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Dear Readers, A wedding may have one main event, but the celebration often begins long before the ceremony and continues well after the last dance. From welcoming out-of-town guests to gathering for one final brunch, wedding weekend events give couples more opportunities to spend meaningful time with the people they love. They also give guests a chance to experience more of Charleston, your story and, of course, incredible food. Sometimes called wedding weekend shoulder events, these gatherings surround the wedding ceremony and reception. They can include a welcome party, rehearsal dinner, bridal luncheon, getting-ready meals and farewell brunch. But every event doesn’t need to feel like another reception. In fact, it shouldn’t. The best wedding weekends have a natural rhythm, with each gathering serving a different purpose. Here’s how to plan your wedding weekend events and what to serve at each one.   With love,Candice Culbertson, President + Owner,Hamby Catering & Events 1. The Rehearsal Dinner What is a wedding welcome party? A welcome party is a gathering held before the wedding, usually the evening guests arrive. It’s especially popular for destination weddings in Charleston, where many friends and family members may be traveling from out of town. Unlike the

Dear Readers, You’re engaged!  Once the champagne is popped and the news is shared, the next question is usually: Where do we start? Wedding planning comes with a lot of decisions, but you don’t have to make them all at once. Start with the vendors who will shape the biggest pieces of your day and help everything else fall into place. If you’re newly engaged and ready to start planning, these are the first five wedding vendors we recommend booking. 1. Book Your Wedding Planner Whether you’re planning an intimate celebration or a full wedding weekend, a great planner is worth bringing in early. Your planner can help establish a budget, recommend trusted vendors, create a timeline and guide the countless decisions ahead. They also know the Charleston wedding landscape, from venues and rentals to transportation and logistics, making the entire process feel much more manageable. Having your planner in place first also means you have an expert by your side as you begin your venue search. 2. Book Your Wedding Venue Next up: where are we celebrating? Your venue shapes so much of your wedding, from your date and guest count to the overall style of the day. In

Dear Readers, Lowcountry food is warm, welcoming and made for gathering. As Charleston’s most-celebrated caterer, Hamby Catering has spent decades celebrating Southern hospitality through food that feels both familiar and fresh. Timeless. Southern. Inventive. That’s our approach, after all. These five Lowcountry-inspired dishes are curated by Hamby to give guests a true taste of Charleston, with a few signature twists along the way. 1. Creole Shrimp & Grits No list of iconic Charleston dishes would be complete without shrimp and grits. Hamby puts a Creole spin on this Lowcountry classic, pairing creamy grits with richly seasoned shrimp for a dish that brings a little extra flavor and personality to the table. It’s Southern comfort food with a Hamby twist, and a  favorite for Charleston weddings and events. 2. She-Crab Soup She-crab soup is one of Charleston’s most beloved culinary traditions. Our twist? Make it a shooter. These petite portions turn the rich, creamy classic into an elegant cocktail-hour bite, finished with a touch of dry sherry for an extra nod to Charleston tradition. 3. Chicken Bog For the chillier months, there’s nothing quite like chicken bog.  This Lowcountry staple combines chicken, rice and sausage with peppers and onions for a

Dear Readers, This year, Hamby was honored with Best Catered Wedding at the ICA CATIE Awards for a celebration we’ll never forget. Set on a private farm in Aiken, South Carolina, this black-tie wedding brought Michelin-level dining to an open field – rooted in Southern hospitality and unforgettable moments. 128 guests experienced an evening of elegance and joy, from sunset cocktails to late-night pizza on the dance floor. The Setting The wedding took place on the groom’s family farm, a former polo field now home to dressage horses. The couple envisioned an elevated celebration that honored the property’s equestrian heritage. The result: a tented dining experience that felt refined yet deeply connected to the land – luxury layered into the natural landscape. What Guests Ate Cocktail Hour: Passed hors d’oeuvres welcomed guests as the celebration began. Familiar favorites of fried oysters, deviled eggs and shrimp & grit cakes set a warm, celebratory tone while guests mingled over cocktails. Dinner Service: Dinner was a formal, synchronized dual-entrée service featuring filet & salmon. Full wine service and polished table presentation reinforced the black-tie atmosphere. Late Night: As the party shifted gears, the menu did too – enter mini pizzas in custom boxes, chicken

Hamby Catering & Events has received national recognition from the International Caterers Association (ICA), winning Best Catered Wedding at the prestigious Catered Arts Through Innovative Excellence (CATIE) Awards. The award honors the most creative and expertly executed catered events across the country and is widely regarded as one of the catering industry’s highest honors. Hamby earned the award for a wedding experience titled “Black Tie on the Back Forty,” a refined outdoor celebration that transformed a private family farm in Aiken, South Carolina into an elevated black-tie dining experience for 128 guests. The event impressed judges with its thoughtful culinary progression, polished service and ability to seamlessly balance luxury with the natural landscape. “We are incredibly honored to receive this national recognition from the International Caterers Association,”said Candice Culbertson, President and Owner of Hamby Catering & Events. “Our team approaches every event with the goal of creating something truly memorable for guests. This award celebrates the creativity, dedication and craftsmanship our culinary and events teams bring to each experience.” The menu was designed to evolve throughout the evening, beginning with passed hors d’oeuvres inspired by Southern classics, including fried oyster bites, deviled eggs and shrimp & grit cakes. Dinner transitioned

Dear Readers, Not every couple wants a towering tiered cake – and there are plenty of other beautiful routes to take. Whether you’re planning a microwedding, an intimate dinner, or a full-scale celebration, dessert can be just as memorable when it reflects your personal style. Think of these as the sweet nightcap to your big day: fun, elevated, and unmistakably you. Here are five of our favorite wedding dessert options that bring the wow factor (and the flavor).   1. Housemade Pop-Tarts Playful, nostalgic, and unexpectedly chic – housemade pop-tarts are a guaranteed crowd favorite. They’re easy to serve, easy to style, and feel like the perfect little “treat-yourself” moment at the end of the night. 2. Hummingbird Cake A Southern classic that never misses. Hummingbird cake is traditional, rich, and celebration-worthy – with just the right amount of comfort and charm. It’s a great option for couples who want something timeless but not overly formal. 3. Assorted Tartlets Tartlets may be small, but they make a big impression. Flavors like southern pecan pie, key lime, peach tartlet, apple crumble, and seasonal fruit bring nostalgic charm in an elevated, bite-sized form. Even classics like banana pudding and mud pie can