Wow, we made it! This has been our busiest year yet, and for that, we are extremely grateful. Like many vendors, we navigated our regular wedding season on top of pushbacks from 2020. Our clients, our team, and our amazing vendor friends continue to inspire us, and we couldn’t be more thankful for everyone’s support. In addition to co-founding 3 businesses, Pawleys Picnics, Caluna (and one that’s been in the wings all year – we’re not quite ready to share yet!), this year we completed 50+weddings / events / picnics and celebrated with over 4600 guests.

Every year, we take a poll of our staff and vote to choose the top 10 dates from the season to commemorate another wonderful year in the books. Please know we love all of our weddings and clients so much, and it is never an easy decision and this year was no exception! Here are the couples that received the most votes from our team, in order of their date.

April 17th, 2021

We started off our Spring wedding season strong with Kailey & Jackson at Atalaya Castle at Huntington Beach State Park! Kailey was one of the easiest (and most organized) brides I have ever worked with. She showed up to our first meeting with her floor-plan completed (with correct sizing / dimensions) and her own spreadsheets. I joked with her several times throughout the planning process, if pharmacy school didn’t work out, she could open Ash Events a Charleston office. We loved the vision Kailey & Jackson had for their big day and were excited to do something new! They collected terra-cotta and rattan vases and included dried textures and pampas grass into their florals. They used a neon sign with their new last name and incorporated mixed match bridesmaids dresses for the ultimate “boho” look. Jackson even built an arbor, custom signage and a custom bar for the event as well. Kailey changed into a sleek dress with rhinestoned “wifey” jacket just in time for their sparkler exit to get on transportation and continue the party in the Inlet!

VENDORS:

Venue: Atalaya Castle

Planner: Ash Events

Photography: Sara Ann Green Photography

Cake: Pink Pineapple Cakes

Hair and Make-up: Silhouette on Site

Florist: Royal Decor

Music: The Midnight City Band / Broadway Jake Productions

Rentals: EventWorks Rentals

Lighting/Draping: RSG Event Designs

Catering & Bartending: Art Catering

Bridal Gown: Gown Boutique

Groomsmen Suits: Mens Wearhouse

May 8th, 2021

Andi & Max’s micro wedding at the Heritage Club was by far one of our favorite days of the year! Andi (like Gandhi) was very trusting of us and let us have free reign on her wedding day. She came to us with just 3 weeks to go before their big day and they were at square 1. It just so happened that all members of Caluna Event Design Collective still had the Saturday open. Within 3 weeks, we booked them an entire vendor team, and the pieces quite literally fell into place . We have a soft spot in our hearts for a mico-weddings. With only 17 guests in attendance we were really able to stretch our budget to create something spectacular!

VENDORS:

Venue: Heritage Club

Planner: Ash Events

Design Team: Caluna Event Design Collective

Photography: Magnolia Photography

Florist: Willow Events Design

Cake: FlowerChild

Hair & Make-up: Flawless Bridal Lounge

Transportation: Carolina Limo

Music: Charles Freeman

Calligraphy: Kielys Kalligraphy

Rentals: Ooh Events

Linens: Nuage Designs

Lighting: MC Lighting and Sound

Bride Attire: Gown Boutique

Groom Attire: Hoffman and Hoffman

May 14th, 2021

We traveled to Hilton Head to celebrate with Alyssa & Jacob at Honey Horn. Golden hour was absolutely perfect during their May wedding and the photos from Cushla Beasley did not disappoint! The couple were absolute showstoppers, and their color palette was one we dream of! Alyssa incorporated mix -match bridesmaids dresses beautifully and the bouquets from Willow Event Designs were the cherry on top. Alyssa surprised Jacob with a mobile cigar lounge from Southern Smoke Cigars which was the hit of the wedding!

