gownboutiqueofcharleston.com Blog

Tue 18 Jun 2013

The Bridal Portrait

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Most of our brides choose to have bridal portraits taken before their actual wedding day. It is a southern tradition that people either take very seriously or disregard as a past tradition that is obsolete. In fact, many of our Midwestern, Northern, and West Coast brides have no idea what a bridal portrait is! Other than leaving you with some amazing photos, a big bonus to doing the bridal portrait session is that it gives you a trial run for your wedding day look. So, whether you have daydreamed of your bridal portrait for years, or are new to the concept, all brides preparing for a portrait session should keep a few things in mind:

(Jenna Marie Photography)

Pay attention to the details

Think of a bridal portrait as a dress rehearsal for when you walk down the aisle. You are able to test your gown’s fit, the way your hair will look with a veil or hairpiece, how comfortable your shoes are, and how your makeup looks. Seeing all this come together helps you know what to expect the day of the wedding, and also gives you the opportunity to make changes to anything you felt wasn’t quite right.

(Photo by Riverland Studios)

Show your personality

Some brides want their bridal portrait style to be slightly different than their wedding day look. For example, you could leave your hair down and wear a bold lipstick color for the portrait, then wear your hair up with natural makeup and pearl jewelry for your wedding day. You could also use your portrait session to play with bold accessories that you love, but don’t necessarily want to wear on your wedding day. When it comes to how formal or casual you want your portrait to be, there are no rules. This is your chance to play with different looks in front of the camera, so have fun!

Angela tried out several hair accessories during her portrait shoot, plus added fun accents such as her pink shoes and white gloves. (Juliet Elizabeth Photography)

Don’t make drastic changes

Please don’t let the anticipation of the photo session lead you to make any impulsive and drastic changes! You are beautiful as you are, and while we all may amp-up our beauty routine in preparation for the big day, you still want your natural beauty to shine through. With that in mind, don’t make any drastic hair color or style changes. This is not the time to risk making a decision you will regret later. Also, no last minute spray tanning!!! We see this all the time. Trust us, you don’t want to look too orange and it can rub off onto your gown! If you must spray tan, do so at least 2 days prior to your shoot.

Linda is so beautiful, and her makeup is just soft enough to not overpower her lovely feautures. (Marni Rothschild Pictures)

Deonca’s chic chignon accentuates her natural beauty. A fussy up-do would take away from the style details in her gown. (Sara Parker Photography)

(Sara Parker Photography)

We receive many questions about preparing for the bridal portrait. Here are some common ones:

When should I schedule my bridal portraits?

Bridal portraits should be scheduled 4-6 weeks before the wedding. This gives your photographer enough time to edit your images and get prints ordered for you. You may also need time to have your prints matted and framed if you wish to display the images at your reception. This also gives a small buffer before the wedding date in case any last minute alterations were to be needed.

What do I take to my portrait session?

Your dress of course! We press your gown so it will look amazing for the photos (side note: we include one full gown pressing in the purchase of your gown. There is a fee for a second pressing if you choose to have a re-press done before the actual wedding day). We often recommend transporting your gown in the back of a SUV or long vehicle in order to minimize any wrinkling of your gown. If you choose to do this, be sure to lay your seats down and spread a sheet out. The gown will lie on top of the sheet to keep it as clean as possible.
Accessories. Take your shoes, the correct undergarments (Spanx perhaps?), and the jewelry you plan to wear. Having a bouquet is optional, but it does give you a chance to see how it will look with your gown to be sure you like it. Holding a bouquet also gives your hands a place to go during some of the shots!
A white sheet. If you are nervous about getting your gown dirty, bring a white or off-white sheet to place underneath your skirt. Standing on the sheet can help to prevent getting dirt on the dress indoors or outdoors (some floors are secretly dirty). Remember, we are NOT responsible for the stains/twigs/dirt that is on the gown after the session. We do our best to brush off dirt but we do not recommend having the gown cleaned before the wedding day. Adding water or solvents often leave water rings and actually make the stains worse!
Assistance. Bring your mom, a sister or a bridesmaid along with you to help carry your things, assist with the dress and help make you smile!

