Putting My Bridesmaids to Work
July 31st, 2008 @ 2:13 pm by Mrs. Peacock
… on their own gifts!
I surprised my bridesmaids a few weeks ago with a trip to the 1154 Lill Studio in Lincoln Park to make custom handbags as their bridesmaid gift. I was able to keep it on the DL until they arrived, which was no small feat, and treated them to a little champagne, cheese and these amazing key lime tarts. I gave each ’maid a gift certificate to cover the cost of a Grace plus tax and let them go to town!
The LP store is their flagship store, so there were two floors of custom bag goodness.
All the fabrics!
Mmmm… key lime tarts…
My sister/MOH Elise, Erin and the very popular Yellow Stone fabric.
I brought along a sample of the bridesmaid dress fabric (the aubergine swatch on top) so that they could match the dress. I let them select whatever fabric they wanted, but most of them opted to create something for the wedding day.
Trying to act “candid.”
The bridesmaids and my mom. She made a very pretty little Grace.
We had a lot of fun messing the store up. There were fabric swatches everywhere! In the end, we had each created (at least) one bag that will be ready a few weeks before the wedding. I made one to match my shoes and the ribbon that I bought for my bouquet. I am sure that my sister will end up keeping track of my lip gloss, but I couldn’t stay out of the fun!
For anyone interested in doing the same, we had private space in the store where we could set up our snacks and construct our bags- although we did not have the store to ourselves. They do home parties (like the one Mrs. Penguin attended) for those who do not have a store close by, or who would simply rather do it at home.
Does anyone else have a fun, social idea for a bridesmaids gift?
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25 Responses to “Putting My Bridesmaids to Work”
i never heard of this store but i think i may need to take a trip to Boston
Me too MagPie- I lived on Newbury street like two blocks from 1154, and couldn’t help go in a BUNCH
What a fun, creative and personal experience for you bridesmaids! I wish there was a LILL store in Denver!
That sounds like so much fun! But wait…your mom is in that group photo?! I seriously cannot figure out which of those ladies could possibly be your mother!
@Miss Champagne: I lived in Kenmore Square! And worked at a Starbucks on Newbury. 
Wow, I love Boston — and I miss it!
@Mrs. Gingerbread: I was thinking the same thing! Wait… there’s a mother-of-the-bride in that photo?!?! She needs to share her anti-aging secrets. ASAP! 
OMG, Mrs. GB! I was thinking the same thing! I was like, she must have loaded the wrong pic!
What fun!
I’m having a LILL representative come to my house in September for my mom and all my girls to design a bag. I’m really excited! I wish we had the actual store, though!
So fun! and I love your dress where did you find it?
sorry…i’m still salivating over the key lime tarts …yum yum..to the yum
I was looking for her mom too.. lol
It looks like you girls had a lot of fun!
The only reason I guess the one in Yellow as the MOB is because they look alike. I’m with everyone else - Spill the anit-aging secrets please!
Ah - and this is such a fun idea!!
I, too, couldn’t figure out the mom…do you get questions about her being your sister all the time?
You must share pics of the bags once they are made…I’m wondering how they turn out!
In yellow is the MOH, right? MOB is the little shortie in orange?
Oh my gosh, you guys are too funny! My mom is next to me in the orange t-shirt- and yes, people often mistake us for sisters. She’s just adorable and she has great skin. I don’t think there are any other secrets!
@Shanna: My dress is from Old Navy. Love that place. I have been wearing dresses all summer and its a great place to stock up
@pancakes: You will have so much fun!
Miss Peacock - You’re such a good bride, what a fabulous idea! Question for you, though. I thought that you weren’t allowed to bring in food/drinks when the store was open to the public? I thought that was only allowed after hours when it’s closed? And on the website it says that if you want to have a party there after it closes to the public, you need a minimum of 12 people. Can you clarify? THANKS!
I’m the LILL rep for the Rhode Island area so if you are interested in hosting a home party, let me know! erin.1154lill@hotmail.com
PS - I’m making “Mary” bags for my bridemaids tonight. Mary is reversable so one side will match their dress and the other side is a fabric they picked out. Here’s hoping they love them!
Love this store. I have 2 bags and I think its time for another :). It is just too much fun!!
I’m with Gingerbread, please tell your Mom that I have looked at that photo 4 or 5 times and I can’t figure out which lovely lady she is supposed to be!
@Magpie- I lived on newbury like a block away from starbucks near mass ave (across from steves..mmm)- I bet I’ve seen you before!
[...] My Lill bag is here! It was even a few days early. I picked them all up yesterday afternoon. I walked out of [...]
Miss Peacock, Chicago
Age and Occupation: 26, PhD Student
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Internet Whiz
Engagement Date: December 5, 2006
Wedding Date: September, 2008
Blogging Since: December 13, 2007
Venue: St. Clement Church, Cafe Brauer (or a big church wedding and a fancy party at a cafe in Lincoln Park.
About Me: I am a grad student with a secret obsession for all things wedding related. I also love to read, travel, drink champagne and go for walks with our dog, Maisy, and Mr. Peacock. We are planning our very vintage wedding in the greatest city in the world, our hometown of Chicago. I am so proud to be a Bee!
I LOVED the LILL store in Boston — and lucky me, one’s come to Philly! I’m definitely considering this for a BM gift.