Written By Melissa Reardon
Photographs By Lucy Cuneo
A transplant from Virginia, Weston “Wes” McAfee vividly remembers the first time he saw his future bride-to-be. Charleston native Dana Elaine...
"A lot of high-octane talent is packed into our little one-mile stretch, but the vibe is still, ‘Y’all come on in, door’s open,’” explains Calder Clark Designs founder Calder Clark.
Take a stroll along the loop of King, Cannon, President, and Spring streets, and you’ll soon share Calder’s same warm sentiments about the city’s blossoming “Wedding Quarter.” With charming homes-turned-boutiques on Cannon, cute signs hanging from shop doors, and urban wedding stores on Spring, the lively stretch overflows with Charleston hospitality. It’s a place where vendors always mind their p’s and q’s, invite you in to sit a spell, and help plan the wedding you’ve always wanted without breaking a nail.
In total, there are 19 shops in the area with the tightest cluster being on Cannon and Spring streets from King Street to Rutledge Avenue. If you want to stroll, gather your bridesmaids and for the abbreviated tour, make an appointment at Magar Hatworks and peruse designer Leigh’s smart chapeaus, feather-dressed hair combs, and whimsical fascinators. Afterward, pop in next door at Sugar Bakeshop, where they whip up everything from sweet tarts to chocolate chip cookies—perfect welcome bag fodder. Making your way along Cannon, don’t miss mac & murphy, a stationery haven where owners Liz MacPherson and Ami Murphy invite you to sit in their back garden terrace, sip bubbly, and pick out a save-the-date card.
Next, bop over to Spring Street, where you'll find Simply Eventful; (event planners); Ad Libb Designs (custom handbags); and Yoj Events (event planners) all in the same stretch. Finish the loop with a floral fix at stems at Coming and Cannon, where DIY brides can sign up for floral arranging classes. While there, say hello to wedding photographer Leigh Webber, whose studio is connected to the airy floral shop—just another example of the area’s neighborly vibe.
MORE GREAT SHOPS
Check out the map above and legend below for more great shops in the area. As for the wedding planners and event folks? We suggest calling ahead. Two other not-to-miss shops (and more call-head types): Maddison Row, the haute couture gown boutique and one of the early anchors of the quarter and Stitch, letterpress gurus extraordinaire.
MAP LEGEND
1. stems, 208 Coming St., (843) 789-4930
2. Leigh Webber Photography, 41 Cannon St., (843) 697-0376
3. Magar Hatworks, 57 Cannon St., (843) 577-7740
4. Sugar Bakeshop, 59 Cannon St., (843) 579-2891
5. Beads on Cannon, 87 Cannon St., (843) 723-5648
6. Kristen Newman Designs, 210 Rutledge Ave., (843) 723-6301
7. Technical Event Company, 82 Cannon St., (843) 297-8559
8. Blossoms Events, 82 ½ Cannon St., (843) 357-1114
9.mac & murphy, 74 Cannon St., (843) 576-4394
10. Calder Clark Designs, 62 Cannon St., (843) 641-0055
11. Stitch, 9 Cannon St., (843) 722-9145
12. Simply Eventful, 207A St. Philip St., (843) 647-0427
13. Ad Libb Designs, 47A Spring St., (843) 469-9123
14. Yoj Events, 47A Spring St., (843) 614-3413
15. WildFlour Pastry, 73 Spring St., (843) 327-2621
16. Carmen Ash Photography, 79A Spring St., (843) 385-2127
17. WED-Wedding Event Design, 123 Spring St., (843) 722-9333
18. Tiger Lily Florist, 131 Spring St., (843) 723-5648
19. Maddison Row, 171 Spring St, (843) 720-7979
