Best Ideas for your Washington, DC or Charleston, SC Wedding

Why not a little something other than a bag with water, chips and gummy bears. Offer you guests a little libation when they arrive to their room. For this couple, all of the guests were flying in from NYC and then driving to Kiawah, SC for a weekend of events.

When they checked into their rooms they were welcomed with a gift box filled with a
custom packaged 3oz bottles of the best and newest Bourbon; Angels Envy (The groom is a bourbon aficionado) that we branded with the couples logo.


 

A Destination within a Destination

The choices for wedding venues in Charleston, SC seem to be endless. The plantations are probably the most sought after for destination brides. But, if you live in the south and you have visited the plantations with every visiting guest and relative and you can see live oaks from your house, then perhaps you are looking for a destination withing a destination. Well, here is The Cottages on Charleston Harbor

There are ten perfectly appointed  2 bedroom cottages.  Each with its own covered porch and hammock to relax and take in the breezes and breathtaking views.

The rooms are not inexpensive but no more than the better hotels downtown. In order to host your wedding at the Cottages they require you rent a minimum of three  to have full access to the lawn where you would hold your wedding reception.  However, I recommend you rent all ten and have full fun of the property which includes a beautiful pool and clubhouse for hosting your rehearsal dinner or cocktail reception.

 And, the best news (I feel) is that there is not an onsite caterer! This means you are not limited to restaurant or clubhouse food. You can select any of Charlestons premier caterers & bar service companies.  Take a look. I think you will love it! I plan to check myself in for a week in January to recharge between the busy wedding season.

If you are interested in booking the Cottages for your Charleston wedding and would like CiBiEvents to take care of all of you planning please email CiBi@CiBiEvents.com or call 843.749.2807

One of a kind gifts for your Bridesmaids.

As a wedding planner, one of the most common questions I get from my brides is " Do you have any unique ideas for gifts to give my bridesmaids?" . The answer is Yes!

If you are planning a wedding and you have selected your bridal party, you are probably thinking of a unique and personal gifts to give your bridesmaids. Your bridesmaids are often represent many different parts of your life. There is perhaps, your college roommate, the girlfriend you spend a semester abroad with, the one you spent lazy hours on the beach with every summer, or cocktail waitressed with. No bridesmaid is the same shape, size or style either. There is no one size fits all gift. So what to give as a memorable keep sake? How about a custom made bracelet or cuff? Patsy Pelton  is a jeweler and an artist who makes unique pieces of wearable art.

Following are just a few examples of her extraordinary work.

And the inspiration doesn't stop there. Each piece can be personalized with both of your initials or a charm reflective of your special relationship. Following are just a few ideas but the possibilities are endless.

Here are just a few charming charm embellishments that can be added to personalize your gift. Available in sterling silver. (14K gold   available on special order for additional charge)

For further information contact Christina@CiBiEvents.com

Click here to view more of Patsy Pelton Design

Looking for a unique wedding venue in Washington DC?

As a wedding planner in Washington, DC and Charleston, SC  I am always looking for new and exciting venues for my clients. This week I met with an “Artsy” couple that were looking for something hip and contemporary. To give you an idea of how “hip” they are, the brides’ 8 year old son has build a robotic ring bearer for the ceremony!

They also have a friend who just bought a food truck which we wanted to have pull up to the reception at the end of the evening to offer late night snacks.

The search was on and due to a limited budget most of the more obvious venues were off the list.  Then I remembered the little gallery tucked down an alley behind the Cosmos Club and the Phillips Collection.  And, Viola, The Hillyer Art Space.

Hillyer Gallery

And if that’s not fabulous enough, The Hillyer gallery is a renovated historic carriage house featuring high ceilings, clean white walls, hardwood floors and a magnificent garage door entrance that is perfect for parking our food truck!

The Entrance to Hillyer Art Space.Vespa not included

If you are planning a wedding in Washington, DC or Charleston, SC , let CiBiEvents help you find the venue that suits your style, budget and personality.

Charleston, SC offers a wide range of wedding venues to chose from but there are a few that stand out as real crown jewels.

Lowndes Grove is Charleston last great waterfront estate available for hosting your wedding. Tucked away in a tranquil neighborhood located along the banks of the Ashley River and nestled amongst classic moss draped live oaks.



The setting is everything you envisioned for your low country Charleston wedding and offers a variety of options for weddings and receptions from 100 - 600 guests. The lawn offers scenic backdrops for your ceremony, the grand house is ideal for cocktails allowing the guests to move freely throughout the beautifully appointed rooms and the Ashley River terrace is ideal for tented dinner and dancing  under the stars.


And the famous spiral staircase makes for a stunning entrance for the bride and groom. And, to me, the piece de resistance are the suites located on the second and third floor which can be used for the bridal suite or a few lucky guests visiting from out of town.

Weaving Sweetgrass into baskets and roses is unique to Charleston, SC and dates back more than 300 years in the history of the low country.

For this Charleston wedding we incorporated these darling sweetgrass roses into the place settings, a few of the centerpieces and the brides tossing bouquet. Not only did it add a touch of low country charm but it was a nice little keepsake for the guests. 

Introducing Hyde Park Farm & Polo Club

This past Thursday I was invited to a luncheon for wedding planners to introduce us to the magnificent new wedding venue at Hyde Park Farm, located on 380 acres with classic moss draped oak trees, grazing horses, beautiful azalea lined gardens, majestic pastures and an open air pavilion along side a rustic barn. This magnificent venue offers Low Country charm and is only 20 minutes from downtown Charleston.

The farm is a working horse farm where Amy Flowers, a professional Polo player breeds and trains her team of ponies. Amy is not only one of few talented female polo players but she has a delightful personality and an entrepreneurial spirit. Polo comes first for Amy but when she decided to open her farm to weddings and events she paid attention to every detail including a lovely pavilion to spare the bride the cost of a tent. She has also renovated a 500 square foot guest room into a bridal suite which is beautifully appointed with cozy sitting areas and a powder room.  For the gentlemen there is an apartment above the barn that could have been decorated by Ralph Lauren.

Hyde Park Farm & Polo is ideal for both large and intimate gatherings including weddings, rehearsal dinners & bridal party luncheons. A demonstration polo match or even lessons can be arranged! To schedule a site visit contact Hyde Park Polo Club or CiBiEvents and begin planning your event that will be anything but ordinary.

We look forward to hearing from you!