Carolina Bride, Winter/Spring 2013

Winter/Spring 2013 $3.
95
Inside Bella Vista & Lady Antoinettes on Gervais Street
Visit Granger Owings to have your groom looking his best
Belk will help you plan your registry and so much more
Destination wedding ideas from Travel Leaders of Columbia
PAMPER YOURSELF
BECAUSE YOURE GETTI NG MARRI ED
BRI DAL MAKEUP & SKI N CARE
2850 devi ne st. columbi a, south caroli na 29205, www.shoppout.com
YOURE INVITED
Shop VanJeans selection of attire & accessories perfect for any wedding celebration
2734 DEVI NE STREET COLUMBI A, SOUTH CAROLI NA 29205 WWW.SHOPVANJEAN.COM
Volume 9, Number 1 Winter/Spring 2013
President and Publisher
The State Media Company
Henry B. Haitz, III
(803) 771-8693
publisher@thestate.com
Vice President of Advertising
Bernie Heller
(803) 771-8650
bheller@thestate.com
Sales Operations Manager
Emily Fernandez
(803) 771-8655
ecfernandez@thestate.com
Contributing Writer
LaKisha Greene
(803) 771-8646
lgreene@thestate.com
Art Direction
Louie Lanford
llanford@thestate.com
For additional copies and back issues:
(803) 771-8431
For general information and inquiries:
weddings@thestate.com
Carolina Bride is a publication of The State Media Company
and is not associated with the editorial department of The
State Media Company.
Carolina Bride is printed twice yearly.
All contents

Carolina Bride magazine. All rights reserved.
Reproduction or use in whole or in part of the contents,
without prior written permission of the publisher, is strictly
prohibited. The magazine is not responsible for unsolicited
manu scripts, photography or artwork.
Cover Bride: Stephanie Nye
Photo provided by Palmetto Duo - Dave Gilber t
& Katie Har t | www.palmettoduo.com,
special to Carolina Bride
In this issue of Carolina Bride weve uncovered just
how easily you can plan a unique and beautiful wedding
in Columbia.
For wedding apparel, brides and their grooms-to-be
neednt venture further than Bella Vista on Gervais
Street, Granger Owings on Main Street, or the multiple
Belk locations in Columbia. If you are looking for the
newest trends to individualize your big day, Big Time
Entertainment will be able to shed some light on that for you.
Melanie Murphy from By Invitation Only will help you design a day that will
feel just like the fairytale youve dreamed of since you and your sister wore
white pillowcases on your heads and took turns parading up and down the
aisle you created in your parents hallway. For the rings and the wedding pres-
ents you will give each other, Jewelry Warehouses locations all over Columbia
will make those important purchases easier than you might have imagined.
American Floral in Irmo is committed to working with you to provide flowers
that will not only exceed your expectations but will also contribute to the
distinct personalization of your ceremony and reception. And if you have
always dreamed of having a destination wedding Travel Leaders of Columbia
will expertly guide you through that process.
In this issue weve been lucky enough to showcase the talent of some of the
amazing photographers we have in this city. Thanks to the contributions of
Dave Gilbert, Katie Hart, Calico Photography, and many others, this issue is full
of stunning wedding photography.
The wedding day of your dreams will include a number of details. And
whether youve just started planning or youre in the thick of it right now, isnt
it a relief to know you wont have to leave Columbia to pull your big day
together?
E
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L
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inter/Spring 2013 C
arolina Bride C
olum
bia, South C
arolina
Winter/Spring 2013 $3.95
Inside Bella Vista & Lady Antoinettes on Gervais Street
Visit Granger Owings to have your groom looking his best
Belk will help you plan your registry and so much more
Destination wedding ideas from Travel Leaders of Columbia
5
8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jaquanna Jackson & CJ Adamson Engagement
9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ashlee Shealy & Tyler Mathias Engagement
10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ashley Lemon & William Pruitt Engagement
12. . . . . . . . . . The Sophisticated Experience Youve Been Looking For
14. . . . . . . . . . . . Make Your Groom Look Like A Granger In No Time
16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Diamond Takes a Back Seat
18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Once Upon a Time
20. . . . . . . . . . . . . A Day to Remember : Brittany Farence & PJ Patton
26. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Happily Ever After ; Lauren Har t & Bryant Smith
30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Enjoy the Benefits of Shopping at Belk
32. . . . . A Marriage of Cultures: Lena Al-Dujaili & Ahmed Mohiuddin
36. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . USC Love Story
38. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Custom Event Lighting
40. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Destination Weddings
42. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unique Reception Touches
44. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Prepped and Pampered
46. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Finding the Perfect Floral Arrangement
48. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wedding Album
51. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Obtaining a Marriage License in South Carolina
52. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stationery Checklist
54. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Celebration Announcements
57. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wedding Day Checklist
58. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reception Venues in the Columbia Area
60. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adver tiser Index
62. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Happily Ever After
contents
32
12
16
Book your honeymoon or destination wedding with Columbias
honeymoon and destination wedding boutique
Eileen Nason, CTC, Destination Wedding Specialist
1150 Bower Parkway, Suite F1B, Columbia SC 29212
101 Sparkleberry Crossing Columbia, SC 29229
www.destination-wedding-experts.com
At Travel Leaders of Columbia, we live by this rule:
People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did .
but people will never forget how you made them feel
803-454-1794
Toll free 866-892-1352
After hours 803-446-5734
of Columbia
8
&
As told by Jaquanna: Clarence (CJ) and I met on the
campus of my alma mater, one beautiful day in March 2007.
CJ and a mutual friend picked me up to go to Alabama one
weekend to see a baseball tournament. During that trip we
shared countless conversations and a lot of laughter. We
began a friendship and shortly after began officially dating in
May of 2008. One Saturday night in June, CJ told me he
wanted to have a date night. We had a great dinner and a
night out on the town. We got back to his apartment and I
was taking my heels off from the long night. When I finished
taking my shoes off and turn around, there he was with a box.
He opened the box and said Ive been trying to ask you this
all night. I want you to be my wife. Will you marry me? I
instantly started to cry and told him, YES!. As I look back at
the night, I can now see the different times he tried to ask but
his nerves got the best of him. The fact that he proposed in
the comfort of his home with only the two of us made it that
much more special. It is a night I will never forget.
bride
groom
PHOTOS BY CALICO PHOTOGRAPHY
Jaquanna Jackson & CJ Adamson
9
&
As told by Ashlee: It was the morning of April 20th, my
24th birthday, and I was woken up by my alarm. I turned it off
and rolled over. As I tried to go back to sleep and get those
last few minutes, Tyler was up and down out of the bed three
or four times, so I couldnt go back to sleep. I finally rolled
over and grabbed my phone and played a hand or two of soli-
taire. When I decided to get up to get ready for work, I sat
on the end of the bed putting on my socks. Tyler walked into
the room and shut the door and just stared at me. I was kind
of weirded out by that so I asked him, Why are you watching
me put my socks on? He said nothing. He just cut his eyes
up to the ceiling fan. I followed his gaze up to the ceiling and
saw a question mark carved out of wood (Tyler carved it him-
self) with my engagement ring hanging off of a hook on the
end. So I looked at him and said, Whats that? He said, Its
a question. Answer the question. So I said, Well, whats the
question? He said, Will you marry me? Of course I said
yes! That was the best birthday ever!!
bride
groom
Ashlee Shealy & Tyler Mathias
1
0
&
As told by Ashley: William and I went to our favorite
restaurant The Olde Pink House in Savannah, Georgia. For
the entire day, Will continued to say Lets eat dinner early
and for the life of me I could not figure out why he wanted to
eat dinner at 5 oclock. At 5 oclock we arrived at the Olde
Pink House for dinner and the hostess says Mr. and Mrs.
Pruitt this way. Will begins to laugh Im still clueless. We sit
down for dinner, order and eat a scrumptious meal (Crispy
flounder - Yummy). Will put the ring box on the table, got
on one knee and said, Ashley will you marry me? I said
Yes and abruptly asked him Did you ask my Daddy?
(Needless to say, he had my Daddys blessing). There was no
doubt that William and I wanted to get married in Columbia,
the city where we fell in love. We dated for three years
before getting engaged in Savannah, Georgia and spent
another year planning the entire wedding, a challenge I will
never forget, but I loved every minute of it.
bride
groom
Ashley Lemon & William Pruitt
When you walk into Bella Vistas new location
at 929 Gervais Street (the Mais Oui Ltd. Build-
ing) you are immediately taken aback by the grand
beauty of the building, which was designed to rep-
licate the Palace of Versailles, and by the warmth
emanating from the young, energetic bridal con-
sultants who appear to greet you. Within min-
utes of talking to owner, Marcell Steely-Judice, it is
clear that Bella Vistas success and recent expan-
sion is driven by her artistic passion, keen busi-
ness sense, and relentless demand for perfection.
Even the most neurotic of brides have no choice
but to feel confdent that this wedding profes-
sional shares their desire to create the perfect day.
The building is breathtaking. With vaulted ceilings,
gold ornamental trim and huge crystal chande-
liers above, a mix of hardwood and Italian marble
foors below, and elaborate scroll work freplaces
in every room, it is truly a location ft for a King, or
in this case a bride. After touring each elegant
room, it is obvious why Steely-Judice and her
husband decided to open the building to guests,
and make it the newest wedding venue in Colum-
bia. The grand ceilings, the intimate sophisticated
feel of the rooms, and a staircase that was meant
for photos make this the perfect site for a small to
mid-sized wedding.
After moving their popular wedding dress bou-
tique to its new location, Steely-Judice and her
husband expanded their business by opening a
charming French Bakery: Lady Antoinettes. The
bakery offers mouth-watering macaroons, beig-
nets, petit fours, and other baked goods so deli-
cious that Steely Judice has diffculty keeping them
stocked due to already overwhelming demand.
