When Will You Update Your Status

This was too good to not share.  It's really funny and says so much about today's culture.

What Does A Wedding Actually Cost in Greenville, SC

Wondering what a wedding actually costs in the Greenville, SC area. According to the 2009 Wedding Report the average total cost of a wedding in the upstate of South Carolina is $21,622. That number shocks or at least surprises a lot of the people I talk to about planning weddings. So let’s look at a breakdown of the average costs of just a few of the things you need:

• Dress- $891
• Hair - $82
• Makeup - $65
• Ceremony Location - $1,344
• Minister - $186
• Ceremony Music - $641
• Music at Reception - $691
• Bridal Bouquet - $157
• Reception Location - $2,794
• Reception Bar and Food - $5, 945
• Table/Chairs/Linen Rentals - $1,994
• Limo Rental - $502

And that’s not even close to everything you will need…

Now before you go totally into shock, remember these are averages, you can of course spend more or less depending on what you want. But these figures are a good place to start when trying to figure out a budget.

More of Real Wedding - Caroline and Phillip

As promised, here are more pictures from the fall wedding of Caroline and Phillip. The reception was held at the Hilton on Haywood Road in Greenville, SC. The tables weres beautifully done with linens in chocolate, ivory and copper. The flowers were a riot of fall colors throughout the room. Dinner was a delicious choice of either chicken or prime rib. Favors were chocolate leaves presented in beautifully wrapped boxes with ribbons imprinted with the bride and groom’s name and wedding date. Here are some pictures to give you an idea of just how perfect the reception turned out.

The vendors who made it all possible:

Wedding Planner - Willrich Bridal & Special Events
Florist - Just Weddings
Photographer - David Richardson
DJ - Life of the Party
Cake - Kathy and Company
Minister - Bruce Creamer
Musician - Don Shabkie - Upstate Wedding Music

Real Wedding - Caroline and Phillip

I don’t know why more brides don’t select October or November for their weddings. The weather here in Greenville, SC is usually cool and lovely. Our mountain foliage is beyond gorgeous. It’s a wonderful time to have a wedding and this past Saturday we had a beautiful, clear, crisp day at the Cliff’s Chapel for the wedding of Caroline and Phillip.

Caroline had picked fall colors for her wedding. Beautiful ivories, coppers, browns and golds were used for everything from the bridesmaids’ dresses to the flowers. The chapel was filled with the colors of fall, both inside and out. The flowers consisted of orange tiger lilies, starburst, chocolate berries, yellow and bronze lilies and even quail feathers.

The girls started the day getting ready at the Hilton on Haywood Road and then took a limo up to the Cliff’s Chapel were they were met by the groomsmen and the rest of the family. Pictures were quickly taken and then the guests were arriving.

The ceremony started at 4:00 and was beautiful. Music was preformed on the Celtic harp for the mothers to walk down the aisle and piano music accompanied the wedding party and bride down the aisle. It was very touching and beautiful.

Here are a few pictures of the ceremony to enjoy. We’ll have more of the reception tomorrow

 

What a Great Idea - A Bridal Apron

One of most brides’ biggest worries is getting something on her dress before the wedding. When applying those final makeup touches, we have always covered the bride in a nice big sheet to keep her clean. What if there was a better way to do this? A few days ago, I ran across the site Tidy-Bride. They have the cutest aprons made to look like bridal dresses to cover up with on the big day. Whether it’s keeping makeup and snacks off the dress or protecting it from wine or food during dinner this is such a cute idea. Then after the wedding you will have the cutest apron to wear for all those family dinners. They come in several different designs to match you dress’ cut and color. What a great idea.

Adult Only Reception

How do you tactfully request that only adults attend your wedding reception? Simply word your RSVP to read “_____ number of adults attending”.  That should get the message, no children, across.

Two Beautiful Wedding Dresses in One

We’ve talked before about how much I love this Amsale dress. I think it is just about perfect. I love things that are a little different and this dress fits that need nicely. I love the fact that it’s shorter in the front to show off those beautiful shoes every bride wants and yet still has that formal traditional feel.

After I saw this picture of a real bride wearing the dress in Inside’s Weddings Fall 2009 edition, I loved it even more. This very smart bride had it bustled up short in the back for the reception, giving it the feel of a whole different party dress. She became a “two dress” bride with only the expense of one dress. I love it.

If you pick this dress, please hire me to be your planner.  I so want to see this dress go down the aisle.

New FTC Act That Affects Both Brides and Vendors

Starting Dec. 1 the FTC will put into affect a new regulation that could very well be a bride’s best friend. Simply stated, it means that if someone has been paid or is paying to be on a “preferred vendor” list it must be disclosed to the public. So no longer can a vendor pay a site to be listed on their preferred list without being identified as such. If money changes hands it must be noted on the list. If a venue gives you a list of preferred vendors, it must be vendors that they have worked with and actually do not hesitate to recommend and have accepted no money from in exchange for a listing. If it is a paid list it you must be told upfront. The same is true for blogs that review a product or person. If the person being reviewed has paid for the opportunity that must be disclosed. Here is the actual FTC Act if you would like to read it.

We’ve talked before about the need to be careful of magazines, websites, blogs and even some vendors’ lists of preferred vendors or “award” winners. Now it looks like these lists are going to have to be a lot more honest and forthcoming.

Just Something I Loved!

I recently saw this arrangement in Inside Weddings Fall 2009 edition and just had to share. I’m not sure what it is about it that I love so much but I just think it is beautiful. Marie Antoinette meets funky tropical would be the way I would describe it. It’s different but still bridal lovely. According to the magazine the florist was Mark’s Garden and the photographer was Yitzhak Dalal. Both did a great job.

What do you think?  Do you like it?

Willrich Bridal Attends U Designs Grand Opening Event

On Friday, we attended the grand opening of U Designs’ new office. The office is located in downtown Greenville at 5 B East Coffee Street. It is a very cool, modern and sleek space. The black and pink interior make for a great background to view their photos, videography, cakes and invitations.

 U Designs Staff

If you remember we did a wedding a few months ago with the crew from U Designs. They were a great group to work with and we really enjoyed being invited to their grand opening.

I thought you might enjoy seeing some photos of the U Designs team and their new office space. I especially loved the pink sign over the center of the space. Too Cool!