Leah Sent on 07/31/2025

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A Heartfelt Thank You to a Magnificent Wedding Planner, Melanie Murphy, By Invitation Only

When we began planning our daughter’s wedding, we knew we wanted it to be special — but we truly couldn’t have imagined just how magical it would turn out to be. From our very first meeting, Melanie made us feel seen, heard, and completely taken care of.
Every single detail — from the creation of Lauren & Jack’s vision of their day to the last seconds of the evening was crafted with so much thought, care, and love. Melanie has a gift for transforming dreams into reality. She listened to every idea, big or small, and somehow made it even better than we all pictured.
Throughout the entire process, she and the team of vendors were professional, kind, and calm — even when we weren’t! They handled last-minute changes, unexpected hiccups, and all our questions with genuine warmth and reassuring expertise. On the day itself, we didn’t have to worry about a thing. We were able to be fully present and soak in every moment, knowing they were behind the scenes making everything flow perfectly.
Lauren and Jack’s wedding day was more beautiful and meaningful than we ever thought possible. It was representative of them in every detail — and that is all thanks to Melanie and her amazing team. They gave all of us a gift we will cherish for the rest of our lives: a day full of joy, love, laughter, and memories we’ll hold in our hearts forever.
If you’re looking for a wedding planner who will pour their heart into your day and treat it as if it were their own, look no further. We are endlessly grateful — and we cannot recommend the incredibly talented and professional Melanie Murphy enough to make a one of a kind event for your special day🥰.
With love and gratitude,
Leah & Paul Cherney

Margaret Sent on 11/09/2024

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Must Hire!!!!

Melanie Murphy and her team are UNREAL. From the minute I met Melanie, her extensive knowledge, connection to various vendors, and dedication to her clients made her a non-negotiable in my wedding planning process. For nearly 15 months, Melanie made me and my wedding feel like a priority. During this time, we were in constant communication and every morning I looked forward to seeing a new email from her in my inbox. Melanie took my vision and made it into a beautiful event that my friends and family are still raving about. Melanie and her team left no stone unturned. There is not a single thing I would change. I cannot say enough good things about Melanie and her team. Not only does Melanie do an incredible job, but she truly makes you feel like you gained a forever friend. Melanie Murphy and BIO forever!!!!

Olivia Sent on 04/16/2024

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The best of the best!!!

Melanie is beyond exceptional! She fully understands your vision for your special day and makes it come to life! She alleviates the stress of wedding planning, the worry of everything going just as planned, and makes sure you are happy. Melanie takes the time to get to know you as a person, not just a bride! She knows exactly what vendors would fit best for you and your wedding, which is extremely helpful when you are overwhelmed with many options! She helps in setting up planning meetings, such as florist, caterers, cake tastings, and more if needed! Communication with Melanie during the planning process is professional, so easy, and organized! She truly cares about you, your wishes, and gives her heart and soul into each wedding she plans to make sure it's, without a single doubt, absolutely PERFECT! I couldn’t have asked more from her because she thought of everything which made my special day worry and stress free. She was my biggest cheerleader during the wedding planning process and that made it all so much fun! Melanie can also handle the tougher side of planning with all sorts of ideas to keep everyone happy with your wishes as it is your special day. She is such an amazing woman, even better planner, and after this planning process, a lifelong friend! There’s truly no better person you could choose for planning your dream wedding!!!!

Anna Sent on 04/13/2024

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Best Night of our Lives

I would recommend working with By Invitation Only to all future brides!! Melanie and her team help my dreams come true, down to the very last detail. She was extremely professional throughout the entire process and knew when to be stern and get ideas set but also knew when to let me mull on different decisions and give me creative freedom. Everyone asked me why I wasn't stressed on the day of the wedding, and it most definitely was because I knew Melanie would make everything happen and think of a solution to every problem that might come our way. If you also want to be stress-free on your wedding day, Melanie is someone you can absolutely trust!

Aryanna Sent on 09/06/2021

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Your Wedding Fairy God Mother

Hiring Melanie was easily one of the best decisions we made throughout our wedding planning process! She helped us plan an absolutely fabulous and magical wedding in just 4 months, and was really there for us every step of the way. I had a very detailed vision for the day and tons of tiny details, and she flawlessly helped us bring them to life. She's professional, friendly, kind, supportive and so talented at what she does. Her responsiveness and ability to calm my indecisive mind were so helpful and appreciated. If you're looking for a partner who will be with you every step of the way throughout your wedding planning process, you need to hire Melanie. We can't imagine our day without her, and we are so, so grateful for everything she and her team did to make our wedding the best day ever!

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Kathryn Sent on 04/01/2021

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Excellent job and very professional.

Melanie Murphy did an excellent job. My daughters wedding could not have been any more perfect. She took the pressure off me and allowed me to enjoy the day along with spending quality time with my daughter and her guests. Thanks for all you did.

D. Augsburger Sent on 07/22/2020

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Easiest Wedding Ever

Melanie Murphy was efficient, professional, and delivered on every aspect. She was supportive when the wedding was one of the first to be canceled due to COVID, and helped us quickly regroup when it was ultimately decided to downsize the wedding two weeks prior. Her meetings were always timely and planning goals were met. Melanie's business is the real deal and worth every penny.

Amanda Sent on 05/01/2020

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Hire Immediately!

