Any fans of ABC’s “Happy Endings” show out there?

You might remember a recent episode where unattached Chicago gal Penny is relegated to the dreaded singles table at a friend’s wedding reception. Only this table adds an extra helping of humiliation — it’s the “Skype table,” full of laptops and virtual wedding guests.

Funny (and cringe-worthy) as the episode was, it touched on a real-life trend — couples are using new technology to help far-flung guests participate on the big day. Several web-based services are now live-streaming couples’ walks down the aisle.

Stacy Yamaoka and Christopher Anderson, a couple that live-streamed their own wedding, founded Marry Me Live. They send videographers, all well versed in the company’s streaming platform, to wedding venues in 15 cities. Events can be streamed anywhere, including overseas, and each couple gets a personalized webpage to share with their loved ones.

I Do Stream, based in Connecticut, streams weddings throughout the country and at several tropical destination locales. Couples can rent the equipment or use their own, and the company’s support staff keep an eye on the live feed through the ceremony. The bride and groom and their guests can view the wedding on-demand for up to three months or buy a recording as a keepsake.

Would you consider a live broadcast of your walk down the aisle? Share with us in the comments.

Has it really been nine months since we last talked about cake toppers? With so many darling options on the market, we couldn’t possibly catch up on all of them. But here are a few of our frosting-festooning favorites:

Naming rights: Etsy shop Better Off Wed will craft your names in mahogany for a one-of-a-kind topper made to last. After the wedding, snip off the stakes for a keepsake piece to hang on a wall or from your Christmas tree.

Banner beauty: Paper more your style? Pair one of Ready Go Paper Studio’s banner cake toppers with a custom couple topper (bride and groom or two grooms and two brides). Hair, skin and eye colors are made to match, and the attire comes in any shade you like.

Sweet silhouette: Send in a photo of you and your sweetheart and get a modern silhouette with vintage appeal as your topper. In addition to basic black, choose from a palette of colors from turquoise to coffee brown.

Iconic look: Mini replicas of Robert Indiana’s famous LOVE sculpture would look downright artful atop several tiers of fondant. Visit the Whitney Museum’s online shop to pick from red, gold, or silver versions.

Shake it up: Vintage salt and pepper shakers can do double duty as wedding day décor. Picture this charming owl duo or these love-struck bunny shakers greeting you for the cake cutting ceremony.

L&L: Tell us a little about you and Fat Orange Cat Studio. What types of services do you offer?

LI: My name is Li Ward and I live in Boston with my husband and two cats. I started Fat Orange Cat Studio in 2009 after years of photographing my cats for my own amusement. I never for a second thought that photographing other people’s pets could be a business until someone suggested it, and once they did it seemed so obvious! I named it after my wonderful fat orange cat Veebs and all the many plump orange cats I’ve had growing up. Fat orange cats are the best!

L&L: How did you first get started in photography? Did pets or weddings come first?

LI: I got started in 2009 when I was determined to have a more fulfilling career. Pets came first and I was pretty sure I wouldn’t photograph anything else (especially weddings!). But chance would have it that early on in my pet business I was asked to photograph a pet client’s wedding, and I met a talented wedding photographer who let me come along to some of her gigs – and I was hooked. I’ve been photographing weddings since 2010.

L&L: Do you focus your time and energy more in one aspect of your business, or do pet photography, wedding photography and calligraphy all receive equal attention? Do the three balance each other well?

LI: Wedding photography by far receives the most attention, followed by calligraphy, followed by pets. In my perfect world I would love to give all three equal amounts of attention…and receive equal amounts of pay! In reality they are very different business models with different values attached to them. It has been a big surprise to find how much calligraphy keeps me busy, so when wedding season starts, I have to turn away calligraphy inquiries in order to keep sane! Even though the workload among the three varies, I’ve been able to have one complement the other – wedding clients hire me to photograph their pets, pet clients hire me to photograph their wedding, and sometimes to be their calligrapher too.

L&L: With regards to calligraphy, how many different lettering styles do you offer? Are these existing styles or ones that you’ve created?

LI: At the time of this writing, I offer 5 lettering styles, ranging from cursive to script to a mix of both. They are all original, but based loosely on lettering principles of what’s called Copperplate and Spencerian calligraphy.

