How Sweet of You to Share Our Special Day With Us!

White floral boxes filled with salt water taffey continued the beach them at Craig & Mari's

oceanfront wedding

Solid white chocolate golf ball suckers, milk chocolate golf bags and putters were a sweet treat for Bethany and George's guests as well as tied in George's love for golf.

Sand dollar cookies dipped in chocolate with a copy of the legend of the sand dollar was the sweet treat Deana and Will choose to carry the beach theme to their reception.

Customized M & M's were printed with the couples names, wedding date and their faces.

Candy buffet with assorted sweet confections on display at the Fall Bridal Show gives brides an option for wedding favors.

Brides are almost always in a quandary over what to give guests as a wedding favor to show appreciation to their guests for sharing their special day with them. So many times favors get left behind and then the bride and groom are "stuck" with a truck load of things they aren't sure what to do with. Even when the favors are taken many times guests find themselves in the same delima.....what to do with them. Many a wedding favor has been re-gifted, thrown away or stuck in a drawer never to be seen again or at least not for quite some time. A lot of money can be spent on wedding favors, but a favor doesn't have to be expensive to be appreciated, and while guest's don't expect anything for attending your wedding it is polite to say "thank you" with a small token of gratitude.

When my brides ask me what to give I always suggest something that is practical and that can be used if they happen to get left behind. Food favors are very popular and pretty practical and there are many different items to choose from as well as ways to display or package them. Food favors can actually be part of your decor and design elements. Small boxes filled with sweet surprises and tied with ribbons to coordinate with your wedding colors can add color and a decorative element to your dining tables and small personalized labels and tags can be added for a personal touch. Maybe there is a particular sweet treat that your area is known for. Another food favor idea that is very popular is a candy buffet. Jars, bowls and trays in interesting shapes and sizes filled with assorted candy confections allow guests to have a choice of their favorites and add an element of interaction for your guests as they fill their own favor bag of candy from a five and dime type display. The display also adds interest and a design element to your reception area. Cookies in a variety of shapes and sizes in cellophane bags and tied with colorful ribbons are not only delicious, but help to carry a theme through out the whole wedding. Let your guests know it was sweet of them to share your special day with whatever tasty treat you choose.

Casual Elegance

The incredible beach cake was not only beautiful, but delicious.


















When Deana and Will chose the South Carolina coast as their destination wedding venue they knew they wanted their special day to carry a low country theme and be filled with Southern Charm. You won't find a place filled with more Southern Charm than DeBordieu Colony. The elegant Georgian style clubhouse was the perfect setting for their casual yet elegant low country reception. From the exquisite Low Country cuisine to their one of a kind "grit" send off, the evening was filled with casual elegance as well as low country Southern charm.


Grits were chosen in place of the traditional rice or birdseed
to be thrown as the newlyweds made their exit.

Myrtle Beach Weddings

The number one trend in weddings today is the Destination Wedding. A destination wedding is the perfect choice for the couple who wants to make their special day a memorable experience.

Are you dreaming of saying "I Do" in a romantic seaside ceremony with sand between your toes, surrounded by a warm ocean breeze and the sound of the waves? Tropical paradise accurately describes the white sandy beaches, vibrant blue waters of the Atlantic and the breathtaking golden sunsets of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Or maybe your dream is one of enchantment, defined by southern charm and grandeur amidst brilliant magnolias and stately live oaks draped with Spanish moss.

Whether an intimate wedding on the beach at sunset, a grand affair out of the pages of Gone With The Wind, filled with Southern charm or something in-between, you are sure to find the perfect location for your dream wedding along the Grand Strand of Myrtle Beach.

We would love to help you make your special day the very best it can be. Call for your free initial consultation and start planning your Myrtle Beach wedding.

Family Affair

Just because your budget isn't grand doesn't mean your wedding can't be. Why not consider a small, intimate wedding on the beach surrounded by your immediate family. That's what Lynette and Michael decided to do. After scheduling their family vacation in Myrtle Beach for July, they decided it would be the perfect time to say I do. Their ceremony was followed by a cake cutting and toast on the beach then off to a local restaurant for a nice dinner. A larger reception was planned once they returned to Ohio.