While most of Columbia is happily spellbound by
Lady Antoinettes pastries and coffee, brides will
be particularly interested to learn that the bakery
also offers stunning custom-designed wedding
cakes. After a bride discusses her custom-made
dress at Bella Vista, she can design a custom-made
wedding cake with the help of Lady Antoinettes
team of artists. Each bride meets with Steely-Ju-
dice so she can get a sense of their individual style
and the design they envision for their cake. She
then summons her baker and cake designer to
begin the project. Just like at Bella Vistas, where
each bride discovers a dress that fts her style and
taste, brides who walk into Steely-Judices bakery
are treated as individuals. Steely-Judice knows
that each wedding and each bride is unique, and
she is passionate about the artistic contributions
she and her team make to a brides overall ex-
perience.
Over at the boutique side of the business,
Steely-Judices team of consultants meets with
each bride before presenting her with only those
dresses that match her vision of the perfect day.
Each bride tries on dresses that fatter her indi-
vidual body type and ft with her unique style.
Dresses are often custom-made and must be
ordered six to eight months in advance. There is
no question that you and this team of artists who
have your best interests in mind, will fnd a dress
that was made for you.
Brides who visit Bella Vista and Lady Antoinettes
do not have to rife through rows upon rows of
dresses or scroll through photos of mass-pro-
duced cakes on a monitor. In this classy boutique
and bakery, passionate artists want to help you
fnd your dress, your cake, your reception site.
Steely-Judices team is as passionate and artisti-
cally accomplished as she is, because only those
with a background and a love of art make the cut.
Steely-Judice knows she can teach them about
her business as long as they have an eye for detail
and design, and are driven by an artistic passion
similar to her own. The team is committed to the
brides experience. They want brides to feel not
just comfortable but exhilarated by the prospect
of planning the perfect day. But beyond the joyful
experience of picking out a gorgeous, one-of-a-
kind dress and a custom-made cake designed by
artists invoking your styleyou will walk out of
this beautiful building feeling like you were tempo-
rarily transported to another time, another coun-
tryvisiting a team of artists who want nothing
but the best for you on your wedding day.
Visit www.bellavistabridal.com and www.lady-
antoinettes.com.
Wedding Shopping
in Columbia Can be
The SophiSTiCaTed
experienCe Youve
been looking For
By: Emily Folsom Fernandez
Photos provided by Travis Bell Photographers,
Step off of Gervais Street into a French palace to fnd your
dress, your cake, and maybe even your venue.
1
2
1
3
1
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Make Your GrooM Look
Like a GranGer in no TiMe
It is no wonder so many people in Co-
lumbia trust Vaughn Granger Sr.s instincts
when it comes to clothing: he is tall, hand-
some, and, just as you would expect,
exceptionally well dressed. He opened
Granger Owings in 1977 when, as he ex-
plains it, he was a very young man. Early
on, Granger developed a loyal customer
base made up of professionals who came to
depend on the integrity of his clothing. And
as Grangers business evolved, this strong
customer base evolved right along with
him. In 1991, Granger realized that Co-
lumbias younger generation, the children
of his clientele, should also have the option
of purchasing well-made clothing designed
according to their style. He moved his store
to its current location on Main Street and
began offering suit packages and wedding/
formal wear targeted at a younger demo-
graphic. Broadening the scope of his busi-
ness was a smart business decision but also
one that could only be made by someone
like Granger, who is passionate about pro-
viding quality attire to the residents of Co-
lumbia regardless of their age.
Somehow, walking into Granger Owings
makes you feel better dressed even before
youve tried on the clothing. The store was
recently renovated and its sleek style befts
the clothing inside. It is a store that would
fare well on 5th Avenue in New York, situat-
ed next to Bergdorf Goodman or Saks Fifth
Avenue. But unlike those stores where you
expect to be greeted by a pretentious staff,
at Granger Owings, guests are received by
Grangers family and close business part-
ners who are all very friendly and clearly
enjoy working together. His wife, Deborah
is the CFO for the business and plays an in-
tegral role, as do both his sons, Vaughn Jr.
(LV), and David Ross (DR). The team
also includes Jimmy Rogers who Granger
respectfully explains does everything,
Travis Hollis who specializes in shoes, Keith
Rowland who heads up the wedding/for-
mal wear line, Jordan Rogers, and even his
daughter in law, Kelsey Granger. Custom-
ers in need of consultation are embraced
by this team of style experts who help select
outfts appropriate for any event. The store
is stocked with apparel for engagement par-
ties, rehearsal dinners, weddings, and the
offce. Made with fabric from Italy and man-
ufactured by the familys own company in
Portugal, the clothing is top quality without
being overpriced. They also offer custom-
made clothing: suits, sport coats, pants, and
shirts, a unique option that represents half
of the stores business.
Across the street is Grangers new store,
Circa 1332. Offering sleek apparel for the
weekends, this store serves a burgeon-
ing group of young male patrons. While
Granger Owings may be comparable to
stores in Midtown Manhattan, Circa 1332
has, as Granger puts it, more of a SoHo
feel. In a one hundred year-old building,
complete with gas lights hanging from an
unfnished ceiling, copper shelving, and dark
hardwood foors, this store evokes the hip
feel of a neighborhood in lower Manhat-
tan. Customers will fnd jeans, shirts, belts,
coats, and watches, all with the same level
of quality found at Granger Owings, but
with a distinctly more relaxed feel.
Vaughn Granger, Sr., along with his family
and loyal business partners, built a business
that has kept Columbia well-dressed for
thirty-fve years. Brides who choose Grang-
er Owings will feel confdent that their
grooms, brothers, and fathers have the
highest quality clothing for every wedding
event, from the engagement party to the
reception. And after meeting the Granger
men and learning about their business,
there really is no question that every bride
in Columbia would be thrilled if her groom
looked a little bit more like a Granger.
Visit www.grangerowings.com.
By: Emily Folsom Fernandez
Photos provided by David Hunt Creative,
1
6
The Diamond
Takes a Back Seat
Todays engagement-ring bling is all about
colored gems, and not the traditional dia-
mond sparklers. Heres what you need to
know.
If you were one of the lucky folks who got en-
gaged over the holidays, chances are youre
staring down at a colored stone, and not a
traditional diamond. Why the switch? That
18-carat sapphire Prince William planted on
Kate Middleton might have something to do
with it. (It probably doesnt hurt that it was
Princess Dianas engagement ring too.)
Sapphires are popular right now, says jew-
elry designer Christopher Duquet (www.
christopherduquet.com). Celebrities or
something like the royal engagement always
infuence fashion to some extent. Weve al-
ways done sapphire engagement rings, but
lately theres been a bump in interest.
Duquet says sapphires are the most popular
colored gem to use in engagement rings, and
theyre also easier to fnd.
So are sapphires or colored gems less expen-
sive than your basic diamond?
Not necessarily, says Duquet. Many col-
ored gemstones are much more valuable than
a diamond, but it all depends on the quality of
course. A ruby is rarer and more expensive.
That didnt stop former NFL player Eric John-
son from gifting Jessica Simpson with a 5 carat
ruby engagement ring last November.
Another pricey and hard-to-fnd high quality
gem is the emerald, but Duquet says those
are not the best choice when picking an en-
gagement stone.
Emeralds are not as durable, he says. They
have natural cleavage planes and it might
break. Its not about scratching, its a chipping
issue. An emerald is rarer than a diamond by
far, and large emeralds are very expensive and
exceed the costs of diamonds, but they dont
have the same ability to take wear and tear.
With Valentines Day just around the corner,
Duquet says, you want to know what to look
for if youre planning to pop the question with
a colored stone.
If youre picking out a sapphire or a ruby, its
all about the intensity of that stones color, he
says. For sapphires, you dont want a stone
that is too dark or almost black. Also, cloudi-
ness is not a good sign with any colored stone.
And with a ruby, the pinker ruby will be less
expensive than a pure red ruby. Just as with
a diamond, your clarity, color, and cut are all
important, but colored gems are not as scruti-
nized as the diamonds.
Duquet says you can have an impurity in a
colored gem, but if the color is intense, that
shouldnt be a deal breaker.
Sapphires and rubies are the same mineral,
corundum, and they are colored by different
trace elements, he says. What you want is
an intense hue or saturation. If the inclusions
are not seen with the naked eye but color is
incredible, thats an amazing stone.
One colored stone that Duquet isnt getting
many requests for these days is the pink dia-
mond.
Jennifer Lopez made those popular, says
Duquet. But just as her relationship to Ben
Affeck fzzled, so has the trend for pink spar-
klers. We also dont see many requests for
yellow diamond engagement rings anymore.
If there is color in the engagement ring, its
going to come from another stone, and not
a diamond.
By: Jen Weigel, Chicago Tribune
Ring photos provided by Jewlery Warehouse
For an extensive selection of traditional and
non-traditional engagement rings like the ones
pictured below from Jewelry Warehouse,
please visit www.jewelrywarehouse.com
or any of their four locations:
1270 Bower Parkway, Columbia, SC 29212
5140 Sunset Blvd, Lexington, SC 29073
2909 Platt Springs Rd, West Columbia, SC 29171
10136 Two Notch Rd, Columbia, SC 29204
1
7
1
8
Once upon a time
Cover bride Stephanie Anne Nye and John Kennedy DuBose, III were married on November 3, 2012 at
Trenholm Road United Methodist Church with a reception following at the South Carolina Lace House.
John and Stephanie met each other on their first day of work as prosecutors at the South Carolina Attorney
Generals Office in 2005. John proposed at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet on November 26, 2011.

John and Stephanie had a vintage themed wedding, from the brides beaded lace dress to their Model A Ford
departure car. The couple incorporated their family and friends, including their 4-legged friends, in the festivities.
In honor of her late grandmother, the bride wore a vintage, peridot cocktail ring that was given to her
grandmother by her grandfather on her grandmothers 16th birthday. To honor their two Cavalier King Charles
Spaniels, the couple gave doggie bags to their guests that included a chocolate chip cookie and dog treats.
