The South's Most Stylish Wedding Blog
We’re hoping to brighten your Monday with today’s engagement from Finding Light Photography. Hillsboro Beach, Florida was the perfect setting for this casual couple. With an empty white sand beach and clear blue water, their engagement could not have have taken place on a more pristine day!
Photography: Finding Light Photography
There’s nothing sweeter than an engagement shoot and one in downtown Charleston doubles the charm factor! Brooke and David’s engagement from Meet The Burks takes place among the lush palms and dock swings of Waterfront Park. Be sure not to miss the creative ring picture these two created with scrabble pieces! 
Photography: Meet The Burks
Oh do I have a gorgeous inspiration shoot to share with you today! The Swan House at the Atlanta History Center provided the perfect backdrop for this inspiration shoot from Rustic White Photography and The Sentimentalist. And I must say this storybook shoot has everything fairy tale’s are made of! Organic bouquets paired with loose updo’s complimented flowing Carol Hannah and Leanne Marshall gowns and created an ethereal and airy vision.
Photography: Rustic White Photography in collaboration with The Sentimentalist // Venue: The Swan House at The Atlanta History Center // Gown: Carol Hannah, Mulberry Gown, Spring 2012 Collection // Gown: Leanne Marshall // Hair + Makeup: Claudia Mejerle // Florals: Meredith Mejerle for Amy Osaba
This past Spring designers introduced the world to a new concept of wedding wear, the bridal jumpsuit. While I don’t think the trend will take off and replace elegant gowns I do think jumpsuits are kind of fun. A jumpsuit would be the perfect casual yet dressy outfit to wear to your bridal shower, rehearsal dinner or even on a dressed up engagement shoot. But I want to know your opinion… is this a trend that should stay or one you hope goes away?
via J. Crew
via Houghton Bride
via Giambattista Valli // via Valentino
via Jose Villa
via Temperley Bridal // via Monique Lhuillier
With a color palette of classic navy and white today’s wedding is every bit the sailors dream! Brooke Courtney Photography captured this couples day at the stunning Bonnet Island Estate in Ocean County, New Jersey. Jennie and Scott’s reception took place in the sweeping ballroom with 30-foot high cathedral ceilings designed to resemble the inside of a ships hull. With monkey’s fists anchoring table numbers and tablecloths resembling the blue and white patterns of Wedgwood China this couples wedding is a perfectly preppy seaside affair! 
Photography: Brooke Courtney Photography // Venue: Bonnet Island Estate
A lush green forest outside Seattle is the perfect setting for today’s organic portrait session from Lora Grady Photography. With a backdrop this naturally beautiful you don’t need much to make it romantic as this couple proves. The Makeup Session kept the bride’s look elegant with soft makeup and a sweet waterfall braid, while the bride wore a wispy long veil and carried a simple bouquet of baby’s breath. 
Photography: Lora Grady Photography // Makeup: Michelle Mai Smith, The Makeup Session // Dress + Suit: J. Crew
I am just bursting at the seams to share today’s wedding from Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay. Full of bright colors and bold details this Lowndes Grove wedding is one chic Southern affair! And I haven’t even mentioned the best part yet, the bride is rocking a Yolan Chris blue wedding gown. If you’ve ever wondered how to wear a blue gown take notes from fashionable bride Shelby. I adore the attention to detail that Ooh! Events brought to this creative wedding including the plush lounge areas mixed with vintage and modern decor. And I can’t get enough of the rustic farm tables overflowing with succulents with vintage mix and match china and glassware from Polished. Shelby and Chris’ wedding perfectly reflects their fun personalities and will leave you more than inspired for your own big day! 
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Lowndes Grove Plantation // Photography: Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay // Day-Of Coordination: Julie Romero // Florist: Out of Hand // Catering and Cake: Fish // Decor and Rentals: Ooh! Events // Glassware + Flatware: Polished! // Tent + Dance Floor: Snyder Rental // Invitations + Wedding Papers: Sincerely Yours, Diane // Bridal Gown: Yolan Chris from London Bride Couture // Bridesmaid Dresses: BCBGMAXAZRIA and Roland Mouret // Hair: Justine Porteraj // Makeup: Pamela Lesch Makeup // Groom and Groomsmen Attire: Hugo Boss // Transportation: A Charleston Wedding // Music: DJ Wade of Other Brother Entertainment
Happy Weekend! I’m sharing my all time favorite Valentine’s clip below from Small Fry. You have to watch it as it’ll brighten your day even if your not a fan of this pink, heart filled day. This weekend is the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition in Charleston and I’ll be spending it volunteering at a puppy adopt-a-thon! Nothing says love like cuddling with some sweet fur balls. I hope you have a wonderful weekend and here’s hoping love is in the air for you tonight!
