Getaway Gurus

Spring 2018

WRITER CREDIT:

PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT:

Getaway Gurus | These Charleston-based women are to bachelorette weekends what planners are to your Big Day

Charleston Wedding Charleston Harbor pop the bubbly events bachelorette bachelorette weekends wedding wedding week budget weddings Co Parties Social

It’s no secret to anyone walking down King Street on any given weekend night that Charleston ranks at the top of many a bachelorette destination list. But what does a bride—and her tribe—do when they want to see the Holy City but don’t quite know how to where to start, beyond bar crawls, that is? That’s where Randi Kay Nuorala of Kay & Co (231/622-1185) and Betsey Lupton of Pop the Bubbly Events come in.

Here's how it works: The planners—both of whom can plan for bachelor or bachelorette weekends—compile an itinerary of activities that specifically suit your crew’s wants from yoga on the beach or atop a paddleboard to flower-crown making classes, sunset cocktail cruises through the Charleston Harbor (or mixology tours downtown), and so much more.

Kay & Co came about a little more than a year ago when several of Randi’s friends got engaged and she saw how much planning went into their actual weddings yet how that same organized energy was lacking from their bachelorette parties. After helping a few pals plan their girlfriend getaways (and ancillary wedding weekend activities for guests, grooms and groomsmen, and bridal parties, too), Randi carved out her niche. Business, says the Michigan native with degrees in social policy and apparel design from Michigan State University, is hopping, and to date, she’s worked with some 25 clients.

For a complete menu of each groups' offerings, from à la carte happenings to multi-day packages, visit their sites. Sounds like it’s time your MOH knows about these gals—pronto.

Work It, Woman

Fill out a questionnaire on Kay & Co’s site and owner Randi generates a custom itinerary to suit your needs—and your budget. Book her as your bachelorette weekend planner and she kicks things off by sending out save-the-dates, detailed schedules, and pre-party goodie boxes.

Images courtesy of (picnic) by Kate Dye Photography; & (Randi) Sirena Singleton of Aneris Photography

The Wedding Row

August 12 2019

Amanda & Joey | The Creek Club at I’On

We love it when Charleston is the backdrop for a budding romance, and we love it even more when a couple who started here returns for their “I do’s.” So it went with Amanda and Joey, who both...

August 12 2019

Erin & Matthew | Lowndes Grove Plantation

When a gal can name how many days she’s dated her beau (“One thousand and nine, but who’s counting?” laughs Erin), you know she’s ready for him to put a ring on it. When Matthew obliged, he and his...

August 8 2019

Meghan & Justin | The Governor Thomas Bennett House

Sometimes it’s just so better said coming straight from the bride, so away we go into hearing it all from Houstin, Texas, resident Megan… (besides, we’re pretty sure we couldn’t get away with calling...

August 8 2019

Laura & Bryan | Lowndes Grove Plantation

We’re sure that Laura and Brian wanted their wedding day at Lowndes Grove Plantation to go on forever, because, duh, but we have to say we want it to, too! Why, now? Take a look at their insanely...

August 7 2019

Alicia & Walker | The William Aiken House

Leave it to a couple from Texas to make a big splash of a wedding here in Charleston. Not only did Alicia and Walker pick an iconic mansion, the William Aiken House, for their reception, but they...

August 6 2019

Taryn & Michael | Boone Hall Plantation

“For months before the wedding,” says Mike, “Taryn would say, ‘Just wait! You won’t believe how amazing this day is going to be.’ ”And amazing it was. From the perfectly planned pink palette to the...

July 31 2019

July Instagram Roundup

August is just around the corner (like tomorrow, oh-em-gee) and school is about to be back in session. Do we hear all of those moms emitting a sigh of relief? To celebrate the end of this dreadfully...

July 30 2019

Kelly & Will | Engagement Session

Kelly and Will met in an elementary school in 2013 … not while they were attending, of course, but while they were both teaching in Cleveland, Mississippi, for Teach for America Corps. Every...

Feature

Modern Sophisticate

Melissa Barton of A Charleston Bride shows how easy creating an elegant setting can be when you stay neutral

Feature

Sunset Hues

Ashley Meek & Chris Dorsey July 24, 2010, St. John the Baptist & Lowndes Grove Plantation

Feature

Local Color

What do you do when you work with weddings and suddenly it’s your turn? Celebrate amidst a sea of wonderful color in Charleston

Feature

Cool Thinking

A Florida pair's florabundant summer wedding marries an outdoor garden-party feel with the cool comforts of an indoor venue

Feature

Party With Your Pooch?

Include your puppy in your Big Day with tips from Dog Tired and this wedding photographer

Feature

Kit & Caboodle

Put together your own bag of tricks for day-of emergencies.

Feature

Subtle Sophisticate

Laura Phillips & Jack Murphy, May 19, 2012, Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church & The William Aiken House

Feature

Down-to-Earth

Lee Deas & Dave Brown, April 16, 2011, Sugah Cain Plantation

Feature

Love & Charleston

A historic Broad Street home was transformed into a floral-filled oasis for this couple’s springtime soirée

Feature

Storybook Romance

Following an oh-so sweet courtship, this Brooklyn pair heads south to wed along the banks of the Ashley River

Feature

The Power of Flowers

Megan McNally & Michael Spillars; October 18, 2008, Charleston’s French Huguenot Church & the Francis Marion Hotel

Feature

Dessert Bar None

Baked confectioners and Sideshow Press stationers accent a smorgasbord of sweet treats with fancy cupcakes, hot cocoa favors, and stenciled brownies

Feature

Rose Parade

Garden style takes over this stunning Big Day at Boone Hall Plantation

Feature

Top of the Class

Fresh flowers take over a country club venue for an A-plus garden party

Feature

Graphic Design

Ashley Reid and John Martin, October 15, 2011, Kensington Plantation

Feature

A Laid-Back Kind of Love

A low-key couple swap vows amid smiles galore on the banks of Hobcaw Creek

Feature

Fabulous Outdoor Fêtes - Flight of Fancy

Head to the garden for a shower styled with whimsy in spades

Feature

Clubbin' Downtown

A classic Charleston wedding on Church Street with a parade and party at the yacht club shares a bevy of clean, crisp ideas

Feature

One of a Kind

When a California-born banker and a Minnesota dairy farmer turned fighter pilot trade vows, they make it one for the books

Feature

Marriage Advice

New venues and the latest resources for Lowcountry brides

Getaway Gurus

The Wedding Row

RELATED ARTICLES

Popular Tags

Search form

Getaway Gurus

The Wedding Row

RELATED ARTICLES

Popular Tags