Get an exclusive peek into the world of Patrick Properties — we share a few of our favorite moments from recent events and happenings.
Before your soon-to-be Mr., there was one man in your life who loved you first.
Today’s post is dedicated to that special guy – the one who beneath the calm, even rough-and-tough exterior will be fighting back tears as he gives his little girl away and celebrates the beautiful woman she’s become.
No wonder the Father-Daughter dance is one of the moments we cherish most.
Here are a few of our favorite soundtracks to fall in step with the man who has never let you miss a single one.
Happy Father’s Day!
1. I Loved Her First | Heartland
2. Father and Daughter | Paul Simon
4. Just the Way You Look Tonight | Frank Sinatra
5. It Won’t Be Like This For Long | Darius Rucker
6. Isn’t She Lovely | Stevie Wonder
7. Through The Years | Kenny Rogers
8. I Hope You Dance | Lee Ann Womack
9. Butterfly Kisses | Bob Carlisle
10. What A Wonderful World | Louis Armstrong
Big thanks to our very talented photographers for capturing these moments: Marni Rothschild, Juliet Elizabeth, Jennifer Bearden, Chris & Cami Photography, Richard Ellis Photography
Check out more picture perfect moments here
Is it any wonder we swoon for the new Great Gatsby Glam? F. Scott Fitzgerald’s literary classic whispers romance, champagne and stars into every detail of this top wedding trend for 2013 – from swishing silk gowns and glittering jewels to rich linens, heirloom cocktails and decadent nods to a bygone era.
Patrick Properties Hospitality Group’s historic Charleston wedding venues offer an ideal stage for putting on the ritz – and in one case in particular, we mean quite literally.
With its vintage details and regal Art Deco architecture, The American Theater ushers guests into iconic Hollywood beneath dazzling marquee and handmade milk-glass chandeliers. These luxe ballroom affairs are straight from the pages of Fitzgerald’s margin notes, framing one of life’s greatest scenes against a stylish backdrop on Upper King Street.
Something old is nothing new for sophisticated soirees at The William Aiken House and Lowndes Grove Plantation, either. Take a peek at a few favorites from our Charleston wedding receptions that range from elegant garden parties to over-the-top affairs.
Inspired by Great Gatsby Glamour? There’s more on our PPHG Pinterest page!
Springtime has officially arrived in Charleston - and are we ever ready! This season might just be our very favorite, with sun-drenched afternoons and fragrant blossoms every which way we turn. Surrounded by Spring’s natural beauty, we ask:
Could there be anything more blissful than a sweet, daytime celebration?
Among our historic Charleston wedding venues, the River House at Lowndes Grove Plantation offers a perfect setting for any outdoor occasion. From midday “I do’s” and intimate garden parties to bridal luncheons or a causal picnic brunch – there’s plenty here for Mother Nature to inspire!
Lush grounds are an open invitation to lawn games like bocce ball and corn hole. Host cocktail hour by the waterfront and stroll the dock for panoramic views of the Ashley River. When it’s time to eat, set a colorful spring table beneath centuries-old live oak trees. Or, bring the outside in. The River House boasts four sets of French doors that open onto a brick terrace ideal for entertaining.
As Charleston blossoms into its springtime best, there's no better time to carpe diem with an outdoor soiree at The River House at Lowndes Grove.
For one of the tastiest towns in the South, it might come as no surprise that Charleston would lend its historic backdrop to the Oscars of the culinary world, as James Beard Foundation prepared to announce its 2013 Award nominations.
Were we ever thrilled, though, when Patrick Properties Hospitality Group was asked to play host alongside the Charleston Area CVB and BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival!
Monday, March 18 began with the 2013 Nominee Announcement and Luncheon on the grounds of our Lowndes Grove Plantation - and ended with an extraordinary dinner toast to JBF that evening at Fort Moultrie. We couldn’t be more proud to share highlights of this whirlwind day!
Lowndes Grove set the stage as James Beard Foundation president Susan Ungaro and fellow board members gathered alongside local officials, media and guests – enjoying savory bites amid bright, springtime décor and scenic views of the Ashley River before festivities were underway. Thousands of viewers from across the country tuned in to the event live stream when nominations were announced – with huge cheers for hometown nominees Nathalie Dupree (American Cook Books), Mike Lata and The Ordinary (Best New Restaurant), and Sean Brock (Outstanding Chef)!
That evening, PPHG savored the celebration with guests of the Lowcountry Legends Salute to James Beard Foundation at Fort Moultrie – where our own French Master Chef Nico Romo joined an all-star team of local chefs presenting the night's dinner menu. The talented team of Fish Restaurant helped Chef Nico serve up a second course that garnered rave reviews around the dinner table: Octopus & Crab Carpaccio with Cocktail Granita, Clam Chowder Crème Brulee and Coconut Ginger Lobster Roll.
