Jackson Street Cottages Secure Coveted Carolopolis Award

The 66th annual Carolopolis Awards have been announced and Jackson Street Cottages secured a spot. According to the Preservation Society of Charleston, the award “seeks to promote excellence in historic preservation through recognition of exceptional projects that protect the historic resources of Charleston and the Lowcountry”. These Freedman style cottages, constructed in 1891, line 193-199 Jackson Street and are among the most intact groupings of their kind across the city. Owner Mount Vernon Partners and designer and contractor Brown-Glaws Contractors designed the space with the goal of preserving the historic elements they were able to while emulating those deemed unsalvageable.

The Jackson Street Cottages now serve as a private event space managed by Intrigue Design & Events. With two main event buildings, a full bar, porches, and a charming outdoor oasis you will feel far from the hustle and bustle of downtown life. Decorated with fairy lights, greenery, and cabana lounge areas – it is truly the perfect venue for outdoor gatherings ranging from receptions, rehearsal dinners and brunches to corporate events and pop-ups.

This is the second time one of Intrigue’s Venue Consulting Projects has been selected for this prestigious award. Read more about our other venue, 159 Rutledge, here.

Photography | Philip Casey Photography

Christmas Came to Charleston

What a blizzard this event was! The Intrigue Elves worked by night to transform Handcraft Kitchen & Cocktails into Christmas Craziness for Miracle Popup ! A few grinches tried to steal Christmas, but the Intrigue Elves came to the rescue to restore the Winter Wonderland, just in time for Santa! We loved joining forces with the Handcraft family, and showcasing our creativity and passion to the community!

Intrigue Design and Events transformed the restaurant, inside and out, covering the walls in wrapping paper, stringing lights, hanging upside-down Christmas trees, garland, ornaments, and bows. The patio is a winter wonderland, with snowflakes galore and frosted sliding doors.

Rum-based cocktails were served in a Santa pants mug, and tequila with iced hot chocolate was served in a Christmas carol barrel. Both glasses, and a winking Santa mug, are available for purchase, of course.

Photography | John Hillin Photography @johnhillin
Restaurant |Handcraft Kitchen & Cocktails @handcraftmtp
Brand |Miracle Popup @miraclepopup

5 Ways to Accommodate for Traveling Guests

It’s time to polish up the champagne flutes and pop open a bottle of bubbly because you’re getting married! You’ve finally bought your dress, chose your venue, and sent out those gorgeous handmade calligraphy invitations that express you and your fiancé perfectly.

But even if you feel that you’ve figured out all the details of your wedding, you still have out-of-town guests to think about. Because chances are, even if your guests have visited the destination previously, they’ll be looking to you for guidance on how to spend their time when they’re not involved in wedding festivities.

It may feel like yet another stressor to wrangle family together and make everyone happy. But accommodating for traveling guests doesn’t have to push you to elope after all. Read on to learn how you can make everyone feel right at home on your wedding day.

Provide Your Guests a Welcome Bag

When your guests arrive, be sure to have a welcome bag prepped for everyone at the first event. Include items like a map of the local area, snacks, or a bottle of bubbly alongside your wedding itinerary and a personalized note thanking your guests for making it to the wedding. You may also consider including a personalized item like a monogram tote bag or a local magazine sharing the best things to do in the area,

Whether you provide a welcome bag right at check-in or simply wait until the rehearsal dinner, this simple but lovely gesture will help your out-of-town guests feel right at home.

Invite Your Guests to The Rehearsal Dinner

Regardless of where or when you have the rehearsal dinner, you don’t want to skip out on having one if you have lots of out-of-town guests arriving for your wedding. Although your main event may leave you with plenty to do, guests who aren’t in the wedding need to be entertained.

It may also be a good idea to make sure there isn’t too much time before the rehearsal dinner. And, if you’re having a cocktail hour or meet up ahead of the rehearsal dinner, don’t leave too much time between the two events. Keeping your guests on a consistent schedule will make the weekend even more exciting for everyone.

Provide an Itinerary

You don’t want your guests feeling confused or out of the loop. Even if you provide your guests with a wedding itinerary in their welcome bag, make sure to check in with everyone individually if possible.

If you’re having a larger wedding and it isn’t possible to speak with everyone ahead of the wedding, make your wedding website available for people to access the calendar of events. You may also consider putting members of your wedding party in charge of checking in with everyone to make sure they’re settling nicely.

