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Vineyard Vines Fall- Sneak Peak
My favorite Preppy Men of the Cape are back with a quick little peak into their new Fall ties to get us excited for cooler weather and nautical themes… mmm.
Big fan of this guy…which also comes in navy, light blue, rasberry and red.
Polka Dot Woven Tie $85
And this one in rasberry… which also comes in yellow, navy, blue and red.
Bold Stripe Woven Tie $85
And The Squash Tie… in pink. My personal favorite. Obviously. But it also come sin green and royal blue.
Squash Tie in Pink $75
It’s that time again… Salute your inner prepster. It’s summer. Why not? If you bestie frequently sports a string of pearls, a popped collar, madras flip flops and anything with a whale… this post is for you lady. Listen up.
A shower should be a reflection of all that the bride is, so if your bride-to-be is a seriously put together, pink and green model of preppy perfection make your life easy and follow suit for her bridal shower.
Here’s everything you need to know to plan a perfectly preppy bridal shower.
THE INVITATIONS
This is your first clue to guests that this shower is going to be pretty-in-prep. So shop around and set the tone here.
Preppy Stripe Invitation from MyGatsby.com
Andalucia Green Invitation by Bliss from Paper Buzz
Preppy Gingham, Plaid and Polka Dot Invitation by Polka Dot Paper Shop
THE DRESSES
I’m a pretty firm believer that bridal shower attire should always still remain a little bit on the dressy side. Not over the top evening wear obviously, as they used to say, your Sunday best. But if you’re a pretty little preppy I shouldn’t have to tell you that. You wear your pearls to sleep don’t you? What? I do.
These fun new “Summer in the Vineyard” dresses from Kiel James Patrick are PERFECT for a preppy shower, whether it’s the bride, her maids or her lovely ladies in waiting, these sweet summer frocks are perfect for a preppy shower.
Lindy Mayfair Dress from Kiel James Patrick $68
Chartner Meadow Melon Dress from Kiel James Patrick $68
April Darling Dress from Kiel James Patrick $68
OR
go traditionally preppy and sport something in Lilly, and J.Crew or Vineyard Vines with looks like these…
Bowen Dress Solid Lace by Lilly- $248
Embossed Green Lorelei Dress $118
Vines Skylark Dress by Vineyard Vines $295
THE CENTERPIECES
If you were lucky enough to hit up the MacKenzie Childs Barn Sale last weekend (which was amazing) you can make use of the seriously discounted and seriously adorable planters they have to decorate tables. If not, you just have to dig a little deeper in your pocket. Plant adorably simple herbs like rosemary, basil, parsley and thyme and DIY your own adorable plant sticks with materials from your local craft store.
Courtly Check Planter $25 from MacKenzie- Childs
Pink & Yellow Stripe Planter $25 from MacKenzie-Childs
THE DECORATIONS
Keep it simple and in the same color scheme as your invites. Using varying shades of fewer colors is a good way to keep things interesting without going overboard. I love this faux rose kissing ball from Special Occasions Designs. Perfect for decorating outside the venue on iron stakes or on the doors.
Floral Kissing Balls $20 from Special Occasions Designs (Etsy)
Hang personalized tags on chairs as place cards instead of using table cards.
Personalized Hang Tags- $5.95 for set of 12 from paper Eclectiques (Etsy)
Buy up sets of fun and flirty party poms to hang from the ceiling from Etsy seller Party Poms or DIY with this easy tutorial from Martha over on In The Details Blog!
Girl Fun set of 5 from Party Poms on Etsy $25
Pom Pom Decor from Martha Stewart
THE FAVORS
Fill tiny monogrammed boxes with flower seeds for guest to take home and plant. If you’re more of a traditionalist fill with small candies, nuts or dried fruits for guests to take on the way out, or place at each place setting.
Personalized Gift Boxes $2.50 each from Special Occasion Designs (Etsy)
Monogrammed Compact Mirror from The Preppy Polka Dot
GIFT GIVING
Distribute these adorably preppy recipe cards from Dabney Lee at Home with the invitations and have guests bring their favorite recipe for the bride to the shower.