Patrick Properties Hospitality Group is honored to have helped celebrate the James Beard Foundation legacy while taking part in this year's nominationtons in Charleston!
For every couple – and, often, their guests – expectations run high when planning the wedding day menu. Caught somewhere between tradition and personal taste, quality and expense, it’s little wonder that the decision of what to serve and how can become quite daunting.
At Patrick Properties Hospitality Group, we believe there is one fundamental a couple should embrace during this process:
“The only rule is to have food people like to eat.”
Translation? Steak is not consigned to the obligatory potato, and a three-course, two hour plated meal is in no way prerequisite to changing your last name.
True, these ideals stem from a long line of success and are rooted in the reality that sharing good food brings people together. And while there is something very beautiful in the tradition, we believe couples can personalize a menu that tells their story as expressively and creatively as they wish.
As you’re planning, keep in mind a few tips to mix up your meal - straight from the professionals behind PPHG’s celebrated culinary program:
1. Turn a plated dinner into a tasting menu
Love the idea of an elegant plated dinner, but cringe at the monotony of soup, salad and entrée? Try a tasting menu! This style breaks the traditional mold with four courses and smaller portions that afford more flexibility in menu planning. Even better, you can rest easy knowing the options will appeal to every guest’s taste.
2. Redefine the buffet
Forget any negative associations this word conjures. Instead, why not enjoy the personal service of chef-attended stations? Our historic Charleston wedding venues create beautiful spaces for guests to socialize and celebrate by your side. Customized stations allow them freedom to explore while being treated to freshly prepared cuisine. Think outside the buffet with options like braised short rib and Charleston traditions like shrimp & grits or Lowcountry boil!
3. Don’t miss the opportunity for fun extras
Some of our most memorable wedding menus are dreamed up by couples with the “anything is possible” mentality. Heirloom family recipes, a His & Hers station, even the menu from a first date – all are great sources of inspiration! Get creative with sweet treats - a s’more station or hot chocolate with donut hole dunkers - or pass nostalgic late-night snacks, like mini-milkshakes, chicken biscuits or French fries.
Bottom line: set aside the expectations. Your wedding is the time to fully embrace the title of “creative director” - and enjoy every delicious moment of it.
We just love a bright New Year jam-packed with the promise of good things to come - especially for the girl who happened to unwrap one very special, very sparkly gift this holiday season!
To all of our newest brides-to-be, we just can't say it enough: "Congratulations!" You're moving toward a new chapter in your life together, surrounded by the warm glow of joy and excitement even the coldest winter cannot dampen. This is a moment to celebrate - and we're here to make sure you do!
As you settle into your new engagement, you may be asking yourselves, "What's next?" Sure, you have the gist of steps ahead: a white dress to be found, invitations to send, flowers to arrange. Each of these will be important elements of your wedding, of course; but before you tumble down the Pinterest rabbit hole, let's start with the basics.
Our very own Patrick Properties Hospitality Group pros are here to help get the conversation started, with a few first steps for couples to consider:
Timing is everything - When it comes to planning your big day, the first step is to decide when that will be! What time of year do you prefer - spring, summer, winter or fall? Is there a season that makes the most sense for fair weather, travel calendars and yes, even college football schedules? All are important questions that will help determine your flexibility. Be open-minded to dates you might not have initially considered. Remember that many venues offer varying rates depending on peak months, as well as day of the week. Short-term or seasonal promotional discounts also abound. The best part is that Charleston is a top travel destination that’s also easily accessible. Between the scenic beaches, historic downtown attractions and vibrant dining scene, your guests will want to extend their stay to enjoy a long weekend that includes your wedding - allowing you to be more flexible in considering a Friday or Sunday date.
Location, location, location - Now that you have a few dates in mind, the next step is to find the ideal backdrop to your wedding and reception. Acting fast is key here, especially in top wedding destinations like Charleston, where venues are booked between 14 - 18 months in advance! Start with your unique couple style: are you more comfortable outside or indoors, traditional or more relaxed, coastal or rustic? As you look for a venue, be sure not to forget about the ceremony location, as many churches book just as quickly as the venues themselves. Our historic Charleston wedding venues offer scenic locations for ceremony and reception hand-in-hand.
Look who's coming to dinner - You got it: the guest list. Get a jump on putting together your list of attendees early, as guest count can determine the size of your wedding + reception venue. Be sure that the venue is versatile enough to accomodate a slight increase or drop in attendance, since final guest count is likely to fluctuate in the months leading up to your wedding. As a venue, we also provide you with a good idea of budget and are willing to work with you on sample proposals.