Melanie Murphy and the team at By Invitation Only are masters of wedding planning! My husband and I were planning our wedding from out of state and Melanie made it happen. She was in constant communication with us, keeping us on track and giving advice every step of the way. If we had a question she always had an answer, any problem that arose, no matter how small, had a solution almost instantly. Melanie was completely on top of every detail.

I was extremely daunted by planning a wedding and had no clue all of the little details that go into every aspect so I knew from the start that I wanted a wedding planner, and Melanie was absolutely perfect for us! She worked incredibly well with all of our vendors and kept our stress to a minimum.

On the day of our wedding my husband realized multiple of the guys didn't have a pocket square for their tuxes, he called Melanie and she had it covered. She was our advocate throughout the wedding planning processes and worked with our budget to make the wedding of our dreams.

Our day was absolutely perfect and it was because of all the hard work from Melanie and the rest of the ladies at By Invitation Only.

Michelle Sent on 10/09/2019

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Seamless, detail-oriented, knowledgable planning!

We are so grateful we hired a wedding planner, and are even more thankful we went with By Invitation Only. Melanie was a joy to work with, she put us at ease from the very beginning to the very end, answering all our questions. She made the rehearsal and wedding day so seamless and I can't imagine not hiring her! Highly recommend to anyone planning any event

Frances Sent on 02/01/2019

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Professional and Personal

I had many concerns of how all the details of a wedding reception would be completed. Melanie Murphy is a true professional and will navigate you flawlessly through your entire wedding planning process and wedding day. From our first meeting with Melanie, she listened to our vision for the wedding celebration, outlined the process for us and graciously kept us on task.

Melanie and her team executed our vision to a level that I never imagined while staying within our budget. Melanie’s experience and her extensive inventory are invaluable. Melanie and her team literally transformed a 22,000 square foot venue into a warm and welcoming wedding reception.

Melanie’s attention to detail is incredible. From the soft café lighting to creating a wall with family wedding photos as a backdrop for the guest book table – she takes everything into consideration and her creation is sheer perfection!

With Melanie handling our wedding celebration, it allowed us time to focus on family and friends with us the days before and the day of the wedding. These are memories that I treasure daily!

Lara Sent on 01/19/2019

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Everything We Could Ever Ask For

Melanie and her team did a spectacular job for our New Year's Eve wedding. We chose the Essential Design and Day of Coordinating package because I had already done a lot of the initial meetings by the time we decided to hire a wedding planner. I wish I had asked earlier though because this team really took the stress out of the entire planning process. Melanie was so organized at each of our meetings and helped me think of things that I hadn't even considered. She has an eye for what is going to look great, fit your budget, and fit the style of your wedding. We are so thankful to have found such a great team. I enjoyed our wedding day immensely and I know that had a great deal to do with all of the behind the scenes work that they did. I was able to relax and completely trust them to make sure every detail was perfect!

Jesse Sent on 11/28/2018

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Highly recommend!

Our wedding just wouldn't have been the same without Melanie and her team at BIO. I had been a part of a wedding that had Melanie as the planner and I knew that I had to work with her and BIO. I thought it was going to be tricky planning a wedding while living in Madison, WI, but Melanie was so organized and wasn't phased so I knew it was going to be a a wonderful wedding. She recommended vendors to me and contacted them when needed. She and the BIO team organized/decorated the venue, kept all of the bridesmaids and groomsmen in order (which is no easy feat), and kept everything right on schedule. I could not have asked for a better experience with Melanie and BIO. It was my dream wedding and I cannot thank Melanie and the team at BIO enough! I would highly recommend them to anyone who is looking for a planner.

Carla Sent on 11/17/2018

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Melanie and her team insure your day is PERFECT!

My daughter was getting married in Columbia, SC and she was living in Madison, WI. We both thought this was going to prove to be a challenge.... Boy were we wrong! I truly believe the ease of pulling off the perfect wedding was a result of Melanie and By Invitation Only. Her expertise, her knowledge, her creativity, her willingness and her desire to help you create your perfect day is truly remarkable. And the truly amazing thing is that she does it with such ease. It is second nature to her. She is one of the most organized people I have ever met. She and her staff pulled off the perfect day for my daughter and her new husband. Actually, the perfect day for me as well. It all went so smoothly. And seeing our dreams and ideas become reality......it wouldn't have happened without her.

I really can't thank her enough. I actually miss working with her. I can't imagine...... when we are planning our next wedding, that anyone but Melanie would be helping us plan the perfect day.

Tiffany Sent on 11/16/2018

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Bio is a must!

Our wedding wouldn’t have been what it was without Melanie and her team! BIO kept everything organized for us and never let us get off schedule! Everything fell into place and our wedding night was 110% flawless! I couldn’t imagine doing it without BIO! If you’re on the fence about a planner— DO IT, and CHOOSE BIO!

Elissa Sent on 10/21/2018

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Elissa and Cole's Wedding

The words 'thank you' do not give justice to how much we appreciate all that this amazing team of ladies did for our wedding on January 13, 2018! Everything went smoothly and as planned from the very first meeting to the minute our special day came to an end. We (my husband and I, my parents, sisters, and close friends) have recommended Melanie and By Invitation Only Event Planning & Design to others, and will continue to do so! The wedding planning process can be overwhelming, but they made it enjoyable and memorable. So enjoyable that we want to relive our wedding weekend every weekend! Looking back, we don't know what we would have done without them. They made all of our wedding day dreams come true. They are undoubtedly the best out there! We are eternally grateful for all their hard work and talent!

