In the wake of our brilliant post on hair styles for your wedding day (hey, sometimes you just have to toot your own horn), we present to you the topper for your do. Some brides love ‘em, some brides hate ‘em … but one thing is certain. The veil is the icing on the cake to your look on your wedding day. Lately, these bad boys are coming back with a vengeance in a thousand different ways!

There is the not-so-veil option for the gal who just can’t get used to the traditional statement a veil makes. Hairpieces make a great alternative, and a gorgeous accessory. On top of that they are a little funkier and quirkier for the bride who just can’t be confined to all that lace.

Or, how about the gorgeous shorter styles. Ultra modern and super chic! I really adore this look, because it is in keeping with the classics (and let’s face it, a veil is a classic for a reason), but it is lighter while still being very feminine. In other words, it is a stellar alternative for the Cathedral or Chapel length veils.

In keeping with the vintage inspired weddings, the birdcage look has been tres popular. For good reason, though … this style is genuinely elegant. However, this particular veil-version calls for a cool, calm and confident bride (and we realize this may be a tall order on your wedding day). So, this funky, cool and bold style calls for a bride with similar qualities. Thus, we think the demure bride may want to opt for something a little more traditional, like …

The Chapel or Cathedral length veils are classic, simple and utterly show stopping. Think about it, when the church doors fly open or she turns the corner and faces her groom and her guests with a trail of lace following her, you want to cry, yes? We feel the same way. For all the gorgeous styles out there, the longer versions maintain the feel of “its my wedding and I’ll veil if I want to.”

So, we ask you, please, honor the veil. Respect the veil. Rock the veil.

Oh the wedding day … one day of total and complete fantasticness mixed quickness. Yeah, the cake and the music and the night only lasts so long and it is over just like that … and that hair style you worked so painstakingly over is but a memory. After the 58th bobby pin is shoved in place by your hair dresser’s savvy placement skills and brute strength you have a hair style that looks so effortless while actually being quite the opposite. And then it’s gone just like that.

So, the theory we have here is make that hair last. Make it awesome. Make it gorgeous. Make it something super sexy, super soft and worth the headache from the hours of blow drying, straightening, curling and brushing. Make it something worth the hole in the ozone that results from the can of hair spray holding it in place. Your hair is the icing on the cake to your entire look, therefore it is uber important.

Here are our ideas and our favorites:

Best Messy Up-Do:

The super soft nature of these hairstyles is what makes them so special in our book. Think romantic and vintage themed wedding highlighted by a killer sunset and some insanely bright wildflower bouquets. Yeah, that’s hot.

Best Half Back Looks:

These half back looks make me think of something awesome like The Princess Bride or Guinevere. I totally heart each and every one of them, but you may be saying to yourself, “I don’t have super long hair.” Here’s the thing: you don’t have to. All of these styles are just as gorgeous with mid-length hair. So fear not my fine-haired lasses, this blogger is fine-haired too! I empathize! That’s how I know that these awesomely innovative looks apply to girls of all hair types with the right hair dresser and some serious texturizing spray!

Best Pony Tail:

It is the humble opinion of this blogger that pony tails are the best option for those gals seeking a cleaner look. It gives you the option to maintain that rumpled sultriness while still looking like you actually ran a comb through your hair that day. So for all you ladies out there that say that ethereal hippie look isn’t for you, try on a pony tail. Really loving that side pony with a little volume on top … very 1950s diner musical meets Barbie!

Best Braid:

Let’s face it, the trend of the braid dominates the runways and wedding aisles as of late. And with good reason. A braid is a sensational way to keep your tresses in check while rendering you to be stunning. Plus, it is easy to take a braid and really make a killer hairstyle with a bit of clever pinning and tucking. And it is easy to make a braid look neat and tidy (a la Drew Barrymore’s look). I myself am a thin-haired fine-haired (as aforementioned) lady, and I opt for braids to add some dimension. It is always a hit!

Best Volume:

And again, calling all girls with whimpy hair! Adding some volume is the trick … it is key … it is of the utmost importance. This, my friends, is what I believe to be the biggest trick in hair styling. Your hair dresser, with a useful teasing comb, can make straight and flaccid hair look like mounds of luscious locks. Combine that with cleverly pinned and coiffed pieces and you will look like a million bucks … and on your wedding day isn’t that the goal (aside from the actual getting married part I guess).

Best Yoj Styles:

Charlotte Elizabeth Photography

This up do is so neat and tidy, I just love the way it frames her face. It allows those stunning earrings to pop and we all know that diamonds are the way to make your baby blues sparkle.

