hello lions,

i love to party. right now i’m considering hosting a dress up party for some friends just because i want to. halloween is too far away.

if you want to have a rockin fete or dance-all-night reception, focus on these three things:

- music- whether it’s an ipod, dj or 10-piece swing band, put someone in charge of what’s being played. you don’t always love what comes up on your ipod on random- you really won’t love it when people are energized and dancing and then…. norah jones comes on. there should be some structure, ebb and flow to the evening. there are tons of suggested playlists out there for things like dinner, dancing and winding down the evening.

- lighting- this is just as important as the music because it has the same impact. think about it, when was the last time you felt like partying in your office under those hideous florescent lights? right. now think about the way you want people to feel- sexy? hyped? chill? use lighting to reflect that. draw ideas from your favorite clubs or restaurants. plus, everyone looks better when the lights are low and soft. if you make subtle shifts to the glare as the night wears on you can watch people relax more because they’re comfortable in their skin.

summer party time! (c) meredith norwood

- space- i don’t mean appropriate size but that’s a part of it. what is the bathroom situation like? are there elevators for non-ambulatory guests? is there parking available? pay attention to how it looks too, not just the price tag. for the wrong room, you could be paying much more to decorate and hide flaws instead of accenting the right room, which could save you money- and will definitely save you a headache!- in the end.

my last suggestion: if partying is a priority, make sure that’s reflected in your budget.

if you build it- your friends will enjoy it!

love to all,

lindsey

give us a roar: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

hello lions,

what’s all this crap we’ve been hearing recently, saying that neutrals are in? we don’t care what the “trends” are- we want your wedding to express who you are. that includes light + lightheartedness! not this dark, neutral, somber mess. going along with that, we love color! don’t be afraid of it- embrace it. here are some lively pieces from emmaline bride to get you inspired!

this fresh + funky board has vivid colors and unusual pastels. i like to mix and match, otherwise it can be too prissy and boring. unusual color combinations- like the clutch and fascinator- are wild and fun!

(clockwise from top left)

navy + lime clutch- from emmagordonlondon

awesome multi-colored fascinator- from rachel larraine

Mr T cufflinks- from mosochic

colorful crinoline for under your or your partner’s gown! can be created in a variety of hues- from loca loves pirate

okay, so this one got a little carried away in the springy feel but the vivid colors are far from childish. it could be for a carnival wedding (cotton candy, anyone?) or a video game inspired event (like animal crossing or katamari).

(clockwise from left)

handmade fabric bouquets- customizable in any color! -from jilliann’s

50 strand button bouquet- looks good enough to eat! – also from jilliann’s

yellow orchid fascinator- sexy!- from loca loves pirate

monogrammed paper mobile- from my lady dye

what do you think, lions? what sort of colors are you excited to try, or shying away from?

love to all,

lindsey

give us a roar: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

hello lions,
for our local feature friday, i’m pleased to share some photos from the awesome and funky fresh sarah b. sarah is the photographer for angela and troy, the runner- up couple in our recent contest!

(c) sarah b gilliam photography

sarah shoots what inspires her: nature, people, architecture.

(c) sarah b gilliam photography

lucky for us this also includes weddings.

(c) sarah b gilliam photography

breathtaking, no? sarah is a fierce lover of all people and this passion extends into her photographs. check out more photos and get in touch with her kooky sense of humor here!

love to all,

lindsey

say hello: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

hello lions,
let’s talk today about a very common phenomena- planning burnout. this usually occurs a few months into the planning process for a couple of reasons:

- you have your priorities nailed down and now the rest feels like tedious details- taxes? legalities?

- you’re receiving pressure from external sources: parents, future in-laws, bridal magazines + tv shows, traditions that other people feel you should uphold, being offered a few ugly dresses with great pride, great aunt suzy who never married + is living vicariously through you. it happens.