VENDORS:

Venue: Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn

Planner: Ash Events

Photographer: Cushla Beasley

Florals: Willow Event Designs

Cake: Flowerchild

Officiant: Venture SC

Hair: MM Hair Artistry

Makeup: Chelsea Gancio Makeup

Dj : Island Sound DJ

Rentals / Lighting & Draping: Amazing Event Rentals

Transportation: Camelot Limo HHI

Cigar Bar: Southern Smoke Cigars

Catering: Downtown Catering Company

Bride Dress: Ivory and Beau

Groom Attire: Generation Tux

June 5th, 2021

We celebrated with two amazing couples on June 5th – Megan & Luke and Alexandra & Michael.

First up, Megan & Luke:

Megan & her mother came to us in 2020 looking for help bringing Megan & Luke’s wedding day to life. Caluna Event Design Collective worked together on this event and we loved how much they trusted us to bring this design to life. Megan wanted a palette full of color. We based their colors off of THIS linen, persimmon hydrangea, from BBJ linen. One unique thing we loved that Megan & Luke did, instead of just taking bridal portraits, they had a “first look day.” On that day, Megan had her hair and make-up trial, we got her into her dress and they met with Jana from Magnolia Photography to have a private first look. They then spent the evening taking incredible wedding portraits together. This took a chunk of time out of the day for photos and made sure they had great photos in case of bad weather. On the week of the wedding, Mother Nature was not on our side and we had to alter our open air design to one with a tent. We were all so glad they had taken some beautiful portraits beforehand. When it came time for the day, we only ended up having one small shower and guests were able to enjoy the views from the Castle!

VENDORS (Megan & Luke):

Venue: Atalaya Castle

Planner: Ash Events

Design Team: Caluna Event Design Collective

Photography: Magnolia Photography

Video: Luminous Event Films

Florals: Willow Event Designs

Dj: Eyecon Entertainment

Cake: FlowerChild

Make-up: Glamsquad – Makeup by Chelsea

Rentals: Eventworks Rentals

Lighting: MC Lighting and Sound

Linens: BBJ Linens

Catering: Inlet Affairs

Bride Dress: Fancy Frocks

Wedding Party Attire: Amandas Collections

Rolls Royce: RSG Event Designs

Next, with Alexandra & Michael:

One of our associate planners, Callie, was the lead planner for Alexandra & Michael’s wedding at Wachesaw Plantation. Alexandra had very traditional taste, which we loved! It’s very rare that we get a client that knows exactly what they want and we couldn’t wait to bring her blue and white vision together from the start. Details were very important to Alexandra which is music to a wedding planner’s ears and she didn’t skip a beat. There is just something special about a clear tent which looked quite magical on the bluff at Kimbles. The lighting & the night stars combined made for an enchanting event. Michael, The band kept even Alexandra’s Grandmother on the dance floor all night. The bride & groom exited at the end of the event into the grooms Old-school forrest green convertible mustang.

Alexandra, Michael, and their dog Beau (who made a guest appearance for a few photos of course) look like they belong on the cover of a magazine. Check out her blog – The Beach Belle – and her post about the wedding HERE.

VENDORS (Alexandra & Michael):

Venue: Wachesaw

Planner: Ash Events

Photographer: Rachel Red Photography

Cake: Incredible Edibles

Florist: Greens Keeper Florist

Band: Irresistible Groove

Ceremony Musician: Irresistible Groove & East Coast Entertainment

Rentals: Eventworks Rentals

Makeup: Bride

Lighting: MC Lighting and Sound

Bride Dress: White on DI

Tux: Jos A Banks

Invitations: Shop Surcie

July 27th, 2021

We were so excited to celebrate with Meagan and Billy in Chapel Hill, North Carolina! Meagan is a local hair and make-up vendor who we frequently work with, so we were beyond delighted when she asked us to be a part of her big day & rehearsal dinner. Their venue, The Barn at Valhalla was really unique as it had several bedroom / cottages for guests to stay in. Meagan decided to hold those rooms for her vendors and we all had a giant slumber party the night before her event. Meagan had honorary bridesmaids that wore floral earrings, bracelets and other wearables instead of traditional bouqets and that sat in the second row behind family. All of the focus was on Meagan & Billy as they said their I do’s. Meagan’s main request was she wanted her wedding to be colorful and lively. You can say Willow Event Designs, understood the assignment. I was blown away by her florals for this event. You would have never known this wedding was on a Tuesday by how packed the dance floor stayed. We had the best time celebrating them.