Coordinate a Hotel Block

While some couples simply recommend places for their out-of-town guests to stay, it’s even better to take the extra step of coordinating a hotel block so everyone can stay in the same place. This is among the best ways to make sure your guests feel included in every activity.

Plus, if other guests want to get together and do sightseeing, all they have to do is meet up in the lobby. We recommend using Hotel Planner to coordinate a hotel block. Make sure your hotel is in a fairly central location so it’s easy for guests to enjoy all the area has to offer!

Since most of your guests will likely stay more than one day when traveling for your wedding, give your guests some options of fun things to do outside of wedding festivities! Not only will your guests feel valued, but they’ll also have something fun to do while you’re prepping for the special day.

There are many ways to communicate the activity ideas to your guest. One easy way is to simply include a list with the welcome bag you provide for your guest. You can also include a “Traveling Guest” section on your wedding website in case you do not provide a welcome bag. If you are feeling a bit more creative, try to make a scavenger hunt or a check list of all of you and your significant others favorite places for your guests to visit. This will keep things fun and meaningful.

It can be stressful to figure out how to make all your guests happy but making their stay a little more fun will make the whole wedding experience even more fun for everyone. Of course, the best way to accommodate your traveling guests is to let them know how much you appreciate them. A simple thank you goes a long way!

Blog Contribution – Amanda Moore amandalmoore65@gmail.com

Wedding Season Fashion Inspiration from Maris Dehart + Boho & Bows

Somehow, it’s already August. That means footballs are about to fly, pumpkin spice is in the air, and wedding season is about to be in full swing.

With the best time of the year upon us, it begs one question: what to wear?! We teamed up with one of Charleston’s best bloggers and boutiques to find the answer.

We got together with Savannah Guss of Boho & Bows to get inspired for the season. B&B, the life & style blog providing a spark of creativity from the perspective of a young mother, gave us top picks for the upcoming wedding season’s looks for the lowcountry and beyond.

We stopped by local standout boutique Maris Dehart because, well…how could we not? While walking out of Maris Dehart’s doors and not looking fabulous is virtually impossible, owner Alden Haviland had some special items waiting at The Cabana that even exceeded expectations. The Cabana by Maris Dehart, the summer-only section of the boutique, is a must-see if you’re on a search to stand out.

Savannah got started with this elegant white dress.

This stunner is the ultimate look for all things bride. Rehearsal dinner? Elopement? Engagement pictures? Beach wedding? Reception dress? You name it, and this beauty can be styled for any bridal occasion. I absolutely adore the high-low ruffle hem & mini train on this dress; it’s the perfect touch to give this look sass & class! I love the versatility to pair with a bright statement earring for a more casual vibe or with a simple veil and some bling, you’re ready to say “I DO!’

I never met a fringe I didn’t like! The detail of this light, delicate fringe hem combined with the ever-flattering fit of a wrap dress & soft color makes this dress a total show stopper. This is a style that would look gorgeous on anyone. As a wedding guest or attendee of a bridal shower/brunch/rehearsal dinner, this look is fool-proof & fabulous!

I love the unexpected sass of a classy pants and top situation instead of a dress. If you’re a bride looking to breakaway from tradition, or just not so much of a dress gal, then ladies look no further! The simplicity of the black and white is stunningly elegant, while the detail of the fringe gives it that extra WOW factor. Throw on a bright statement earring for a pop of color and totally rock this look at a rehearsal dinner or engagement party!

This set is so eye-catching & fabulous and it’s such a fun alternative to a dress. The stripes with the small detail of fringe and high waist, in combination with the subtle crop, give this look the ultimate vibe of elegance and style. Sets are one of my favorite styles because they take the work out of having to “piece” an outfit together. They’re a fashionable no-brainer, if you will. This set in particular is super easy to style for a more casual bridal brunch or glam it up for a dinner, by a quick change of accessories, shoe, or a bold lip. (P.S. It’s super comfortable too!)

Whatever you decide to do when attending the big day of your nearest & dearest this upcoming season, Savannah says to make sure to stay true to yourself and you can’t go wrong.

“No matter the trend, cost or brand, true style is about who you are,” she says. “Kindness & confidence will never go out of style and will always be everyones best looks.”

