Well, it’s truly been hot this year EARLY!  With weddings in the Clemson area every weekend since March, warmer weather was welcomed but we didn’t want it to RUSH in like it has this year!  Little ideas we have used at Occasions at Wedgefield to help shorten the stay in the warm sun without wreaking havoc on your guests and Wedding Party!  1 – Have tubs cutely decorated in the bridal colors with ice and floating bottles of water for your guests to pick up as they enter the ceremony site…2- Turn your wedding programs into fans!  Several local printing companies have made fabulous fans that were laminated that truly helped to keep everyone cool…3- SUNGLASSES!  One of our brides furnished “funky colored sunglasses” for all her guests.  It was a hit!  At the end of the ceremony, the photographer had everyone to face him so that he could take a picture of everyone with them on! What a kodak moment and it definitely put smiles on faces!….4 – Provide parasols for each couple to share….Wilson’s 5 & 10 in Greenville stocks beautiful Asian parasols at a very reasonable price.  What a great way to shade your guests from the sun and create a cool picture for your album!…5 – Mist bottles!  Come on, I know you’ve been in Walmart in the Summer Fun section and have seen those bottles with the little fans on them.  We had a recent bride who purchased these (less than $2 each plus battery) and had them ready for her guests to pick up on the way to their seat in the ceremony.  Cute, cute, cute to see everyone “misting” themselves and having a good time and what a great wedding favor to keep!  No matter how long they were in the sun, they all had a good time and a good “diversion” from the heat.  Needless to say, once the ceremony was over, Caldwell Pavilion cooled them down instantly as they walked in the door for the reception.   Outdoor ceremonies are indeed beautiful but we do have to deal with the little issues of warm weather from time to time!

Posted under Ceremonies, Wedding Favors, Wedding Ideas, Wedding Receptions, outdoor ceremony, wedding fans

A new trend I’ve seen at our facility, Occasions at Wedgefield, is the Unity Sand Ceremony.  No longer the Unity Candle Lighting lasting 20 seconds or less!

The Sand Ceremony consists of one large container (usually glass) and two smaller containers, one for the Bride and Groom.  You can personalize the ceremony by choosing sand in your wedding colors for each of you to pour into the large container.  As the officiant explains the meaning of the sand ceremony, you each take turns pouring your colored sand into the large container.  The sand will form a beautiful design that can be displayed on your mantle or bookshelf.

There are several unity sand ceremony kits that can be purchased online along with the colored sand.  One popular kit that we have seen is the Heart Unity Sand Ceremony Kit.  The heart shaped vase has a wrought iron base and two heart shaped cylinders for your sand.  You can have the heart vase personalized with your initials and each smaller cylinder as well.  This is also a wonderful feature to use for the family unity ceremony too!  Children from a previous marriage can join in the ceremony by having their own vase with sand and taking turns adding their sand to the “family” vase.

There are many unique ways to make your ceremony special……the unity sand ceremony is certainly one that will be remembered!

Posted under Wedding Ideas

I’m not a movie goer but I heard so many good things about the movie “Fireproof” that we decided to see it one cold Monday afternoon.  With an enormous tub of popcorn and two overpriced sodas, my husband and I found that we were the only ones in the theater to see the 4:10pm showing!  Cool!  Choice seats!

I have never been more affected by a movie than this one.  Without giving away the story, it is about a couple that has allowed life to get in the way of their marriage and their faith.  Their careers have become the top priority and their personal life is nothing less than turmoil.  You become keenly aware of the parallels in your own life as you watch this couple headed for destruction.  This movie will give you an open window to look at your own life and what you are doing (or not doing) to keep your marriage strong, healthy and bound by love.

Whether you are engaged, newly married or will soon be celebrating 25 years or more, this movie is a must!  We have never hugged so tight and cried so many tears as we did after leaving the theater.  Believe me, you will be touched and you will walk away with a new appreciation for your spouse and a stronger, deeper faith in the miracles and blessings given to us all by our Lord and Saviour.

Posted under Life & Marriage, love

Our hometown area of Clemson, SC is speckled with the broad spectrum of fall’s amazing colors. The brisk breeze, the turning leaves and the crisp morning air hints that outdoor weddings are still possible with Mother Nature as your artist.

Last week, I assisted with the wedding of Jonathan and Franchesca Cox.  Franchesca used a maple leaf theme throughout the reception.  At each table setting, their guests were given an adorable maple leaf  wine bottle stopper with packets of “the perfect blend” coffee  and “falling in love” tea bags.  Maple leaf décor adorned the packages.  She chose Clemson orange cloth napkins (for Clemson Tiger fans, this is a must!) that blended perfectly with the burgundy bridesmaids dresses and the silk fall leaves adorning the cake table. It was a beautiful reception!

Jonathan and Franchesca booked an amazing gentleman by the name of Owen Poteat for their reception entertainment.  He is literally a one man band offering guitar, drums and a harmonica while playing blues, jazz, country, rock and beach.  To say he was amazing is an understatement.  The dance floor was packed and everyone enjoyed the personality and energy of a truly great musician.  Owen Poteat was virtually a treat to watch as well as to dance to.  Check out his website, www.owenpoteat.com. I highly recommend him for your next social event.

Posted under Ceremonies