Where do I take my portraits?

Discuss locations with your photographer, but ultimately decide on a location that suits your vision. Weather can also dictate where the shoot will take place. In other words, have a backup plan! Ask yourself: Am I looking for traditional portraits, something edgy, or maybe something vintage? Consider reserving time at your location of choice so random people don’t pop up in the background. Some brides like to have the portrait where the actual wedding will be held, while some like to go somewhere different! This is your chance to have a variety of photos of you wearing your gown at different locations. For example, if you are having a beach wedding but want traditional photos taken as well, you could go to your family church for the bridal portrait. The possibilities are endless! Especially since we live in one of the most beautiful cities in the country! Any of the Charleston plantations would be a great choice. The Battery, one of our fabulous beaches, or any one of the historical homes downtown would all be great locations. Mt. Pleasant also has many places that have gorgeous views of the harbor and the Ravenel Bridge.

Christy’s photo highlights the marina behind The Historic Rice Mill. (Richard Bell Photography)

Megan’s photo in Mt. Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park has the Ravenel Bridge in the background. (Photo by A Charleston Wedding)

Amy’s photo was taken at a family home in downtown Charleston. (A Bryan Photo)

While it can be a lot to pull together, if you do decide to have a bridal portrait session, remember to have fun with it! Above all else, your happiness and excitement for the big day will shine through.

Happy Planning!

Tags: bridal photos, bridal portrait, wedding day style

Fri 14 Jun 2013

Rehearsal Dinner Dress

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Rehearsal definition:

1. something recounted or told again

2. a : a private performance or practice session preparatory to a public appearance

b : a practice exercise

The second definition is spot on for a wedding rehearsal. You are preparing for a very public appearance in front of all your family, peers, and loved ones to ensure your wedding day will go smoothly. It will be a long few hours of practicing, pictures, and excitement for the events soon to come.

Brides often forget about what to wear to this important event since they are (understandably) focused on the wedding gown. Remember, it is the last time your man will see you before the wedding! Cocktail dresses are the best choice to mark this momentous occasion, plus they photograph wonderfully. Below are a few little white dresses we currently have in the boutique:

Alencon lace dress by Noir by Lazaro.

Also a lace Noir by Lazaro lace dress.

A fabulous statement necklace looks great with one shoulder dresses.

Below is our bride Kelly in this same dress at her rehearsal dinner.

Zielenbach Photography

Noir by Lazaro illusion neckline.

Add classic pearls and this is a look you will never regret.

Jim Hjelm Occasions Swiss Dot dress.

This vintage swiss dot pattern gets a touch of sparkle with the embroidered belt and textured hair piece to complete the look.

Most brides love having an excuse to wear white or ivory to any bridal function held before the wedding. Why not? This is your chance to wear it as much as possible! Other brides feel that everyone will see them in white when it is most important…on the wedding day! Luckily these dresses come in multiple colors!

Below is a photo of Megan on her rehearsal dinner night. We helped with her Noir by Lazaro cocktail dress. She chose black to be unique and it paid off! She looks fabulous and the accessories pair nicely.

Photo courtesy of Megan Stoffel Stokes.

The night of your rehearsal dinner gives you the chance to wear a dress that you may not get to wear again, but on a smaller scale than your wedding gown. For example, if you chose an all lace wedding gown, then your rehearsal dress could be sparkly and spunky. However, if your wedding gown is a big ball gown with beaded accents, then a lace dress would be fun to wear.

Either way, have fun and take a chance on wearing something memorable!

Please call or email to schedule your appointment.

