Town Bride Spring 2020 FINAL

town bride SPRING/SUMMER 2020

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To learn more about how our procedures can help you, please attend one of our free seminars (four per month).

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town bride

elcome 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.

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So here comes the bride ... town bride. Because there’s a bride in every town.

TOWN BRIDE MAGAZINE, LLC PUBLISHERS

Julie Bailes Johnson (864) 221-9269 townbridemag@gmail.com Sue Bailes Belk (864) 933-0200 townbridemag@gmail.com

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

Bride: Olivia Erskine Groom: William Gray Gown: Katharine Marie Weddings Hair & Makeup: Jessica Bagwell La Bella and Company Flowers: Kris Simpson Wedding Rings: Diamonds-n-Gold Venue: Boxwood Manor Photographer: Van Sullivan Photography

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Kim Acker von Keller Kristine March Alexandria Stathakis Anna Rice Katie Beth Johnson Gay McLeskey Cynthia Motes Dr Gabrielle Cannick Haley Kelly Jennifer Coleman Donna Burton Jessica Bagwell Jerrad Fenski Susan McMakin Allie Walker

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Pamela Brownstein Southpaw Media pamelauhles@hotmail.com Nate Thomason Signal 43 Design 864-933-1444 TOWN BRIDE SPRING 2020 | 5

town bride

THREE IMPORTANT PHASES OF PLANNING A

perfect wedding

By Katie Beth Johnson | FOSTER’S MAIN EVENTS

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PHOTOS BY RILEY MORGAN PHOTOGRAPHY

avigating the wedding process can be a tricky task.

With all of the options out there, it is easy to feel overwhelmed, over budget, and stretched to limit. It is often hard to know where to start, and “What is my first step?” is the most frequently asked question. When planning your wedding, keep this motto in mind: No matter what you do, do it well. Regardless of your wedding’s size or budget, if you stick to this simple motto, it will be a hit!

PHASE ONE: CREATING YOUR GUEST LIST The question has been popped and answered, and the date has been set, so what ‘s next? We look at the planning process as three phases. To start, let’s talk guest list. Hands down, this may be the most frustrating part of the entire planning process. Whom do I invite? What are our guests’ formal names and titles? How do I gather their addresses? We advise that you first list everyone you can think of. That way, you’re not leaving anyone out. From there, ask these questions: Are these people important in our lives or our families’ lives? Are they close friends, or are they simply acquaintances? Will we stay in touch with them after the wedding? By asking these tough questions, you will begin to see it is much easier to create a wedding guest list full of those who you want to help celebrate your big day!

PHASE TWO: MANAGING YOUR BUDGET Next, set your budget and book your vendors. Let’s chat about phase two a bit further. While you may be able to tweak your budget as you go along, it is a good idea to have a guideline to follow. As you set your budget, keep a few things in mind. How big will your wedding be? It is very difficult to pull off a $12,000 wedding with a 300-person guest list. Food and drink tend to be on a per-head basis, so more guests equal more money. You will need more seating, meaning you will need to rent more tables, chairs, and linens. You will also need more centerpieces for those tables. The number of invitations you send will increase that cost as well. This could well be the point at which you revisit Phase One.

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The first booking we recommend is the venue This lays the foundation for your entire wedding, and it sets the tone for your big day as well. For example, you wouldn’t necessarily host a black-tie affair in a small barn wedding venue. While this may seem like common sense, we often see brides booking smaller venues and struggling to fit their guests inside. And on the flip side, we see brides booking larger venues that need a lot of tables and decor to fill the space. If your budget does not allow for additional tables and decor, the process can become very frustrating, and what you have envisioned may not work out.

MALLORI MA PHOTOGRAPHY

JOHN CURETON PHOTOGRAPHY

town bride

PHASE THREE: EXECUTING YOUR VISION This last step is what makes this wedding truly YOURS! To make your vision come to life, you must be detail oriented. We like to tell our brides to explore every avenue they have ever dreamed of. That way you can narrow it down and be pleased with everything you have chosen. Another piece of advice we often give to our couples is to sit down together and prioritize all the aspects of the big day. This will help you to focus your vision and your budget. For example, if a cake is not high on your priority list, have a friend or family member bake pies. Heard of the donut cake? Great alternative!

Above all, the biggest piece of advice we give to our wedding couples is JUST HAVE FUN! This entire process is starting because you have chosen to spend the rest of your lives together, and it’s a time to celebrate! When the last sparkler has been lit and the limo drives away, all that truly matters is that you committed to one another, and that is pretty special, all by itself.

ALL PHOTOS BY RILEY MORGAN PHOTOGRAPHY UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED

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bridal fashion

bridal trousseau Coleman Collection provides unique fashion and personalized service

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here is something magical and exciting about a wedding. So much thought is put into the many details that pull this wonderful celebration together.

One of the most important details is the Bridal Trousseau. One of the specialties at Coleman Collection is providing unique fashion and personalized service for this very special occasion. The Bridal Trousseau is no exception. The boutique offers a spectacular collection of designers and unparalleled apparel for every event leading up to your special day, including engagement parties, bridal showers, luncheons, rehearsal dinner, and of course, the honeymoon.

Understanding the excitement surrounding the engagement and the vision for the big day allows the store’s team to curate fashion and accessory choices to compliment the occasion and build a unique story, creating mood and memories. In building a relationship with the client, they are able to turn a bride’s vision into a reality.

Coleman Collection opened its flagship store in downtown Greenville, SC, in April 2014. Located in the One Building on North Main Street, the store has proudly been serving clients and destination shoppers for six years. Walking through the double doors, one instantly feels relaxed and elegant standing on the leopard print flooring under the spectacular grand chandelier, surrounded by a glamorous closet filled with a colorful collection of designer clothing and accessories from around the globe.

The owner said, “While traveling to New York multiple times a year, I meet with designers from Paris, Italy and beyond to bring unique pieces to Greenville. Quality and craftmanship is very important to the buying process, guaranteeing styles that are fresh, well-constructed and timeless. Many of these garments can be turned inside out and the details are seamless!”

Clients experience first class service from the team at Coleman Collection including private appointments, wardrobe consulting, custom fittings and closet assessments.

The store dresses the mother, daughter and granddaughter, offering sizes 0-18, and collections range from the eclectic palate to the more tailored and conservative. Consider Coleman Collection your full concierge fashion destination!

For your special occasions, stop by the boutique or make an appointment to discuss your story and your dream dress. Call 864-546-1304 or visit www.coleman-collection.com.

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bridal fashion KATHARINE MARIE WEDDINGS

WEDDING DRESS SHOPPING 101 Your complete guide to having the best dress shopping experience!

BEFORE YOU SHOP Congratulations on getting engaged! Now the fun can truly begin. Also, I'm excited you have this guide in your hands/inbox because it will make wedding dress shopping the best experience your and your experience for you,stylist your stylist, and favorite your favorite people people. too!

FB/IG/TT: @katharinemarieweds allie@kmweds.com 864-844-9398 www.katharinemarieweddings.com

Before you head to a bridal boutique, make sure you look online to see if they are "appointment only" or if they take walk-ins. It is totally fine to pop in a shop to look at styles to see if you want to book an appointment, but we want to give you our full attention and can't do that while in another appointment.

We do this every day and we know there's some "business lingo" or processes that you may not know about, and that's okay. You've now got this handy little guide, so let's get going!

We'd love to have you make an appointment with us. www.katharinemarieweddings.com/appointment 10 | TOWN BRIDE SPRING 2020

bridal fashion KATHARINE MARIE WEDDINGS

As mentioned earlier, it is best to book an appointment to try on dresses. They should be at least an hour with a stylist who can walk you through sizes, changes, and accessories. Be as honest with us as you can about budget and what you like/dislike about each dress. This will help us to pull styles you actually like and make the best use of your appointment time. Try on a few veils and accessories with only your favorite gowns, and book an accessories appointment after you find the one to try on more if you need to.