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Melanie Sent on 10/19/2018

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Wonderful!

Melanie and her team were amazing! They made sure my wedding day was flawless and that everything went perfectly. They truly made it a stress free and fun day! Would highly recommend them to any bride that wants a perfect wedding without the stress!

Marykate Sent on 10/16/2018

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The best ever

Melanie and her team were attentive, assertive and nothing short of professional. They made my day everything I could have ever dreamed of and they were available day and night in the months leading up to my big day. I honestly don't know what we would have done without Melanie and her guidance and expertise. She has seen it all. She has done it all. So you can rest assured that if something happens on your day- she's got it covered.

Melissa Sent on 06/11/2018

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Melanie and her team completely transformed our wedding experience. I could not imagine anything more anyone could want from a wedding planner. Throughout the planning process Melanie is available to offer insight and organizational assistance, she accompanied us on vendor meetings and stepped in at the perfect moments to answer the questions we were obviously clueless about. Leading up to the wedding the most impressive thing about Melanie is that SHE JUST GETS STUFF DONE. She really puts all the work in ahead of time so nothing can go wrong.

Then on the wedding day she's like your ultimate ally- her and her team are so clearly there for us it made the whole experience so, so, so enjoyable. Her assistants were lovely, they brought us food, beer, and water during pictures, and then set up a time for us to eat our dinner up and away from our guests, which was really nice. They were bubbly and smiley the entire night. They were just such a pleasure to have around on such a special night. We cannot express how thankful we are for Melanie and her amazing team.

OH not to mention Melanie goes above and beyond to create the most beautiful venues. I'm the kind of girl who consistently leaves the hair salon unsatisfied because they can never quite get it how I want it, or how I feel I describe it. I walked into our reception STUNNED, everything was exactly how I imagined it in my head, and sometimes better. She just incorporates all the little details to pull everything together and create a seriously magical night.

Erin Sent on 04/19/2018

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Melanie and her team are so amazing! We have gotten so many compliments on how much fun and how beautiful our wedding was. Melanie literally took all of my ideas and turned them into a reality. My family and I had nothing to worry about on my wedding day. Melanie and her team took care of everything (communicating with the other vendors, decorating, keeping the families and bridal party under control, making sure everyone was in the right place at the right time). A wedding can be stressful no matter what. The month and more specifically week leading up to our wedding, my husband and I were have problems in our rental house (completely unrelated to wedding stuff). It would have been overwhelmingly stressful no matter what, but having the wedding added to everything I thought my head was going to explode. Melanie helped me so much there’s no way I could have gotten through everything without her. The week before the wedding Melanie helped me tie up all loose ends with the wedding and I was able to focus on getting the situation with my house fixed before our families arrived for the wedding. On our wedding day I had nothing at all to worry about. I’ll never forget arriving to the venue from the salon and seeing everything put together exactly how I had imagined it (like my Pinterest pages came to life). It literally took my breath away. My best friend referred Melanie to me. I have also been to several weddings that Melanie and her team have designed and planned. Each wedding was absolutely beautiful and different from the other. She’s able to match her design to each brides’ different personality and ideas. The best part about all of her weddings that I have attended is they have not only been breathtakingly beautiful but an absolute blast! She’s a necessity if you are getting married and need a planner. You won’t regret it!

Brittany Sent on 08/04/2017

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Where to begin - when I got engaged I was immediately overwhelmed with the process of planning a wedding. After our first meeting with Melanie I knew we were in great hands! She brought all of my wedding ideas and dreams to life, and then some! Her creativity is beyond amazing - she and her team made everything come together seamlessly. Not having to worry about a thing the day of my wedding was such a blessing! Beyond that, her professionalism and ability to be on top of everything from start to finish is worth every penny. I wish I could take credit for my amazing wedding when we receive compliments but it all goes to Melanie and her team! Anyone thinking about using By Invitation Only - you will not regret it!!

Sarah Sent on 08/04/2017

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Melanie and her team are an absolute dream with which to work. When we first met, I had no idea what we wanted, what to do, or how to get started. Melanie was always responsive to my questions, ideas, or random worries; she guided and supported us through the wildly cumbersome process of planning a wedding while keeping it fun and exciting; and she made everything easy and stress-free. Melanie created the most beautiful fairy tale wedding we could have ever imagined. We’re so very grateful for all that she did for us in bringing our perfect day to life. I can't say enough wonderful things about By Invitation Only. I'd work with them again in a heartbeat.

Haley Sent on 03/30/2017

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Melanie and her team were wonderful! Without her, my husband and I probably would have ended up at the courthouse. The decor was more beautiful than I could have ever imagined, every little detail was perfect. I didn't have to worry about anything the day of, there were no issues or disasters, and my mom got to relax and have fun with me on my big day! Wedding planning is stressful but Melanie made it SO much easier.

Savannah Sent on 01/26/2017

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Melanie Murphy and her team are nothing short of amazing. Melanie made our wedding day Absolutely spectacular and a dream!!!! From the beginning Melanie was alwags there to answer any questions concerns or just to bounce ideas off of her. She also is a great person for vendor referrals and knows who is good and who is bad In any area!!!! Melanie and her team were worth every penny and so much more!!! I cannot thank you enough!!!!