L&L: Can you explain the different ink and paper options? What is the most popular? Can couples also choose from an array of colors?

LI: To keep things simple for myself and the client, I prefer black permanent ink (like Higgins Eternal). For custom color I use gouache paint thinned with water. One day when/if I can focus more on calligraphy I would love to be able to offer custom colors more readily. For now black ink is the most popular because it is what I encourage the clients to choose  I don’t have too much say in the paper options, as that is decided by the wedding stationer. But if I did, I would say the less “furry” the paper, the better! Otherwise nibs tend to catch on the fibers, or inks tend to bleed.

L&L: What types of wedding materials will you hand letter? Will couples typically hire you for one item, or for a larger package? What percentage of your calligraphy clients are also your wedding photography clients?

LI: I will letter envelopes, paper menus, escort cards, and lettering that needs to be digitally scanned for print. The most common request is to address main invitation envelopes, but I have also done their main invitations and menu boards. About 20% of my calligraphy clients are also photography clients.

L&L: Obviously, weddings and pet portrait sessions are very different events. How similar or different is your approach to photographing each?

LI: Pet and weddings are similar in that I travel to the client – whether at the wedding venue or at their home – and do a mix of portraits and candids in natural lighting. Business-wise it is a completely different model. For example, in wedding photography the digital files are included in the packages because it is about telling the story of the day, so I want the couple to be able to go through all their images. With pet portraits it’s more about capturing a few really great photos of their dog’s “smile” and personality to hang on the wall, so it’s all print-based.

L&L: You advertise that you photograph both cats and dogs. Have you ever been asked to photograph another type of pet? Are there any animals that you would refuse to photograph?

LI: I was asked to photograph a horse once, but unfortunately he passed away before our session! I probably would not photograph a pet rat. I do not like rats. Ferrets would also scare me.

L&L: When you aren’t working, how do you enjoy spending your time?

LI: I love playing fetch with my cat Bingley who is awesome. My husband is a bit of a mixologist so we enjoy a cocktail or two (or three) pretty frequently. I also just love hanging out in the city, whether it’s walks along the Esplanade, eating at our favorite restaurants, or having a drink with friends somewhere.

L&L: What “must-see” places and eateries do you suggest folks from out of town check out while visiting coastal New England?

LI: This isn’t necessarily New England-y but I always tell people to visit the bar Drink in Boston’s Fort Point neighborhood. It is near the water and their bartenders craft the most delicious and unique cocktails. I also tell people to visit the Boston Harbor Islands. You get to be on a boat, watch planes take off overhead, enjoy views of the city, and hike or picnic once you get on an island. Grape Island is my favorite because it is overrun with fat rabbits. Marblehead is one of my favorite coastal towns. We love having fried scallops and a glass of wine out on the deck at The Barnacle. WaterFire during Providence’s summers is also a unique experience.

L&L: Thank you for giving us an inside peek into Fat Orange Cat Studio. If readers want to get in touch with you to inquire about your availability, what is the best way for them to reach you?

LI: My website or Facebook page is the easiest way to reach me. All my wedding, pet, and calligraphy work I share under one roof, and I blog here regularly. I also do some sneak peeks on the Facebook fan page.

Li has so generously offered a complimentary pet session and framed 11×14 for any pet-loving couples who book her wedding photography services! So nice! Thanks, Li!

Clockwise from top Left: emilie inc., Chalkboard China, The Broke-Ass Bride, Li Ward of Fat Orange Cat Studio, Austin Gros, Jenny Jimenez

L&L reader Ann P. recently sent us a note about her daughter’s search for a garter. Could we point her to a vendor that makes garters with a Maine theme, she asked?

Our first thought was The Garter Girl, aka Julianne Smith. A craftswoman known for her adventurous creations incorporating everything from feathers to recycled plastic bottles, Julianne also works directly with brides to fashion custom garters.  We’re sure she could dream up a lobster or lighthouse design that any Maine bride would be proud to wear around her thigh.

For this specialty item, it’s clear custom is the way to go. On Etsy, we found Peterene Design and La Gartier Garters, two lovely shops that specialize in made-to-order garters crafted by hand.

Will you wear a garter on your wedding day?

Best of luck Anne! Please let us know how your daughter’s garter hunt turns out!

