Last night was the big opening party that Stems and Leigh Webber Photography held at our new space on the corner of Coming and Cannon Streets. (Technically, Stems is at 208 Coming and Leigh Webber Photography is at 41 Cannon Street, but we share the same building.)

Both of us were very excited and a totally astounded at the number of people who turned out on a January night! There were lots of friends from the Charleston wedding industry here along with some of our favorite gals from a few magazines including Skirt!, Charleston Weddings, Garden & Gun and Weddings Unveiled. It was especially great to connect faces with names and take those Twitter and Facebook friendships to the next level. We appreciate everyone coming out in support and to check out the new digs!

Cynthia Groseclose of Canape did the catering for Stems and served up delicious bites such as Bloody Mary Shrimp, Cherry Brandy Mac & Cheese, and Arugula, Fig, Prosciutto & Parmesan crostinis. In addition to catering, Cynthia is also a food stylist and needless to say, everything looked picture perfect.

One of my favorite bakeries, Sugar,  served up the treats in my new studio, sweetening everyone up. Treats included Bite-Sized Cupcakes in a variety of flavors (caramel’s my personal favorite!), Raspberry and Lemon Tarts and the cutest little Linzer cookies. I was the personal taste tester for the party and took it upon myself to taste them all, conclusion: delicious!

If you missed the party, here are a few photos for you. My apologies for not having more action shots during the party, I was too busy enjoying all the guests!

Leigh Webber of Leigh Webber Photography & Anne Bowen of Stems

The details were amazing at Stems. Anne intertwined bunches of pink peonies and red roses that hung among branches wrapped around the pillars.

“Flowers as Art”

Here’s a view of Stems before guests arrived. Canape catering had cute little cones of Gruyere & Thyme Gougeres that were perched like flowers in the green grass, ready for picking.

The Leigh Webber Photography side!

My studio was the “Sweet Side Lounge” with decadent treats from Sugar bakery.

I was too busy chatting with all our great guests to get a chance to take many photos. Needless to say, it was packed.

Last but not least, the picture perfect Bloody Mary Shrimp by Canape

I can’t tell you how excited I am to be in my new space downtown! Besides the fact that it’s minutes from my house, right in the heart of the wedding corridor and a block from both Sugar and Hope and Union, the best part is all the talented women that are starting to congregate here!

As you know, I share the building with Anne Bowen of Stems. In fact, she is responsible for totally renovating the space and turning it into the bright and modern hub bub that it is. In addition to creating gorgeous flower creations, Anne is teaming up with the sassy and stylish ladies of  Southern Protocol and the superbly talented Cynthia Groseclose, chef and owner of the boutique catering company, Canape to teach a range of entertaining classes.

We all got together on Friday, along with a few extras including my friend Jen Bearden of Jennifer Bearden Photography and and the English rose, Louise, to put together a photo shoot of these ladies in action, teaching their classes. I was really honored to be a part of this amazing  group of women and found myself marveling at how we could have a room so full of diverse and creative women, all of whom respect each other and work together amazingly well. One thing you’ll notice about Charleston is how many strong, independent and smart women business owners there are.

Want to see what these classes will be like? Check out the photos below! The schedule of classes is at the bottom of the post.

A vintage Mother’s Day table set up by Southern Protocol

Lizz Ackerman & Sara Hosch of Southern Protocol

How sweet are these vintage photos of Lizz’s family?

Anne Bowen of Stems creating an arrangement for the antique silver.

The ladies in the midst of one of Anne’s flower arranging classes

Anne teaching a class at Stems.

Cynthia Groseclose of Canape will be catering the opening party we are having on Wednesday, January 27th from 4:30-8pm as well as teaching in the upcoming entertaining classes

Here she demonstrates a Southern favorite, pimento cheese. Mmm!

I can’t wait to take these classes and learn more about wine pairing, and following along by sipping and sampling, of course!

Here is a sampling of what they will be offering and  there are more classes to come.

Spring Entertaining, March 24, April 21, 6-7:30pm, $30 per seat

Wedding Seminar, March 20, 6-7:30pm, $45 per seat

Girl’s Night In, May 26, 6-7:30pm, $30 per seat

Southern Entertaining, June 8, 6-7:30pm, $45 per seat

Summer Entertaining, June 16, July 13, 6-7:30pm, $30 per seat

Classes are held at Stems at 208 Coming Street. Price includes wine and food. You can’t beat that!

One of the fun things about sharing my new studio space on Cannon & Coming Streets with Stems is that there are always gorgeous and colorful creations being made before my eyes! I love love love photographing flowers and was thrilled when Anne asked me to photograph flowers for Stems’ new website. (Link coming soon!)

If you have been in Stems, then you know it is filled with light and has a very fresh and modern feel. It has the perfect conditions for photographing her drop dead gorgeous flowers. I had so much fun with these and look forward to taking more photos as the wedding and Valentine’s seasons take off and there are flowers galore.

Now that I’m thinking about it, it only seems appropriate to go ahead and tell you about our opening party! There is a more formal invitation coming soon to all of you on my mailing list, but go ahead and get it on your calendar as we’d love to have you!

The Details:

Opening Party for Leigh Webber Photography & Stems

Wednesday January 27, 2010

4:30-8pm

208 Coming & 41 Cannon Street: (We’re in the same building with two different addresses. It’s on the corner of Coming and Cannon Streets)

Feel free to drop by for a drink and a nibble!