travel Archives - Intrigue Events

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

20 Southern Fashion Bloggers You NEED to Follow

It’s hot. The beach is calling. Fall is coming. There are decisions to make.

If you’re trying to up your style game, these girls (and guys!) are sure to get you inspired to make the most out of your look this season and next. Some are household names on the ‘Gram in these parts, while others are fairly new to the scene. Whether you’re a local or visiting our region for an upcoming wedding or event, these 20 fashion bloggers are all must follows!

Color by K

Kristin Chambless is a blogger located in Charleston SC. Her blog and Instagram will inspire and help you style your life with more color.

Instagram: @KrisinChambless

Blog: Color By K

Millennielle

Coco, a native of Nigeria, calls Atlanta her home! She uses her blog to share positivity about what it’s like to be a millennial woman today. Her gorgeous blog focuses on travel, fashion, and beauty.

Instagram: @CocoBassey

Blog: Millennielle

Kerrently

Courtney Kerr, a Dallas native, runs online magazine Kerrently. Based off of her impeccable fashion sense, it was created after several TV show appearances when viewers were dying to know about her clothing.

Instagram: @Kerrently

Blog: Kerrently by: Courtney Kerr

Gal Meets Glam

Julia Hengle is from San Fransisco but now resides in Charleston. Her love for all things feminine is what makes her Instagram, blog, and clothing line so popular. She has a post up now about finding the perfect wedding guest dress for next season!

Instagram: @GalMeetsGlam

Blog: Gal Meets Glam

KCDoubletake

Kenzie and Carol are twins living in Charleston, SC. Their relaxed take on Charleston style, along with their natural chemistry on camera, is what makes them so appealing to many. Double the style, double the fun!

Instagram: @KC_Doubletake

Blog: KCDoubleTake

Dannon Collard – Like The Yogurt

Dannon is a professional makeup artist in Charleston, having been part of the Hair and Makeup Team for Charleston Fashion Week for 2014 & 2015. Her instagram and her lifestyle blog, Like The Yogurt, are dedicated to her style and design. We can’t get enough of her clean white aesthetic!

Instagram: @DannonKCollardMUA

Blog: Like The Yogurt

Mumu and Macaroons

Katy Harrell lives in Charlotte, NC where she runs her fashion blog Mumu and Macroons that is ALWAYS full of inspiration. She is your go to girl for all things summer in the south, as we particularly love her fun dress choices!

Instagram: @Mumuandmacaroons

Blog: Mumu and Macaroons

Chelsie Ravenell

Chelsie is a fashion designer for the Kenneth Beatrice line, as well as a consultant for popular Charleston department store Gwynne’s. Take a look at his Instagram feed for some inspiration on old school southern meets modern mens fashion.

Instagram: @Chelsieravenell

Blog: akillalife.tumblr.com

The Bowtie Gent

Louis Matthews is a 22 year old who runs the PR firm GRAND in Charleston. His unique and exquisitely elegant ideas (powered by bowties!) are perfect for the southern gentleman.

Instagram: @Thebowtiegent

Blog: The Bowtie Gent

BonnieKateZ

Bonnie Kate Zoghbi is a native to Louisiana who now travels the country with her husband Max in their airstream. Her gorgeous Instagram gives our news feed life! We love keeping up with her travels and how she meshes her style with her journey.

Instagram: @BonnieKateZ

Blog: Be AdventurUS

Madison Shaffer

Madison lives and blogs in Charleston. She incorporates her experience with Charleston Fashion Week and local favorite boutique Maris DeHart into a warm and sunny feed full of nostalgic vibes.

Instagram: MadisonShaffer

Blog: Meowing Mads

Mckenzie Sanders

Mckenzie is a model, living part time in North Carolina and part time in New York, who just recently launched her fashion and lifestyle blog! We love her versatile style and her accounts of her life as a model around the globe.

Instagram: @mckenziepaigesanders

Blog: Life + Style by: Mckenzie Sanders

Boho and Bows

Savannah is a blogger with tremendous taste and a unique perspective: she’s a mother of two! You’ll find her Insta and blog full of great summer finds as well how she handles life with her children and husband, providing tips and inspiration for so many angles of life.

