Minted Giveaway!

Who doesn't love Minted?!

We sure do & are super excited to announce this awesome giveaway!

$100 toward Minted stationery or wedding invitations could be yours & it is as simple as 1, 2, 3!

1. Head on over to Minted.com

2. Check out their lovely goods

3. Leave us a comment telling us your absolute favorite

We will announce the lucky winner next Wednesday!

Andra + Chad {Texas Engagement}

Yesterday, my sister Emma called me to tell her boyfriend had finally proposed!  Yay! I'm so excited and happy for them.  Being engaged is such a fun, memorable time and I, personally, can't wait for the wedding planning to begin :)  So, now all I have to do is plan a trip out to Houston to see that shiny, new rock!  Congrats, you two!

Since the newly engaged couple resides in Texas, I thought what better way to kick off the week then with a vintage-inspired engagement session from one of my favorite Texas photographers, Love Caryn Photography.  This darling couple wanted their quirky, off-beat style to shine through and with the help of Love Caryn Photography, they were able to achieved some stunningly beautiful images.  

Oh, and make sure to check out their adorable video...

 

Diamond jewelry

Buying diamond jewelry can sometimes be a daunting task, you must be careful when you buy and be alert. It would be nice to know how to identify fake diamonds and real ones and the ones you buy quality.

Most women love diamonds becoming the first preference when it comes to buying jewelry. Through their unique beauty, diamonds look bright women offer. Diamond jewelry can go with any outfit. Women who wear diamond jewelry are the center of attraction at any event. Diamonds have various colors, shapes and sizes. Buying them can be a challenging task. Before investing in diamonds, you might want to know certain things about them. First, you need to know to make the difference between real and fake diamonds so as not to be deceived.

Buying diamond jewelry

When buying diamond jewelry, check how the diamond was positioned. Real diamonds are mounted on the cheap metal. A real diamond reflects various tones of gray. If you see rainbow reflections of the diamond is fake or low quality. Most people want to be owners of shiny diamond. However, it is difficult to tell the difference between real and fake diamonds, that may be similar in color and brightness. But you can identify real diamonds and jaws in various ways:  

• The first method you can use to test the diamond would be to use a device for testing diamonds. This is an electronic device that can check all the diamonds except moissanite stone. 
• A weight test could identify real or fake diamonds. For example, cubic zirconium weight, the "fake" diamond is 50% higher than that of a real diamond of the same size and shape. 
• A test of transparency can help to differentiate the two types of diamonds. Diamond back with the top down and place it on a newspaper. If you can clearly read through the stone, then there may be a diamond. If you can see only the bottom of the diamond it can be a diamond that has been mounted on a jewel.

In general, false diamonds sparkle on top. Look at the edges to check how the light reflects and shines like. The real diamond reflects light from all sides, while the false hair fade when seen from the side. False diamonds sparkle on top. Look at the edges to check how the light reflects and shines like. The real diamond reflects light from all sides, while the false hair fade when seen from the side.

Buy diamond jewelry at Shiree Odiz 

Each piece of diamond jewelry purchased from Shiree Odiz is created in accordance with the highest industry standards and in accordance with our endless pursuit of self improvement continued to exceed all expectations.

All of our jewelry is hand crafted, not mass produced, and all diamonds are manually set into the gold. Unlike the wax setting of diamonds which results in dull and crooked settings,

by cutting the gold to set the diamonds so buy diamond jewelry at Shiree Odiz 

Jillian + Tim {California Wedding}

Happy Friday everyone!  Can you believe next week is February?!?  2012 is already flying by!  We've got a lot in store for you next month like...a brand spanking new blog, we'll be introducing new weekly features, a monthly update of all the fabulous wedding events taking place in Charleston hopefully a new intern (or two!), and, of course, more amazing weddings from the Lowcountry and beyond!

I figured we could wrap up the week with a lively California wedding.  The weather has been far from normal this winter and  I won't lie, it's already got me daydreaming of an early summer.  Jillian + Tim's vibrant outdoor affair from Rochelle Mort Photography just puts me in summer mindset.  With the help of Sweet Memories Flowers , Jillian and her maids rocked a jazzy yellow and grey color palette accessorized with bouquets full of billy balls, dahlias and succulents.  The ladies wore dresses from Charleston based designer Lula Kate in a spunky shade of mustard.  After a beautiful ceremony, the celebration continued at the home of the bride's parents where guests were treated to 'Boomerang' cocktails (which sound fabulous) by the pool.  Perfectly executed by the team at Soiree Event Designs & Couture Floral, a stunning tented reception followed with an amazing amount of details...including an over-the-top band and a late night taco station!

