Fab Discount Code & BCS Trends: Part I!!

As promised, here’s the rundown of the first half of the Bridal Couture Show trends. But before we get to the photos… As you ladies (and gents!) in attendance heard, Brides.com editor Anne Chertoff is offering a discount code for 20% off your entire purchase at Russell & Hazel (an organizational heaven) in celebration of the fab show! One thing we highly recommend adding to your shopping basket? Anne's super-easy-use wedding organizer.

Here are the deets:
Code: charles09
Valid until April 11, 2009.
Stock up!!

Photographs by Hannah Farmer

Belle Couture Bridal, which houses Monique Lhuillier, Claire Pettibone, and Melissa Sweet gowns among others, really pushed a masquerade theme, complete with masks! Fit for a Marie-Antoinette-esque affair, dramatic bustles, pleats, and sexy back flashes served as a va-va-voom introduction!

Beaded sheath dress with cap sleeves

Brocade sheath dress with low back; Long pearl necklace

Silk ball gown with pleated bustle

(Left) Ball gown with front bustle detail; (Right) Mermaid gown with lace detail

As promised in the CFW Supplement, Bella Vista Bridal took popular dresses and transformed them using Asian-inspired accessories, like feathers, flowers, and chopsticks. The Columbia, SC, boutique featured the latest trends, too—from heavily detailed bodices to sassy short dresses and poufy layered skirts.

Long sticks of flowers were tied into the sash of this champagne colored gown

This vintage-chic number had pom-pom detail reminiscent of antique blankets

Mega-glam layers filled the runway

The one-shoulder trend wasn’t lost on bridal

White’s owner Jodi Moylan described her Daniel Island boutique’s gowns as "easy, classic, and low maintenance but still fun." With goddess gowns (sooo hot right now!) and architectural yet effortless details, she certainly delivered what she was selling.

Chiffon rosettes top this flowing goddess gown

Playing on the one-shoulder trend was this sculptural stunner

With a defined waist and flowing skirt, many a bride would wow in this frock

That’s all for now! I’ll get back to you with BCS: Part II. Meanwhile, check out the galleries on www.charlestonfashionweek.com, and be sure to check back here tomorrow for a couple of announcements about bridal events around town.