Make sure to be on time. Most likely, another bride is coming in after you. If you run late, it can cut into your appointment, and we really don't want that for you!

Let's talk about your friends and family. I recommend only bringing 3-4 trusted opinions for several reasons.

First being that it is your dress, so only a few people's opinions should really matter. Second, the more people you have, the less time you'll have to try on dresses as they each may want to give their thoughts on each dress.

If you end up going to multiple appointments, take the same people with you since they've seen the other dresses. Once you select your dress, invite anyone else to your first fitting / accessories appointment.

When going into the wedding planning process, think of your budget as your priority list. What is most important to you? Venue, dress, food, band/DJ, etc. Then when it comes to your wedding dress, consider all that goes into your final look - your jewelry, shoes, veil, alterations,* and even taxes! If your tip top dress budget is $2000, let us know that number includes everything and you need to look at dresses around $1500. If your budget allows for a $2000 dress with everything else separate, then you can look for dresses up to $2000. *Veils and alterations can run $200+ each depending on how much detail you have on the dress or veil.

Most bridal boutiques carry sample sizes and not all are the same. Some dresses are more suited for certain body styles, so keep that in mind when looking at the sample sizes. Wedding dresses also run about 1-2 sizes larger than what you wear on a daily basis (size 4/6=8/10 and 12=14/16), this can vary by dress shape and designer.

It is totally fine for you to bring pictures of gowns you like to show us. In fact, we'd love for you to! Although you might not know all the fabric lingo, we can help you figure out your initial style by these photos. But don't forget to keep an open mind. As you're trying them on, you may realize you don't like your initial style, and that is OK. After each dress, we'll ask what you do and don't like and begin pulling other gowns in styles you are leaning towards.

If we have done our job right, you should end the appointment with THE dress. But sometimes you may end up with 2 or 3 favorites, and that is OK too. Go ahead and schedule a follow up appointment for just those favorites.

At the end of your appointment, we will take your measurements and talk with you about what size we will order. Remember, they aren't the same as normal clothes and if you're planning on toning up or losing weight, it is still best to go with your current size. You can always take it in (unless your wedding is over a year out, then head back to the shop 6-8 months out to get remeasured). We will contact the designer and your dress will go into production! It will generally take about 16 weeks to arrive. YAY! TOWN BRIDE SPRING 2020 | 11

town bride

Before walking down the aisle, a bride has one last morning with her bridesmaids

By Kim Acker von Keller

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hen Catherine Ann Parker of Alpharetta, Georgia, became engaged to Stefan Bundy, she immediately went to work on planning the perfect 2019 wedding. With the help of her mother, Lisa Parker – and a good Excel spreadsheet – she found her wedding dress at Kleinfeld Bridal in New York, secured Summerour in Atlanta as her venue and caterer, and hired Shean Strong as her designer. But as much as she was looking forward to the wedding of her dreams, spending the morning with her bridesmaids was also important.

“I am so high energy, and I wanted us to all have a calm

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morning,” Catherine Ann says.

“I wanted us to be relaxed, just eating and drinking and enjoying being together.”

With a 5:00 p.m. ceremony and the unpredictable nature of Atlanta traffic to consider, the day started 8 a.m. in the bridal suite of the Georgian Terrace Hotel for hair and makeup with Make Me Up and photography with wedding photographer Kelly Berry.

“Catherine Ann had asked me to spend the night before the wedding with her,” says Elizabeth von Keller, cousin of the bride and maid of honor.

“We woke up bright and early to shower before everyone arrived. Catherine Ann was a ball of energy that morning, singing and talking so much!”

In addition to the bride’s

mother, Stefan’s mother, Sue Robey, and his stepmother, Corinne Bundy, were on hand for the fun. But before the business of hair and makeup could

begin, Catherine Ann presented her bridesmaids with their gifts, blue silk pajama sets and slippers.

CONTINUED on PAGE 15

town bride CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 “A lot of brides might have focused on themselves, wanting their bridesmaids or their moms to do everything for them. Not Catherine Ann,” says Elizabeth. “Despite it being her wedding morning, she was still focusing on everyone else, making sure the bridesmaids had enough food, et cetera, and she extended that focus to her mom.”

It was mom Lisa who coordinated a festive brunch to carry everyone through to the cocktail hour. With help from Sue and Corinne, chicken salad, hummus, cheeses, crackers, fruit salad, and sweets were set up in the kitchen of the bridal suite, along with plenty of bottled water to keep everyone hydrated. Replacing the more traditional mimosa was a light strawberry lemon cocktail, combining Catherine Ann’s favorite flavors. Wanting to set the proper mood, the bride-to-be created a special morning playlist.

“I’m pretty high energy, so I wanted to play music that would be fun and relaxing,” Catherine Ann said. Some of her favorites were “What a Time” by Julia Michaels and “Only Want You” by Rita Ora. As the bridesmaids’ dresses were being steamed, the morning was full of laughter as the girls recounted their favorite sto-

ries with the bride. “Catherine Ann and I met through Stefan at Georgia College and State University,” says bridesmaid Sammie Baker. “He lived on the floor below mine in the dorm. The year before she started GCSU, Catherine Ann came down to visit Stefan.

We all got together, and we’ve been best friends ever since!”

A special moment of the morning was when Elizabeth gave Catherine Ann a scrapbook full of photos and messages from the bridesmaids, friends, and family members who are important in her life.

“That was one of my most favorite parts of the morning,” says bridesmaid Erin McGrath. “I was thankful I hadn’t had my

makeup done yet because there would have been mascara streaming down my face! It was such a fun time being able to spend those last few hours with Catherine Ann before she finally became a Bundy.”

“I think my favorite part of the morning was seeing Catherine Ann’s reaction when she looked in the mirror after her hair and makeup were done,” says bridesmaid Morgan Jenkins. “She kept repeating, ‘I look so beautiful!’ which she did. She was smiling and screaming, and it was a moment I’ll never forget.”

The morning passed quickly, and by 1:15, the entire wedding party were on their way to Summerour for pictures. By 5, Catherine Ann was preparing to walk down the aisle, escorted by her father, Steve Parker. By the end of the evening, all the efforts that went into the celebration of her marriage had created the ceremony and reception that she and Stefan had envisioned. But the memory of her morning with her bridesmaids is one she still holds dear.

“I was never expecting Elizabeth to put together the book,” Catherine Ann says.

“That changed the whole morning. I am so sentimental, and the book was really about my whole life with my bridesmaids, my friends, and my family. Everyone spending the time do what they did really made my day.”

TOWN BRIDE SPRING 2020 | 13

destination weddings

weddings

CHARLESTON “I followed my heart, and it led me to Charleston.”

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harleston is the place where my personal love life flourished as well as my love for the wedding industry. Charleston holds such a special place in my heart and I am blessed that I have been able to help others curate their own dream wedding in this town and even where I have uttered my own vows!

Here are my top ten tips on planning a wedding in Charleston.

Hire a planner Your planner will be your most influential hire. Finding someone who fits with your personality but that can also meet your expectations of your wedding day is important.

Many venues in Charleston have multiple pieces to the puzzle when it comes to vendor management. The properties are a blank slate, we are bringing in lighting, chairs, tables, catering rentals and occasionally power and restrooms. You need a professional to handle this undertaking.

Budget is key It is important to come up with a budget that makes sense and your planner should be able to help with this.

Charleston isn’t an inexpensive place to get married, but it is important to be sure you know what you want to spend before you splurge on a venue or a band then leave little room to work with for everything else.

Be flexible and creative. One of my favorite ways to stretch a budget, if needed, is to offer 14 | TOWN BRIDE SPRING 2020

By Haley Kelly

unique ways to change it up to still offer an amazing guest experience. A brunch wedding is a great way to save on costs.

You are able to have a smaller band, less alcohol and zero lighting! If you are the type of person who loves a Bloody Mary or breakfast food, this could be for you!

Book a venue quickly Some of the top venues in Charleston are booking 12-18 months out for peak Saturday dates.

