Hilton Head Monthly Voice Voice of the Lowcountry 
FLOWERS EXPRESS YOUR WEDDING’S PERSONALITY
Flowers are an integral part of every wedding’s aesthetic, but they can also be a great way for brides to express their personality and creativity. In 2018, greenery — like palm leaves, ferns and moss — was the standout trend, adding a charmingly natural touch while also being cheaper than flowers. But 2018 is long gone, and in 2019, flowers are making a comeback.
NEW SPINS ON OLD WEDDING TRADITIONS
“The night we got engaged in September 2017, our initial thought was ‘We want to do something different for our wedding,’” says Valerie Ruppel (nee Amodeo) of her May 12, 2018 wedding to Patric Ruppel. For the New York couple, that ultimately meant a destination wedding at beautiful Belfair Plantation beneath a canopy of grandiose oak trees. But many couples can create “something different” for their wedding on a much smaller scale.
WHAT TO WEAR WHEN YOU SAY ‘I DO’
Some brides have had the exact dress they want to wear on their big day in mind for years. Others don’t have a clue and can scarcely envision themselves waltzing down the aisle in a fancy dress.
The good news? There truly is a perfect dress for every personal preference. But when it comes to wedding attire, there’s a lot to think about. And we’re not just talking about accessorizing.
HOW TO HOST GUESTS OF ALL AGES — OR ADULTS ONLY — AT YOUR BIG DAY
For Billy and Beth Mayer, who were married Oct. 11 on the beach outside of The Dunes House, exchanging their wedding vows wasn’t so much about saying “I do” as it was proclaiming “we all do” — the bride, the groom and the bride’s two children.
“This was about us forming a family, not just getting married,” says Beth, whose 12-year-old son walked her down the aisle and was the best man, even giving a speech he wrote himself. Her 9-year-old daughter, Mia, was a junior bridesmaid at the wedding, and the groom’s then-4-year-old niece served as flower girl.
Sunday, February 17, 2019
1 - 4 PM, Belfair
200 Belfair Oaks Blvd - Bluffton, SC - 29910
CREATING A GREAT WEDDING VIBE WITH A MOOD BOARD
Once upon a time, when a couple decided to get married they set the date, bought a dress and a cake and picked colors they liked — traditionally two — to use in everything from bridal party attire to reception décor. While that still happens, these days couples are thinking more about the mood they want to set than the colors they’d like to use.
COUPLES STILL FALL IN LOVE WITH TRADITIONAL WEDDING CAKES
The sweetest part of a wedding is, of course, the moment when two people who love each other make that lifetime commitment with the words “I do.”
A close second, however, is the dessert guests are served hours afterward. And despite the national trends of candy stations, cookie-and-milk shooters and late-night sugary cereal bars, the traditional wedding cake still holds court at Lowcountry wedding receptions.
WEDDED BLISS AT WEXFORD
From the groomsmen arriving by boat to the sea glass blues and greens of the décor and dresses, Christine and C.J. Steedley’s wedding had a true coastal wedding vibe. And Mother Nature contributed with the very best island weather.
SOCIAL MEDIA HELPS COUPLES CUSTOMIZE THEIR CELEBRATIONS
A wedding is one of the biggest social events out there, and social media has ramped up every aspect, from the day she says “yes” to the propsal to the moment the couple says “I do” at the altar.
These days, it seems like an engagement isn’t official until it’s seen on social media.
RACHEL WOOLARD AND DAVID EUDY WON MONTHLY’S 2018 ENGAGEMENT CONTEST. Their gorgeous engagement photo got the most “likes” on Facebook — 91, to be exact.
1. The Threshold:
According to ancient tradition, the groom would pick up and carry his bride into the bedroom to protect her from evil spirits. In the old days, the bride would often resist and not give in to her new husband’s intentions.
2. Something Blue: The old saying “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in her shoe” dates back to Victorian England. The saying symbolizes purity, fidelity and love, and the silver coin in the shoe is a good-luck token to bring the couple wealth.
FIRST COMES LOVE, THEN COMES PAPERWORK
If you’re getting married in the Lowcountry, you’ll need to apply for a marriage license in person at the Beaufort County office of the probate judge. You and your fiancé will both need to be present and present your full names, Social Security numbers, ages and places of residence. This is a sworn statement, so you’ll both sign the document and it will be notarized in the office.
PROFESSIONALS CAN HELP EASE WEDDING STRESS
With a plethora of Pinterest ideas and other information available online, right at every bride’s fingertips, today’s couples can do plenty of wedding planning on their own. But things go smoother with the help of professionals. Bride Amy Loizides found this out when Hurricane Matthew battered Hilton Head Island one week before her planned Oct. 15, 2016, nuptials to Jason Loizides. In that moment, Celebrations Catering & Events coordinator Jackie Brino became more than a wedding planner: She became a miracle worker. “Jackie Brino really saved the day; she was a huge help,” said Amy, whose planned Honey Horn wedding went off without a hitch thanks to a last-minute move to Windows on the Waterway.