Instagram: BohoandBows

Blog: Boho and Bows

Andi Eaton

Andi is a creative director, stylist, and writer. She is located in New Orleans, but is usually traveling all over. We love looking at her relaxed boho style and fun adventures all over the world!

Instagram: Ouiwegirl

Blog: Oui We

Goldfishkiss

Rebekah Steen, located in Pensacola Beach, FL, can be located on the beach at all times it seems! Her blog and Instragram are focused on her feel good moments, beach watercolors, and fashion tips. We love her honest mom moments about her son and her amazing beach style we all wish we had!

Instagram: Goldfish_kiss

Blog: Gold fish kiss

The Fashion Poet

Annie Vazquez is one of the best fashion bloggers in Miami! We love her work not only because of her fashion sense and travel exploits, but her continuing message of body positivity for women.

Instagram: Thefashionpoet

Blog: The Fashion Poet

Mary Ralph Lawson

Mary Ralph is a 20 something year old from Austin, now living in Malibu. Her Instagram puts a smile on our face because of her fun beach style! She works for Bumble and her adventures will keep you swiping for more (see what we did there?).

Instagram: mralphlawson

Goldwill Digger

Betsy, from Nashville, TN, runs a site entirely based on value shopping. Possessing a self-proclaimed “champagne taste on a beer budget”, she will help you find inspiration by combining awesome pieces at Goodwill! Saving while finding satisfaction in a great find is a no brainer.

Instagram: goldwilldigger

Blog: Goldwill Digger

KB Styled

Brooke is a wife and mom in Nashville, TN. She focuses on fashion, beauty, and lifestyle but what we like most about her is that she isn’t just a fashion blog. Her blog has restaurant reviews as well as home design tips! A one stop shop for our key interests.

Instagram: KBStyled

Blog: KB Styled

The Dainty Darling

Courtney is living in Charlotte, NC while running her site The Dainty Darling. You might mistake her blog for a magazine, as her chic style spans across hotel reviews, life adventures, and chronicling being a young mother.

Instagram: Courteink

Blog: The Dainty Darling

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!

Tying the Knot Abroad: Ten Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding

With weddings planned and coordinated in Sydney, Toronto, London, and Cancun, Intrigue has no shortage of experience throwing a great party across the globe (not to mention countless destination weddings in Charleston!) To help you create a remarkable & unforgettable celebration, we have prepared a list of ten planning tips to make your visions come true.

An Intrigue wedding in Sydney, Australia.

1. Organize a detailed timeline

This includes for the day of as well as the days leading up to your wedding. If working with a wedding planner, collaborate with one another to create a timeline that makes the event move seamlessly and naturally. For meetings, calls, and appointments, be sure to use an intricate calendar to mark all your deadlines.

2. Send your invites out early!

By doing so, your guests will have enough time to RSVP and make travel arrangements. Additionally, getting a precise headcount will allow you to receive a precise quote from your vendors.

3. Contact vendors well in advance

With plenty of time to research vendors in the area, you will be able to compare their services and find those that are applicable for your wedding style.

4. Book accommodations for your guests

Be sure to block out hotel rooms and offer a few choices to ensure you meet the needs and budgets for all your guests.

5. Visit the location in person if possible

You want to ensure that everything appears as it does online. If you cannot, we recommend having your planner do a video walk through with you.

6. Bring your dress on board the plane with you!

If it will be bunched up in a tight space, make arrangements for someone to professionally steam it upon your arrival at your destination.

7. Take into consideration the exchange rate if your wedding is international

Your budget at home can go a lot farther, or shorter, in another country. The customs in different locations will also be reflected in your budget (see #8).

8. If marrying overseas, learn the culture of the other country

You may want to add some of their traditions into your ceremony or reception. For example, Italy offers more orthodox wedding ceremonies while in Colombia the celebration lasts for an entire 24 hours! Adopting these rituals can alter your budget.

9. Consider all weather options

If you are getting married in an outdoor venue, be sure to have a backup plan in case of bad weather. Look at the potential indoor space and learn the layout to strategically plan for the set up of stations and seating to ensure your wedding runs smoothly.

10. Be relaxed and enjoy

This is the most wonderful experience of your life! By planning ahead, everything will fall perfectly into place that you and your guests will want to do it all over again!