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,

got a project? make it a party! at least that’s what we did on the evening of june 6th to complete this mobile for a december wedding. this is the full post from last week’s sneak peek. we worked really hard on this so i’m excited to share! it really pleased the bride-to-be, which is the most important part of the whole project. it fit her idea of how the whole event should look + feel. hooray!

we started with a frame…

then our spray paint gurus got to work…

then we began to hang items, chandelier style…

here’s the final product! the lanterns will be lit during the evening.

this project was several weeks in the making: we took time to create a stable design, researched cost and availability of materials, purchased the materials, built the frame and spent a few hours hanging 100+ objects from the various circles in a specific pattern. phew! it looks great though! many thanks to all who helped or watched. it was a party!

what feel are you envisioning for your event?

love to all,

lindsey

give us a roar: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

hello lions,
we have some exciting projects underway! not the least of which is a 6 foot mobile for a december wedding. here is a sneak peek:

while we love crafty craftiness, planning and forethought goes into all of our projects.  there are logistical issues like the actual physics of creating it, transportation, relocation and maintenance. it is now complete and looks great. many thanks to all the lovely lions who made it out to our mobile-making party to put it all together!

what are you creating today?

love to all,

lindsey

give us a roar: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

hello lions,
we’re excited to be hosting a queercamp unconference in nashville- at the outcentral cultural center on church street. it will take place on saturday, may 29th with presentations beginning at 10am.

the first queercamp was last year in milwaukee, and this year it has expanded to include nashville and chicago. you lions know that we promote equality and community- and that is what this event is about!

the unconference structure allows participants to present, so the more people who participate, the more fun it will be! you can register here, and the best part is that it’s totally free. yup! join us in creating this FIRST EVER opportunity for the nashville lgbt community to gather to learn together, grow together and shape the future.

some of you may not be familiar with the concept of an unconference but let me assure you it’s not as cofusing as it sounds. anyone can sign up to speak, and then other participants sign up for the classes they want to attend. if you get inspired during the day there will be an impromptu room set up for you to talk to a group on the spot! we do schedule the speeches in advance, so if you’re interested in talking about anything at all, please contact me at lindsey[at]dandylionevents.com or 615.439.0652 (texts are okay too). once we have a few topics solidified, we’ll post a schedule so those who wish to participate can plan their day. easy, right? community-focused and driven. did i mention how excited we are?

be sure to check out our ad in out & about nashville in may. many thanks to our wonderful sponsor, kevin at KLR Photography. be sure to show him some love!

*disclaimer: we do not intend for the word ‘queer’ to offend anyone. we are an offshoot of the original event and chose to maintain that connection. we love every lion and do not use it as a slur or in any way demeaning to the lgbtqti lions out there.

love to all,

lindsey

give us a roar and sign up to speak! lindsey@dandylionevents.com

hello lions,

as you may already know, i have no knowledge of makeup whatsoever. i’m open to learning, though! lisa johnson, mua, has taken the time to tell us her current hair + makeup loves.

1. Ballerina Buns

It’s one of the biggest hair trends this spring. Buns were also one of my favorite looks at the LANVIN Spring 2010 show. It’s time to start investing in bobby pins!

2.  Lower Lash Lines

False lower lash lines trend is giving your eyes a new look for spring. The look can be very dramatic and bold. Is this trend a go or would you pass on this one? Shu Uemura Premium Radiant Blue False Eyelashes $50

3. Braids

I always loved the fish tail braids. It’s an easy and inexpensive way to add style to your look. The hair style can be messy but still chic.

4. Crimped Textured Hair

I remember watching the Diane Von Furstenberg Spring 2010 show and I was really excited to see crimped hair on the models. Crimped textured goddess hair is so in for spring!

5. Purple is Still On

Believe it or not, purple is still a favorite beauty trend rolling into spring.

6. Bright Lips

Bright lips at the Marc by Marc Jacobs Spring 2010 show was the look. Pink or Red Lips? Both are great colors for spring but remember to keep the eye makeup subtle.

7. Give Me Shimmer

Spring is all about the shimmer. Pair it with a pink lip gloss… ooh la la! NARS Orgasm Illuminator leaves your skin luminous and radiant. Remember, a complexion that glows…goes! $29

8. Pastel Eyes

The 80’s trend is in full effect and will surely give your eyes some pop with shades of purples, blues, and cotton candy shadows.

9. Peach Lips

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 today, please meet agnes barton- sabo — rockstar cake baker and illustrator. if you want an awesome looking cake, she is the one to call! check out a few of her designs:

love cakes that don’t look like cake. or that look like other foods!

check out the ruler- that is some monster sushi!

love these dia de los muertos cakes too.

agnes tells us that she was brought up in a very artistic home and started making cakes for friends and bands. she is talented in a variety of mediums, “I find that being elbow-deep in buttercream icing or chocolate ganache all day helps me think up lots of new ideas for art pieces.  Likewise, drawing cakes gives me new inspiration for decorating that I get to play out when I’m making real cakes.” how wonderful! food is another way for her to express her artistic nature. she even has copious amounts of food art in her home. you can contact agnes at agnesbartonsabo@gmail.com to request your own original cake!

what sort of designs do you want for your wedding cake?

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