The After Wedding Party Dress

So, one of the great new trends I have seen for spring, summer & fall weddings is the invention of the second party dress. That's right girls, one dress for the church wedding and the second dress to liven up the reception. Check out this awesome beach wedding via Snippet & Ink to see what I'm talking about.

A bunch of you have asked for some suggestions of dresses to wear for your reception, so here are a few of my favorites. These would also look fantastic as dresses for your rehearsal dinner!

1. Nanette Lepore 2. Eliza J 3. Betsy Johnson 4. Betsy Johnson

Armato Design Letterpress CD

Obsessed with this letterpress CD insert. Super expensive, but so, so, so cool. Awesome wedding detail & favor.

Mr. Preppy Wedding is heading to Charleston today to have a reunion with his fraternity brothers. For all you South Carolina girls, if you see a very tall, very cute man wearing J.Crew critter shorts aimlessly walking at say 3am, please call me immediately.

I'm still finalizing details for the summer '08 preppy roadshow, but I'll post some dates next week, maybe we can all meet for a drink ... or three.

Off to do some community service work with kids, I can't wait.

K&B Preppy Wedding Attire

Just wanted to keep you all in the loop on that resolution I passed earlier in January.

I have enlisted the first Preppy Wedding Inc. wedding that will be held at a plantation near Richmond in October of 2008. I�m working with the lovely couple K&B to make sure that the wedding goes off without a hitch. You�ll be seeing the results of my initial storyboarding this month and I�m going to lead off with some ideas about attire for the wedding. See below for details and happy Monday everyone!

Wedding Dress, Bridesmaid's Dress, Groom's Attire, Flowers & Sign

Sweet Preppy Inspiration

Love, love, love the basket weave design on this cake from InStyle Weddings.

Didn't make it to Ikea this weekend, but I did make the trek to Williamsburg and the closet Trader Joe's. For all you gals who have one around the corner - I am so very jealous. Hopefully, I won't be envious for long because the word around the market is that Richmond is going to be getting one in the next year or so. Top secret info here, so don't say I told you.

There was a lot of inspiration around the market. We bought the wine and champagne for our wedding at TJ's and they do have such an amazing and inexpensive selection. They also have a great frozen party food section for all your gals planning a shower in the near future. Don't you think their mini cookies would look fantastic wrapped up all cute for a yummy favor to be enjoyed before the ceremony with a glass of milk?

Stir Sticks

For Your Party has created a new genius product. Love these monogrammed stir sticks. They would look so cute in your custom wedding cocktail or couple them with highball glasses for a perfectly preppy stock the bar gift.

Great Find

I love, love, love this ring by Jeanine Payer. It is inscribed with the journey is the reward. Isn't that a great way to think about work, marriage and life in general. This would make a fantastic wedding day gift. Preppy grooms out there, pay attention!

Great First Dance Song

So, I have had this debate with lots of my friends. Doesn't it seem that all the really good love songs are written by men? And when Mr. Preppy Wedding and I were thinking about picking a first dance song, I made it clear I didn't want something that was focused totally on how much a MAN loves a woman. I know, very weird. I just wanted both sides of the coin to be represented.

Anyways, I have found the perfect love song written by a woman with some lovely harmonies with a man. It's called man and wife by Michelle Featherstone. Look it up on itunes or take a look at the lyrics here. It's really beautiful. And it fits the equality standard.

The Knot Magazine Features my Preppy Wedding

As I was heading out the door last night to see Atonement with some friends, a little package from the Knot Magazine was propped up on my doorstep. Take a look - it's our wedding. If you live in DC/MD/VA the issue will be on stands soon!

Calling all Richmond Brides

Happy New Year�s Everyone!

I�m still recovering from my lovely holiday break. Santa was very good to us this year - I�ve got a new leather Longchamp bag to tote around, lots of pretty jewelry, a fabulous pair of Joe�s Jeans and my favorite gift - a new Dyson vacuum cleaner. I already don�t know what I have done without it.

There�s also a lot of fun things happening around The Preppy Wedding:

- The site is going to be featured on January 30 in the Belle section of my favorite Richmond weekly magazine Style Weekly

- Our wedding is going to be featured in the January issue of The Knot Magazine for DC/Richmond

- I am going to review this fantastic book DIY Weddings from my favorite publisher - Chronicle Books - there are so many fun ideas to share with you

- I�ve got some great details on the new Whitney English Spring Line for all you preppy brides

2008 is going to be very exciting for The Preppy Wedding. I�m finally going to try and translate this fun website into an actual creative venture.