The couple made a donation to Pawmetto Lifeline, a not-for-profit animal rescue organization, in honor of their
wedding guests. The wedding was coordinated by Meagan Warren, Certified Wedding & Event Planner.
Palmetto Duo- Dave Gilbert & Katie Hart | www.palmettoduo.com, special to Carolina Bride
Flower girls Isabelle Carolyn Johnson and Riley Auclair Lett assist cover bride, Stephanie Anne Nye,
with her beautiful dress. The girls are the daughters of the bride and grooms best friends, Mr. and
Mrs. Brian Johnson and Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Lett.
Once upon a time
Once upon a time
The fnest in formalwear with the personal service you expect.
Weddings and Formal Events
Sales and Rentals
1333 Main Street | Columbia, SC 29201
803-252-6714 | grangerowings.com
1
9
A Day to Remember
2
0
A Day to Remember
When Brittany Farence Patton went out with a
group to Carolina Ale House to celebrate a girl-
friends engagement, she never guessed the night
celebrating her friends pending nuptials would
set her on the path to her own wedding day. She
especially didnt guess that the guy she overheard
making a joking remark about her friendthe
guy she confronted brusquely before walking
awaywould one day be her groom.
After their confrontation, PJ Patton told friends
that he was going to go over and introduce him-
self to Brittany and ask for her number. Their
conversation went well, and something about
his deep brown eyes and personable disposition
convinced Brittany to take a chance on PJ. She
gave him the number, but says she was a bit jit-
tery when she agreed to go for sushi with him a
few weeks later. I was thinking, If this doesnt
go well, Ill just say Nice meeting you, and walk
away, she recalls.
But their Friday night sushi outing went very
well. We had a great time laughing and talk-
ing, she says. And pretty soon, the two were
dating. One of their frst dates was a day trip to
Chimney Rock state park, and it was there, two
years later, that PJ proposed to Brittany on the
top of the mountain after a picnic lunch. I turned
around, and there he was with a box in his hand,
telling me how much he loved me and that he
wanted to spend the rest of his life with me, Brit-
tany recalls. Brittany was still crying tears of joy
when another couple approached apologizing for
their intrusion but saying that they had seen the
proposal happening and had actually snapped a
picture for Brittany and PJ, capturing their special
moment.
PJ had spent the past few months picking out
a ring for the girl he says completes him. Ive
had relationships that were a constant struggle,
but this was different. It wasnt hard at all to be
happy and make us work, he says. This just
seemed to come as easy as breathing. She truly
made me happy. I really felt she was the fnal
piece to the puzzle.
He chose a vintage-style ring of white gold with
an emerald-cut diamond, surrounded by a halo
of smaller diamonds. It was perfect, Brittany
says. She and PJ then set out to fnd the perfect
place to get married.
After touring several venues, they met with
wedding coordinator Kristy Polk at the Millstone
at Adams Pond off of Bluff Road in Columbia.
They were immediately charmed by its beautiful
scenery. After we talked to Kristy and got the
available dates and paperwork, we walked across
the bridge over the waterfall and walked towards
the trail, Brittany recalls. I asked PJ what he was
thinking, and he said, This is it. This is where
were gonna get married.
They set the date for October 2012, and Brit-
tany began planning their wedding. She wanted
the tone of the wedding to be rustic and simple
and Southern, to match the tone of the location.
To this end, she chose a classic, lace dress from
Evelyns Bridal in Lugoff. The full-waisted, ivory
gown had a sweetheart neckline and keyhole
back. It was ftted, but with a trumpet skirt to al-
low for comfortable movement. I wanted to be
able to dance and move in my dress, she recalls.
Topping off the classic look was a cathedral-length
veil borrowed from a close friend.
Brittany laughs remembering PJs attitude to-
wards her wedding gown. Hes very supersti-
tious, and he did not want to see that dress be-
fore the big day, she says. He wouldnt even
go in the room where I had my dress for two
months before the wedding.
For PJ and his groomsmen, Brittany chose char-
coal-grey Vera Wang tuxedos. The three junior
groomsmen and ring bearer wore a light grey
tux. Brittanys bridesmaids and junior bridesmaid
had navy halter-top dresses with ruffed collars.
They carried yellow bouquets. Brittanys own
bouquet was of white and navy anemones and
dark blue hydrangeas with yellow fowers mixed
in.
Making all of the little decisions that go into a
wedding was stressful at times, but Brittany says
all the stress fell into the background just a few
weeks before the wedding when her beloved
grandfather, her dads father, passed away. I was
at my bachelorette weekend in Myrtle Beach
when my dad called to tell me the news, she
says. It was really tough.
Just a week before the wedding, Brittany got
even more bad news with the passing of another
grandparenther moms mother. All those little
things I had stressed out about with the wedding
just went out the window, she says, and Brittany
focused on mourning two people she loved.
Brittany and PJ honored all of their grandparents
at the wedding with a mantle decorated with pic-
tures of them at their own weddings. They also
lit a remembrance candle and placed it on the
center of the mantle.
With her grandparents very much in her heart,
By: Heather Dawkins Stalker, special to Carolina Bride
Photos provided by Katie Hart & Dave Gilbert- Palmetto Duo,
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Brittany continued her fnal preparations for the wedding. The day ar-
rived, balmy but beautiful. I couldnt believe it was here, and I was gonna
marry my best friend, she says.
Surrounded by her mom, sisters, and close friends, Brittany got ready
to do just that in an upstairs room at Adams Pond. Brittanys hairdresser,
Amy Duke, was there to work her magic, and freelance makeup artist
Dannon K. Heller came to do her makeup. Everyone laughed and remi-
nisced and enjoyed each others company so that Brittany stayed calm
until only she and her maid of honor remained in the room. Then the
nerves hit. I started shaking and thought, Oh my gosh! I cant believe
this is happening. Im about to get married in front of 100 plus people.
But when Brittany walked down the steps and saw her father, the nerves
subsided. I was okay then. I knew I wasnt gonna do this by myself.
The moment Brittany relishes the most from her big day came next
when the gate leading to the place where she and PJ married was opened
for her and her father. As soon as that wrought iron gate opened and
[wedding coordinator] Kristy fuffed my dress and told me to walk for-
ward, I just looked at PJ, and everybody seemed to disappear. It was like
being in a fsh bowl. All I saw was him, and nothing else really mattered.
As for PJ, All he said was wow! Brittany recalls of the moment they met
at the altar.
The couple said their vows in the beautiful outdoor setting, and then
the party began. Southern Way Catering, the in-house caterer for Ad-
ams Pond, created a luscious spread of homemade pimiento cheese with
pita chips, chicken salad, gorgonzola dip, and other heavy hourderves.
Guests gathered around tables with centerpieces handmade by Brittany
using damask cloth atop which she set mason jars she had spray-painted
with a frosted coat and tied with yarn and rafetta ribbon to use as candle
holders.
DJ Mike Lockaby kept the party going, says Brittany, and everyone
danced and had a great time, especially Brittanys eight-year-old nephew
who she says never got off the dance foor and kept everyone enter-
tained.
When the cake had been cut and the champagne served and everyone
was danced out, guests lined a walkway waving sparklers as a festive send-
off for the newlyweds, who left in a 1930s Model A Ford. We couldnt
believe how quickly it had all fashed before us, Brittany says. It was a
day they will never forget.
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or email carolinabride@thestate.com
Happily Ever After
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Like many young girls, Lauren Hart dreamed
of fnding her perfect princesomeone she
could love and share her life withmany years
before she actually met him. And, also like many
young girls, she dreamed of marrying him in a
princess dress. In fact, Lauren found the perfect
dress before she found the prince. Looking at
wedding gowns online one day just for fun, she
saw itan actual Cinderella gown made by
Alfred Angelo as part of their Disney fairy tale
wedding collection. With a sweetheart neckline,
an outer layer of shimmering, sheer material,
and a full ballroom-style skirt, the dress was all
she had imagined.
The prince also turned out to be perfect,
though he was not exactly what she had imag-
ined. For one thing, Lauren, whose father was
in the Marines, had always vowed she would
not marry a military man. I swore that the mili-
tary life was just not for me, she says. But I fell
in love with Bryant (Smith), and he proposed,
and I said yes. He then decided to go into the
military, and I loved him too much to change
my mind.
By: Heather Dawkins Stalker, special to Carolina Bride
Photos provided by Hart Photography|www.hartphotosc.com,
For another, he was a Florence boy. Lauren
attended Francis Marion University, but planned
to move back to Columbia as soon as she gradu-
ated, and leave Florence behind, she laughs.
Little did I know Id fall in love with a Florence
boy and stay.
Most unexpected was that the love of Laurens
life was right there under her nose. The two
were colleagues at a local gym and developed a
close friendship before Bryant asked Lauren to be
his date to a mutual friends wedding in the fall of
2010. Before she knew it, Lauren was falling in
love.
Working together gives you time to talk and
get to know each other, she says, noting that
she learned of Bryants compassionate nature by
seeing the work he put into starting a fundraiser
for muscular dystrophy in honor of a cousin with
the disease. Hearing how much he cares about
other people made me really fall for him.
The feeling was mutual, and the pair quickly be-
came inseparable. A year after they started dating,
Bryant proposed. Plans for a romantic gesture at
a gathering of both their families for Thanksgiving
turned more spontaneous when Bryants mother
was hospitalized for a week, throwing the origi-
nal plan off course. He proposed at the hospital
when we were going to see his mom one day,
Lauren says. We got out of the car, and I thought
he had tripped, but when I turned to check on
him, he was down on one knee proposing.
Bryant held out a ring he had picked himself.
It was absolutely nothing like what I would have
picked out, she laughs, but I love it so much
more than all the pictures I had shown him. The
wedding band hugs it tight, and it fts like a puzzle.
Lauren and Bryant also ft together like pieces
of a puzzle. Were total opposites, she says.