Advice for picking rentals from a pro at EventWorks

You’re getting married. It’s official. Woo!

It’s time to make your vision of the perfect day come to life, and that all starts with the rentals. Between the essentials such as chairs, tables, bars, and dinnerware to unique crowdpleasers like games extra decor pieces, possibilities are endless and can make decision-making a bit overwhelming. We asked Ashely Von Rosenberg of EventWorks for some tips when picking rentals. According to Ashley, the most important thing when picking rentals is to make choices early in the process and order in advance.

“Items are available on a first come, first serve basis,” she said. “While we have a large inventory with depth due to our three locations, some items we have limited quantities available. It’s important to lock in your items, which can be done by paying a deposit to reserve an order. At EventWorks, our deposit is 25%.”

Beth & Brian’s wedding at Legare Waring House in Charleston, SC. Photo by Kaitlin Poirier.

We’ve used rentals in fun ways, such as making crescent bars into a 360 bars and using greenery walls as backdrops and overhanging bars. When thinking about your rentals, take pieces that can have many uses into special consideration.

“Clients have used our bookshelves to display escort cards, used our Wood Serving Blocks as centerpieces, or even our Bohemian Beaded glasses to serve small salads. Be creative with your search!” Ashley said. “Even some of our lounge tables have doubled as unique cake tables! We love seeing clients plan and design beyond the norm.”

Drew & Frankie’s wedding at William Aiken House.

Do you need a tent? This is one of the most discussed details when it comes to rentals. Ultimately, the decision comes down to the venue and the season. Each venue has it’s own policies for tenting as well as unique perks and challenges, such as space limitations and how they affect design or what parts of venues are allowed to be tented. Seasonal weather is probably the biggest factor to consider. In Charleston, for example, fall weddings can be the most susceptible to surprise weather due to hurricane season. Ashley said she always recommends that clients put tents on reserve just in case.

“We have a Rain Reserve policy, which is 35% of the total cost of the tent to hold for your date with the decision needed three days prior to delivery by noon,” she said. “I always recommend this because we have had many busy weekends where we are simply maxed out on tents and labor.”

Layne Johnson + Pablo Hofman’s wedding at the William Aiken House in Charleston SC. Photo by Amelia + Dan.

Emily & John’s wedding at Kiawah Ocean Course. Photo by Aaron + Jillian.

Rental setup can begin anywhere from days to hours before the wedding, depending on the size of the tent, amount of rentals, and your venue. Make sure you’re prepared in advance, so you can spend your wedding day enjoying your beautiful tent without worry.

Visiting Charleston? Unique Things to Do This Summer

Whether you are new to Charleston, lived here for many years, or came on vacation, you are probably looking for something to do this summer. We have done the research for you and have found several unique events for you to attend. All these all-ages events embrace what Charleston has to offer!

Weekend Wine-Down:

Every Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Deep Water Vineyard, Charleston’s only vineyard, is the site for a fun night of food, wine, and live music. Located on Wadmalaw Island, Deep Water Vineyards is proud to host their very own unique wine event every Saturday. Whether you live in Charleston or are visiting for a vacation, Weekend Wine-Down is a perfect place for socializing and making new friends. If you want to try something new this summer, Weekend Wine-Down is worth the drive!

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Charleston River Dog home game

If you want to join the locals for a night full of fun for all ages, a Charleston River Dogs is a great place to take the family. Located on the downtown peninsula, its a great place to head to before dinner or drinks! Check the schedule here to see upcoming home games. Weekday games start at 7:05, Saturday games start at 6:05, and Sunday games start at 5:05.

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Charleston Farmers Market:

Every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m head downtown to Marion Square Park to get some local produce, food vendors, and products from local artists. Charleston Farmers Market is a great place to take the family for a fun day activity. Located between King Street and Meeting Street you will be in the middle of plenty of other shopping and restaurants!

Shagging on the Cooper:

If you are looking for an exciting event with live music, head over to the Mount Pleasant Pier for some fun dancing and live music. This is a great family event, located under the Arthur Ravenel Bridge with incredible views of the Cooper River. On a hot summer evening come join charleston locals dance the night away in the cool breeze over the water!

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Wannamaker Movie Night

Looking for a fun night in the park? Wannamaker County Park has you covered! Bring your own chairs and blankets, take a seat in the park, and enjoy a movie with the Charleston community. When the sun goes down the movie comes on! Check here for the movie schedules.