Start with your top three I always have my clients tell me what their top three priorities are. Band, floral and bar is usually what I hear. But whatever they are, I always like to remind them of that during the planning process. Not everything can be the most important.

Get insurance and don’t look at the weather I always suggest wedding insurance for my clients and now, some venues are even requiring it. Being a coastal city and hurricane season spanning some of the most popular wedding months it is important to have no regrets and be covered.

There is no point in looking at the weather until the week of the wedding because it is constantly changing. You can’t control it so don’t waste your time!

Get wild with your food Who says you have to pick a menu based on what you see in their package info? Think outside of the box, do you love

Mexican food, and everyone knows that about you? Serve that! Did you meet at an Italian restaurant, let’s get the recipe for that dish and have the chef create it for you. As a reminder, your guests can eat cheese and fruit any day but usually weddings guests are more adventurous for a small canape during cocktail hour!

It is your wedding, make sure everything reflects that It doesn’t necessarily cost more money to make everything branded to your event.

You need cocktail napkins anyways, so make them say something that is reflective of you.

You have to have bar signage —

add your favorite cocktail selection!

The details are key Your planner should help you keep everything cohesive from day one. Even starting with your save the dates they should reflect your style, color palette and overall feel for your big day.

Trust your vendors If you have hired professionals, they have you covered and you likely won’t know anything that goes wrong on your wedding day. It is our job to put out fires before you even know they happen and you likely will never know.

Enjoy your day and let go.

Truly sit back and relax.

Haley Kelly is founder and designer of Haley Kelly Events.

Contact her at haley@haleykellyevents.com or 843.297.8884.

engagements

ADAIR-KINSEY

Mr. Ross Davis Adair, Sr. and Mrs Bethany Adair announce the engagement of their daughter, Kayla Dobbins Adair, to Chase Bronson Kinsey. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Henry D. Adair and the late Jane Davis Adair and Margaret N. Fisher. She is also the sister of Ross Davis Adair, Jr. The groom is the son of Charles Edward Kinsey Jr. and Phyllis Jeffcoat Kinsey. He is the grandson of Roy Bronson Jeffcoat and Yvonne Jeffcoat and grandson of Charles Edward Kinsey Sr. and the late Margaret Kinsey of Orangeburg, South Carolina.

The bride will be graduating from Clemson University with a degree in English. The groom will be graduating from The Citadel and will be attending the University of South Carolina School of Law. The couple will wed on December 19, 2020, at Central Presbyterian Church, officiated by Dr David Bailey. The reception will be held at Bleckley Station in Anderson, SC.

PHILLIPS-HOWARD Carole Cochran Phillips, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Evans Phillips is engaged to Christopher Howard of Cumming, Georgia. The engagement took place on June 30, 2019, at Lake Lanier. Many family and friends were there to celebrate, including family that flew in from Colorado, Michigan and Las Vegas.

Carole Cochran is a 2014 graduate of Anderson University. Christopher is a 2014 graduate of the University of Georgia and is employed with Shane Investment Property Group in Alpharetta, Georgia. A May 23, 2020 wedding is planned at The Bleckley Inn in Anderson, SC. Matron of honor is the bride’s cousin, Dorothy Camak Jenkins, and Emily Ann Scott, sister of the groom, is a bridesmaid. The Best man is Austin Howard, brother of the groom. Groomsmen/ushers are Will Phillips, brother of the bride, Andrew O’Gara, John Wozniak, Bob Keller, and Henry Kushner.

The couple will make their home in Cumming, Georgia, after the wedding.

TOWN BRIDE SPRING 2020 | 15

engagements

SHAFFER-METTS

Mrs. Jill Fletcher Fox is pleased to announce the engagement of her daughter, Mary Kathryn Shaffer, to McDavid (David) Sullivan Metts, son of Sally and Rod Metts of Columbia, SC. Mary Kathryn is also the daughter of the late John Christopher Shaffer.

The couple became engaged on Jan. 4, 2020, surrounded by immediate family members who gathered to help celebrate the couple’s engagement.

Mary Kate is a senior at the Honors College at the University of South Carolina. David is a graduate from the Darla Moore School of Business and is employed by NuCor Building Systems.

The wedding is planned for July 11, 2020, at the Boyce Chapel of First Baptist Church in Columbia. A reception will follow at City Art in the Vista.

The maid of honor will be Morgan Shaffer, sister of the bride, and bridesmaids will be Janie Metts, sister of the groom, Madison Durant and Laurel McKay. Best man will be Rod Metts, father of the groom, and groomsmen will be Ben Shaffer, brother of the bride, John Metts and Lee Metts, both brothers of the groom.

After a honeymoon to Rosemary Beach, Florida, the couple will make their home in Columbia.

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engagements

WAGLEY-CROMER

Dr. Spencer and Rebekah Wagley of Tyler, Texas, announce the engagement of their daughter, Madeline Anna-Marie Wagley, to Austin Tyler Cromer of Anderson.

Austin is the son of Dr. Carl and Michelle Cromer of Anderson, SC. The wedding is set for May 30, 2020, at Huitt Farms in Anderson. Matron of Honor will be Anna Whitaker and bridesmaids will be Grace Cromer, sister of the bride, Caroline Nester, Ashley Gibbs, Addie Crawford and Debi Schmidt. Best man will be Brady Cromer, brother of the groom, and groomsmen will be Austin Gardner, Brady Gilliard, Jack Voight, Cliff Nickerson and Bates Whitaker.

Flower girl will be Charlotte Mukri and ring bearer will be Sullivan Wagley, brother of the bride.

After the wedding the couple will honeymoon in Royal Hideaway Resort in Cancun, Mexico.

Austin and Madeline are rising seniors at Anderson University. Austin is also on staff at Sierra Baptist Church as a youth pastor. After the couple graduates, they will make their home in Anderson.

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wedding announcements

By Haley Kelly

COUPLE WEDS IN EASLEY

Molly and Corbin met in their early years at Clemson when Molly was working for Clemson athletics and they were writing a story on Corbin, who was playing golf in the Master’s at the time.

Timing didn’t seem to be perfect for them, and two and a half years went by before they met again at a friend’s birthday party and re-kindled their romance.

Not long after, Corbin proposed during their weekly Tuesday date night while watching the sunset in a field in Powdersville, SC. A true country gentleman!

Molly and Corbin wasted no time. They knew they wanted to get married soon, so five months later they held the wedding at his parent’s property in Easley,

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SC, which was a place special to both of them.

They invited 300 guests to the wedding, which took place mid-fall and had a neutral color palette that included shades of mauve, dusty rose, taupe, camel

and peach.

Molly was the best bride and truly let myself and the floral designer, Philo Floral, run with all of our ideas. It is key to have trust in this planning process and you will have something

magical.” They came up with a huge install over the dance floor because the entertainment and dancing was very important to the couple. Then they created comfortable lounge vignettes around the dance floor that had pillows with Molly and Corbin’s custom monogram on them.

Good Life Catering produced all the food and catering, and they went above and beyond.

They had an amazing sushi display, since it is one of the bride and groom’s favorites, and served “The Azalea” cocktail, which is a popular drink at the Master’s as a nod to Corbin’s love of golf. They also had a beer tap wall built with all of their favorite local beers included.

As a surprise late night, the caterer had hot and ready Krispy Kreme doughnuts. It was the perfect sweet treat to end the night!

wedding announcements

MCCLURE-GLENN

Mary Miller Glenn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Benjamin Glenn, married Sean Patrick McClure, son of the late Mr. Robert Bruce McClure and Mrs. Karen Elizabeth McClure, on October 5, 2019.

The wedding ceremony was orchestrated by Mr. Dean Harbert, owner of The Gatherings, and was officiated by the Rev. Dr. Kitty Holtzclaw of St. John’s United Methodist Church. The ceremony was held at the historic Old Stone Church in Clemson, South Carolina.

Both the church and reception site were simply decorated with a white monochromatic floral theme by Renee Burroughs Design and included roses, orchids, and hydrangeas.

