Truth time: Sometimes we get these engagement sessions and straight-up envy the charmed Instagram-worthy lives the couples seem to live. And Kaitlin and Allan’s shots could do just that. But....
Perfectly Polished
This year’s makeover at centenarian Croghan’s Jewel Box (843/723-3594, www.CroghansJewelBox.com) on King—see above—is almost as gorgeous as the shop’s mega-gorgeous wares. Updated lighting and new counters make shopping the treasure trove (stocked with everything from Single Stone baubles to estate pieces to in-house creations) a wonderfully dangerous breeze. Check it out and put your stamp on their wish list.
Gimme a Kiss
For the past decade Ashley Brook Perryman (www.ABPMakeup.com) has been behind the hair and makeup in our fashion stories and for Charleston Fashion Week. This year marks her first-ever product release: find the custom-blended lip sheers ($22) on her site and at Ooh! Beautiful. Each moisturizes with shea butter, grape seed, soybean, jojoba, and avocado oils.
Uptown Girls
Fan girls of stalwart style icons Oscar de la Renta and Carolina Herrera and followers of A-listers Mira Zwillinger, Ines Di Santo, and Peter Langner have Betty Bridal Atelier (843/642-8220, www.BettyBridalAtelier.com) to thank for bringing those designers’ bridal looks to King Street. Named after owner Rachel Mistretta’s grandmother, the second-floor haute hideaway with private dressing suites sits above O-Ku (across from the William Aiken House). Also new to town is the national boutique franchise, Lovely Bride (843/764-9560, www.LovelyBride.com/Stores/Charleston-SC). Set on Lower King in the 19th-century Tellis Pharmacy building, the shop showcases hip indie designers from national darling Sarah Seven to locally based gem Kate McDonald. Lovely, indeed!
Well-Suited
Honeymooning by the shore? Pack a suit or cover-up from Charleston Fashion Week success story Marysia (www.MarysiaSwim.com); the line’s one- and two-pieces have graced the pages of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition, among other glossies. We’re nuts for the striped fabric collaboration with former Holy City artist Sally King Benedict.
Musical Chairs
Some of your favorite local shops have moved. Kate McDonald Bridal & Maids and LulaKate now call a cute Victorian duplex on Spring Street home (843/805-7193, www.KateMcDonaldBridal.com,
LulaKate.com). Kiawah Fine Jewelry (843/ 768-5357, KiawahFineJewelry.com) shuttered its Freshfields boutique in lieu of its newly opened Houston Northcutt location in Mount Pleasant. Charleston Tuxedo (843/974-5938, www.CharlestonTuxedo.com) and Yoj Events (843/ 614-3413, www.YojEvents.com) can now be found at Wentworth and Rutledge in the former Frampton’s storefront. And the miracle workers (seriously) at Lowcountry Wedding Gown Specialists (843/532-3258, LowcountryWeddingGowns.com) have hung their shingle downtown at Calhoun and Elizabeth streets.
Posh Spice
Mothers of brides and grooms: head to King Street’s newly opened Gramercy Atelier (843/754-1704, www.Gramercy-Atelier.com) for custom formal jackets from designer-owner Maria Pucci that polish wedding weekend looks.
Good Enough for Gwenyth...
The Holy City’s very own Maya Chia (www.MayaChia.com)—a line of non-toxic chia-infused face oils and balms—has garnered praise from Gwenyth Paltrow’s Goop to Glamour. Get in on the good stuff to get your Big Day glow.
Photographs by (croghan's Jewel box) rick rhodes
