The Hidden Costs of a DIY Wedding

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Jenny Williams Photography and Professional Party Rentals

We totally understand why couples might consider a DIY wedding. Budgets matter, personal touches are special, and sometimes doing it yourself feels like the only option. But after hosting countless wedding weekends, we’ve seen how a DIY approach can take away from the one thing you deserve the most, your full wedding experience.

Your wedding weekend should feel slow and meaningful — a chance to soak in the little moments with the people you love. When you’re in charge of everything, it becomes impossible to be present. We've watched couples spend precious hours troubleshooting instead of laughing with friends, relaxing, or simply enjoying being engaged for the last time.

Even with the best checklists, DIY weddings come with a level of pressure that most couples don’t expect. Something always runs behind. It may sound manageable in the planning phase, but once wedding week arrives, the list grows longer and longer. Something always needs to be adjusted. Decor to assemble, signs to place, flowers to arrange, candles to set out, linens to steam — and that’s all usually within 24 hours of your wedding day. Those last-minute tasks have a way of multiplying, and couples often find themselves working instead of celebrating. Even handing the tasks off to the wedding party or to family can be stressful. The Ranch has so many unique amenities that can’t be fully experienced by the couple or the wedding party when there are so many little things to get done.

While our coordinators are amazing at what they do, they’re not meant to be a catch-all vendor. This can create stress for everyone involved — and responsibilities that really should be handled by professionals who are prepared for them. With years of experience in the business, we have cultivated a list of vendor partners who fit every need and most budgets. Every wedding day will have a small hiccup, and our coordinators are great at smoothing it all out, but they can’t do that if they are also finishing last-minute DIY items. When you bring in experienced vendors, you’re not just paying for services — you’re paying for peace of mind. Professionals know what needs to be done, how long it takes, what could go wrong, and how to fix it without you ever knowing. They protect your weekend, your memories, and your ability to stay in the moment.

At the end of the day, DIY can be beautiful — but it can also be overwhelming. Your wedding only happens once, and shouldn’t be everything you deserve and imagined? Let the professionals handle the work so you can truly experience it.

Where the Magic Begins: A Peek Inside Our Bridal Suite

One of my favorite spots to work is on the front porch of our Bridal Suite. The light peaks through the trees beautifully and offers a gorgeous view of the rest of the ranch. It is absolutely beautiful and one of the best spots on the ranch.

There’s just something magical about the morning of your wedding day. The excitement, the laughter, the happy tears — and at South Wind Ranch, our Bridal Suite is the perfect place to soak it all in before saying “I do.” Tucked away on the property, the Bridal Suite is your own little fairytale hideaway. Picture this: soft natural light streaming through the windows, your favorite playlist going in the background, and your girls gathered around while getting glammed up. It’s cozy, charming, and designed to make those pre-ceremony hours feel calm, joyful, and oh-so-special.

Inside, you’ll find everything you need to make the morning completely stress-free - from a full-length mirror and cozy seating areas to hair-and-makeup stations with light-up mirrors and plenty of counter space. Our suite also features three beautiful bedrooms - perfect for your whole bridal party to stay overnight when you book a two-day wedding - plus a spacious living area and a full kitchen. It’s just steps away from the chapel and barn, but tucked back enough to ensure nosy grooms don’t sneak a glimpse.

The Bridal Suite isn’t just a place to get ready — it’s where some of your favorite wedding memories begin. It’s where you’ll zip up your dress, share those heartfelt moments with your mom and bridesmaids, and maybe even sneak a few quiet minutes to take it all in before walking down the aisle.

Whenever a couple shares their sneak peeks with us, I am always in awe of how our brides and photographers use the space. Some of my favorite photos taken in our Bridal Suite are the photos of our beautiful brides getting ready with the people who are special to them.

So whether you’re laughing over inside jokes, popping a little bubbly, or just soaking up the excitement, the Bridal Cottage at South Wind Ranch is the spot to start your forever.

