I was lucky to grow up in beautiful Charleston, South Carolina – a city with serious style, charm and sophistication coming out of every corner.

LulaKate is a Charleston based company offering a line of bridesmaid dresses that are as fabulous as the city from which they come.

I just love the eye popping color and modern styling of these dresses (and I’ll bet all three of these women are smiling at their friend’s choice of bridesmaid dresses).

If I had to pick a favorite from her collection, I’d say it was the Elle dress.  Everything about the dress says “I actually could wear this again” – right up to the sexy halter tie.

LulaKate bridesmaid dresses come in a plethora of colors, styles and fabrics like silk, linen and even seersucker (you can’t get much more Southern than that).

Better still, your bridesmaids can choose between seven different necklines, three skirt type and two lengths, so they can still express their own individuality (and flatter their own shape) while standing up for you.

You can see more of  Katherine McDonald’s (she’s the Kate behind LulaKate) dresses at LulaKate.com. But this yellow one, called Alex, is so fresh, it is not even online yet!

I’ve been a bridesmaid 13 times. I’ve even worn the same dress twice – in different colors.  From all of those weddings, the bridesmaid gift that I love the most (and wear almost everyday) is a silver bead bracelet from my friend Kerri.

So, if you are in search of the perfect bridesmaid’s gift, consider jewelry.  Most girls love it, the wedding party can wear it during your ceremony, and it can be a lasting memory for your friends about participating in your wedding.

And I love jewelry by Amelia Lock at AmeliaRoseDesign.com.  Amelia is a lawyer turned jewelry designer (how great is that) whose collection contains colorful, stylish pieces that would be a lovely compliment to any bridesmaid dress (and other dresses that your friends will actually wear again).  Her designs are available in 14k, gold filled and sterling silver.

Some of my favorites:

Green Amethyst and Textured Gold-Filled Chain, with 14K Vermeil Toggle Clasp, 36″.
May be worn as one long necklace, doubled or wrapped five times for bracelet.

Garnet and Freshwater Pearls, adjusts 16″-18″.

14k Gold Hammered Circular Component and 14k Gold Chain, adjusts 16″-18″.

Sky Blue Topaz and Freshwater Pearl on 14K Gold Ear Wire. Total drop-1.5″.

White Topaz wrapped in 14K Gold on 14K Gold Hoops. Total drop just over 1″.

Amelia Rose Design jewelry can be found in select boutiques throughout the Greater Boston Area, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Texas. See her website to browse her designs. My personal favorite is the Bluebell Collection.