The LOVE STORY

Katie & Harrison met each other through mutual friends but their first date started with a walk on Sullivan's Island with their dogs. 
As time went by, they both knew they wanted to spend their lives together.   The day came when Harrison told Katie one day that he wanted to take the boat out after work. Katie states, "This wasn't out of the ordinary, so I thought nothing of it."

The cruised down Bohicket Creek to stop by Katie's parent's house and docked.   When they pulled up, a bunch of people were there and Katie still hadn't a clue what was happening. She had thought the guests were just friends of her parents.  When she went to grab the line, it was Harrison's Dad who met her at the dock.   Astonished, Katie went to turn around to ask Harrison what was going on, and he was already down on one knee.  He proposed right there in front of my family and his family from NC.   They were all there waiting. 

Afterward, Harrison told Katie they were going out to dinner to celebrate her saying "YES".   He said they needed to stop by the house first and when they got to the house, 50+ of their closest friends were waiting for them for a surprise engagement party.    
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We asked Katie what the happiest part of her wedding day was and her answer was:  
"The Happiest part was getting married to my best friend and celebrating our marriage with our loved ones and closest friends."  

When asked if she could do it all over again, what would she change, if anything:  
Katie said, "If I could do it all over again, I would try not to get so caught up in too many small details."

Katie's advice to all future brides:  "My advice to future brides would be to enjoy every second of it?  Don't get consumed by perfect instagram and pintrest weddings prior.   It's all about YOU and your future husband's day!"

Katie states that her favorite part of the florals was that her vision was brought to life!   "The arrangements were more beautiful than I imagined they would be, especially the large florals where we exchanged our vows."   She goes on to say, "My bouquet was the bridal bouquet of my dreams!

Katie and Harrison will continue to reside on James Island, SC

VENDORS:
PLANNER: Anna with @experienceholycity
VENUE: @briarscreekgolfclub
FLORALS:@keepsakesflorist
CATERING:@briarscreek
CAKE: @enchanted_sweets_bymari
ENTERTAINMENT: @liquidpleasureband
RENTALS: @ruthshouse | @eventworks | @snyderrentals
PHOTOGRAPHY:  @aaronandjillianpotography
TRANSPORTATION:www.instagram.com/carolinalimoandcoach/ @carolinalimo
LINENS: @stradleydavidson

What a beautiful day for a beach wedding in Charleston SC.   
Alex & Denae chose the gorgeous Wild Dunes Resort to host their wedding celebrations for their Destination Wedding. 
From their 'welcome party & rehearsal dinner', to their beautiful, informal 'beach ceremony and wedding reception', the couple shared the day with their closest family and friends.   

Photographer - Christi Porter with @pinnacleweddingsincharleston captured these beautiful images of Denae and Alex.

Alex & Denae chose beautiful whites, ivories and touches of blush and pale blue for their wedding colors.  
They also wanted to repurpose as much as they could from the ceremony, to the reception area in order to preserve the flowers longer that day.   The sweetheart table was the perfect backdrop to repurpose the arbor florals and they opted for light and airy, free-flowing compote arrangements for the guest tables.  

A gluten free cake, provided by Wild Dunes was provided for the couple to cut.   

As Denae works in the medical field, we think these adorable deserts were just the 'medicine' for a happy conclusion after dinner.  

If you all have not been to Wild Dunes Resort, its worth a visit.   This year-round resort features old Charleston Charm just outside of the city, with quaint residences, beautiful beaches, crystal clear pools and never ending fun activities.   It is one of our favorites for weddings and special events.   The croquet lawns serve as picturesque backdrops for ceremonies and they lead to the adjacent pavilion and sandy beaches.  

Keepsakes Florist prides itself on our affiliation to some of Charleston's Best Vendors for weddings and Events. 
The vendors below made this day a 'magical event' for all.  

Planner - @pinnacleweddinginscharleston
Florist - @keepsakesfloristcharleston
Venue - @wilddunesresort
Photography - Christi @pinnacleweddingsincharleston
Entertainment - @eastcoastentertainment
Catering & Cake - @wilddunesresort
Hair & Makeup - @vanitysalon
Officiant - @customvowsbycasey

When selecting a venue in Charleston, there are several things to consider.  Here are just a few items that should be at the top of your list:

• Select a site that is close to accommodations for out of town guests
• Look at venues according to your guest list (avoid sites too large for small numbers) or (too small for large numbers)
• Try and find venues that provide standard rentals such as tables and chairs (bare minimal)
• Booking a site that provides catering and bar service may seem more expensive, but in the end, you may wind up saving money
• An all-inclusive ceremony & reception site is a fabulous way of avoiding extra transportation costs (unless you are having a church ceremony
• Does your venue provide a planner or just a sales manager? 
• Ensure you book a wedding coordinator for the entire day to orchestrate the formalities, ceremony & reception
• Once you've found the venue, the fun part begins...tastings, design consults, putting together your invitations, etc.