Hes quiet, and Im talkative . . . . But both love
serving their community and making a difference
in life. Lauren is a third grade teacher and Bryant
is training for the National Guard. He plans to
work as a frefghter for the army and possibly for
the city of Florence. When he said he wanted
to be a solider and a frefghter, I really wasnt all
that surprised, says Lauren. It makes me so ner-
vous, but it suits him so well.
With the ring on her fnger, Lauren set out to
fnd that Cinderella dress she had seen. I found
a bridal shop in Florence that had a sample, and it
was my size! I maybe tried on fve other dresses,
but that was mostly for my mom. I knew that
was my dress.
Laurens second order of business was pick-
ing out dresses for her fve bridesmaids, who she
says couldnt have been more different in shape
and personality and style. I really wanted to fnd
something that would make them all feel pretty
and also comfortable. She found an eggplant,
off-one-shoulder, foor length dress that ft the bill.
All of the other decisions, Laurenwho was
a busy student teacher and then frst year teach-
erleft to her mom and two sisters. I didnt
want to micromanage everything where I walk in
and Im checking things off a list. I wanted to be
surprised and enjoy every bit of it, Lauren says.
And she did. The wedding was so much bet-
ter than I could have imagined or put together
myself, she says.
From the bouquets of fowers from Blythewood
foristwhite for the bridesmaids and purple for
Lauren, with a stem that looked like a fairy god-
mothers wandto the lovely white cake topped
with Cinderellas carriage, it was truly a fairy tale
wedding. When they opened the doors and I
walked down the aisle, I was beaming, Lauren
says. I felt like a princess.
The reception at the Fort Jackson Offcers Club
was a dream. We had so much fun dancing and
hanging out with our families, Lauren says. Lau-
rens trio of wedding planners created a wishing
tree with butterfies for each guest to inscribe
with well-wishes for the bride and groom. Her
grandmother tied all of the ribbons on the tree
and also baked hundreds of butterfy-shaped cut-
out cookies and wrapped them prettily as guest
favors. Everybody loved them so much they
were tearing into them and eating them there,
Lauren says.
In addition to the wedding cake and the cook-
ies, there was also a dessert bar with some of
Laurens favorite pies and cheesecakes. And for
Bryant, who loves baked potatoes, there was a
bar where guests could top their own spuds with
their favorite toppings. The couple also served a
signature drinka purple passion martini.
The evening was full of memorable moments,
like the toast delivered by Laurens usually-crowd-
shy younger sister, who reminisced about injuring
her knee just before the junior prom and how
Bryant had carried her (his girlfriends younger sis-
ter) all around that night so she could go to prom
and even up the steps at Finlay Park to have her
picture made with friends. Another special mo-
ment was when Bryant saw Laurens bridal pic-
tures for the frst time. I went to the Fire Depart-
ment and had some of them made there in front
of the fre trucks. He was so excited, Lauren
recalls.
At the end of the evening, guests lined the walk-
way with sparklers to wish the happy couple well
as they ran to the waiting limousine. The fnal
touch of the fairy tale wedding was the sign the
two carried as they ran. It read, of course,
And they lived happily ever after . . . .
The perfect ending to the perfect day.
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Preparing for your wedding day is one of the
most exciting times of your life! Deciding what
your bridal party will wear, determining what
should be on the wedding registry and fnding
the perfect dress are just a few things brides are
faced with during the wedding planning process.
Many brides can get overwhelmed from the ar-
ray of choices of creating their registry, and fnd-
ing the perfect attire for all of the occasions to
come when preparing for the wedding.
Belk at Columbiana Centre in Columbia, SC
has a bridal team of certifed consultants (Aman-
da Cato, Jeanne Harmon-Scott and Naomie
Polk) and a personal shopper that will help to
make the planning process an easier and more
enjoyable one. Belks consultants offer the great
advice of determining the perfect kitchen set-
ting or an elegant dining room piece for the
Bride-and-Groom-to-be. Keep in mind, when
building your registry to choose from an array
of brands, items and prices. Registering at Belk
comes along with many perks; Brides are able to
enjoy several completion sales throughout the
year for the next 2 years after their wedding.
Each completion sale offers a 20% discount on
all Home good items that have not been pur-
chased from her registry.
Along with building your registry at Belk, you
are able to search for the wedding attire for your
wedding party. Preparing the attire for any oc-
casion can be overwhelming, especially when
youre searching for the perfect bridesmaids
dresses or a tuxedo that fts each groomsman
perfectly. Barbara Ann Schaming at Belk Colum-
biana is a personal shopper that can assist with
any attire concerns and help you prepare for any
event. Finding the ideal attire for each individual
can be a daunting task but with the help of Belks
personal shopper, it can be a more enjoyable
and relaxing experience in the wedding planning
process. Belk also offers a 12 month interest
free plan on wedding rings when purchased on
your Belk card.
Allow Belk to help with your wedding planning
process, whether its building your registry, fnd-
ing the right attire, or purchasing your rings. Belk
offers many other offers that can help make your
wedding day a success. For more information
about exclusive offers for brides and grooms to
be, contact your local Belk store.
enjoy the benefts of
shopping at belk
By: LaKisha Greene, special to Carolina Bride
Vendor: Taylor
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Ahmed Mohiuddin was nervous. His carriage
ride was late. It was supposed to take him and
his girlfriend, Lena Al-Dujaili, around New Or-
leans French Quarter before bringing them to
the restaurant bar where they had frst met.
Lena had always said she wanted to do it, and
this night was especially perfect for it.
A year and a half ago, Ahmed had graduated
from the Medical University of South Carolina
and moved to New Orleans to start his medical
residency. He had gone to the restaurant with a
new friend, spotted Lena, and made a B-line for
her, he later said. I told my friend she was the
prettiest girl at the bar.
After agonizing minutes spent stressing about
his elaborate plan, Ahmeds carriage fnally
showed up, whisking him and Lena to the res-
taurant and to the very table now covered with
fowers where they had introduced them-
selves. It was where Ahmed now proposed.
The logical next step was planning a wedding
as intricate as the proposal. The challenge was
to combine Ahmeds Indian culture with Lenas
Arabic background, and to bring in elements of
American and uniquely New Orleans traditions.
We were trying to put as many cultures to-
gether as possible, said Lena, who is from La-
fayette, La. but was attending medical school in
New Orleans when she met Ahmed.
The couple picked Columbia, where Ahmed is
originally from, as the setting for their wedding.
On September 12, 2012, Ahmed and Lena wed
at the picturesque Lace House garden venue, a
beautiful slice of the Governors Mansion Com-
plex. They were married by an imam, bringing
together their two cultures and two big families.
During the traditional Indian ceremony in front
of nearly 500 guests, Lena beamed in her red
and gold sari. Delicate designs wrapped around
her hands and wrists, inked carefully at the henna
party the night before. Her bridesmaids fanned
out behind her in complementary golden yel-
low saris and matching henna patterns. Ahmed
beamed back in a regal kurta at the head of a line
of groomsmen sporting similar loose collarless
shirts in black.
It was a beautiful wedding. There were tears
in my eyes seeing them get married, said Omar
Mohiuddin, Ahmeds older brother and best
man.
Ahmed, he was really happy. Theyre very
A Marriage of
By: Erin Shaw, special to Carolina Bride
Photos provided by Palmetto Duo- Dave Gilbert & Katie Hart
| www.palmettoduo.com, special to Carolina Bride
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happy together; you can see happiness in
them.
As the ceremony ended, the party began.
Ahmed and Lena quickly changed clothes,
the groom into a tuxedo and the bride into a
white dress a tradition in both American and
Arabic cultures. Then, along with the bridal
party, they danced their way into the recep-
tion. New Orleans style.
Its called a Second Line, Lena explained,
describing the parade accompanied by jazz
music. Its a New Orleans wedding tradition.
It was my favorite part, Lena said.
Custom has it umbrellas are carried, of-
fcially to keep off sun and rain but nowadays
just to note a Second Line is approaching.
Lena and Ahmed decorated the umbrellas
themselves.
They spent an entire day just hot gluing
feathers and beads on them, said Zeena Al-
Dujaili, Lenas older sister and maid of honor.
The Second Line was also one of Zeenas
favorite parts of the wedding, besides the
dancing.
Everyone had a good time on the dance
foor, Zeena said. There were some pretty
interesting dance moves.
Best man Omar Mohiuddin agreed that
the dance foor was the festive center of the
reception, where a mix of Indian, Arabic and
American tunes played throughout the night.
The dancing was pretty crazy, he said. It
was very multicultural and it all mixed won-
derfully.
Like the music, the ceremony and the recep-
tion parade, all aspects of Lena and Ahmeds
wedding attempted to fuse together the dif-
ferent aspects of their cultures. The bold red
and gold color scheme, in observance of typi-
cal brightly-colored Indian weddings, played
off the softer pinks, yellows and creams found
in the fowers, reception tents and streamers
hanging from the ceilings.
They really wanted to make sure that they
kept both of their cultures present and that
the beautiful colors and uniqueness of certain
details carried through so their guests could
experience it, said Melanie Murphy, the cou-
ples wedding planner and the owner of By
Invitation Only..., an event planning business
in Columbia.
It was really a great blending of everything.
The lushness of it was something you dont
see a lot, she said.
And while the wedding succeeded in bring-
ing together these cultures, at its heart it was
bringing together these two people, Ahmed
and Lena, joined together by love and now
marriage.
I got to marry the love of my life in front of
all my friends and family, Ahmed said.
Lena was equally delighted. It was really
the best day of my life, she said. It was such
a happy day and everything was perfect in my
mind.
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USC Love Story
Each year one lucky couple receives a wedding
planned by the students of the Wedding Plan-
ning and Management course at the University
of South Carolina. The sole requirement for the
couples applying is to have an affliation with the
University of South Carolina. The applicants can
submit their applications as videos or written sto-
ries answering why they are the most deserving
couple. The class of 65 students reviewed each
application narrowing down their search to the
top 3 couples. After receiving numerous appli-
cations for the wedding, one lucky couple was
chosen to complete their love story.
