This bridal inspiration reminds us why Charleston is wedding heaven

Luxurious Charleston Wedding Inspiration – Sarah Bradshaw – Bridal Musings 1

Charleston, South Carolina might as well be the wedding capital of America.

Why? First, let’s consider how many chic bridal designers and bridal salons call the Lowcountry gem home. Brides shopping for their dream dress walk the charming cobblestone streets to trendsetting favorites, Maddison Row South and Lovely Bride. Or, why not go custom visiting couture designers like Emily Kotarski or Kate McDonald in their local studios? Even accessorize with custom pieces by local designer, Emma Katz. Whether or not you plan to marry in Charleston, you certainly could send those bridesmaid proposal cards with an invite that reads, “Come shop with me in bridal heaven!”

Then, there are the venues. Imagine stately mansions and riverside estates. Waving seagrass and dolphins swimming by. Picture golden hour portraits between rows of majestic Oak trees dripping in Spanish Moss. Home to over 100 wedding venues, this tiny town on the Atlantic is a prime wedding destination.

Case in point, South Carolina Society Hall, styled here in an opulent and lavish fashion by wedding planner Type A Society and photographed by Sarah Bradshaw. As do the best Charleston venues, South Carolina Society Hall exhibits effortless Southern charm. The space is glowing with iconic Charleston pastels and luscious tapestries. We love the way this editorial shows off the best of Charleston weddings. Which begs the question, why get married anywhere else?

From Sarah Bradshaw and Carrie Moe of Type A Society

Inspired by Charleston’s long-standing tradition of hospitality, warmth, and thoughtful design, this editorial features layered patterns, lush floral tones, and fashion from iconic wedding designers Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, and Anne Barge sourced from Carine’s Bridal.

We started our design process by studying de Gournay— their hand-painted wallpaper provided inspiration for our color palette and floral tones & textures, and we commissioned an artist to hand-paint a mural backdrop for portraits as a nod to de Gournay’s artistry.

We also drew inspiration for our design from the venue, South Carolina Society Hall, which dates back to 1799. The soaring ceilings, fine millwork, and muted wall colors provided the perfect context for our vision.

The fashion choices were tailored to suit today’s southern bride. High-key portraiture and natural, connected posing highlighted unique fashion moments— the large, asymmetrical bow on the lace gown by Oscar de la Renta’s; the pearl-studded shawl on Anne Barge’s Perola gown; the iconic blue bow on Carolina Herrera’s Hunter gown; the dainty, velvet-flocked tulle of Anne Barge’s Romanza gown; and the soft blush color of the structured Romero ballgown by Anne Barge.

Delicate diamond jewelry by Victor Barboné, shoes by Bella Belle, and an on-trend beauty look by Brianna Adams and Wild Ivory Beauty provide inspiration for any bride with classic taste.

For the tablescape, we used patterned linens and a combination of box pleats and tasseled fringe to bring a distinctly modern twist to the popular grand-millennial style. Florals by Gathering Events, soft velvet draping, and warm candle tones set the mood for Autumn.