2020 Hilton Head, Bluffton & the Lowcountry Bridal Guide

2020 H I LTO N H E A D , B LU F F TO N & T H E LO W C O U N T RY

Bridal Guide

Yes!

Your Best Dress

BY ROBYN PASSANTE

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any brides already have an idea of what they want their wedding dress to look like before they even begin shopping. And, maybe more importantly, they often have in mind what they don’t want their dress to look like.

But whatever your preferences, it’s easier for that perfect dress image to come into focus if you understand the styles and hues that flatter you to the fullest. We asked Christina Vicaro of Lowcountry Bride & Gown and Cassandra Gamble of Blush Bridal & Formal Wear to help us help you.

All Brides

Regardless of your size or circumstance, Gamble and Vicaro both agree that shopping earlier is better: “It can take up to six months to get a gown in once it’s ordered, and a bride should have her gown at least three months before her wedding for fittings,” Gamble said.

And in order to find that perfect dress, don’t say no to trying on styles you’re sure you won’t love.

“Be open-minded about trying styles that may be unexpected,” Vicaro said. “Fifty percent of my brides end up with a dress style completely different than what they originally planned on purchasing.”

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Full-Figured Brides

A-line and drop-waist ball gowns are great for curvy bombshells, Vicaro said. Gamble also adds mermaid gowns to that list: “Curvy brides look beautiful in anything that will show off their shape,” she said. “Most curvy brides think to hide their beautiful shapes. Do just the opposite! Show it off!”

Lean Brides

Lean brides have the luxury of being able to wear just about anything they love, from fit-and-flare to A-line to ball gown. Gamble said sheath dresses can be a show-stopper for these women as well, and these brides can have fun with varied necklines. “Dresses with low backs are also great on a lean figure,” she said.

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Petite Brides

Anything with a higher-defined waistline will flatter a petite bride, Gamble says.

A fitted dress looks great on petite frames, and Vicaro suggests opting for a designer that does custom sizing.

PHOTO BY AMIA MARCELL

Second-Chance Brides

That old rule about only being allowed to wear white on your first wedding day is as outdated as the one about matching bridesmaid dresses.

Vicaro said that more mature brides who are getting married — or remarried — later in life typically are drawn to elegant, simpler styles, perhaps with some lace details.

“Understated and chic” are their go-tos, Gamble said, with simple fitted and flowy gowns being most popular among this crowd.

Skin Tones

“Fair skin tones look fabulous in light blush and champagne undertones,” Vicaro said, and darker skin tones look great in white. Plus, all skin tones look beautiful in classic ivory, she said.

These days, designers are offering dresses in an array of colors, from nude to caramel to smoky lavender to blush.

“The best piece of advice when it comes to colors is to try it on,” Gamble said. “You may be surprised on what looks good with your skin tone.”

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HUNTER ANDERSON AND MEENA RAO

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When Two Cultures Unite WEDDING BLENDS COUPLE’S HERITAGES WITH THEIR LOVE OF THE SEA

BY JESSICA FARTHING | PHOTOS BY TIM ZIELENBACH

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unter Anderson and Meena Rao aren’t from Hilton Head Island, but their wedding at The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa reflected their love of the sea. The beach has always been an important part of their relationship, and as they began to plan their big day, Meena knew she wanted the ocean to play a part. So they settled on Hilton Head as the perfect place for their family and friends to gather and celebrate.

When Meena moved to North Carolina, she never expected to meet her future husband on her first day in town: “We actually met the day that I moved. The power was out in my apartment and Hunter lived close by.

He saw me sitting on the balcony, waiting on the power to come on. He came over and asked how I was doing.”

They became friends almost immediately, spending time together and walking on the beach near their homes in Wrightsville Beach. Romance soon blossomed, and they moved in together in a house near the sound.