Whitney and Sterling Dye were the lucky
winners of the wedding. Whitney is a nurs-
ing student at the University of South Carolina
and with her busy schedule the couple did not
think they would have the time to plan for their
dream wedding. Unlike many candidates, Ster-
ling submitted the application explaining why he
and Whitney were the most deserving couple.
Their love story started out like a romantic fairy
tale which was destined for happily ever after.
Sterling and Whitney met while accompanying
their friends on a blind date. The date was a
group setting which did not allow them much
time to get to know each other. A few years
later, Sterling and Whitney crossed paths again,
remembered each other fondly from the blind
date, and have been together ever since. As a
gift, the couple received a trip to Paris from their
parents. While there, Sterling took the opportu-
nity to propose to Whitney in front of the Eiffel
Tower.
The wedding was held on Sunday November
18 at the Mitchell House in Lexington, South
Carolina. The fower arrangements and delicate
colors were feminine and not overpowering.
They had a view of the night sky that gave their
venue a unique and modern feel. The wedding
was decorated in a peacock blue and green.
Each chair was dressed with a cream satin bow
that complimented the long strands of crystal
lights hanging from the tent. After the wedding
ceremony was completed, wedding guests were
escorted inside the Mitchell House where they
enjoyed hors doeuvres while the bride and
groom took pictures. USCs mascot Cocky
made an appearance at the wedding which was
fun for everyone. The couple was very apprecia-
tive of the successfully planned wedding and en-
chanted reception which celebrated the begin-
ning of their happily ever after. The students of
the Wedding Planning and Management course
were proud of the memorable experience they
created for the couple to forever cherish.
Students at USC plan the perfect wedding for a lucky couple
Photos provided by University of South Carolinas Wedding
Planning and Management Class
3
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803.429.6001 www.WeAreBigTime.com
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South Carolina's Premier Entertainment Company!
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Envision the moment... the doors to your
wedding reception open, the candles ficker and
striking through the darkness is beautiful colored
lighting splashed on the walls and onto the dance
foor. Each table has vibrant light falling across the
elegant fower arrangements. All the meticulous-
ly designed details of your event are showered in
a light that showcases their perfection.
Many brides face the diffcult task of personal-
izing their events, whether its the engagement
party, bridal shower, wedding or reception -
brides search for ways to make their event mem-
orable for a lifetime. One of the fastest growing
trends for weddings this season is custom event
lighting. Custom event lighting allows a bride to
personalize her wedding and reception venue
through monogram spotlights; audio/visual slides
shows and back lighting. Big Time Entertainment
hosts several events throughout the year ranging
from weddings, birthdays and fundraisers where
customers are able to add their signature touch.
Along with custom lighting, they also offer a DJ
service, musicians, bands, slide shows, videos
and photo booths. With Big Time Entertainment
a bride can personalize her event by having a
slide show of childhood pictures or a live photo
feed of guest during the event.
Big Time Entertainment is one of the premier
custom event production teams in Columbia,
South Carolina. They provide seamless custom
lighting that will captivate you and your guest.
The possibilities are endless; lighting effects can
include: photos, logos, shapes and names. There
is also a large variety of colors and designs to
choose from. Your occasion will be tailored to
your specifc event and theme. Combined with
their lighting capabilities, they have a total of 6
DJs, 6 bands and 35 musicians ranging from
string quartets, pianists, guitarists and vocalists
to ensure your event will be memorable. Book
your event with Big Time Entertainment for an
unforgettable and captivating event. For book-
ings and availability visit www.wearebigtime.com.
Custom Event Lighting
Photos provided by Big Time Entertainment,
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SPECIAL WEDDINGS
Destinations made for lovers, where sea and
sunsets set the stage for glorious weddings and
where resorts are designed for romance. For
very special weddings a travel agent can ar-
range award-winning beachfront resorts, unique
ceremony settings, value-added packages, free
wedding-planning services and ultra-chic honey-
moon suites.
Begin your life together with your toes in the
sand, under a charming gazebo, in a beachfront
chapel, or on a rooftop deck with sea views.
Then let a Caribbean band or Mexican harpist
or Hawaiian singer serenade your reception.
No wonder destination weddings are becom-
ing more and more popular!
WHY HAVE A DESTINATION WEDDING?
A Unique and Memorable Experience
A destination wedding provides a memorable
out-of-the-ordinary setting that is truly removed
from the stresses of daily life. If you dream of
saying I do against an exotic backdrop - such as
a tropical beach, a lush vineyard, a windswept
mountaintop, or a romantic castle a destination
wedding may be for you.
Destination Weddings Cost Less than Traditional
Weddings
Surprisingly, a destination wedding can actually
save money. Many resorts offer complimentary
basic wedding packages so you pay only for your
honeymoon. If you have guests who want to at-
tend, they usually pay their own way.
Less Time to Stress and More Time to Savor the
Moment
A travel agent can help you with all the details,
from planning your wedding to helping with local
requirements such as blood tests or establishing
brief residency. They can explain all the options
of caterers, forists, photographers and other
suppliers so there is less for you to do in this
busy time.
POPULAR DESTINATION WEDDING
LOCATIONS
Caribbean
Jamaica, St Lucia, Antigua, Punta Cana and the
Bahamas are very popular. If you dream of a ro-
mantic wedding on the beach with warm breez-
es, palm trees, and the gentle sound of surf, this
destination is for you.
Pacifc Area
How about some of the most romantic places
on the planet? Hawaii, Thailand and Fiji offer an
unparalleled experience and are becoming in-
creasingly popular with couples who want their
special day and their special honeymoon to be
full of distinctive and wonderful memories.
Mexico
Some of the most beautiful beaches anywhere
are on the coast of Mexico. There are wonder-
ful and luxurious resorts in the Mayan Riviera,
Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, and Baja California
Sur.
United States
There are many exciting locations here at home
for your destination wedding. How about Dis-
ney World, Las Vegas, New York City, San Fran-
cisco, Nantucket, Napa Valley, Aspen, or Lake
Tahoe - all popular wedding destinations in the
US.
Cruise Ships
Combining your wedding with a cruise is anoth-
er excellent choice. You can travel to just about
any place in the world on your cruise and enjoy
a number of stops on your itinerary.
Eileen Nason, CTC, Destination Wedding Specialist
Travel Leaders of Columbia
A Storybook Beginning starts with
Travel Leaders of Columbia
and ends HAPPILY EVER AFTER
Destination Weddings
4
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www.wedding101.net
1537 Main Street, Suite B | Columbia, SC 29201
O: 803.254.4101 | F: 803.254.4103
Tues Fri 104 | Sat 102 | Sun & Mon Closed
Unique Reception Touches Unique Reception Touches
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Over the course of their lifetimes, many peo-
ple will be wedding guests on several occasions.
During the height of wedding season, weddings
can run into one another, as the format and the
festivities are similar at various ceremonies. Cou-
ples interested in setting their nuptials apart may
want to enhance the wedding reception with a
few unique ideas.
Who hasnt attended a wedding that seems
formulaic? The couple enters, they do their
spotlight dance, theres food, a bouquet toss
and then the cake cutting. Guests may actually
be able to predict whats coming next. While it
is often customary and easy to follow tradition,
that doesnt mean you cannot buck with tradi-
tion and offer a few creative ideas to make your
event stand out.
Here are several ideas you can introduce into
your wedding to add something special to the
reception.
Skip the big entrance. Those who were kind
enough to attend the ceremony have already
been introduced to the newly minted happy
couple. Instead of spending the cocktail hour in
the isolation of the wedding suite, mingle with
your guests from start to fnish. So much time is
spent posing for pictures or being out of touch
with guests, the cocktail hour can be a great
time to sit and chat. Being with guests during the
cocktail hour means you dont have to make that
big entrance from behind closed doors. Guests
will have all eyes on you when you step on the
dance foor for your frst dance together.
Dance to an upbeat number. Guests are ex-
pecting a slow, sappy tune. What they may not
expect is an upbeat song that shows you are will-
ing to have a little fun. If you havent mastered
the waltz but enjoy a little quick step now and
again, feel free to choose a tune that shows your
excitement and love for each other.
Encourage couples to dance together. Its often
customary for the bridal party to join the bride
and groom on the dance foor midway through
the frst dance. However, that leaves spouses or
signifcant others waiting in the wings while their
dates tango with groomsmen or bridesmaids.
Instead, dont have assigned partners. Rather,
encourage your bridal party members to dance
with whomever they choose.
Swap the garter/bouquet toss for something
more meaningful. If youre part of a couple who
feels the garter and bouquet toss has become
trite, there are other ways to create special mo-
ments in your celebration -- ones that dont
single out the singletons who havent yet found
their special someones. Use this time to present
a small gift or token of your affection to someone
on the guest list who has served as a mentor or
source of inspiration.
Photos contributed by Melanie Murphy of
By Invitation Only... Event Planning & Design
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Choose one special component as an extra
goodie for guests. Some couples feel the more
they offer the better guests will view their wed-
ding. Spending more money doesnt necessar-
ily mean guests will have a better
time. If you want to go above
and beyond the ordinary,
fnd one thing that you
absolutely love and of-
fer that at the party.
It could be a fam-
be presentation,
a chocolate or
candy bar, a carv-
ing station with
your all-time fa-
vorite food (even
if thats PB&J), or
a carnival-inspired
automatic photo
booth.
Hire a live performer.
Although its hard to beat the
performance quality of your wedding
song being performed by the original artist, unless
youre cousins with Celine Dion, chances are she
wont be available to sing My Heart Will Go On
at your reception. However, a live band adds a
certain level of excitement that a disk jockey may
not be able to provide. Those who are adding
a cultural or ethnic component to their wedding
may want to hire a dance troupe or another type
of performer, like a bagpiper, as an added mea-
sure of entertainment for guests.
