Booking your Charleston wedding vendors? Most couples ask "are you available" and "how much" — then skip the questions that actually prevent wedding day chaos. Who's really showing up to run your reception? What's the backup plan if a summer storm rolls in? Are they even insured? We break down the 14 questions every Lowcountry couple should ask before signing a contract — plus how we answer each one ourselves.

Charleston hosts nearly 4,000 weddings a year for good reason. But planning one from out of town? That's a different challenge entirely. After 15 years and 300+ weddings across the Lowcountry, I've seen what separates a dream Charleston wedding from a stressful one — and it has nothing to do with luck. It has everything to do with planning. Here's what no one else will tell you.