Love and Lobster Coastal New England Weddings

The mason jar has come a long way. Once known best as a container for putting up pickled beets in the winter, the jars have been reborn in chic but rustic lighting arrangements that even the least crafty and budget-conscious couple can make themselves.

Where to find them? First, ask around. They could be hiding in a loved one’s basement or even in your boss’s daughter’s friend’s garage. Or try posting a request on craigslist or freecycle to seek out leads, then hit up garage sales, flea markets and antique stores. Make sure to comparison shop, however, because some dealers have caught on to the jars’ popularity for weddings and charge accordingly. Wal-Mart sells them, too, but check out your local hardware store as well. We recently spotted a bunch of mason jars for sale at or neighborhood True Value at a reasonable price.

Once you’ve amassed a collection, and scrubbed down secondhand jars as necessary, you’re ready to start assembling. The easiest way to include mason jars in your lighting scheme is to place votive candles inside and cluster the jars on tabletops or along pathways. First, fill the bottoms with a bit of water (or sand) to prevent the wax from sticking. (Thank you Martha Stewart for that tip. Her website’s ribbon-bedecked example is, well, a good thing). Try a variety of candle heights to add visual interest.

But if a hanging display is what you have in mind, all you’ll need are some wire, wire cutters and pliers. This P. Allen Smith explanation has great step-by-step instructions. Just remember to make the handles long enough to keep the candles a safe distance from tree leaves or other flammable materials. Keep in mind that the jars can get hot and, of course, don’t leave them unattended. If you’d rather not worry about all that, consider battery-powered tea lights.

Be sure to bring the jars home with you after the reception. You can hang them in your garden, use them as vases, or — and we’ve stolen this idea from the always adorable Etsy — use them as birdfeeders. Or to continue their illuminating life spans, check out this amazing mason jar chandelier idea. And hey, you could always use them to store pickled beets!

Want to delight your gals with a thoughtful gift and boost the local economy? Here are some ideas for doing good in the neighborhood:

• We’ve told you about them before, but the news that Sea Bags is now available through Pottery Barn has filled our sails once again. Known for their durable totes crafted from recycled sails, Sea Bags has introduced a set of nautical-themed products for PB that include water-resistant coasters and a wine bottle bag accented with authentic grommets. Paired together, these two items would make any bridesmaid keel over with joy.
• Now for something equally sea-inspired but new to our list of favorites: the creations of Diana Vanier of Scarborough’s Carabella Studio. Her handiwork includes jewelry made of sea glass she’s collected along Maine beaches and islands, like these dainty earrings with freshwater pearls and lavender crystals. Custom order a few coordinating accessories for you and your ladies for a modern maritime look (and don’t miss Diana’s custom driftwood signs).
• For the foodie gals in your life, check out Vervacious, a Portland gourmet food company whose stackable packaging is just as delightful as the savory preserves, balsamic drizzles, sophisticated hot cocoas and finishing salts inside them. Their “signature stack” includes an award-winning Espresso Balsamic Drizzle, Azorean Piri-Piri Pepper Condiment and Windward Island Roasting Rub for just $25.

So there you have it — gifts incorporating wine, jewelry and gourmet snacks, all offered by local businesses. Your maids will think they’ve died and gone to… Maine.

credits (clockwise from top right): Erin Hearts Court (top two), Stacey Kane, Charlotte Jenks Lewis, Orchard Cove Photography, Bird and Banner, emilie inc. photography, Charlotte Jenks Lewis

We’re all about special celebrations here at Love & Lobster, and today we’re marking one of our own. It’s been one year since we first launched this site to share with couples everywhere the insider tips and expert advice that make weddings in coastal New England so memorable.

