READING TIME: 6 min 22 sec
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/18/2024
UPDATED: 09/18/2024
Nestled in the heart of South Carolina’s charm and driven by the allure of the Southeast's unique landscapes, A Charleston Bride stands as a pillar of luxury and bespoke wedding planning. Known for transforming weddings into meticulously curated events, this company exemplifies the fusion of creativity and logistical precision. They infuse each celebration with an unmistakable air of sophistication and a personalized touch, setting the stage for a truly enchanting experience.
A Charleston Bride is powered by a dedicated office of four professionals, each bringing their unique talents to the table. Amanda Smith leads the team as Owner, Wedding Planner, and Designer, infusing each event with her visionary approach. Chloe Ewing and Abby Frye, both Wedding Planners and Designers, contribute their creative flair and meticulous attention to detail. Paige Gunther rounds out the team as the Office Manager and Planning Assistant, ensuring that every behind-the-scenes detail is perfectly coordinated.
Their combined expertise allows A Charleston Bride to deliver an unparalleled wedding planning service, where each event is more than just a day; it’s a carefully crafted experience that resonates with the personal stories of the couples, making every wedding a heartfelt celebration of love and a lasting memory for all involved.
"A Charleston Bride is a luxury planning and design firm specializing in both outdoor and indoor weddings. We take our 20+ years of experience to work for you navigating each decision you make from guest transportation to choosing the perfect lounge vignette. We take your wedding vision and collaborate with world-renowned vendors to create a truly custom and one-of-a-kind event. Whether you’re getting married on a remote island where vendors have to be barged over for a five-day set, at a private estate, or one of the Southeast’s well-known event venues, we will handle every single logistical detail," explains Amanda. This dedication ensures each event carries a distinct sense of elegance and warmth.
The team prides themselves on their ability to blend imaginative design with meticulous planning. "I love that every day is different and that I get to equally balance creativity and logistics in one role. From a client perspective, I love getting to know each client and their families and working alongside them to make their dreams a reality. It is so rewarding to creatively represent our clients personalities throughout their wedding design and to see it all come together on an event day alongside the most talented, hand-selected vendors," Amanda shares. This approach ensures that each wedding is not only visually stunning but also unfolds without a hitch.
"We are a full-service planning firm specializing in luxury events throughout the Southeast. While we tailor the planning experience to each client's specific needs, we do so while following our trusted checklists, templates, and processes that we have curated over our years in business," the team notes. A Charleston Bride offers a spectrum of services that cater to a variety of needs, from comprehensive planning to specific consultations, making sure every couple feels their needs are uniquely met.
"From making sure the gown is perfectly pressed to styling the most amazing tent set-up shot, we are there to make sure every aspect of the meticulous planning process comes to fruition. If the weather takes a sudden turn or a guest becomes ill, your planning team is prepared to act swiftly. We pride ourselves on focusing equally on planning, design and decor, budget management and production which we feel leads to a seamless planning experience and a flawlessly executed wedding,” they explain. This hands-on approach involves in-depth consultations and maintaining open lines of communication, pivotal in bringing a couple’s dream wedding to life.
The team at A Charleston Bride excels in creatively tackling complex challenges. Be it a sudden downpour or the intricate logistics of a remote venue setup, the team is well-prepared to manage any situation. Their wealth of experience allows them to adapt quickly and ensure the wedding day is perfect.
"While we love a well-seasoned and renowned venue space, we really love private estate weddings and the intimate details that come along with them. Inviting your nearest and dearest to a place so close to your heart will create a wedding with ultimate sentimental value. Finding ways to marry the characteristics of the estate, both inside and outside, throughout the design and details of the day is so much fun and a nice change for our creative minds. Knowing that we are helping to create lasting memories for our couple and their families in such a cherished setting sets the bar high. Afterall, helping tell a couple's story in a place so meaningful to them is the highest honor!" the team shares.
"As the owner, also overseeing all aspects of our day-to-day, I set out to take on ~5 clients per year, but the other two planners in the office, Chloe and Abby, each take on ~10 events per year on depending on the scope of work," states the owner. "Each year differs and we set yearly goals as a company that we seek to reach versus fixating on the total number of clients as a whole. Creating a fun, stress-free and enjoyable planning process that allows us ample one-on-one time with each of our clients is what matters most!" Amanda explains.
The team at A Charleston Bride is flexible, adjusting their workload according to the complexity and demands of the weddings they undertake. This approach underscores their commitment to delivering a seamless and memorable experience for every wedding they craft.
"Our fee is a percentage of the overall event budget. We feel that every wedding and it's specific scope of work should be reflected accurately and be inclusive of both what is most beneficial to the client as well as what is realistic within our resources and time. The percentage-based fee also allows us to be more informed and able to allocate our team specifically," the team states. This pricing strategy helps the team provide tailored recommendations and manage budgets efficiently, ensuring that the financial aspects of planning are transparent and aligned with the client's expectations.
"As your full-service planner, managing your budget is one of our most important jobs. We will always recommend vendors based on your budget and will suggest ways to scale back without compromising your vision as whole if needed. ACB is set up for you to not only feel well informed but also confident in our knowledge and guidance. It’s a team effort and we take a lot of ownership over the scope of the work," they continue.
The team's deep respect for their clients' financial contributions drives them to maintain open communication about costs, ensuring that any budget increases are made with full client involvement and consent. "Our job is to present your wedding vision to you as close as we possibly can within the given budget and to absolutely keep everyone informed along the way," Amanda concludes.
"We are based in Charleston so a majority of the weddings that we see inquiries come in for are located in the Historic Downtown and Kiawah Island areas but we also see a large number of surrounding areas such as Bluffton and of course private estates," the team shares. A Charleston Bride's familiarity with these iconic venues allows them to expertly navigate the specifics of each site, bringing each couple’s vision to life with local flair and precision.
"We welcome travel and have very much enjoyed working at venues throughout the Southeast. Our most recent travel locations have included Georgia, North Carolina, and the greater South Carolina areas. No matter what, our goal is to bring the charm and hospitality of Charleston to locations throughout the Southeast!" they explain. This willingness to travel and adapt to new environments underscores their commitment to meeting client desires, regardless of location, ensuring that each wedding carries the hallmark of Charleston's renowned charm.
"Follow your heart! Afterall, that is what leads you to this monumental life moment. Planning a wedding is a large undertaking and while every decision is important, make sure you are following your intuition and having fun along the way," the team advises earnestly. They emphasize the importance of intuition in making decisions that feel right, especially when selecting a wedding planner.
"This all begins with the selection of their wedding planner and that whether they select me or not, the person they choose needs to be a decision that feels right and natural. We are the vendor they will spend the most time with and we will wear many hats for them, often taking on unexpected roles along the way. By the time the wedding comes around, we feel like well-connected and trusted friends! When you follow your intuition in selecting your wedding planner you can feel secure in knowing that they will help you make every decision along the way with your priorities top of mind. Trusting in your planning leader will make such an enjoyable experience that ends in the perfect harmony of vendor collaboration to create your ideal wedding!" adds Amanda.
A Charleston Bride’s unique blend of detailed logistical planning and creative design execution sets them apart as a premier choice for couples seeking to realize their wedding visions. Each event is crafted to resonate deeply with the personal stories of the couples, making every wedding a heartfelt celebration of love and a lasting memory for all involved.
