THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SOUTH CAROLINA WEDDINGS
Is that a click bait title or what? Let’s be real, if you are here you’re either engaged or crazy, so I will assume you are looking for tips on planning the perfect wedding. You are around the beautiful state of South Carolina and need some advice on how to have the most amazing wedding. If that checks all your boxes, then you have come to the right place.
Here is bit of what this guide is going to cover:
Finding the perfect wedding venue
Hiring the right wedding planner
Choosing a date and season
Picking the right wedding photographer
Tips for how to shop for the perfect wedding dress
Hiring a dj or band
Putting together the perfect wedding day timeline
Finding your florist
Where to start planning your South Carolina wedding
Venues
Keep in mind that even though this guide states all of South Carolina since I am in Greenville I am going to focus this list more on venues in the Upstate of South Carolina. So with that being said here is a list of my favorite venues - honestly in no particular order - and then a little bit on what you should be looking for in your weddings location.
Here are my top 5 tips for choosing your wedding location:
Consider the Season and Weather: Greenville experiences varying weather conditions throughout the year. If you're planning an outdoor wedding, consider the season and weather patterns. Spring and fall tend to have milder temperatures, making them popular choices for outdoor ceremonies. However, if you're opting for a summer wedding, ensure the venue has adequate shade or indoor options to keep guests comfortable.
Location Accessibility: Choose a venue that is easily accessible for both you and your guests within the Greenville area. Consider proximity to airports, accommodations, and major highways. Additionally, ensure there's ample parking available for guests, especially if you're expecting a large turnout.
Scenic Beauty and Ambiance: The Upstate offers a diverse range of landscapes, from charming historic sites to picturesque parks and elegant event spaces. Consider the aesthetic appeal of the venue and how it aligns with your wedding theme and vision. Whether you prefer a rustic barn setting, a scenic outdoor garden, or a contemporary downtown venue, select a location that reflects your style and personality.
Venue Capacity and Facilities: Determine the size of your guest list and choose a venue that can comfortably accommodate your attendees. Inquire about the venue's capacity for both indoor and outdoor spaces, as well as its facilities such as restrooms, bridal suites, and catering services. Ensure the venue offers the necessary amenities to host your ceremony and reception seamlessly.
Budget and Additional Costs: Establish a clear budget for your wedding venue and consider any additional costs such as catering, decor, and rentals. Inquire about the venue's pricing packages and what services are included. Be mindful of any hidden fees or restrictions that may impact your budget. Prioritize transparency and ensure the venue aligns with your financial constraints while still meeting your expectations for quality and service.
By considering these factors, you can select a wedding venue in Upstate South Carolina, that sets the perfect stage for your special day.
Looking for a more comprehensive list of venues in the Upstate of South Carolina……….then HERE IT IS
2. Hire. A. Wedding. Planner.
This is big!!!! This person, or team is what will make this whole process fun and will handle so much of your stress. We are incredibly blessed to have some of the best wedding planners in the country right here in South Carolina. If you are on the fence about whether to hire a planner vs. having your aunt’s best friend do it for you, then this article will help you out. Click HERE to see why you should absolutely hire a wedding planner for your wedding day. Once you decide you’re going to hire one check out a few friends of mine:
The best I can offer when hiring your wedding planner? Simple - hire someone you like! This person - or team- is going to be walking you through a lot of what it takes to capture your vision for your wedding day and then bringing it to life by helping you hire, negotiate, and coordinate all of your other vendors. A great wedding planner will pay for themselves 1000x over and a bad one will simply add to your stress.
Let me state this as straightforwardly as I can: wedding planning companies bear a hefty burden. They manage relationships with vendors, oversee budgets, execute plans on the wedding day, schedule tastings and planning sessions, and even handle tasks like addressing invitations. The workload for a top-notch planner is remarkable. If you want exceptional photography, hiring an outstanding planner is a highly effective route to achieve it.
