Love and Lobster Coastal New England Weddings

Etsy Weddings, plus a registry!

Our infatuation with Etsy has officially grown into true love. The online marketplace for all things vintage and DIY has just launched a new section on its site that gathers all of its wedding-related goodies in one convenient place.

Etsy Weddings features the doggie bowties, handmade fascinators and other items brides know and love, but in curated collections coupled with how-to’s, trends, expert advice and stories of real couples. Just recently, the site was brimming with décor and paper goods ideas, a feature on the monogram necklace trend for bridesmaids, and modern takes on the ancient Jewish tradition of ketubahs.

And in another exciting development — brides everywhere are squealing “FINALLY!” — Etsy has launched a wedding registry. Those handmade ceramic mugs, personalized pillows and vintage kitchen utensils can finally be yours, courtesy of your generous guests. (Over on Etsy Weddings, check out the blog post with advice about setting up a registry, and avoiding gift-grab guilt).

Etsy Weddings, where have you been all our lives?

Already have plenty of house wares in your house? Enough nesting bowls in your nest? If you’re like many modern couples, the typical bridal shower gifts of home goods may not do you all that much, well, good.

Luckily, there’s no rule that a shower has to involve panini presses and dish towels. If you’d rather take the non-traditional route, devise a theme with the hostess that will point your guests toward gifts you actually want and need.

Some ideas:

Garden shower: For brides with a green thumb, ask each guest to bring a seedling or cutting to help the couple start their first garden.

Honeymoon shower: Inform guests of the destination, and encourage them to bring items the couple can use on the trip. Tap into the travel vibe for the decorations, too.

Recipe shower: Ask each guest to bring a favorite family recipe on an index card. Collect them in a book after the event to create a treasured memento for the couple’s kitchen.

Doing good shower: Guests bring items to donate to a local shelter or nonprofit, or make a contribution to one of the couple’s favorite charities. If you’ve got an adventurous group, sign everyone up for an afternoon of volunteering.

Pottery party: Host the shower at a paint-your-own pottery shop. Guests can craft plates, bowls, mugs or whatever other items the couple needs, and give them as gifts at the end of the party.

Looking to elevate a wedding gift from ho-hum to heartfelt? It’s all in a name.

Personalized gifts are everywhere you turn this wedding season, not only for the bride and groom to-be but for their treasured attendants as well.

Here’s a look at some of our new favorites – be sure to read on for a sweet discount for L&L readers!

Personal puzzle

Where did you and your sweetie first cross paths? The We First Met Here puzzle will remind you of that fateful day on game nights for years to come. Just send in the postal code of the site, and get your jigsaw on.

Be our guest

The guest books handcrafted at Gallery Leather in Bar Harbor, Maine, can endure the test of time. Choose from a variety of rich colors, then add your names and wedding date for a lifelong memento.

Hung up on you

We’ve made no secret of our pet peeve about plastic hangers. A custom hanger for your gown not only adds a nice personal touch, but it won’t damage those delicate fabrics. Check out the options at the Wedding Hanger Shop. Order by May 17, and get an 11% discount on a personalized hanger with the promo code LOBSTER11!

What a mug

For your bridesmaids, take a gander at these made-to-order mugs in bright, cheery colors. Your gals will toast you every time they curl up with a cup of java.

Crack one open

Hand-forged bottle openers engraved with each groomsman’s initials and your wedding date? Yes please. Your fellas will toast you every time they curl up with a cold one.

J. Crew is offering a sneak peek of their new summer wedding line, and we’re already saying “I Do” to their latest take on preppy chic.

With looks for both brides and bridesmaids, the line will be available in stores next month. The new gowns include an oh-so-simple but meticulously cut boat neck sheath as well as shorter styles rocking pockets and feathery accents. A delicate rhinestone blusher veil and feathered shrug round out several new accessories offerings.

For the bridesmaids, J. Crew comes through, as always, with figure-flattering styles in a wide palette of on-trend shades. From peachy and cobalt tones to refined neutrals, the line blends rich colors with a variety of necklines and hem lengths. Check out the patterned styles in the mix, too. (With looks this versatile, you might see a guest or two sporting dresses from the collection).

We don’t see prices listed yet, but here’s hoping J. Crew stays true to its reputation for affordable style. To browse the retailer’s full wedding collection, including looks for the guys, click here.

One of our favorite vendors is appearing next week on the Food Network!

Erin Gardner of Wild Orchid Baking Company in North Hampton, New Hampshire will put her sugar skills to the test on an episode of “Sweet Genius,” the dessert competition show now in its second season.

Each episode features some of the country’s top pastry chefs battling it out to impress celebrity baker Ron Ben-Israel. Discovered by Martha Stewart and anointed the “King of Cakes” by Modern Bride magazine, Ben-Israel is renowned for his couture confections.

Look for Erin to take the limelight on April 26 at 10 p.m. We can’t to see what she and the other contestants whip up for the episode’s three outrageous dessert challenges. First will be a “baby-themed” chocolate dessert, followed by a candy recipe that must include cherries and, if you can believe it, horseradish root. In the final challenge, the chefs mix three mandatory ingredients into a dessert inspired by the Seven Wonders of the World.

The winner will be crowned a “Sweet Genius” and take home a $10,000 prize.

Erin’s keeping mum on the results until her episode airs. But she did tell us that the show made for a fun and challenging experience.

“I was inspired by the whole process to incorporate some interesting ingredients into my own business,” she says.

The show wasn’t Erin’s first brush with Ben-Israel. The wedding cake master taught her how to craft sugar flowers in a class five years ago. Will her history with the host give her a leg up? We’ll be rooting for you Erin!

The 13-episode season of Sweet Genius wraps up on June 7.

You know the old saying about April showers – they’re a great excuse to try out the latest rainy day fashions.

Whether you see a downpour as a good omen or a soggy curse, it pays to prepare for inclement weather on your wedding day. The best part of contingency planning? Cute waterproof gear to keep you and your sweetheart warm and dry.

Watch out, wellies. These Steve Madden rubber rain boots feature a flash of color along the zipper and a fun chunky buckle. Try them in red, navy or olive for a hit of waterproof style under your wedding gown.

Looking for something a bit more feminine? J. Crew’s splash-proof ballet flats hit the mark in three bright shades, including a cheery neon peach.

If you have to don a raincoat over your wedding gown, pick one that lets the dress shine through. A clear plastic coat with white piping fills the bill.

Harris tweed updated with a layer of Gore-Tex makes this rain hat from L.L. Bean a must for your mister. When it’s time to head inside, the hat rolls up to fit in his pocket.

Raindrops won’t keep falling on your head with this pink monogrammed umbrella. (Order a few as gifts for your bridesmaids.) Or shower each other with love under this bubble umbrella with a raindrop design.