Rain, Rain Go Away

... come back after wedding season is over! With Hurricane Irene looming over us this upcoming weekend (and an earthquake behind us) what better way than to cheer up brides-to-be with some wellie, rain boot, and colorful umbrella inspiration? So far, August has proven to be one of our rainiest months, and with rain in the forecast for the next two weekends we couldn't help but put a little sunshine into your day! This is a great way to take control of your wedding pictures and incorporate your wedding colors into your photos! Cathie from the dynamic husband-wife photography duo of BG Productions says that "after a rain everything (including color) really pops outside. And remember, at the end of the day you are still married!". - We couldn't agree more!

If you are looking to keep things on the cheap and pressed for time, you can find these items at various retailers such as Target, Old Navy, and Walmart! If you have a little more time on your hands, then you may want to check out online retailers such as Zappos and Piperlime. Happy Shopping!

In like with M-A-C-A-R-O-O-Ns and CakeBAR!

This weekend LovelyGirls was wedding-free, so we had the opportunity to set up a client meeting  for a bride and groom from Columbia, MD down in the first states', first town - Lewes Beach! Even though Delawares beach traffic is something to be reckoned with on the weekends, let alone a Saturday, I decided to make a day out of it and have my family join me and take in what the small beach town of Lewes had to offer. I am so glad we did. As they say, if there is no risk, there is no reward!

Watermelon: for the Cocktail Party!

The temperature may have dipped down this week, but our love for watermelon keeps getting hotter! An outdoor wedding during these hot summers months should definitely require working at least one of these delightfully chilled watermelon appetizers into your caterers menu. Paired with items such as goat cheese, mint, honey, balsamic, prosciutto, pico de gallo, red onion, and fruits of the season... how could you go wrong?

Watermelon Balsamic Cubes

"These watermelon balsamic cubes were just the right size, continued the somewhat elegance of the night, and yet gave it a casual, down-home tasty treat" is the perfect description by Chef Cathy Shambley of the Showfood Chef. Hosting a backyard summer soiree and in a pinch? Substitute the balsamic reduction for a creamy balsamic dressing!

We are even absolutely L-O-V-I-N-G its plated appearance... very modern, simple, and elegant. It will definitely hold its own during a formal cocktail hour!

Outdoor Ceremony Must: Beverage Station!

Holy heat wave!...  So thankful that is over with (for now). Those high 90's and low 100s' temperatures made us thirsty, so we put together a few options to keep you hydrated, and your guests hydrated as well during the high temps in the summer months.

Having an outdoor ceremony? Make sure not to leave your guests parched. Provide a beverage station complete with beverage dispensers of iced tea, mint infused lemonade, bottles of Pellegrino, or a tub filled with chilled bottles of water. Wanna go the extra mile? Try things like cucumber mint water, watermelon mint water, or even lemon basil water. Just make sure to let the fruits and herbs soak for 6-8 hours before the ceremony to let the water take in all of the robust flavors. Wa la... a refreshing beverage for your guests and no one will pass out ( just make sure the bridal party does not lock their knees!).

Want to keep the lines down during cocktail hour? Try this take on "Something Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue" for a self-serve beverage station taken from our couple Kara + Marc. Something Old: Mojito, Something New: Lychi Martini, Something Borrowed: Grandmothers' secret Sangria recipe, and Something Blue: Blue Margarita. Beats guests having to wait in those long bar lines during cocktail hour if you ask me!

Make sure to have signage letting guests know that they can serve themselves. Want to personalize it just a bit? Try personalized cocktail napkins, mason jars, and maybe some paper straws. Don't forget to leave a trash can for recyclable water bottles, paper cups, and napkins... and inconspiculously if you ask me.

devon + ethan | 5.07.11

Devon and Ethan were such a great couple to work with over the course of their planning! I had known Ethan through a friend of a friend, who had a friend from around ten years ago... you know the story! So, we were thrilled when Ethan introduced us to his bride-to-be and said they needed a little extra help having things come together.  They held their ceremony at the Golden Sands Club in Ocean City Maryland the weekend of May 7th, and had a theme of black and white damask print with touches of hot pink in their bouquets, floral centerpieces, and even in the bridesmaids shoes! To bring in touches of the beach into the reception, Devon wanted to incorporate fuchsia orchids and river rocks with some floating candles into centerpieces.

It was such a beautiful weekend, and Liza and I spent most of our first evening in our hotel room stripping roses and making bouquets. The morning however... wow, we had the most spectactular view of the sunrise over the ocean and then it was off to get some DD to keep our day going strong, as we had a 9:30am start time. We really heart long days that start with extremely beautiful visuals! Devon and Ethans ceremony was  in the sand on the clubs grounds, but as the sun started to set behind the condos, so did the temperature, so the cocktail hour was quickly moved up and into the reception space. The team at the Golden Sands did a great job of getting set up very quickly and getting the party started. We had the pleasure of working with Teri Pozniak of tPoz Photography, and she was a blast all day and evening! She kept it light and fun and was able to catch some great shots of Devon and Ethan that you can check out here:

turning the "Dirty" Thirty!

August twenty-second is fastly approaching which means that I will be turning thirty in just two months. Oddly, I am embracing it with open arms and honestly, turning twenty-nine was really the bummer. I mean honestly... twenty nine? What fun is in twenty-nine? I would rather go around and tell everyone that I am already thirty (and to some I have... sorry!). My twenties were filled with great times, awesome friendships, and some stories that I would rather just forget (yes, there are quite a few of those!). I am really just ready to embrace thirty with huge open arms... giving up the bar scene and hangovers and now enjoying sushi and wine dinners and front porch happy hours with friends. I am so happy with where I am at in life and really just enjoying the past two years with LovelyGirls grow. Yes, my twenties came with some regrets, but I consider them hiccups and learning curves... But I am also embracing the LOVE that I shared during those times!

katie + chris | 4.9.11

I was so thrilled when a previous little league teammate of mine, Katie, reached out to me to help plan her wedding last summer. Katie and her fiance, Chris, had been winners of the 2010 Christiana Hilton Free Wedding Giveaway where they won a variety of services by some of Delawares talented local vendors! We were a little late to the punch, but we were so excited for the opportunity that Katie and Chris were extending to us, and the new vendor relationships that we would be forging! Katie and Chris held their ceremony at the St. Margaret of Scotland RC Church, with the reception following in the Christiana Ballroom at the Christiana Hilton, and after party in the Hunt Club! I could not imagine any other way to kick off our 2011 wedding season. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Yandell!