Let them eat ... cookies? Some people just
dont like cake. Therefore, why
should a couple have to cut a
seven-tiered white confec-
tion? Towers of different
types of treats can be
created from just
about anything and
serve as the per-
fect backdrop for
that classic cake-
cutting photo. A
pyramid of cream
puffs, stacks of
brownies, a cookie
castle, or cereal-
cake concoctions can
work. Some bakeries
will decorate a dummy
Styrofoam cake, and then
you can serve apple pie a la
mode, if you desire.
Stage a costume switch. Lets face it, dancing
all night in a long gown takes some stamina. As
the bride, have a more comfortable cocktail dress
available to switch into for the latter part of the
reception. It will also add some variety to your
wedding photos.
Copyright 2012 by Metro Creative Graphics, Inc.

Event Planning & Design
- Guests love to see photos of
the two of you.
It can be as simple as a photo collage board
on a table in a common area, framed photos
set around, or a slide show projected dur-
ing cocktail hour. Be sure to include photos
of both of you as children, with family and
friends, and the two of you together. Its a
great way to also incorporate loved ones who
may have passed away.
- Add in some touches that will
make your guests say, that is
so THEM!
We had one couple create a crossword
puzzle about themselves and print it on the
program, another took a window from their
home they were renovating and used it to
create their seating chart on the glass panes.
One couple loved the Chicken Man art work
tremendously and they commissioned him to
make individual ornaments for their guests as
favors.

- Have fun with your catering,
make it unique.
Use cuisine from places where you have
traveled or from your favorite restaurants.
Then, let the food displays take on a life of
themselves! Dont forget to include a fun late
night snack.

- And dont forget...no detail is
too small!
Custom water bottle labels at the drink sta-
tion of an outdoor wedding and baskets flled
with toiletry items for the bathrooms are al-
ways appreciated by guests.
- Most important: Get a profes-
sional wedding vendor to work
for you on your wedding day!
This is not a day to leave in the hands of an
amateur.
Reception Tips from Melanie Murphy of By Invitation Only
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Chantecaille Future
Skin Foundation:
Innovative oil-free gel
foundation with refreshing,
lightweight texture
Light-refective circular
pigment provides adjustable
coverage, making it perfect
for brides to be photo-ready
on their big day
Stila Jewel Eye
Shadow:
The perfect blend of
pigment, binder and
pearl delivers a
weightless feel on the
eye, leaving lids
glamorous and
glittering. With a
smooth and creamy
texture these buildable
shadows can be worn
either wet or dry
NARS Larger that Life Lip Gloss:
High-shine, high-impact fnish
gives a dramatic effect
Long-lasting, stay-in-place wear
with natural lip enhancers to pump up
volume Shorter-bristle brush delivers
the most precise application possible
Natura Bisse
Diamond Ice Lift:
The perfect blend between
conventional facial masks and
transepidermal patches. They
work in synergy to create
an innovative temporary
Cold-Lifting effect. Provides
a spectacular, temporary
lifting effect and an intense
refreshing feeling.
Visit Pout! to learn about everything
they have to offer to ensure you are
looking your best on your big day!
2850 Devine St Columbia, SC 29205
803-254-5051
Make sure you are looking your best for your bridal portraits and on the big day! Pout! has everything you need, including a
variety of products you can use at home or spa treatments to pamper yourself and help you relax before walking down the aisle.
Visit The Skin Studio at Pout for a customized package prepared by their in-house esthetician to include a suggested skin care and
waxing regimen, treatment package and makeup recommendations.
Prepped & Pampered Prepped & Pampered
Get ready for the big day with these
products from Pout!
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Prepped & Pampered Prepped & Pampered
238 spacious guest rooms including over 30 full size suites
Special wedding rates for family and friends
Host Weddings and Receptions from 100 - 600 persons
Two nexible ballrooms and event space
Complimentary Honeymoon suite for every reception; some include
sunken Jacuzzi spa bathroom
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Kelly Wyatt, Wedding Specialist
Kelly.Wyatt@DoubleTreesc.com
phone (803) 744-0141 fax (803) 731-2089
2100 Bush River Road, Columbia SC 29210 | (803) 731-0300 (803) 744-0130 ColumbiaSouthCarolina.DoubleTree.com
Hilton HHonors membership, earning of Points & Miles and redemption of points are subject to HHonors Terms and Conditions. 2011 Hilton Worldwide
Personalized Wedding Packages available - pricing begins at $29 per person
We do it all for you..let us make it easy to plan your special day.
Flowers are one of the elegant pieces in your
wedding that will make your heart melt; aside
from the groom of course. They bring your ven-
ue to life; add color to your wedding dcor and
along with the visual effects they bring a sweet
aroma that is soothing to the soul. When prepar-
ing for your wedding, be sure to fnd the fowers
that perfectly complement you and your groom.
Beautiful, detailed fower arrangements can trans-
form any venue and create the Cinderella wed-
ding story many brides look forward to.
American Floral of Irmo, South Carolina is a
family owned forist that works with brides to cre-
ate the perfect foral arrangements. Scott Jones,
owner of American Floral, is an adamant believer
in providing the bride extraordinary foral ar-
rangements for her wedding day. Its all about
listening to what the bride wants and including
the groom in the process Scott explains. Scott
is passionate about helping brides transform their
venues to create a memorable wedding day ex-
perience. If youre the bride who cant decide on
the vibrant foral centerpiece or the classic cen-
terpiece, American Floral is able to assist. Scott
believes in sitting with the bride and groom-to-be
to discuss the venue and the look they plan to go
for. Whether youre searching for a more mod-
ern centerpiece or a dramatic foral arrangement
to offset the table, American Floral can create it.
Along with creating foral arrangements, American
Floral consistently gives back to the community
Harvest Hope, Sharing Gods Love, American
Lung Association, Midlands Heart Association,
and Special Olympics, are just a few of the or-
ganizations they contribute to. We have to take
care of the community, those that can give, should
give, Scott explains.
American Floral opened in 1993 in a small shop
in a garage delivering fowers in a 1980 Lincoln
Continental. American Floral has done more than
1,700 weddings to date and has been voted the
Best of Weddings Florist by the readers of The
Knot magazine in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011,2012
and recently announced 2013. As their motto
states, We only get one shot at this, lets make
it PERFECT! Allow American Floral to trans-
form your wedding. For more information about
American Floral visit www.americanforalsigna-
tureweddings.com.
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American Floral
Photos provided by American Floral, special to Carolina Bride
Finding the Perfect Floral Arrangement
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TheWindermere Club
Perfect Location for an Unforgettable Day
Call (803)786-6088 for more information
OR to arrange a tour with our Events Coordinator.
www.windermereclubsc.com
The Windermere Club is Perfect for Intimate
Weddings, Wedding Receptions, Corporate
Functions, & Personal Celebrations
Full-service, On-site Catering Facility
Gorgeous Views of Lake Windermere Provide a
Unique Setting for Your Special Event
Book your event by 3/31 and
receive $200
00
off venue rentals.
Hilton Garden Inn Columbia/
Harbison
We will take care of all your
Wedding Needs.
Bridal Luncheon, Rehearsal Dinner,
Wedding Reception, & Guest
Accommodations
Relax~ Rejuvenate~ Replenish
Reduce stress and reserve your special
date with us today.
434 Columbiana Drive, Columbia, South Carolina 29212
803-407-6640 or 877-STAY-HGI
www.columbiaharbison.stayhgi.com
Everything. Right where you need it.
Relax and Leave
the details to Us
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Wedding
Album
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Mark Sweatman & Lisa McGill | November 2, 2012
Travis Bell Photography, special to Carolina Bride
Shelley Wooten and Erik Freberg | Oct 13, 2012
Katie Hart- Hart Photography | www.hartphotosc.com, special to Carolina Bride
Zamphia Morant & John H. Jenkins | September 2, 2012
Justin Benjamin Photography, special to Carolina Bride
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Zamphia Morant & John H. Jenkins | September 2, 2012
Justin Benjamin Photography, special to Carolina Bride
Kelsey Schelble and Cody Conner | August 11, 2012
Travis Bell Photography, special to Carolina Bride
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Delaine Hare & Lanie Britton | June 23, 2012
Calico Photography, special to Carolina Bride
Heidi Williams & Jacob Spires | October 12, 2012
Calico Photography, special to Carolina Bride
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The Orangeburg Country Club is the ideal location for your wedding.
From indoor-outdoor affairs to exceptional sit-down dinners, we have
the services and amenities to make your event one to remember. Have
your event, your way at the OCC!
2745 Griffith Drive | Orangeburg, South Carolina 29118
803.534.5988 | www.orangeburgcc.com
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The Orangeburg Country Club
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Getting Married?
Some important organizations
and people to notify:
Social Security Administration
Internal Revenue Service
State Tax Authorities
Postal Service
Public Assistance Office
Veterans Administration
Passport Office
Department of Motor Vehicles
Credit Card Companies
Financial Institutions
(Banks, Investment Plans)
Utility Providers
Automobile Lenders
Insurance Companies
(Health, Life, Property, Automobile)
Employer
Healthcare Providers
Professional Organizations
Social Organizations
Schools (Alma Mater)
Magazine Subscription Services
South Carolina
Obtaining a Marriage License in
Both the bride and groom-to-be must apply together
at a South Carolina County Courthouse Marriage
License Bureau.
Most courthouses are open from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Fees vary by county location, but only cash will
be accepted.
A drivers license and Social Security number are
required; a birth certificate is not; nor is a blood test
or a physical obligatory.
You do not have to be a resident of South Carolina,
or even of the United States, to marry in
South Carolina.
Once you have applied, there is a 24-hour waiting
period before you can pick up your license.
Your marriage license is good in any South Carolina
county, regardless of which South Carolina County
Courthouse it was obtained.
Register of Deeds (Marriage License) in S.C.
(803) 576-1963 or (803) 576-1992.