VENDORS:

Venue: Barn at Valhalla

Planner: Ash Events

Photographer: Christy Lynch Photography

Videography: The Joyner Company

Hair and Makeup: Beautiful Salon and Spa

Florist: Willow Event Designs

Music: The Company Band

Cake: FlowerChild

Linens: Nuage Designs

Catering: CHRG Catering

Bride’s Dress: The Little White Dress

Groom’s Suit: Mens Wearhouse

September 10th, 2021

If you are on TikTok, we are sure you have seen Kelsey and Curtis show up on your “For You” page which is exactly how they found us! It was a week before her wedding and she didn’t have anyone to coordinate the event so she brought us on! Not only was this a wedding for Kelsey & Curtis but they were also hosting a charity event and raising money for The Down Syndrome Association of the Low Country, Breaking the Silence against Domestic Violence and Edgefields First Responders. Between the two day event and by live streaming to millions, they were able to raise over $60.000. Some very popular faces from TikTok were present including . The attendees on the guest list had a combined total of over 96 Million followers tuning into the event. Of course there were plenty of videos taken of the day which you can view some HERE or by searching #intothewoods on the app. We had so much fun celebrating these roommates for life!

VENDORS:

Venue: The Oaks at Mill Creek

Planner/Media: ACA Consulting

Coordinator: Ash Events

Lead Photographer: Brandy Morrison Photography

Photographers: Brooke Faith Photography ;@thenicodavinci_

Videographer: Zach Allen Media

Bakery: The Baking Barn

Bouquets: Petal Cartel Co

Hair : @courtneyy_grayy

Makeup: @alliahandfamily

Florist: Hola Lola Floral Co

Rentals: Party In A Tent Columbia

Ceremony Music: Jenuine Arts

Hair & Makeup: @lorie_promua

Food Trucks: @pitastreetfood , @meadowsofgrovetown , @sinlesssweettreats

DJ: @thatwiins.riq ; @thatwiins.rio

Bride Dress: Tiffanie Bleu Bridal

Bridesmaids Dresses: Tiffanie Bleu Bridal

Groom/Groomsmen Suits: Simons Formal Wear

Groomsmen Gifts: Craig Reagin Clothiers

October 1st, 2021

Jordan & Adam hold such a special place in my heart. It’s not often you get clients you can genuinely joke with outside of everyday conversation. These two kept everything light and a breeze, which was perfect for their waterfront venue. We had so much fun celebrating with them at the Island House for the first time! Jordan & Adam included several fun vendors including the Chug a Lug tap truck, vintage buses from Low Country Valet, and the Slate 360 booth. Their band, The Retreat, kept the dance floor packed all night. I will say the highlight of my night, was working with Cru Catering. Their team as well as their presentations are top notch and have been on the top of my list of vendors we have always wanted to work with!

VENDORS:

