hello lions,

happy to be bringing back local feature friday- nashville is such a wonderful place to live!  there is so much to do and see. and hear.

white table is a linen company focused on transformations and individual service. they have showrooms in knoxville and chatanooga, but twitterer + representative rachel says they’re in nashville often. they don’t offer you swatches and books when you come in- they’ll actually pull different items and dress a table for you so you can see all of the different elements come together. very helpful tool, especially if your decor is eclectic. they also make custom items if you’re looking to make your event very personal and memorable!

one of rachel’s favorites: hand stitched burlap runners

one of my favorites: pink feather boa chair covers!

many thanks to rachel for sharing her passion about transforming spaces. they certainly have some cool options!

for more local resources, check out these lists that tn buy local put together for planners, rentals and shops.

love to all,

lindsey

meow? 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!

I had the utter pleasure and divine good luck to work my floral + ambiance magic on my dearest friend Miranda’s wedding back in May.

I can safely say that this was one of the dandy-est weddings I’ve ever been to or been involved in.

Dandy touches I loved:

• The bride + groom got married at the camp they both worked at in a breathtakingly beautiful outdoor chapel overlooking a lake outside of Boomer, North Carolina. Outdoor venues are my personal favorites, lions, especially summer camps. Those of you who have worked at one know why; it’s truly your summer home no matter what!

• The reception was at Wilderness Lodge right up the road, which wasn’t your traditional reception venue. Great food, great music, lots of love…it rocked.

• The favors! Miranda + Keith game away little .75 ounce jars filled with locally produced North Carolina honey.

• THE FLOWERS! I ADORED THESE FLOWERS! Miranda gave me the instructions of garden with some oomph in her colors of hot pink and clover green. The results?

Gorgeous if I do say so myself.

I wish I had gotten a really good picture of the wrap we did on the bridesmaids’ bouquets; they were braided natural rope wrapped about 2 inches down the handle.

More pictures can be found on my picasaWeb site, and I’ll be adding to it as more pictures come my way.

Keep pushing the envelope of love, lions!

Love to you,

Amanda

got a floral design question? pick my brain at amanda@dandylionevents.com

hello lions,

you have probably seen a store in 12 south called katy k’s. i would highly recommend you visit! below are a few dresses that would be lovely substitutes for the traditional wedding dress (read: white puffball) and be sweet to your budget, too.

1. hellbunny dress (140) black crinoline (45)

goth? hardcore? zombie prom? this fully lined dress is from the uk and totally kicks ass.

check out the bow detail in the back!

2. hellbunny dress (80)

this dress has so much potential! it’s a little girlier, with a very tutu-like tulle skirt.

this dress is fully lined and the flower pin is removable. there are 3 button holes on the straps to adjust for torso length + bust size.

skirt detail:

3. hellbunny ladybug dress (60) white crinoline (45)

planning a warm-weather wedding? this little dress is casual + summer sweet.

love pockets! handy for a hanky, rings or your vows!

4. hellbunny pop dress (70) red crinoline (45)

love this aqua + red print! it’s a little feisty.

this dress also has 2 buttons on the straps to adjust the torso and bust fit. the waist tie is sewn on and cannot be removed.

bust detail:

see katy’s other wares at her etsy shop, on ebay and on facebook! or stop by 2407 12th avenue south to try them on for yourself- they’re open every day of the week.

the most important thing is to find a dress you love to wear + makes you feel magnificent. what is your criteria for the perfect outfit on your wedding day?

love to all,

lindsey

give us a roar: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

hello lions,

this is in response to the 14 stories take on gay weddings. bernadette has an extensive background in gay events- she was the first professional planner available when gay marriage was made legal in her home state of massachusetts. she has been kind enough to offer her wisdom and experience to dandyLion, and always gives me food for thought!

so, the question was: gay weddings- are they different?

my answer is, yes and no.

no – it is the same foundation of two people coming together to form one. it also stands to be a special opportunity for an epic party and gathering of friends, family and supporters.

yes – i agree with bernadette on this point-from a planner’s point of view, it is a different experience. there is more internal + external pressure for the couple. one of our services that helps to alleviate this pressure and keep couples excited is vendor screening. as we discussed in our queercamp last month, being gay in the south can be trying. we help our clients locate gay friendly and gay owned businesses so that on the big day, their minds are at ease. they know that all their vendors wish them a lovely start to their life together.

so, while we advocate that love is love is love we understand and recognize that it can be an overwhelming experience and impact several areas of their lives. we also revel in the fact that there are fewer rules and traditions! that makes it so much fun!

what do you think? are gay weddings different? will there always be a divide?

love to all,

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 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!
for our local friday feature, i want to talk about thistle farms. they have products handmade with love + a mission that will touch your heart.

the magdalene house is a place where women can recover from lives of prostitution, substance abuse, violence and imprisonment. the products of thistle farms- made by members of the magdalene house- help support their 2-year rehabilitation program.

we encourage you to be involved in their wednesday morning meditation and also to volunteer. there are other ways to help their program, too! you can purchase thistle farms products at several local stores, including the green wagon, the frothy monkey and on their website!

we believe in women’s rights- including a right to wholeness and happiness- so this is a cause we feel very strongly about. as such, we are proud to sponsor thistle farms product parties! you can arrange for a member of the magdalene house to speak at your bridal shower or bachelorette party, enjoy their products and have an at-home spa party! another bachelorette party idea: go as a group and volunteer to work in the thistle farms shop. it is the perfect way to do good and creates a wonderful bonding opportunity for you + your maids. you can also purchase gifts for your attendants – a luxurious product with a true message. it will be an indulgence your maids will love, with all proceeds going back into the program. they also offer small sachets of lovely lavender, which you could give to your guests to toss after the ceremony, scattered by a flower girl or tucked into your gown in a blue bag- a very meaningful ’something blue’! my favorite idea is to forgo favors- which i know many of you are doing already- and instead make a donation to the magdalene house project.

we love thistle farms and know you will, too! what creative ideas do you have for incorporating their products into your wedding?

love to all,

lindsey

say hello: 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