Meet Ashley Black: South Wind's Lead Wedding Coordinator

Ashley Black, Lead Wedding Coordinator, and her family, pictured from left to right: Claiborne (husband), Clay (son), Ashley, Lauren (youngest daughter), Piper (oldest daughter).

Ashley Black has been a Wedding Coordinator at South Wind Ranch since December 2018. She has planned and coordinated numerous rehearsal dinners, ceremonies, and receptions in her two years at SWR. We love having Ashley on the SWR Team because she brings so much creativity and passion to the table, and goes above and beyond for our brides and grooms.

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What made you want to become a wedding planner?

I have always loved creating a theme, decorating, and throwing a good party, so when I came across  South Wind Ranch on Instagram and noticed that they were hiring I squealed with delight and applied immediately! 

How long have you been at South Wind Ranch and what do you love about planning weddings at South Wind Ranch?

I have been with the ranch since December of 2018, so pretty much since the beginning. What’s not to love about the ranch?!  I love planning weddings at the ranch because:  

1. The beauty of the property reminds me of God's presence and handy work on a daily basis.

2.  Our team is unique and fun to work with. 

3. The team of vendors that we have built business relationships with are invaluable.

4. Our couples, each one brings their own story and vision to the ranch and it’s fun for me to work with them to make that vision come to life. 

What does your schedule look like on the day of a wedding? 

Organized chaos! I’m sort of a perfectionist so I like for things to be perfect. I often work right down to the wire fluffing things and making sure all the details that the couple wanted are in place. That’s normal though right?! 

In your opinion, is the planning process or the day of process more stressful? 

The day of process is definitely more stressful for me. I love it, but my OCD kicks in and kicks up the stress level a notch or two. 

What would your advice be for someone that is looking to get into the wedding planning industry?

Do it! It’s fun to be a small part of someone’s happily ever after. I have gained some really great connections in the business, made several new friends, cried with the mamas, cheered with the dads, danced with the brides, and witnessed so much love over the last two years! I wouldn’t take a minute of it back for the world even though I can't walk for at least two days after each wedding! 

A Look into Rachel & Jamison's Special Day

Rachel and Jamison got married last summer at Grace & Peace Presbyterian Church and held the reception here at South Wind Ranch. It was a beautiful night of celebration and we are glad that we were able to be a part of their big day.

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When was your wedding?

July 27, 2019

What made you pick South Wind Ranch?

South Wind Ranch was the perfect balance between quaint and elegant. The spacious, open barn provided enough coverage that we didn’t have to worry about guests if it were to rain. The beautiful property gave us the assurance that our guests would get a feel for the Appalachian foothills which Jamison and I came to know as home. 

What was your favorite moment or memory from your wedding day?

Jamison and I had the most amazing, private dinner on top of the hill overlooking the venue. We could wave to our guests as they arrived from the ceremony while having alone time to process the significance of the day.

What was your wedding day like? How did you feel?

The day itself was filled with a feeling of palpable joy and delight! To be surrounded by loved ones all together celebrating such a momentous life milestone is a surreal feeling I find difficult to explain in words.

What inspired your wedding decor?

I would be lying if I didn’t say that years of Pinterest board pinning weren’t involved! However, the feeling I was going for was naturalistic meets rustic meets elegant.

Who did the catering, flowers, bridesmaid dresses, and bridal gown? 

Catering: Chef 360

Flowers: Carmen Gonzalez (the mom of one of my bridesmaids)

Bridal Gown: Cici’s Boutique in Tampa

What was the biggest challenge you faced during the wedding planning process?

We were lucky in the planning process to not face anything too dramatically difficult. My mom deserves a lot of props for this! She planned the tough logistics to a tee and let me in for all of the fun decisions. 

What was it like to have the Oscar Myer weinermobile drive you to your reception?

Truly, truly I have never experienced anything quite like driving up Poinsett highway in the weinermobile! First people would double take because it is the weinermobile and then they would triple take because they saw a bride and a groom in the window! It made the day even more special and celebratory.

Elopement Packages Now Available!