When Hunter began planning his proposal, he knew that their mutual love of the coast had to play a part. One night, he picked Meena up for dinner and asked her to go on a beach walk with him. She didn’t know that he had paid a local sandcastle builder to create an ornate, personalized castle with a special message.

“I noticed a sandcastle that had ‘Meena, will you marry me’ written on it,” she said of the surprise. “Dolphins are special to us̀ , and he had two dolphins on the sandcastle. He dropped to one knee and proposed, right on the beach.”

They started looking for a wedding venue on the beach that could accommodate Meena’s family, who would be flying in from California for the event and staying for the weekend. One of her relatives had enjoyed a

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wedding on Hilton Head, so it began to be discussed as a possible destination.

Wedding plans incorporated many family traditions.

Meena’s family is Indian, while Hunter’s mom is of Lebanese descent and his dad is from Eastern North Carolina. The food for the rehearsal dinner included both Indian and Lebanese dishes.

For the wedding ceremony, the couple decided to combine the parts of their heritages that they valued most. The first half of the ceremony was a tribute to Meena’s Indian family, while the second half of the wedding was more traditionally American. Meena’s mom’s uncle, Sri Hari das Kanuru, helped them with the Indian ceremony, and Hunter’s brotherin-law Albert Almore, a pastor, officiated the American-style exchange of vows. Dr. Kanuru performed the first ceremony under a flower arch called a “mandap”, and then the couple stepped in front of the arch and let the pastor take over for the exchange of the vows and rings.

The couple chose their wedding planner, Beth Baldwin of Beth Baldwin Weddings, specifically because of her experience with Indian weddings. She helped Meena decide on the rituals she wanted to include – and how to blend both cultures together.

“I chose the parts that I thought were really fun and important. All my bridesmaids were wearing Indian outfits and I wore a sari,” Meena said. But “my parents and I walked down the aisle like you would at an American wedding. We exchanged flower garlands but also vows and rings.”

The result of their planning was a ceremony reflecting the cultures and personality of the bride and groom. And, true to

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their love of the coast, they planned a beach wedding— the cake was decorated with flowers and starfish. But rain changed their plans, and The Westin was able to move the event indoors.

Meena didn’t seem to mind: “I hoped that we’d get a thunderstorm with the view out of the windows. We still included the beach. We had dinner in the oceanfront room, which is beautiful with high ceilings, big arches and a view of the dunes and the ocean.”

Both Hunter and Meena said the Celebrity All-Star Band was one of the best parts of the night. The band had everyone at the reception dancing — including a few moves Meena hadn’t seen before.

“At one point, Hunter got up and busted out The Worm,” she said. “I had no idea.”

Hunter and Meena feel lucky to have gorgeous pictures to remember the event, thanks to award-winning local photographer Tim Zielenbach: “He spent time with us and got to know us. He really went above and beyond.”

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RAO-ANDERSON WEDDING VENDORS Wedding Venue: The Westin Resort Hilton Head Wedding Planning and Design: Beth Baldwin Weddings Mehndi Artist: Bhavya Patel Wedding Cake: Chef Anne Marie Romano Caterer, Indian Cuisine: District Events and Catering Ceremony/Cocktail Hour Music: Hilton Head Entertainment, Ami Rabinowitz Florist: A Floral Affair Hair and makeup styling: Brides Side Beauty Photography: Tim Zielenbach Reception Music: Celebrity All Star Band Rentals: Amazing Event Rentals Audio/Video: PSAV Draping: Meeting Dynamics February 2020 71

Petal POWER

BY ROBYN PASSANTE | PHOTOS BY AMIA MARCELL

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he types and combinations of popular wedding flowers come and go, but one trend with staying power is the bridal bouquet. We asked local wedding florists for the inside scoop on today’s trends, inexpensive alternatives, timeless wedding flowers and the latest ways couples are letting nature beautify their nuptials.