So, here is one of my first steps �

I�m looking for two Richmond 2008 brides who are looking for help in planning the perfectly preppy wedding. I�m going to lend my creative services pro bono (FREE) for two lucky ladies. I�m willing to assist in everything from initial planning, vendor selection, crafting a theme, to day of coordination. SO. If you�re interested, e-mail me a two paragraph note with your initial vision. I�m going to pick the two ladies by mid-February, so all you readers please spread the word!

Whew, feels good to get that out there. Happy Wednesday everyone!

Preppy Winter Wedding Favorites

Just some of my favorite winter wedding ideas via Martha for all you January & February brides.


Use fun extra long bendy straws from for your party in a knot motif for guests.

You know my love for mason jars. I like the pairing of emerald and turquoise. Wouldn't these look great paired together in a night-time ceremony at a country church?


Love, love, love this cake. The garland details really work for a winter wedding.


Last, but not least, this raw bar display is to die for. Bring the ice from outside, inside my friends.

Preppy Inspiration Monday

Thank you, Thank you for all your great suggestions for godparent gifts. I am working on a small time-frame (the baptism is this Sunday), so I�ll let you all know what I choose.

This weekend seemed to breeze by, but at least I felt semi-productive. The husband and I went to the outlets this weekend with my parents and the J.Crew outlet had lots of cute stuff. Hopefully Santa will understand my obsession and deliver me some good finds. I also dusted off the running shoes and made it out with LuLu in tow on Saturday. I know, very strange, but our basset hound loves to jog around the neighborhood with me. And, I only have a few more gifts to buy for Christmas. I, too, have an excel file to keep me (and my husband�s budget) in line.

So, enough about me. Let me share with you a few things I have been saving up these last few weeks.

Brides, check out Bella Figura. I�ve featured them in a few of my storyboards in the past and their letterpress work is beautiful. And, you know my love for letterpress people! Anywho, their creative director Andrea e-mailed last week and offered a sneak preview to their 2008 line. I am loving the Modern Calligraphy card. And guess what? My readers are entitled to a fabulous preppy discount! Just reference PREPR1 at checkout before December 31, 2007 and receive 10 percent off. Any bride knows that discounts on beautiful letterpress wedding stationary don�t come very often, so y�all better jump on this one!

I am also so obsessed with the wedding day service offered by the fabulous Patricia van Essche. If you take a look at her portfolio you�ll see some of the illustration work she has done for J. McLaughlin. Well, she�s now doing the most beautiful illustrations of your wedding. She attends your wedding and actually illustrates your day. What an awesome service and her work truly is gorgeous.
OK gals - back to work. And I gotta decide what to make for thanksgiving �

Inspiration Monday - Fantastic Preppy Free Fonts

Good Monday Afternoon Everyone!

I made it back to VA safe and sound and really liked my Dallas experience. Nothing better than eating authentic Mexican food after a walk through Neiman Marcus.

Now onto more pressing issues, like the one that has been consuming my hours this weekend � finding the perfectly preppy Christmas card. Unlike last year�s family picture (I do recommend the Martha Collection on Kodak Gallery), I think this year is going to revolve around his and hers letterpress cards. So, I�ve been browsing etsy, the I Love Letterpress Blog and Luxe Paperie for the perfect find.

While browsing, I ran across this beautiful calendar by Linda & Harriett. If anyone wants to buy me the perfect Christmas gift, I love this. Mr. Preppy Wedding are you listening?

But, I know you lovely readers have come for your Monday dose of inspiration. And I have a good find for you via Oh Happy Day. Smashing Magazine put together this great list of 40+ free font downloads. I love Mido, Just Old Fashion and Qlassik. Do take a look. These would be great for that pesky wedding welcome brochure or the fun bridesmaids/groomsmen updates.

Headin to Texas

Hi everyone.

I am en route to Dallas tomorrow morning and have been doing lots of real work to get ready for the trip. Wish the real work was more important that my musings on all things preppy wedding, but unfortunately LuLu and Dempsey need dogfood (and Dempsey eats organic food for medical reasons and you all know how expensive that is).

I do have some fun wedding finds for you this evening �

Via Stacey Kane�s new blog, I found the lovely Kate Parker Weddings. Her events are super cool and totally inspiring for the preppy bride. Take a look at her weddings and event design galleries and you�ll see what I mean.

