Photographers

Celebrating the love you two found for forever can be emotional and overwhelming in all the best, unforgettable ways, but it's the photo albums that will keep you remembering it like it was yesterday. A good photographer is critical to eternalizing your special day and for being able to share it with loved ones who were unable to make it and future family members who hadn't come along yet. Check out some local wedding photographers featured here.

Amanda Rae Photography www.Amandaraephotography.com

Brittany Briley Photography www.bbriley.mypixieset.com

Chappell’s Video & Photography www.chappellsvp.com

Elevate Light www.elevatelight.com

Jess Sonderman Photography www.jointhisjoyride.com

Julie Lee Photography LLC www.julieleephotographysc.com

Laurel & Oak Photography www.laurelandoakphotography.shootproof.com

Leah Daugherty Photography www.leahdaughertyphotography.com

Limelite Photography www.mrbrent.com

Lindsey Overby Photography www.facebook.com/lindseyoverbyphotography

Megan Manus www.meganmanusphoto.com

Memories in a Shutter Photography www.memoriesinashutter.wixsite.com/photography

Rebecca Koenig www.rkphotographysc.com

Sam Levy & Sons www.samlevysonsphotography.com/gallery

STAR5Photography www.facebook.com/star5photo/about www.LetsPartySC.com 584 Bultman Drive - Unit #1 • 803-774-7444 Mon., Tue. & Sat. 10am-3pm • Wed. - Fri. 10am-6 p.m.

We are your one-stop shop for all of your event and wedding needs. We are accredited event designers offering complete event design, coordinating and elegant draping services. We also have one of the largest selections of event rentals, tents, tables, chairs and so much more!

Let’s turn your dream wedding into reality!

At 120 E. Liberty St. in Sumter sits The O’ Donnell House. With its large white pillars and intricate designs along its exterior, your eyes can’t help but linger on its architecture. But what lies inside are the sweet smells of its in-house catering service, Christi & Co. Catery. If you’re looking for a caterer for your special day this year, take a few minutes to get to know five things about Christi & Co. Catery.

1. OVER A DECADE OF SERVICE

Not long after The O’ Donnell House opened its doors in December 2009, a multitude of caterers came through its doors. According to Becky Nettles, sales manager and event coordinator for the catery, “most were mediocre and really did not respect the property as I would have liked.” However, the handful deemed “excellent” led Wanda Hunter to establish a catering service of her own.

The kitchen was completed at The O’Donnell House in 2010, and Christi & Co. was established that same year — the business being named after Hunter’s oldest daughter, Christi, who always had a love for cooking. For nearly 12 years, Hunter and Nettles have worked as full time employees. Alongside the duo are 25 part-time employees who help on an as need basis in various duties from chef to waitstaff. This team has worked to provided catering services to approximately 300 wedding receptions, averaging 30 receptions per year. The catery offers its services at weddings and events at The O’Donnell House and off-site.

Outside of catering to couples joined in holy matrimony, Christi & Co. has catered to more than 1,000 events, including rehearsal dinners, birthday and anniversary celebrations, meetings, galas s and numerous other special occasions. Whether it's 40 guests or 450 guests — which was the catery’s largest event to date - any event will feel both intimate and grand.

2. WHAT’S ON THE MENU?

When booking Christi & Co, be aware that there are over 100 items on its catering menu — with each option sounding better as you browse. The menu is grouped into sections to make it easy for clients to make their choices. Another great thing about the menu is that anything can be customized to fit what the client wants, Nettles said.

Out of the variety of items offered, Nettles said their most popular dish is the Lowcountry Shrimp & Creamy Grits — described as Grits topped with andouille sausage etouffee. A close second is the homemade and individually rolled Asian beef spring rolls. A crowd favorite specialty item offered by the catery is its gnocchi, a traditional type of Italian pasta that is known to be served with a variety of options for sauces.