Shannon Sent on 01/03/2017

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Booking Melanie Murphy and her team at By Invitation Only was the best decision we made while planning our wedding. Melanie helped us enormously throughout the planning process, but what really sold us was having her and her staff there to do the set-up and breakdown of the event. We were able to spend more time with our family and friends, and we didn't have to ask anyone to take on extra duties that would have interrupted their enjoyment of our wedding week. Our rehearsal was during Hurricane Hermine, but Melanie made it through the storm from Columbia to conduct the rehearsal in Pawleys Island. Plus when we were worried about the condition of the grass at the reception, Melanie told me she had already coordinated with the rental company to set up the tent before the storm in order to try to keep the grass dry. We didn't think a full planning service would be in our budget, but BIO's packages include extras that we would have had to pay for anyway. The little things that Melanie always brings to an event would have added up to a large, but necessary, cost if we'd purchased them on our own. Plus the stock items that BIO provides as part of the planning package are an enormous cost savings. I tell people all the time that having BIO as our planners made our dollars go much further than they would if we had done everything on our own. Book By Invitation Only! You will not regret it.

Tammie Sent on 12/15/2016

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What can I say about By Invitation only other then they are simply the best. Melanie went above and beyond for me and implemented my vision to perfection. Not only is she a delight to work with, she also is professional, meticulous and a joy to be around during the process. Her response time with questions were lightning fast. We were so happy to have her on board as our planner. She made my dream wedding a reality and I can't thank her and her staff enough for making it a perfect and flawless event.

Faith Sent on 12/08/2016

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Personalable. Energetic. Involved. Professional. Melanie and her team are the best. From the first moment we sat down and talked, I knew she would be able to make my dream a reality. I will work with Melanie for all my future events!!!

Jordan Sent on 12/08/2016

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Melanie and her team simply went ABOVE AND BEYOND for our wedding. She was so relaxed, extremely flexible, and best of all, she was excited about all my ideas! Melanie ensured everything ran smoothly and even stayed extra late on my wedding night to help organize some last minute items. Finally, she is crafty, creative, and has an endless flow of good ideas. I would recommend her to any bride over and over again.

Ashlee Sent on 12/08/2016

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The money we spent to hire "By Invitation Only" was the best money spent on our wedding. Melanie was so great from start to finish. She created my dream wedding. I wouldn't change a thing if I could re-do it. She was perfect. Melanie and her team helped calm my nerves throughout the entire day. If you are debating whether or not you should spend the extra money to hire a wedding planner - DO IT- HIRE MELANIE!!!!! You will not regret it.

Paula Sent on 12/15/2015

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I highly recommend Melanie for any of your planning needs!!!!

Kristin Sent on 12/14/2015

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Melanie is simply AMAZING! She made our wedding day absolutely perfect. She is always willing to do whatever it takes and goes above and beyond!! I could not have had my dream wedding without her and her crew. I highly recommend Melanie!

Megan Sent on 10/26/2015

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Melanie was AMAZING. She helped me plan the wedding of my dreams and was able to pull it off seamlessly. I didn't have to worry about anything. I gave her all kinds of ideas, she organized them and made everything happen. She was a key part of my wedding day. She had everyone in their places at the right times and made sure we got to do everything we planned. Her team was awesome with the set up and clean up. We didn't have to lift a finger. I would recommend Melanie and any other member of the BIO team to all brides!

Shannon Sent on 10/12/2015

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This was the BEST decision I made any selecting any vendor. I had initially thought I could cut a corner and do this on my own, and I quickly saw how overwhelming planning can be. What's more, the weather changed for my outdoor wedding only days before the wedding was set to occur. Melanie and her staff were unphased and more than prepared. In one day, the setup was changed, other vendors were contacted, and our wedding occurred during a monsoon. BECAUSE OF MELANIE and the willingness of guests to make lemonade from lemons (only the weather), our wedding was absolutely perfect. To be able to say this after a flood dumping over a foot of water the week prior and only having 3.5-4 days to dry, and then getting 2+ inches of rain on our wedding day, says volumes for Melanie. I was never panicked nor stressed, because Melanie handled it all!

The setup was absolutely beautiful--beyond anything I could have ever dreamed. Her professionalism, craft, vision, and ability is extraordinary. It was such a pleasure working with her! Many guests and my entire bridal party all commented on her professionalism and ability to plan and be prepared for all circumstances. "Thank you" falls so short!

Janice Sent on 05/09/2015

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I was unsure if a wedding planner would be worth the money. I can honestly say it was more than worth every dime we paid Melanie Murphy. She made things run so smoothly, kept us on track with timelines, has and extensive inventory of items she will allow you to use at the rehearsal dinner, ceremony and reception. I don't think my daughter's wedding would have been as absolutely perfect without Melanie. I have told family and friends that it was the best money we spent. Do yourself a favor and give her a call. You will not regret it.

Haley Sent on 12/16/2014

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My experience with BIO was absolutely exceptional! The final product of my wedding day was undeniably perfect. The response time was impeccable as well!

Jessica Sent on 11/21/2014

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By Invitation Only created a dream wedding experience for us that met our budget and wowed our guests. Working with Melanie and Courtney was like pressing the "easy" button. They were fun, sweet and visionary throughout the process and, as promised, I didn't have to worry about a single detail on my wedding day other than having fun and saying "I do" to the man of my dreams. I wholeheartedly recommend this company!