843.856.2682

Info@GownBoutiqueOfCharleston.com

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Wed 22 May 2013

“Design Your Gown” Collection

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We are thrilled to announce a new and unique way to design your own wedding gown! Personalized, one of a kind, and all proudly made in the USA; our new collection provides each bride the opportunity to design her perfect gown!

There are multiple fabrics and shapes to choose from, including lace, mikado, silk satin, and dupioni. Our team of consultants here at GBC has years of experience in design and fabric knowledge, and we are excited to help you design your dream dress!

Juliet Elizabeth Photography

Please contact us for your appointment!

843.856.2682

Info@GownBoutiqueOfCharleston.com

Tags: custom wedding gowns

Sat 11 May 2013

Bridal Size Charts

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Oh the dreaded size chart…

Most of us know what size we are…we obsess over it and must admit to it when shopping. Because each woman has such a *sensitive* relationship with her body and clothing size, it is often very shocking for brides to discover that bridal sizing is not like regular American retail sizing. There is a big difference in how the size charts are structured, and it is common to go up a size or two when being measured for your bridal gown or bridesmaid dress. Understandably, many brides are often offended by the size number their measurements fall in line with on the size chart!

Randy from “Say yes to the dress” is a trusted bridal celebrity and has comments on the measurement-conundrum!

“When I was a designer, I pleaded with my boss, ‘Can we just change the number so brides will feel better?’ …Americans tend to dress in loose-fitting clothing, but a wedding dress is fitted snug right to every curve of your body. Because the sizes go up quickly, there’s less room between each size. I usually try not to tell the girl the number on the dress; I say it’s a sample size. I know the girl’s going to say, ‘I don’t wear a 10.’ …that is what this company is calling a 10; it’s not your measurement, it’s the size of the dress. You just wear a different size in bridal.”

So why has nothing changed to accommodate American retail sizing? The size charts used in bridal today were established during WW2. Since then, many other types of women’s clothing sizing has changed (think sportswear, professional attire, swim suits, etc) but changes have not been made to the bridal size charts. It is no secret that women’s bodies are different now than they were in the early 1900’s, yet the bridal industry has not updated its measurement charts.

Lucille Ball (1953) in a wedding gown for a movie.

The Wtoo “Hannah” gown (shown on the right in plus size)

Gown Boutique of Charleston is a special order boutique, which means that your gown is not made until it is ordered specifically in the size we choose for you. We have multiple sample gowns (usually in a size 10 or 12) and clip the gown with huge clamps to help you get an idea of how the gown will look on you in your size and how it will fit your body.

Once you find your perfect gown, you will be measured by either Terri or Meredith, “the measuring experts”, who are professionally trained to measure you. They will measure your bust, natural waist, and hips. Then they will look at the particular designer’s fit chart and decide what size is best for you and your shape.

These mannequin photos help show how sizing is done here at the boutique:

The photos show the following measurements: 36” bust, 24” waist, 36.5” hips. If these were the measurements for a bride ordering a WTOO gown, the best size option would be the size 6 because the bust size is the largest measurement on this particular size chart. We have to accommodate for the largest measurement or the gown would not fit over the bust. Since we are determining the gown size based on the bust measurement in this case, the gown will be too large through the waist and hips. This is where alterations come in and the bride’s gown will be tailored to her shape and taken in where needed.

Whether the largest measurement is the bust, waist or hip, we have to select the size in line with your largest measurement to be sure the gown is not too tight in any area. You can always take a gown in and tailor it to your shape, but often there is not enough fabric left in the seams to let it out in the areas that are too tight.

You, the bride or bridesmaid, will ultimately have the final decision on what size you feel most comfortable ordering, so here are a few tips when considering which size to choose:

Each designer has their own size chart and they are all different. You may be a 10 in one designer’s dresses and an 8 in another.
Bridal sizes typically run at least 1-2 sizes smaller than your street clothes size.
Although you may be planning to lose weight before your wedding, keep in mind we are measuring at your natural waist where your ribcage is, which typically does not change even if you lose weight. We do not measure over the belly where women typically try to lose the majority of weight.
A dress can always be taken in, but in most cases there is not enough fabric left in the seams to let out the sides where a gown is too small. When in doubt, always order up. It can be tailored more precisely to your body in alterations.
The gowns come in a standard length and are hemmed later in alterations. Extra length can be added if you are taller than 5’ 8” and/or plan on wearing very high heels.