Built in 1785, the beautiful hand laid stone church, with its hardwood oak floors and handmade pews, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was the church home to political and military leaders as well as local farmers and merchants.

Among those resting in its cemetery are General Andrew Pickens and General Robert Anderson.

Miss Bentley Marie Glenn, sister of the bride, served as maid of honor. Mrs. Lauren Eris Mason and Mrs. Kelly Elizabeth Blose, sisters of the groom, served as bridesmaids. Additional honorary bridesmaids included Miss Alston Alice Crudup, Mrs. Caroline Dyar Foust, Miss Mary Frances Martin, Mrs. Sarah Benson Mosteller, Miss Kasey Teigue Walters, and Miss Kyler Elizabeth Blose. All of the bridesmaids wore elegant black dresses.

Groomsmen included Mr. Dustin John Mason and Mr. Robert Blain Blose III and Mr. Robert Blain Blose IV, brothers-In-law of the groom, and Mr. Joseph Christopher Glenn, brother of the bride. The groomsmen wore classic black tuxedos with custom-designed bow ties by designer Jake Simpson.

Ring bearer was Bex Logan McClure, nephew of the groom, who wore a custom designed “Deadpool” bowtie by Jake Simpson. The flower girl, McClure Annalisa Mason, niece of the groom, was glowing in a white tulle princess dress.

Music at the ceremony was provided by vocalist Dee Dee Welborn Francis, who sang “Ava Maria,” and by an Anderson University string quartet, which played classical pieces prior to and during the ceremony.

Following the ceremony, a reception was held at Tiger Park Pavilion in Clemson. The guests dined on a beautiful display catered

by Andrew Merritt, owner of Boulevard Catering, with beverages by Kasey Walters and Chris Glenn, owners of Typsy Gypsy Mobile Bar Catering.

The guests danced the night away to the Ethan Burkhardt Brass Band and Soulution Band, who played Motown hits as well as Van Morrison and Michael Jackson tunes into the eleventh hour, sending off the bride and groom to their happily ever after. It was a fabulous time created by great talent and beautiful friends.

The happy couple celebrated their nuptials in Charleston immediately following the reception and also honeymooned in Bermuda in March. The couple reside in Anderson.

A NDER SON’S PR EMIER DOW N TOW N INN 151 East Church Street | Anderson, SC 29624 864-225-7203 | www.bleckleyinn.com

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wedding annoucement

A WEDDING TALE OF TWO CULTURES

Eric Stallings and Tope Leyimu — who met and reside in Charleston, South Carolina — married in a two-day wedding celebration in Jacksonville, Florida, on Nov. 16, 2019, comprised of American and Nigerian traditions.

The night before the wedding, the couple participated in a traditional Nigerian engagement ceremony which is the groom’s declaration of his intention to marry his bride. Eric entered with some of his best friends appealing to the bride’s family for her hand in marriage and to ask for their blessing. Afterward, the bride made her entrance dancing in with her closest friends to greet the groom’s side of the family, as well as her own, asking for their blessings. The bride’s aunt handmade all of the garments worn by the couple and their friends with colors and fabrics selected by the bride and her mother. The evening was a festive celebration of faith, love and the joining of two families.

The next day, the couple were formally married at the enchanting Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens in Jacksonville, Florida. The couple opted to have a first look in the gardens adjacent to ceremony site before the wedding to have pictures made in natural light. The ceremony was filled with sentimental moments, including a reading of a hymnal sung at the bride’s parents’ wedding 35 years before, and emotional vows written to one another.

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Instead of a conventional bridal party at the altar, the couple each had one of their best childhood friends stand with them. The bride asked her favorite ladies to wear long, gem-toned fall hues that complemented each other beautifully.

The ceremony was in a lush garden under a sprawling tree by the water. The couple found a beautiful rug to stand on, which now resides in the back porch of their new home. The floral choices for the centerpieces were a nod to the regal traditional Nigerian gold and maroon attire worn at the ceremony the night before and the garments the bride’s family wore at the wedding.

Food included a

diverse array of options that paid homage to Charleston, SC, where they live and first met, with a Southern station that included shrimp and grits and chicken and waffle skewers. Additionally, the guests enjoyed

a stir fry station, an Italian station and a beef carving station.

Raspberry and brie phylo pockets, jerk chicken on plantain crisps and coconut shrimp were passed around throughout the course of the evening while guests enjoyed an indoor and outdoor bar.

Outside, a band played soulful music while the guests reveled in the beauty of the museum. The couple was able to steal a dance with each other on the lawn while listening to one of their favorite songs under the string lights. It was a perfect unofficial first dance.

The cake was a tropical orange grand marnier cake, a favorite of the bride since

childhood, often visiting a local bakery to order and share a slice of this cake with family and friends.

The couple maintains, along with many of their wedding guests, it is the best they ever had.

The couple danced the night away to favorite current and traditional music honoring the bride’s Nigerian roots, including some of her parents’ favorite Nigerian songs as they danced in to be re-introduced wearing traditional Nigerian attire.

The guests joined in on the “money party,” where friends and family threw and placed cash all over the couple as everyone danced and cheered together into the night celebrating love, culture and family.

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food + drink

personalize your wedding by

Personalizing Your Bar

W

hen it comes to planning a wedding reception, the last thing you want as a bride is for yours to be a cookie-cutter version of someone else’s.

Every choice that you and your groom make is an opportunity to personalize the party. If you enjoy Thai food, spring rolls might be served as appetizers. If you enjoy traveling, the cake topper could feature the words, “Fly Away with Me.” When it’s time for dancing, the music might include the song that played the night you met or the night you became engaged. And lately, another way to personalize your reception has become popular: the signature cocktail.

If you will be serving alcohol at your reception, the signature cocktail will be the statement piece of the bar. While you may choose to serve one signature cocktail that is representative of you both, many couples choose one drink to represent the bride and one to represent the groom.

Signature cocktails can be served in addition to your full bar service, or they can be served along with beer and wine, taking the place of other spirits. In either case, offering signature cocktails is another way of personalizing a reception.

Jake Johnson, a bar and catering manager 22 | TOWN BRIDE SPRING 2020

from Charleston, South Carolina, is a big fan of the signature cocktail.

“From the standpoint of the bartender, signature cocktails are not only impressive, but they’re easy to make,” he says.

“They can be batched out in advance and individually poured on site, you won’t need an army of bartenders, and your guests won’t wait in long lines.” And choosing a signature cocktail doesn’t mean totally reinventing the wheel.

“When choosing a signature cocktail, think of your favorite drinks and adapt from there,” Johnson says.

Chris Glenn and Kasey

Walters are fans as well.

As owners of the Typsy Gypsy Nomadic Bar, they provide bar service for weddings and events across South Carolina, and signature cocktails are a frequent request.

“When it comes to specialty cocktails, it’s all about seasonal fruit, juices, spices, and herbs if you are wanting to WOW your wedding guests,” says Glenn.

“When planning your wedding bar, we create the perfect signature cocktail for the big day by taking into consideration not only your palate, but the theme, decor, location, and time of year of your wedding

to develop his-and-hers cocktails.”

Typsy Gypsy customizes its cocktails by using their own homemade ingredients. “In addition to simpler cocktails, we also create customized drinks by infusing one of our different simple syrups, such as rosemary, lavender, sage, or mint, along with our homemade purées, such as strawberry, mango, mango/jalapeño, watermelon, blackberry, raspberry, pear, or cranapple,” he says. “No matter what you choose, the goal is to create the best cocktail for your guests and, most importantly, for you and your groom.”

And have fun with the name of your wedding’s signature cocktail. If

you’ve used a wedding hashtag, use it to brand your drink. Name your drink after yourself, your new spouse, or even a beloved pet.

“When my husband chose a nonalcoholic signature drink for our reception, we offered an alcoholic version and named it after our dog, Grumps,” said a recent bride.

When it comes to personalizing your wedding, the key is in the details.

Consider using the signature cocktail as just another way to make sure your reception represents you and your new spouse. Cheers!

