Written by Allison Moorman | Photo by Taylor Rae Photo

It’s no wonder that picturesque Charleston, Travel + Leisure’s top- rated U.S. city, has become a haven for destination weddings and splendid Southern affairs. Within this vibrant and sought-after locale lies Hamby Catering, the city’s oldest caterer. We chatted with their president and owner, Candice Hudnall, about how her daily to-dos translate into catering some of the most delicious and charming nuptials in the Southeast — and what to look for when it comes to hiring a caterer.

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Featured Photo by Tags Photography

Whether you have guests traveling from out of town or you opt for a destination wedding, your loved ones will need a place to stay. And not just any place, you want their accommodations to be comfortable, easy and able to set the overall tone for the weekend ahead. One great way to ensure comfort and ease is to secure a hotel block.

It’s likely that you don’t have past experience in booking hotel blocks though. What is it? Why should you do it? How do you do it?

We asked Jacqueline Vizcaíno, founder and lead visionary of Tinted Event Design, Production and Planning, to share her expertise on all things hotel blocks. As a well-versed Atlanta event planner, Vizcaíno knows how important it is to have such details ironed out so that you are set up for success.

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Featured Photo by Kim Hymes Photography | Stationery by Robbin’s Nest Design Studio

Yes, you’ve been knee-deep in wedding planning and dreaming since your engagement, but your guests’ first entry into your wedding world comes with the invitations. The stationery (or invitation) suite is the place to really set the scene for your celebrations. Couples have the opportunity to communicate a lot more than just the date and time on their wedding invitations. A wisely crafted invitation suite can share everything from event logistics to the overall feel to attire expectations.

In a digital world, formal invitations sent in the mail are a treasured rarity. So it can be confusing to understand the details like how to address them, how to word the invite itself and whom to include in the address.

A good designer can make sure the stationery aesthetics are just right, but you have to know what details to print on them! Here is a quick guide to what information to include and how to say it.

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Words and Photography by Hellen Oliveira, Hellen CO Photos + Film

Your wedding photographer probably has a long list of tips they want to share about how to guarantee the best pictures. After all, photographing weddings is what they do day in and day out! However, it would also be pretty overwhelming to share years’ worth of knowledge and experience all at once.

As a starting point, Hellen Oliveira of Hellen CO Photos + Film shares here a few tips on how to work harmoniously with your photographer. You’ve poured your heart into planning every meaningful moment of your wedding, you’ll want to make sure your photographer is on the same page as you. With these tips in mind, you’re sure to be a satisfied customer.

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It’s easy to see how Savannah earned its nickname “the Hostess City of the South.” Bedecked in historic charm, ocean breezes and spanish moss, Savannah should be on your wedding destination radar.

Written by Visit Savannah | Photography courtesy of Visit Savannah

Is this the day you’ve been waiting for? Perhaps it’s the day you never knew you wanted until the right person came along. Maybe it’s another chance to get it right. Your wedding day is the opening act to the true headliner — a blissful marriage. Where you choose to get married could determine where you celebrate anniversaries and milestones, start a family, relocate or even retire.

It may seem unlikely for a location to leave a lasting impression after the event, but Savannah is not like most. The task of listing all the reasons why Savannah should be on every wedding bucket list would prove impossible. But we’ll give it a go. Here are eight reasons to consider hosting your wedding in Savannah.

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With every wedding season comes new trends in wedding attire. While there are some styles that will never go out of fashion, there’s always room for new ones! From alternative colors to reimagining of classic bridal textiles, here are some of our favorite wedding attire trends we saw at New York Luxury Bridal Fashion Week Fall 2023.

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FEATURED PHOTO BY The Tinsley Co. 

What is the soundtrack to your love story? Choosing songs for your wedding can either be super exciting or completely overwhelming. It is, however, an important step in establishing the vibe and sound that will make your wedding unique.

(If you haven’t hired your DJ yet – search our favorite local companies here!)

