Lovely Lady Lovin'

It’s customary (and thoughtful) to give the ladies of your wedding party a little something to thank them for being part of your big day. If we’re being honest, you’re also thanking them for supporting you during a Bridezilla moment you may had along the way. There are practical choices like paying for part of their Bridesmaid attire (shoes, jewelry etc.), their flight to the wedding or accommodations but, if you’re leaning more towards a tangible gift, here are some ideas for showing your best friends they are “like good a bra; always lifting you up and never leaving you hanging.”

1: Dani Notes monogrammed iPhone cover |daninotes.com

This monogrammed iPhone cover is not only adorable and functional but it’s an item your friends will look at every day. The pattern selection is fun and you can choose between an initial or first name monogram.

2: Danielle Stevens bracelet | maxandchloe.com

Following the same theme, but slightly more personal, a piece of jewelry can last forever. This bracelet is a beautiful and timeless keepsake.

3: Stephanie Johnson cosmetic case | stephaniejohnson.com

Multiple gifts are always better than 1. Fill a cosmetic case with a combination of items, ranging from practical to luxury; Rosebud Salve, Essie nail polish, Hanky Panky undies and your favorite fragrance.

4: Signature picture frame | wayfair.com

What is a better way to remember the fun at the Bachelorette party or another moment you all shared together? After you give the girls their gifts, have a silver pen on hand so all of you can sign the frames.

5: Plum Pretty Sugar robe set | www.plumprettysugar.com

Not only will the “getting ready” pictures look fabulous, but a stylish robe is something every lady can use and most likely wouldn’t think to buy themselves.

Bars (and not the drinking kind!)

With dessert and weddings on the brain, and their always on the brain, we were intrigued by the latest wedding trend: bars - dessert bars, popcorn bars, doughnut bars, cookie bars, sundae bars, smores bars, waffle bars, and cigar bars (had to throw one in there for the boys!). These options are endless and the list goes on. What makes this concept so perfect? More is always better when it comes to treats. Check out some of our favorite "bar" ideas.

For a spring or summer wedding, consider a sundae and ice cream bar. Make your own sundae bars are perfect for these warmer months shindigs. Think about the amazing (and affordable) selection you could provide - sprinkles, cherries, whipped cream, ooey goeey marshmallow sauce, and any thing you could imagine on an ice cream sundae. For a refreshing and lighter choice, offer a few flavored sorbets as well. If you're big day is during a spring month, integrate some of the seasons best fruits.

Short & Sweet: Macarons in Delaware!

Ever since I caught wind that Pike Creek Coffee was going to be serving up macaroon deliciousness from the MacarOn Cafe in NYC, I could not get there fast enough! Well, it took me about a month, but I figured what better gift to one of my besties (who has a hobby for desserts and pastries, especially of the Parisian sorts) for her 30th birthday than these delectables. Of course I dabbled in the "one for you, one for me", but hey, I needed some material to back up my blog post. Wow, were they amazing or what? So amazing! And yummy, and everything I wished for them to be. I decided to choose six different flavors (for each of us) - salted caramel, pistachio, honey lavender, raspberry, pumpkin cinnamon, and lemon. The barista at Pike Creek Coffee wrapped them up so daintily in their box, and I felt like I was staring at a rainbow of deliciousness.

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!

because 3 (or more) is always better than one!

Disclaimer: There is a soft spot in my heart for Sweet and Saucy cakes. Please be prepared for inspiration overload!


For a refreshingly unique (and often less expensive) way to end your reception’s dinner, couples are moving away from the traditional tiered wedding cake. Instead, they opt for a more distinctive style: several smaller cakes, an assortment of homemade pies, and cupcakes to create a bite-size dessert buffet. While a larger cake has its appeal (grand design, picturesque, very tall, more to eat), this contemporary approach certainly has its advantages.

Dresses + Cardigans = Toastie!

The temperatures are slowly dropping here on the east coast and what better way to add a little pop of color to your bridal style with a cardigan (plus it will keep you or your bridal party toastie during those chilly spring and fall evenings!) This is such a chic way to add a feminine, flirty, yet casual feel to your wedding day and to incorporate your wedding colors. Can't get past the idea of wearing a cardigan during your ceremony? Consider adding this accessory after your ceremony and once you have finished with the formal family pictures. Include these in your playful pictures of just the bride and groom, or even with your gals! Thinking  of including your bridesmaids into the mix? Well here at LovelyGirls, we think it works best  if you use the same style cardigan for bridesmaids who are wearing different dresses, or vice versa; if the bridesmaids are all wearing the same style dress then have suggest they get different style cardis in the same color (with specifications of course i.e. length). This will provide texture and depth to your pictures!