View more pictures of Lynette & Michael's July 7, 2009 beach wedding on our web site @ www.grandoccasions-inc.com

Together Fore-ever!

It was a blue Saturday for Bethany & George, but the only tears were tears of joy as the happy couple said I DO on the beach with the blue Atlantic as their backdrop. Bethany's love of femininity and Georges love for golf were combined to create a beautiful and whimsical wedding theme for their blue wedding. Under a cloudless blue sky and surrounded by a warm ocean breeze guests celebrated with a couple that was made fore each other!

Instead of glass beads, golf balls were used in the centerpieces to incorporate the grooms love of the sport and reflect his personality. Submersible lights provided additional illumination after the sun set.

Refreshing "Blue Hope" signature drinks continued the blue theme and were named in honor of the bride whose middle name is Hope.

Always time for another round of golf....even on your wedding day.

Cupcakes provided a variety of options for the guests.

Sparklers lit up the night sky in congratulations to a couple who are a perfect match while solid white chocolate golf balls and milk chocolate putters and golf bags along with personalized tees made par-fect favors.

Congratulations to a tee-riffic couple!

Bethany & George

April 25, 2009

Sand Ceremonies

The Sand Ceremony has become a very popular alternative to the Unity Candle Ceremony at beach and outdoor weddings. The combining of the different colored sand not only provides a perfect visual illustration of the blending two individuals together as one, but is more practical in an outdoor setting where candles can be affected by the natural elements. This ceremony doesn't have to be limited to beach and outdoor weddings and it might be just what you are looking for to incorporate an element of originality into your wedding. It can be included in any type of ceremony and generally takes place after "you may kiss the bride". It also works nicely in ceremonies where children are involved and can represent not only being joined as a couple, but as a family. Sand Ceremony vases can be personalized with names, dates, monograms and even logos. Miniature vases can also be purchased so that parents or children may be included. The colors of sand you choose as well as ceremony vows are personal preference and there is a wide variety for you to choose from. I have included just one sample of Sand Ceremony Vows and sites where Sand Ceremony Sets may be viewed and purchased. A Sand Ceremony is just another way to personalize your wedding ceremony and leave you with a keepsake to remind you of your special day.



Groom and Bride, you have just sealed your relationship by the giving and receiving of rings and the exchange of a kiss, and this covenant is a relationship pledge between two people who agree that they will commit themselves to one another throughout their lives. The most beautiful example of this partnership is the marriage relationship. Today, this relationship is symbolized through the pouring of these two individual containers of sand. One, representing you Groom, and all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be. The other representing you, Bride, and all that you were and all that you are, and all that you will ever be.
As these two containers of sand are poured into the third container, the individual containers of sand will no longer exist, but will be joined together as one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers, so will your marriage be.


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www.beforetheidos.com

Save-The-Date With Your Stamp of Approval

There are so many creative ways to carry a theme throughout your entire wedding celebration beginning with the save-the-date cards. Save-The-Date cards are not only a new trend they are a necessity for couples planning a destination wedding. These little gems are precursors of the fun that will be awaiting them once they arrive at the wedding venue. Family and friends will be coming from far and near and must make preparations well in advance. They will have many things to attend to: scheduling time off from work or school, making travel arrangements, planning for child or pet care,securing lodging just to mention a few.

When deciding what kind of save-the-date to choose let your imagination run wild and your guests will share your in your excitement and anticipation of the celebration! Here are a few ideas to get you started:
* postcards
* magnets
* admission tickets
* bookmarks
* calendars
* luggage tags
* paper weights
* cookies
* candy with personalized wrapper
* note pads
If you can imagine it someone can create it!
Another way to keep a theme going is with your postage stamp. Many are unaware that you can have actual postage stamps made with your picture or a design printed on them. Now you can have a stamp that actually coordinates with your save-the-date cards and invitations. They do cost a little more than the standard postage rate ($18.99 for 20 42cent stamps), but if your budget allows and if you are looking for something unique and original they might be just what you are looking for. Remember, it's the little details that make the ordinary extraordinary.

Below is a link where you can view customized postage options. Be creative and have fun!

www.usps.com/postagesolutions/customizedpostage.htm