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Charleston has so many things to offer to its visitors, from an exciting downtown area, a beautiful view of the Cooper River, to the stunning outdoors away from the city. Come take a look and enjoy different things that Charleston puts on for its community. Come bring your family and friends and enjoy your night with us!

What’s up Charleston? Things To Do: April-June, 2018

It’s not just a city, but an experience!

Charleston is a remarkably dynamic place. Our beautiful city manages to preserve its historic architecture, prime coastal settings, picture-perfect landscapes, creative culture, southern charm and friendly locals. There is no question as to why Charleston remains one of the most notable destinations to visit- and to live! On top of everything Charleston has to offer, here are some upcoming things to do to that might make you excited for the months ahead!

Cooper River Bridge Run: April 7th, 2018
The 2018 Cooper River Bridge Run is right around the corner! The Bridge run is the 3rd largest 10k and one of the largest road races in the U.S. This is not your average marathon, the one-way course is just as scenic as it is challenging. So what are you waiting for? Put on your running shoes and experience it for yourself!

Flowertown Festival: April 6th – 8th, 2018
The 46th annual Flowertown Festival is almost in bloom! Every spring, thousands visit Summerville SC, to see the beautiful bounty of colorful florals. Consistently ranked one of the Top 20 events in the Southeast, the three-day festival transcends the gracious Southern town into one of the largest arts and crafts festivals around!

Second Sunday on King Street: April 8th, 2018
Happening every second Sunday of the month, enjoy an afternoon of shopping, sipping, snacking, and socializing along King Street. This pet-friendly event features new product launches and showcases Charleston vendors.

North Charleston Art Festival: May 2nd – 6th, 2018
The 36th Annual North Charleston Arts Fest is not one to be missed! Attracting more than 30,000 residents and visitors, the festival offers a number of unique opportunities with a vast array of arts and cultural offerings. The annual multi-day celebration highlights national, regional, and local artists and performers in the areas of dance, music, theatre, visual arts, media arts, and literature.

Charleston Gallery Association Art Walk: May 4th, 2018
Named one of The Best Free Things To Do in Charleston, the Art Walk welcomes art lovers, architects, and history buffs out for a night of appreciating our city’s exceptional talent and beauty. With more than 40 art galleries in pursuit of gaining the world’s recognition of Charleston as a global art destination, the Art Walk showcases local, regional and national artists.

Piccolo Spoleto: May 25th – June 10th, 2018
Focusing primarily on artists of the Southeast region, Piccolo Spoleto is the perfect complement to its parent festival, Spoleto Festival USA. Annually presenting over 500 events, the 17-day Piccolo Spoleto Festival transforms Charleston into an exhilarating celebration of the cultural vitality and diversity of the Lowcountry. With a majority of free admission offerings, Piccolo Spoleto provides a varied program including visual arts exhibitions and performances of classical music, jazz, dance, theatre, choral music, ethnic cultural, poetry readings, crafts, and film. From classical to contemporary, from traditional to cutting-edge – Piccolo Spoleto has something for everyone!

Spoleto Festival USA: May 25th – June 12th, 2018
Now approaching its 42nd season, for 17 days and nights each spring, Spoleto Festival USA fills Charleston’s historic theaters, churches, and outdoor spaces with performances by renowned artists and emerging performers in opera, theater, dance, chamber, choral, and jazz music. With programs of the highest artistic caliber exhibiting dedicated young artists, a passion for contemporary innovation, and an enthusiasm for providing unusual performance opportunities the Spoleto Festival is one for the books!

Crafty Ceremony and Reception Ideas

While preparing for the happiest day of your life, you’ll be creating amazing memories and keepsakes along the way. The only question is, what makes the perfect wedding craft? Here is some inspiration for getting in touch with your creative side to seamlessly infuse your personalities into crafty touches for the big day!

Ceremony and receptions signs are extremely helpful in directing guests where to go. Why not make those signs a little more personable? Incorporating your theme into these focal points will help frame your picture perfect day. The possibilities are endless. Take a look at this customized seating chart design from one of our weddings at Harborside East!

A great way to showcase your wedding’s location is to integrate it’s natural elements into the design. Photo displays are a sentimental way to feature special moments or to honor loved ones. Peek your guests’ exploratory interests while giving them a glimpse of some family memorabilia with this crafty family tree…literally!