- there’s internal pressure, too- desire to create a perfect and beautiful event, budget constraints, trying to keep everyone happy and avoid hurt feelings, and family dynamics are very stressed and painful-even things that are routine and now normal to your life, like an unsupportive parent, can be cast out into the glarish sunlight as you try to plan your stellar nupitals.

- you start to wonder if the expense is worth it? i mean, at the end of the day, you’re still married!

even though it feels like crap, take heart in the knowledge that it’s an experience everyone goes through.

now, here’s the silver lining- it can be used for good:
- it will help keep your expenditures, and the event as a whole, in perspective
- it will cause you to focus on what’s driving you to make a commitment in the first place- a kick-ass relationship!

easiest remedy: get away. no, seriously. if your future m-i-l is ringing the phone off the hook, turn it off.  leave the house without your cell. if you can physically get away together, then do so. if not, then schedule mandatory non-wedding time. play with your puppy or get out the nes. go for a hike. do something you really love to do, together, and reaffirm your purpose for all the stress- the celebration of your love for one another.

what do you think? what is your greatest stressor right now?

love to all,

amanda, lindsey + meredith

the lionesses

say hello: info@dandylionevents.com

hello, lions!
we would like to thank our talented participants + all the folks who voted! you are truly dandy!

now for the winner:

paco

it was a close race, but paco + his owners brian and savannah have won! they’ll receive planning from us for their december wedding as well as photography from kate crafton.

the happy dandycouple

angela + troy, in second place, will receive a copy of the anti-bride guide to encourage them to walk their own path!

many thanks to all contestants who entered and to the friends, family members + total strangers who voted for our dandycouples.

love to all,

lindsey

say hello: 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 lions,
looking for our giveaway info? tomorrow is the last day to enter-click here!

welcome to our local feature friday. i’m pleased to introduce kevin rogers of KLR Photographyand show some examples of his emotional work!

kevin’s passion for photography is his full-time occupation and you can tell he loves it! he’s available for engagements,  weddings + gay weddings, and parties.

kevin says his view of things is sometimes more skewed to detail and showing how the participants fit into the overall picture. he loves to shoot nature + architecture and his photos reflect those elements as well.

plus, how cool is this Scottish/Gaelic wedding that took place on Halloween/Samhein? This looks like it was a really fun wedding!

what do you think about getting married on or around a popular holiday?

love to all,

lindsey

say hello! lindsey@dandylionevents.com

want details for our giveaway? click here!

hello lions,

if you’re looking for an excellent baker + caterer, please meet laura of strawberry blondie!

i can personally attest to the wonder of her baked goods. from cupcakes to granola bars to cookies, laura has a gift of flavor and ingenuity!

these goji-cacao power granola bars pack a punch!

her menu revolves around local + seasonal items and offers organic and gluten-free options. all of her products are labeled so you know exactly what you’re putting in your body. she likes to plan dishes that are sophisticated, affordable, a little fun and a little southern!

just look at that frosting detail! delicious!

i saved my favorite for last- triple chocolate cupcakes. they taste even better than they look. check out all the goodies from strawberry blondie and start enjoying her treats today!

with love,

lindsey

say hello: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

hello lions,
we’ve joined forces with kate crafton photography to bring you an even better giveaway! she’s offering photography for your wedding! check out our updated post for more details.

with love,

lindsey

hello lions,

sometimes it’s hard to ask what you think might be a stupid or obvious question. my advice is to hash out every single detail: it can cost you money to not know. for instance, did you know that churches charge you money to be married in their facility?

photo credit here

yes it’s a holy and sacred space- but it’s a business, too. for a popular church or during ‘wedding season’ there can be a rental fee exceeding 4 digits. that doesn’t include the fee for the tech person to be at the rehearsal and wedding to mic up the officiant, your intended and you. do you see how fast this can spiral out of control? ask every question. this is part of why we recommend getting help with your wedding or event. doesn’t have to be from us!

what questions do you have? you can ask here anonymously or send me an email at lindsey@dandylionevents.com

love to all,

lindsey