Latest and Greatest The pretty peony still reigns among many Lowcountry brides, along with hydrangeas and white panda anemones, said Angela Mandigo of Gardenias Event Floral: “Other added textures of gray brunia berries, Lysimachia and astilbe are also favorites; they give a more distinct shape and flow to bridal bouquets.”

Kelly Corn of Flowers By Sue is seeing more “edgy” flowers like protea, scabiosa pods and different kinds of orchids, like anthurium. “It looks a little bit like a peace lily; it has a tropical vibe,” Corn said. “We’re seeing brides wanting more unique things than your classic flowers.”

Many brides are also opting for more greenery, including a variety of eucalyptus and dark greenery “with a tropical twist of palm fronds, monstera leaves and succulents,” Mandigo said. And for that Lowcountry look, couples often add pampas plumes to bouquets and centerpieces.

Timeless Options Tried-and-true blooms include White Mondial roses, majolica spray roses, baby’s breath and disbuds — an alternative to beautiful-but-pricey dahlias, Mandigo says.

Corn says she’s starting to see a once-ubiquitous bouquet element make a reappearance. “This year, two brides are asking for massive baby’s breath balls,” says Corn, who remembers a surge in baby’s breath orders several years ago after a “Sex and the City” character used it in her wedding.

Another bloom that has staying power in popularity, but not so much in bouquets, is the hydrangea. “A lot of brides really like hydrangea here in the South. It works great in centerpieces, but unless you’re going to keep putting your bouquet back in water, in the hot months it definitely will shrivel up within a couple hours,” Corn says. “It’s very popular in the South, but not a great bouquet flower.”

Peony Partners Peonies are the No. 1 wedding flower year-round. The problem is their season is limited to June. Corn said that greenhouses set up in Alaska are now producing peonies throughout the year, though they are not as big, full and fluffy as what brides see in magazines.

But if you want big peony-like blooms, take heart.

“Since peonies grew in popularity over the past 10 years, they’ve now created some beautiful breeds of garden roses that open up bigger and fuller, with more and more scale of colors,” Corn said. “They’re definitely different than a standard rose.”

Another beautiful peony stand-in is a creamy white football mum, Mandigo said, which is also a more cost-effective alternative.

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Other Trends Bouquets are shrinking compared to their super sizes last year, the florists say.

“Brides are commenting that their friends had these huge bouquets, and one could not see the bride and her dress,” Mandigo said. “They’re opting for the smaller, elegant garden look, still with loose greenery but more tucked and collared with the floral of choice.” Flowers are showing up in other places too, including greenery accents and candles used as aisle markers — and which can then be repurposed as decorative elements at the reception — draped greenery accents with fairy lighting, and more fresh flowers gracing cakes.

One more interesting and elegant change Mandigo has noticed: “Pin-on and wrist corsages for the mothers are changing to a single stem of floral and greenery with a simple ribbon.”

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It’s a Snap!

BY ROBYN PASSANTE PHOTOS BY AMIA MARCELL

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our wedding day is just that: 24 hours that seem to be over in a flash.

Thankfully, a skilled photographer can capture the best moments from that whirlwind day, providing a lasting way to relive the magic for years to come.

Entrusting the picture-taking to a professional is the first step, but there are other things you can do to ensure the most breathtaking wedding album possible.

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Choose Wisely “Finding the photographer that fits your taste is essential,� said Gustavo Rattia of Oceano Blue, who has been a wedding photographer since 2007 and a Lowcountry resident since 2015.

Experts advise couples to hire the photographer and the videographer from the same company. Pros who have worked together will

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have similar styles and a shared vision — and there might be a discount on a photo-video package.

“At the very least, you should ask your photographer if they have ever worked with the videographer you are considering,” said Rob Kaufman of Kaufman Photography, who has been shooting weddings in the Hilton Head Island area since 1995. “This is a small island, and chances are most of us have worked together before and know how to ‘dance’ with each other.”

Make a Connection Making a personal connection is important when choosing a photographer.