Micro-weddings are all the rage due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and we here at South Wind Ranch want to provide you with every opportunity for you to have your special day without compromise. Do consider our new, inclusive, and affordable Elopement Packages. We look forward to starting your “forever” here at The Ranch.

Please contact us ASAP for availability- we are selling out fast!

Fall for South Wind Ranch

A recap on our Fall 2020 Styled Shoot.

Fall is simply the dreamiest time of year, or at least we here at South Wind Ranch think so. Crisp air, mountain sunsets, and allll the fall colors have gotten us excited for our fall weddings this season. Recently, we did a styled shoot to show all of you just how beautiful SWR is. It’s not too hard to imagine South Wind Ranch as the perfect location for your dream wedding.

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The Vendors.

We showcased some of our premier partnered vendors in this season’s shoot. We believe good relationships are the key to good business.

The Florals.

Florist | Judith Witthoeft of Special Events by Design

Whether you want a small elopement bouquet or large floral installations, Judith has you covered. She knows exactly how to execute your vision. Meticulously detail-oriented, Judith will have every little petal in place. Plus, she is simply a joy to work with.

The Photos.

Emma League | Emma League Photo

Emma has natural-born talent of making everyone she was photographing feel comfortable. Her easy-going nature makes her the perfect photographer to capture your special day. And her work— I mean, look at it! It’s phenomenal.

The Cake.

Bakery | Carter Confectionaries

Simplistically designed and tasty, you can’t go wrong with Carter Confectionaries.

The Luxury Picnic.

Designer | Julieta Events

In times of social distancing, intimate gatherings have never been more sought after, and Julieta Events is the perfect vendor to optimize. Her luxuriously designed picnics are the perfect backdrop for bridal portraits, engagement parties, anniversary dinners, etc.

The Venue.

Venue | South Wind Ranch

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the beautiful backdrop of iconic South Wind Ranch. We’ve got 33 acres of natural beauty: a stunning view of the Blue Ridge Mountains and a glistening lake included. We’ve kept it natural for a reason: we believe our brides should choose how to design the wedding of their dreams, and utilizing the natural beauty The Ranch provides is the perfect Step 1.

Special Thanks

Wedding Coordinator | Ashley Black

Wedding Coordinator | Abby Leauge

Designer | Eleanore Ham

Assistant Wedding Coordinator | Jackie Faustin

Assistant Wedding Coordinator | Melisa Nordmeyer

Wedding Structure | Green the Grain

Young Love

Carly and Danyon are the sweet couple that tied the knot on Sunday, June 28th, 2020. They’re one of the youngest couples to have been married here at South Wind Ranch. When they were 16 Danyon joined Carly’s high school cross country team and I guess you could say the rest is history! From a young age, the couple had already been through a lot together, especially with the passing of Carly’s mother due to cancer. Their growth together insured their future and proved their love was a forever thing. About a year after Danyon took Carly to look at rings for fun, he decided it was time to pop the question. After a full day of doing Carly’s favorite things, Danyon said he wanted to show her a beautiful spot that overlooks the mountains before they went to dinner. It was there that he asked her to be his wife and she of course accepted!

When asked why they chose South Wind Ranch Carly said what most brides say, “I chose SWR because of the beautiful scenery. The ranch was so peaceful and quiet. It seemed to just fit my style”. She also loved how convenient it was to have everything at the same location.

Carly couldn’t thank Ashley and Ron enough for all of their help. She was so happy with how the day flowed so effortlessly and came together so beautifully. We asked her if there was anything she would like to add about her experience with South Wind Ranch and her response was, “This place is such a beautiful experience. The best part of it is that once you are married here you become a part of the ranch. You can come back anytime to take photos or visit! This easily was the most fun I have had. The best day ever!”

Carly and Danyon, we’re so happy that we could be a part of making your special day exactly what you wanted. We wish you the best and once again congratulate you both!

Neci Harris
Furman University
SWR Summer 2020 Intern

Photography by https://kapturesko.com/