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200 Stoneridge Dr, Columbia, SC 29210
803-252-8700/800 embassy/embassysuites.com
Event and
Banquet
Facilities
Throw a Wrap-a-Bride Party
Relax and help the Bridal Partys dresses ft better.
Our parties feature the It WORKS! Ultimate Body Applicator
that Tightens, Tones and Firms in as little as 45 Minutes.
Available options include: Body Applicator, Facial Applicator,
Mani Pedi, relaxing foot scrub and samples of Confanza,
an all-natural formula developed to reduce stress.
Sharon Coen Independent It WORKS! Distributor
(803) 462-4621 www.TurnYourFlabIntoFab.com/bride
Save-The-Date Cards
Wedding Invitations
Announcement Cards
Reception Cards
R.S.V.P. Cards
Outer Envelopes
Inner Envelopes
Thank-You Notes
Ceremony Programs
Napkins
Seating Place Cards
Reception Favors
Personal Stationery
Stationery
checklist
Learn more at
thestate.com/plus
ALLtheLocALnewsAnd
informAtionyouwAnt.
ALLthewAysyouwAntit.
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subscription options now available.
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whenever and wherever you want - in print,
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our news alerts. Be
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with the state+, you get it all. the best local
coverage only seasoned journalists with the
state can bring you. PLus unlimited stories,
photos, blogs, multimedia and databases.
whenever and wherever you want - in print,
on the web, on your mobile phone or via
our news alerts. Be
more informed with
the state+ and
get it all.
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Announcements may be brought to the newspaper office, 1401 Shop Road, mailed to:
The State Media Company, ATTN: Celebrations Desk
PO Box 1333, Columbia, SC 29202
or emailed to weddings@thestate.com
Office hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.
We are closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Contact Celebrations Desk
Phone: 803-771-8431 Fax: 803-771-8611 Email: weddings@thestate.com
Premier Package
Sample price for the Premier Package =$418.50
The price of your celebration announcement is determined by the
measurement of the text plus the photo size you choose, not the
number of words in the announcement. Color is an additional $40
on any package.
Rates are:
Text and/or photo totaling 3-5.75 column inches: $30/inch
Text and/or photo totaling 18 column inches and up: $21/inch
All announcements are featured online at www.thestate.com/weddings: $30
Proofs and pricing will be e-mailed to you.
Special photo sizes are available upon request.
C
elebrqtion
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Deluxe Package
Sample price for Deluxe Package = $242.50
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Proofs anD quotes
A proof of your announcement will be sent to the email address provided. We do our best
to provide proofs and final pricing as quickly as possible upon receipt of your photo and text.
All corrections must be made by noon on Wednesday before publication. If we receive no
corrections from you by the deadline, we will consider your announcement approved. Please
read your proofs carefully. We do not run corrections on approved announcements under
any circumstances. The State reserves the right to edit announcements for grammar and style.
Payment must be received by 10 a.m. Wednesday prior to publication. Cash, check, Visa,
Mastercard and Discover are accepted. Releases must be received by 5 p.m. or the
announcement will not run.
Deadline for publication is 3 p.m. the Monday before the desired date of publication and
online posting.
Press PLates
Plates must be ordered by Monday before the announcement runs. $20 each.
aDDItIonaL CoPIes
Additional copies of the newspaper - $5 for a set of 10. Pre-ordering is encouraged as some
days can sell-out. Copies will be held for 3 weeks and can be picke dup in the lobby.
otHer CeLeBratIons
Have a friend or family member celebrating a birthday? Surprise your loved one with a
unique birthday ad for as little as $64. Deadlines vary. Please call 803-771-8431 for details.
DeLuXe Package
Sample price for Deluxe Package = $294
Basic Package
Sample price for Basic Package = $180
Basic Package
Sample price for Basic Package = $260
standard Package
Sample price for Standard Package = $217.50
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Guidelines for publication and postinG on www.thestate.com
1. Celebration announcements must be received at The State Media Company by 3 p.m. the Monday before the desired date
of publication and online posting. (For information to be published the Sunday following a holiday, the announcement should be in our office
no later than 10 days before publication.)
2. Photographers who do not have a blanket release on file with The State should sign below. If a signature cannot be obtained, be sure
to include the photographers name and telephone number. The State will return celebrations photos only if they are accompanied by a
stamped (two first class stamps), self-addressed envelope when presented for publication. The State is not responsible for loss of or
damage to photographs under any circumstances. Text (Microsoft Word document) and photos (.jpg) may be e-mailed to weddings@
thestate.com.
3. Announcements should be typed or clearly block-printed. The State cannot accept responsibility for, and will not run corrections on
information that is illegible or incomplete. The State reserves the right to edit announcements for grammar and style.
4. Announcements may be brought to the newspaper office, 1401 Shop Road, mailed to The State Media Company, ATTN: Celebrations
Desk, PO Box 1333, Columbia, SC 29202, or e-mailed to weddings@thestate.com. Payment and the release must be received by 5
p.m. Tuesday prior to publication. Cash, check, Visa, Mastercard and Discover are accepted. The following completed and signed form
must be received prior to publication. 803.771.8431, fax 803.771.8611.
celebrations
I, (the person placing the announcement), certify that the information submitted for publication
and online posting is true, not defamatory, does not invade the privacy of any person and does not infringe any copyright. I agree to
indemnify and hold harmless The State Media Company, its employees and agents, from and against all claims and expenses
(including attorney fees and expenses) arising out of the publication of material supplied by me for the publication.
Signature _______________________________________________________________ Date _____________________________
Printed Name _______________________________________________________________________________________________
Address ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

E-mail address where a proof may be sent ________________________________________________________________________

Home Phone Number __________________________ Cell Number ________________________________________________
If we are not able to reach you at the above numbers, your announcement will not run.
By submitting material for publication as a celebrations announcement, I, for myself and others identified in the material submitted for
publication, consent to the republication of the announcement in promotional materials without compensation.
photoGrapher's release
Photographer, , as the owner of the copyright in a photograph submitted for publication in The State
Media Company, hereby grants to the The State Media Company, a limited license to publish the photograph in The State and post
online at www.thestate.com without cost or photographers credit. If the photograph is republished in promotional material for
bridal announcements, photographer grants to The State Media Company, a license to publish the photograph with credit given
to the photographer in the promotional material.
Photographers Signature __________________________________________________ Date _____________________________
Photographers Phone Number _________________________________________________________________________________
Photographers Address _______________________________________________________________________________________
City/State of wedding ________________________________________________________________________________________
Bride /Bride-elects full name __________________________________________________ of ____________________ City/State
Bridegroom /Bridegroom-elects full name ________________________________________ of ____________________ City/State
Were married/Will be married ________________________________________________ at _____________________________
Date of wedding Place of wedding
The __________________________________________ceremony was/will be performed by ______________________________
Time of wedding Full Name and title of officiating clergy
please only include information you wish to be published.
established 1946
Complete services at our
venue or yours.
ring (803)-771-7385
web seawellscateringsc.com
catering and events
real.simple.
On your big day, leave as little
as possible to memory and the
last-minute scramble. Set aside
your essentials the week before
so that all you have to do is
grab-and-go. Make a list of those
things you will need to add at
the last minute. Here are some
essentials for any well-packed
Carolina bride:
Checklist
Wedding Day
Hair and makeup
Makeup (foundation, blush, lip color,
mascara, eye powder, lip and eye liners,
powder)
Makeup brushes
Compact mirror
Hairbrush
Hairdryer
Curlers, curling iron
Hairspray, mousse, gel
Hair pieces and hair pins
Deodorant/antiperspirant
Baby powder
Eyedrops
Cotton swabs
Ibuprophen/pain reliever of choice
Bottle of water
Digital camera
Clear nail polish
Nail file
Mouthwash
Breath mints
Tissues
Panty hose (2 pairs)
Wedding dress
Shoes
Veil/Headpieces
Necklace, earrings, bracelet
Bridal lingerie
Grooms ring
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Reception Venues in the Columbia Area
403 North Lake 403 North Lake Drive, Lexington Historic home with 1.5 acres of English gardens
Contact: Marcie and Rodney Huber www.403northlake.com 803-808-2992
701 Whaley 701 Whaley Street, Columbia Flexible space available for large and small events
Contact: Tom Chinn www.701whaley.com 803-771-0101
Al's Upstairs 300 Meeting Street, West Columbia 4 rooms with adjacent courtyard
Contact: Clair Anders www.alsupstairsitalian.com 803-920-9406
Ariel's Special Events 1734 Mobile Ave., West Columbia Banquet hall
Contact: Kelley Newman www.arielsspecialevents.com 803-936-0505
Buck Ridge Plantation 231 Gundog Trail, Neeses Banquet hall, covered veranda, gazebo
Contact: Event Manager www.buckridge.com 803-531-8408
Capital City Club 1201 Main Street, 25th Floor, Capitol Center Columbia SC 29201 Ballroom
Contact: Pamela Richards www.capitalcolumbia.com (803) 256-2000
City Art 1224 Lincoln Street, Columbia Art Gallery
Contact: Wendy Wells www.cityartonline.com 803-252-3613
Clarion Hotel Downtown 1615 Gervais Street, Columbia Ballroom and smaller banquet rooms available
Contact: Janice Jamison-Blair www.clarionhotelcolumbia.com 803-771-8711
Columbia Conference Center 169 Laurelhurst Ave., Columbia Conference center
Contact: Martha Reid www.columbiameetings.com 803-772-9811
Columbia Country Club 135 Columbia Club Drive, Blythewood Ballroom and patio
Contact: Sharon Everett www.columbiacountryclub.com 803-754-8100
Columbia Museum of Art 1515 Main Street, Columbia Museum, lobby, atrium, conference room, terrace and exterior patio
Contact: Special Events Office www.columbiamuseum.org 803-343-2212
Corley Mill House and Garden 221 Corley Mill Road, Lexington Home with garden space
Contact: Sheila Hall www.corleymillhouse.com 803-957-1818
Edventure Children's Museum 211 Gervais Street, Columbia museum, outdoor terrace, galleries
Contact: tdozier@edventure.org www.edventure.org 803-7793100
Gibson Commons 140 Gibson Road, Suite C, Lexington Ballroom & outdoor gazebo
Contact: Amanda Kamnmer www.gibsoncommons.com 803-358-7122
Hanlee Hall (Kendall's Katering) 6230 St. Andrews Road, Columbia House
Contact: Event Manager www.kendallskatering.com 803-731-4445
Hilton Garden Inn 434 Columbiana Drive, Columbia Ballroom
Contact: Event Manager www.hiltongardeninn.com 803-407-6640
Historic Columbia Foundation-Hampton Preston 1615 Blanding Street, Columbia Mansion and gardens
Contact: Amy Kinard www.historiccolumbia.org 803-252-7742, ext. 22
Historic Columbia Foundation-Robert Mills 1616 Blanding Street, Columbia House and park
Historic Columbia Foundation-Seibels 1601 Richland Street, Columbia House and garden
Historic Columbia Foundation-The Big Apple 1000 Hampton Street, Columbia Banquet hall
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This is just a sampling of diverse wedding and reception locations available in the Midlands. If you have a location that you would like to include in future publications, please contact CarolinaBride@thestate.com.