It is very unusual for your gown to not require any alterations. Since every woman is shaped differently, most do not have measurements that are a perfect match to a designer’s size on the chart. Whether it is a hem that needs altered or just a pinch at the bust, alterations are standard, and part of the experience of tailoring the gown perfectly to your shape. Alterations usually cost approximately $250-$400.

If you find that the size selected for you truly upsets you, then cut the size tag out! The size can be between you, the dress, and who measures you! It is truly more important that you look and feel fabulous in the dress. See that tiny size 12? That can be snipped and lost on purpose!

I hope this helps you understand bridal sizing a bit better, and that it gives you an idea of what to expect when entering the boutique. We are here to help and to make sure your gown fits you perfectly.

Embrace your beauty, not the size on the chart!

Tags: alterations, bridal sizing, bridesmaid sizing

Sun 21 Apr 2013

The Bustle

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Brides love having gowns with dramatic trains and full, multi-layered skirts! However, they often don’t remember that after the walk down the aisle, that train needs concealed. Enter: the bustle!

Bustles date back to the 1800’s when stylish women wore additional fabric underneath their dress to support the back of their very full skirts.

Today bustles are used primarily to lift the long, extra fabric of wedding gown trains off the floor to allow dancing and mingling without being stepped on and ripped.

Here at GBC we take pride in designing our bustles. Designing a beautiful bustle requires attention to detail, and we are meticulous with the alterations process. The best and most important tool is our eyes! We rely on experience; feeling out each gown and asking the bride what makes her comfortable when we decide where to pin the gown. When it comes to draping the bustle, we like to think of it as a form of art…no fancy measuring here! Eyeballing the length is the best method since people often have one leg longer than the other or hips that are slightly uneven. It is important to us that we customize the look for each bride and her particular gown.

Shown above is our fabulous alterations expert, Meredith! To better educate the brides shopping in the boutique, I am going to explain a series of pictures that document some of the bustling process.

Just to be clear, pinning the gowns with push pins is the indication for where the seamstress will need to either take away fabric or let out fabric. It also marks where bustles need placed or any other addition to the gown that may be necessary.

There are two types of bustles offered at the boutique:

American: With this type of bustle, the train is lifted straight off the floor and often connected to the gown by added buttons where the zipper ends, or along a seam, or wherever makes the most sense on that particular gown (photo below).

French: This type of bustle is where the train fabric gets tucked under the gown by multiple attachments of correlating ribbon colors. These ribbons are located under the lining of the gown and they indicate where to tie the bustle for the dress (photo below – Jennings King Photography).

If you look closely, you can see where ribbons are attached for a French bustle on this gown. Typically we match pink ribbon to pink ribbon, blue to blue, yellow to yellow, etc so that the person tying the bustle knows to only tie correlating ribbons together. It’s really very easy!

A perfect American bustle!! The gown originally did not have the buttons to the left and right of the zipper, but adding them allows for a natural looking bustle that does not hinder the style of the gown! We always used re-enforced buttons that are sturdy and lay flat and tight against the gowns.

Often people ask, “How do you find the loops to hook onto the buttons with an American bustle?” The answer is: we add a safety pin on the underside of the gown that corresponds to a loop on the outside of the skirt. Simply find the safety pin, then scan your fingers over the fabric on the opposite side to find where the loop lies. No need to search for a needle in a hay stack!! There are often ruffles, lace, beading, etc. that makes the loops hard to find but this is a painless way to find the loops.

Here you can tell Meredith is feeling for the safety pin under the gown to find the loop on the outside of the skirt. Then she will attach that loop to the button. See?! Genius!

