version to hide the bride’s face from the husband-to-be and from the guests. When the groom lifted the veil, it was
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a sign that she now belonged to him and was no longer under the ownership of her father and brothers.
Today, the veil comes in several forms and is used to complement the wedding ensemble. Most see the veil as a long, translucent fabric that falls over the entire head of the bride. But there are different lengths to accommodate most any bride and the current trends.
The Cathedral Length: This is the veil for the most formal weddings. It is long enough that the material flows behind the bride as she walks. With this one, it’s a good idea to have train bearers to help. Not only will this choice be breathtaking, but having a young attendant to hold the end of the veil will enhance the overall feel of the service. This one is fit for a queen and will make you feel as such.
The Chapel Length: This veil is an elegant length that falls all the way to the floor. This classic is for formal weddings but without the long train of the cathedral veil. The chapel veil lends elegance and splendor without the excess fabric of a train.
The Waltz Length: This type of veil is lovely and is much safer during a reception. This veil can vary from knee length to ankle length, depending on the bride’s choice. If you prefer a longer veil but want to avoid stepping on it during the festivities, this is a good choice. You will be able to dance and mingle with guests without worrying about tripping or falling.
The Elbow Length: If your plan is to wear a beautiful ball gown, this is the veil for you, as it complements the fitted bodice and wide, floor-length skirt. This length will most always have a blusher, which is a small piece of delicate cloth that partially covers the face.
The Shoulder Length: These veils flow to the shoulders or just below the shoulders. If your dress has a delicate design or beading, this veil is short enough to show off the dress and its details.
No matter your choice, go with what you love. The veil is the finishing touch, so choose something that fits your dress and let the veil complement it. Be selective, but be true to what makes you happy. It’s your day!
Choosing your wedding stationery
By Lauren James | Owner of The Olive Shoe Paperie and Goods
One of the most exciting parts of planning your wedding is seeing your invitations physically printed and getting them ready to mail! Choosing and designing the
stationery and printed goods for your celebration will occur throughout the planning and event process and be one of the few tangible keepsakes from your big day. A wedding guest
painted one of my parents’ invitations and had it framed for them, and it is one of my favorite pieces of art in their home 40+ years later. When you hear a professional say “wedding sta -
tionery” they are referring to: save-the-dates, sent early in your engagement; invitations, of course, sent 6-10 weeks prior to the wedding; announcements, sent after a private ceremony to ‘announce’ the nuptials; and other printed items: rehearsal dinner invitations, programs, itineraries, custom maps, welcome bag labels, welcome notes, cups, coozies, cocktail napkins, menus, and even thank you notes. There are so many options and vendors to choose from including commercial vendors like Minted, independent and bespoke designers, tiny shops and small printers; paper types like smooth, felt, cotton; and printing types like digital, foil stamp, thermography and letterpress. Yes, this can be overwhelming. Where, oh where, do you even start? Well, I’m happy to help!
DECIDE THE VIBE AND STYLE OF YOUR WEDDING
This should be one of the first things you identify to help you build a cohesive atmosphere and style for your big day. What are the first words that come to mind? Bohemian, romantic, classic, glamorous, eccentric, coastal, tropical destination, vintage, whimsical, and rustic all bring certain visual and stylistic ideas to mind. You can start with one of these and build your personalized style and vision for your celebration to life with custom details and vendors who reflect this style in their own.
THINK ABOUT BIG FACTORS: SEASON, SIZE, VENUE
If you’re getting married in November, then you may not want a bright, summery color scheme for your stationery and other wedding detail. The time of year will help you narrow down some of the choices for style and design for your wedding.
The size of your wedding
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party and guest list will play a role in your wedding decisions and vibe as well and may influence your budget for stationery. The number of invitations, save the dates, and other printed goods you will need will be determined by your guest list, so work on THE LIST early in your planning process. Typically, you will mail invitations to between half and two-thirds of your guest list since many invitations will go to two guests.
Your venue may also play a role in your wedding details decision-making due to size or requirements for the venue. Keep this in mind when determining your guest list, as well as your stationery suite. Many people hire The Olive Shoe as their stationer because of the painted watercolor venues I incorporate into wedding stationery design.
IDENTIFY YOUR BUDGET
Your wedding stationery budget is typically 3% of your budget and includes save the dates, invitations, and other printed goods for your celebration.
In 2019, the average wedding was $33,900 according to nerdwallet.com, which would make your stationery budget around $990. This figure can vary greatly
depending on the role stationery plays in your wedding, the size of the wedding, and the choices made for printing. For example, a three-piece stationery suite digitally printed on a nice stock including an envelope with a printed return address, an invitation, an R.S.V.P. card and envelope, and a simple details card would cost approximately $3.50/suite for 100 suites (pricing is subject to change and may vary be vendor). However, this price can increase quickly if using a traditional inner envelope, hand calligraphy for the recipient address and inner envelopes, a wax seal, and a vellum belly band that holds the three pieces together inside the envelope, bringing the total per suite to over $8 each. Changing the printing
process from digital to foil stamp adds costs, as does using letterpress.
PRO TIP: Identify your stationery budget BEFORE you start shopping. One of the benefits of hiring a professional stationer for bespoke design is that they know the industry as well as substitutes and places you can cut cost or would want to splurge to help you make the most of your budget.