Historic Lace House at the Governor's Mansion 800 Richland Street, Columbia Historic home with garden area at the
Governor's Mansion Complex Contact: Margaret Farish www.lacehouse.sc.gov 803-737-2235
House of Frames and Painting Gallery 2828 Devine Street, Columbia Art Gallery
Contact: Tensia Cassinetti www.hofpgallery.com 803-799-7405
Leaside 100 East Exchange Pl, Columbia Ballroom, Florida room and secluded patio
Contact: Kristy Polk www.thesouthernway.com 803-783-9136
Inn at USC 1619 Pendleton Street, Columbia Elegant boutique hotel located on historic USC campus
Contact: Ashley Foster www.innatusc.com 803-231-3606
Lynlee Hall 1140 Bush River Road, Columbia Banquet hall
Contact: info@lynleehall.com www.lynleehall.com 803-551-5842
Magnolia House of Lexington 220 West Main Street, Lexington Historic home with garden area
Contact: Event Manager www.magnoliahouseoflexington.com 803-359-5001
Marriot, Downtown 1200 Hampton Street, Columbia Two ballrooms, tremendous 2 story atrium
Contact: Director of Sales www.marriott.com 803-771-7000
Millstone at Adam's Pond 5301 Bluff Road, Columbia Home with tentable areas, covered back porches, dining rooms
Contact: Kristy Polk www.thesouthernway.com 803-783-1061
Mitchell House and Gardens 421 North Lake Drive, Lexington Historic home; covered patio pavillion; holds up to 300 guests; full service facility
Contact: Phyllis James www.mitchellhouseandgardens.com 803-359-5325

Ristorante Divino 803 Gervais Street, Columbia Loft/Dining Room
Contact: info@ristorantedivino.com www.ristorantedivino.com 803-799-4550
Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens 500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia The Magnolia Room in the Botanical Gardens
Contact: sjjackson@riverbanks.org www.riverbanks.org 803-779-8717 x1123
River Center at Saluda Shoals Park 5605 Bush River Road, Columbia Park area (River Center) or conference center
(Environmental Education Center/picnic shelter) Contact: Jason White (River Center) www.icrc.net 803-731-5208
River Road and Jasmine Houses and Gardens 2204 & 2208 North Lake Drive, Columbia Homes with garden space
Contact: Elizabeth Christmus www.riverroadjasmine.net 803-781-3315
Seawell's 1125 Rosewood Drive, Columbia Banquet hall
Contact: Cal Seawell www.seawellscateringsc.com 803-771-7385
South Carolina State Museum 301 Gervais Street, Columbia Vista Room, Atrium, & Charleston Courtyard
Contact: facilityrental@scmuseum.org www.museum.state.sc.us 803-898-4922
Spring Valley Country Club 300 Spring Valley Road, Columbia Ballroom
Contact: Rhonda Stone www.springvalleycc.com 803-788-3080
The Club at Rawls Creek 2121 Lake Murray Blvd, Columbia Banquet space and outdoor pavilion
Contact: Jessica Duncan www.golfrawlscreek.com 803-781-0114
Springdale House and Gardens 3150 Platt Springs Road, West Columbia House and garden pavillion
Contact: Kathy 803-794-5557
Tronco's Catering & Special Events The Medallion Center 7309 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia Contemporary conference
and banquet facility with grand ballroom, salons, board rooms & spacious entrance foyer
Contact: Katy Brennan or Page Crenshaw www.troncos.com 803-256-1222
Vista Events/The Congaree Promenade 320 Senate Street, Columbia Multiple indoor, outdoor, and garden venues in the
Historic VistaContact: Event Manager www.vistaeventsonline.com 803-748-4144
Windermere Club 1101 Longtown Road East, Blythewood Ballroom and patio on golf course
Contact: Bill Chandler www.thewindermereclub.com 803-786-6088
Wintergreen Woods 1032 Corley Mill Road, Lexington Reception Hall, covered veranda, 2 courtyards
Contact: Casey Covell or Dixie Covell www.wintergreenwoods.com 803-957-8888
Woodlands Country Club 100 Norse Way, Columbia Private dining rooms and banquet space
Contact: Sandra Wilson www.woodlandscc.com 803-788-7771
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A
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Catering
Transportation
Photography
Photography cont.
6
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COLUMBIA CARRIAGE WORKS
Weddings Parties Special Events
803-227-3833
www.columbiacarriageworks.com columbiacarriage@aol.com
Wedding Party Gifts Engagement Rings Wedding Bands
1270 Bower Parkway - Columbia 5140 Sunset Blvd. - Lexington
10136 Two Notch Rd. - NE Columbia 2909 Platt Spring Rd. -West Columbia
www.jewelrywarehouse.com
...for lifes every moment!
established 1946
Complete services at our
venue or yours.
ring (803) 771-7385
web seawellscateringsc.com
catering and events
real.simple.
DJs, Bands,
Musicians,
Custom Lighting,
Special Effects,
Slideshows,
& Photo Booths
1537 Main St Suite B, Columbia, SC 29201
803.429.6001 www.WeAreBigTime.com
PLANT EXPRESS RENTALS
Bring your wedding to life
with live plants. Delivery and
set-up included.
For reservations, ideas, and
suggestions call:
Jim Pope
803-252-3999
www.plantEXP.com
www.cricketnewmandesigns.com
2710-D Gervais Street, Columbia, SC
803-261-0686
Complete Event Design and Planning
Calico-Photography.com
803-272-8302
HANDPICKED
traditional & trendy
classics & chic
www.behandpicked.com
from
to
jewelry monogram gifts
devine street harbison blvd. village at sandhill lexington
Flowers
Jewelryy
Gifts
Wedding Planners
Wedding Entertinment
A
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v
e
r
t
i
s
e
r

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Kelly Wyatt, Wedding Specialist
Kelly.Wyatt@DoubleTreeSC.com
Phone (803) 744-0141
Fax (803) 731-4892
www.ColumbiaSouthCarolina.DoubleTree.com
316 Senate Street, Columbia
(803) 748-4144 duprecatering.com
Unique indoor,
outdoor and garden
venues for ceremonies,
receptions and
rehearsal dinners.
Yacht Cove Club
Clubhouse Rental (www.yachtcoveclubhouse.com)
Mention this ad and received 5% off
Yacht Cove Club
www.yachtcoveclubhouse.com
Clubhouse Rental
Mention this ad and
receive 5% OFF
SPRING VALLEY
COUNTRY CLUB
We believe its the details that make
the difference.
803-788-3080 x103
300 Spring Valley Road
Columbia, SC 29223
www.springvalleycc.com
Contact: Rhonda Stone
Clubhouse Manager/Special Events Coordinator
For rates and information,
visit us at 701Whaley.com.
Contact Tom Chinn at
803.771.0101 or
701Whaley@gmail.com. Photo by Judy Kay Bryan
200 Stoneridge Dr. Columbia, SC 29210
803.252.8700/ 800. EMBASSY
www.embassysuites.com
E M B A S S Y
S U I T E S
1-866-522-4399
www.FrippIslandResort.com
An exceptional setting
for your dream wedding.
Fripp Island
Golf & Beach Resort
COLUMBIA
CONFERENCE CENTER
Need a place for your
special occasion?
Conferences Meetings
Trainings Socials Receptions
803-772-9811
Off Fernandina Rd. between
St. Andrews & Piney Grove Rds.
at I-20 & I-26. Columbia, SC
www.columbiameetings.com
Wedding & Reception Sites
Wedding Planners cont. Wedding & Reception Sites cont.
Happily Ever After
Ashley Lemon and William Pruitt standing outside of their reception at
701 Whaley. As Ashley explains, Choosing a memorable venue was our
first priority, and the instant we saw the historical ballrooms at 701
Whaley , we knew it was perfect.
Photo Credit: Calico Photography, special to Carolina Bride
Happily Ever After
6
2
Enjoy a panoramic view atop
the tallest building in the state!
Great food thats upscale, inviting and contemporary!
Great service thats friendly, knowledgeable and professional!
Wedding Rehearsals, Receptions, Corporate Events
Complimentary parking for evenings and weekends in city garage
Conveniently located near four hotels
Event staff with 15 years experience in weddings
Packages available to make your planning easy
Indoor or outdoor ceremony accommodations
Contact our Private Events Director for more information.
803.256.2000 www.capitalcolumbia.com 1201 Main Street, 25
th
Floor Columbia, SC 29201
is the city...
The only thing we overlook
A Member of the ClubCorp Family
BELK.COM
happily ever after
Register today for everything
youll need after your I do.
See your bridal specialist
in store or visit belk.com.
REGISTRY
wedding
REGISTRY
wedding
ONEIDA
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