What I really want you to see, though, is her new prducts section. She has taken the headache out of crafting genius out of town bags and the flip flop favors. Cute, cute, cute. I love this Maine inspired basket.

I also want you to take a look at fellow preppy blogger Happy Homemaker�s post here and here on the wedding of her preppy lil sis. Love the cake and adore the seersucker tablecloths. And if that isn�t enough preppy for you - take a look at this wedding via Patricia Lyons Photography. You�ll see a totally inspired candy bar that echoes throughout the reception d�cor. Made me hungry just watching.

So, I am leaving Richvegas (sometimes called the Mecca by locals) for the sites and sounds of Texas. I think my hair and my chest are gonna fall flat.

Fall/Winter Bridesmaids Gift

Hi all.

Today is kicking my ass. Seriously.

However, I did take the time to order a classic red down vest from Lands End. And while ordering, I was thinking what a super cute gift for the preppy bridesmaid.

Order her favorite color (fret not, there are lots of choices in regular, petite and tall) and cusotmize the rest of her gift in that lovely hue.

And save money. They are 24.50 and right now, there is free shipping. Just enter GIFTSHOP as the Source Code and the PIN 512451245 in the space provided.

Not getting married? How about down vests for all your friends and family this holiday season? As kanye would say - Me Likey.

Inspiration Monday

Some inspiration for your brides to be courtesy of Real Weddings on the Knot.

Love this pink cake.

It isn't a preppy wedding without some toile. Love these fans for an outdoor ceremony.

Yummy topiarys used to greet guests at an outdoor ceremony. Take a look at the notes written by loved ones to celebrate the couple.

And I love this graphic cake. Think a totally circular themed wedding - arrangements, invites, tables - y'all know I love some polka dots.
I am also know obesessed with Good Stock Press & Bindery. Kim allows you to customize the story of your family in such a cool and unique way. What an awesome gift for your parents. Or even the neatest way to celebrate the story of your family for a little one. Take a look at their recent projects here. Maybe we can get Kim to start thinking about creating a collection around weddings! Also check out Kim's post on Black Eiffel.

Things I Love

Who�s ready for the weekend, huh?

I thought I would leave you with a few fun bits before the weekend officially begins.

• Check out Abby Larson�s Style me Pretty Blog this week. She had a guest blogger this week, the ever fabulous Tara Guerard of Soiree Charleston. Her ideas are totally preppy chic with a little southern something. She also doles out some great advice on stylish entertaining. Here�s my favorite little tidbit (and I wholeheartedly agree).
  

"It�s important to remember that wedding details aren�t all about grand flowers and towering ice sculptures. Those may be the first items guests see, but they aren�t what guests are drawn to. The small and thoughtful details are what are remembered and give a glimpse into the personal lives of the couple."

• We�re getting our pumpkins this weekend, so Martha�s 15 Years of Pumpkins provides some great inspiration on what we�ll do this year to top the polka dot pumpkin of 2006.


• Lovin� this awesome band for perfect downhome fall music. David Shultz grew up in my neighborhood and he�s a cutie. I actually got to see them while I was in NYC and they were better than seeing Ryan Adams in concert. They�re just starting out so buy their CD or listen on itunes.
  
• Adore this Bananna Republic dress I bought while in NYC (their flagship store has a whole floor of petites, so fabulous). It�s super cute and flattering!

Also - want to let you know Wedding Paper Divas is offering an early bird savings discount of 20% off their holiday cards. The coupon code is EARLY20 and the offer expires November 5!

Inspiration Monday: A Preppy Secret Garden Themed Wedding

I�ve gotten a few e-mails from readers about how to throw a garden (or picnic) themed wedding without losing the pomp and circumstance of a traditional more elegantly themed affair. I think you can strike a perfect combo of preppy, sophisticated, witty and whimsical, you just have to make sure all your choices are well thought out.

Want to see what I mean, take a look at this affair on brides.com. I like the choice of a shorter dress, the influence of gingham and check in the reception d�cor and the use of natural floral elements mixed with tough fabric like burlap and felt. Also (most importantly) they didn�t theme the food to fit a picnic. Instead, they had a gourmet menu and left their guests with a witty take home dessert - smores!


Need some more inspiration?

Check out this featured wedding photographed by Mallory Mason.