Plan with impeccable taste - Food and beverage is one of the highest-price ticket items of your wedding and arguably the most difficult to coordinate. It is also the one component your guests are most likely to remember. When inquiring with potential venues, ask about a preferred vendor list or if the properties work with an exclusive caterer. Ideally, your venue will have an exclusive caterer already in place so that the menu is already taken care of and automatically scheduled when you book. Our in-house Chef and food + beverage team save couples hours of time and stress with the convenience of personalized menu planning, dedicated tastings and the assurance of restaurant quality cuisine and exceptional service. Your venue should be just as accommodating to provide you with sample proposals and recommendations on local vendors.
Enter the wedding coordinator - Once the date is set and your venue is booked, it's time to hire a professional wedding planner. Whether recommended by your venue or available as an in-house service, your coordinator is the point-of-contact to arrange and secure the best rates for all other vendors - from florists and musicians to local transportation. The hardest part - nailing down the venue, food and beverage - is over. From here on out, you can relax knowing the details are in your planner's capable hands. Ask about our in-house planning services!
Throughout this process, keep your eye on the big picture: your wedding is about celebrating the first day of your new life together, surrounded by the friends and family who love you most! Don't be overwhelmed in the details. Instead, have fun and enjoy every step of the way! The right vendors will provide peace of mind so you don’t lose sight of the entire reason for the day.
Photography by Diana Deaver Weddings; Riverland Studios; Jen Fariello; & Brian Mullins Photography.
"Neighbors helping neighbors. That’s the mentality of Patrick Properties Hospitality Group." -- The Post and Courier Newspaper
Our historic wedding and event venues are nestled in the heart of flourishing communnities here in Downtown Charleston - one of the many reasons Patrick Properties Hospitality Group is passionate about giving back to our neighbors. We're honored to be surrounded by the friends, families and fellow businesses that share our vision for preserving these special places, and in return, make it our business to support them!
This commitment is never so rewarding than in service to local organizations like the Florence Crittenton Home. Located just three short blocks from Lowndes Grove Plantation in the thriving neighborhood of Wagener Terrace, this non-profit organization offers a safe, supportive environment for pregnant young women and parenting mothers in need. Through counseling, education, medical care and social support, Florence Crittenton has helped these women become self-sufficient, responsible mothers - ensuring their little ones grow up happy, healthy, safe and loved - for more than a century.
With days before Christmas, PPHG invited these young women to share some holiday cheer with a special evening in their honor on the grounds of Lowndes Grove Plantation. They were welcomed with hot chocolate and freshly baked cookies, and as CEO Randall Goldman explained, were given free reign to explore and kick back on their own terms. Little did they know we also had arranged a few surprise treats!
Our good friends and Charleston photographers amelia + dan dedicated their talents behind the camera lens to take individual portraits set against a twilight backdrop of live oak trees and the Ashley River. Each photograph would be delivered to the Florence Crittenton Home as a framed keepsake, thanks to Duncan-Parnell Printing Group. The girls even found their own gifts waiting for them among the Christmas tree branches!
Spending time with these ladies at Lowndes Grove was very much our privilege, and we could not be more grateful to our fellow partners. Special thanks especially to Jade McDuffie of The Post and Courier, who highlighted the important work of Florence Crittenton Home as a follow up to the evening in her feature article, "Florence Crittenton residents celebrate holiday at Lowndes Grove."
These are the moments that matter.
‘Tis the season friends! We just love this time of year and the festive spirit that goes along with it. Maybe it’s all the twinkling lights and tinsel, but as friends and loved ones gather, there’s one thing we know here at Patrick Properties Hospitality Group: it’s time to celebrate!
One must for every holiday fête is a round of good spirits – preferably of the shaken and stirred variety. We’ll gladly toast traditional favorites like frothy egg nog, spiced cider or hot cocoa with a twist, and wintery cocktails are oh-so-jolly. But to put the real dazzle on this Christmas season, nothing beats those sparkling bubbles.
Share holiday cheers with three of our all-time favorite ways to glitz up a glass of champagne – toasted by our very own event experts from PPHG’s historic Charleston, SC wedding venues.
An Old-Fashioned Affair: We love the elegant look of wide-brimmed, vintage champagne coupes. Pair them with sprigs of evergreen, or fresh herbs like rosemary or lavender.
Modern Merry + Bright: Liven up your flute with jewel-tone hues by swapping champagne for pink rosè and top with fresh, red raspberries.
And our very favorite…
Golden Glam: Break out the sparklers and ring in the New Year with a glass of bubbles rimmed in metallic sugar crystals. One of our stylish couples dreamed up this signature spin on a French 75 mix of champagne and gin. There’s just no way we’ll be waiting until midnight to try it!
A very special "cheers" to: Easton Events, Marni Rothschild Pictures and Leigh Webber Photography.