hello lions,

ongoing entertainment during parties + receptions is becoming more commonplace, and for good reason- it’s lots more fun! strolling tables of nashville can add an exciting & surprising element to your event with their glamorous tables decked out with live models!

(c) la photographie nashville

instead of having a waiter amble around with a tray or push a cart, your hors d’oeuvres or desserts can waltz around the room designed in a theme of your choice.

(c) la photographie nashville

the tables can hold food and/or beverages and promenade throughout the venue.  they’re also useful for name badges, candy, programs, party favors + gift bags. they can even stroll effortlessly throughout the room collecting bids on silent auction items for a charity event. the tables are fully mobile-allowing them to move to your guests. i would love to see these at the end of the night with candles, bells or other items for the sendoff.

they offer other performances for your event including burlesque/cabaret dancers, aerialists and variety acts. they have models for hire as greeters or roaming entertainment. so cool!

be sure to check out their video to see these gals in action! they glide so effortlessly. it sounds hilarious, but it looks really cool! you can contact them at info [at] strollingtablesofnashville [dot] com.

what theme would you want to see? and what would you put on the table?

love to all,

lindsey

say hello: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

hello lions!

if you want an eco-friendly option for your wedding or event be sure to check out iHOSPITALITY, a nashville company whose tableware helps you have a fun event and make the earth happy, too. ashley currie, the brains behind iHOSPITALITY, recognized the need for  a local supplier after client requests.

iHOSPITALITY can provide you with plates, serving platters and cutlery  made from plant-based sources such as bamboo, sugar, corn and grass. they also offer packaging like custom-sized boxes which you could use for favors and/or cake! they are 100% compostable + biodegradable. they look great too-here’s a closer look at the sugar plates:
ashley senses that there is a large level of interest in the nashville area for eco-conscious products and that the desire will continue to rise. she feels good about her products and supplying them in a timely manner through a local warehouse.

is reducing the impact of your event important to you? what other eco ideas do you have?

love to all,

lindsey

say hi: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

(c) la photographie nashville

(c) la photographie nashville

a dandyBride is independent, interesting and fearless. she knows what she likes and her wedding reflects that! she wants people to know who she is instead of hiding behind traditional conventions.

are you a dandyBride?

many thanks to all who made this happen: lovely model darla, stephanie at la photographie nashville, eryk datura of datura glamour, shana taylor of no limits salon and katy k’s ranch dressing

ps- for more pics, check out la photographie’s blog!

love,

lindsey

give us a roar: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

hello lions,
we love crazy fun weddings! but at the end of the day, what we support the most is connecting- with your family, your partner + your own heart. one of the simplest ways to bring a personal touch to your wedding is by using handmade objects- whether they’re made by you or someone else. etsy has a wide variety of handmade items for your wedding. they even have a wedding category + wedding email lists you can sign up for!

you can wear handmade:

(clockwise from left)

tell your intended how much they mean to you- i mean, what’s better than bacon? – from sweetmeats

sweet birdcage veil from one of our favorite creatives, onelittledove!

super- rad storm trooper cufflinks – from crimsonking

turquoise day of the dead earrings with red roses- from polishedtwo

and you can decorate with handmade:

(clockwise from left)

celebrate your steampunk love with this ‘two pipes make one handle’ mug – from iHRTart

put curious or precious objects under this hand blown glass bell jar – from thewallflowercompany

yarn poms are a fresh flower alternative + can be created in every color! – from murdockdesign

attach bright poms to the ceiling or the backs of chairs! – from fiestapompom

(ps- we at dL have the tools and know-how to make the tissue poms + the yarn poms! fun!)

what special touches are you adding to make your celebration unique?

love to all,
lindsey

give us a roar: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

Hello my darling lions!

It’s local feature Friday yet again, and I’m so excited to feature a business near and dear to my heart here in beautiful Asheville. Casey and Grace of Dang Salon are incredibly creative, cognizant, and cutting edge when it comes to your look.

Dang Salon is located in Asheville’s River Arts District (which, at its core, is one of the coolest places to hang out in the entire city) in the Phil the Mechanic building, which houses a multitude of artists from a wide range of disciplines.

I know…not where you think you could find the best place to get your hair transformed into something amazing, is it? Well, you step inside…

…and awaiting you is an oasis of hair care and style!

The girls at Dang only use Paul Mitchell products, especially since a wide range of their products are vegan and environmentally friendly. Not only does that benefit the environment, but for those of us who, ahem, encourage our hair to stay a certain shade, it doesn’t completely wreck and ravage your hair.

The decor in the shop is delightfully funky and fun. Instead of sitting in squeaky vinyl chairs under the dryer, they have a set of mustard yellow wing chairs straight out of the past that are extremely comfortable.

Beyond the furnishings, you have two talented stylists who really listen to what their clients want and need. Grace, the tamer of my tresses, is the only stylist I know of that makes my hair BEHAVE. See, I have very thick, very wavy, coarse hair that I keep auburn (which yes, is pretty close to my natural hair color…even though I haven’t seen it in 10 years) and love to have it voluminous. Most stylists thin it out, chop it off, flat iron it into submission, and try to give me blond highlights.