THE RULES

When it comes to your wedding, there are no rules. But, if you’re looking for some musical guidance, here are some helpful things to consider:

• Keep a Spotify or Apple Music playlist so that whenever you hear a song you both like, you can remember it by adding it to the playlist.
• Create your list of “must play” songs so that your favorite tunes make a cameo on your favorite day.
• Create your list of “do not play” songs. You might not want to hear some songs on your wedding day, if they hold bad memories or you just don’t like them!
• Tailor your choices to your own favorite genres and use music as a storytelling device. Personalize your wedding soundtrack by including artists you’ve seen in concert together, “your song” and even covers of classics done by contemporary artists.
• Make sure to pick songs that fit special events of the day (entrances, cake cuttings, first dances), keeping in mind the song tempo and thematics.
• Think ahead: Is there a certain part of the song you want played at a particular moment? Things can happen quicker than you anticipate, so if there’s a particular part of a song you want played during a specific moment, be sure to tell your sound operator so that they can edit or cue up when appropriate.
• Don’t let your favorites miss out. If some of your favorite songs don’t fit into the dancing portion of the evening (not every song is danceable!), those songs can be used during dinner or cocktail hour.

When it comes to planning music choices for those important wedding moments, the most important thing to consider is if the songs are important to you. Mixing in different genres and eras, here are some tracks to add to your “must play” list:

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FEATURED PHOTO BY Hellen Co Photo + Film

The ceremony and reception get a lot of attention — as they should! But there are a lot of other events surrounding a wedding.

For a full celebration, pre- and post-wedding parties are not to be overlooked. Here are some options to get the soirées started … and to keep them going. You certainly don’t need to take part in all of these, just do whatever fits you, your relationship and your culture best!

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By Maura Keller | Photos by Holly Leitner

Whether it’s champagne or brut or prosecco, there’s an art (and science) to making bubbly, exceptional sparkling wines. In light of the upcoming holiday season and all the wedding celebrations that will take place during it, it’s time to dive into the wine aisles. We asked Beth Tumas, owner of the Bottle Shoppe up in Lake Geneva, WI, to share her insights about the various bubbly options and how to choose which is right for each situation.

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Provided by Memento

The world is changing and, as a result, wedding traditions, including wedding gifts, are evolving too. As of 2022, the median age for a woman getting married is 28, for a man 30.5 and it continues to climb. Americans are getting married much later and are in a completely different state of life than their parents and grandparents. 

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Written by Alexandra Dillard | Photography by Madeline Jane Weddings

Beyond all the pomp and circumstance and decor, what happens at the altar is the most meaningful part of your wedding. You’ll have an officiant to guide the ceremony, but when it comes to exchanging vows, this is your time to really focus on what matters most. You’ll enter your own bubble as you look into your loved one’s eyes and swear your best and worst days to them. Guests, musicians, officiant and wedding attendants will fade into the background as you have these few minutes to soak in what this celebration is all about. So how do you even start writing such an important collection of words? Let’s get started.

GET A HEAD START

While you’re likely busy with apparel fittings, cake tastings and RSVP collections, don’t wait until the last minute to write your vows. To make sure you’re not rushing and end up with something you’re not satisfied with, get started writing early.

As you start brainstorming, set aside a notebook or create a document on your phone/computer to begin compiling tidbits you want to include in your vows. This can be as simple as a bulleted list or as complex as full sentences. By adding ideas and nuggets all along the way, when you finally sit down to perfect it all, you’ll have a good start.

Some of the most special and unique vows include storytelling elements. It’s special to personalize your vows with inside jokes, memories together and uniquely “you” references. In your notebook, jot down stories about your first meeting or “the moment you knew” as the memories pop into your head. Include favorite songs, TV series and any other special connection you two share. These specifics can be just vague lists, but they will help you start to see patterns you might want to incorporate. The most important part is that you don’t have to do all of this in one sitting. Writing one or two notes down every few days or weeks is all you need!

In this step of the process, it can be helpful to practice some free- writing. When you are in a good mood and have some time to spare, grab a pen and paper and just start writing. Freely write about your partner, your relationship, what marriage means to you, etc. These scribbled notes do not need to be perfect poetry, this is just your moment to write uninhibited. You’ll be surprised to find what lovely tidbits will come out of writing pressure-free. You don’t need to write perfectly, what’s important is that you get your thoughts out in front of you.