You’ve probably attended a wedding where the bride and groom weren’t the only ones feeling romantic. Maybe the maid of honor flirted shamelessly with the groom’s brother, or two single guests hit it off singing along to “Sweet Caroline.”

But what if your guests could get to know each other before the wedding? A new company called Weduary lets couples build custom wedding websites with the added bonus of social networking features.

Along with the typical location and registry information, brides and grooms to-be can help their guests connect through Facebook. Guests can see which friends they have in common with other attendees, tell personal stories about the couple, and use a “Flirt” feature to pinpoint other single guests they might want to meet based on common interests.

Real social butterflies can even edit their personal profile page to share their cell number and let others know where they’re staying and when they’ll arrive.

After hearing about dating websites for married couples and Instagram photo sharing for wedding guests, Weduary should come as no surprise. New technology, whether in the wedding world or the wider world, is all about helping people connect.

Who knows, maybe your guests can find love while they help you celebrate yours. What’s not to “like” about that?

One day when Nick and I were in the early stages of wedding planning, we sat over coffee at our favorite local breakfast place sketching out a list of expenses.

We threw out some “estimates,” which I now realize were really “random shots in the dark,” for some of the big-ticket items like food and rentals. Then we got to clothing.

Nick wrote down “dress,” and looked up at me thoughtfully. “What do you think?” he said. “Maybe $250?”

Had it not been for the coffee, I might have snorted in his face. “Poor, sweet, naïve Nick,” I thought to myself, taking in his innocent expression. “He has no idea how much wedding gowns cost.” I hoped the corned beef hash on its way to our table would take the edge off the harsh reality he was about to face.

Nick loves him a good breakfast hash.

“Oh honey,” I said. “No. No no no. I spent that much on my prom dress. Wedding gowns are expensive. It’s going to be a lot more than that.”

“OK,” he said, sensing trouble. “What, like $400?”

As it turns out, Nick’s tendency to underestimate the cost of clothing runs in the family. I know this because I gleefully recounted our breakfast budget session to this mother a couple of weeks later.

“Isn’t that just too funny? $250!” I said to his mom. Nick smirked at me, all pretend offended.

Nick’s dad, his mom told me, will see her return from a shopping trip with bags full of clothes and peg the price tag at roughly a quarter of what she actually spent. New jeans for $20? Sure, that still happens.

Little did I know at the time how this would all pan out. A few weeks ago, I found my dress. I absolutely adore it. It has a sweetheart neckline with a simple, elegant drape and I love how I feel in it. I had that “this is the one” feeling about the dress before I’d even finished zipping it up.

Here’s the thing: It’s a bridesmaids dress, which I ordered in white. I never would have thought of getting one, but the lovely Sadie at Madeleine’s Daughter in Portsmouth, NH — knowing I was looking for a simple, classic look — brought me a few to try on.  I hadn’t realized that retailers are increasingly offering their bridesmaids dresses in white and ivory now. Thank you, Pippa Middleton.

Since it’s not a “wedding gown,” my dress was significantly more affordable than other gowns I looked at. How much more affordable, you might be wondering? Well, all told, the grand total for my dream dress came to … $250. Yep, Nick was right all along.

I do still have to get the dress fitted. And I could argue that the cost for gas to drive from Portland to Portsmouth to pick it up counts toward the total, right??

As for Nick, he’s planning to buy a custom suit from Indochino, an online menswear shop. That’ll probably run us quite a bit more than my dress, which makes sense since he’ll wear the suit for years to come.

I might be hearing about how he was right for years to come, too.

Read the previous posts in Jackie’s wedding planning series:

The proposal

Will you be my maid?

Dress shopping

Engagement portraits

Torn between virtual planning tools

The food

Planning snags

L&L: Tell us a little about the history of the KRC. Whose idea was it to collaborate, and how was the collection formed?

