Hilton Head Monthly Voice Voice of the Lowcountry 
Planning a wedding isn't all pearls, peonies and parties. Prenup discussions and marriage license applications are every bit as essential as the fun details.
You’ve met the love of your life and you’re ready to tie the knot. But how to propose, and what will you need to make it down the aisle? Here are a few tips to help you on the road to wedded bliss.
Who’s invited to the wedding? Who isn’t? Here are common-sense ways to get your guest list under control.
One of the biggest decisions in planning your wedding is the guest list. The size of your wedding can affect so many other aspects of your big day. If you are planning a large wedding, you’ll need a venue that can accommodate many people, while if you’re hosting a smaller gathering, you’ll want to find a more intimate space. Your guest list will also need to work with your budget — obviously, the more people you invite, the higher the cost.
Every wedding guest secretly hopes for amazing food. Planning a standout menu is easier than you think.
Trust us. The one component you won’t want to skimp on at your wedding is the food. Aside from the music (which often translated to “how the party was”) and how the bride looked, the food is one of the most talked about parts of a wedding. Ever been to a wedding with bad food? We have: rubbery chicken and cold mashed potatoes. Don’t let that be the menu on your big day.
There are a million ways to have flowers at your wedding.
Go over-the-top with mounds of arrangements in opulent vases or go for an understated look with simple blooms in mason jars. Here are a few tips to help you pick the best blossoms for your big day.
Though it’s possible to get any flower at any time of year, your costs will skyrocket if you select flowers that are not in season. Do your homework. Know what will be in bloom when you are getting married and go with those options for your centerpieces, boutonnieres, bouquets, petals for the flower girl and any altar decorations. On average, flowers usually make up about 5 percent to 12 percent of a bride’s overall wedding budget.
Wedding gown shopping can be overwhelming. Know your body type and style preference before you begin the search.
On the day of your wedding, all eyes are on you. You’ll want to look and feel your best, which means finding the dress that fits both your style and your personality. But how to find “The Dress” out of the millions of beautiful wedding dresses out there?
The ceremony is perhaps the most important part of your wedding. Make sure it’s both memorable and official.
Before you can walk down the aisle, you need to make sure you’ve filled out all the forms — dotting your “I”s and crossing your “T”s. The ceremony isn’t just a beautiful moment between two people in love; it’s a binding moment in the eyes of both the local government and, depending on your personal preference, your house of worship, and there are several things you need to do before you say “I do.”
Marrying the love of your life is a dream come true. But in all the fun of dreaming up the details of your big day, it’s easy to get caught up in the fantasy — and it’s easy to forget all those magical little elements really add up. That’s why it’s important to be realistic about your budget. What exactly does a wedding cost here in the Lowcountry? Here are some numbers that may bring you to reality.
Create more excitement and buzz around your wedding with photos, videos and other digital tools.
The band or DJ will stop playing, the cake and food will be eaten, the flowers will sadly die. How will you make your memories of this day last? Turn to your photos and videos. This area is home to many fantastic photographers to fit any budget — from students to celebrity photographers who have retired to the Lowcountry.
Monthly is proud to announce its first luxury bridal magazine, coming later this year. Everything about the publication will be top-of-the-line — outstanding editorial, stunning photography and beautiful presentation. Contents will include the hottest tips and trends, beautiful southern brides and a comprehensive listing of the industry’s top vendors. If you or someone you know is planning the ultimate wedding in the Lowcountry, don’t miss this inaugural issue. For advertising opportunites, call 843-842-6988, 238.
It’s no secret that Hilton Head Island and Bluffton are full of wedding venues. Couples travel from all over the country to get married here for that very reason. Depending on the size of your wedding, your budget and the style and vibe you are looking for, you are sure to be able to find something in the area. One of the most sought-after venues is The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa. Stretched along the island’s pristine sandy beaches, this AAA Four-Diamond oceanfront resort is an ideal wedding location for a variety of reasons. Because of the endless options, exceptional food and service, comfort of the resort, and oh — that spa! — The Westin is one venue that should not be missed.
Preparation for the wedding day started months, maybe years ago … and it is finally here! The bride walks down the aisle to her smiling (or crying) groom and everything is perfect. But where will the biggest and happiest day of your life take place? And how do you choose?
Here in Hilton Head, weddings are more of a weekend getaway rather than a single day event. They can involve a rehearsal dinner, ceremony, reception and even a farewell brunch for the family and friends of the bride and groom. Because of the trending multi-event wedding, couples are booking at all-in-one venues more often to simplify wedding planning. An all-in-one venue is most often a full-service hotel, country club or private club that is capable of hosting all the weekend events the bride and groom are looking for.
After years of Pinterest trends morphing weddings into more casual or uniquely themed events, this summer’s weddings are returning to tradition in everything from décor to flowers to cakes.
Locals know it’s not uncommon to walk by three weddings on the beach on a typical Saturday in the summer. Locals also know that while the Lowcountry’s beauty shines through no matter the season, the summer gives us temps that hover in the 90s and humidity so thick it forces many of us inside. So what makes June, July and August so popular for destination weddings on Hilton Head?