The venue below is a favorite of Keepsakes Florist & Events.   We think you'll agree that with the ceiling treatments (well worth it), it provides a beautiful backdrop for all your treasured wedding day memories.  The site:  Cannon Green

THE HISTORY OF THE WEDDING BOUQUET
Brides carrying flowers hold roots dating back to ancient times.  Brides used to carry or wear flowers in their hair or garlands, signifying new beginnings, fidelity and hope of fertility.  Along with the pleasant association of the above, the sad truth strong-smelling herbs and spices were thought to ward off and drive away evil spirits, bad luck, ill health and help mask the smell of body odor.   They didn't have running showers and luxury baths like today, and even river 'cleansing of the bride', had its limits.  Couples often used herbs instead of flowers, and each had a significant meaning.   Dill was especially popular since, being the herb of lust, and it's consumption by the bride and groom during the reception was thought to increase sexual desire.  Rosemary was the herb used to wish the couple lots of children.  Kings and Queens went further and had more elaborate wedding flowers to signify wealth and add fragrance to the air.     Some say when royalty married, the villages could smell the flowers miles away.   

When choosing your wedding bouquet, consider some, if not all of the following:

1)  COLOR

•  Whether you prefer muted and soft colors like whites, ivories and greenery OR adore bright and bold statement colors, there is no right or wrong when it comes to your bouquets.   The main thing is that the bride's bouquet is a reflection of HER, and that her groom's boutonniere matches her bouquet colors.   The wedding is, after all, all bout the bride and groom.   All other flowers can flow off the color selections in the bride's bouquet and perhaps the attendant's dresses. 

2)  STYLE

• There are so many styles to choose from nowadays, but the easiest terms to remember will be tight & round, free-flowing and loose, tight tear-drop, or free-flowing cascading bouquet. 
• Contemporary/modern, traditional, whimsical, natural/dried, wood/paper florals, broach bouquets, etc.    There is no limit to ideas on social media these days for unique styled bouquets.  

3)  TEXTURE

• Incorporating different textures in your bouquet is usually recommended to give your flowers added dimension.   This is done by adding different varieties of flowers and greenery and you can even add other elements.  Allow your florist to be creative and have fun with it.  There are no rules when it comes to textures.  Natural wheat, pampas, bunny tails, etc. can look amazing when incorporated into bouquets.   ​

4)  SIZE

• The size of a bouquet should always be taken into account for each individual bride.   For instance, if you are 5'11 or taller, you can afford to carry a beautiful longer, free-flowing or cascading bouquet.    However, the opposite may apply (although not in all cases) for someone who's 5ft tall.   Perhaps a smaller version of the cascading bouquet or a tighter round bouquet would be more comfortable to carry.  Also, smaller does not mean less or minimalistic.    Your bouquet should be the 'icing on the cake' to show off that beautiful wedding dress.  

5)  BUDGET

• When selecting the bouquet of choice, remember to discuss with your florist the type of flowers you like.   
• Always take photos of samples and either send them to your florist or show during your consultation.
• Remember to ask for alternatives if your flowers are not in season and if possible, view flowers in person to get better ideas.
• Be HONEST and UPFRONT about your budget.   There is no sense in asking for peonies if you only have a budget for daisies.  Your florist will show you flowers that will fit within your budget. 
• When cutting budgets, remember the main focus of attention on the day, should be to 'feature' the couple.  Spending a little more for the bride's bouquet and matching boutonniere should be at the forefront.   Most of the wedding elements will pull off the bride's bouquet and there are so many other options for attendant's bouquets at more cost-effective price points. 

We fell in love with this couple and definitely were partial to these gorgeous bold colors.  
We hope you'll agree that it was fabulous and Ally & Riley are simply amazing.   
If you've never seen Oakley Barn in Moncks Corner, you're missing out on a special venue.   
The grounds, the ceremony area and the gorgeous covered patio and reception barn, provide for everything a couple could dream of to hold an exquisite wedding celebration.  They even include all the rentals (unless you're looking for specialty rentals) and the planner on-site is fabulous.  

All the beautiful photos were taken by the talented Christina Marie of Christina Marie Photography

Florals - @KeepsakesFloristCharleston
Venue - @Oakley Farm
Photography - @ChristinaMariePhotography

When it comes to large spaces with high ceilings, sometimes the simple answer is to bring the ceiling heights down to the tables.  
Tall arrangements are ideal and a mixture of both tall and low arrangements add dimension to the room, while setting a dramatic display.  
These affordable arrangements are created using just greenery with curly willow for some extra height.

This concept is also ideal for ceremony arrangements.   Using tall urns or containers, with extra curly willow, allows for a showcase area to hold your nuptials.  

Florist - @keepsakesfloristcharleston   
​Planner - @ChristyLoftinEvents
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This beautiful destination wedding was filled with tradition and modern details.  
Keepsakes Florist & Events was honored to be a part of such a beautiful wedding celebration.  Every detail was meticulously thought of and planned by Planner was Younesse Alami of Younesse Events at the Charleston Marriott, in Charleston, SC

All the exquisite photos are the courtesy of photographer extraordinaire Victor Beloded of  One LIfe Photography

Flowers - @keepsakesfloristcharleston
Planner - Youness Alami
Rentals - Snyder Event Rentals
Venue - Charleston Marriott
Photography - One Life Photography
Draping/Staging - Younesse Events

Photography Courtesy of Evan Laettner Photography
Planning Crystal Phillips with Special Gatherings
Floral Design Keepsakes Florist
Venue I'On Creek Club
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