Grace listens to what I want, gives her own feedback, and I turn her loose on my head of hair. For example, it’s springtime here in the mountains, so I wanted to add some oomph to my dark auburn mane. We broke out the color book, found a couple shades we both loved (that would work with my redhead skin), and Grace went to town!

She glazed it (a semi-permanent color that washes out over 6-8 weeks that allows natural tones and shades to come through) with an intense cherry-bomb red that keeps it its “natural” auburn under the fluorescent lights of my office building, but becomes this gorgeous mass of nearly-fire-engine-red when I’m outside. She also trimmed up my top-most layer and neatened up my bangs, along with very loosely pin-curling my hair while it dried. The result?

Vavoom! Pure 70’s movie star magic! I love how it moves, feels, and the fact I can recreate this look at home! And yes, my darling lions, these two fierce ladies do some AMAZING bridal hair. They take your hair and, while staying true to your sense of style, transform it into the best it can be!

AND, as Asheville is an emerging city, Dang does NOT charge out the nose for their services. They are affordable but, honestly, I would recommend them solely on the basis of the quality of care.

So please, darling lions, consider giving Grace or Casey a call next time you’re having a hair emergency, a crisis of color, or want something truly dandy and unique for your wedding or special occasion. They rock!

(Grace, the guru of my hair!)

Contact Grace Tasedan or Casey McCuller @ 828.225.3225 and let them completely rejuvenate your hair!

Pushing boundaries as always, with love,

Amanda
give me a roar: amanda@dandylionevents.com

hello lovely lions!

in honor of our local roller derby team, the nashville roller girls, these inspiration boards are black + blue!

ideas for the bride:

(clockwise from top left)

get in your something blue with these ’sweet ass’ britches -from hotacrossbuns

this could be worn as a necklace or bouquet charm- from nikkisuniques

blue glitter ‘rockn’ rolla’ ring -from walk on the moon

black + white tulle skirt- from mtcoffinz

for your partner or your ‘maids:

(clockwise from top left)

knee-length blue tutu- from sisters of the moon

awesome gift idea- magnetic paper dolls- ‘tattoo sampler’- from elizabeth ocean (the sailor is my favorite)

black, purple, teal + turquoise miniskirt- from MTcoffinzUndergroud

black + blue feather fascinator -from alice and the owl

i couldn’t make up my mind between the two tutus- you could mix and match, or wear them in layers!

for everything else:

(clockwise from top left)

blue super roller girl- could use for save the dates! -from rhodaperdition

needlepoint kitsch decor- from moxiedoll

vintage patch for shirts, bags or favors!- from twitch and whiskers

cluster ball bearings for a non-perishable bouquet, or give one to your sweetie!- from derbylicious

i’m super excited about this saturday’s double header, but sad that i can’t attend.  i hope you’ll go + cheer on our local derby team! get there early, especially if you want to sit in the bleachers instead of the aptly-named suicide seats. they always sell out their bouts! oh, and wear something black + blue too! you can pick up merchandise, such as t-shirts, posters and patches, once you’re there. it’s easy to find from wedgewood and the parking is free!

where do you draw your wedding inspiration? is it internal or external?

love to all,

lindsey

give us a roar: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

hello lions,
fashion shows can provide dreamy inspiration for your wedding dress. imagination abounds with the release of alexander mcqueen’s final 15 items. here are 3 gowns that are sure to get your brain going this morning:

the fitted, textured coat is so bizarre! the unfinished hem is messy and delicate. also love the high collar in the back- it looks royal and medieval, very queen-like. all of his designs have a touch of tapestry or regalness.

everything about this look is perfect- boots with buckles, very strong lines, an amazing cape. the mohawk finishes out the linear look. would highly recommend a short wedding dress if it’s worn with spunk! check out our LITTER post for a dangerous garter to wear with an above-the-knee dress.

this dress is amazing. please take a second look in the mirror behind the model to see the wing detail coming out of the shoulders on her back. the wing motif is repeated on the bust. the layered skirt and the different materials of this gown give it texture and intrigue.

there are ideas to emulate in your dress design whether your wedding is medieval, gothic or faerie and whimsical! what ideas do you draw from fashion?

love to all,

lindsey

give us a roar: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

hello, lions!
today we reveal the top 3 entries to our contest. we’re delighted to introduce them and hope you’ll vote for your favorite wedding! one vote per person, please. voting will close thursday night at midnight central time! duplicates will not be counted.

angela + troy

angela + troy are planning a 1940s glamor wedding for July 24, 2010. their black, white, red and gold themed reception will take place at the hotel preston. they’re planning a cocktail party reception with a signature champagne cocktail- true to the era! angela’s attendants will wear cocktail dresses. angela is also planning a few diy projects including centerpieces of  picture frames, mirrors and candles for an intimate event.

