Marriage à la Mode



PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT: 
Marriage à la Mode | From opulent new venues and swish reception options to romantic bridal fashions, these wedding headliners will have you saying “I do”
Southern Stunner
Marrying Lowcountry luxury with coastal charm along the pristine Kiawah River, The Dunlin, Auberge Resorts Collection offers a naturally elegant setting for wedding parties. The handsome sea island resort, which opened in August 2024, offers breathtaking gathering spaces, from verdant fields studded with live oaks to three unique riverfront venues, as well as 72 guest rooms and a wellness spa. Couples planning to wed on the property have access to an expert in-house events team as well as a closet of gorgeous linens and tabletop décor curated by internationally renowned event designer Bronson van Wyck. aubergeresorts.com/the-dunlin
 
Rolling on the River
Keep your eyes on the downtown skyline for the rise of The Cooper, a six-story riverside retreat that vows to wow when it opens in 2025 (event reservations are now being accepted). The 196-room hotel at 176 Concord Street will include 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, five distinct dining options, and a full-service destination spa. For those interested in nautical nuptials, the property will also harbor a custom 75-passenger yacht and two cruising vessels at its private Cooper River marina. thecooper.com
 
Modern Marvel
Like a gorgeous glass castle, the La Fenice greenhouse tent makes an architectural statement in any landscape, from lush gardens to peaceful shorelines. Crafted in Italy with an iron frame and transparent walls, this stunning tent offers the protection of an indoor party with the glorious setting of an outdoor event. La Fenice made its US debut this past spring in Columbia, South Carolina, and is now available for rent through Snyder Events. snyderevents.com
 
Taking the Plunge
As design manager and studio coordinator for Emily Kotarski Bridal, Courtney Young recognizes that many brides want an individual style that knows no age. So the local designer created Young Mermaids to showcase enchanting pieces that are both playful and timeless. The dreamy, impressionist looks seen in the brand’s debut capsule collection, “Chant-a-Lily,” celebrate femininity and whimsy with a Southern Gothic aesthetic. Young’s first full collection, “Something Young, Something New, & Something Blue,” will launch in the New Year. youngmermaids.com
 
Isn’t She Lovely?
The right dress can make the wearer feel like she’s walking on air. Enter the newest capsule from Lula Kate, featuring floaty fabrics and elevated prints. This fresh round of super wearable silhouettes highlights the brand’s signature florals and can be mixed, matched, and customized to achieve each bride’s unique vision for her bridesmaids’ look. lulakate.com
 
Ride in Style
Since rolling out in 2020, WhipDash has assembled an exclusive collection of 22 luxury and classic cars perfect for revving up special occasion photo shoots and getaway rides. In addition to offerings like the Rolls Royce Corniche II (pictured), four more swoon-worthy vehicles were recently added to the company’s immaculate fleet, including a 1979 Rolls Silver Spur limousine and a first-generation Ford Mustang convertible. whipdash.com
 
Far Out Photos
If your wedding vision includes a vintage vibe, “Wren” should be invited. This buttercup-yellow, 1967 Volkswagen microbus brings happiness and love to any groovy occasion. Introduced in June by the talented husband-and-wife team behind special-order bakery The Cake Stand, The Charleston Shutter Bus can be rented as a photo prop or outfitted as a photo booth. thecharlestonshutterbus.com
 
Rare Jewels
Little Bird took flight this spring with the opening of its Queen Street jewelry studio. Boasting an eye for handcrafted detail, owner Laura Cohen seeks out coastal-inspired artisan designs that feature delicate stones like quartz, turquoise, black pearls, and rubies. The cozy store also offers 90-minute workshops where friends can gather to create one-of-a-kind pieces—ideal for a crafty bachelorette party or bridal shower! littlebirdchs.com

 

Photographs courtesy of (3) the Dunlin, Auberge Resorts collection & (2) the Cooper; (Young Mermaids) Alex Blake Photography & courtesy of (La Fenice) Snyder Events; photographs by (dress) Mia Melin & (whipdash) Becky Owens; (jewelry) Rook Barber & courtesy of (van) Charleston Shutter Bus

The Wedding Row

October 4 2019
Y’all. I almost don’t want to write a thing here because the shots from Folly Beach’s Wiki Wiki Sandbar are so freakin’ amazing they need no explanation, embellishment, or extrapolation. I mean,...

October 3 2019
Psst! Want a sneak peek into how a photographer helps a couple warm up before the lens long before the Big Day? Here’s how it’s done, Charleston-style, by Priscilla Thomas of Priscilla Thomas...

October 2 2019
Inali and Leon met on a college trip to Washington D.C. back in 2012. Inali’s first impression? Leon was the strangest man she had ever met. Six years later, after some solid QT together, she...

October 1 2019
We love how bride Savannah operates. That dress she’s sporting? It was purchased at what was formerly The Gown Collective (and now is Magnolia Bride, an upscale gown consignment shop downtown on...

September 30 2019
The stars aligned for Emily and Meryl not once, not twice, but three times to make sure they ended up a couple. The first time, Emily sidled up to a bar where Meryl was slinging drinks when sparks...

September 27 2019
If you’re craving a love story and the tale of how this wedding at The Gadsden House came together, click here for the original story that ran in summer 2019 Charleston Weddings. If you’re wanting to...

September 26 2019
You know all those paradise weddings you’ve seen? Those where the bride and groom are standing on a windswept beach with palms blowing in the wind and the bride’s veil flutters almost as much as her...

September 20 2019
Sparks flew a few years back on the Fourth of July in Charleston when Michelle was introduced to Patrick. After what we are assuming was one memorable holiday, and after dating for two-ish years,...