BE ON THE SAME PAGE

Likely, you and your partner have different personalities, which is why you’re joining together to bring out the best parts of each other! So it wouldn’t be a surprise that your approach to writing vows would be different. However, it can be a bit awkward when one partner reads a 10-minute, heartfelt speech, followed by the other sharing only a few (just as heartfelt!) words.

To keep your vows on the same page, discuss with your partner what they are planning on writing. You don’t need to reveal specifics, but it is good to have that conversation and see eye to eye. It can be helpful to set a word count range or time limit so that the speeches are similar in duration.

Just as important as length, make sure that you two match tones. One partner might fill their vows with jokes and lighthearted fun, while the other plans a tear-jerking and poetry-ridden declaration. Both of these are great vow directions, but finding a middle ground will keep the ceremony cohesive while still including the best parts of you into the vows.

FIND EXAMPLES

If you’re feeling nervous about writing, use vow templates to help you get started. By looking at examples, your mind will automatically start putting things together. There are a lot of examples out there, from videos published on YouTube to written blog posts. Note what styles you don’t like and remember the parts that make your heart skip a beat. Feel free to mix and match your favorite elements from these examples to create something that fits you.

SECOND SET OF EYES

When you are feeling comfortable about the state of your vows, show them to someone you trust. You likely have been so engulfed in the vows and every specific word that it’ll be hard to take a step back and look at them as a whole.

Be open to honest feedback, it’s better to receive that now than when you’re reading the vows in front of everyone! While getting a second opinion is useful, keep in mind that your vows are ultimately yours. Some people might disagree with a phrase or two, but if you feel something is important to your relationship, keep it. You know your relationship best and you know what vows will be the most special.

Sharing your vows with a friend or family member is also a great way to practice reciting them. When you’re at the altar and nerves are high, you won’t want the words to feel foreign on your tongue. Play around with your delivery, pace and how you’ll express your emotions. Sometimes how you say something is just as important as the words themselves. As you practice, make notes to yourself like, “take a breath here” or “pause for laughter” so you don’t get tripped up.

THE WRITTEN WORD

Most couples don’t memorize their vows. Emotions run high during the ceremony and adding a memorized script to the mix can be intimidating. If you’re comfortable with doing so, go for it! But it is just as special to have your vows written down so you can ensure your thoughtful words are spoken as you intended.

Some couples enlist their stationer or calligrapher to transcribe their vows into a beautifully designed memento. This can be your script for the ceremony, but also serves as an heirloom you can cherish for years to come. We’ve seen some beautifully designed vow booklets, scrolls and notecards. If you decide to have children, these keepsakes can maybe even help them write their own vows someday!

BE TRUE

No matter what direction you decide to go with your vows, the most important thing is to be true to yourself. You’re giving your authentic self to your partner and you want your words to come out naturally. But with the right preparation, you’ll be ready to speak from the heart and focus on what really matters: promising your commitment to the love of your life.

Take a special preview of our favorite pieces from Ukrainian wedding brand WONA’s Couture 2023 collection, “Notte d’Opera.”  Full collection launching July 15, 2022!

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Photos by Michele Houston Photography

Just in time for perhaps the busiest wedding season post-COVID, Metal + Petal has reimagined 255 Milledge Hardeman-Sams Estate’s reception courtyard landscape and shed spaces. This revamp focused on reimagining key visual focal points, but also high-functioning spaces for the hustle and bustle of event coordination. We spoke with Abby Feltner, Metal + Petal’s Junior Commercial Designer, on how this wedding venue’s updates came to life.

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Feature image by Maico Pereira
Brought to you by Men’s Wearhouse

Getting ready to tie the knot? We’re sure you’ve got a lot on your mind. As with anything in life, prepping for the big day is critical to ensuring that everything goes off without a hitch. But there’s no need to overcomplicate things. Getting organized beforehand and knowing where to prioritize your energy will help ensure that you soak in every second of the best day of your life without any hiccups along the way. Here are the key things to remember to help you enjoy it all.

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