For more information about the Typsy Gypsy, contact Chris Glenn or Kasey Walters at 864634-4300.

sweet eats

Carefully crafted cakes W

e have used cakes to celebrate occasions for hundreds of years.

We use them to celebrate all of our milestones such as birthdays, graduations, religious ceremonies, and weddings.

When planning a wedding there are several occasions that a cake would be appropriate including engagement party, bridal showers, bridal brunch, rehearsal dinner and wedding reception.

Groom’s cakes can be served at the wedding reception as a more rich and decadent flavor choice for the guests, but were traditionally served at the rehearsal dinner. Another tradition of the groom’s cake was that it was sliced and placed in a box and given to the single ladies in attendance. They were to place it under their pillow that night and dream of their future groom. Perhaps that is where the term sweet dreams comes from. Groom’s Cakes are often decorated to reflect the groom’s hobbies or interests, such as alma mater, favorite games, hunting, or sports. We are all familiar with the famous scene from Steel Magnolias with a red velvet groom’s cake shaped as an armadillo.

Cake Pull or Charm Cakes is a Victorian-era tradition.

It was traditionally done on the bottom tier of the wedding cake but we find it is more common at a bridal shower or bridal brunch now. Each of your single friends and bridesmaids take a turn pulling a charm on a ribbon from the cake for a glimpse of what’s to come in their future. The chili pepper charm means a hot romance is on the horizon or a rocking chair charm means you will have a long life. It’s a meaningful keepsake that can also serve as jewelry keepsakes for the bridal party.

The pièce de résistance is the wedding cake. Gone are the 24 | TOWN BRIDE SPRING 2020

By Susan McMakin | COUTURE CAKES

days of towering tiers of cake separated by plastic columns and water fountains. The term we hear from couples now is simple and elegant. Textured buttercream icing is the most

popular. However if planning an outdoor wedding or in the summer in a venue without air-conditioning you may want to consider fondant icing. Pictures of your wedding cake sitting outside under a tree or gazebo is very pretty but consider the risk. Insects crawling on it, leaves falling on it or worse a pigeon landing on the cake and eating the fruit off of it, it has happened. Your wedding cake is not limited to plain vanilla. We allow our couples to choose a different flavor per tier of cake. Make sure your caterer is in charge of cutting the cake. Most caterers will charge a small flat fee to cut your cake. It can be a messy job and making sure you get the correct number of slices is

very important. Do you plan on saving your top-tier for your one year anniversary or ordering a fresh one instead?

We find most new couples prefer to order a fresh one a year later so that it’s not taking up space in their freezer or fearing the risk of it tasting bad a year later.

Greenville has an amazing wedding vendor community.

We are all here to help answer any questions you have and help guide you through your planning process.

The Historic Marshall Orr House

Souern Elegance at I Finest!

The Historic Marshall Orr House is a venue that works well for weddings, receptions, showers, birthday, anniversary and graduation parties, as well as, meetings, business receptions and celebrations of life.

We invite you to create the wedding of your dreams. We offer the setting and many free amenities that you won’t find elsewhere:

-Tables, Chairs. Flatware, China and Glasses -Tableclothes, Napkins and Chaircovers -Bride’s Room and Groom’s Library -Kitchen -Unique Photo Settings -List of Local Vendors

Ask us about a cozy room for the night aaer, bridesmaids or family!.

A Unique Wedding Event Venue

809 West Market Street Anderson, SC 29624

864-226-7576 Airbnb on Site

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something

OLD

PHOTO BY VAN SULLIVAN PHOTOGRAPHY

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town bride

something

NEW

PHOTO BY VAN SULLIVAN PHOTOGRAPHY

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something BORROWED

town bride

PHOTO BY VAN SULLIVAN PHOTOGRAPHY

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something

BLUE

PHOTO BY VAN SULLIVAN PHOTOGRAPHY

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wedding music

Your music should hit all the right notes

By Jerrad Fenske

W

here would we be without the soundtrack to our life?

We associate events in our life with the music heard while it happened, forever linked in the mind. What was the song you first danced to? What was the song that you and your friends listened to over and over again as you drove through the days and nights of summers at the beach?

Often, without planning, music accompanies us through the good, the bad and the sad.

As a musician, I have been a part of marriage ceremonies for 40 years. I still remember that first wedding I played for and am still in touch with that bride and groom. They requested “Sheep May Safely Graze” by J.S. Bach, and as a boy of 12, I worked and worked

32 | TOWN BRIDE SPRING 2020

to get it right. When I contemplate all the weddings that I have been a part of, I have vivid memories of couples meeting with me to choose either ceremony music or piano music for their social hours and receptions.

The fantastic element about music is that it fits, whether you know every piece of music you want in every moment or you know that you want something, but not quite sure what that might be.

Music fits, it will be as grand or minimal as you would like for your special day.

In planning this important day you are faced with so many decisions; florists, attendants, venues, food and of course, costs. It is beneficial to listen to people in their fields, ask them their opinions and options and

then decide what you like and have budgeted for.

When planning your music there are several things to consider: venue, instrument/s available, in-house musicians, and cost.

If you are being married in a church, ask what their guidelines are and if their staff has first right of refusal. It is always better to ask about the guidelines first and plan within that structure then to assume you have an open ticket and that they will allow anything that you have planned, which often leads to disappointment and hard feelings, which can be avoided.

If you are choosing a venue that is non religious also ask about their guidelines and if there is an instrument and sound system. Knowing that they have a piano on the

premises that it is in tune and good playing condition will help you in hiring someone who plays and/or sings. If the musician needs to bring some form of keyboard, it will change the plan of what they need to do to accomplish your requests. Once you have the venue guidelines and information, whether religious or not, you can choose music with the musicians on staff or the person you have hired separately.

Here are some things to consider when planning your music for your ceremony: • Have music playing as your guests arrive. This sets the mood — whether quiet and romantic or crazy and fun. The music you choose will automatically engage your guests without them even knowing it.

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Eat Smart Move More Anderson County

making the healthy choice the easy choice for all Anderson Countywedding residents.music

RILEY MORGAN PHOTOGRAPHY

JENNIFER STUART PHOTOGRAPHY

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 32 • Decide what music you would like to be played when you are walking in and out. Again, first decide what kind of mood you want, and then listen to options. If there are special selections that have sentimental meaning to you and/or your family, decide if they would work for the ceremony or if they would be better for the reception.

• Also, a suggestion that came from a Mother of the Bride, after knowing the selections of music for the ceremony, she listened to them many, many times before the wedding so that she was not completely overcome with emotions on the big day. It is already an emotional time, a little pre-planning for emotions helps!

Remember, know your venue and what it provides and its guidelines, then plan accordingly. This way you can have the best situation for a harmonious day.

Jerrad Fenske is the Choirmaster and Organist at Grace Episcopal Church in Anderson, SC. He is also a freelance musician with 40 years of wedding experience.

Visit www.jerradfenske.com.

Evergreen Plantation Weddings & Events

4800 Highway 187 South • Starr, SC 29684

www.evergreen-plantation.com

Jessica Faulkenberry - Event Coordinator • 864-437-3400

andersonmagazine.com 23 January/February 2019

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health + beauty

State of the Art Bride Smile Here’s how you can have that dazzling smile and healthy glow on your special day!

By Dr. Gabrielle Cannick | GRAND OAKS DENTAL

“Marriage is a mosiac you build with your spouse.

Millions of tiny moments that create your love story.”

36 | TOWN BRIDE SPRING 2020

RILEY MORGAN PHHOTOGRAPHY

I

t goes without saying, your wedding day will be one of the most memorable events you will ever experience.

From the very start, from the planning of your wedding until the moment you depart for your honeymoon, you will be creating memories.

If there is ever a time when you want to look and feel your very best, it is on your wedding day. The images captured in a photo album and video will last for a lifetime. So, go ahead. You have permission to invest in yourself, starting with making your natural smile dazzling!