ASK FOR SAMPLES
You should always have the option to see samples of paper stocks, printing options, and embellishments in addition to digital or printed proofs of your invitations prior to placing an order. While colors may vary slightly from screen to print, you should be able to visualize what your invitations are going to look like. Whether you are ordering samples online or looking at them in a shop, this is an important part of the design process. In custom design, we use a proofing process by offering variations of the design ideas that have been discussed, making invitation design a personal process between the bride and groom and the designer. It also allows all printed goods designed for the wedding and surrounding events to be cohesive and coordinated.
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DECIDE ON WORDING, EMBELLISHMENTS AND ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Once you have narrowed down budget, style, and the overall look you are going for, it’s time for the details...and there are so many options! In addition to paper style and printing process, invitation wording is an important detail to decide. It not only communicates information, but also can reflect formality and style. In bespoke design, my next steps would be to create proofs for the couple, using our initial consultation as a basis. During the initial consultation, I would also ask about wording preference: traditional, contemporary, any factors that would influence wording style like a divorce or deceased parent, how families are paying for the wedding, etc. Additionally, I always design a three-piece suite: an invitation, R.S.V.P card, and details card, as well as a coordinating thank you note, when I do a ‘first pass’ of proofs for a couple. Typically I offer anywhere from 3-5 options in my first round of proofs, which would include a proof of 3-5 invitation styles, one full ‘look’ at a suite, suggested paper and envelope options and perhaps additional embellishment details which may include: watercolor venue paintings, twine, belly band or hand-dyed silk, wax seals, vellum overlays, hand calligraphy, envelope liners, or other details. It is the unique details which make a wedding suite unique to a bride and groom.
The choices you make for your wedding stationery are personal. They reflect your style, your vision, and your gracious welcome to your chosen guests, whom you have thoughtfully invited to share in such a momentous occasion. The choices you make for your wedding stationery are some of the first glimpses into your celebration, whether it is a large galastyle event, an intimate ceremony followed by a small dinner party, or a bohemian celebration. The choices you make for your wedding stationery are the thoughtful creation of an heirloom keepsake that can be framed, loved, and celebrated for generations.
How can I help you celebrate?
AUTUMNblooms
By Cynthia Motes | Electric City Blooms
Your wedding flowers will be one of the most photographed details of your wedding (besides you of course!) Fall weddings are a favorite with many brides desiring a variety of interesting textures and colors. Across the industry, a demand for dried flowers, pampas grass, and painted greenery fulfill the Bohemian and rustic style wedding mixed with Dahlias, berries, and pods. For the modern, simple, and traditional weddings, a romantic touch with garden roses and a mix of eucalyptus is gaining in popularity. Here is a list of fall trends that when added to any bouquet, centerpiece, or arch would be a breathtaking compliment to any wedding.
Hydrangeas: Antique, green or purple
Calla lilies: Deep crimson
Dahlias: If you would like some dark color touches in your bouquets or centerpieces, dahlias can be for you. Their colors range from white to dark purple and are stunning in any arrangement
Roses, orchids, lilies and gerberas: These flowers come in many different colors, and you can easily find the colors that are suitable for your fall wedding.
Sunflowers: They also come in different sizes. The small sunflowers could be used in a bouquet, while bigger ones could be incorporated in other wedding arrangements.
Fruits: Fall is the season when fruits are ripe and hanging invitingly on the trees, the season when apples redden all the yards and gardens. With this inspiration, fruits are usually incorporated in fall wedding design. You can use different types of berries and crab apples are lovely to add to your decorations and bouquets.
Fun favorites: Feather crocosmia; velvety coxcomb; lotus pods; fiddlehead ferns; lamb’s ear; scabiosa pods; cattails; Billy Balls; branches and leaves; berries; edibles such as artichokes, kale, wheat, or hops; and curly willow are all lovely additions to almost any setting.
Texture is the key: Tailor your flowers to the season of fall by choosing deeper and dramatic shades. Opt for classic autumn hues, or go with more unexpected colors like eggplant, copper and forest green. Your options in the fall are as gorgeous and stylish as ever.
As wedding plans change, improvising is key
By Jerrad Fenske
Lately, I find myself out gazing at stars, hearing guitars like someone in love ... Feeling like someone in love.
These lyrics were written by Johnny Burke in 1944 for song composed by Jimmy Van Heusen for a film called “Belle of the Yukon.” The film takes place during the gold rush with comedy, gold heists, and love that takes twists and turns before the happy ending puts everything right. Of course, having a father who puts up $100,000 does not hurt the virtue of the wellintended young man who is head over heels in love.
Hopefully, your story does not have to weave through intrigue, gold heists and your amore being shipped off to Alaska to save your honor. However, we are in a current situation which is drastically
changing our ideas and hopes for that special day and what is possible.
How do you plan and create something different from what for many have been plans since childhood? This year’s weddings have taken twists and turns, re-schedules and re-venues, and disappointment. One wedding that I am currently involved with has been scheduled three times, and a concert of mine is now on its fourth date.
better than what you had originally planned. In my performing career there have been times when, faced with the tightest of performance restrictions, the best artistic endeavor emerged because those involved worked even harder than what we originally would have had we been given more resources.
needed. So, instead of having the oboe player he wanted, he had to have a recorder or clarinet, so you rewrite the part and continue on.
