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If you follow the Weddings Style Blog regularly then you must know just how much I LOVE Carolina Herrera! She is the Queen of elegance and innovation! Hands down Herrera presents one of my most favorite shows during New York’s Bridal Market. Now it’s your turn to get up close and personal with her bridal couture designs during Maddison Row’s trunk show featuring Carolina Herrera’s Spring ‘09 Collection on October 2, 3 & 4th. Brides, when you are searching for that perfect dress this is one designer worth slipping into (and possibly out of on your honeymoon.) Make your appointment now!

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The idea of a “Save The Date” card is so clever. I, for one, know with my schedule it is nice to get a very advanced notice of an event so that I can block off my calendar. So convenient! Felix Doolittle offers a wide range of “Save The Date” cards for every taste or theme for a wedding! All cards are personalized and feature watercolor illustrations in numerous themes such as flowers, animals, cowboy boots, cityscapes, food and more. Shown above are my two favorite styles “Speckled Eggs” and “Twinkle Twinkle”.

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Love the “Porcelain Bouquet” illustration for a more classic appeal. Check out their selection online for over a dozen choices for a great first impression on your future wedding guest!

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Since you only get married once (usually) why not go over-the-top with your details? If you agree, then you will love these 18kt Peach Gold earrings with hand-etched bands that hug these edgy Herkimer Diamond studs.

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The design of these luxurious earrings gives the illusion that you are wearing raw diamonds on your wedding day! Now that’s flashy! I will say that these are not for the budget conscious as they cost a whopping $920. Hey, remember it’s your one special ceremonial day (or at least that’s what your aiming for.) If you love these stylish studs you can find them online at Tiffini Dooris. Bling, Bling!

There is nothing more enjoyable than the candid behind the scenes shots of the inner workings of a fashion shoot, except for the actual feature of course! Once again, I have for you a pictorial day in the life with model, crew and the craziness that makes a photo shoot so fun! Enjoy!

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Lowndes Grove Plantation was gracious enough to give us this suite for staging wardrobe and hair and makeup! During this time we were able to watch VH-1 and E! to catch up on our celebrity gossip.
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First shot of the day and Frank is already on the floor! It won’t be the last time.

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Seriously I am! I have to pull myself away. Maybe it’s a stylist thing…to achieve the perfect bow!

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Ashley and I always attack at the same time but we have it down to a science. It’s like a dance! The days of pushing and shoving over the model are long gone!

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I truly love this shot! Check out this amazing headpiece by Magar Hatworks!

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Ok…yes I will keep my day job!

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This is a piece that I created with some lace fabric and a brooch.

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Some shots may not make it in the feature but are worthy for the blog. This is one!

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You have heard the phrase “Hurry up and wait!” Example #1.

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Everyone gathers on the lawn as the carriage scene takes place. To get the shot the carriage has to go around at least 10 times!

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The Trail Mix Company definitely owes me a check for my wonderful product placement ad that I am doing here! Seriously, you can’t get through these shoots without them.

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Another photo shoot survival tactic is stretches! We only lost our balance once but no one was hurt in the process.

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Who knew my style intern, Danielle was so artistic behind the camera. Um…but I am cut off a bit. Wonder if she’s trying to tell me something!

And last but not least…

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All photos shot by Danielle Darragh.

Don’t forget to pick up your copy of Charleston Weddings on newstands now!

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As soon as you say “Yes” and the shock wears off a bit that you are actually engaged to be married, the very next thing you should do is pick up a wedding organizer and planning book! Where else would you keep the millions of magazine pages that you will inevitably rip out as you gather ideas! The hot new planner on the market, The Wedding Organizer, comes courtesy of russell + hazel and Anne Chertoff. This must have is the only 100% customizable wedding planner on the market and to top that it is also 100% eco-friendly.

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Honestly, they have thought of everything. In addition to the binder system you can access over 30 wedding planning worksheets downloadable for FREE on the website. Sign up for the russell + hazel newsletter during the month of July and you will receive 10% off your order.

Anne Chertoff is the matrimonial aficionado who has partnered with russell + hazel to deliver this custom organizer. She has worked for Modern Bride, Martha Stewart Weddings and now is the Bridal Expert on the iVillage Love & Sex Message Board. Chertoff and her expert advice has been featured in numerous publications and big name broadcasts such as The Today Show and CNN’s Headline News.

So gather up all of your little scrap pieces of paper overflowing with thoughts and ideas and get organized! You will thank me later!

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Recently The TODAY show featured bridesmaid dresses from Two Birds Bridesmaid, Simple Silhouettes, Vineyard Collection and Jenny Yoo on their Race To The Alter segment! However, you can view these designers right here in Charleston at Bella Bridesmaid on King Street. If it’s fabulous enough for TV then it’s definitely fab enough for your special day! Hot colors mentioned where pink, grey and what I think is the hottest color in formal wear this season…red! Other top designers found at Bella Bridesmaid include Melissa Sweet, Priscilla of Boston, and Vera Wang! You can even support our local designers by checking out the collection by LulaKate Bridal! For those unforeseen dramatic episodes, Bella Bridesmaid even offers a Bridesmaid’s Survival Kit from Ms. & Mrs. Seriously when it comes to Holy Matrimony you can never have enough emergency plans!