KRC: When co-owner Tim Harrington was a child, his family would vacation in Maine and Cape Cod, fun memories of which are mingled with how much work it was for his mother. She liked a clean house, so would spend quite a bit of time tidying up their vacation spots upon arrival and departure. This helped shape the idea of Hidden Pond – a beautiful vacation destination with luxurious amenities coupled with basics, such as housekeeping services. He joined forces with long-time hotelier, Debbie Lennon, who had purchased and was renovating local landmark, the Kennebunkport Inn. Tim is the creative mind, working with local designers such as Louise Hurlbutt (interior) and Ted Carter (exterior) to bring each property to life in its own way, with a unique vibe. Debbie has been working in hotels for 25+ years – she was one of the first General Managers for Sheraton – so has a fantastic grasp on operations and the behind-the-scenes details. The partnership is a perfect marriage of fashion meets function. The goal of the Collection is to create exceptional guest experiences in our classic, New England town – each with distinctive accommodations, thoughtful, luxurious amenities, excellent guest service and ranging in price.

L&L: What specific services do you offer to couples to help them plan their dream wedding in Kennebunkport?

KRC: We have six distinctive event venues within the KRC – ranging from a small, intimate affair in town Kennebunkport, to a dream ocean front wedding, to a weekend destination wedding in the woods at Hidden Pond. With Hidden Pond and The Tides Beach Club, we also offer a property buyout option, which would allow couples and their guests to have the property entirely to themselves. We also offer a catering arm as part of the Collection, Fete Event Catering, featuring custom, gourmet menus and beverage packages. We have a long list of vendors we’ve worked with that we can recommend or, can provide Event Management services if the couple would like us to facilitate. I think what’s really different about us is the variation of venue options and menus we can offer. We truly have something for everyone and our team is sincerely dedicated to ensuring this will be the absolute best day of our clients’ lives. I’m working with our company for the F&B component of my wedding…and I’m a total foodie…and very fussy…so it says a lot!

L&L: Which venues are part of the collection and how do they differ from one another?

KRC:

Kennebunkport Inn
The Kennebunkport Inn offers traditional coastal New England accommodations with modern amenities and a prime location in the heart of Dock Square. One Dock, the Inn’s onsite restaurant, showcases fresh Maine seafood and local fare with an inspired twist. Host an intimate wedding ceremony and reception on our patio, where twinkle lights and lanterns create a warm glow, or choose our dining room, which can be configured to accommodate groups of varying sizes. Our onsite team of event planners will ensure every detail is looked after. Steps away from world-class dining, art galleries and shopping, the Kennebunkport Inn is the ideal venue to host your coastal Maine event. Seating Capacity: 60

The Coastal House
The Coastal House offers a premier venue for Maine weddings, conferences, business meetings, and social events. With a superb location minutes from Kennebunkport, Wells, and Ogunquit, the Coastal House has an elegant, classic New England ambiance and offers flexible event space. One of southern Maine’s largest wedding venues, the Coastal House also features state-of-the-art meeting facilities and a team of expert event planners who will ensure your special event is nothing short of spectacular. Seating Capacity: 200

Chase Hill Meetings & Events
Located waterfront on the Kennebunk River, Chase Hill has been hosting events for years, ensuring yours will be flawlessly executed and positively memorable. Natural sunlight and excellent water views create a warm, inviting atmosphere, making it a lovely spot to host smaller, more intimate Kennebunkport weddings. Our staff, facilities and experience will create an exceptional affair. Seating Capacity: 60

The Tides Beach Club
Prominently situated overlooking pristine Goose Rocks Beach, The Tides Beach Club offers a breathtaking setting, chic atmosphere, luxury amenities, and exceptional service—the ultimate choice for your Maine beach wedding. Two Jonathan Adler-designed suites feature ocean views and private decks, and all of our guest rooms offer a spacious yet cozy environment where every detail has been considered. Onsite dining room and vibrant bar feature menus bursting with fruits of the sea and fresh garden vegetables, skillfully prepared in an uncomplicated manner to emphasize the great quality of the food and loving attention of the chef. Seating Capacity: 80

Old Fort Inn & Resort
Tucked a short distance from Kennebunkport’s Dock Square, the Old Fort Inn offers classic New England ambiance, modern elegance, and a private setting. Once a “grand dame” Kennebunkport Resort in the 1800s, the Old Fort Inn’s well-appointed guest rooms are housed in the original stable and carriage house. Enjoy an afternoon cocktail in our “gallery,” featuring plush leather furniture and a stone fireplace—or bask in the sun’s rays on a comfy chaise lounge near our heated pool. Our screened porch is the perfect place to hold your intimate wedding or business meeting. Beautifully landscaped grounds create a lovely, tranquil environment perfectly suited for your special occasion. Seating Capacity: 40

Hidden Pond
Nestled throughout 60 acres of birch forest and sweet fern, Hidden Pond offers three event venues, with the option of hosting events in one or more locations. In addition, we offer two-bedroom cottages and one-bed bungalows, a lodge, two pools, our Tree Spa, the Sand Bar Grille & Back Porch Bar, nightly bonfires, and much more for overnight guests.

