Wedding News to Use

Summer 2020

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Wedding News to Use | Add panache to your wedding festivities and fashion with these finds

fashion bachelorette diy wedding wedding RMS Beauty Big Day bouquets bow Shop weddings diy gown favors kate mcdonald veils rehearsal rehearsal dinner RENT RMS Sephora

Toast With the Mostess

Direct My Bar (843/789-9257; DirectMyBar.com) wants you to raise your glass with flair, whether now for a small gathering—hello, engagement party—or down the road for your big day. The boutique beverage service offers easy-to-book packages with custom options, and this month they debut their pale blue mobile bar, “Off the Wagon” (get it?). Aside from tasty libations, what sets the group apart is its super stylized setups and nattily dressed servers. The team accommodates health regulations and preferences du jour (think disposable cups or extra glasses rented per person to ensure clean glassware with each pour; passed drinks to avoid lines or clumps of guests; etc.). Given the uncertainty of late, they’ve lowered deposit fees into 2021.

A Shore Thing

“Why go bar hopping when you can hop on a boat?” That’s the brilliant, timely slogan for Crusin Tikis of Charleston (843/771- 8454; CruisinTikisCharleston.com), the brainchild of husband-and-wife team Steve and Gisel McManus. Rent out their 16-foot-diameter floating tiki (it holds six guests), and Steve will tug you and yours throughout Lowcountry waters. Want to land on a barren island? Done. Cruise the harbor at sunset? Just ask. It’s BYOB (bites and beverages); they supply an ice-filled cooler.

Cute for the Whole Crew

Love Rainbow Row? How about poplin? If you answered in the affirmative, head to Cannonborough Collective (CannonboroughCollective.com), where The Tiny Tassel (TheTinyTassel.com) now offers adult-sized renditions of the shop’s popular Urban Baby pieces. Talk to boutique cofounder and TTT designer Mimi Striplin about suiting up the whole wedding party (bulk orders are 15 percent off, and she can share leads for bow ties and pup collars from the same patterned fabric); the looks are great for this year’s casual weddings and ideal for rehearsal dinners or showers.

Veiled Beauties

Beyond the usual (sophisticated Southern bridal gowns) debuts this spring, the local couture queens of Kate McDonald Bridal (843/805-7193; KateMcDonaldBridal.com) also released two first-time collections worth noting. One is a suite of hand-painted veils and another is a parade of “Mother of Occasion” ball-gown skirts; both star heirloom quality statement pieces that are at turns flattering and fashion-forward.

Pop-up Flower Party

Hire Dani Motley of Salt and Stem (@saltstem_chs; SaltandStemFlowerCo.com) and she’ll load up her ’72 Ford pickup and head your way with buckets of blooms and whatever else is needed to coach you through crafting floral arrangements—be those bouquets for a DIY wedding or favors for a flower-crown bachelorette party. Follow Salt and Stem on Instagram to find out what public events, markets, and more Dani will visit next (her to-go bundles range from $5-$35). To book her truck for one heck of a photo op (engagement photos, anyone?), DM Dani.

Get Your Glow On

RMS Beauty (RMSBeauty.com) has done it again—released a slew of must-have products that real-deal reviewers and pros alike can’t stop raving about. The Charleston-based brand, carried at Sephora and elsewhere, is known for its safe, “clean” products, and the latest goodies are all about glowing. We love the long-lasting, shimmering face and body powder that works on all skin colors (right); the quad of sheer highlighter creams; and the new shade of gold that was just added to the Living Luminizer collection.

Images by (drinks) Cushla Beasley & (2, The Tiny Tassel) Aneris Photography & (tiki) courtesy of the vendor; Images (2, salt and Stem) by Tiffany Bitner Photography & (2) courtesy of the vendors

The Wedding Row

July 1 2019

Laura & Anthony | Magnolia Plantation & Gardens

Globe-trotters in every sense of the word, Laura and Anthony traveled all over the world visiting each other during their nearly ten years of long-distance dating. Jetting to hot spots like Chicago,...

June 28 2019

Caytie Marie & Nick | Styled Elopement

As we all know, the Holy City plays hostess to a large number of weddings every year (you just need to scroll back through all of our pages of posts to see that). And while some lovebirds choose to...

June 26 2019

Megan & Brendan | Legare Waring House

It’s time for some girl talk. We all know how nerve-wracking first dates can be, whether going in blind or not, and we’re here to impart a piece of solid advice from bride Megan. When agreeing to...

June 25 2019

Caroline & Zach | Boone Hall Plantation

The Wedding Row: Tell us about how you two lovelies met. Caroline: Zach and I met briefly in college. I traveled to Clemson from University of Alabama to attend a date party with a friend from high...

June 24 2019

Wingate Plantation | Vendor Spotlight

Morning, dears. With all the beyond beautiful sites our Holy City has to offer on the wedding venue front, finding the winner for your Big Day can feel impossible or perhaps endless. But no worries,...

June 21 2019

Mandy & Daniel | Historic Rice Mill

No tricks, only treats for Mandy and Dan. The duo met on Halloween, of all holidays, in Greenville, South Carolina, back in 2013. They hit it off, became an “item,” and enjoyed each other’s company...

June 20 2019

Styled Shoot | 159 Rutledge

Eloping has come to mean something different these days than in years past. It can be the traditional version with a couple heading out for a getaway and a simple ceremony a deux; it can be that plus...

June 18 2019

Alissa & Rick | The William Aiken House

It was nothing but pure sparks (red, white, and blue perhaps?) when Alissa met Rick at a political fundraiser in Chicago. They were both supporting the Governor of Illinois and after hours of talking...

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Romance Rules

Fast friends leads to one stunning special day at Lowndes Grove Plantation

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Country Chic

Beloved memories and family treasures marry the present to the past in this farm reception shoot by Luke Wilson of WED

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Sweet Shades!

Locally crafted garden umbrellas offer your guests respite from the spring sun (and bespoke style)

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School Crush

Teenage sweethearts seal the deal with a church wedding in downtown Charleston and a plantation-set reception by the water

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Painted to Perfection

Custom watercolors, gold-painted latticework, and a rainbow of jewel tones combine to make an artful Big Day for this one-time planner and her sweetie

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Playing Princess

The Duchess of Cambridge set a prim and proper tone for brides everywhere

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Kaminer Haislip

Kaminer Haislip adds a little shine to local weddings with her custom creations

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Pearls of Wisdom

We’re over-the-moon for this wedding that’s run through with oysters. Learn how to flavor your wedding with just such a theme without going overboard

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Big Top Goes Black Tie

Charleston's Gaillard Center grand ballroom plays host to a wild, wonderful, over-the-top wedding to remember

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Johanna Johnson: Spring/Summer 2014 Collection

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What a Pearl!

Believed by the ancient Greeks to promote marital harmony, pearls and weddings make a great coupling. Find your best match here

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LEGENDS Romona Keveza: Spring 2015

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Great Taste

One of Charleston’s top food-and-wine couples host a rehearsal dinner where local flavors reign supreme

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All-Around Classic

Elizabeth Merck & Douglas Lake; April 29, 2006, St. Michael’s Episcopal Church & Hibernian Society Hall

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The Big Reveal

The ins and outs of a surprise wedding, from a bride who pulled it off

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Poems

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Elegant, Naturally

Tara Guérard Soirée shows how magnolia leaves make the most elegant of rustic statements in this al fresco Fenwick Hall plantation wedding

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Votive Lanterns

Top any plain votive with lovely little shades like these, designed by Perla Anne stationery's Stacey Bradley, and you’ll add a touch of sweet style to any wedding party