Brittany Sent on 10/02/2014

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Melanie is a life saver who works magic! I tried planning most of my wedding myself but needed help getting everything together and in order. The day of my wedding went by smoothly. If something was going wrong I didn't know about it! haha! I loved being able to use a lot of the inventory she owned to make my travel themed wedding even more special! So if you're looking for a planner or even a day-of coordinator don't look any further!

Maria Sent on 04/20/2014

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I am one of those brides that knew almost everything I wanted for my wedding. I had no problem contacting my vendors and organizing everything. I guess you could say I am slightly controlling, organized and a bit OCD. All this being said is why I had Melanie for my day of planning and coordinating for my reception. I had full faith that she and her team would handle everything from decorating the reception hall to the timeline of our party. We met with her to go over layouts and she had great suggestions to add an even more individual and unique touches to our wedding reception. Loved working with Melanie! So talented!!

Mckenzie Sent on 04/19/2014

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Hiring By Invitation Only was the best decision we made in our wedding planning process. They were worth every PENNY & more. If you're thinking about hiring anyone else in Columbia, just don't. No one compares. By Invitation Only went above & beyond for our wedding. Melanie & her team were there from day 1 to help us navigate vendor negotiations & decide on details. Their experience in the wedding planning business truly sets them apart from other wedding planners in town. No matter the issue we faced Melanie stepped in to help us find a quick solution. Without her I would have pulled my hair out during the planning process. On the day of her team was right there by our sides. We didn't have to worry about a thing. Their team was there to handle every detail for us, our family, wedding party & guests. The ensured our other vendors were taken care of and executed every detail perfectly. They even took extra steps to incorporate little details as a part of the decor that really spoke to who we were as a couple. I cannot say enough good things about the team at By Invitation Only.

Moriah Sent on 06/24/2013

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Melanie Murphy from By Invitation Only helped me plan the wedding of my dreams. She was absolutely amazing from day one! She listened closely to everything I had to say, and even when I found myself lost for words, she read my thoughts clearly and was able to convey them in her design. She took my ideas and truly developed them into something far greater than I could have imagined! She was so meticulous on every detail from the up lighting on our naked wedding cake, to the sequined table cloth on our sweetheart table. She allowed me to be involved in anything I wanted, make every change I desired, and even leave tasks completely up to her (being that wedding planning is so over-whelming, with so many decisions!) Overall I could not have asked for a better friend to also me my wedding planner. The only thing that could make me happier than my wonderful wedding designed by Melanie Murphy from By Invitation Only, is being called Mrs. Halacka for the rest of my life. <3

Aimee Sent on 06/24/2013

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Melanie and her team are the best! I have worked with them on a professional level over the years and there was no question in my mind of who to turn to when it was time for my big day. Melanie saw my vision and ran with it. They made my wedding perfect and exactly what I envisioned! Melanie and her team are prompt, curtious and professional to say the least! For a day so special, there is no one else I would trust! Thank you Melanie and By Invitation Only girls!!!

Angie Sent on 06/23/2013

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Wow, where would we have been without Melanie and the team at By Invitation Only? Our big day was more than we could have ever imagined and the best part is all we did was show up! We had a 13 month engagement so we had plenty of time to overthink things but Melanie was awesome about being impartial and showing us all the options. She listened and used her knowledge to get us in touch with the best vendors for us. As the new age of the "pinterest bride" emerges it can put so much stress on the bride. Melanie helped me create a beautiful setting with crafty touches, something I wouldn't have been able to do on my own. Melanie added value every step of the way, especially 20 minutes before we walked down the aisle and the sky opened up! She stepped into action and moved the ceremony and still made it absolutely gorgeous! I am so thankful we hired Melanie and By Invitation Only because they made our day stress-free and perfect!

Tiffani Sent on 06/20/2013

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There aren't enough adjectives to describe how awesome Melanie's services were for our wedding. Her creativity, level of detail, and organization were EXACTLY what I needed in planning my wedding. Since we live out of state, we knew it was very important that we find someone with great responsivness, and Melanie was awesome at keeping us in the loop and replying to calls/texts/emails/you name it.

I loved bouncing my ideas off of her and how she was able to expand on my vision for the wedding. From the beginning, she 'got' what I wanted to create and that was an amazing feeling - being able to trust the planner to plan the event that I was imagining.

I would HIGHLY recommend Melanie's services. I know that my wedding was as awesome as it was due to her attention to detail and her great talents in planning and design.

Leigh Sent on 03/26/2013

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Melanie and the BIO team are the best event planners you could ever work with. Melanie will exceed your expectations and perfectly capture your ideas and vision of your reception. Not only is her creativity abundant, she handles all the little things that you never think about -- meaning less stress for the bride! Melanie kept the day going, keeping everything on schedule and handling everything that could possibly come up. Having an event planner is often thought of as unnecessary, but using BIO was the best decision I could have made!

Debbie Sent on 07/19/2012

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My daughter was at school in MD, I was in OH and the wedding along with future son in law was in SC. Melanie was very professional and eased our worries and fears as we planned this special day. Her ideas were fabulous and the compliments from our guests were numerous. If ever we have any kind of event in Columbia, SC again. I will definitely hire Melanie. She was a pleasure to work with. Thank you very much.. Debbie Burwell

Trudy Sent on 07/04/2012

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I cannot say enough good words about Melanie. She is so professional and made me feel so at ease during our wedding weekend. Everything was perfect! Her and her staff were so organized. I would HIGHLY recommend Melanie to anyone who's looking for the best wedding planner. We used Melanie to coordinate our wedding weekend and I didn't have to worry about a single thing. Every single detail of the weekend was set up perfectly. The one time I was stressing out she stepped in and took control of the situation. She is the best in the business and our wedding weekend would not have been the same without her.

