Cake by Baked Charleston, Photography courtesy of Karyn Iserman

From the bride…

Plain and simple, it was hands down one of the best celebrations I’ve ever experienced. No one remembers the rain, just the great time and delicious food they had. I constantly hear how sincere and special our ceremony was and how amazing the party was afterwards. Family members on both sides of our families are in awe of Carrie at A Charleston Bride … both she and Leigh are the sweetest, kindest, and style savvy coordinators. I am forever grateful for the help in creating a flawless wedding weekend!

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Post tags: A Charleston Bride, Amy Kuschel, Baked Charleston, Charleston, Karyn Iserman, Lela Rose
Post categories: Traditional Elegance, Wedding Planners & Designers

photography courtesy of Karyn Iserman

From the bride, Carrie…

Our color palette was very classic and timeless: black, various shades of green, cream, and silver. As for bridesmaids, I wanted them to look just as fabulous as me and not cookie-cutter. I searched for an interesting designer black dress for my maids for months, but unfortunately I was looking in the wrong season. I ended up finding Jenny Yoo’s bridesmaids collection at The Gown Boutique of Charleston and fell in love with the versatility in the styles and was in love with the fabric. I took my sister and my two best friends to try them on (all with different body types) and they all looked fabulous – SOLD! I had Heather Key Tiller from Filigree custom design necklaces for each attendant. Heather used vintage chains and belts and attached beautiful crystals at the end. Each necklace unique and versatile- I LOVED THEM. I also gave each of my girls a vintage hankie to tote with them down the aisle.

All of the men wore a tux from Jos. A. Bank including my precious nephew who was our ring bearer, but Charlie decided they should all wear a vintage skinny black tie with the exception of himself in a traditional bow-tie.

My dress was a gorgeous silk gown by Amy Kuschel which I purchased at The Gown Boutique of Charleston. I loved my dress – it felt like butter on and gave me an awesome hour-glass shape. Very vintage-chic. I wore a birdcage veil and vintage crystal earrings, bracelets and a borrowed diamond band from my mother. I had fabulous silver Delman peep tow sling backs…LOVE them. I changed into a Lela Rose short shift dress that had embroidered silver circles in the fabric…LOVE LOVE.

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Post tags: A Charleston Bride, Amy Kuschel, Birdcage Veil, Color Palette Black White Green, Jenny Yoo, Karyn Iserman, Lela Rose, The Gown Boutique of Charleston, Vintage
Post categories: Traditional Elegance, Wedding Planners & Designers

Introducing…Style Me Pretty’s brand spanking new fashion Look Book!

Top Row: Vera Wang, Amsale, Kenneth Pool / Middle Row: Caroline DeVillo, Modern Trousseau and Watters / Bottom Row: Monique Lhuillier, Lela Rose and Christos

We’ve cozied up with some of our very favorite designers to bring you gowns that will make you SWOON. With information on where to buy the gown, pricing (on many) and even a peek at collections that have just hit the runways, this is a completely beautiful way for you to do a little window shopping. We’ve even crafted this nifty little zoom tool where you can see the detailing on the gown in all it’s glory.

We are still working out a few details here and there (Safari isn’t working so well) so you can only expect it to get better from here…but for now, happy hunting!

Oh and I have to say a HUGE thank you to Tait, Jess and Ben for getting this baby up and running. It’s just fabulous, darlings!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 14 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Amsale, Caroline DeVillo, Christos, Designer Wedding Gowns, Kenneth Pool, Lela Rose, Look Book, Modern Trousseau, Monique Lhuillier, Vera Wang, Watters
Post categories: The Blog, Wedding Dresses, Wedding Fashion, Wedding Style

photographs by Steve DePino and Jim Altieri

From the lovely bride…

We chose colors that complimented the colors of the water. Our florist, Elisabeth from Studio Blush, created a beautiful, classic look using mainly white flowers with hints of purple (my favorite color). The arrangements on the long rectangular tables were mainly single bloom arrangements in square vases and all the bridesmaids carried white bouquets also made of single blooms. My bouquet was all different types of purple flowers and wrapped in the lace from my Lela Rose gown-it was gorgeous! There were candles everywhere to keep the lighting very natural. My Mom filled the large fireplace with hurricane lanterns with sea shells and other freestanding candles which was very impressive.

We worked with Judy Paulen designs at Bloomingdales for all of our invitations and save the dates and then personally designed the menu and programs with help from family friends, Rex and Wendy Walden. We printed them locally and kept the theme of using the Sachem’s Head Yacht Club etching on the menu (as we did on the Save the Date). I designed the escort card display so it would cover up an ugly corkboard in the entryway to the ballroom using linen fabric and ribbons in different purple patterns. My friend, Amy, helped with all the calligraphy on the invitations, escort and seating cards. We created seating card holders out of wine corks.