Dabney Lee Recipe Box
Kate Spade Posy Vases are perfect to brighten up a room…
Kate Spade Posy vases $49 on Sale!
Monogrammed Candlepot from Pottery Barn
Don’t forget to say THANK YOU…
Mind your manners and get your thank you notes out pronto on some super preppy paper.
Preppy Polka Dot Thank You from Dainty Invites
Kate Spade Thank You Notes $25
Oh the ultra preppy, ultra fun and flirty color combo. Perfect for beach side, destination and tropical weddings that embrace the bright colors.
Photos Courtesy of TheKnot.com
Depending on your details you can substitute traditional wedding dresses with patterned Lilly dresses. I will caution you. Lilly is not a cheap brand. But you get what you pay for, and your bridesmaids… providing they like to pop their collar as much as you do…. will thank you for opting for a dress they WILL actually wear again. If you’re feeling extra sweet offer to pay for your bridesmaid dresses as a thank you for agreeing to make you their priority for the next 8 – 10 months. 
Fitch Shift Dress in Grasshopper Green $348
Briere Dress Silk Chiffon $428
AND… Lilly has a great part of their online shop called “The Little White Dress” which might be a perfect bridal outfit change for a more casual wedding, a rehearsal dinner or an out fit to leave your giant party in. People still do that right? A fun new take on the “honeymoon suit.” Or keep with your own theme and don your own pink and green ensemble fit for traveling to someplace exotic, warm and honey-mooney.
Fiesta Dress Sateen $288
You can always opt for something a little bit more conservative and go with solid colored bridesmaid dresses from David’s Bridal in shades of pink or green with alternating colored flowers. Lime green dresses with bright pink flowers are beautiful! And a pale pink dress with a bouquets of green and white works too! Plus it’s a little less expensive for your ladies in waiting. You can always incorporate the patterned look with “Little Lilly” for your flower girls. They have adorable children’s dresses that are perfect for a preppy wedding.
Green Bridesmaid Dress from Jasmine Bridal
I know I put this dress up a lot. It’s just so pretty. I can’t help it.
Cotton Candy Sydney Dress $225 J.Crew
Maren Dress $98
Even the groom and his boys can get in on the action. Brides.com put together this look for a preppy chic wedding.
Photo Courtesy of Brides.com
Photo Credit: Three-button suit, Charles Tyrwhitt, ctskirts.co.uk. Pink-and-white striped shirt and tie with turtles, Vineyard Vines,vineyardvines.com.
Always Vineyard Vines Groomsmen ties. Always.
Photo Courtesy of Brides.com
Photo Credit: A clutch of peonies, roses, ranunculus and hydrangeas adds a jolt of color; about $275, Belle Fleur, NYC, bellefleurny.com.
Invitations can go one of two ways too. Pick a solid color and embellish with the other color, or use both in a more complex patterned invite.
Summer Fever Invitation from Custom Creations (Etsy)
Secret Garden Wedding Invitation by Tulaloo (Etsy)
Custom Invitations by Embellished by Tiffany (Etsy)
Greet your guests with this Pink and Green guest book and pen set from Etsy seller Creative Bridal Solutions.
Pink & Green Guest Book by Creative Bridal Solutions (Etsy)
I’m a big fan of the out of town bachelorette weekend. I’m a bigger fan of brides saying thanks to their bridesmaids as much as possible. Do you really have any idea how much money we are spending on you?? A lot.
To say thank you, fill a monogrammed (obviously) bag from The Palm Gifts with adorable preppy treats like, flip flops from J.Crew or these adorable pink and green checked ones from The Palm Gifts, Notecards from Lilly Pulitzer, and maybe even a silver monogrammed ring or preppy bachelorette coozies from Preppy Monogrammed Gifts. Also just a quick note about J.Crew… if you still have your student discount lying around you can get 15% off in-store (varies) purchases. Definitely worth using.
Flip Flops by J.Crew $24.50
Lilly Circle Notes $16
Polka Dot Bridesmaid Glasses $15
Seriously. How cute are those glasses!? I am obsessed. I love them. They are from Etsy seller The Preppy Polka Dot. They also have these adorable shot glasses with fun ribbon that would be adorable to carry around for a bachelorette party!
