A Fresh Slate

A brand-spanking new start is très cathartic- can’t you just smell the freshly-sharpened pencils of 2010? There are so many ways to create a clean palette for your big day, especially if you consider all the senses whilst doing so. As a toast to the new year, we’ve detailed below a few ways to shake up the big 5.

SIGHT

Wash your events in an amber glow, and punch it up by creating a focal point that normally gets left in the dark- so to speak. Perhaps there’s a pond or brook to highlight, or a gorgeous architectural element at your venue? We were inspired by scenes from Big Fish and 17 Again when we recently created al fresco string lighting scenarios at a few of our 2009 weddings.

SOUND

A great band can make your wedding, as many of our brides will attest. So why not consider the music for Friday night as well? Take care to find a clever little live act to set the tone for the entire weekend. Consider an offbeat folk duo, bluegrass group, solo blues man, or even Dixieland Jazz band for your fête. A few of our faves:

The Chocolate Drops

Triple Lindy; listen by clicking here.

River City Dixieland Jazz Band; listen by clicking here.

SMELL

Piece of cake, we tell you. No pun. Think about Charleston a-bloom, or ponder the horticulture in whatever fine town where you’re getting married. Are there fabulous indigenous things with the sweetest of scents? We’re positively loaded up with local plants that can easily be used by florists to make your wedding subtly scented and thus incredibly memorable for your guests. However, bear in mind: commercial flowers are usually hothouse grown and frequently forced long before they are able to produce a scent, so ask your floral designer early about the possibilities of incorporating a beautiful “nose” into your wedding.

Gardenias

Camellia

Confederate Jasmine

Tea Olive

Magnolia

TASTE

It’s easy on the Earth and often less expensive to stay local for your wedding tastes. Consider what’s seasonal and fresh and you’re sure to take your wedding reception fare to greater heights. Perhaps you ask a local guru to hand-make something special for your welcome bags or as a parting gift? Delights we would surely showcase:

Benne wafers

Boiled Peanuts

Shrimp ‘n’ Grits Eggs Benedict

Lowcountry Boil (aka Frogmore Stew)

TOUCH

It’s a wee bit hard to translate some of the finest Lowcountry elements of touch into your party … the sharp scales of the ubiquitous Palmetto, the craggy shells of our local cluster oysters, the minerality of the sand on Sullivans Island. Instead, think about little elements of activity for your bridesmaids’ luncheon, rehearsal dinner, or wedding that will thrill guests whether hands-on or not.

Cigar Rolling (through Coastal Cigars)

Sweetgrass Basket-Making

Fresh lavender toss (in lieu of petals or sparklers)

How else will you engage the big 5 this year?

If you liked this post check out:

• Floriography
  I'm newly a "flower meaning" snob because I just finished the all-absorbing The Language of Flowers (aka floriography) and now I want to nab a copy of A Victorian Flower Dictionary, stat. Of course I ...
• Just Bout-iful
  Challenge: pin a flower on a dude without his wigging out. Our top tips: 1.) Avoid fragrance 2.) Avoid a diameter larger than 3" for a focal flower. 3.) Foliage is your friend. Guys think ...