Category Archives: Bridal

Jan 24, 2017

Everyone knows what a wedding destination Charleston has become, as well as a fashion destination0- and now they are coming together with a new player in the designer arena. We are big big fans of Mason Hosker, whose flagship boutique is now open in Charleston. I can’t wait to wear a couple of their pieces this week to Charleston Wedding Week.

Mason Hosker is a designer dress label made in New York City’s garment district by southern designer and Charleston resident Danielle Mason Hosker. Known for its glamorous silhouettes, decadent fabrics and couture craftsmanship, Mason Hosker is sold in boutiques nationwide, online at Rent the Ruway and now at the flagship store in Charleston, South Carolina.

In conjunction with Charleston Wedding Week, their bespoke bridal collection will debut tomorrow during a champagne reception at the store on 17 State Street from 4-6 PM. They will also be hosting an Emmy of London shoe trunk show. These haute couture shoes are a favorite of HRH Kate Middleton and sister Pippa.

I see so many of their pieces working for the fashion forward bride looking for something different for Friday night festivities, or debuting their new bauble at an engagement party or celebration. And, many options for the super chic Mother of the Bride, and Bridal Party. I mean, scroll all the way down to the red gown with pockets- super fab!

1.24.17 | TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Charleston, Dresses, Events, Fashion, Parties, Shopping, Weddings | Comments >>

Jan 17, 2017

Bridesmaid For Hire?

When I first heard of Jen Glantz and her role as a “professional bridesmaid” I was instantly intrigued. But with several appearances on television shows like Rachael Ray and an upcoming memoir about her experiences I figured who better to offer up some tips to ladies who will be performing the bridesmaid role themselves this year!

There are a lot of rules that come along with being a bridesmaid, whether those rules around what dress you have to wear to the wedding or what color nail polish the bride wants you to wear on her big day. It can feel, at times, that being a bridesmaid, is the same if you’ve done it once or thirteen times.

But being a bridesmaid can be a lot of fun and can feel different every single time that you do it. Before I became a professional bridesmaid, I was a bridesmaid for my own friends over a half a dozen times. To keep it from feeling mundane and generic each time, here are three ways you can spice up being a bridesmaid if you’ve find yourself walking down the aisle a couple of times a year.

1. Take the Lead With Planning

If you’ve been a bridesmaid quite a few times, chances are you have a long list of do’s and don’ts when it comes to planning some of the pre-wedding events. Even if you’re not the maid-of-honor you should still share some of that advice to optimize the wedding experience. If you’ve been to Vegas thee times already for a bachelorette party, perhaps you can recommend some other fun and cool spots to make the bachelorette party an unique experience for everyone.

2. Convince the Bride to Pick Unique Bridesmaid Dresses

When the bride is starting to go through the dress picking process, perhaps shed some insight on cool bridesmaid dress trends you’ve seen before or worn before as a bridesmaid. Slowly, yet surely, the trend is moving away from matching bridesmaid dresses to having the bridesmaids find a dress that makes them feel awesome instead.

3. Find New Ways to Save Money

For now on, whenever you are a bridesmaid, make it a goal to find different ways to save money. Whether it’s finding the bridesmaid dress for a discounted price or hunting for great travel deals online, make it a bridal party challenge to see who can find the best deals when it comes to buying whatever the bride or the maid-of-honor wants you to buy.

Jen Glantz is the world’s first professional bridesmaid and founder of Bridesmaid for Hire and the author of the new book, Always a Bridesmaid (For Hire). She’s the heartbeat behind the website The Things I Learned From, and the author of the Amazon-bestselling ebook, All My Friends are Engaged. She can be found in New York City wearing old bridesmaid dresses to the grocery store, on first dates, or double-fisting slices of one-dollar pizza.

1.17.17 | TARA GUÉRARD
Books, Bridal, Event Planning, Press, Weddings | Comments >>

Jan 09, 2017

Favorite Bouquets

photo by Liz Banfiield

We’re kicked off 2017 with our first wedding of the season! We can’t to be able to share details with you soon, but for the next few Mondays, we’re going to share our “favorites” of the past year. Today we are starting with some of our favorite bouquets! This first one was a full and cascading cream beauty of roses, phalenopsis orchids, and ranunculus. I love the look of the “new” cascade and we have lots of brides that do also since we get quite a few requests.

photo by Liz Banfield

This tight and textured bridesmaids bouquet was so lush and suprisingly colorful against black dresses.

photo by Corbin Gurkin

There are many notes on the tradition of bride’s carrying flowers. Some stem from the not so pleasant- during the times that people took yearly baths, the flowers helped cover up the body odor of the brides (pleasant, right?). Another is that carrying herbs and pungent flowers helped ward off evil spirits and bring luck to the new couple. But the one that I like to think is the main reason is because they added to the prettiness of the bride and meant something special.

photo by Corbin Gurkin

I am also loving mixing deep luxurious shades likes purples and burgundies with creams and whites for the depth that it gives.

photo by Corbin Gurkin

If you are still thinking about what flowers you would like to carry, past on past folklore, there are flowers that send different meanings to your groom.

photo by Corbin Gurkin

White camellias express adoration, peonies are said to bring a happy marriage, and ranunculus means that are dazzled by your future husband.

photo by Corbin Gurkin

These orchid cascades carried by bridesmaid perfectly coordinated with the bridal orchid cascade bouquet.

1.09.17 | TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Event Design, Flowers, Photographers, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>