Vendors

Photographer: Rochelle Mort Photography  /  Event Designer: Soiree Event Designs & Couture Florals  /   Bridesmaids Dresses: Lula Kate  /  Floral Designer: Sweet Memories Flowers  /  Rentals: Classic Party Rentals, Town and Country Party Rentals

VIVA'S BOOK CLUB - THE KNOT ULTIMATE WEDDING LOOKBOOK

You want a wedding that will wow your guests, but where do you begin? Carley Roney, founder of the world’s most popular wedding destination, TheKnot.com, has compiled The Knot Ultimate Wedding Lookbook to make the entire wedding-planning experience enjoyable. More than 1,000 gorgeous color photographs give couples endless inspiration for their wedding day, and useful tips, time lines, and lists help the lovebirds flawlessly pull off every detail. Each chapter is bursting with creative and classic ideas to make the day as meaningful as it is beautiful:

Stationery:
Save-the-date cards do double duty when printed on coasters or delicate handkerchiefs.

Ceremonies:

An auspicious bird’s nest adds a beautiful and rustic touch for carrying rings at a farm
wedding.

Dressing Up:

A retro bride goes glam with a feathered veil and pearl button–accented gloves. A casual groom and his mates add a personality pop with chocolate-brown Keds to match their wedding chinos.

Cocktail Hour:

For a low-key affair, mini grilled cheeses dipped in shot glasses of tomato soup satisfy.

Centerpieces:

Fruit slices suspended in crystal vases overflowing with Crayola-bright poppies and orchids offer a cheery setting.

Cakes:

White lace frosting details that match the bride’s dress and the couple’s monogram turn a pale green cake into a chic masterpiece.

From classic white-on-white palettes to floral themes to fun fantasy ideas, the choices are limitless. Purple, pink, red, robin’s egg blue — find inspiration at every turn in all the colors a bride can dream of! And The Knot Ultimate Wedding Lookbook is loaded with money-saving ideas that don’t sacrifice style. Expert advice and rich images add up to a delicious visual feast and essential resource to help you create an event as special as you are as a couple.

Jacque {Inn at Palmetto Bluff Bridals}

I've said it before, but one of my biggest wedding regrets is not having bridal portraits taken.  It's just so necessary.  You get one good run thru of how you're going to look the day of.  You can test out your hair, your shoes and get a feel for your photographer.  It also gives you the time to capture some really beautiful (and frame-able) images and will free up precious wedding day minutes.  So, when my baby sister gets engaged one of these days, girlfriend's getting bridal portraits taken whether she likes it or not 

(Sorry, Emma, but it's happening!).

Jacque teamed up with destination wedding photographer, Kristin Vanzant for a gorgeous coastal bridal session at one of the Lowcountry's most stunning venues, The Inn at Palmetto Bluff.  The Inn's located in Bluffton, South Carolina which is just south of Charleston and right outside of Hilton Head Island and Savannah...and it is a sight!  It's the definition of the word 'Lowcountry' and is the perfect retreat for a destination bride looking for joyous weekend long wedding celebration.  On this low-key day in March, darling bride-to-be Jacque and Kristin Vanzant toured the expansive property from the tides to the Waterside Chapel for a timeless afternoon of photographs.

Kristen + Jonathan {Hawkesdene House Wedding}

Before we jump right in today fabulous Southern affair, we had to tell you about a new resource for all things travel in Charleston.  Our friends over at the uber-luxurious Charleston Place Hotel have started up a new blog, Hidden Charleston.  Whether you're a lifetime local or Lowcountry newbie, this is your guide to the most talked about dining establishments, favorite watering holes, one-of-a-kind events and all the historic hotspots.

Normally, I like to write a little somethin' somethin' about the weddings that we post but  I just love what Louisiana photographer Claire Elyse had to say about Kristen + Jonathan's destination wedding that I thought I'd let her share today.  So, from Miss Claire Elyse herself...

"Kristen and Jonathan’s wedding was one of those where I found myself counting down the days ‘til show time! It may have been because the wedding took place in the mountains of North Carolina, or perhaps because the bride and groom brought all the best of Louisiana to meet those mountains. It was all that and more. The details of this wedding were stunning, and even the vendors were the perfect mix of fun-loving South Louisiana meets breath taking North Carolina mountain highs. Jonathan proposed to Kristen in Andrews, North Carolina, so it was only appropriate to pack up the dress, cake, family, and bar and make a vacation out of it. The Hawkesdene House was one of my favorite venues to work with. The owners matched elegance with comfort. From the flowers, to one of Zoe’s Bakery’s masterpieces, to Abita Blues playing the requests of the bride and groom mixed with their own style. Kristen dreamt an amazing day into reality."

 

Vendors

Photographer: Claire Elyse Photography  /   Venue: Hawkesdene House  /   Floral Designer: An English Garden  /   Hair Stylist: Barbers and Bombshells  /  Dress Store: Southern Bridal  /   Band: Abita Blues Band  /  Cake Designer: Zoe's Bakery 

Photo Session in our Raffle!

I'm having a love affair with NYC and want it photographed! By Sofia Negron. Just have to submit my own love story and photo to Sofia. But not if you get there first!