And to this end there is great news. Modern dentistry has come a long way with extraordinary techniques and technology that can help. It just takes a little planning.

Here are “perfect smile options” you should consider, whether you want whiter teeth, straighter teeth, or even a complete smile makeover.

Advanced Teeth Whitening. After extensive research and testing, our practice has elected to offer our valued patients a unique, patented warming heat and LED light technology, couple with a specially forumlated whitening gel, that achieves faster results accelerating the removal of stains, yellowing and tooth discoloration while avoiding tooth sensitivity. The results of this safe in-office procedure can be dramatic, lightening teeth three to eight shades in a single hour. Be aware, professionally supervised whitening works faster and protects gums and tooth-root surfaces better than overthe-counter whitening products.

Six Month Smile. Add to teeth whitening our safe and effective cosmetic “clear braces” system that hardly shows and will provide you with straight teeth in six months or less. This is a great alternative to traditional braces which can take up to two years. If you consider most marriage engagements have a duration of 12-18 months, this leaves you plenty of time to get the straight teeth you have dreamed of. While the clear braces are on, you must maintain a diet of softer foods. But, this can also work to your advantage as you prepare to look your very best.

Total Smile Makeover. If you want to go the extra mile, you may consider veneers. Veneers are the best way to get a complete smile makeover quickly. Veneers are wafer-thin layers of porcelain that are bonded to

your teeth. A small amount of tooth structure is shaved from the front of your teeth, and then beautiful porcelain veneers are bonded to them, creating the shape, color, and alignment of teeth that you desire. They are an investment to be sure. On the other hand, they last for years.

It is important to realize that along with your smile your mouth’s health — and your overall health — will play a huge part in your total appearance. So, while you are thinking about your smile, special wedding dress, your makeup, and hairstyle, it is important to take good care of...YOU!

health + beauty That is why in addition to oral health our practice emphasizes wellness, defined by making good life choices that include diet, exercise, adequate sleep, and avoiding unhealthful habits like smoking. Our focus is certainly on your wonderful natural smile. But more than this, it is about achieving that glow that comes with optimum health and gives every bride radiance and projects a sense of serenity and happiness.

To this end be sure not to neglect the basics that can make a big difference. Things like hydrating by drinking 8-10 cups of water a day.

Exercise... smart. Brides-to-be need

all the time they can get. The key is combining shorter interval high intensity cardio with strength workouts weekly. And although this is a wonderful time in your life — it can also be very stressful. High levels of stress and lack of sleep can harm your health, including weight gain.

Keep firmly in mind you are worthy and beautiful just the way you are.

Radiate the beauty inside and out, not only on your big day, but every day! Please call us with questions or to schedule a consultation to review your smile options. Think of us as your hometown resource for guidance and support to ensure you look and feel your best on your special day.

Dr. Gabrielle F. Cannick is the owner of Grand Oaks Dental, located at 3905 Liberty Highway in Anderson. A strong believer that dental fear and anxiety should not prevent any patient from receiving the highest quality dental care, Dr. Cannick has received extensive training in Sedation Dentistry and is a certified member of the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation. She is also a member of the South Carolina Dental Association, the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. For more information about Grand Oaks Dental and the services provided, please call 864-224-0809, or click to grandoaksdental.com or visit us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GrandOaksDental.

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travel tips

Savvy travel advice for couples to consider

By Alexandria Stathakis

F

or couples planning their honeymoon, here are some expert travel tips.

I’ve learned it is important to be patient and flexible. Unfortunately, the bestlaid plans for air travel can go astray quickly when Mother Nature hits with hurricanes, tornados, rain or fog.

When booking your flight, allow yourself at least an hour between flights at bigger airports. Running from Concourse A to E is not fun anywhere; I turn red and look like I am about to die after an airport run. Also, pay attention to where your connection is and the time of year. For example, on United I avoid connecting through Chicago in the winter.

Moreover, early morning flights

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are more likely to be on time than later flights.

Make sure you download the app for the airline you are using. If your plane has Wi-Fi you can use the app for in-flight entertainment. It also has your boarding pass and incoming flight information. More importantly, it provides options to re-book if your flight is delayed.

If that option is not available

for some reason, call the airline directly to re-book. The lines are usually long at customer service. I was on a bus going back to the terminal in Mexico City and used my phone to re-book before I was back at the terminal. Most apps have contact information about who to call. In addition, I find that customer service via phone can sometimes break the rules to

get you where you need to go.

They can even keep you on one flight and book you standby for another if connections are not guaranteed.

Furthermore, try to get as close to your destination as possible when being rebooked.

Once in Charlotte going to Canada, the airline wanted to keep me in Charlotte another day. I refused and said get me across the border tonight. I spent a nice day in Toronto waiting for another flight but there were more options from Toronto than Charlotte in case the bad weather held out.

If delayed, relax, talk to the people around you as you are all on the same boat, but try not to leave your gate if you see the time keeps changing. The flight time can change quickly and they will not wait.

I hope you never need these tips but if the inevitable happens, be ready and patient.

Happy travels.

health + beauty

When to say ‘I Do’ to Botox S

By Donna Burton

o, you’ve committed to the big day with your forever valentine and want to look and feel your absolute best on your special day. And with most things, timing is everything.

Botox® (a brand of Botulinum Toxin) might be the solution you are searching for to reveal the most radiant version of you.

Over time, exaggerated facial expressions, loss of collagen/elastin, sun damage and gravity create unwanted facial lines and creases that can prematurely age us. Botox® reduces these harsh lines by relaxing corresponding target muscles, creating a softer, more polished appearance.

Fundamentally, Botulinum toxin is a protein. When injected into certain target muscles of the face, the muscles “relax” resulting in a smoother complexion. Overall, it is a very safe and effective treatment to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the delicate eye area (crow’s feet), in addition to minimizing horizontal lines across the forehead (frown lines) and between the eyebrows (number 11’s).

If you’re contemplating Botox® treat-

ments prior to your special day, there are a few points to consider: • Do not procrastinate. Results are not immediate. It takes two weeks to achieve full correction or results. At a bare minimum, I would not recommend a treatment no later than four weeks from the day of your event.

• If you are new to Botox® or have moderate to severe wrinkles/creases/lines, ideally you should start 6-8 months prior to your big event. This will allow enough

time to achieve desired results, correction if needed or recovery from untoward side effects or results.

• Be prepared for maintenance. Botox® works best with treatments every 3-4 months, otherwise the effects will diminish.

• Bruising and Ptosis (droopy eyelid) are two of the most common side effects associated with Botox® injections, although rarely occur. Most bruising is minor and usually heals within 3-7days. Ptosis will usually improve in 4-12 weeks.

• Schedule a consultation. Most providers offer free consultations. I recommend at least two consultations, maybe even three. You should be comfortable with your provider choice, as it can make a huge difference in your experience. Find a provider you trust and who has a proven track record of good results. Don’t be afraid to ask about experience and/or results. A good provider will always be willing to address all of your concerns.

Whether you’re new to Botox or a seasoned Botox Bella, your provider can customize a treatment plan that will have you picture perfect ready in no time.

Stay beautiful.

TOWN BRIDE SPRING 2020 | 39

flowers

Beautiful blooms

By Cynthia Motes

T

PEONIES One of the most popular wedding flowers of all time, peonies are beloved by brides and highly sought-after when they’re in season. However, they can be are one of the more expensive flowers. Their fluffy, romantic shape and ruffled petals make beautiful bouquets. They are also available in countless colors, from crisp white, cream, and yellow to varying shades of pink and red. One of the favorites is the pastel pink.

ELECTRIC CITY BLOOMS

RANUNCULUS Ranunculus produce a beautiful bloom with delicate, tissue-thin petals and are often mistaken for peonies.

They’re a versatile flower and look great in bouquets as well as table centerpieces. Ranunculus are also quite hardy and a great choice for boutonnieres since they’ll stand up to a lot of hugs. Ranunculus are available in nearly every color imaginable, so you’re sure to find them in the perfect shade to match your wedding color scheme.

