Somtimes Brides Forget

Wedding Planning Booklet by Mindy Weiss

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”!

Badgley Mischka at Gown Boutique of Charleston

Badgley Mischka Bride

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…

Marysia Swim Designer Maria with Daughter

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.)

In The Bag

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!

Jennifer Snowden and In The Bag Owner Lissa Kemp Myers

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!)

WHITE Anniversary Party

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!

A Packed House At WHITE

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!)

Jodi, Owner Of White, Gushes Thank You’s!

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).

Chic Avant-Garde Runway Veil

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!

The Groom’s Instruction Manual

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!

"Have a blast" Biodegradable, Celebratroy Wedding Poppers

As we all know it is not only very chic to love mother earth these days but also highly important! Here is a wonderful alternative to throwing rice or birdseed. AmericanBridal.com sells “Have A Blast!” Biodegradable, Celebratory Wedding Poppers that allows guest to send you off in eco-friendly style! These confetti poppers are sold in sets of 12 and come with a charming cartoon bride and groom on the wrapper. What could possibly be more responsible yet at the same time traditional than biodegradable poppers? Your guest will be so impressed by your planet-conscious wedding theme!

Bonnie Marcus Collection

Elegant Bride Bridal Shower Thank You Note

I have always been such a fan of fashion illustration and design. Really anything that visually relates or mimics fashion is gold to me! The Bonnie Marcus Collection, a favorite of Christina Aguilera and Ashanti, has cleverly married this style aesthetic with stationary for all occasions. I particularly adore this ‘Ladies Only’ invite that could be perfect for a Bachelorette party, bridal shower or bridesmaid gathering. My favorite is the ‘Elegant Bride’ thank you note with its chic hairline sketch and hint of color printed on 80 lb natural white card stock. Of course I am always a believer in fashion with a cause so you will be happy to know that the Bonnie Marcus Collection supports Breast Cancer research and education! Party on, Ladies!

Here is your peek into the making of the Princess Bride Fashion Feature in the Summer issue of Charleston Weddings! Every one loves a little behind the scenes humor and candid shots. Check out how it all came together!

Abby Loves Pearls!

Little Abby was all about playing dress up! I had to trick her into letting me take off the pearls. In fact, they actually made it into the shot on page 151. I hope her papa has lots of credit cards! This is a fashionista in the making!

A Wedding Dress Explosion

So many bridal gowns with two days to shoot!

Always Have Net Lace On Hand

Me And My Muse

This is a must for me as a stylist! Sometimes to achieve a look I will create a veil out of lace fabric on a whim. As shown on page 154 and 157.

Frank’s Signature Style

Ashley At Work

Ashley runs in for a gloss touch up on the model, Angelica. She smiles even though it is absolutley freezing outside!

Do "Fish Lips" Abby

Of course, you can’t leave Abby out! We coach her during her lip gloss application. “Fish lips” serves it’s purpose!

Style Intern Molly Taping Shoes

Warming Up Before The Shot

Angelica warms up before Frank is ready to shoot. The sweater is not recommend for walking down the aisle.

Dynamic Duo Modeling Leigh Magar Hair Pieces

Magar hatworks provided amazing hair embelishments for the shoot. Ashley, my partner in crime, agrees that you never grow out of playing dress up! Why should the model have all the fun?

Melissa Inspects From Her Golf Cart

Model Action

So Not Bridal Shoes

Ha! Love this shot! Obviously, we hadn’t quite got her into the proper shoes!

The Interns

Can never have enough extra hands!

Working Out The Shot

Frank often likes to demonstrate for the model. This is always the when the most comical moments take place.

I’m No Model

This is why I am a behind the scenes player!

Erika Peña

If there is ever a time to really make a statement, it’s your wedding day! If you are a non-traditional girl you may want to have a bit of fun with hair embellishments, a growing trend on the bridal couture runways. Luxury accessories designer, Erika Peña, has created stunning and unique style headbands for the fashion forward bride-to-be! Since her move from Puerto Rico to New York at the age of 18, Peña has dominated the accessories market having worked with top designers Donna Karan and Josie Natori and has built an impressive number of celebrity clientele that includes Paris Hilton, Beyonce, Ashlee Simpson, Fergie, Kelly Clarkson, Jessica Alba, Jennifer Aniston and Brooke Shields. Hey, it’s your wedding day and your statement! Why not be amongst the best?

Erika Peña is sold locally both at Copper Penny and B’zar. Learn more about Peña’s pieces at www.erikapena.com.

Ganache For Lips

“You may kiss the bride!” Ok, now what? Are you wearing lipstick, lip-gloss, or Heaven forbid, nothing at all? Let’s think about this. Almost everyone loves chocolate. I know! How about this new lip balm made with real chocolate? Ganache For Lips presents lip balm flavors such as Chocolate Mint, Chocolate Raspberry, Lemon Mousse, Chocolate Mocha, Hazelnut, and more. They leave out the petroleum jelly, which actually dries out the skin over time, and they pack in high quality all-natural and unrefined ingredients from botanical sources. So your new husband will think you are so eco-chic and chocolicious! Stop by Whole Foods to discover your favorite Ganache for Lips flavor. Once you’re hooked, don’t blame me if you find yourself paying more frequent visits to the candy aisle!

Coren Moore’s Lily Dress

It’s time to make another appointment brides-to-be! Bella Bridesmaids is hosting a trunk show for the Coren Moore Collection with a number of new chic additions! Appointments can be made from 10-6 on November 17th. Just email charleston@bellabridesmaid.com. Why not get the girls together and make it an affair! At least they can get a sneak peak at what they may be wearing. It could relieve some anxiety!