Removing the "book" from guestbook

For the home decor enthusiast

When I think about guestbooks I'm reminded of a Sex and the City episode where Miranda's wedding duty was to "man" the guest book. In the episode she's standing next to a book on a table, with a pen in her hand saying, "sign the guestbook?". Gone are the days where a guestbook consists of a book and a pen. These days couples are breaking boundaries of creativity and being inspired by what they love... music, photography, home decor, and using their guestbooks to incorporate them into their guests into their daily lives.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words; here, your guests can have the best of both worlds. Set up a table with a Polaroid camera, blank-paged guestbook, and several pens. Each guests or couple can have their own page where they will post their Polaroid portrait and have ample room to write their best wishes, advice to, or favorite memories of the newlyweds. Larger weddings will require a larger guestbook (or just more paper) while a photo booth (DIY?) could take the place of a Polaroid camera. Not only will you have a special note from your loved ones, but you'll have priceless pictures of them the very momoment they wrote it!

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.