Cocktail hour provides guests with a little downtime to mingle and relax before the big wedding celebration. Give them something to talk about and consider adding a little floral fun to your signature drinks. These stunning edible flower ice cubes are impressive yet incredibly easy to execute. After all, who doesn’t love a little botanical pick me up? Check out how-to instructions.

The wedding guest book is for capturing the names and special wishes of those individuals who celebrated your wedding. Personalize this wedding detail by transforming it into an interactive, DIY activity that makes it memorable for you and your guests. Get creative and be unconventional.

Pro tip: Try a guest recipe book! Start by sharing your favorite recipe, ingredients, or restaurant as inspiration, and throughout the ceremony guests can join in the fun. How fantastic would it be to try out their suggestions throughout your marriage?

The newlywed send-off is a magical tradition that is meant to bring good health and prosperity to your marriage. Sparklers, confetti, and rice are typically the go-to wedding send-off, but why not shake things up? Ring in the start of your new journey with these DIY lace tambourines. This sweet craft will help end your celebration on a positive note, that will resonate with your guests afterwards. Check out how to make these here.

We’re always striving to do something different, and there is no better way than to be crafty and creative with elements from each part of your big day. For more inspiration, head over to Charleston Crafted for some unique, locally-made items that can be incorporated into your design to make the day even more memorable.

New Event Rentals at EventWorks

We stopped by EventWorks, one of the southeast’s largest event rental companies, to chat with Ashley about what they offer for events as well as all of their new amazing rental options for 2018!

Falling in Love with Kaley & Pete

One of our favorite parts of being in the wedding planning industry is learning about our bride and groom’s story on how they met, where they fell in love, and their dreams for the future. We love them so much that we want to start sharing these magical stories with you!

Kaley & Pete’s upcoming fall wedding at Magnolia Plantation is sure to be picturesque, romantic, and memorable. We cannot be more excited to be apart of making their visions of tying the knot a reality. We chatted with Kaley and got some insight on how their love story unfolded, why they chose Charleston, and so much more!

How did you two meet?

We met a few years ago when Pete was living with a mutual friend. We were both dating other people at the time but were always friends and one day, the timing finally worked out and we had our first date on Halloween night of 2015. After that first night, we were inseparable.

How did Pete pop the question?

Our engagement was an elaborate scavenger hunt around downtown Orlando, at places that were significant to our relationship, like the place where he asked me to be his girlfriend. My sister and best friends were stationed at each location to give me my next clues. My final clue led me to a garden where we often took our dog Scout for walks. Pete (and Scout) were waiting for me inside the gardens and the rest is history. Right after I said “yes!” He led me around the corner to another surprise of all of our family and friends waiting with champagne to celebrate. We all went back to our place and had a giant pool party to keep the fun going.

What made you decide on getting married in Charleston?

As soon as we got engaged we decided we wanted some kind of destination wedding. We had both been to Charleston numerous times and absolutely loved it. It was an easy pick for us! Beautiful scenery, awesome restaurants and fun bars. What more could we need?!

How did you narrow your focus on venue spaces?

Once we decided on Charleston, we knew we wanted to get married somewhere with beautiful outdoor spaces. We started doing some research and found Magnolia Plantation. As soon as we saw it, we knew it was the one. Pete’s younger brother Chris was actually a wedding planner in Charleston a few years ago. He still had contact with a some of the other planners there and put us in touch with Chelsye, who is one of his good friends. We had a quick phone call and felt good about it but then completely fell in love with her when we met her in person for the first time at Magnolia. Chelsye has been such a godsend since day one of the planning process. She is so easy going, enthusiastic and makes the planning process easy and fun. We adore her.

What are your dreams for your big day?

Pete and I actually agree on the most important aspect of our wedding- Fun! We want a beautiful night of dancing, eating and celebrating our love with our closest family and friends. Honestly though we have agreed on almost everything thus far with the planning- Either that or he just lets me run the show and goes along with it 😉

Where do you see yourselves after tying the knot?

After the wedding we will still be living in Orlando, hopefully in a house that we will be shopping for in the next few months. We will be honeymooning in summer 2019, either in Thailand or Switzerland most likely. TBD!

Kaley + Pete.