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RILEY MORGAN PHOTOGRAPHY

here are many considerations when it comes to choosing wedding flowers. Your bouquets, boutonnieres, and table arrangements will be one of the most noticed features of your wedding, and they can also be one of the most expensive features. Consider this a simple guide to choosing the best flowers for your wedding.

ROSES Garden or vintage roses are a timeless, elegant symbol of romance.

With far more petals than the average rose, garden roses are a staple of spring weddings thanks to their warm colors. They also resemble peonies but are less expensive, making them a good option for staying within your budget. Standard roses are the roses you might imagine, with long stems and a tightly cupped bloom formed by overlapping petals, the classic rose shape. Garden rose is a loose term, but it generally refers to roses with a denser petal count than your average standard rose, resulting in a fuller, more romantic look. They are also usually more fragrant than standard rose. These make a perfect bridal bouquet for holding close on your wedding day. Some favorite garden rose varieties include Juliet, a soft, peachy-apricot shade; Distant Drums, which range in color from blush-lavender to caramel; Koko Loko, a coffee-and-cream hue; and Patience, with ivory petals, a buttery-yellow center, and incredible fragrance.

TULIPS Tulips bloom with the arrival of spring. Tulips come in several shades, from spring pastels to darker hues, making them ideal choices for either your central flower or as an added pop of color to a bridal bouquet.

Their unique cup-like shape and long stalk also make them a perfect option for centerpieces.

ANEMONES These pretty blossoms are known for their delicate petals and bold, dark centers. The most popular anemone variety features bright white petals and jet-black centers, making it the perfect choice if the wedding colors are black and white or if you’re having a black-tie dress code. Besides black and white, anemones are also available in many other colors, including blush pink, deep purple, orange, and green.

SWEET PEAS Sweet peas come in a variety of cherry red, burgundy, and even bright blue. They have a lovely fragrance and wonderfully ruffled romantic petals. Carry a cluster of sweet peas tied with silk ribbon for a sweet, very feminine bridal bouquet. We also love stems of sweet peas in glass bud vases on cocktail-hour tables for a simple and elegant look.

Sweet peas are available in a wide variety of colors, from white and varying shades of pink and purple to burgundy and blue.

Many more flowers are available for a spring wedding as well, such as hydrangeas, daffodils, iris, lily of the valley, hellebores, lilac, and flowering branches, such as dogwood and forsythia. When you consider the style of your wedding, your personal taste, and your budget, there is no wrong choice. Like all weddings, all flowers are beautiful in their own way!

traditions

RILEY MORGAN PHOTOGRAPHY

RILEY MORGAN PHOTOGRAPHY

JOSH JONES PHOTOGRAPHY

SOMETHING TRADITIONAL ... or not!

S

omething borrowed something blue, something old and something new.

Traditions for weddings go as far back as before Christ. In the south especially, we’re known for keeping our wedding customs the way our relatives did. Well, times, they are a changin. We’re still keeping a few similar ones of course but just giving the old ones a little lift if you will.

For starters, it used to be all about the color white.

White meant the bride was pure and innocent. It was significant in that it made the bride appear to be flawless and this event marked the ending of her single hood.

Now brides are wearing champagne colored dresses, dusty pinks and adding floral embroidery. Some choose a totally different color all together, or wear a jumpsuit or a shorter wedding dress without the train. Veils are being replaced by adorned funky hats or big flower crowns. Bridesmaid gowns have even turned into cute cocktail dresses that are all in the same color palette but different styles to foster each shape and size, which looks amazing.

That would have been considered completely inappropriate back in the day. Also ditching shoes and just going barefooted is a huge trend. So we have come quite a long way, baby.

Another new tradition is getting rid of the birdseed or rice that was tossed at almost every wedding I ever attended as a young girl in the 1980s and ’90s. Now people are going for a more botanical approach. Dried flowers mixed with herbs make it more biodegradable and ecofriendly, or multi-colored confetti is being tossed for the bride and groom’s departure. Bubbles and waving lacy burlapped 42 | TOWN BRIDE SPRING 2020

By Kristine Ker March

RILEY MORGAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Serving cupcakes is a unique alternative to the traditional wedding cake.

RILEY MORGAN PHOTOGRAPHY

wands in the air, plus sparklers and even fireworks make for stunning photographs as the couple leaves in their getaway car.

Another modern twist is in the food.

It’s gone from light pickups in the church parlor to sit down feasts. Five course meals with paired cocktails and high end wines

and champagnes — not your typical fruit punch in a bowl and over-the-top charcuterie boards from top caterers. Some choose simple servings like mini burgers and fries and even pizza has become a staple now. The wedding cakes are not the three tiered old time white icing cakes anymore. They’re now something out of “The Great British Baking Show,” completely exquisite. Some couples choose to have cupcakes or even donuts instead of cutting the cake, which is unique and unconventional.

Wedding bouquets are also being replaced with say your grandmother’s Bible with maybe a string of flowers hanging from it. Or a bouquet of brooches and jewelry your loved ones wore in the past. The wedding party sometimes carrying down lanterns at a sunset wedding is so lovely.

Another new tradition is the groom’s family sharing the wedding expenses with the bride’s parents. After all, he did pop the question. Progression at its finest, in my opinion. These new traditions may not be for some people but it’s very refreshing to know that weddings have become a little less uptight.

Lastly is the wedding gifts or party favors for your guests. A really cool idea to freshen the gift station is to set up a table with succulents or packets of flower seeds.

Put “Let Love Grow” on each printable tag. Easy to do, inexpensive and really fun.

Another great idea that will make everyone chuckle and get a little laugh, are little personal hangover kits. Print “In Sickness And In Health” on each one. Add water, a face mist, Advil, and Visine. Your guests will be thankful the morning after.

These are all great little fresh traditions to add to your special day. Happy weddings, y’all.

wedding art

Live painting captures the beauty of your wedding

I

By Anna Rice

’ll never forget the first time I saw someone live painting the first dance at a wedding. Unaware of the budding trend, I remember quietly muttering to myself, “I could never handle this kind of pressure, I hope no one ever asks me to do this.”

Naturally, that summer I found myself on the edge of a stunning lakefront wedding reception, sweating profusely and painting so fast you’d think my life depended on it. On top of being nervous about my first attempt at capturing the beauty of an event into one single piece of art in under six hours, it was July in South Carolina. I made my grand entry into the world of live wedding painting looking like I had just run through the sprinklers.

While I will always remember the nerves I felt during that first painting, I will also never forget the overwhelming sense of joy that I felt when I realized how uniquely special this wedding memory was. If you’ve considered hiring a live painter for your beautiful day, I feel confident to say that no matter who you hire, you and your future spouse will forever cherish the piece of art you receive.

I realize that the tangible painting is probably the main reason someone would hire one of us, but there are other exclusive benefits to having a live painter at your event.

Remember that wedding you went to where you didn’t quite know enough people to warrant throwing it down on the dance floor with no insecurities? So instead, you stood on the outskirts of the crowd, smiling unrealistically big and eagerly bobbing your head to the music to avoid looking uncomfortable? We’ve all experienced it. On top of receiving the piece of art itself, live painting provides another

form of entertainment for your family and friends.

If you’re curious about the logistics, here’s what I can tell you about my routine in particular. Depending on which scene I’m painting, I usually show up no less than two hours before the start time of the ceremony or first dance. I try to give myself ample time to paint as many background details as I can so that there is something on the canvas for guests to see when they’re arriving. When the event ends and my time on-site is done, I take the painting with me to finish the little details in a less distracting setting. Every painter is different, so make sure to look around at different artistic styles and processes before you make your decision.

There are two things I’ve learned about live painting that have remained true throughout all the weddings I’ve captured.

One: there will always be someone who jokingly points to the painted crowd and asks “which one am I?” And two: it is an indescribable honor to be trusted with creating something so intimate, unique and timeless to reflect one of the most special days of someone’s life Contact arice@completepr.net.