In my previous article, I wrote about knowing your venue, availability and guidelines so that your music is able to fit to complete your desires and wishes. If you are faced with a change in any element of your plans, it gives you a chance to recreate your event into something even
The famous composer Johann Sebastian Bach oversaw the music for four Lutheran churches in Leipzig, Germany. That meant rehearsing choirs in the choir school for each of those churches and providing cantatas each week. With chamber orchestras for those cantatas, he did not always have the instruments that he
Your plans started with a church wedding with a large group of friends, the church organ and your favorite music. Now, you are having an intimate get together in your parent’s yard with a dozen people. This is a huge adjustment and not just getting a recorder player instead of an oboist, BUT how can you have the music you wanted? In this incredible technological age, there are so many options. What if you kept your plans as is and talked with your musicians and had them record your musical choices and then have the recordings played at your home service? I cannot imagine not being willing to oblige a bride’s request for this possibility.
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We are live streaming gatherings, meetings and services. I have done them live and pre-recorded, and in both instances, viewers and listeners are able to participate in the time continuum. How about you have your music recorded for your day and you live stream from the yard? This way your meaningful elements are present in a new and wonderful way to express your Feeling like someone in love!
Jerrad Fenske is a freelance musician and teacher with 40 years of experience in wedding ceremonies. Check his website for previous article and contact information at www.jerradfenske.com.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JON HOLLOWAY
table settings
MISMATCHED CHINA - PAIRING OLD AND NEW
By Debbi Moore
More than likely, your good china dishes are packed away in the garage, basement or attic, or were long ago donated to a local thrift shop.
The tradition of selecting formal china for your wedding registry began to wane in the early 2000’s. Today, only onethird of brides register for fine china. It seems formal dinner settings don’t fit most lifestyles of today. This “old” tradition has given an opportunity for a new trend in the wedding industry: Mismatched china.
Since every bride wants her wedding to be uniquely her own, tabletop designers can create place settings with mismatched china to balance elegance and whimsy. Each table tells its own story through endless combinations. There are no rules when it comes to “matching” florals, solids, country or plain designs.
The right combination of mismatched china creates a beautiful statement for your special day. What a first impression for your guests as they enter the room: all the china and goblets sparkling, inviting your guests to come, sit and dine, laugh and converse. Working with a tabletop designer allows you to hand-pick your plates and to tell your story and to share a small part of stories past. It can also be a small gesture to show love and honor by using your grandmothers’ or your mother’s china. After all, a wedding is an event of love, so why
not have some loved dishes on your tables and create a sweet memory for your guests?
Vintage china can add depth to your wedding theme, whether cool, warm, boho, or classic. The broad choice of vintage china will allow you to stay within your color palette. Coordinating with the florist and other vendors adds to the uniqueness of the event, adding
flair with lots of charm.
Tabletop designers have a carefully curated collection of rescued vintage china with many colors and patterns. Designers bring the dishes, set the tables and pick up afterwards, eliminating one more task from your to-do list.
If you’re looking to add a beautiful array of tablewares, schedule your consultation with a designer as soon as you know the wedding date. Most tabletop designers offer a free consultation to start the creative design process. Make sure to have your theme/color palette ideas with you; this is the easiest way to begin designing your tabletops. Create something uniquely you and allow your imagination to soar.
Life is short. Use fine china.
Debbi Moore owns Something Borrowed Tablescapes. Call 864-356-3621 or email her at somethingborroweddishes@ gmail.com.
Wined it up
By Gay McLeskey | The Kitchen Emporium and Gifts
Choosing wines for a wedding reception seems simple enough, but there are many factors to consider: During which season is your wedding? What menu will you serve? How many bottles will you need? Although the grocery store seems to be an economical source for wine, getting expert opinions and suggestions from a local wine shop will benefit you in the long run. Shops like these also have distributors they can reach out to if you need something special or can help with shopping for the best price. Although most assume that a fall or winter wedding means red wine, it actually doesn’t matter what time of year it is, as long as the wine fits the menu.
When choosing white wines, most people choose Chardonnay. “It’s a popular wine,
and people often times choose it because they can pronounce it”, says Gay McLeskey, owner of The Kitchen Emporium and Gifts in Anderson. “It’s the same with Cabernet and Merlot. I suggest a medium-body Chardonnay and something a little lighter, like Pinot Gris, for the whites. With the reds, I suggest a Pinot Noir, which is medium body, or a Cabernet Sauvignon.”
Additionally, Gay also reminds couples not to forget the rosés. “The rosé is a crisp and refreshing wine and, when chilled, goes really well with chicken or beef,” she says. “When serving fish, a good, safe bet would be a Greek wine or a lighter white wine. With pork, a bolder white like a white Burgundy is nice, and with beef, a great complement would be a stronger grenache or pinot noir.”
When choosing the wines, don’t make it too complicated. Just choosing a white, a red, and a sparkling wine is a good idea. As long as the wines offer pleasant flavors, most crowds will be happy with the basics.