EARTH
Created in collaboration with famed chef and James Beard Award-winner Ken Oringer, Earth focuses on “farm to fork” freshness, with a menu that features organic vegetables and herbs from two onsite gardens, and the freshest local seafood and meats. Earth’s décor brings the outside in, with a soothing rustic palette, walls dotted with “pickles” of tree trunk, a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, and open-air patio overlooking gardens and pond. Earth is the perfect location for your Maine destination wedding. Seating Capacity: 80

THE EVENT BARN
Across from Earth is the Event Barn, a 1,400-sq-ft facility featuring a soaring ceiling and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the forest floor. A short walk to the Balsams, Serenity Pool, and Tree Spa, the Event Barn is at the hub of Hidden Pond’s activity, and is the perfect location to accommodate your special event. Mercedes Benz chose Hidden Pond’s Event Barn to host press members for the launch of their 2012 C Class in 2011. Seating Capacity: 80 / Cocktails: 100

THE FARM
The largest of two onsite organic gardens at Hidden Pond, the Farm is a breathtaking spot in which to celebrate your special day. Ornamental grasses, colorful flowers, and rustic buildings create perfect photo opportunities. Weddings at the Farm may be tented. Seating Capacity: 200, for tented events

L&L: Do any of the venues offer rehearsal dinner space? Or overnight accommodations for guests?

KRC: Yes; all offer rehearsal dinner space. The Kennebunkport Inn, Old Fort Inn, The Tides Beach Club and Hidden Pond also offer overnight accommodations. Depending on the time of year and availability, room blocks and a possible block discount may be available.

L&L: Is it possible for couples to arrange a time to tour the venues to see which might best fit their needs?

KRC: Of course…they should reach out to Colleen Geary, our Events Manager. She can be reached at 207-641-8300.

L&L: Can you explain the catering process. Are there particular menus that couples choose from, or can couples request particular items?

KRC: Both…each venue offers its own, distinct menu, as each has a different personality if you will. Chefs at each property will work with the bride and groom to design their perfect menu, building off a base list of offerings. Fete Event Catering has a la carte and packages created, which clients can peruse and choose from as well. So, per venue menus will be available, as will Fete Event Catering menus.

L&L: If couples are curious to learn more, do you have a website or any printed materials that they can look through?

KRC: For more info online, they can visit http://kennebunkportresortcollection.com/weddings.html. This will link them to Fete Event Catering’s website, the Kennebunkport Resort Collection website – where they can explore all our properties – and to the event venue options.

L&L: Off topic, what “must-see” places and eateries do you suggest folks from out of town check out while visiting New England?

KRC: We list a lot of our favorites on our new website, Destination Kennebunkport… if someone is visiting, don’t miss:

Burger at the Ramp
Dinner at Earth – ANY of their pastas or pizzas
The Wine List at Hurricane
Cocktails and a Small Plate at One Dock
Organic and vegetarian fare at Bandaloop
Carnitas nachos at Pedro’s
Lunch at The Tides Beach Club – lobby roll or fried clam roll!

L&L: Thank you for giving us an inside peek into the KRC. If readers want to get in touch with you to inquire about your availability, what is the best way for them to reach you?

KRC: Destination Kennebunkport, Kennebunkport Resort Collection, any of our Facebook pages.

We would like to offer your readers a free night’s stay, the evening of their wedding, at their chosen property. If they host their event at Chase Hill or the Coastal House, this would include a stay at either the Old Fort Inn, Kennebunkport Inn or the Grand Hotel. Minimum stays apply.

Wow! Thanks so much, Beth, and the KRC!

Clockwise from top Center: Jessica Peterson, Rifle Paper Co., Amelia Lyon Photography, Lane Dittoe Photography for Wedding Chicks with floral design by Oak and the Owl, Ellen Ho, Austin Gros, KelleyDeBettencourt.com, One Love Photo

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?