LOVE!! Thank you so much to Steve DePino for sending this lovely wedding our way! Coming up, we’re announcing the winner of the latest Crate and Barrel giveaway.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 17 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Butter by Nadia, Christian Louboutin, Color Palette Purple Blue, Cupcakes, J. Crew, Lela Rose, Purple, Sachem's Head Yacht Club, Steve DePino, Studio Blush
Post categories: Casual Elegance, Traditional Elegance

I first fell in love with Lela when we posted Amy and Aaron’s real wedding way back when. Since then, I have been a loyal follower, falling hard for the perfect pleats, the sophisticated but fabulously understated style of each dress, the overall gorgeousness of her work…

all images via Brides.com

The beauty of a Lela Rose dress is in the detailing…the soft, incredibly tactile rosettes, buttons, and perfect bows that seem to adorn every design. Although her work is on the pricier side, I’d be willing to bet that for a style savvy bride that can swing it, it would be worth every penny!

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Post tags: Lela Rose, Wedding Dresses
Post categories: Wedding Dresses, Wedding Fashion

To get the ball rolling, I’ve enlisted the help of the girls at Hitched Salon in DC…they own one of the most chic, jump-up-and-down gorgeous shops around, so I am thrilled that they are here chatting about fashion trends!

* * *

As you can imagine, at Hitched we see a ton of different bridal gowns, and we never get tired of white dresses! However, we will admit that we love anything new and interesting that allows a bride to make her dress unique… which is why we’re so excited for the new trend of adding a beaded or embroidered belt to an otherwise simple gown to add some sophisticated flair. We’re loving the detachable belt options that are now being offered by designers like Lela Rose, Oscar de la Renta, and Modern Trousseau.

These eye-catching accessories can really enhance your wedding day look, and since most of them are removable, you can pick-and-choose when to add that extra bit of sparkle during your special day. We love the idea of adding a belt to your gown just for the reception, giving you a whole new, party-ready look.

We’ve even used accessories in non-traditional ways such as a knotted Erin Cole crystal organza headband around the waist of a fitted peau-de-soie Judd Waddell gown to create a totally unique look. Opening your eyes to creative accessory options can help you add just the right amount of pizazz to a gown that doesn’t already have a lot of embellishment. And feel free to be adventurous by mix-and-matching a belt from one designer with a gown from another, which will really make the look your own!

So much more to come!!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 11 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Hitched Salon, Lela Rose, Modern Trousseau, Oscar De La Renta
Post categories: Wedding Dresses, Wedding Fashion

Christina by Junko Yoshioka

Layer upon layer of French lace – it literally made us cry when we saw it for the first time it’s so beautiful! There’s a touch of velvet at the empire line, a small detail that just pulls the entire look together.

The Quarry by Lela Rose

This is an unbelievable gown. Like all of Lela’s dresses it’s got incredible hand-details. It’s a laundered silk so it’s soft and smooth with a gorgeous flutter back detail.

More wedding dress trends to come!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 26 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Anna Be, Junko Yoshioka, Lela Rose
Post categories: Wedding Dresses, Wedding Fashion

Invitations by Abby Jean, Gown by Lela Rose on Brides.com, Cake Details by April Reed, Florals by Camilla Svennson Burns

This piece is all about Southern charm. That pretty monogram and grosgrain ribbon inspired detail, paired with the gorgeous color palette is sweet and yet completely sophisticated. I see this invitation being used in a traditional wedding for a more modern bride. A girl who wants to add a bit of “chic” to her beautifully traditional style. I love the deeper coral, paired with creams and a lighter terra cotta color. So warm and pretty. With that said, this design comes in lots of different color combinations!

I have another NEW Abby Jean design coming so stay tuned!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 1 comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Abby Jean, April Reed, Camilla Svennson Burns, Lela Rose
Post categories: Color Palettes, Wedding Invitations & Stationery

all photos on Brides.com

Although the silhouettes are rather simple, the details are…um, amazing. Each gown seems to be the perfect combination of old world charm and modern femininity. The lace overlays, the tailored buttons, the girly lines. I love every bit of these gowns…

all photos on Lela Rose

To me, it’s the combination of fabric and cut that makes these dresses so pretty…the fabrics are soft and romantic, the cuts are simple and elegant. Each dress is all girl. And I love that. What do you guys think?

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 31 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Jenna Bush, Lela Rose, Wedding Dresses
Post categories: Wedding Fashion