I was challenged by lover.ly to take a stroll down memory lane in their #TBT —wedding edition.
Kind-of sweet, since my hubby and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary this year. We decided to forgo the traditional party celebrations. We opted not to revisit Hawaii where we honeymooned but take a vacation in Napa. Perhaps we thought we needed our world to be rocked because when we landed in San Francisco and finally arrived at our destination in Napa, there was a 6.0 earthquake.
I was first inspired to share my paternal grandmother’s wedding dress from a past generation (see above photo) but decided since I have my own milestone wedding anniversary. I should share my story.
When I said I do on September 8,1984 in small town USA, I had a beautiful outdoor garden wedding in a gazebo. I was grateful that it didn’t rain. I still have my wedding planning journal that I used to jot down every last detail. As I browse through my thirty-year-old keepsake, I am reminded of the difficulties I had in planning my special day in my new home town that offered limited services. Where was lover.ly, the one stop wedding commerce site when I needed it?
My how times have changed over thirty years, everything available at your fingertips. The most difficult finds in 1983 were a photographer and chauffeured limousine. To this date, these two things are still my greatest wedding woes. Enter lover.ly. It would have been nice to have lover.ly when I needed to get inspiration, locate local services, get ideas for wedding colors, party favors, and the like without leaving Central Pennsylvania. My only choice for wedding favors were the personalized cocktail napkins and matchbook.
It’s 2014, let’s say I am renewing my vows, I would do a formal church wedding and instead of the hotel reception again, I would have a garden reception. So now, let’s explore the offerings on lover.ly.com.
Since I am a traditional girl, I like lace and I need an a-line silhouette to flatter my pear shape. Lover.ly offers a tremendous array of styles, silhouettes, sizes and colors. I even saw designs from my favorite designer, Teri Jon. I opted for the Temperly London lace embroidered gown. I would like to believe, this dress is a modern version of my 1984 wedding gown. I’m short, so I need a pair of fab heels to go with the stunning gown. As for invitation ideas, the site offers a great, nice selection but classic me isn’t going to go too contemporary.
There is plenty of garden reception inspiration, favor ideas, decorating ideas and even gifts for the bridal party and much needed items for the reception. I even decided to change into something a little less formal for the garden reception. On lover.ly, I found a marvelous Marchesa short lace dress.
When it comes to beauty for the big day, although I am a girlie girl, I have always shied away from looking too made-up. I opt for natural soft colors. As for my eyelashes, I will add falsies to amp up my look for any special occasion.
Getting remarried? Renewing your vows? Your daughter or son recently engaged? Your one stop wedding shop, lover.ly is the place.
p.s. Thank you lover.ly for the opportunity to participate in the #TBT: wedding edition.