Preppy Polka Dot Shot Glasses $9 each
And for further inspiration… courtesy of Vineyard Vines… because they’re awesome. Here are some pink and green wedding parties to rock your world.
Pink and Green Wedding Inspiration
Pink and Green Wedding Inspiration
Pink and Green Wedding Inspiration
Pink and Navy is my ALL-TIME favorite color combo. It’s elegant, but still flirty and fun and evokes all the style of New England summers on the Cape. So fab.
Photo Courtesy of TheKnot.com
AND…
Here are some things you can buy right now…
The Pink & Navy Retail King… Vineyard Vines. Seriously have you guys ever checked this place out. EVERYTHING is in this rockin’ color combo and it’s AMAZING. They have great ties for groomsmen, and patterned dresses perfect for bridesmaids. J.Crew is another great option because almost all of their dresses come in pink and navy for mixing and matching or total solidarity.
Cotton Candy Sydney Dress $225
Vineyard Vines Tie $75
Pink & Navy Monogram Invitations from Your Style Invitations
Pretty pink peep toes are so very girly and fun.
Joley Patent Leather Peep Toe $198 J.Crew
Again… incorporating prints and patterns into a color theme is a fun way to lighten it up and keep it fun and whimsical!
Polka Dot Wedding Cake- Purple Awning Pastries
And just to give you a better idea of how the pink and blue color theme looks on the whole bridal party… some wedding photos courtesy of Vineyard Vines. THE pink and blue wedding expert.
Photo Courtesy of Vineyard Vines
Photo Courtesy of Vineyard Vines
Photo Courtesy of Vineyard Vines
I have a few vices… bags, shoes and dresses happen to be at the top of that list. I can’t help it. I know have bags I don’t know what to do with a dress full of dresses I haven’t worn, and shoes… well you can never really have too many. Anyway, tote bags are a really great gift to give your bridesmaids to say thank you- especially if you fill them with super fun things. They also make great welcome baskets for a girls (bachelorette party/shower) weekend. There are so many bags out there, so I just wanted to share a few of my favorites with you here!
Unique Wedding Boutique by The Palm Gifts has a great assortment of monogrammed, preppy and super pleasing bags in tons of colors with polka dot ribbons, stripes, etc. They’re adorable and you can customize for each one of your bridesmaids! Preppy Monogrammed Gifts also has a wide selection of similar products worth checking out.
Monogrammed Canvas Tote Bag - $24 The Unique Wedding Boutique
Monogrammed Bridesmaid Tote- $28 The Unique Wedding Boutique
I love Vera. Vera Bradley has tons of totes in a million sizes, but this one is right around “Affordable” and you can still fill it with fun goodies and not feel bad about it. These bags last FOREVER. I got one as a HIGH-SCHOOL graduation gift and I still have it today. Trust me that was a long time ago.
Vera Bradley Tote $46
Boat and Tote from L.L. Bean- $30- $34
Boat and Tote- Lobster $30-$34 L.L.Bean
Boat and Tote- Sand Dollar $30-$34 L.L. Bean
Patchwork Madras Tote $19.99-$29.99 L.L. Bean
Other really wonderful options include J.Crew (which has some madras bags on sale now) and Vineyard Vines which has the new Sea Life bag AND new tote bags in their Collegiate (Cornell, Dartmough, BU, BC, NC State, UNC, Illinois, Ohio etc.) and NFL styles (Pats, Giants, Ravens, Redskins and Jets) fans in your bridal party… PLUS your groom can grab matching Collegiate and NFL ties for the boys too!
Sea Life Bag $85- Vineyard Vines
New England Patriot Classic Tote- $95 Vineyard Vines
Dartmouth Collegiate Tote $95- Vineyard Vines
I’ll give you some ideas about when to put in them in the next few days
Fun new clothes to share!
Although I live in New York and sometimes feel that I must abide by the city-wide uniform of black and well… really just black , I do love a little color in my world. And really… a popped collar never killed anyone.
