The in-house caterer here at The Summer House is Sweetwater Grill & Cafe, which is located just across the street.  All three Sweetwater locations here in the Lowcountry are locally owned and operated by the owners of The Summer House.

Well known in the community for excellent, finest-quality foods at wallet-pleasing prices, each menu item is the freshest available and not pre-made.  That means whether you are dining at the restaurant or here at The Summer House, you can rest assured that your choices are being prepared just for you.

If your celebration is smaller and more intimate (fewer than 40 guests), be sure to consider the Private Dining Room at our Summerville location.  Your guests can order individually from the menu or you can create a mini menu from which they will make their selections. 

Call Charmaine at 843.832.8360 to discuss your event needs.  Whether you celebrate at The Summer House or in the Private Dining Room at Sweetwater Grill & Cafe in Summerville, your guests will be pleased, satisified, and appreciative that they were on your guest list!

 www.summerhousesc.com or www.sweetwatersc.com

Sweetwater in Summerville:  843.821.9101

Sweetwater in Downtown Charleston:  843.723.7121

Sweetwater on James Island:  843.762.2622

Plan a gracious exit

Up until your moment of departure, this day is about you.  Many of your guests may feel it’s inconsiderate to leave before you do.  As your reception winds to a close, don’t make it uncomfortable for your guests to depart.  Be sure to leave early enough so that a large group of family and friends can send you off.  Your bridemaid(s), sister, or a close family friend will gather your gifts and take them to their destination.  We'll all make sure Aunt Jenny finds her shoes and Cousin Billy has a ride home. 

After all, don't you have somewhere important to be?!

Limit those post-ceremony photos

You probably won't notice how long it's taking for the post-ceremony photographs, but (trust us) your guests will.  Create a list of those essential photos that can be taken in 30 or 45 minutes (tops!).

Another suggestion is to take portraits before the ceremony. This trend is growing in popularity and gets you to your own party sooner! You can take the pictures with your family, and the groom with his, then take only the combined photos after the reception.