Even if your reception is during the cold weather and it’s freezing outside, make sure all of the wines are cold, including reds. White wines and sparkling wines should be served chilled, and lighter reds should be refrigerated for an hour before the wedding. Temperature control is important. Reds should be served around 55 degrees, while whites should be served in the 40’s.
When it comes to pours, make sure the bartenders and waitstaff serve the wine properly. Heavy pours at a wedding is not wise. A good rule of thumb is three ounces at a time for guests. And when serving sparkling wine, it
should be served in tulip-shaped white wine glasses, unless it’s very inexpensive, and then it can be served in inexpensive wine cups.
As for calculating how much wine you need, one bottle of wine per head should be a good measure. There is nothing worse than running out of wine at a reception, so always account for extras. If champagne is served to guests, less is more since the champagne is usually used just for a toast or two.
To make sure you have just the right wines and the correct amount, talking to wine professionals is best. Set your budget, and let them know what you have in mind. Along with the caterers and wedding planners, it is their job to know what you need and what will work best for your wedding. Attending a wine tasting before the big day is a great way to sample what they have and make your decisions accordingly.
The History of the Groom’s Cake
Although the wedding cake is one of the most important parts of the wedding day, there is another confection that has found its place in the spotlight: the groom’s cake. Usually chocolate and paired with fruit fillings or liquored flavorings, the groom’s cake has taken on a life of its own and has become one of the most sought-after offerings on the reception table.
During the Victorian era, the groom’s cake was among three cakes at a wedding: the wedding cake, a bridal cake, and a groom’s cake. Typically, the wedding cake was served to the guests, the bridal cake was served to the bridal party, and the groom’s cake was served to the groomsmen. In earlier years, the groom’s cake was usually a fruitcake, which was meant to be dark, while the bridal cake was more of a short crust or sponge cake, which was meant to be light. More than likely, the
groom’s cakes today are often chocolate to keep with the tradition of being dark in color.
Groom’s cakes are intended to celebrate the groom, and the cakes are often a reflection of the groom’s hobbies, tastes, sports preferences, favorite books, or even inside jokes. These creative creations were once found solely found in the South but have branched out to other regions of the United States.
In earlier years, the groom was responsible for baking and decorating his own cake. Traditionally, it was to be made on the wedding day. A custom that was a little intimidating to the groom has evolved into the bride’s task or the task of a family member or friend or even the caterer.
The modern groom’s cake is presented as a gift to the groom from the bride. It is said that the gift is to reflect the bride’s knowledge of the groom and to support his interests.
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Most often, they are presented with humor and come in many odd forms, such as an armadillo, a deer, a sports team, a fishing rod, or his favorite food.
A ritual dating back to the 17th century was that the bride would eat a single piece of the cake and then throw the rest over her head to symbolize all that she was willing to sacrifice for her husband. The groom was expected to eat an entire cake and then throw the empty plate over his head. The number of broken pieces of the plate symbolized the number of years of happiness and fortune the couple would have. There was also the tradition for a single woman to take a piece of the cake home and sleep with it under her pillow, causing her to dream of the man she would marry and giving her luck in finding that man in her very near future.
Today, the groom’s cake is used to further celebrate the occasion of the day. Some couples choose to unveil the cake together and cut it after the traditional wedding cake. Others choose to present the cake at the rehearsal to give it its own spotlight while avoiding a clash with the theme and color scheme of the wedding. Either way, it is an extra-sweet treat for the bridal party and guests and one more
way of celebrating the couples’ big day.
Whether it appears as a red fin tuna, a chocolate-covered cheeseburger, or a tower of beer cans, the groom’s cake is a welcomed and loved tradition of today’s receptions.
So show your new husband how much you love him by presenting him with a sugar-filled display of his most loved hobbies. It will surely sweeten the deal.
A groom’s cake made by Couture Cakes of Greenville.
the knottying
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JOSH JONES PHOTOGRAPHY
JON HOLLOWAY PHOTOGRAPHY
JOHN CURETON PHOTOGRAPHY
JOHN CURETON PHOTOGRAPHY
RILEY MORGAN PHOTOGRAPHY
love
RILEY MORGAN PHOTOGRAPHY
JOSH JONES PHOTOGRAPHY
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who pays for what?
MAKING SENSE OF DOLLARS AND CENTS
Like it or not, there are many questions about finances that need to be answered when planning a wedding. At one time, it was the responsibility of the bride’s family to pay for the majority of the wedding expenses. The groom and his family were only expected to pay for the rehearsal dinner, the honeymoon, and the rings. But things have changed. With the cost of weddings on the rise, couples are choosing to split costs, with a popular option of the bride and groom and their families each contributing one-third of the total expenses. This equation, of course, is up to each individual couple and can be divided as
they see fit. Discussing financial responsibilities with your future spouse and in-laws is not only acceptable today, but it’s a really good idea, as many family relationships have soured over money issues. When everyone is in agreement at the beginning of the process, there are no surprises, and the result is a happier relationship between the newly married couple and their families!
The following is a suggested outline of who pays for what, with the understanding that the allocation of expenditures can be tailored to each couple.
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BRIDE’S FAMILY PAYS FOR:
• Engagement party (optional)
• Wedding invitations and other stationery (announcements, thank-you notes, etc.)