Salmon Cove is a fabulous line of super prep clothing that is super, super cute.
Ryan Vesce and Ben Wallace, a pair of wicked smaaart, and wicked talented hockey boys from Cornell launched Salmon Cove because they got tired of waiting for something wonderful to happen and decided to make it happen on their terms.
Vaguely reminiscent of the Murray boys over at Vineyard Vines, Salmon Cove products center around the oh so famous polo- here with fabulous color combos and jackets for men and women. They even have a custom shop, and who doesn’t love a little monogramming from time to time.
I gotta say that A) I am super impressed and B) Having met 1/2 of the pair this weekend…something tells me it’s probably pretty fun to go to work every day.
Check them out online and click on the store locator to get a list of retailers.
Happy Shopping!
So after all you max out your credit cards on three different shower centerpieces and favors, a bachelorette party, bridesmaid dress and alterations, a blender for shower #1, a toaster for shower #2, champagne flutes for shower #3, and any other miscellaneous expenses like rental cars, hotels, party favors, potted plants and therapy you just might be lucky enough to get something in return.
It is customary for the bride & groom to show their complete and utter gratitude to their devoted bridal party in gift form at the rehearsal dinner and if you can direct them to a fantastically great idea…even better. Especially given that you’re now poor.
Since you can’t ask for a credit card payment or cash or money orders the next best thing is to present some options, discreetly, as you don’t want it to see like you’re EXPECTING anything right? ha. Below are some practical bridesmaid gifts I’ve witnessed, been given and heard rave reviews on. As always please share any ideas you have for all of the other bridesmaids out there!
- J.Crew Monogrammed Amagansett Totes
These are bags. Don’t be fooled by their very fancy name. Very pretty, durable bags that can bear your initials if you like that sort of thing, and sometimes I do. This Spring they come in bright colors and patterns and really aren’t going to set the bride back all that much. Polka dots, stripes and the prepster madras prints come in small and medium sizes. The small bags range from $33.50 to $44.50. (Patterns determine price here) The Mediums bags range from $44.50 to $49.50.
I’ve seen them filled with everything from beach towels, printed umbrellas, baseball hats and pretty flat flip flops in the brides signature wedding color to give your feet a break post ceremony.** These also make great welcome baskets for a bachelorette weekend or as welcome baskets in hotel rooms. More on that later.
- Vineyard Vines Bags & Accessories
Since we’re on the subject of good looking tote bags, I must mention Vineyard Vines. I love this company for a lot of reasons, but mostly because the brothers who started are rebellious self starters that did exactly what they wanted to do, and it worked. Read their story- it’s pretty amazing.They have a whole bunch of amazing products, which are also great to outfit any bridal party, specifically if you happen to be in a wedding happening very near to a body of water.Headbands, belts, flip flops, ties and tote bags…you name it and you can probably get it with whales, crabs or seahorses on it. Pretty great. Their bags are a little bit more than the J.Crew totes, but are very customizable and come in great patterns like watermelons, shamrocks, martini glasses, even breast cancer awareness ribbons. The totes range
in price from $85 to $105.
- Jewelery and yes… More bags
If you haven’t guessed, I think bags in some form or another are a great attendants gift. Jewelery is also good. I know brides who have opted to buy the jewelry they would like you to wear on their big day. I have a friend who gave each of her bridesmaids a beautiful pink Coach wristlet along with the multi-colored jewelery they wore.Jewelery that gives back is another great gift idea. The Green Bracelet from Red Envelope is $125, with $20 of each purchase going to the Diamond Empowerment Fund, an international non-profit organization that raises money to educate and uplift the people and communities of Africa. Plus, we think it’s really pretty. Designed by the Simmons Jewelery Company, the bracelet features native African materials, green malachite beads and a conflict free diamond loosely housed in a gold alloy cage.
- Monogrammed Flasks
If you and your fellow bridesmaids occasionally like to sip on adult beverages, monogrammed flasks in pastel leather are fun AND excellent for toasting your excellent work…and of course the happy couple. They’re also really inexpensive at just about $29 each.