“Many of my most powerful images are made during private, deeply emotional scenes where I have been welcomed to document the moment,” said Tim Zielenbach, who was nominated twice for a Pulitzer Prize in feature photography. “I would not be there without having built up a sense of trust with the bride.”

Know Your Style Goals Well before the wedding, communicate your style preference to the photographer. “There are so many styles and photography tendencies nowadays,” Rattia said. “Do you want classic? Light and airy? Dark and moody? Research different styles before hiring your photographer; some photographers are traditional, and some are more adventurous when composing a shot.”

Create a mood board with images you love for your photographer. A good photographer will know if his or her style doesn’t match yours, and should recommend an alternative.

“Pinterest and Instagram are great places for inspiration,” Kaufman said. “Find photos you like and pass them along to your photographer. It gives us a good idea of the style that you prefer.”

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Be a Good Scout If your photographer is local and available to visit the wedding site in advance, that will save you time when the big day arrives.

But you should do your homework, too. “Have different options and get to know where the best spots are to get the best light, according to the time of the day you’re planning your event,” Rattia said. “A sun ray can make a big difference in a picture.”

That goes double for water.

“Don’t forget to check the tides if your wedding is on or near the beach,” Kaufman said. “Nothing can make photography more difficult than having only a few feet of beach to work with.”

Plan for Weather If by some fluke the perfect sunset portrait you envisioned isn’t going to happen, you’ll be less stressed if you’ve got a backup plan.

“It is important to always have a Plan B,” Rattia said. “Find out if your venue can offer an indoor option in case of rain; that way, you can plan with your photographer to have alternatives and find pretty locations for photos.”

You can also consider a nearby church, barn or museum for stunning portraits that’ll keep you dry.

Don’t Skimp on Makeup Hilton Head Island-based photographer Amia Marcell said finding the right makeup artist is essential.

“Hire the best makeup artist you can afford,” she said. “(The) right makeup will make you enhance your natural beauty, and you will look fantastic and happy on your wedding day.

Have a Helper Your photographer will probably bring an assistant, but you’d be wise to designate one of your own. “It’s important for you to have someone you trust to be close to you, helping to make sure your makeup, your dress and your hair are perfect,” Rattia said.

It might behoove you to choose someone who wants you to look your best and who won’t also need to be in pictures with you.

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LUCIE AND KYLE DUFFY

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A Perfectly Planned Affair

BY ROBYN PASSANTE | PHOTOS BY TIM ZIELENBACH

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very destination wedding requires a fabulous wedding destination, of course. But it takes a savvy couple like Lucie and Kyle Duffy to truly honor and capture the magic of both.

The Duffys, who met in Chicago and now reside in London, were married at Sea Pines Country Club on May 4, 2019. But playing the role of good Hilton Head Island hosts to their 130-plus guests began days earlier. From rounds of golf to beach outings, as well as a cocktail reception, an intimate bridal luncheon and a wedding-eve welcome dinner for 125 people at Dockside, the couple helped their loved ones take full advantage of the getaway and the island before the wedding day even dawned.

“Everyone mingled and was together, it was like a nonstop party and was super fun,” Lucie said.

The wedding itself was also a perfectly planned affair inspired by the beauty of the Lowcountry.

“Knowing the quietness of the island and how much greenery was around, I wanted something that had that small, soft, romantic feel,” Lucie said. That mood was set with her mermaid wedding dress by Anne Barge, which had a lace overlay with a soft blush undertone. The bride complemented it with a bouquet of peonies, small sierra roses, blush pink roses and eucalyptus: “Dawn from A Floral Affair did our flowers, and they were stunning.”

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The Duffys’ wedding was full of meaningful touches and intentional details. “I wanted everything to cohesively speak throughout each part of the wedding, from the invitations to the table settings,” Lucie said.

