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

April 21 2020

Liz & Patrick | The Gadsden House

A Globetrotting Courtship When Patrick (United Kingdom native) met Liz (Mizzouri born) in Atlanta, they hit it off … and then realized they only had a few weeks to get to know each other. Five...

April 15 2020

Dena & Drew | Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina

A Charleston Pup-Posal Dena moved to Charleston from New York City and Andrew (Drew) moved to Charleston from Columbia, South Carolina … then eHarmony worked its magic to bring the pair together....

April 14 2020

Meghan & Robert | The Gadsden House

Swipe Right On a Sunday afternoon in Michigan, Meghan downloaded Tinder … and there was Robert (Rob). “He was SO handsome, like movie-star handsome, and his profile was interesting and genuine,” she...

April 9 2020

Charleston Coronavirus | Our Wedding Community Gives Back

One of the blessings amidst the worry and tragedy of COVID-19 has been stories of everyday people serving their communities. The Lowcountry is filled with good-hearted helpers doing what they can....

April 8 2020

Kierstin & James | Lowndes Grove

Hello There James moved to Chicago from Ireland to experience life American-style; Kierstin had moved to Windy City from Atlanta to pursue her PhD in childhood special education. His roommate knew...

April 7 2020

Hayley & Collin | Middleton Place

The year: 2009. The setting: a high school homecoming dance in Columbus, Ohio. The cast: Hayley, a junior and Collin, a senior. The sparks: flew. That sweet start propelled today’s cuties into a 10-...

April 3 2020

Getting Married and Freaked About the Pandemic? Here’s Your COVID-19 Chill Pill

First, take a deep breath. Lisa Thomas, the guru behind Charleston, South Carolina’s Ooh! Events (an event goliath that’s part planning hub, part florist, part rental house, etc.) and owner of the...

March 31 2020

Pandemic Elopement Package Rescues Rescheduled Weddings

We can’t say it enough during these worry-filled days: a planner sure takes the worry off your wedding planning plate. Not only do they thrive in the middle of fast-paced crises, their fix-it selves...

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Love It!

Easton Events’ inaugural wedding at Lowndes Grove Plantation imparts ideas worth emulating

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Lowcountry Loot

Fill welcome bags with swag from—and about—the city

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Get Your Glow On

Makeup artist Blair Mathis shares tips for the latest look in big day beauty

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Uptown Girl

Head to The Vendue, where the chic (and recently revamped) boutique hotel plays host to a slew of sophisticated looks

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Crush on This!

With child photographers, a dog in a floral collar, and custom pillows, this waterside wedding will slay you

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Shipshape Style

Infuse your seaside celebration with tips of the (sailor) hat to nautical icons

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Just Peachy

Take care of your skin, and be a naturally blushing bride.

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Bohemian Beauty

Beautiful boho style reigns supreme as a Charleston couple ties the knot then celebrates at Hibernian Hall

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Raise Your Glass

<p> Say cheers with a signature drink with roots right here in the Lowcountry</p>

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The Book-It Babes

Wedding room blocks organized with no strings attached and no fees charged? Yes, please!

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Garden Party Glam

A pair of College of Charleston grads return to the Holy City for a garden party wedding steeped in vintage glamour

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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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Dream Day

From a cell-phone charging station to signature, well, everything, this white-glove wedding invites you to experience the good life

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Season’s Greetings: Sweetgrass Dreams

A Charleston Bride dreams up a reception starring a sweetgrass-basket cake that's for the ages

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Rustic Reimagined

How do a pair of hipster New Yorkers throw a wedding in the South? Check out this Big Day at Boone Hall Plantation

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Kid-Friendly

Got children on your guest list? Keep them entertained—and self-contained—at rehearsal dinners, receptions, and more

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Tiers of Joy

Wedding cakes may be a centuries-old tradition, but that hasn’t stopped them from evolving right alongside wedding design. Here, we share a few swoon-worthy styles by local pastry chefs.