Skip to main content
Weddings

By Invitation Only...Event Planning & Design Reviews

By Invitation Only...Event Planning & Design

By Invitation Only...Event Planning & Design

Columbia, SC
5.0 out of 5 rating, 79 reviews
View more information

Reviews

We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
  • Quality of service
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    4.9 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    5 out of 5 rating

Awards

  • Aryanna
    Aryanna Sent on 09/06/2021
    5 out of 5 rating
    • Quality of service
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Average response time
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Professionalism
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Value
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Flexibility
      5 out of 5 rating

    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...
  • Amanda
    Amanda Sent on 05/01/2020
    5 out of 5 rating
    • Quality of service
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Average response time
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Professionalism
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Value
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Flexibility
      5 out of 5 rating

    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...
  • Lara
    Lara Sent on 01/19/2019
    5 out of 5 rating
    • Quality of service
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Average response time
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Professionalism
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Value
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Flexibility
      5 out of 5 rating

    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...
  • illustration stars

    Are you interested?

  • Elissa
    Elissa Sent on 10/21/2018
    5 out of 5 rating
    • Quality of service
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Average response time
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Professionalism
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Value
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Flexibility
      5 out of 5 rating

    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...
  • Shannon
    Shannon Sent on 10/12/2015
    5 out of 5 rating
    • Quality of service
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Average response time
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Professionalism
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Value
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Flexibility
      5 out of 5 rating
    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...
  • McKenzie
    Mckenzie Sent on 04/19/2014
    5 out of 5 rating
    • Quality of service
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Average response time
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Professionalism
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Value
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Flexibility
      5 out of 5 rating
    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...
  • M
    Margaret Sent on 11/09/2024
    5 out of 5 rating
    • Quality of service
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Average response time
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Professionalism
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Value
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Flexibility
      5 out of 5 rating

    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...
  • O
    Olivia Sent on 04/16/2024
    5 out of 5 rating
    • Quality of service
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Average response time
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Professionalism
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Value
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Flexibility
      5 out of 5 rating

    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...
  • A
    Anna Sent on 04/13/2024
    5 out of 5 rating
    • Quality of service
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Average response time
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Professionalism
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Value
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Flexibility
      5 out of 5 rating

    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!
  • K
    Kathryn Sent on 04/01/2021
    5 out of 5 rating
    • Quality of service
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Average response time
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Professionalism
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Value
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Flexibility
      5 out of 5 rating

    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
    D. Augsburger Sent on 07/22/2020
    5 out of 5 rating
    • Quality of service
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Average response time
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Professionalism
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Value
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Flexibility
      5 out of 5 rating

    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.
  • M
    Michelle Sent on 10/09/2019
    5 out of 5 rating
    • Quality of service
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Average response time
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Professionalism
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Value
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Flexibility
      5 out of 5 rating

    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
  • F
    Frances Sent on 02/01/2019
    5 out of 5 rating
    • Quality of service
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Average response time
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Professionalism
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Value
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Flexibility
      5 out of 5 rating

    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...
  • J
    Jesse Sent on 11/28/2018
    5 out of 5 rating
    • Quality of service
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Average response time
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Professionalism
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Value
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Flexibility
      5 out of 5 rating

    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...
  • C
    Carla Sent on 11/17/2018
    5 out of 5 rating
    • Quality of service
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Average response time
      5 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 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....
  • T
    Tiffany Sent on 11/16/2018
    5 out of 5 rating
    • Quality of service
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Average response time
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Professionalism
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Value
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Flexibility
      5 out of 5 rating

    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!
  • M
    Melanie Sent on 10/19/2018
    5 out of 5 rating
    • Quality of service
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Average response time
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Professionalism
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Value
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Flexibility
      5 out of 5 rating

    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!
  • M
    Marykate Sent on 10/16/2018
    5 out of 5 rating
    • Quality of service
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Average response time
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Professionalism
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Value
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Flexibility
      5 out of 5 rating

    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.
  • M
    Melissa Sent on 06/11/2018
    5 out of 5 rating
    • Quality of service
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Average response time
      5 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 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,...
  • E
    Erin Sent on 04/19/2018
    5 out of 5 rating
    • Quality of service
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Average response time
      5 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 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...
  • B
    Brittany Sent on 08/04/2017
    5 out of 5 rating
    • Quality of service
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Average response time
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Professionalism
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Value
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Flexibility
      5 out of 5 rating
    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!!
  • S
    Sarah Sent on 08/04/2017
    5 out of 5 rating
    • Quality of service
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Average response time
      5 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 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.
  • H
    Haley Sent on 03/30/2017
    5 out of 5 rating
    • Quality of service
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Average response time
      5 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 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.
  • S
    Savannah Sent on 01/26/2017
    5 out of 5 rating
    • Quality of service
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Average response time
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Professionalism
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Value
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Flexibility
      5 out of 5 rating
    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!!!!
  • S
    Shannon Sent on 01/03/2017
    5 out of 5 rating
    • Quality of service
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Average response time
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Professionalism
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Value
      5 out of 5 rating
    • Flexibility
      5 out of 5 rating
    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,...
illustration stars

Are you interested?

Responds within 24 hours