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groom checklist

Congratulations, she said yes! Now what?

Y

ou courted her. You wooed her. You fell in love with her. You asked, and she said yes. That was easy, but now what? There’s a lot of work involved in planning a wedding, and the groom must certainly share in the planning.

To make things a little easier on the guys, here is a time line to help all the future husbands plan ahead.

12 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING • Church, field, backyard?

The best spots fill up quickly, especially in the summer and fall months. Decide on the size of the wedding, and do your research before booking a venue.

• Get your ducks in a row. After you ask your best man to do the honors, make a groomsmen list. A good rule of thumb is at least one usher per 50 guests. If your family is par-

ticularly rowdy, you may want more.

• Get the goods. Believe it or not, people start buying wedding gifts as soon as word spreads of your nuptials. Registering is always a great idea, and you get to pick out what you like, from stand mixers to HDTVs and beyond.

9 MONTHS BEFORE • Book the entertainment.

The groom will probably be the one who decides on either a band or a D J, so get it right and book in advance. Check references and ask around. When choosing between bands, go and listen to them perform and see how you like them. But before you hire one, make sure you get approval from your bride. She’ll be dancing too.

• Hire the officiant.

Whether you plan on having a pastor, priest, rabbi, or your best friend who’s a notary

public, go ahead and pencil them in for the big day. Meet with them to discuss the ceremony, and let them know what you expect.

• Create a rough draft of your guest list. Bring in your parents and her parents and come up with an agreed number of guests before compiling your list. This could take a while.

6 MONTHS BEFORE • Plan your honeymoon.

Whether it’s the beach, the mountains, the desert, or the Arctic, now is the time to get it booked. If you have not done so, update your driver’s license to a REAL ID, as it will become the required method of identification in commercial airports beginning on October 1, 2020.

If you plan to go out of the country, make sure you have an updated passport, or if you don’t have one at all, get it now.

• Gentlemen, start your engines! Transportation for the ceremony and/or reception is very important. How will you get there? Who will drive you there? Do you want a horsedrawn carriage? How about a limousine? Whatever your preference, just make sure you don’t count on your best man to drive you; he may be calling an Uber himself. Stick with the professionals. Also think about transportation to the airport or hotel or both. Cover all your bases.

3 MONTHS BEFORE • Out of towners. Unless you’ve got lots — and lots — of extra room in your house, find a hotel and reserve a block of rooms for those who might need them. This information can be included in the invitation.

• Guest list finalized. By this time, your guest list should

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groom checklist CONTINUED FROM PAGE 44 pretty much be wrapped up and approved by everyone involved.

It’s time to send them out.

• Rings all around. Have your jeweler measure both your finger and hers and pick out the wedding bands. If there will be an inscription, now is the time for that too.

• Clothes make the man.

Should you wear tails? Is a top hat too much? What about a kilt? Once you decide on your look, decide on buying or renting. After that, pick out what you want your groomsmen to wear. Remember, it’s your decision, and you don’t have to agree to the groomsmen wearing masks or helmets of their favorite football teams.

6 TO 8 WEEKS BEFORE • Buy your bride a wedding gift. This is very personal, and you only get one shot at making a good impression, so make it count. Something from the heart is good, but don’t be cheap. It’s a token of your love.

• Let’s hear it for the boys!

Your groomsmen deserve a nice gift too. (Koozies from the last wedding you all went to are NOT gifts). Your groomsmen are your wingmen, and they will be an integral part of your day. Return the favor. Give them something to show how much their presence means to you. Just don’t get too mushy on them. They’ll use it against you one day, guaranteed.

• Ring-ring. Time to pick up the wedding rings. Be sure to put them somewhere safe and somewhere you’ll remember.

Make sure the inscriptions are correct and there are no typos.

“Live you always” doesn’t quite get the message across.

2 WEEKS BEFORE • License to wed. DON’T FORGET! In most cases, you cannot be officially or legally married without a license. Make sure you get your license and put it in a pocket of your tuxedo or suit for safe keeping.

• Date night. Take your bride-to-be on a date. Relax

and enjoy each other and try to forget all the chaos that is about to descend. Concentrate on your lives together and your beautiful future ahead.

• What happens in Vegas.

Have fun at your bachelor party but whatever you do, don’t make bad choices. It’s your last blast as a single man, but remember what great things lie ahead and act accordingly.

1 WEEK BEFORE • On your mark. Pack your bags and confirm all reservations, including accommodations, transportation, house sitters, and pet sitters. Stop your mail or have a neighbor in place to pick it up for you.

• Pay the piper. Whatever the fee for your officiant, make sure you put it in an envelope and either place it in a tuxedo pocket or give it to a reliable groomsman to hold for you.

• I thee wed. If you are expected to recite vows, by now you should know them by heart. Practice, practice, practice. If needed, tuck them in

your jacket. It’s perfectly fine to read them from paper instead of memory.

• Get set. Make sure all the groomsmen have their suits or tuxedos pressed, their shoes shined, their belts fit and know what to expect. And everyone, including you, should get a haircut.

DAY BEFORE • Check, check, and check again. Double check everything from the ring to the vows to the reservations.

• More than words. Take a few minutes and write a love note to your bride-to-be. You may not see her until the following night, so make it count.

Tell her you love her and remind her why she said yes.

D-DAY • Say I do. After the cake is eaten and the last guest leaves, the best is yet to come. May all your dreams come true, and may your memory of this day become more precious with each anniversary.

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traditions

The Art of Table Setting

By Gay McLeskey A wedding is so much more than just one day. If you will be hosting a dinner for the happy couple during their engagement, you want your table to look its best.

Whether the event is casual or formal, here are some guidelines on setting the table.

SEATING ARRANGEMENTS First, determine how many guests there will be and where they will sit. Traditionally, the male guest of honor is seated on the hostess’s right hand side.

The female guest of honor is seated on the host’s right side. When seating the rest of your guests, determine who would interact best with each other. Name cards are always a good idea and help to avoid confusion

48 | TOWN BRIDE SPRING 2020

of who sits where.

TABLE COVERINGS It is best to iron the table cloth so it will look fresh and wrinkle free. Ideally, the tablecloth should hang down about a foot and a half on all sides. Unless it is an outdoor picnic, plates should never be set on a bare table.

FLATWARE Flatware is placed on the table in the order it will be used. Flatware that will be used first should be set to the farthest left and right sides of the plate. Forks are always set to the left of the plate, and knives and spoons are set to the right.

To remember which utensils go on which sides of the plate, remember the words left and right. Left has four letters, as does fork.

Right has five letters, as do knife and spoon. The knife should be placed closest to the plate, with the cutting edge toward the plate. The spoon is placed at the outer right of the setting.

Place utensils about 1 inch above the edge of the table. For more casual settings, and if the salad will be served first, start with the salad fork to the far left, fol-

lowed by the dinner fork, plate with napkin folded on top, butter knife, and spoon. For formal settings, from left to right, place a folded cloth napkin, fish fork, dinner fork, salad fork, dinner plate, dinner knife, fish knife, and soup spoon.

The dessert spoon or fork is placed directly above the plate, parallel to the setting.

Dessert spoons can also be set out when serving dessert.

DINNERWARE Dinner plates are placed about 2 inches from the table’s edge, squarely in front of the chair. For a formal dinner, place the salad plate directly to the left of the forks. The bread plate should be placed above the forks Soup bowls are placed on top of the dinner plates. Coffee cups

and saucers should be placed on the table to the right of the knife and spoon.

GLASSWARE Glassware is set to the right of the setting, above the knife and spoon. Start with the water goblet, followed by the red wine goblet and white wine goblet to the right. If you are not serving wine, eliminate those from your table setting altogether.

FINISHING TOUCHES Before guests arrive, water goblets should be the only glass prefilled, and salad and bread should be the only food on the table.

Choose music that compliments your dinner menu and guests. Keep the volume low. As hostess, you are always the last to be seated.

Greet your guests with a warm welcome, and enjoy.

Bridal notes

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