3. What Season Should Your Wedding Be In?
Choosing your wedding date is one of the most important decisions you will make. First off. think about your favorite season or seasons. Obviously Spring and Fall are very popular, so remember that everyone else is going to love these seasons too - but narrowing down your preference helps. Next, consider how formal you want your event to be. A black tie affair sounds wonderful, but a black tie affair, outside, in August, in South Carolina—-well that does not sound wonderful! Likewise, a January ceremony may clash with a romantic, outdoor sunset setting. Ultimately, focus on what works best for you as a couple and your guests rather than solely on aesthetics like foliage or color. For example, an adult-only Easter weekend wedding might not appeal to parents. Similarly, a destination wedding over Memorial Day weekend could deter guests preferring local celebrations. Here are a few quick tips:
Start with your dream venue. (when are they available?)
Think about the dress code for the event, and match that to whether you are wanting an indoor or outdoor event
Look at past years history of temps and rainfall during that timeframe - if rain is normal in the season, be sure to select a venue that can easily move the even indoors if needed.
Commit! You will never perfectly guess what mother nature will do, so you cant afford to let the weather stress you out. Make the best decision you can, then be sure to have a plan B, C, and D just in case. AS always. plan for the worst, expect the best, and be ready for what actually happens.
4. Don’t Just Picture Your Wedding in Pictures.
This advice may be challenging to follow, but it's crucial: hire your photographer because you trust them to be YOUR photographer. Don't base your decision on seeing photos of friends that you love or because someone else used them. What does this mean practically? Consider this: at most weddings, you've probably never seen the photography, but you've likely seen the photographer. What stood out to you? Did they seem out of place, making a scene, or did they blend seamlessly into the party? Seek out THAT photographer whose work and presence resonate with you. Remember, at the end of the day, you'll treasure memories, photos (and video) of those memories, and the person you married. No amount of posed, Pinterest-worthy photos can replace authentic moments captured by a photographer you genuinely connect with. So, hire a photographer based on their confidence and whether you genuinely like them.
Pro tip: Be prepared to spend more than you anticipate. Here's why:
Wedding Photography Cost Explained: Even the best wedding photographer has limits to their creative capacity. While the actual photography may occur on one day, the planning, preparation, scheduling, and time invested in you as a couple should take at least 8-10 hours. Additionally, backing up, processing, editing, and delivering the images can take another 20 hours or so. For a straightforward wedding, expect your photographer to invest about 40 total hours. Shooting more than 30-35 weddings a year is unsustainable and can lead to burnout. This matters to you because a burnt-out photographer may lack the energy and creativity needed to capture your special day effectively. Consider their costs, multiply by 25 (if they're excellent), and deduct around 50% for taxes, business fees, and overhead. This roughly reflects their annual income. Still think you can hire a full-time photographer for $1,500? Think again.
5. How to Buy Your Dress
Go all out while shopping for this thing! This should be the enjoyable part, right? Alright, let's start with the basics - be gentle with yourself. Leave those insecurities behind and focus on finding a dress that makes you feel stunning. I've heard people in dress shops compare this process to getting a new haircut. They often come in with a photo of a glamorous celebrity and say, "I want this one," forgetting that they might not have the same body type or look. Let me tell you, I've witnessed a few dress choices that were outright mistakes, but around 90% of the weddings I've photographed featured absolutely gorgeous dresses for brides of all shapes and sizes. Schedule appointments at a few different shops and don't limit yourself to just one designer. Sometimes, dress shops can suggest a dress that's "almost perfect" for you and have the perfect next option in mind, even if it didn't catch your eye at first glance! Some of the best dress shops in Greenville: The White Magnolia The Poinsett Bride The Dressing Room South
Once you've set your appointments, make this experience enjoyable. Bring along supportive friends who will lift you up and celebrate with champagne when you find "the one." Leave behind any drama or negativity at the door! Need advice on which dress to choose? Well, you're in luck because you're going to get it... Opt for timeless elegance. If you're torn between a trendy dress of the moment and something more classic, remember that nobody has ever said, "Audrey Hepburn is so dated." Timeless styles always stand the test of time, while many bridal trends fade quickly!