And because we love any excuse for a giveaway, we’ve got a *knockout* anniversary gift in store for one lucky reader. Keep reading for details…

It’s hard to believe a year has passed since we recounted what makes Maine such an extraordinary place to tie the knot in our inaugural post. Since then, we’ve covered everything from the practical (how to get a marriage license, eat a lobster), to the delicious (cocktails on Peaks Island, gluten-free cakes), to the offbeat (pole parties, tintype photography).  We’ve introduced you to couples like Jaime and AJ and Neena and Sam, who generously opened their wedding days and photo albums to us all. We’ve gotten an inside look at so many of the region’s wonderful vendors — Gus and Ruby Letterpress and Sperry Tents are just a couple that come to mind. And we’ve done our best to inspire you with a little eye candy and shout out to the fellas, too.

But some posts really stood out, wooing you away from work — ahem, leisure activities — more than any others. We give you the Love & Lobster Top Three:

• Mason jar lanterns. Yes, they’re popular, but don’t try to resist their rustic charm.

• Suckers for seersucker. It’s not just for southern gents anymore.

• Buying local: bridesmaid gifts. Helping your gals and your neighborhood — killing two birds with one nautical pillow.

We’d love to know what else you’d like to see L&L tackle. Leave us a comment with your location, relationship status, why you read and ideas for future posts!

As we enter our second year, we can’t wait to meet some of the growing list of brides and grooms who continue to click their way to us. But first, a special treat for those already familiar to L&L (We should get that monogrammed…maybe carved into ice).

Remember Minted.com? We profiled this stationery website, which features modern designs submitted by graphic designers all over the globe, earlier this year. In celebration of our anniversary, Minted is giving away 50 free invitations to one L&L reader! To enter, like us on Facebook and post your thoughts on this question: “What I love most about love and weddings in Maine is…” We’ll review the responses, with priority to those garnering the most likes from others, and announce the Minted winner at noon on Friday July 1. You’ve only got a week, so start submitting now!

If you’re like thousands of other brides, when someone says “The Knot,” you think “wedding website” instead of “Windsor.”

But now the world’s most trafficked bridal site is embarking on a rite familiar to many of its followers: changing its name. The company just announced plans to drop its moniker to become XO Group Inc. on June 27. That’s XO as in hugs and kisses. And in a business-meets-pleasure twist, the company’s shares will trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol XOXO. Touching.

“Our new company name – XO Group Inc. – will be the perfect umbrella for all of our brands in the wedding, nesting and baby lifestages served by our media, products and services,” Chief Executive Officer David Liu said in a press release. Easy to forget that’s a powerful corporation you’re interacting with while you browse cake photos, isn’t it?

There’s no indication the name change will greatly affect users’ experience with the site, other than perhaps the need for a new browser bookmark. Congratulations, The Knot, changing your name is a big decision.

The cake is one of those elements of a wedding people always remember. Like the gown or, say, Uncle Harry’s inebriated break dancing. So why not put your cake on the pedestal it deserves?

First, some do-it-yourself options. You can make your own cake stand with as little as an overturned parfait glass, a decorative plate and some caulk. Let it dry and voila, check the cake stand off your wedding to-do list. Or follow this how-to for a stacked terra cotta pot and saucer stand, bedecked with ribbon and decorative paper. For a grander stand, this Martha Stewart project incorporates silk flowers and delicate drawer knobs as feet.

For the “let someone else do it” types, these store-bought stands are hard to beat. For a crafty vibe sans the actual crafting, check out this robin’s egg blue stand with a tiny perched yellow bird by Etsy artist whitneysmith. Little birdies also show up in her beautiful cupcake tower.

For a wider variety, Sweet and Saucy Supply, an outgrowth of California dessert studio Sweet and Saucy Shop, sells an array of stands, from a $115 square glass stand to a simple $35 Parisian stand. You’ll find similar pieces at Fishs Eddy (don’t miss their gift registry!), which also features toile and aluminum stands, as well as this platform in bright citron, sure to brighten up any table.

Last but not least, vintage lovers will be keen on Roxy Heart’s rustic stands made from circular tree slices, bark and all. Have your monogram wood-burned onto the edge for a special touch.

So there you have it, finding a cake stand is a piece of… well, you know the rest.