• Services of bridal consultant
• Wedding gown and accessories
• Flowers for ceremony and reception sites
• Bouquets for bridesmaids
• Music
• Photography
• Videography
• Ceremony
• Reception
• Bridal party transportation to ceremony and reception
• Family’s wedding attire
GROOM’S FAMILY PAYS FOR:
• Engagement party (optional)
• Rehearsal dinner
• Their own wedding attire
BRIDE PAYS FOR:
• The groom’s ring
• The bridesmaids’ luncheon
• Gifts for the bridesmaids
• Wedding gift for the groom
GROOM PAYS FOR:
• The bride’s rings
• The marriage license
• Officiant’s fee
• His formalwear
• Personal flowers: the bride’s bouquet, boutonnieres for wedding party, corsages for mothers and grandmothers
• Gifts for the groomsmen
• Wedding gift for the bride
• Gifts for parents
• Honeymoon
• Transportation to the honeymoon
ATTENDANTS PAY FOR:
• Bachelor and bachelorette parties
• Gifts for the bride and groom
• Wedding attire and accessories
• Transportation to and from wedding town or city
• Accommodations during the wedding weekend
It is important that everyone involved sets a budget for their portion of the festivities, and it is equally important that everyone respects each other’s budgets. When everyone is in agreement at the beginning, the result is a happilyever-after for the entire wedding party!
JOHN CURETON PHOTOGRAPHY
JOSH JONES PHOTOGRAPHY
The Honeymoon How much should you spend?
According to a study of over 25,000 couples, the average honeymoon in 2019 was $5,000. Along with the wedding and all its festivities, it seems the nuptial pockets are getting quite a workout. The honeymoon, however, still remains the most popular wedding event.
Most couples leave for their honeymoon within two days of the wedding and stay an average of one week. Although the week-long stay is the most popular, “mini moons” are gaining strength among new couples. In 2019, almost 30% of couples chose to take a mini-moon instead of the traditional week-long vacation. A half week can sometimes be just enough and will cut your honeymoon expense in half. And with the honeymoon being one of the most expensive parts of the wedding, it should be planned in advance as much as possible.
So how much should you spend on your honeymoon, and how are you going to pay for it? One way is a honeymoon registry, or “Honey Fund.” Instead of gifts, the bride and groom create a registry for those who wish to contribute monetarily instead of giving a typical gift. This idea increased greatly in the last few years, and with 83 percent of couples setting up registries, a funded honeymoon is one of the most popular. However, most couples tend to pull from their savings or finance the trip instead and bear the cost themselves.
The cost of your honeymoon will depend on where you go, what time of year you will be traveling, the length of your stay and any add-ons or upgrades that you want. Although the average is around $5,000, some couples will spend up to or more than $10,000 on their trip. With the endless possibilities and temptations of wanting everything offered, it is important to set and stick to a budget from the get go. Be realistic.
Don’t start your new life off taking on more debt than you should or can handle. There are so many choices today that fit into each and every budget without making you feel like you’re missing out on something. And don’t plan your trip based on the great social media photos you can post. Make sure you plan your trip for you and your new spouse!
Honeymoon packages are always a good choice but be careful: Once you start with the add-ons, it can become quite expensive. Do your research to see who offers the best package for the best price. All-inclusives are usually a no-brainer. Flight, hotel, meals, some entertainment and, in
some cases, activities, are all offered for one set price. With advance payments, more times than not these all-inclusives are the way to go.
And if you become a little overwhelmed with everything there is to offer, try a travel agency. They know all the ins and outs of the resorts and they can also create a package for you based on what you want, where you want to go and what your budget is. Most times it is well worth it to put the experts in charge and let them find the best deal for you.
The possibilities are endless. So save your money, plan ahead, and enjoy the beginning of your brand-new life together.
Ah, the Love, the Joy … the Insurance? Protection for your wedding, your honeymoon, and beyond
By Kim von Keller
People are drawn to weddings by the beauty, the romance, and the excitement of the celebration. But there are practical concerns as well, and you have to face the reality that something might go wrong that could change the vision you had for your big day. What if your venue goes out of business after you’d made a down payment? What if your bridal boutique files for bankruptcy before you’ve received your gown? What if a family member becomes seriously ill on the eve of the wedding?
It’s important, therefore, to protect the significant financial investment that goes into the wedding of your dreams. “Hoping, planning, and dreaming sometimes just isn’t enough,” says Gina McIntosh, Insurance Risk Advisor with McIntosh Insurance in Clemson and Honea Path. “A wedding insurance policy can help protect you against the most common wedding insurance claims. In 2018, 41% of wedding claims
were due to vendor issues, and 22% were due to property damage caused by wedding day accidents. Weather problems, sickness, military deployments, and more account for the rest of potential wedding day claims.”
So while you’re planning a beautiful ceremony and reception, think practically. Be sure to consider the kind of insurance policies that will protect your wedding, your honeymoon, and beyond.
INSURANCE FOR YOUR WEDDING
When choosing a wedding insurance policy, it is important to assess your individual risk with an insurance agent who can advise you on the types of coverage to purchase. The cost of your policy will be based on the costs associated with your wedding and reception. There are several areas of your celebration that may be covered by your policy.