Christi & Co. does offer menu tastings for clients to get a taste of what’s to come for their special day. If one is not scheduled prior to your day, the catery works with clients to ensure they're able to taste the items they’re interested in. Clients need to inform the catery of any allergies that they are concerned with, and Christi & Co. will make sure to exclude those ingredients.that they are concerned about.

As far as preparing and cooking the chosen items, the majority of the prep is done the day before the wedding. In order to ensure freshness, all items are cooked on the day of the wedding.

3. DINNER IS SERVED

With so much about the menu, another question posed to clients is whether a buffet or plated meal best fits your special day. Regardless of what you choose, Christi & Co. can provide will make it mouthwatering and elegant.

“We do offer buffet and/or sit-down plated dinner service in addition to reception style events. All of the above are just as important as the other depending on the atmosphere of the event the client is wanting,” Nettles said. “There is not one that is better than the other.”

Packages are offered for reception, buffets and plated dinners. The packages also include serving products, beverages and desserts. Reception style packages start at $20 per person, buffet style packages start at $25 per person, and plated dinners start at $32 per person.

4. STYLE AND SERVICE

When it comes to the style of your dishware or the efficiency of your food service, Christi and Co. has got you covered.

All events booked with Christi & Co., whether at The O’ Donnell or off-site, have servers for set up, maintaining and clean-up.

When it comes dishware, a variety of choices are offered from disposable to the Co.’s own fine china — all of which is included in the package prices. A couple options also involve specialty China that has been used for several years at a variety of events. What happens if a package doesn’t have the dishware you want? No fear, as “it can always be customized,” Nettles said.

5. BOOKING WITH CHRISTI & CO. CATERY

With her years of experience, Nettles has learned that the sooner a client knows what they want, the sooner they should book.

Once a budget is determined, clients will be able to decide if they need to limit their number of guests. Yet, the catery is always willing to work with clients if they do not want to limit their guest count by looking at other packages suitable for their budget and the number of guests and find a way to fit their favorites on their specialized menu.

For weddings and special events, clients should book their caterers as soon as they have a date and location. Though the catery does take last minute appointments, it also depends on availability.

What sets Christi & Co. apart from other catering services is its “fine catering operation,” Nettles said.

“The selections and quality of food stand above most local caterers. Not to mention, the excellent service we provide. In addition, ours provide "classic" style catering equipment including Premium Eastern Tabletop Chafers, sterling silver trays, utensils and more that rival the finest caterers in the area,” Nettles said. “Although we are primarily known as the catering company for The O’Donnell House, not many people know that we offer catering off-site that has a wide range of menu items that you could choose from. We can be contacted for any type of event or celebration.”

If you know you want to book with Christi & Co. Catery, call (803) 774-0088 or email Nettles at becky@theodonnellhouse.com to learn more .

Bakers Sweets

1089 Alice Drive, Sumter, SC 29150 www.bakerssweets.com/contact

Catering For All Occasions

505 Sunset Drive, Manning, SC 29102 www.facebook.com/CateringForAllSC/

Christi & Co

120 E. Liberty St., Sumter, SC 29150 www.facebook.com/christiandcocatery

D&H Bar B Que

412 S. Mill St., Manning, SC, SC 29102 www.facebook.com/ dandhbarbquemanning/

Hamptons

33 N. Main St., Sumter, SC 29150 www.hamptonsfoods.com

Jeffrey Lampkin Country Boy Kitchen

5642 Broad St., Sumter, SC 29154 www.thelordssoulfood.com

Lucy's Traditional Southern Bakehouse

5 W. Boyce St., Manning, SC 29102 www.facebook.com/

LucysTraditionalSouthernBakehouse

New Beginning Catering Service

1335 Peach Orchard Road, Sumter, SC 29154

(803) 494-2109

Serendipity

2320 4 Bridges Road, Sumter, SC 29153 www.serendipitycaterers.com

Sisters’ Catering

109 Broad St. # B, Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 236-4842

Tasteful Kreations www.facebook.com/ tastefulkreationscatering

Triple Bs Big Bad Bobs BBQ www.facebook.com/BigBadBobsBBQ