Images courtesy of b. mullinax photography
August 11, 2010
Word on the Street
Things are hopping in Charleston’s wedding and world of late, and that amounts to some cool new things for couples getting married in this corner of the Lowcountry. Take a look!
WRITTEN BY Melissa Bigner
Belle Couture Bridal: Moving on Up(town)
One of the best things about strolling downtown neighborhoods is the mix of shops and homes, and few places sport as romantic a collection of the two as Church Street does South of Broad, with its cozy cottages, manicured manses alongside businesses like stationer Dulles Designs and galleries galore. Now Belle Couture Bridal’s part of the show and we couldn’t be more thrilled. The former Mount Pleasant shop (and once upon a time, Copper Penny Bridal) made the switch just days ago and owner Sarah Black says she’s in love with the new location. Airy windows, a street lined with towering oaks, lampposts, a front door trimmed out in ironwork, and even a sweet brick courtyard? Oh my. Add frothy gowns (from Claire Pettibone, Melissa Sweet, Modern Trousseau, Priscilla of Boston, Vineyard Collection) and we hear “belles” ringing South of Broad. 100 Church St.; (843) 881-3449; bellecouturebridal.com
Baked: Preparing to Put the South in Your Mouth
The New York-based founders of Baked recently sold their Charleston store to Rich and Tracy Ditizio, Floridians who’ve relocated here with their two kids. While the core of the store’s focus and menu will remain the same, look for more local tastes (think java from Charleston Coffee Roasters), and lots more specialty cakes and other potential wedding fare, too. And though the pair both have financial backgrounds, Tracy switched gears and graduated from the Florida Culinary Institute international baking and pastry program a few years back. Rumor has it that she’s gearing up to meet with planners and couples to design dream desserts for wedding events of all sorts. Bring it on! 160 East Bay St.; (843) 577-2180; bakednyc.com
Macaroon Boutique: The Next Big Little Thing
Wedged oh-so-daintily next to Paolo’s Gelato and Filigree (the fab custom jewelry shop) on John Street is one heckuva slice of nirvana. Its proper name in this incarnation is The Macaroon Boutique, and if you’ve been paying attention to the national foodie trends, you know that a macaroon—a cream-filled almond and meringue concoction—is the new cupcake. We’re still digging on cupcakes, but any new sweet treat, especially one in a chic little shop like this, is more than welcome to join the party. What such a boutique means for your wedding is whatever you make of its pastel-hued cookies, éclairs, tarts, and truffles. Seems like the parfait menu for favors, dessert bar fodder, or welcome bag stuffers to us. 45 John St.; (843) 577-5441; macaroonboutique.com
Restoration on King: Get the Royal Treatment
Mod types looking for mod digs while scoping out wedding locations and vendors, while hitting Charleston for bachelor or bachelorette getaways, or while honeymooning here in town now have a dream spot in the heart of the city thanks to Restoration on King. A luxury boutique hotel with 16 suites featuring exposed brick walls and teched-out rooms dressed in brightly patterned contemporary furniture, there’s nothing run-of-the-mill about this property, designed by local scenester-architect Neil Stevenson. Room service comes from local restaurants, there’s a milk-and-cookie treat with your turndown service, and the rooftop yields views of one of the liveliest and most historic parts of town. Sweet dreams indeed. 75 Wentworth St.; (843) 518-5100; restorationonking.com
Maddison Row: Quick Change
After four years building Maddison Row into one of Charleston’s top bridal shops, founder Laura Kirkman Pilzer sold the shop to Myrtle Beach’s Brenda Spadoni-Urquhart. Brenda, who runs the Grand Strand’s premiere gown boutique—The Little White Dress & More—is no stranger to the business, and has appointed local Lindsey Nowak (who has worked with Charleston magazine, Charleston magazine’s Charleston Fashion Week, and gown designer Priscilla of Boston) as manager. Expect the same impeccable, attentive service with this changing of the guard, and those same fab designers the Maddison Row’s been known for: Carolina Herrera, Ulla-Maija Couture, Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier, and Legends by Romona Keveza. 171 Spring St.; (843) 720-7979; maddisonrow.com
Governor’s House Inn: Weddings Now Welcome
A few years back we did a fashion shoot for Charleston Weddings on the most gorgeous porches and piazzas in town, mostly those that hung from the stunning inns here. At the time, most spots we included welcomed wedding guests and parties, and honeymooners, but not necessarily ceremonies and receptions. Well, apparently the times have changed, because now one of those gems of old, the circa 1760 Governor’s House Inn has thrown its doors open to smaller, more intimate weddings. This spring, they showcased their gorgeous garden, sprawling piazza, and stately gathering rooms to area planners in the hopes they would pass on the location to brides. And now it’s our turn. If you can’t visit in person to scout it out, take a tour on their website. Stately digs await! 117 Broad St.; (843) 720-2070; governorshouse.com
For more wedding news and bridal steals and deals, check out our Bridal Blog.