Tracy Turpen Photography

These masses of waves make her Lowcountry wedding. She is nothing short of stunning and ready to march down the aisle to become Mr. and Mrs. Stunning!

Sometimes the use of accessories in your hairstyle is just what the hair doctor ordered! In this case anyway!

Looking for a Lowcountry stylist for your oh so very Charleston wedding? Yoj recommends: Tanesha DuPree www.affairhairbytanesha.com and Chelsea Moser www.palooshsalon.com. We can’t wait to see your coif!

So, I went to college with John, and having from day one felt like my brother, I can’t imagine being more excited about helping with his wedding.  Not to mention, Lauren is an awesome girl, and has absolutely stunning taste in wedding gowns, while John, dear as he is, has terrible taste in music, and Lauren is slowly saving him

They decided it would be amazing to have everyone come to Charleston to get a taste of the lowcountry, and of course, I agreed with them!  I couldn’t think of anyone more perfect to capture the memories than Evan Laettner.

They had simple requests, keep it elegant but loose, and let everyone have good food and a good time.  We were happy to do just that.  On a warm and sunny Island House day in July, the two tied the knot, and everyone shook a tail feather.

Special Thanks to: WildFlowers Inc, Florals * Evan Laettner, Photography Awesomeness * Cafe Catering, Catering * Dolce Bakery, Desserts * Paloosh Salon, Styling * Ines di Santo, Gown * Nina, Shoes

First and foremost, thank you to Diana Deaver for the amazing images of Sarah and Steven’s special day.

So Sarah loves her hometown of Charleston, and Steven couldn’t be from further away, with all of his family in Guam.  The couple now enjoys the warm sand and sun of Key West.  For their wedding, Sarah wanted everyone to get a taste of her mainland home, and in true Charleston hospitality, she and Steven planned a party to make those travelers from afar right at home!

Start with some orchids, lilies and other exotics, and laid back attire.  Add in gorgeous bouquets by Country & Lace for a punch of color. Bridesmaid dresses that could be worn a million ways had a true beach wear feel while still being elegant.

Since guest were just getting acquainted, who wouldn’t love a photo booth with crazy props!  I absolutely love this photo of Steven’s dad in a straw hat a la Huck Finn.

Long tables brought everyone to family dinner, and layers of linen, burlap, satin and greens filled an otherwise empty rectangle.

To get those recipes just right, I heard Regal Catering had a Polynesian chef tucked away, and did they ever deliver with amazing dishes like pancet and full roasted pig presented luau style per the tradition.  Add in fresh fruits and other traditional recipes, and it was a feast for the eyes as well as the appetite.

Polynesian woven fans and bright rose petals really amped up the ceremony- that along with some serious shoes worn by Sarah!

Custom stationery with textured jute and a wide open view of the Charleston Harbor had everyone sensing the islands.

The real kicker came when Steven was surprised by a little treat by his wife with the talented Efrain Martinez Avila spinning fire poi to authentic Polynesian drum beats on the lawn of Alhambra Hall!

To be sure we had just enough of the fire, nothing could be better than a sparkler finish!

Two Thomas Bennett weddings in a row, but what a great way to illustrate how different a space can become depending on your personality!  Shannon Michele Photography made sure each little detail was captured on this beautiful day.

Stephanie and Kevin love the classic downtown Charleston feel, but they wanted the homey charm of the Thomas Bennett House.  Their fun personalities burst through with great little hints like these fabulous shoes for Stephane!

Ike and Ange, or Ikelina, as they came to be known in the planning process, do not get a lot of free time together.  For their May nuptials, all they wanted to do was kick up their Kentucky heels with a great day for guests in downtown Charleston.

In the planning process, ‘organic’ was a word that kept coming out with them, so we kept things simple and beautiful.

Instead of a tent, clean ivory umbrella tables fit into the lovely garden of Thomas Bennett House, which only made the surroundings pop.  I love taking my sketches to Country & Lace, because she always turns out a perfect version of the vision.

Add some bourbon lovers and the bluegrass sounds of Blue Plantation, and you’ve got a relaxed evening of good times ahead.

Fresh herbs and garden roses made things look as if they were there to stay, and the fresh local menu from Gourmet Bay was just as mouthwatering as it was fresh and light.

I loved designing this wedding almost as much as I love the images I got from Karson Photography of it!

Jennifer and Jeremy knew a few things about their big day when we met: good music, bright colors of spring, and the oh-so-lovely Legare Waring House.

First, I must say when Val at RIchard Bell Photography is shooting, I know the memories will be beautiful and amazing, and she did not disappoint!

