You’ve heard me gush on and on about how much I love the Modern Trousseau bridal line here, here and here.  I know…you’d think I was on the payroll with how much I post about them, but I’m not!  I just can’t get enough of designer Callie’s perfect melding of classic silhouettes with unique and modern touches.  I’ve long believed it is the perfect embodiment of today’s Southern bride.

So now you know why I squealed with delight when I received word that they are opening their first ever showroom outside of NYC in my absolute favorite little corner of the South – Charleston, SC!!!!

For me, no other city epitomizes the charm and beauty of the South like Charleston.  And Modern Trousseau’s new boutique on King Street is just about the perfect melding of two of my most favorite things.  Not only will the entire Modern Trousseau line be available for you lucky brides to try on but there will even be gowns exclusive to only the Charleston location.  All coming next month so get your appointments booked you lucky things!

Like you needed yet another reason to visit Charleston right?  Beginning October 16th, the Charleston Museum will be displaying an original exhibition celebrating the wedding wardrobe in a way only a history rich city like Charleston can.  Aisle Style: 150 Years of Wedding Fashion will showcase accessories, trousseau items and, of course, the white gown in all its incarnations.  Make it to the opening reception and you can enjoy cocktails, light hors d’oeuvres and yummy wedding cake courtesy of Newton Farms Catering and Ashley Bakery. Get your tickets here.  Can’t be there for opening night?  Fear not!  You can follow along with all the fun on the Aisle Style blog.  But be sure to get there before June 30th, 2010 when these beauties go back into storage.  This is definitely a must for all fashion and wedding connoisseurs alike.

I am totally smitten with today’s real wedding.  Not only is photographer Juliet Elizabeth obvsiously super talented, she is also a warm and an all-around lovely person – exactly the kind of person you can feel comfortable with on a day that is sure to carry its fair share of anxious moments.  Nicole & Craig were married in one of my all time favorite churches – The Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Charleston.  It doesn’t get much more regal than this!  Melanie Murphy of By Invitation Only worked with the couple on all the details of the day, keeping them cool under pressure (even in the July heat!) and bringing their vision of a truly Southern inspired affair to life.

And would you believe that that spectacular bouquet of white hydrangeas and bells of Ireland was crafted by the bride herself (as were all the other florals! Holy DIY undertaking!)  Back in a bit with reception details from the Cotton Dock at Boone Hall Plantation.

What an absolute treat it has been to feature today’s real wedding.  I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I have!  If you’re just joining in the fun, you’ve got some catching up to do! (vol. I, II, III).  The ladies of WED Charleston really outdid themselves with this Lowndes Grove wedding.  There is prettiness around every corner!

Let’s discuss food for a moment shall we?  I LOOOOOVE food.  I’m that girl in the restaurant taking pictures of her plate before touching it…and then eating every last smidge.  Hence I love all of these beautiful images of Eimile + Drue’s hor d’oeuvres.  Every last impeccable detail was handled by the chefs at Lowndes Grove.  And what a perfect, Lowcountry inspired menu it is!

From Ellen at WED:
“Southern food was featured to really showcase the flavors of the Lowcountry to their international guests – crab cakes, andouille sausage in puff pastry, mini fried green tomatoes, oyster shooters, etc! Mini BBQ biscuits, sweet potato fries, and milkshakes were also passed around the dance floor at 10:30 to cure those late night munchies!”

…and now I’m starving.  Thanks Ellen!

What an absolutely magical event.  Thank you, thank you, a thousand times thank you to Ellen and the entire team at WED for sending us this wedding and to the wonderful Marni Rothschild for sharing the impeccable images.  Both of these amazing women and their teams are based out of Charleston, SC but travel extensively to bring wedding magic where ever it’s needed.  Spend some time on Marni’s website as well as the WED website and blog for oodles more eye candy.  I hope to share a lot more of their work on White Thread in the future!

And of course, congratulations and best wishes to the happy newlyweds!  All vendor resources are listed below for your continued inspiration & planning benefit.

Bride’s dress: Anna Maier – Ulla Maija purchased at Maddison Row
Bridesmaid’s dresses: Thread purchased at Maddison Row
Brides’s hair & makeup: Stuart Laurence Salon
Flowers: H.B. Stems
Transportation: Swept Away Tours
Rentals: Snyder Event Rentals
Cake: Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal

Today, White Thread is delivering an explosion of eye candy thanks to the wonderful team over at WED Charleston and the incomparable Marni Rothschild.  So far we’ve gotten a look at Eimile + Drue’s beautiful ceremony at Lowndes Grove (see here and here to catch up).

Next up, the explosion of gorgeousness that is the reception tent.  I love how the color palette here was kept clean and neutral with sparkle and texture added in via the chandeliers and incredibly subtle custom creme sequin linens.  It really imparts a modern element on the whole space and lets the INCREDIBLE florals get the attention they rightfully deserve.  Designed by H.B. Stems out of Beaufort, SC the mix of coral and orange french tulips, garden roses, ranunculus, and peonies are fresh, feminine, springy beauties.

A larger tent was set up for the bar with two smaller adjacent tents to create a VIP cabana-like feel. Modern outdoor lounge furniture from Snyder Lounge completed the look.   Guests could escape the dance party for a breather but still feel like they were in the middle of everything.  The best of both worlds!  WED brought in more color by draping the ceiling of the lounge cabanas with a coral faux dupioni silk.  The result is a stunningly unexpected burst of color.

Don’t you just want to live in that cabana?  I do! I do!  Maybe Ellen and her team can just come build one in my backyard…must figure out how to deal with hurricane season though I suppose…

More coming right up, including an hors d’oeuvres spread that will have you wondering why we ever eat “normal” size portions of anything when the mini versions are so stinkin’ cute.