Creighton Sent on 07/02/2012

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The B.I.O. team was a joy to work with. They are professional and have innovative ideas. They take what you envision and run with it! =) The day of our wedding I was at total ease knowing that I had the day was in great hands...I even cried when I first saw the venue...It was even more than I had imagined. I can't imagine planning a wedding without this staff! They put you in touch with the perfect vendors and are present at every meeting so that the day of everyone is on the same page. I could go on and on, but words cannot describe how thankful I am to have had them there on our wedding day.

Amanda Sent on 07/02/2012

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Melanie and her team did a wonderful job! She took care of everything, which was extremely helpful when I was out of state for 4 months! It almost felt as if all I had to do was show up to say my "I do's"! Thanks Melanie!!

Julie Sent on 07/02/2012

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Melanie and the By Invitation Only team helped to make all of my wedding dreams become a reality!! She was a huge help throughout the whole wedding process with vendor recommendations, amazing design ideas, and was willing and available to help out with any questions that I had. My wedding day was stress free and totally enjoyable because I knew Melanie had it all under control. Melanie's expert design ideas helped to make my wedding and reception ALL that I have ever dreamed about and more!!

De Andra Sent on 05/09/2012

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Melanie and her team are THE BEST planners in the state! Melanie sat down and discussed what I wanted the look of our wedding to be and she brought it to life! She realized that I was the anti-"Princess Bride" and I wanted the movie star treatment. That is exactly what I got! She took every idea I had and made it a reality! No task was ever to big or too small for her or her team to accomplish. From hanging up our picture wall, to making custom chandeliers Melanie made it all happen. She designed the look of our tables, determined the set up for our ceremony and reception and made sure the entire day went off without a hitch. If there was ever a problem she handled it so that I could focus on marrying the man I love. Melanie and her team are the embodiment of the word professional and any bride is lucky to have her. She can take the most abstract thought in your head (mine was vintage old hollywood) and make it a reality. She is a miracle worker, a fairy god-mother, a florist, a handy-woman,a shoulder to cry on, and so much more all wrapped up into one. I owe the success of my wedding to her and her team and I wish there was a way to really thank her! If you are planning a wedding HIRE HER!!! She is awesome!

Katie Sent on 04/15/2012

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I cannot say enough good things about Melanie and her team. They have a storage house of "stuff" that you get to use if you use her as your coordinator. They did draping, set-up, clean-up, serving, and coordinating. Her team made everything run so seamlessly. It was a dream working with her. I also loved that she is so down-to-earth and gives you a reality check if you start freaking and reminds you to breathe.

Caroline Sent on 02/16/2012

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By Invitation Only is simply wonderful! They were recommended to me by 2 friends and I am so glad that I chose their team to help me with my wedding! Melanie was so great with taking my ideas and turning them in to something amazing. She and her team are extremely talented and I could not have done it without them! Melanie added so many special details that helped make my wedding fabulous. She made sure that everything ran smoothly and that my mother and I didn't have to worry about a single thing! I would definitely recommend By Invitation Only!

Bonnie Sent on 08/17/2011

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BIO is THE best investment I made for my entire wedding. Melanie learned my vision and made it come to life. I didn't worry about a thing... and she even made sure I had a plate of food!

Catherine Sent on 07/08/2011

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By Invitation Only met all my needs and expectations! They were attentive, well organized, friendly and professional! I could not have asked for a better group of people to work with!

Brittany Sent on 07/07/2011

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The best decision we made was hiring Melanie Murphy with By Invitation Only as our wedding planner. She picked up on my daughter's taste immediately! Her expertise and professionalism allowed our daughter to have the wedding of her dreams. Melanie and her entire staff worked diligently so that every detail of Brittany's wedding and reception was exactly what she had hoped for. Melanie was always available to answer any questions or offer any suggestions that we might need. Brittany refers to Melanie as her "fairy godmother". We have 3 daughters and we look forward to working with Melanie again in the future!!

Rachel Sent on 06/12/2011

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I could not have asked for a more perfect day. Melanie and her staff executed everything beautifully. She really made my dreams come true. There was absolutely no stress on me or my parents the day of, which is what I really wanted. Flawless and fabulous!!!

Dell Sent on 06/10/2011

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listened to what bride wanted to have for her reception. followed the bride's wishes to a tee

Amanda Sent on 06/10/2011

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Melanie and her team at BIO were absolutely AMAZING! As a bride, I knew I didn't want to be stressed out with decorating and trying to plan my wedding. Melanie handled everything and gave me peace of mind about my wedding. I knew that I had absolutely nothing to worry about. From decorations to walking down the aisle, Melanie did a fabulous job with everything!

Laura Sent on 06/10/2011

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Melanie Murphy and her team from By Invitation Only were absolutely amazing!! I dont know how I could have done it without her! She is an extremely talented planner and decorative designer! She helped save me soooo much money too with all the decor for the reception! She is extremely professional, kind, and just so willing to do ANYTHING for you!! I wish I could get married again just to work with her again!! :) If you are getting married and thinking about getting a wedding planner, it is totalllllyyy worth it!

