Hilton Head Monthly Voice Voice of the Lowcountry 
Getting married in the Lowcountry is a classic decision that never goes out of style. Sunsets on the beach, live oaks dripping with Spanish moss, Southern plantation clubhouses overlooking perfectly manicured grounds — couples would be hard-pressed to find more romantic wedding venues than the area we’re lucky enough to call home.
Kelly (Schuler) Hackman’s biggest wish for her wedding was that it take place outside. She and her groom, Dan Hackman, chose Colleton River Plantation Club — and the Lowcountry in general — for its breathtaking backdrops and gorgeous greens, which the Northern Kentucky natives were familiar with after vacationing here for many years.
But 2015 was a rainy year on Hilton Head, and the couple’s June 29 nuptials were nearly washed out.
Tracey Mancini has been a wedding coordinator for 25 years. She’s seen countless brides walk down countless aisles. But some weddings — like Hayley and Jake Jackson’s — stay with her long after the “I dos” have been done.
“There are certain ones that absolutely stick out that I fall in love with, and Hayley and Jake’s wedding was one of them,” says Mancini, senior wedding and events specialist for Celebrations Catering & Events. “Hayley is beautiful, she was a stunning bide, but also so organized in the planning that she made it heavenly easy for me.”
Kendra Collins was on Bluffton High School’s golf team when she met J.D. Allison, a native of Houston who was attending the International Junior Golf Academy on Hilton Head Island.
“He said he saw me and fell in love with me,” says Kendra, who married her high school sweetheart at Windows on the Waterway in Hilton Head Plantation.
On the following pages, we’re going to dazzle you with trends and tips on how to pull off the perfect Lowcountry wedding in 2016. We’ll tell you what colors are hot, and how to use technology to take your nuptials from now to wow! We’ll share real wedding stories from brides and grooms who tied the knot last year using many of the amazing vendors we have right here on Hilton Head.
Once your engagement is announced, the planning process begins. This timeline will help keep you on track when it comes to planning a stress-free wedding. (Yes, it’s possible, right?)
While most toasts are for the bride and groom, may also be celebrated. The newlyweds may toast their bridesmaids and groomsmen, as well as their families, friends and guests. Make a toast sweet and short, try to include something personal, and consider throwing in a famous quote that will make those in attendance smile and or laugh.
Though plenty of people can pull o hosting a wedding on their own, especially with lots of DIY projects, almost every wedding will require hiring professionals.
Luckily, the area is chalk full of top notch wedding industry professionals that are here to serve the booming destination wedding market! There are professionals for every budget, style and personality.
Wedding traditions are as old or new as the couple wants them to be.
Here are seven common examples of bridal traditions:
Planning a wedding isn't all pearls, peonies and parties. Prenup discussions and marriage license applications are every bit as essential as the fun details.
You’ve met the love of your life and you’re ready to tie the knot. But how to propose, and what will you need to make it down the aisle? Here are a few tips to help you on the road to wedded bliss.
Who’s invited to the wedding? Who isn’t? Here are common-sense ways to get your guest list under control.
One of the biggest decisions in planning your wedding is the guest list. The size of your wedding can affect so many other aspects of your big day. If you are planning a large wedding, you’ll need a venue that can accommodate many people, while if you’re hosting a smaller gathering, you’ll want to find a more intimate space. Your guest list will also need to work with your budget — obviously, the more people you invite, the higher the cost.
Every wedding guest secretly hopes for amazing food. Planning a standout menu is easier than you think.
Trust us. The one component you won’t want to skimp on at your wedding is the food. Aside from the music (which often translated to “how the party was”) and how the bride looked, the food is one of the most talked about parts of a wedding. Ever been to a wedding with bad food? We have: rubbery chicken and cold mashed potatoes. Don’t let that be the menu on your big day.
There are a million ways to have flowers at your wedding.
Go over-the-top with mounds of arrangements in opulent vases or go for an understated look with simple blooms in mason jars. Here are a few tips to help you pick the best blossoms for your big day.
Though it’s possible to get any flower at any time of year, your costs will skyrocket if you select flowers that are not in season. Do your homework. Know what will be in bloom when you are getting married and go with those options for your centerpieces, boutonnieres, bouquets, petals for the flower girl and any altar decorations. On average, flowers usually make up about 5 percent to 12 percent of a bride’s overall wedding budget.
Wedding gown shopping can be overwhelming. Know your body type and style preference before you begin the search.
On the day of your wedding, all eyes are on you. You’ll want to look and feel your best, which means finding the dress that fits both your style and your personality. But how to find “The Dress” out of the millions of beautiful wedding dresses out there?