The biggest coverage area is the cancel-
lation or postponement of your wedding. This protects you from financial loss if your ceremony and reception are unexpectedly cancelled due to occurrences such as family illness or an extreme weather event.
“It protects lost deposits, such as those paid to bakers, caterers, florists, or bridal boutiques,” McIntosh says. “This coverage can also reimburse you if your venue suddenly goes out of business or the honorees are unexpectedly called to military duty.
Another area of coverage involves wedding video or photos. “If your photographer or videographer doesn’t show up for the event, or if your videos or photos aren’t delivered when promised, you’re covered,” said McIntosh.
What else might a wedding insurance policy cover? Spoiled food, the replacement of a damaged wedding cake, and other glitches in catering and entertainment.
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Policies can also be purchased that cover the loss or damage of wedding gifts, wedding attire, and special jewelry, such as wedding rings. “And wedding liability insurance is an optional coverage that can cover damage to the venue or injuries to guests,” McIntosh says.
INSURANCE FOR YOUR HONEYMOON
If you are following your dream wedding with a dream honeymoon, consider purchasing travel insurance. Travel insurance can cover your transportation, accommodations, and other expenditures associated with your trip. But before you purchase a separate policy, consult with your insurance agent. “If your wedding is canceled due to a necessary and unavoidable covered reason, any non-recoverable honeymoon expenses, such as travel and accommodations, may be covered under the cancellation/
postponement provision of your Wedding Protector Plan®, up to the policy limits,” McIntosh says.
INSURANCE FOR YOUR MARRIED LIFE
When your honeymoon tan has faded, it’s time to think about insuring your home, automobiles, and other possessions. If you and your new spouse have
had separate policies, packaging them together with the same company will always result in savings. Doing so in advance of your wedding might offer another area of savings too. If you already have homeowners insurance, rental insurance, or auto insurance, you might also save when you add wedding insurance to your existing policies.
W.E. BlacK
“When planning your life together,” McIntosh says, “it is beneficial to have an insurance advisor that will work for you and see the needs you have. As you grow in life and gain assets, it is best to have an advisor to help lead and guide you along the way. And the cheapest insurance policy is not always best. This is an important consideration if you are looking at Internet insurance companies.”
Planning a wedding is a part of planning your future. So while you’re choosing the flowers for your ceremony and the linens for your reception, take the necessary steps to protect your special day. Consider the insurance policies that will cover you from “I do” to your first dance and beyond.
Gina McIntosh is an Insurance Risk Advisor with McIntosh Insurance, covering South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. If you have questions about insurance for your wedding, your honeymoon, and more, you may contact Gina at 864-369-5500.
PHOTO BY RILEY MORGAN PHOTOGRAPHY
Helpful tips when deciding where to dine Honeymoon road trip
By Alexandria Stathakis
Most of my friends will tell you I have many food rules and have a reputation for enjoying “fine dining.” One of my rules is that I don’t do chain restaurants, so finding a place to eat when traveling becomes a puzzle. I have several tools that I use to solve that puzzle.
Whether I am in a tourist area of Europe or driving through rural America, these apps or blogs or invaluable: Yelp, Open Table, Resy, Trip Advisor, Michelin or Eater. During this COVID era, honeymoons are more likely to involve road trips, so here are some tips to finding restaurants that will become part of your memories. I love the map tool on Yelp that helps locate local dives when driving in rural parts of the country. I will pull over on the side of the road and look at the map function to find where the locals are eating. I love the fact that you can “redo the search” in another area. Usually these restaurants are in strip malls, on country roads, or even inside gas stations. Once in Houston it even meant a BBQ food truck in a Home Depot parking lot. Yelp is also helpful if you are looking for a certain type of food. The favorite Chinese, Thai, Mexican, or Vietnamese menu is more likely to be off the main highway, on a road that is sketchy, but that usually just means you found a winner.
Open Table use to be an app for reservations of fine dining restaurants, but now that it is part of Booking.com, its portfolio is more varied. I like how easy it is to make, modify and cancel reservations and it is easy to see the menus. I seldom eat at a restaurant with less than a 4.5 rating, and if I do, I look at the reviews in the low categories to see what the problems were and when they occurred. You can also accrue points with Open Table that give you credits to use on future dining. I use this app around the world, and it has seldom failed me. (Except for the one time in Mexico that I did not understand that some of the words used in defining a steakhouse meant that it was really one targeting businessmen!)
Resy is an app I uncovered on one of my trips to Charleston. It does not have nearly the selection of Open Table, but what I like
is that it has an option that allows you to request a restaurant in case they have a late cancellation. We were able to get a last minute reservation at FIG on a rainy night, and I have found it works well in most big cities. The restaurants listed are the ones where you will want to dine.
If I know that I am going to a popular food city, I will sign up for the Eater blog for that city well in advance. That blog will tell you about the newest fav places, the best place for breakfast, lunch, fried chicken, or drinks — you get it — list after list.
In addition, if you are going to a city, you will want to Google their local “best” lists because it will reinforce some of what you might find on Open Table, Resy or Trip Advisor. I usually use Trip Advisor to “check” what I think I might like from Open Table or Resy.
