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7 In Accessories/ Contests & Giveaways/ Fashion/ The Groom/ Uncategorized/ Vendors

Hand-Made Monday: The Grunion Run Groomsmen Shop (& a Giveaway!)

Happy Hand-Made Monday, folks! I know there have been a few silent Mondays lately, but I am so, SO excited to introduce you to one of my favorite wedding vendors!

floral_red2_i2

{Red Floral Tie}

In an era where grooms are getting more involved in the process of planning their weddings,  it would seem only natural that there would be a rise in the availability of unique wedding-based menswear. Enter The Grunion Run Groomsmen Shop, an online retailer of unique, dapper (& SUPER affordable) menswear items, from bow ties and pocket squares to shirts and suspenders.

Yun-Yi Goh, Co-founder and Creative Director at The Grunion Run, was kind enough to answer some questions (AND offer a giveaway) for me. Check out our interview below and see the details of the giveaway after the interview!

CV: Tell me about the beginnings of The Grunion Run. How did it start? Where did the idea come from? What is the story of the name?

 BT_stripe_blue1_i2

{Blue Stripe Bow Tie}

YG: The Grunion Run was launched in March 2012 but the seeds for the shop were planted in 2006 when Kevin and I got married and couldn’t find exactly what we wanted for our guys at a price point that was affordable. I was working in a different industry at the time but as the years passed it became clear that while the wedding market was vastly changing, the menswear segment remained largely stagnant and I grew very excited at the prospect of creating something new and interesting for grooms + groomsmen.

As for the name, we wanted something unique that would reflect the SoCal roots of the shop. The Grunion Run seemed perfect not only because it’s the name of a special mating ritual for a fish species that is native to these parts, but also because it combines the words groom + union which seemed appropriately symbolic!

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{Purple Gingham Tie}

CV: Where do you draw inspiration for your work?

YG: I am design-obsessed and look for inspiration everywhere from street-wear to road signs…you never know when something’s going to hit. The other day I was out for a walk with my baby and saw the most perfect shade of green in the trees on one street (thank goodness I turned down that street!). I’m now obsessively trying to find a fabric to match because I know it’s the perfect color for wedding neckties.

CV: What three words best describe your work?

YG: exhausting. obsessive. worthwhile.  =)

CV: How would you describe your ideal customer/the person you design for?

YG: I love designing for anyone who wants to have fun and get creative with a more casual, less traditional look. We offer a range of pieces in similar color palettes that can be mixed-and-matched for a cohesive but individual look for groomsmen.

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{White w/ Black Stripes Suspenders}

CV: Do you create custom pieces?

YG: As of now we don’t, though we do offer custom monogramming for our ties and pocket squares.

CV: What is your favorite piece(s) you’ve created, and why?

YG: It’s like being asked which child is your favorite but if I was forced to choose I’d have to say that our lavender and pale yellow neckties are two of my favorites because those are the exact (non-shiny) shades of ties we were looking for for our own wedding and never found.

CV: What tips do you have for couples who are choosing their groomsmen’s attire?

YG: Groomsmen outfits don’t often get the same attention as the bridesmaids but don’t forget the guys still make up half your wedding photos. It’s always great when guys have one statement piece be it a tie, a vest, or a pocket square that will pop in the photos. Of course, with all the other details that go into a wedding, I also always stress that you should first have fun and relax.

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{Striped Pocket Square}

CV: At IndieWed, we love small/alternative wedding businesses. Are there any small wedding-related businesses you’d like to give a shout-out to?

YG: One of the great things about being in the wedding industry is getting to know the many other fantastic vendors involved; in particular other small business owners who are trying to make things happen like us! We’ve had a great collaboration recently with Chris + Gina Holt who are the photographers behind Chris Holt Photography, and more importantly are such a lovely couple to work with. And while I haven’t met her personally, I must say I really admire Rhiannon of Hey Gorgeous Events because of the way she has grown her business over the years and really connected with her audience over social media. It’s very impressive.

CV: Are you working on anything new or exciting at the moment?

YG: Oh yes! We are playing around with more patterned fabrics and looking at new shapes for our bow ties, among many other fun things we have in our pipeline!

CV: GIVEAWAY DETAILS! One lucky reader will win a necktie of their choice from The Grunion Run’s new collection of neckties! Here’s how you enter: visit the New Arrivals Page, and leave a comment on this feature telling us which necktie on that page is your favorite (and leaving your email address)! A winner will be selected at random on Friday! Personally, I love this Blue Paisley Tie and this Pale Green Floral Tie!

