Best Bets for Charleston Brides

Summer 2019

Best Bets for Charleston Brides | The city's style pros share what wedding gowns suit every Holy City celebration

Jean’s Bridal wedding wedding gown Emily Kotarski Bridal Bella Bridesmaid Bella Bridesmaids Big Day emily kotarski maddison row Maddison Row South

Beach Brides: “Dahlia” midi dress with tulle skirt overlay from Emily Kotarski Bridal Studio and Showroom. Why It Works: “Switch up the formal look of ‘Dahlia’ by adding a flowing tulle skirt and you exude major beach wedding vibes.” —Emily Kotarski

“Dahlia” midi dress with tulle skirt overlay from Emily Kotarski Bridal Studio and Showroom.

Best for Outdoor Weddings: “Myra” 2857 Tara Keely by Lazaro (2857). Why It Works: “Ethereal Boho looks are great for outdoor weddings so the bride doesn’t have a lot of dress weight to contend with.” —Jessica Kiss, Veritá. A Bridal Boutique

Best for Ballrooms: Calla Blanche’s “Paulette.” Why It Works: “This gown will really light up under chandeliers.” —Jessica Kiss, Veritá. A Bridal Boutique

Best for Ballrooms: Amsale’s “Rene.” Why It Works: “It’s crisp and sophisticated, and will look good on all bridesmaids as they dance the night away.” —Alex Moring, Bella Bridesmaids

Best for Ballrooms: Morilee by Madeline Gardner’s “Providence.” Why It Works: “An elegant and timeless silhouette pairs nicely with a ballroom venue.” —Blake Devereux, Jean’s Bridal

Best for Beach Brides: Allure Romance’s Style 3205. Why It Works: “The crochet lace bodice and chiffon skirt give this dress a more casual and flowy look that’s ideal for the beach.” —Blake Deveraux, Jean’s Bridal

Best for Eloping: Allure Romance’s Style 3205. Why It Works: “This bridesmaids’ dress in an ivory, blush, or champagne is more casual than most wedding gowns but still feels bridal.” —Jessica Kiss, Veritá. A Bridal Boutique

Best for Eloping: TwoBirds’ convertible jumpsuit. Why It Works: “It’s easy to wear, and comes in their classic jersey fabric or velvet.” —Lissie Summer, Bella Bridesmaids

Best for Outdoor Weddings: “The Peony” from Emily Kotarski Bridal Studio and Showroom. Why It Works: “This is the dream dress for a Southern bride looking for a fun, elegant look. Its 3-d floral appliqués and detachable cape adds flair.” —Emily Kotarski

Best for a Reception Exit: Any of Amsale’s Little White Dresses (pictured: LW133 High Neck Shift). Why It Works: “Amsale’s LWD collection is all about fun, flirty styles. Any one of them are great for departing on the back of a motorcycle or dancing the night away at your after-party!” —Michelle Miller, Maddison Row South

Best for Summer: Morilee by Madeline Gardner’s “Rasia.” Why It Works: “Rasia’s a super dress for summer because of its lightweight fabric and its spaghetti straps that dip into a low back.” —Blake Deveraux, Jean’s Bridal

(above) Best for Beach Brides: “Dahlia” midi dress with tulle skirt overlay from Emily Kotarski Bridal Studio and Showroom.

Given our tropical summers and temperate (but possibly chilly winters), and our varied landscapes and settings, Charleston isn’t one-size-fits-all when it comes to wedding gowns. Here, we ask those-in-the-know, the pros at area bridal boutiques, to share what their favorite in-store looks are made for what Lowcountry Big Day. Enjoy!

Vendors

Bella Bridesmaids: www.bellabridesmaids.com

Emily Kotarski Bridal Studio and Showroom: www.emilykotarski.com

Jean’s Bridal: www.jeansbridalcharleston.com

Maddison Row South: www.maddisonrowsouth.com

Verità. A Bridal Boutique: www.veritabridal.com

Images (2) by Clay Austin Photography; Photographs (9) courtesy of the designers & (Emily Kotarski) by The Happy Bloom

Feature

Backyard Beauty

Take one bride, pair her with a dear family friend with a flair for design, and a backyard reception goes from quaint to quite fabulous

Feature

8 Absolute Beauty Do’s—and Don’ts—on Your Wedding Day

Lashes, extensions, and brows—oh my! Here's what makes sense to try (and what doesn't) on the Big Day

Feature

RESPECT

See how this Southern Belle bride shows how to honor—and include—your grandparents (and other elders) at your wedding

Feature

How Charming!

Add sentiment to your Big Day with these treasured keepsakes

Feature

Crush on This!

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

Feature

All-Around Classic

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

Feature

A-List Accessories

Look no further for the wow! factor—these bags, jewelry, and more make any look next-level

Feature

Love & Lavender

Seven years after becoming fast friends, a Charlotte pair weds at Lowndes Grove Plantation with a sweet ceremony steeped in hues of lavender

Feature

Pastel Perfection

Close to a decade after they began dating, a Colorado couple exchanges vows in an easy, airy seaside ceremony on Kiawah Island

Feature

Rain & Shine

Worried about a wedding washout? Learn from this couple’s backup plan

Feature

What a Treat

Wow guests with made-to-order gourmet cotton candy spun on the spot

Feature

Rosy Times

Allison Clark & Matt Laughridge, October 30, 2010, The French Huguenot Church & Lowndes Grove Plantation

Feature

A Perfect Start

A friendship leads to a very romantic day at Runnymede Plantation

Feature

New-School Tradition

When a belle of an old-guard Charleston family opts for a pre-ceremony “first look” with her groom, it means times are changing. See why a sneak peek worked for Kathleen Hay and Andrew Hagood, and why you might follow suit

Feature

Affairs to Remember - A Touch of Provence

Pull up a chair for this reception styled in the spirit of the French wine country

Feature

Southern Comfort

A star-crossed pair of Tar Heels turn a fateful connection into a forever romance

Feature

Mamma Mia!

New York Times best-selling author (and Sullivan’s Island resident) Dorothea Benton Frank pens a hilarious and hearfelt must-read for MOBs and MOGs

Feature

Southern Charm

Enjoy this simple, sweet wedding by the water in Rockville, where the oaks tower, roads are unpaved, and romance is always in the air

Feature

All Tiered Up

Who says newlyweds can’t have their crêpe and eat it, too?

Feature

Crafty Thinking

Homespun and handmade details decorate this Big Day at the Cotton Dock at Boone Hall Plantation

Best Bets for Charleston Brides

RELATED ARTICLES

Popular Tags