The same gray font was used for the invitations, the place cards, even the menus. The invitations matched the bridesmaid dress hues of whipped apricot, rose petal and chai. And a ribbon wrapped around the invites was made by a woman in London, a sweet nod to the locale the couple knew would be their next home.

In fact, the only detail that didn’t go exactly as planned was the weather — it poured from the moment the couple finished their “first look” and formal wedding portraits before the ceremony until moments after they said “I do.”

“The second we were done, we finished our vows and walked down the aisle, it stopped,” Lucie said. “We still had the cocktail hour outside, and that marsh turned this gorgeous pink. We got the prettiest photos; it turned into this gorgeous, beautiful day — and it cooled off, which was nice.”

The couple served two signature cocktails: a margarita, since Cinco de Mayo was the following day, and an Old Fashioned,

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the groom’s favorite. The cocktail napkins were printed with a sketch of their beloved Yorkie, Jake — who took “first look” photos with the couple but was not included in the ceremony. Then it was time for the seated dinner, which they kept moving at a pretty good clip in order to maximize dance floor time.

“Kyle and I were adamant about a fast dinner service,” Lucie said. “[Wedding planner] Beth [Baldwin] kept everyone on a timeline, and it was perfect.”

Guests had plenty of time to enjoy the sounds of Atlanta-based band Cashmere, which kicked things off with their own version of The Paper Kites’ “Bloom,” the couple’s first dance song.

After more than two hours of dancing, the couple enjoyed a sparkler sendoff as they walked out into the night — and the rest of their lives together.

“I love us so much,” Lucie said. “We’re individuals, and we’re a couple.”

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MILOTA-DUFFY WEDDING VENDORS Wedding Venue: Sea Pines Country Club Wedding Planner: Beth Baldwin Weddings Mini Desserts: Bernie Bernstein of Purple Cow Transportation: Kelly Transportation Wedding Cake: Anne Marie Romano Musicians: David Kimbell, Aija Silina Flowers: A Floral Affair Team Event: JLK Events Officiant: Rev. Steven Schulte Photography: Tim Zielenbach Entertainment: Cashmere Band Rentals: Eventworks Rentals Videographer: Brad Cheshire February 2020 85

In Step

DANCE INSTRUCTION HELPS COUPLES FIND THEIR RHYTHM

BY SANDRO VIRAG

It’s becoming more popular to have your wedding dance professionally choregraphed. Some brides and grooms are even building their wedding themes around the dance.

People are also willing to spend more time preparing for this special moment, which gives them more “together” time to get know each other in a different way.

And it’s not just the bride and groom who want to make sure they don’t hit the dance floor with two left feet: The rest of the family wants to put their best foot forward, too.

A family dance is becoming a growing trend at weddings — it seems almost like a formal presentation of the family.

And what couple wouldn’t want to get up and dance that first dance with confidence?

The process begins with choosing a song.

Occasionally, the couple may choose a song that really isn’t “danceable” — they might love the song, but it might not have a good rhythm or beat. That’s where a dance professional comes in: He or she can help make the choreography fit the music.

The instructor will also factor in all kinds of things that can have an impact on the dance: the bridal gown, the bride’s shoes, the venue, etc.

And, in a way, dance lessons can help prepare a couple for marriage. It is an interesting process to see the couple trying to achieve this first dance when they are not yet married. It is so important that they work together and that they listen to each

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other. This process brings out things couples sometimes don’t see in each other in everyday life, and they get to know each other in completely different settings and situations.

As an instructor, it is so much fun to see how dedicated couples can be in learning their dances. They come to lessons, go home and practice, and come back week after week showing more and more improvement. The final step is when the bride brings her gown to the studio and makes sure the dance works with the dress — of course, the groom is not allowed to see this part of the process. It really is the final dress rehearsal, and any tweaks that need to be made can be done.

The bond couples form when dancing is amazing, and it makes it sad that it seems to take a wedding to get some people to take dance lessons. Everyone should be doing this on an everyday basis — who knows how it could improve their lives.

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