As you can see, finding good places to eat becomes a project for me. I love when I go to a city, find the perfect place, and the
next day when I go to my supplier and tell them where I ate, they say, “How did you know that was the place to go?” It is the final seal of approval.
Now I must admit, some of the places I go cost more than my employer wants to reimburse, so I pay the difference. However, I encourage you to go for it. I find that fine dining is like an education. The flavors, the presentation of the food, the service you can experience is really worth it.
At least once a year I make it a point to go to a restaurant that is over the top, and if you will not do that on your honeymoon, when will you do it?
On my last trip to Germany, I had spent a few days in the Ukraine eating in my hotel, and it was not good. So when I returned to Stuttgart, I went by myself to a Michelin one-star restaurant. I felt like a queen and ate like a king.
So when you are together on your honeymoon looking for an amazing meal to celebrate your love, go for it!
THE GETAWAY OUTFIT
By Kristine March
The wedding day is over, and it’s time to take off the gown and heels and get into your perfect honeymoon, “I’m on my way to Aspen” outfit.
It’s a beautiful fall, winter wedding, and you have picked out the finest suede over-the-knee boots by Stuart Weitzman and amazing shearling sheepskin faux fur Ralph Lauren jacket to say your farewells to friends and family as an officially married woman.
On my wedding day, I wore my wedding gown through the entire event. If I could go back in time, I think I would have changed into my honeymoon outfit earlier so I could really
dance the night away. You will notice as a new bride all the things you would have or should have done differently, but it’s still going to be the greatest day of your life up to that point. Personally, I would go with a great little mini dress to go with the boots and jacket — think Micheal Kors style. Maybe a cute puff sleeved approach with sequins. Kors also makes the perfect little black ribbed dress with a turtleneck that’s fit and flare. So comfortable, yet glamorous for travel. Kors is my personal favorite for that jet-set look. All of his designs are perfect for hopping a flight. He makes beautiful handbags and luggage to go with it.
I would then pop on a cool hat maybe from Lack Of Colors or Gladys Millinery just to really bring on the luxurious. Research and find your perfect measurements. Finish off the look with big gold bangles and layered chains around the neck and chest, and just like that, you’re feeling like a runway model.
As you slide into the getaway car, you’re off to The St. Regis for a week of pampering and hitting the ski slopes. After all, it’s well deserved after all that planning and wedding stress. Enjoy your special day and making a lifetime of wonderful memories as a Mrs. with your Mr.
wedding announcements
PHILLIPS-HOWARD
Carole Cochran Phillips and Christopher Todd Howard were married on May 23, 2020, at The Bleckley Inn, Anderson, South Carolina. The Rev. Dan Batson officiated. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William E. Phillips, and the groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gavin Adams and the late Bruce Howard.
The wedding party included Dorothy Camak Jenkins, cousin of the bride, as matron of honor and Emily Ann Scott, sister of the groom, as a bridesmaid. Austin Howard, brother of the groom, served as best man. William E. Phillips, Jr., brother of the bride, served as an usher. The groomsmen were all friends of the groom: John Wozniak, Andrew O’Gara, Bob Keller and Henry Kushner. Kate and Olivia Burrow, cousins of the bride, were the veil bearers for the bride. The flower girls were Dottie and Halle Mae Fant, Sarah Grace Burrow and Grace Camak, all cousins of the bride. Nelson Fant and Joseph Camak, also cousins of the bride, served as honorary attendants. The bride wore a beautiful dress and veil from Katharine Marie Weddings, while Cahaly’s Custom Clothing provided the men’s attire.
Following an intimate ceremony on the courtyard of the Bleckley Inn, the celebration continued inside the Carriage House with a delicious meal by Sullivan’s Metropolitan Grill along with a variety of cupcakes from Holly’s Cakes. The music for everyone’s dancing pleasure was provided by Uptown Entertainment. Many of the table arrangements consisted of beautiful flowers in antique tea pots from the bride’s family and were showcased by Aimee Cromer. The wedding painter, Caroline Stroud of Atlanta, Georgia, captured the attention of the young and old wedding guests. Each beautiful moment was captured by Rebecca Hicks Photography and Williams Media.
The bride and groom’s exit consisted of football jerseys over their wedding attire: a Gamecock jersey for the bride and a Georgia jersey for the groom. There were plenty of USC and UGA pom-poms for all, as well as some black and gold wedding wands representing Anderson University.
The night before the ceremony, family and friends gathered at Maki Sushi Bar and Bistro for a delightful meal and wonderful fellowship.
RHODES-YOUNG
Olivia Rhodes, daughter of Kenny and Amy Rhodes, married Benjamin Young, son of Natawadee Young and Jake Young, on June 26, 2020, in Greenville, South Carolina.
Olivia and Ben met at the age of 12 at McCants Middle School. They decided to date after becoming quick friends. However, as most middle school relationships go, it only lasted a couple of weeks. From then on, Ben decided he was going to pursue Olivia relentlessly. They dated off and on from the age of 12 to 14 before they decided to just be friends and continue their high school years.
At the age of 16, the two decided to give dating one more shot. From then, October 26, 2014, the couple has stuck by one another’s side. They both graduated from T.L. Hanna High School in 2016, they then continued their education at Clemson University. As their relationship grew, Ben knew that Olivia was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.