natosha + stephen

natosha + stephen are getting married on october 10, 2010. they chose this date because it represents binary code, which then adds up to the ultimate answer to life, the universe and everything (according to the hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy): 42. their agnostic ceremony and reception will take place at the rosemont mansion. natosha has chosen a palette of ivory, white, beige, cream and black. she plans to incorporate garden-style greenery and vintage buttons to her decor.

savannah + brian

savannah + brian are planning a 1940/1960 vintage + rock n roll theme wedding. they’re planning to wed on december 11, 2010 at one eleven in downtown nashville.  savannah loves design and printed her own save-the-dates. for her next project, she is planning to produce an entire invitational suite in ’storybook’ form. this is going to be a major diy undertaking considering she will create about 100! their color palette will consist of silver, mustard, cream and black. savannah’s attendants will wear vintage silver and brian’s attendants will wear black or mustard skinny ties.

paco, their pet hamster, will join them on their wedding day as well!

who is your favorite? let us know in the comments below!

love to all,

lindsey

say hello: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

Hello my darling lions!

In the vein of my fellow lioness Lindsey, I’d like to open up the floor for questions.

What’s that one floral + ambiance question that’s bugging you?

(My work, as modeled by the lovely, rocking Wade and Lily. Lily and I worked together for two years and I love her rocking attitude. We made her wedding very edgy, pink, and rocker-chic-glam.)

Here’s your chance to pick my brain about floral design, colors, textures, music…almost anything!

Pushing boundaries of love, as always:

Amanda

floral  + ambiance lioness

send some love my way: amanda@dandylionevents.com

Good day, my darling lions!

Have you entered our very dandy giveaway yet? If not, click here to read about our amazing give-away!

You know floral design is something near and dear to my design-y, ambiance-y heart. I see so many brides choosing the same-old, same-old when it comes to bouquets. You know what I’m talking about…hand tied with ribbon, spherical mixed mounds of flowers. I’ve made so many of these, I could probably whip one up in my sleep.

Alright, lions, time to toss those mass-produced bouquets. You’re unique, you’re quirky…why can’t the flowers you carry down the aisle reflect this? Here are some different shapes and variations on the traditional that you can try!

Love that round shape but want something different?

Okay, let’s start with something akin to the in vogue design. A biedermeier bouquet is comprised of concentric circles of individual colors and flowers…kind of like a floral bulls-eye! These bouquets are very formal in feel and design and work really well with a very traditional looking gown.

Scale down that round bouquet and you have a nosegay. Nosegays are teeny little bouquets (very Victorian in feel and look) comprised of smaller flowers, greenery, and sometimes mounted in a tussy-mussy (a little metallic holder…very cute and very vintage!).

Are you wearing your grandmother’s dress from the 1940’s or 50’s? A ballerina bouquet is a sweet tip of the hat to your nana. Instead of lots of flowers, this uses tulle, fabric, ribbon, and greenery to create the illusion of a bouquet with only a few flowers woven in.

Now, take your typical round bouquet and tug on it. A teardrop bouquet is based on the same shape, but with some length towards the bottom. This style can draw attention to an intricately beaded and embellished bodice.

Take that length a step father to the super-romantic, dramatic cascade bouquet. Short brides, beware…cascades might make you look short. However, for those of us comfortable in our short stature, these bouquets are romance all wrapped up in one neat package! Princess Diana rocked one of these when she got married, so if you’re looking for a royal wedding, choose one of these.

Next is my personal favorite as far as the round bouquet family goes. A composite bouquet is a large flower that is assembled by gluing or wiring petals together to make a larger flower. In one of my earlier posts, I referenced a duchess rose I created out of eighteen individual roses. You can also make a glamelia (a camellia made out of gladiolus florets) or a galax rose (made out of galax leaves wired together).

Not a roundy-moundy girl?

Consider taking a page from yours truly and having a presentation bouquet draped across your arm. You can channel your inner Miss America with this bouquet. I carried a bouquet of bells of Ireland, jade roses, Tropicana roses, mango calla lilies, super green carnations, lily grass, and one very sneaky red carnation that draped across my arm. I loved it because I had a very heavily beaded bodice and chiffon overskirt that split at an Empire waistline, and I didn’t want to disguise that. Besides, I’m the floral + ambiance lioness!

Pomander bouquets aren’t just for flower girls anymore. These little orbs of flowers leave your hands free to hug friends and family, but when hung on a shepherd’s crook, double as reception décor. Double duty means less cost, dear lions!

Going with the same idea of keeping your hands free, a wrist bouquet would look amazing. No, this isn’t your traditional ribbon and lace corsage. Instead, think of a few flowers woven with my favorite tool, deco wire, cascading off your wrist with a shower of crystals and petals. It’s fun, funky, and far from traditional.

I hope I’ve given you some ideas of different ways to accessorize with flowers for your weddings. So I challenge you again dear lions, as I always do, push that envelope! Don’t settle for the same old, same old; expand your floral boundaries! I’ll be right here to help you along the way.

Unbridled love,

Amanda

floral + ambiance lioness

want to pick my brain? e-mail me at amanda@dandylionevents.com