Thanks, Yun, for spending time and giving away one of your amazing neckties! Be sure to stop by The Grunion Run’s website, Facebook, Twitter & Tumblr accounts!

Corinne Van Arsdale is a Wedding Coordinator based in Madison, Wisconsin and serving Madison, Milwaukee, Chicago. Check out her website, blogFacebook and Pinterest. If you know of a small business/hand-crafter you’d like to recommend for a feature on Hand-Made Monday, email Corinne at corinne@canvaswedding.com.

0 In Accessories/ Chicago/ Jewelry/ Vendors

Hand-Made Monday – Delicate Lace Jewelry by Branch

Happy Hand-Made Monday, friends! Today’s featured hand-maker is Sarah Louise Walker, the Chicago-based creator of Branchbound. Sarah creates the most lovely lace accessories — including jewelry, belts and headpieces. These lovely, delicate pieces would go great with a simple, feminine gowns or make perfect bridesmaid gifts, don’t you agree?

{Mint Lace Necklace}

{Victorian Lace Earrings}

{Lace Bracelet}

{Lavender Lace Necklace}

{Mirrored Leaves Sash}

{Silver Lace Earrings}

Corinne Van Arsdale is a Wedding Coordinator based in Madison, Wisconsin and serving Madison, Milwaukee, Chicago. Check out her website, blogFacebook and Pinterest. If you know of a small business/hand-crafter you’d like to recommend for a feature on Hand-Made Monday, email Corinne at corinne@canvaswedding.com.

0 In Accessories/ Jewelry

Hand-Made Monday: Wearable Art by Meghann Rader

{Meghann’s Studio — Image via Etsy}

Happy Hand-Made Monday! Today’s hand-made treasures come to us all the way from the wilderness of Vancouver, British Columbia, where artist Meghann Rader draws inspiration for her landscape jewelry from the beauty of her surroundings. Wouldn’t these watercolor necklaces make phenomenal bridesmaids’ gifts for an outdoor, woodland wedding? I’m in love!

MeghannRader 1

{Large Mountain Necklace In Pink & Graphite}

MeghannRader 2

{Grove Necklace in Lunar Blue & Graphite}

{Stellar Jay Necklace in Blue & Graphite}

{Canopy Necklace in Perylene Green & Graphite}

Which is your favorite? {I’m a bit infatuated with the Grove Necklace!} Be sure to stop by Meghann’s Etsy Shop and Website to check out more of her incredible, wilderness-inspired creations!

0 In Accessories/ Beauty/ Flowers/ The Bride/ Vendors

Hand-Made Monday: Intricate Hair Accessories from The Honeycomb

{White Flower Hair Crown}

Now more than ever, brides are feeling the freedom to move away from long-held traditions and expectations about how they should look on their wedding day. For example, more and more brides are embracing alternatives to the classic wedding veil and opting for intricate and hand-made hair accessories to complete their wedding day style — like the lovely and delicate floral creations of The Honeycomb.

Studio

{A little sneak peak at Blanche’s studio}

“What you create is an expression of how you see the world,” says owner/designer, Blanche Kern, “and my world is pretty beautiful.”  This creative world-view translates beautifully into The Honeycomb’s lovely and feminine hair pieces, which she sells in the U.S. and world-wide, and she was kind enough to answer some my questions (below) about her work!

CV: How did you get started making hair pieces?

BK: I have been making hair accessories since I was a child. As soon as I learned how to sew, I was making ribbon hair bows for all of my cousins, best friends, and dolls. When I discovered Etsy in 2008, I was in college and also working part-time in retail; a job that left me feeling empty and uninspired. Interestingly, the classes I took to become a graphic designer have significantly improved my skills a headpiece designer. I had no way of knowing when I began working with flowers that it would turn into a full-time business!

{Pink Hair Pins}

CV: Where do you draw inspiration for your work?

BK: I browse a lot of magazines to watch the current trends in floral headpiece design. At the present time, silk flower adornments are extremely popular with brides all over the world. You can’t open a wedding magazine or browse a wedding blog without examples jumping off the page at you. They are even more popular now than when I began my work four years ago; which is exciting for me, of course!

CV: What five words best describe your work?

BK: Whimsical, romantic, fanciful, beautiful, woodsy

CV: What is your favorite part of being a designer/creator of hair pieces?

BK: There isn’t a day when I walk into my studio, look around at all my materials spilling out of their boxes and think, gosh I don’t want to go to work today. It just doesn’t happen!