Venue: The Island House

Planner: Ash Events

Photographer: Kelsey Halm Photo

Desserts: FlowerChild

Hair & Makeup: Slate Hair and Makeup

Florals: Willow Event Designs

Band: Sam Hill Entertainment

Transportation: Lowcountry Valet

Rentals: Ooh Events; EventWorks Rentals

Catering: Cru Catering

Cocktail Hour Bar: Chug A Lug Wagon

Photo Booth: Slate 360

Bride’s Dress: Vows Bride Power

Bridesmaid Dresses: Dear Cleo

Mens Attire: The Black Tux

October 23rd, 2021

Sara & Dylan’s wedding under the oaks at Litchfield Plantation was one of our most anticipated (and most voted for) events of the year! This was our first time using a sail cloth tent and you could say we are a little obsessed. We kicked off the weekend with a rehearsal dinner and welcome party at Brookgreen Gardens. Sara & Dylan would have had over 30 members in their wedding party so instead they chose a color palette for them to go off of for photos and then only had best man & maid of honor stand for the ceremony. They chose top notch vendors across the board which made for a seamless day. When you have a great band, you don’t want guests to sit at their seats all night, so we had partial seating for around half of the guests with a lounge area and social tables. Sage green was one of the most popular colors this year and it was perfect as a linen color for this event. It paired well with the greenery & rattan chandeliers on the dance floor, too! Once the dancing started, we helped Sara slip into her second dress, a pink strapless cocktail number which was to die for. We kept the party going with late night McDonalds cheeseburgers which the band helped us pass out before sending guests home. It was truly a night to remember, and one we certainly will not forget!

VENDORS:

Rehearsal Dinner / Welcome Party Venue: Brookgreen Gardens

Wedding Venue: Litchfield Plantation

Planner: Ash Events

Photographer: Carrie Coleman Photo

Bakery: Incredible Edibles

Hair & Make-Up: Stox and Co

Florist: RSG Event Designs

Band: East Coast Entertainment

Transportation: Carolina Limo

Rentals: EventWorks Rentals

Lighting/Draping: MC Lighting and Sound

Bathrooms: Elvis Service Co

Catering: Inlet Affairs

Koozies: Shop Surcie

Bride’s Dress: Alexias Bridal

November 20th, 2021

We were so excited to be back at The Island House to celebrate with on of our previous interns Jordan, and her now husband, Josh! This was such a fun group! We loved Jordan & Josh’s color palette, straight out of my boho dreams. The team at Revelry helped them mix and match textures and tones for one of my most favorite bridesmaid dress combos yet! The flower field at the Island House was in full bloom so of course we took full advantage for couples portraits. Jordan & Josh wanted to have a great party, with good music, drinks and dancing. We kept the cocktail party vibe by utilizing partial and “social” seating. Instead of typical catering they also opted for food trucks which kept the flow (and the food) going all night!

VENDORS:

Venue: The Island House

Planner: Ash Events

Photographer: Rebecca Sigety Photography

Hair: Vanity Salon

Make-up: Revenge Face

Florals: Willow Event Designs

Dj: Palmetto Event

Rentals: EventWorks Rentals

Cake: FlowerChild

Food Trucks: Cast Iron; Brunch Holiday

Photo Booth: Slate 360

Bar Service: Carolina Cocktails

Bridesmaids: Revelry

Groomsmen: The Black Tux

December 10th, 2021

We finished the year with Kristen & Carson at Brookgreen Gardens! They were to be wed in May of 2021 but with the couple living in Canada they were unable to get themselves (and many guests) to the Murrells Inlet area due to the unforeseen circumstances of the world. They pushed back their wedding and began the process to move to South Carolina. Moving the date to December meant they were able to pop over to Night of a Thousand Candles for a few photos amongst the most magical holiday light display. Kristen & Carson’s modern and simplistic vision with a touch of vintage elements was so fun to bring to life. Kristen said from the beginning flowers were a top priority, and as she left after the exit she mentioned wanting to take all her flowers from the wedding home just to line her living room. It was the best way to end the year!

VENDORS:

Venue: Brookgreen Gardens

Planner: Ash Events

Photographer: Sacia Matthews

Hair & Makeup: Beautiful Salon and Spa

Entertainment: Eyecon Entertainment

Florals: Charleston Flower Girl

Rentals: EventWorks Rentals

Lighting: MC Lighting and Sound

Cake: FlowerChild

Linens: Nuage Designs

Catering: Inlet Affairs

Bride’s Dress: The Dressing Room Pawleys

Bridesmaids Dresses: Azazie

Groomsmen Attire: Bonobos; Mens Wearhouse

Stationary: Minted