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Are you planning your own wedding? I applaud you but I also know that you are probably waking up at odd hours of the night thinking of things you may have forgotten! Well I have a treat for you! Mindy Weiss, well-known celebrity wedding planner, has created the Sometimes Brides Forget purse size-planning book! It comes with charming sticky tabs with sayings like “I Do”, “Must Have”, “Love It”, Great Idea”, “Maybe”, “Unforgettable” and “Perfect”. This adorable Booklet Includes: 1 pen, 100 “Sometimes Brides Forget” 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ Sticky Notes, 7 Assorted Sticky Tabs with 50 each and for only $9.99! Now you have all of the tools to jot down your matrimonial ideas or sticky note your favorite bridal magazine interests. As I always say, “Relax, Relate, Release”!

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Gown Boutique of Charleston is hosting a Badgley Mischka trunk show kicking off this Friday, April 18th through Sunday! Ok, bride-to-be, get the girls together for this one! This is an opportunity to browse through the latest Badgley Mischka bridal (entire) collection while enjoying cocktails and hors d’oeuvres! Even at this high-end affair (expect exquisite glamour as this is what they do best) there is a bonus involved! If you should stumble across the Badgley Mischka bridal couture gown of your dreams and you purchase it, you will receive 15% off! Yes, yes…so make your appointment now!

Last Thursday I boutique party hopped, as it was a busy evening packed with a launch, a grand opening and an anniversary! Love this fashion life! So let’s start at the beginning…

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First stop, Maddison Row for the chic cocktail party celebrating the launch of the Marysia Swim Line. Looking at the swimwear I was kicking my self about not going to my Hip Hop Dance class in over 6 months. These suits were hot which means I need to hit the squats! Love the reversible swimsuit that you can wear in turquoise or reverse for gold! GOLD, yes, very Beyoncé glam in my opinion. Then Maria Dobrzanska Reeves designer showed me the bikini with gold button detail! I’m in! I can clearly envision this swimwear paired with strappy stilettos for a glamorous pool party! Check out this line sold at Hampden Clothing and Maddison Row (both mentioned in Vogue’s March Issue.)

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Next, I pop into the In The Bag grand opening party! What a fab concept, really! The concept is that you can design your own bag, meaning that you can pick out hardware, fabric, and style!

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I made a date with Lissa Myers to try my hand at this. I will keep you posted on my creation. As I mingled with guest the hot topic was Charleston Fashion Week and it felt like we were all huddled around the campfire with everyone saying “remember when…”

Tip: In The Bag does parties with all the necessities included (great gift for the bridal party!)

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Last stop is the WHITE anniversary soiree. As I walk up and before I even enter I find my self-spending 10 minutes posing in photos with Charleston Fashion Week models and designers! Inside the paparazzi doesn’t end as there are camera flashes everywhere and the party is packed!

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On the flat screen TV is footage of WHITE’s runway presentation at the Bridal Couture Show during Charleston Fashion Week. In fact, the energy and spirit of CFW is still flowing at this party! Yonni and Natty Heavy of Z-93 are playing all of the right jams and Jodi Moylan (owner and bridal couture designer) is floating around the room like the social butterfly that she is! (People really adore her!)

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The runway show is about to begin and Jodi takes the mic for an endearing list of thank you’s ending with a very deserving appreciation for Lindsey Nowak, event designer, for planning this red carpet affair (really, there is a red carpet!) The runway presentation is very VERY upbeat unlike any bridal show that I have ever seen. For example, Flo Rida’s Get Low in the background as models skipped and strutted down the red carpet in Jenny Packham couture! Love the Axl Rose lace bandana detail…I would like to think she was inspired by the bridal fashion spread in Charleston Weddings Magazine (wink).

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During this high-energy presentation I fell in love with this glamorous fashion forward veil worn on the shoulders (as I believe it was designed for.) The night ended with the same party vibe that it began with! Congrats on a glam booty-shakin’ bridal couture red carpet anniversary bash!

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Weddings are a bride’s game, correct? What about the grooms, eh? Well don’t miss the Bridal couture show during Charleston Fashion Week on Saturday March 29th! Doors open at 9 am with a brunch served until 10 (Mimosa’s included.) Special guest author, Shandon Fowler, will be on hand during brunch for a book signing of his latest masterpiece, The Groom’s Instruction Manual: How to Survive and Possibly Even Enjoy the Most Bewildering Ceremony Known to Man. Love this! It’s a complete illustrated guide on everything from popping the question to surviving the wedding plans! The Charleston Weddings Mag Bridal Couture show is the newest addition to Charleston Fashion Week and will make a grand debut! Expect to see the latest in high-end bridal couture and guess what …a little something in groom’s wear as well! We haven’t forgotten you boys!

See you at the tents!