{Lilac Flower Clip}

CV: Describe your ideal customer:

BK: I am excited when a bride comes to me and has no idea of what kind of accessory she wants to wear. She usually has her dress picked, and she knows she wants to wear flowers. But should it be a clip, a wreath, a veil? That is where I come in, to ask the probing questions: are you getting married in a church setting, or outdoors under the trees? Is the wedding theme going to be vintage, or woodsy, or classic? Is there a lot of lace or sparkle in the rest of the decor? This information-gathering helps us both put the bride’s vision for her headwear into words and a plan.

CV: Do you create custom hair pieces?

BK: I love custom orders! I always encourage brides to pick a handful of examples of my past work which they really love, and after discussing, I can design a unique headpiece which combines the various elements that they like best.

CV: What should a bride consider before buying a hair piece? (Does she need to decide on a hairstyle first?)

BK: It’s helpful for me to know what her wedding theme is going to be. It helps me guide her in the right direction for the “look” of her hairpiece. Knowing your hairstyle is also helpful for me: if she’s going to wear a full updo, I need to know, so I can make her wreath a larger circumference.

{Mustard Seed Circlet}

CV: Are all of your customers brides?

BK: I sell mostly to brides/bridesmaids/flower girls, although my pieces are popular for proms, theatre, re-enactments, cocktail parties, anniversaries, etc.

CV: What is/are your favorite piece(s) you’ve created?

BK: Trying to pick a favorite design is like asking a parent to pick a favorite child. Naturally, I love them all!

CV: Thanks, Blanche for taking the time to answer my questions! Be sure to visit The Honeycomb on Etsy for more beautiful hair pieces.

Do you know of a great small wedding business you’d like to see featured on Hand-Made Monday? I’d love to hear about it! Send me an email at corinne@corinnevanarsdale.com.

0 In Accessories

Our House Feather Bow Ties

Our House feather bow ties > Indie Wed blog

When Victoria from Our House contacted me, interested in advertising on the site, I was totally smitten with her work. I knew that regardless of whether she chose to advertise with us, that I just had to share.

Our House feather bow tie > Indie Wed blog

These precious bow ties are super feminine and also come in the most wonderfully vivid colors.  (There is a cotton candy pink bow tie that I have my eye on!).  If you feel like the traditional bow tie around the neck is a little too formal (though these are anything but traditional, then perhaps you would prefer a feather bow suspended from a simple gold chain.

Our House feather bow ties > Indie Wed blog

Prefer something for your updo instead?  Try one of her feather bow barrettes.  They are made from the same super soft, hand-dyed feathers, each backed with a remnant of upcycled leather.  Couldn’t you just imagine a bevy of bridesmaids, each rocking one in a different color?

Our House feather bow barrette > Indie Wed blog

Victoria also sells a small collection of vintage goods from her Etsy shop as well.  So you can pick up a bow tie and vintage pair of pumps in one fell swoop!

Our House is an Indie Wed advertiser, however we do not utilize sponsored posts on the blog.  We simply write about products and businesses we like.  For more on our advertising policies, see here.

0 In Accessories/ Destination Weddings/ Eco-Friendly/ Fashion/ The Bride

Searching for Handmade Flair for Festivities?

 

Photo Credits: Nels Akerlund | nelsakerlund.com

Aloha!  My name is Stephanie Fontaine & I’m the person behind Clark & Diversey, a small local business.  My company features one-of-a-kind handmade flair for festivities, including head pieces, flower fascinators, dress adornments & accessories influenced by adventures abroad (my goal is to travel to as many countries as my age) and my swanky hometown of Chicago.  Many goodies are created from eco-friendly fabric, luxurious scrap material from bridal gowns & cruelty-free feathers.  Clark & Diversey creates handmade flair fit for any festivity.

Since tying the knot at our July 2010 destination wedding in the Dominican Republic, I’m partial to collaborating with brides-to-be on an original, custom creation for the big day.  We’re overjoyed to once again be a part of IndieWed – the most fabulously creative bridal event, period.  For the first 50 couples in line tomorrow, you’ll snag an amazing reusable, silkscreened swag bag filled to the brim with some spectacular goodies from many of the talented IndieWed vendors!  Here’s a sneak peek of Clark & Diversey’s swag treats:

 

Check out Clark & Diversey’s blog next week for the full reveal.  Looking forward to meeting y’all this weekend!

Web: www.ClarkandDiversey.com
Email: info@ClarkandDiversey.com
Blog: www.clarkanddiversey.blogspot.com
Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CLARKandDIVERSEY
Twitter: @ClarknDiversey