6. Hiring Your DJ or Band
By now, you've hopefully enlisted the help of a wedding planner for this decision (refer to tip number 2). Choosing between a DJ and a band often boils down to finances, to be frank. The plain truth is that DJs are generally more affordable, but don't let cost solely determine the value of your decision. Let me be direct: a good DJ surpasses a decent band every single day. A great DJ outshines a good band every single day. While it's true that a great band can't be beaten by a great DJ, the reality is there are more great DJs than there are great bands. Over the years, I've heard some painfully bad wedding bands, and what usually ties them together isn't being off-key, it's being out of touch. Playing music that people aren't interested in or not responding to is a challenge that a DJ can easily navigate. Country music not hitting the mark? Switch to some hip-hop. Old-school rap not resonating? Pump up the dance floor with some classic rock. If Brittany and Usher aren’t working, well, the party might be a lost cause, but the truth is bands can't adapt like this. They're locked into a set list with songs they all know, so you're not really comparing apples to apples between the two options.
DJ’s I have worked with and highly recommend: SoundChoice DJs. Premier Party Entertainment The Jumping Jukebox
Some amazing wedding bands in the area: Steel Toe Stiletto Emerald Empire Band Sam Hill Entertainment
7. The Wedding Day Schedule/Timeline
I have already but together a LONG blog post on this topic, you can find it HERE. It takes your typical wedding day and breaks it down into 15-30 minute segments for each part of the wedding day. I built this resource not just for brides and grooms, but for wedding planners that I get the joy of working with. I want to make sure everyone knows just how much time it takes to accomplish the different parts of the wedding day. I think you will find a lot of great information in my guide, but if you are in a rush here is the basic layout:
1:15 Photographer Arrives for Make-up Photos, flat lay, detail shots
2:30 Bridesmaids ready for photos
2:45 Bride Gets Dressed
3:00 Bridesmaid Photos
3:30 First Look with Bride’s Dad
3:45 First Look and Couple’s Photos
4:15 Groomsmen Photos
5:00 All Photos Wrap Up (Guests Arrive)
5:15 All Decor is set, reception room cleared and candles lit for photos
5:30 Ceremony
6:00 Family formals
6:00 Cocktail Hour Begins
6:30 Wedding Party Photos
7:00 Enter Reception to First Dance, welcome from Bride’s father, and dinner
7:30 Father Daughter/ Mother Son Dances
7:45 Cake Cutting
8:00 Dance Floor Opens
8:00 Sunset Photos
9:30Last song/ guests are sent outside
9:45 Last Dance - just for the bride and groom
10:00 Send Off
8. Getting The Most Beautiful Florals
I've lost count of how many times in the past I've said, "they're practically lifeless when they arrive." Sounds rude, doesn't it? Well, it's more a matter of ignorance. However, over the past few years, I've witnessed a transformation as my photography attracted a whole new demographic of couples. Our weddings became more exquisite in every aspect, and one element tied that beauty together seamlessly: the flowers. How do you take a venue that has 100 weddings at it each year and make it yours? How do you take your vision, your colors, your concept and see it really come to life? Well the answer is fairly complex because it’s a mixture of lighting, furniture, centerpieces, stemware, silverware, room layout, etc etc, but really what holds it all together is simple. Flowers. Wedding florists are unquestionably artists, and dedicating time to see, listen, and meet with them is a crucial step in the process of planning a dream wedding - plan to dedicate some serious budget here and your photography will thank you for it!
Some of the absolute best in the Greenville area: Renee Burroughs Design. Ashleigh Craft Design Forevermore Farms Florals. Bella Blooms
If you’ve made it this far let’s just assume you’ve already hired me, or you’re about to. CLICK HERE to connect directly to me so we can set up a coffee date and get to know each other. I’d be honored to hold the camera on your big day and would be happy to help you meet any of these amazing vendors or answer any questions you may have after reading through this guide!