Bring in Debbie at Country and Lace Florist who totally understood Jen’s need for the beautiful and different from hello.  With Jen loving so many beautiful bright florals, linens needed to let them speak, so clean wipe swept through the tent with an awesome green and white print that we whipped into satin trimmed overlays to anchor the centerpieces with a nod to all of the beautiful lawn surrounding their big day.

Being two J’s, that overtook the symbol for the day from the stationery to the moss adorning the entry to the gate.  My crazy friend Hayden at the awesome Ashley Bakery brought nice and tasty culmination of the style into their cake.

Throw in Kathleen Wilson of Aquaharp to serenade everyone through the ceremony, which ended with them being pronounced married and Spiritually Yours bursting into “Oh Happy Day” as they escorted guests across the lawn into cocktail hour.

With Cafe Catering feeding everyone and DJ Bryan cranking out the tunage, it really couldn’t be topped.

With all of those cute touches, what more could a couple ask for but a crowd of guests ready to have a good time and celebrate with them!  Luckily for Jen and Jeremy, they happily obliged.

There is something I seek out in every initial meeting with a couple that is a crucial part of the process and that is the two to three things that are most important to them.

For Michael and Sarah, having a good time on their beach vacay was #1!  Good music and good times were the focus, and did they ever let them roll.  We simply added some amazing photography to capture the fun with Indie Sunday Photography.

To keep a beach ceremony intimate, one of my favorite things is to have everyone standing clustered around you.  Add Jean Jolly, an amazing singer/songwriter and close friend, and don’t forget a curry ring bearer named Jerry, and Voila! You’ve got a super sweet ceremony.

A front beach backyard full of southern fare from Tidewater Catering and cupcake confections from Wildflour Pastry kept everyone smiling while none other than Triple Lindy rocked it out!  They are def one of my fave bands!

How they made it personal:

-the COOLEST boutonnieres handmade by a talented friend

-an officiant and guitarist who are part of their circle of friends

-a family fun enough to conga line with the craziest masks I’ve ever seen as some surprise entertainment

Congrats, Sarah and Michael!

Amber and Bruce wanted a day that fit them.  What better way for two deeply-rooted lowcountry families to celebrate than a grand old southern throw down.

Special thanks to our new friends at Tumbleston Photography for capturing great memories!

Old Wide Awake was the perfect spot to celebrate a marriage, and crank up the music as loud as needed with no one around to hear!

Sweet Moments for making it personal:

-Amber showed her style with fab jewel-toned shoes

-The bride’s sister and BFF sang a sweet duet of “Til There Was You”

-Special Dances throughout the night with all of the most special people

-A gorgeous vintage stretch in which the entire guest list could have left

So everyone thinks it’s hilarious when a planer is planning.  While seemingly relaxed during my year long engagement, the hubs thought it hilarious to keep me on my toes by letting me the wedding had to be resched 3 months before the date!!!  I know, it was INSANITY.  It was doable, however, and with the military or any other important cause, you do what needs to be done.  With good partners in crime, anything is possible, and I’d like to thank the wonderful people below that I am also honored to call my friends and colleagues in the industry.

* Every amazing image below courtesy of Tomme Hilton.

I couldn’t possibly cheat you out of the opportunity to judge me for yourself.  About us: we’ve spent the past four years meeting up in various corners of the globe and exploring, then heading back to normal life, apart.  While we still, although married, have not figured out how to live in the same geographic location, we are, nonetheless, blissfully happy.  I do warn people now that if they want movie romance, they should prepare themselves for a lot of airport scenes.

So here’s the deets:

First impression thanks to my dear friend, Bethany of Thistleberry Press in Savannah.  Fantastic custom letterpress!

Belle Couture lined Modern Trousseau up to help create the tea length number to fit our war wedding, as we aptly named it, since we had 3 months to replan when we found out my hubs couldn’t make our original date thanks to duty calling.  Of course Lella Foster had to help me accessorize and Ann at Charleston Stems made everything colorful and gorgeous!

Thanks to Hampton Park Gazebo and the infamous Trae at Granville’s for good food and good times!

Our signature:  We paid homage to our traveling ways with vintage luggage for displays and the ever-present-in-my-life airmail boxes as centerpiece containers.  Erich is a diver  and on his travels, he  sends me a shell from every dive, so those definitely had to be shown off!

Molly from D’Lish Desserts gave me the amped up red and clean lines to fit perfectly and my happy Manolos made it a truly a cinderella evening-* that and having the perfect prince charming *I’m assuming I get brownie points for the last line.

DJ Bryan Mahanes kept us rocking all night!

Of course, the most thanks to my team, the Yoj gals!