Another note about this bustle is that you will see five button attachments. For this particular gown a five point bustle made the most sense and distributed the weight of the train evenly.

Below are pictures of an alterations appointment where the pinning has just begun and Meredith is feeling out the length and bustle points for a French bustle.

We also like give what we call “Bustle 101” lessons for the person that will be responsible for tying the bustle on the wedding day. Every gown is bustled differently, so having it explained is reassuring. Usually the Maid of Honor or mother of the bride is in charge of the bustle, and they love having the chance to practice before the big day!

Some people have the misunderstanding that the gowns do not need a bustle. This is because they may find a looped string under the gown, which they believe goes around the wrist. True, there may be a loop, but it is actually meant to be looped around the neck of the hanger of your gown! Holding the loop is an outdated method. Having a bustle designed will ensure that your skirts will not drag and you won’t have to hold a loop all night!

There you have it, all the bustling information you ever wanted to know! We feel that the bustle on your gown is important because your gown will be bustled for most of your wedding day. Think about it, the ceremony may last an hour, but the reception goes on for several hours. It is important that your bustle is designed and executed well so that your gown looks its best all through the evening!

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Thu 11 Apr 2013

Wtoo Spring 2013 Collection

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There is much to say about WTOO, the sister collection to the Watters bridal line. Not only is it a Texas based company (finally a southern based bridal company ya’ll!) but it is also very affordable and stylish!

“It all started 26 years ago with a few dresses handmade for friends and family. Turns out, there was a niche for well designed special occasion dresses, and it caught on in a big way. By the late ’80s Watters was a treasured name in the bridal industry.”

“Vatana Watters continues to be at the heart of the company and is passionately involved in setting the design tone. Her inspirations emanate from her heritage, experience on both coasts, and the desire to reflect the spirit of the times. Vatana recognizes that design is where it starts, but not where it ends. And that’s why Watters continues to be appreciated for being a cut above for quality and responsiveness.”

We are receiving new Spring 2013 gowns daily! Here are a few to come try on at the boutique!

Here was one of our favorite brides from GBC in the Mimi gown!

We also have WTOO bridesmaid dresses to choose from! Very affordable with TONS of color options!

Call or email us to schedule an appointment!

843.856.2682

Info@GownBoutiqueOfCharleston.com

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Sun 31 Mar 2013

Sample Sale – Sunday, April 7

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We are excited for our upcoming sample sale Sunday April 7^th!

One day only!
11am – 5pm
No appointments required.

Up to 85% off select bridal gown samples.
All samples are in pristine condition and fit standard sizes 2-12.

All sales are final. Cash or credit card accepted.

The samples we have to offer are in near perfect condition. We take great care of the gowns so we can offer services such as sample sales!

If you are smaller than a sample size, no worries! During our alterations process, we can take in the dress to fit your body and size.

We hope to see you!

Find directions to our boutique here.

Questions? Feel free to call or email us.

843.856.2682

Info@GownBoutiqueOfCharleston.com

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Sun 24 Mar 2013

The Knot Best of Weddings 2013

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We are SO excited to have been chosen for The Knot Best of Weddings 2013!!! Local brides voted on TheKnot.com and helped us win this honor of being chosen as best wedding dress shop in our area!!

“We asked recent brides in South Carolina to rate and review their wedding vendors. The result? Our annual list of the wedding venues and top wedding pros in South Carolina.”

Not only did local brides choose our boutique as the best, but we were also selected as the editor’s choice!!! That is a huge accomplishment we are very proud of.

Come see why we were chosen by the popular magazine!

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Sun 17 Mar 2013

Jenny Yoo Bridesmaids

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The bride is always the main focus at the wedding, but it is just as important to have a cohesive look for the bridal party next to her! When the bridal party wears dresses that are all the same color and style, it draws the eye to the bride rather than distracting from her. Some brides still prefer this traditional approach to having all the bridesmaids dressed the in the same dress and color, and others are embracing the new trends of blending styles and even colors. Either way, when outfitting your group of gals, the Jenny Yoo Collection has dresses that look fabulous with any style of bridal gown.