Maybe my favorite video ever – kids explaining the meaning of Valentine’s Day.
Kind of an amazing gift – Grumpy Cat Valentine’s cookies.
A must have hair accessory for the holiday.
Perfect cards for that special someone.
Forget a box of chocolates this recipe for red velvet cake balls sounds delish!
A song for your weekend.
Recently one Sunday as I was wandering downtown Charleston I decided to stop into Pink Dot Beauty Bar. I had heard about the space from my friend Lacey Reeves at Luxe Beat Mag and I recently worked on a wedding with one of their main makeup guru’s Andrew Petersen. Upon entering I immediately noticed the bright, warm space. Housed in a two story building on Meeting St. the beauty bar has beautiful exposed brick walls and a white and mint interior. Walking in you immediately feel comfortable, like you are entering your best friends amazing powder room. For a girl like me who isn’t a makeup maestro and feels more than uncomfortable at department store beauty counters, Pink Dot was a breath of fresh air.
Demetrius could not have been sweeter and I thoroughly enjoyed spending time chatting with him as he showed me makeup techniques. Owner Meghan Walker founded the Pink Dot Beauty Bar as a makeup store specializing in smaller “Indie” brands. The laid-back space is full of high-end labels like Susan Posnick, Ellis Faas and Sunday Riley. In addition to the first floor boutique Pink Dot Beauty Bar also offers an upstairs room, perfect as a bridal party getting ready space or a venue to hold your next girls night makeover party! So the next time you are in town, stop into Pink Dot Beauty Bar. Who knows, you might pick up some new beauty tips or a new shade of gloss! 
Second Image: The Click Chick Photography // Fourth Image: McBee Photography // All other images via Pink Dot Beauty Bar
Today’s engagement features the cutest couple whom you will fall even more in love with when you hear their sweet story! Kelly and Gareth met on a blind date just three days after he returned from deployment in Afghanistan. After an almost four hour coffee date at Starbucks, Kelly knew it was love at first site. Flash forward six months later as Kelly and Gareth grab a quick coffee on their way to dinner with their parents. Gareth sits Kelly down on the same Starbuck’s couch where they met only a few months ago and surprises her by popping the question! Angela Newton Roy photographed their engagement an Wilmington, NC where they combined the romantic scenery of Airlie Gardens with the carefree seaside of Wilmington. 
Photography: Angela Newton Roy Photography
With Valentine’s this week I thought I would do something a little different. I asked a few of my favorite wedding professionals and two bride’s to be to write something short and sweet about love. Their words of wisdom, thoughtful advice and sweet anecdotes speak to the true beauty that is love. So without further ado I am turning over my blog to these professionals and their words of wisdom below! 
“Love, for me, is a constant state of evolution. It begins with that pitter-patter of the heart. It grows into I care about your well-being. It slides into comfort and care-taking. Then, it rolls gently back into pitter-patter and What-would-I-be-without-You.” Pamela Lesch, Pamela Lesch Makeup
“To love someone is to see all of their magic and to remind them of it when they have forgotten.” Dee Ruel Jewelry
“Love is admiration and completion, it is to discover a new piece of yourself you never knew existed, the one that makes you better, smarter and stronger.” Morgan Harris, Bride 
“Love is giggling together. Telling your loved one, repeatedly, “Thank you” for the life you have given me! Don’t forget date night, or a simple gesture of a single bloom, placed where she will find it. Knowing her favorite flower and surprising her with it! Or better yet, the flower she used on your wedding day!!” Gayla Harvey, Tiger Lily
“Love can make you do really stupid things, but it is worth taking the risk. You learn from past breakups, and strengthen your heart from these experiences. With patience, you will find the ONE that you chose to share your strong heart with, and in return, they will love doing stupid things with you.” Berna Ivy Mazon, Bride
“If you aren’t growing together, you are growing apart!” Lindsey Shanks, A Charleston Bride
“New love is shiny, its easy to see yourself with this person…lasting love is being there even when that person is a bit tarnished. Being a good partner means you pull out the silver polished and shine them back up.” Lizz Akerman, Southern Protocol
“Love is the most wonderful and essential part of life and should be celebrated, not just on Valentine’s Day, but every day of the year! Valentine’s is a wonderful opportunity to send a card, share a meal, give a small gift and remind those around you that you love them. Enjoy this Valentine’s and carry over the celebration of love throughout 2014!” Emilie Dulles, Dulles Designs 
Photography credits Left to Right, Top to Bottom: Top images both Jen Huang Photography // Katelyn James Photography via Southern Weddings // via Pinterest // via Camille Styles // O’Malley Photographers via 100 Layer Cake // Adam Barnes via Grey Likes Weddings // Jessica Lorren via Elizabeth Anne Designs // Erich McVey via Once Wed // O’Malley Photographers via 100 Layer Cake // Harwell Photography via 100 Layer Cake // Delbarr Moradi Photography via 100 Layer Cake // Jessica Loren via Snippet & Ink // The Nichols via Style Me Pretty // Amanda McMahon Photography via Elizabeth Anne Designs // Jen Huang Photography via Poppies & Posies // Steve Steinhardt Photography via Southern Weddings // via Dreamy Wedding Ideas // Lee Bird Photography via Little Big Company // via Craftberry Bush
Happy Weekend! Are you excited for the Olympics to start? I’m looking forward to watching Saun White and Bode Miller, they’re two of my favorites. I’ve got lots of great links for you this weekend and starting Monday we’re celebrating Valentine’s Day all week!