Or this vineyard-inspired outdoor celebration

This cool slideshow from Kenny Pang Photography features a big, antique red truck straight from a J.Crew ad.

Preppy Wedding Inspiration Mondays

Guess it is that time again - are you ready for some inspiration?

These photos come from Susan Stripling.

I love the look of these two in adirondack chairs. Much like the theme of Mrs. All That's Pink and Green and In Between's wedding.


And what a cute idea for bringing in the groom's taste (and or hobbies) once the wedding celebration has kicked into high gear. Have your caterer send send out the trays about an hour before the wedding ends.

Another great idea - stuff the cigar style service full of your favors, your favorite food (french fries come to mind), or even themed shots to keep the party going!

These pics are from Meg Baisden.

I've included this shot because of the bridesmaids footwear. Stephen Bonannos anyone? Love this look for a beach wedding.

And I know I've referenced dessert bars in the past, but take a look at this chocolate themed bar. Does this not make you want to go and grab a Hersheys bar? And you know I love the monogrammed runner.
And I love this family tree idea for a reception or a shower. It's a super cute way to display those great family photos.

Both of these photographers are based in Florida. So make sure you Florida brides-to-be take a look at other entries on their blogs.

I hope everyone has a happy Monday. I am already looking forward to next weekend!

The Beach Chic Preppy Wedding

Kim e-mailed about a storyboard to go along with her summer 2008 affair at the Sanderling in Corolla, NC. Kim, I paid special attention when the husband and I took a drive into Corolla last weekend and you made a great choice. The Sanderling is a beautiful homey looking hotel that sits right on the beach.

Kim and her husband-to-be decided on turquoise and tangerine as their wedding colors. Because both colors are very strong, I recommend using a white and a buttery beige or sandy beige as a base color and using the turquoise and tangerine as accent colors (as you can see below).

I like this dress for Kim and these for her bridesmaids. It keeps everything elegant and not too beachy. I like these ties and kaki suits for the guys. (Kim - I know you wanted something more formal for the bridesmaids, check out this dress in a golden, sandy beige).


Try orange peonies tulips in antique looking blue vases for table arrangements (as always, check out ebay for deals). I like these invitations from wedding paper divas. Keep the cake shaded by a canopy to add drama (and protection). Martha has a great idea on seating cards that do use shells, but in a very grown up way.

I think it would be cool to do a galvanized pail (a grown up sand bucket) as a welcome gift for guests. Include a map of Nags Head, some fabulous Corolla lighthouse bagels and a straw beach mat.

Good Luck Kim! Hope everyone has a great weekend. We�re meeting some friends for Vodka Limeaids and corn dog nuggets tonight. Can�t wait.

Preppy Bridesmaid Gifts

Well, I�ve gotten a couple of e-mails lately asking for some ideas for bridesmaid gifts. And guess what? I�ve got more than a few ideas for you. Shall we begin?

The first technically is make-up bag from pottery barn. Aside from being able to personalize, you would be able to fill with different perfumes for each girl (based on their personalities), or different shades of philosophy lip balm and bath/shower gels. The opportunities are endless. And pottery barn is offering free shipping - woohoo!

The second, third and fifth items are pieces of jewelry. The thing I love about quality, jewelry is that it will stay with your maid forever. I like this charm bracelet from J. Crew, there are lots of options, so you could again make your choices based on your maids personality. I also love these finds on ebay and it looks like this seller will recondition the bracelets and add charms based on your maids likes/dislikes.

I also love these traditional three monogram earrings. I just think they are staples that would never leave your wardrobe. And this necklace by Adina is simple enough to wear everyday. And the never-ending design could symbolize a friendship that would never have an ending.

To hop on the monogram bandwagon, why not pick out a Jackie Cardigan for each maid in their favorite color and have it monogrammed (J. Crew offers lots of thread colors - take a look).

Or get a longchamp bag in their favorite color. Nordstrom sometimes offers free monograming, inquire in the store for details.

I also adore this bermuda bag from The Jesse B Collection. She has lots of reversible options to make each maid happy. Take a look at her bridal clutches too, they�re super cute.

Still not impressed? How about stationary from Boatman Gellar? There are so many options you�re sure to find something she�ll like.

All in all, the best way to gift your maid is to find something that fits her individual style. Incorporate her name, her favorite colors, her love of toile, whatever. Just keep her in mind when you buy your gifts!