Lauren Sent on 04/27/2011

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I wish I could give Melanie a million stars! Other than the wedding itself she was my favorite part. I have never had so much joy working with someone. We truly clicked creating my wedding. I interviewed several planners and from the moment we started talking we were on the same page. I felt so comfortable telling her what I liked and didn't like and she really just got my vision. There isn't anymore to it. When I walked in the day of my wedding it had all come together perfectly. She handles herself like a pro and when it looked like rain she quickly smoothed everything over and moved things inside and kept right on going. I feel like I not only got a wedding planner but a friend and someone who made my day the most perfect ever. Thanks Melanie and team - you truly are the best!

Leigh Sent on 04/03/2011

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We contracted with Melanie in June 2010 for our March 2011 wedding, and chose the \"medium\" level of services, which included day of coordination as well as assistance with design and coordination throughout the planning process. I should also mention that we were planning our Columbia wedding from our current home of Washington, DC, which posed extra challenges. Melanie is a consummate professional who was always open and encouraging of our ideas and responsive to my frequent emails:) She came up with creative solutions to design challenges and saved us so much money on rentals due to her extensive collection of decor items she maintains in-house. Melanie and her team coordinated with all of our vendors on the day of the wedding, and I felt that our vision was executed perfectly. My mom and I didn\'t have to worry about anything on the wedding day, and Melanie was a calming influence for me as a bride. Her team worked efficiently and seamlessly behind the scenes to orchestrate every little detail. I would recommend her without reservations to any bride!

Ashli Sent on 11/19/2009

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Melanie did a wonderful job with our October wedding. Her ideas were wonderful and the decor was beautiful. I wouldn't change a thing! Thanks Melanie for giving us a beautiful day.

User229572 Sent on 08/15/2009

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Melanie is awesome. My wedding was in Charleston, and despite the difference in distance, she was always there for us. Our wedding was amazing. It was everything I had pictured. Melanie basically paid for herself in all of the savings she made for us. She saved us around 2 grand on our caterer. She also has a supply of decorative items her clients can use (vases, lanterns, ottomans, couches, candle holders, cake stands etc). Since I did my own flowers, this also saved us a bunch of money. I would highly recommend her!

Sarah Sent on 04/29/2009

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Melanie and her staff were so awesome to work with! She made my day everything I wanted and more. It went so smoothly. Melanie went above and beyond to make sure that each and every detail was perfect. When we had a catering kink, she saved the day! She transformed our vision into the most beautiful wedding day of my dreams!
I HIGHLY recommend Melanie and By Invitation Only for your planning needs!

Holly Sent on 03/29/2009

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Melanie was absolutely amazing. We never would have been able to coordinate this kind of wedding without her help. She took care of every detail and helped us make decisions to make our day special and truly unique to our tastes.

Kristy Sent on 03/29/2009

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I am so happy that I chose to go with a wedding planner for my wedding. By Invitation Only was the perfect choice! Melanie has a wonderful attention to detail and she made me feel like I was the only bride she was working with at the time! I have and will continue to recommend her services to any brides I know!!

Cammie Sent on 07/17/2008

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Melanie and her staff made my big day a dream come true. I could not have asked for more. My vision came true with the help of Melanie and her staff. She is so professional and has an eye for the little details which mean so much. Everything was truly wonderful and I hope I get to work with her again.

Courtenay Sent on 04/29/2008

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Melanie was absolutely wonderful!! She is extremely organized and really helped me put everything together.

Kelli Sent on 04/23/2008

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By Invitation Only provided us with exceptional service. By the time we contacted Melanie, my Mom and I had already taken care of a lot of the basics, but Melanie helped us to fill in the gaps and make sure all of our t's were crossed and i's dotted. She was indispensable in dealing with all of the details that made our wedding day so perfect. I did not worry about anything on my wedding day because I knew that it would be taken care of and it was. My ceremony was very small and over an hour from my reception site, but Melanie made sure that everything went as planned and on schedule including delivering the cake, helping with flowers, organizing picture schedule and videographers, and keeping the wedding party, guests, and even officiant in the right places at the right time. It all went without a hitch and we didn't even have a rehearsal. While all of this was going on we didn't even give a thought to set up at our reception site because we knew that it was all being taken care of and indeed it was. Melanie organized all of our vendors, set up, and decorated our reception site and then took care of everything after it was all over. Prior to the wedding she was always available and met with us personally whenever requested. Her services were priceless and she was a big part of why our day was so perfect and special to us.

Jill Sent on 04/23/2008

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Melanie Murphy of By Invitation Only was incredible! She took away all the stress and worrying about details. I wasn't sure if I needed a planner at first, but using Melanie was the best decision we ever made.

Leslie Sent on 04/23/2008

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Melanie and her team were absolutely fabulous to work with! Melanie was there to help me from the beginning with advice for invitations, etiquette, ceremony set-up options, music suggestions, etc. Her work didn't end there. For the rehearsal she did a wonderful job of corraling all of my party and family and making sure everyone knew what they would be doing for the wedding. On the day of she was at my ceremony/reception site to oversee vendors, coordinate set-up, set up my flowers and get me and my party started on time.

Melanie was also there to take care of my "cake disaster." When the caterer (who promised me the rental of their cake stand) told me on the day of that I couldn't use it, she had called 3 rental places to try and rent one for me. She took care of all of this before I even got to the ceremony site!

I would highly recommend Melanie and By Invitation Only to help make your wedding dreams come true! We could not have pulled off a successful event without her help and expertise.