A beautiful, simple outdoor wedding on Once Wed.
I made this recipe this week and it was so delicious I just had to share!
The sweetest post about getting “butterflies” on a first date.
Two of my favorite artists are returning to Charleston for an exhibit at my alma mater and I can’t wait!
Rustic winter wedding inspiration via Elizabeth Anne Designs.
16 Festive ideas for a Valentine’s Day party!
A song for your weekend.
Today’s engagement from Annabella Charles Photography takes place among the palm fronds and blooming tropical landscape of Watercolor, Florida. And with a name like Watercolor, how can the landscape not be perfect for a sweet engagement such as this! Melissa and Michael’s relaxed engagement style of white and cool green hues is the perfect compliment to this tropical oasis.
Photography: Annabella Charles Photography
You may have a special hairpin or vintage comb that you want to include in your wedding day, but sometimes it’s tough to know how to incorporate it in your hairstyle. Well take a tip from these eight stylish ladies below. They used hairpins to accent their wedding hairstyles adding a classic to dramatic touch! And if your looking for some updo inspiration I’ve got you covered here. 
via Jen Huang Photography // via Joe Villa
Ann-Katherin Koch Photography via Snippet & Ink // Tec Petaja via Jordan Byers 
Jen Huang Photography via Southern Weddings
via Sibo Designs // Tec Petaja via Once Wed
Happy Weekend! I don’t know about you but I am completely over the cold weather. This week Charleston was hit with an ice and snow storm. We didn’t have it as bad as other parts of the South but it effectively closed our major bridges and all businesses mid-week. Having lived in the South for almost 8 years now I was at a complete loss as to what to do. I threw away most of my snow gear, including my dreaded window scraper years ago. Needless to say my car has remained parked, icicles and all for the past three days. But all this time at home left me with lots of time to scour the internet and I’ve collected some great links for you below!
I love this idea – a thank you brunch for your bridesmaids.
How fun, spot the celebrity guests at these weddings on Style Me Pretty!
Chic gifts for the bride on Damsel In Dior.
Yum, a sweet recipe for your weekend.
Great groom style at this wedding over on Oh Lovely Day.
A song for your weekend.
With a winter storm watch in effect over most of the country and the fact that it’s currently snowing in Charleston (unheard of!) I thought Alison and Cory’s Seaside, FL affair would be just the fix for such a blustery day! From the pastel bridesmaids dresses to the couples yellow convertible this wedding is full of thoughtful details. (The groom even sent his bride a love note in a bottle!) So curl up by the fire and warm up with these dreamy images from Lauren Kinsey Photography! 
Photography: Lauren Kinsey Photography // Planner: Heather Archdeacon Williams, Defining Moments Wedding & Events // Ceremony Venue: Seaside Interfaith Chapel // Reception Venue: Cafe Thirty-A Restaurant, Seaside, FL // Flowers + Decor: Bella Flora // Videography: Diva Productions // Hair: Rolland’s Beauty Bar // Makeup: Two Fishes Artistry // Minister: Rev. Martin Gilliand // Ceremony Guitarist: Jason Grandy, GTS Entertainment // Reception Band: Nash- Vegas All Stars // Vintage Car: A Bride’s Ride