Jenny Yoo is known for having many styles to choose from, all with flattering shapes that satisfy any picky bridesmaid! A mismatched look has become very popular recently, and Jenny Yoo presents her dresses in a way that make that type of look easy to pull off flawlessly.

The Aiden dress has been a best seller at the boutique because of its versatility…this dress can be worn over 15 different ways! No bridesmaid can complain about the dress when they are the ones that can decide which way to style it. These photos show two beautiful bridesmaid groups wearing the dress in many different ways.

Jenny Yoo’s innovative approach to designing modern bridesmaid dresses is a breath of fresh air to the bridal world. “Jenny’s passion was to create and design her own collection of bridesmaid dresses. Upon starting her business, she recognized the absence of understated, yet uniquely stylish, quality bridesmaid dresses. She combines her visionary and creative expression with her corporate background experience to create a fresh, modern approach to dressing today’s bridesmaids.”

She was even kind enough to share her own wedding day photos on her website, so we thought it would be fun for you to take a look at them here too!

Make an appointment to come by and see these fabulous dresses in person!

843.856.2682

Info@GownBoutiqueOfCharleston.com

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Wed 27 Feb 2013

Jim Hjelm Bridal

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Jim Hjelm is an exquisite designer that has been carried in our store for awhile now, and the collections never disappoint! Jim Hjelm is part of JLM Couture, a design group that includes great names such as Lazaro, Alvina Valenta, and Hayley Paige. We always look forward to seeing what the designers have debuting for the coming season!

This gown is one of our favorites from the 2013 collection. The impeccable fit and element of design make it very unique. Its bodice is blanketed in sequins and beading, and the skirt is constructed from luxurious satin. It is unlike any other gown on the racks!

Low backs are very popular right now as well. The guests see the bride’s back for a majority of the night (walking down the aisle, dancing, etc) so having a fabulous back deign is important. The pleating on the gown also shows off the true mermaid fit. Curvy or not, this dress will accentuate and show off your shape.

This gown is a great example of a ball gown that gives you fullness without being too much of a “princess” look. The bead work is gorgeous on this dress and silk organza has a floating affect when the bride walks.

Lace is an option that is forever a classic and will never be regretted. Many southern weddings have a vintage inspired theme and lace is almost always the number one choice. Adding to lace’s timeless feel is the fact that many brides’ mothers and grandmothers wore lace on their own wedding days. Jim Hjelm has many Alencon and Chantilly lace styles, and they offer different colors for the lace underlay (such as oyster or champagne) that add to the lace’s vintage appeal.

“Designed by Francesca Pitera, Jim Hjelm features gowns that satisfy the most discerning bride. Jim Hjelm is known for unique detailing and combining luxurious fabrics with delicate embroidery.”

“Each dress has its own individual look and special details,” she says. “Every little thing is important, even the placement of embroidery or the way draping falls over a gown’s bodice. I try to offer a wide variety of different looks so I can give to brides and bridesmaids a range of strong choices. The most important thing to me is that women are happy and feel absolutely gorgeous in their gowns.”

Jim Hjelm Occasions is the bridesmaid and special occasion line offered by the designer as well. The same element of design and fashion forward materials and dress designs make them stand out over other designers. The dresses are practical enough to wear again and appropriate for wedding attire.

Having a large array of color options is a very important aspect to selecting a bridesmaids dress and the Occasions Collection delivers. If you find the perfect dress, but then find there aren’t many colors to choose from, it can make or break your decision. With the fabric and color choices available in the Occasions line, you are sure to find the perfect look.

Please call or email to schedule your appointment!

843.856.2682

Info@GownBoutiqueOfCharleston.com

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