If you are looking for options, you can pretty much find cardigans anywhere and everywhere at your local retailers, but we just love the cardis offered by J.Crew. The "jackie" cardigan is our favorite and it comes in a range of eight to ten colors every season. Right now we are crushing on the burnished olive and the pacific color. If you think it breaks the budget just a little, you can also find similar styles at Target, but the color selection might be somewhat limiting. You can even check out Forever 21 or H+M (even for some leopard print styles!).

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!

Babys Breath... a Wedding Budget Dream!



Boutonniere by LovelyGirls Events and photo by Sanderson Images



And a dream they are! When it’s come to wedding flowers, baby’s breath might just be the new carnation this past wedding season. Like carnations, baby’s breath is not exactly glamorous, but has a lovely fragrant scent. This seasonless flower available all year long has a reputation for being a cheapo filler flower, but en masses and monochromatic – stunning! This stand alone flower is now used for wreaths, bouquets, boutonnières, ceremony décor, event décor, and beautifully staged tablescapes. You will find blogs nationwide showcasing this trend that has seem to take over the hearts of the vintage inspired bride.

Just this past fall, the Knot.com event in Philadelphia used baby’s breath throughout the event; staged in beautiful urns on pedestals and on small cocktail tables as centerpieces! At around $4.00 for 10 stems (in Delaware), you could get a bouquet and about 3-5 boutonnieres for your bridal party. It is a wedding budgets dream! We just used baby’s breath in Jess and Bryans wedding for the boys’ boutonnières and secured them with twine. It was the perfect vintage pairing that the couple was seeking during their fall affair! In the winter, secure pomanders of babys breath above the dance floor in resemblance of snowy clouds... just add a dusting of sparkle with some glitter spray and you could also place bundles of baby’s breath in birch sleeves for the perfect wintry feel!

the new group shot: Heart Shaped!

If you are really looking to make art from your wedding day, we have found ourselves “pinning” heart group shots. Yes, we LOVE this new group shot trend because it is such a unique way to showcase your guests, and it will be something that you may actually want to include in your album from your photographer. Of course this type of thing is best done outside and may take a little bit of coordinating between your venue, photographer, and of course your coordinator. Here are some pointers in getting the shot of your dreams:

Outdoor Lawn Games... We do!

Summer is coming to an end, and the cooler temperatures have just started to take a turn for, shall we dare say it, comfortable. This is just around the time when I actually enjoy outside cocktail hours and watching the bride and groom from afar, especially the guests. Most often times they linger, and strike up casual conversation and often times find an excuse to go grab another cocktail and move onto the next guest. Why not turn up the FUN factor?

 

 

After watching so many outdoor cocktail hours at a distance, the one trend we have enjoyed (and even giggle at on occasion) is watching guests partake in interactive games on the lawn. Yes, you have read this correctly. Games. No, not the cheesy games that you dread when attending a baby or bridal shower (and even those haven’t been so bad as of late), but actual lawn games. Yes, the ones that you may find at a tailgate or even at a BBQ, but none the less... interactive and enjoyable to watch; even crowd pleasers! Think cornhole, horseshoes, bocce, and croquet. Black tie or khaki suited, we don’t mind if we do. It is a great way to entertain your guests and just another way to work your theme and colors into your wedding (think custom colored bean bags and silhouette painted boards!). We just adore these images shared by BG Productions from Marissa and Brians vintage wedding at the John J. Audubon Center this past season. Don’t forget to place Adirondack chairs for the spectators because we promise this will be a crowd pleaser! Enjoy the inspiration <3

Late Night Treats and "Truckies"

I have a confession to make: I am a foodie. I have always liked the idea of candy and dessert bars as a favor, but I am absolutely in LOVE with late night treats being served to guests as a way to revamp and refuel their appetites for just a few more sets on the dance floor! If you think back to your single days, before you met the love of your life, you spent evenings out with the girls (or boys) dancing the night away and somehow always worked up an appetite (well at least I did!); Evenings ended up at the nearest diner, closest fast food restaurant, and if we were at the beach, then it was a late night at the pizza shop! Should your big party be any different? Well maybe a little... serve up your favorite late night snacks or treats in style before sending guests on their way (or to the after party of the after party!) And really who needs an  actual favor anyhow? Honestly (yes we are being real) we end up throwing about 25% of them away at the end of the event, and the other percentage gets stuck in a junk drawer to be thrown away 6 months down the road. So it has been decided... You are going to find the way to your guests’ heart through their tummy, but where do you begin? Check out these fun late night snacks and food trends I have lined up for you!