On August 1, 2019 in Nassau, Bahamas, on Olivia’s family trip, Ben decided it was finally time to pop the question. He asked Olivia
to dress up for a dinner date to celebrate her birthday. As they walked on the beach, Ben prepared to ask the most important question of his life. He gave Olivia a note describing his love for her and how much it had grown over the years. At the end of the letter was the question, “Will you marry me?” With tears in her eyes, Olivia repeated “Yes!” over and over again.
The wedding planning began. Olivia and Ben planned everything they could together with the help of their family and friends and set their date, June 26, 2020. In March of 2020, everything came to a halt when the pandemic began. They decided to hold off on continuing to plan their wedding, with so much unknown about what the world would look like by their big day. When May finally came, they decided to consider the safety of their guests and especially their family members. They cut their 350-person guest list to 120 people and finally finished their final preparations for the big day.
Flowers for the big day were absolutely gorgeous, made by Aimee Cromer. The centerpieces,
Four generations of family were in attendance. Maki was the perfect spot since the building is the former location of the bride’s grandfather’s store, Fant’s Office Supplies. Memories were shared and kudos were given for the restoration of the building. The couple honeymooned at St. Simons, Georgia. They are making their home in Alpharetta, Georgia.
bouquets and boutonnière perfectly complemented the dresses, suits and ballrooms. Aimee also created the most beautiful floral arch that Ben and Olivia were married underneath in the Gold Ballroom of the Westin Poinsett. Riley Young photographed the entire day. Her pictures were absolutely stunning and encapsulated every emotion in the room. Made Wedding Film provided the videography for the wedding day and created a five-minute video that perfectly captured the love that Ben and Olivia have for one another. When June 26th finally came around, the day could not have been more perfect. Ben and Olivia were
surrounded by 100 of their closest friends and family at the Westin Poinsett in Greenville, South Carolina. They were married by John Young, Ben’s grandfather, at 6 p.m., and they danced the night away with their guests. Entertainment and music were provided by Audiografs, Bo and Felicia Graf, as well as a Photo Booth mirror, which was a huge hit.
Groomsmen of the wedding party included Graham Borsum, Nick Larson, Mark Livingstone, Kordell Douglas, Sullivan Jones, Matthew Leach, Luke Rhodes and Freeman Stoddard. Bridesmaids of the wedding party included London Rhodes, Madison Pesicka, Kayla Adair, Abby McGregor, Betsy Brannon, Kaitlyn Jones, Ana Fotia and Alexis Butler. Junior Groomsmen included Karsten Seal, Brady Phillips, Daniel Friedlob, and Mac Davis. Junior Bridesmaids included Aviana Seal, Hart Davis, and Elise Miles. Ring Bearer was Austin Phillips and flower girl was Scarlett Davis.
The couple celebrated a “mini moon” in Asheville, North Carolina, at The Grove Park Inn and moved to Charleston, South Carolina, shortly after. They hope to take a longer honeymoon to Puerto Rico once they can safely travel.
LEAHEY-WALTERS
Sean and Allison Leahey of Anderson announce the engagement of their daughter, Brenna Diane Leahey, to Andrew Richard Walters, son of Tim and Christine Walters of Charlotte, North Carolina.
The couple will be married on November 15, 2020, at Southern Bleachery in Taylors, South Carolina, with a reception immediately following the ceremony.
Matron of honor will be Amber Lockhart, sister of the bride, and bridesmaids will be Anna Erskine, Riley Young, Meg Stoddard and Shea Hasty. Best man will be Carter Walters, brother of the groom, and groomsmen will be Cooper Rudolph, Jonathan Diaz, Bryan Murray and Andrew Tolbert.
Brenna is a graduate of Clemson University where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science. She is set to graduate with her Masters of Arts in Teaching - Elementary Education from Anderson University in December 2021. She is currently a preschool teacher at First Baptist Day School in Greenville.
Drew graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. He is set to graduate with his Masters in Business Administration from Clemson University in 2022. Drew is a Staffing Specialist at MAU Workforce Solutions in Greenville.
After a honeymoon in Key West, Florida, the couple will make their home in Mauldin.
RICHARDS-TUCKER
Dr. and Mr. Frederick Lee Richards announce the engagement of their daughter Mary Palmer Richards to David Hamilton Tucker, both of Columbia, S.C.
The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Mrs. Abram Jones Richards of Columbia, S.C., and Mr. and Mrs. William Hazel Bristow, Jr. of Darlington, S.C.
Mary Palmer is a graduate of Wofford College with a double degree in English and Art History. She is currently completing her masters degree in Elementary Education from Liberty University and teaching at Shandon Methodist Church Preschool and Kindergarten Program.
The groom-to-be is the son of David Ahrens Tucker and Nancy Bailes Tucker. He is the grandson of Dr. and Mrs. Howard Webster Tucker of Hartsville, S.C., and the late Dr. and Mrs. Lucius Charles Bailes of Anderson, S.C.
David graduated from Clemson University with a degree in Finance. He is the Wholesale Sales Manager for Tucker Oil Company and Corner Pantry Stores.
The wedding is planned for November 14, 2020, at First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, S.C., and will be officiated by the Rev. David H. Lauten. A reception will follow at Forest Lake Country Club.