Celita Sent on 06/24/2013

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I can not say enough about how wonderful By Invitation Only was. Melanie and her team managed to take my ideas and vision to a whole other level than what I imagined. Not only did everything look and feel perfect for our wedding, but I was able to enjoy the day without any stress. BIO handled all the things that I didn't want to fool with on my wedding day- errands, setting up, tearing down, cleaning up, questions from guests. I just showed up and had fun, and that's how your wedding should be! Using Melanie's in-stock items also helped me to save money, which basically let her services pay for themselves. Using BIO was the best decision I made- other than picking the right groom, of course!

Tyler Sent on 07/07/2011

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Melanie and her team were wonderful! I had the easiest, most stress-free wedding! I was able to plan and then relax and enjoy my day, knowing that everything was in Melanie's hands! I want to do it all over again!

Libby Sent on 08/07/2009

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By Invitation Only was a fantastic service! On my wedding day I was able to leave all of the decorating details to By Invitation Only and didn't have to worry about our reception venue set up. They were there before the big day to give creative advice and there on my wedding day to be of assistance with what ever I needed, no matter how small. They were very professional, but also very fun to work with! I highly recommend using By Invitation Only!

Laura Sent on 04/27/2008

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Melanie was great to work with. She was very detailed oriented so I was confident that our wedding would be executed as we planned. She went out of her way to meet with us (drove an 1 1/2 hours to our house) which was wonderful for us. I would absolutely recommend her to another couple.

Dani Sent on 12/06/2017

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Melanie and her team were SO amazing to work with! We were planning a wedding in Columbia but living in Raleigh, NC which some may think would be stressful but it was so far from that. Melanie took care of everything and made sure all the boxes were checked along the way. From initial vendor meetings, to overall design to the day of coordination and every detail in between - everything was perfect. She allowed me, my husband and both our families to be so relaxed and able to enjoy our day!

Brittany Sent on 11/21/2011

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Melanie and her team were the planners for my now sister-in-law's wedding a few years ago. The wedding was gorgeous and my sister-in-law raved about how much help they'd been. We chose her because we trusted that she would get the job done. We are GLAD we chose her because she went above and beyond in every aspect. The design was gorgeous. She brought soo many things from her inventory and while some of the design ideas were my own, she took them to a whole new level. Our main focus was personalization. I wanted people to pull up to our venue and say oh yeh! David and Brittany are getting married here! I briefly told her what our vision for the day was and she immediately countered with beautiful, amazing, unique ideas that really made our wedding a one of a kind event. Through and through, the day was uniquely ours. The design elements of our wedding looked like things we would decorate our own house with and those were EXACTLY the details we were going for. Her ability to stay organized and her unwavering time management skills are out of this world. The day of the wedding, she was totally calm and even though hair, makeup, and pictures ran late and a bridesmaid showed up 3 hours late, she was completely unaffected. She gave off a vibe that everything would be fine and encouraged everyone to just focus on being happy. Her calmness was contagious and her words of encouragement throughout the day were so uplifting, it was hard not to feel giddy! Hiring Melanie and her team was money very well spent. Even if you're on a shoestring budget, find a way to fit this in. A fantastic planner with design ideas that rival some of the best i've ever seen is going to make the difference between a wedding people attend and a wedding people REMEMBER.

we love you Melanie!!! - the dodgens <3

Alison Sent on 01/07/2010

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5 out of 5 rating
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4 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

I would have been an absolute wreck if I didn't have Melanie Murphy to help me on the day of - with set up, organization, cleanup, and decorations. She's great and well worth the expense. We didn't have to rent anything for the event because she just has it already.

For the catering - make sure you tell the caterer a slightly smaller number of guests. I was truthful with the number, but then we had a lot of no-shows and there was a lot of left over food. We told the caterer 165, but should have stuck with 150.

A videographer for the evening is actually a good idea. I can't remember much of anything!

Jennifer Sent on 04/23/2008

4.8 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
4.5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
4.5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

I hired Melanie as my "day of" coordinator yet she did sooo much more!! Not only was she there on my wedding day, but she set up my rehearsal dinner, helped me deal with other hired vendors and was always available for additional advice and help via e-mail, phone or face-to-face. She actually recommended many of my vendors and helped me feel completely comfortable with each decision. She has a great grasp on current wedding trends and always had wonderful advice. I highly recommend her and wished I would have hired her earlier to help plan my entire wedding!

Alison Sent on 04/23/2008

4.7 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
3.5 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Melanie took all of the wedding day stress away! My wedding was a perfect day because of Melanie's unique ability to transfer my "vision" to reality. She really *got* me!

Sarah Sent on 04/23/2008

4.6 out of 5 rating

Quality of service
5 out of 5 rating
Average response time
3 out of 5 rating
Professionalism
5 out of 5 rating
Value
5 out of 5 rating
Flexibility
5 out of 5 rating

Melanie and her team did a great job of making my wedding exactly as I had envisioned it. She had plenty of great things we could use to set up our site which was included in her price. She did a great job on my programs. The whole day ran smoothly and I didn't have to worry about a thing. It was great. The only thing that was not superb was responsiveness. We sometimes had a hard time getting answers back on emails and then a week later we realized the email didn't go through whether it was Melanie's end or mine. However, if we called she would promptly return calls.

OVERALL, By Inviation Only is absolutely wonderful.

By Invitation Only...Event Planning & Design Reviews

Reviews

By Invitation Only...Event Planning & Design