Charleston event designers are known for being quick-change artists. With some 89 weddings taking place every weekend here, venues are booked back-to-back, moment-to-moment, and as soon as one set of “I dos” takes place and the happy couple rides off into the sunset, a crew follows behind to break down the magical setting to make room for the next band of dream makers. The team at Gathering Floral + Event Design are familiar with the dance, being one of the top event hit makers on the East Coast. But as the presenting sponsor of the bridal portion of Baker Motor Company Charleston Fashion Week®, even Gathering pushes the limits. Owner and lead designer Heather Barrie and her right-hand maven, Mary Ruth Tribble, dress the tents at Marion Square for some 7,500 fashion-goers over the weeklong affair. And as soon as Friday night’s Emerging Designer Competition: East wraps, they go about transforming the catwalk and its environs into an enormous bridal reception setting for some 700 attendees to enjoy in less than 12 hours. The switcheroo, from hipster paradise to elegant reception hall, boggles the mind.
The challenge is something Gathering relishes, and after six years of sold-out Spring Bridal Shows, they know how to wow the crowds. This year, attendees will delight in a setting rife with takeaway ideas for real-life wedding décor, and those who stop by to see Heather and Mary Ruth’s booth should quiz them on everything from flower arranging tips and event planning dos and don’ts to their favorite palette and floral combinations. Lauded in Martha Stewart Weddings, Brides, Southern Living Weddings, Weddings Unveiled, TheWeddingRow.com, StyleMePretty.com, and many, many more, these women are a Charleston treasure and visiting with them is an opportunity not to be missed.

DETAILS:
Gathering Floral + Event Design
gatheringevents.com
(843) 723-3387
747 Meeting St.
Charleston, SC
by appointment

Reeds Jewelers

OFFERING:
fine jewelry, diamonds, watches, fashion jewelry, and more
DETAILS:
Reeds.com
Northwoods Mall
(843) 572-4510
Mount Pleasant Towne Centre
(843) 416-3174
Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sunday, noon-6 p.m.
Stop by our booth at the show because REEDS will have a showcase full of David Yurman and other fashionable jewelry for you to try on.
Brides should splurge on diamond earrings, because they are a classic that complete many ensembles for both the wedding and afterward, too.
If you’re looking for “something blue,” try our David Yurman blue topaz ring.
We’re known for our fine collections, like David Yurman (we’re the exclusive
jeweler in Charleston for the brand), Tacori, and Scott Kay, along with many others.

Hamby Catering & Events

SERVING: savory bites
DETAILS: HambyCatering.com
(843) 571-3103; 925 St. Andrews Blvd.
West Ashley, SC
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Our favorite trend in catering is locally sourcing menu items because Charleston and the surrounding region offer rich agriculture and what Chef Brunski calls “aquaculture.” Whether it’s goat cheese from John’s Island, cream bread from Old Colony Bakery, artisan breads from Normandy Farms Bakery, or seafood from Carolina waters, we pride ourselves on serving up the freshest local ingredients.
We get a lot of requests for passed late-night items—think milk shots with house-made cookies, candied apple bites, fried chicken and waffles, and mini sliders with hand-cut chips.
Attendees will want seconds of our Hamby tea sandwiches…they are addictive!

Bakehouse Charleston

SERVING: sweet bites
DETAILS: BakehouseCharleston.com
(843) 577-2180; 160 East Bay St., Charleston, SC
Monday-Wednesday, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Thursday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Come visit us at the show for cupcakes, bite-size bars, brownies, cookies, and cake truffles.
Besides wedding cakes, we’re known for our homemade salty caramel with fleur de sel salt, since we were the first in town to put it in our brownies and buttercream.
The craziest part about making wedding cakes in Charleston is carrying a teetering four-tier cake over cobblestone streets while walking a dessert buffet onto a cruise ship (gangplank included)—only in Charleston!

Mac & Murphy

OFFERING: custom wedding invitations, stationery, and
paper accessories
DETAILS: macandmurphy.com
(843) 576-4394
74½ Cannon St., Charleston SC
Monday-Friday, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
(and anytime by appointment)
What we are most excited to offer for sale at our booth are our beautiful lines of letterpress wedding invitations, many from local designers!
We’ve got the perfect gift for a bridesmaid or groomsman: stationery that can be custom designed to suit her or his personality.

The Shops at Charleston Place

Baker Motor Company Charleston Fashion Week® Presenting Sponsor

DETAILS:
CharlestonPlaceShops.com
(843) 722-4900
205 Meeting St., Charleston, SC
Monday-Wednesday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Sunday, Noon-5 p.m.
(Individual store hours may vary.)
The epicenter of Holy City luxury, The Shops at Charleston Place include the nation’s top
boutiques, from kate spade new york and Lacoste to Gucci, Louis
Vuitton, St. John, and much, much more. Besides visting The Shops to outfit their wardrobes for all the events that lead up to the wedding, brides also browse Colonial Candle for premiere reception décor, Godiva for welcome favors, and Yves Delorme for registry options, to name a few favorites. When it’s time to pack for the honeymoon, couples head to Calypso St. Barth, Tommy Bahama, Everything But Water, and Mori Classics. Stop by The Shops’ booth for special offers for attendees and sneak peeks of the latest bridal “must-haves.”

Good Food Catering

SERVING: savory bites
DETAILS: GoodFoodCatering.com
(843) 723-7952
by appointment
Visit us at the show for white truffle arancine with vodka-tomato cream sauce garnished with basil microgreens, and other goodies.
The craziest that has happened to us as a caterer was the time we did seven different weddings on the same day at different locations…and had each event run smoothly and successfully.
Our wedding couples can come into our restaurants (39 Rue de Jean, Coast, Virginia’s on King) for their anniversary
and enjoy the same cuisine they had at their reception.

Brackish Bow Ties

OFFERING: bow ties fashioned from feathers
DETAILS:BrackishBowTies.com
(843) 276-0075
This spring, grooms who buy our bow ties should wear the pheasant bow tie with a white cream, eggshell, or ivory suit and a pressed blue linen dress shirt.
We use feathers for bow ties because they help us share a touch of nature and the natural beauty that surrounds us all on a
daily basis.
Our fashion rule for men is wear what makes you feel good, confident, and conversational—the bow tie will take care of the rest.

Stella & Dot

OFFERING: jewelry and
accessories
DETAILS:
stelladot.com/amyg
(312) 402-1412
Stop by my booth for gift certificate drawings, tips on how to get deep discounts (or freebies) for bridal parties, and to learn about private styling sessions.
Let me help you style your bridesmaid and flower girl jewelry. Not only does jewelry make the perfect gift, it also gives your bridal party a completed look.
Needing “something blue?” Try our Serenity Small Stone Drops in aqua.
Splurge on statement necklaces. Don’t just make a statement on your Big Day, make a statement with every event leading up to it as well.

B. Gourmet Catering

SERVING: savory bites
DETAILS: BGourmetCatering.com
(843) 209-6288
by appointment
Visit us at the show for Carolina pulled pork in crispy
wontons with creamy coleslaw and spicy pickle; roast beef crostini with caramelized onions and gorgonzola cream sauce; and shrimp and pesto crostini with crumbled prosciutto.
The most sought-after thing with our clients right now is a groom’s table that features his favorite foods.
When it comes to a wedding, splurge on the menu, of course!