Styled Shoot: Inspiration from Point-to-Point + Kentucky Derby

All photos by Hudson Nichols Photography

It is three days and counting to the Kentucky Derby (May 5th) and four days and counting to Winterthurs annual Point-to-Point steeplechase races (May 6) , so when I was asked to pitch a story for the Hunt Magazine, my first love came to mind... Horse racing! As the story goes, I spent 8yrs (from 18yrs-27yrs) working at Delaware Park Race Track, and inside grew a strong love and appreciation for horse racing. No, not the gambling (however, I will admit it lined my pockets a few times), but the beauty of the sport! I think I was meant to live in the forties, because I have an appreciation for the sport - the strength and beauty of the horses and what it meant to society during that time. I honestly own both the original and modern Seabiscuit on DVD, and have watched about every horse racing movie out there. Yes, I know... sap. Did I mention that I got to sit on the starting gate one day for a ten race card? Oh I did... and that was the best!

Since we were sharing our awesome tailgating tips with the Hunt (check out that here) for a horse themed tailagate for all of the upcoming races, we decided to a back it up with a styled shoot. Horse racing is all about strong patterns and bright colors with the jockeys silks. We decided on a pallet of mint greens, peaches, and corals, and added in some bold patterns with an ikat pattern on bowls (C.Wonder), salad plates (C.Wonder), and pillows (Christmas Tree Shop). We brought in natural elements through straw bales for seating ($2-$8 a bale), iron horseshoes, farmhouse tables, and added a bit of feminine and softness through lace and romantic florals (think peonies, garden roses, and ranunculus - however the peonies neon hues stole the show!). We decided to mimic the jockeys silks by spray painting gold striped and polka dotted patterns onto mason jars which would display our floral (this by far might have been my favorite element!).

AllieRuth Designs customized a themed invite just for us, and we couldn't have been more in love with its horseshoe shaped wreath, multiple vintage horse stamps, kraft paper, and white calligraphy!

the perfect duo: kraft paper + bakers twine

Do you remember the days when youwould go to the grocery store and they would ask you if you wanted paper orplastic? Well, I do, and I am thirty. I cannot imagine that many of you are toofar behind me, but if so bare with me! Well those paper bags that they used tobag our groceries are what many brides and couples are now using for their invitations; it’s called kraft paper. They tend to use more of a stock for theinvitations, but none the less, it is a brown paper and I am in love for its many uses: invitations, escort cards, packaging, favors, gift tags, and etc. We adore its vintage, shabby chic, and romantic feel that it brings to weddings worldwide. Most of the fonts are done in whites, metallics, or black for visibility. We just are just loving the white fonts paired with hints of lace. 

Once you have designed your invitation set add a touch of whimsy with bakers twine. Bakers twine is no longer just for deciphering between "regular" and "no sugar added" treats from your local bakery or grocery store. Leftovers?  You can use any remaining bakers twine by hanging your escort cards, bookmarks, save-the-dates, favors, and packaging your bridal gifts that will become an instant hit that your guests will never want to open. We heart the bakers twine because it is available in array of colors and it helps to easily tie (get it?) in your wedding colors and theme with your stationery. You can find suppliers of kraft paper invitations, rolls of kraft paper,  and bakers twine on Etsy; most notably our favorite shop for bakers twine is the Twinery because they are a Philadelphia based company, and being as we are based in Delaware, we like to keep things local. We also love customer calligrapher Rachel Carl on Etsy as well. Decided to wrap your gifts in kraft paper? Next time you visit your local grocer, ask them for paper bags. They may look at you funny, but at least they would be free!

green + black: damask decor and stationery

With the demo and renovation of my home office beginning soon (secretly jumping and down with joy!), I am constantly searching for inspiration. However, don't let me fool you... I have it all designed in my head: white walls, dark walnut flooring, white ikea shelving, plush couches and chairs, and of course a showcase of the LovelyGirls portfolio! But decor and interior decorating for me is to the bride who is searching for the perfect cake and wedding dress, and the internet is just a wealth of information that can sometimes be overhwelming! So since I have been inspired by so many beautiful rooms, I have decided to start a series of blogs where I take the decor of a room and turn it into an inspiration board.

For our first feature, our inspiration began with the newly decorated office of Stephanie Grimm of Couture Parties located in Newport, Rhode Island. She has a beautiful new space located on Thames St., and it is still in a work in progress (but we would have never known!). If you get a chance take a visit to her blog and check out her halloween window display! She has done a beautiful job mixing her style and decor. A mix of classic and modern pieces, a neutral palette, bold patterned accents, with a pop of my favorite color. Green!

picture is courtesy of Stephanie Grimms smart phone for Couture Parties!



We have decided to feature this beautiful space with invitation and stationery designed by one of our favorites vendors, Greenleaf Paperie! This invitation suite was designed for one of our June weddings between Kara and Marc, who had a beautiful ceremony and reception at Appleford Estates in Villanova, PA. What do you find inspires you when choosing your theme and decor from your wedding? Sometimes it can begin with the cake, or maybe even an outfit from your closet. Personally, mine mostly comes from room decor! It could be a candlestick, a pillow, or even a bold patterened curtain like above! All photography below provided by Laura Novak Photography.