Happy International Women's Day!
Today marks the 110th anniversary of this celebration, which is a day to reflect on the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women around the globe. In the wedding industry, I'm constantly surrounded by amazing female-led businesses in the design, floral, beauty and fashion world. They inspire so much creativity throughout the wedding planning process. It is truly an honor to work in an industry that is dominated by so many badass ladies!
The celebration of International Women's Day is the perfect time to highlight some of my favorite women-owned brands. Throughout the wedding planning process, my brides often ask for recommendations! Whether it be the perfect gift for their bridesmaids or the best hair product, I love to be a knowledgable resource for them. So, I'm constantly trying & buying the newest products on the market to test for myself. If I've included it on this list, you can rest assured that it is a tried & true product that I consider a must-have for your big day!
I've curated a list of the top five brands to shop on this #IWD, all built and run by some pretty phenomenal women. Read on below to learn more about their brand & their products!
Megababe
I first met Megababe's founder, Katie Sturino, when I attended the Create & Cultivate conference (another amazing female-owned startup - check them out!) wayyyy back in 2015. She is the woman behind the plus-size fashion blog The 12ish Style & known for her IG-famous dogs. She was hilarious, down-to-earth, and extremely relatable.
A few years later, as I continued stalking her on social, she released her "clean, cute body care product" line that addressed taboo hygiene problems (it's IWD - let's just call it what it is - thigh & boob sweat!). After massive success with her first product launch, Megababe has expanded to include an entire line of must-have products - especially if you're planning a summer wedding!
My top product picks are the Thigh Rescue anti-friction stick, which will help tremendously with those wedding gowns (it gets hot under there - trust me!); the Bust Dust anti-boob-sweat powder, because who doesn't need a little refresher every now & again?; and the Le Tush clarifying butt mask, which will make your legs & behind silky-smooth.
Pro tip! Need hand sanitizers (#COVIDbride) for your wedding welcome bags? Check out the Megababe Squeaky Clean Hand Sanitizer. It smells like Fruit Loops - guests will love it!
Savage x Fenty
I will scream it from the rooftops & I don't care who hears it - Savage x Fenty a.k.a. Rihanna has made some of the best lingerie on the market!
Everything from daily wear pieces (think cotton sleepwear & comfy leggings for your bridesmaids) to special occasion sets (perfect for boudoir photo shoots or the wedding night!) are available at reasonable prices and in a variety of sizes. Rihanna has been applauded for her commitment to size-inclusivity & I'm here for it!
My top product picks are the Savage X Cotton Jersey Leggings (my favorite pair of daily leggings I own!) for getting-ready on your wedding day; and the Forever Savage Short Robe, which is a perfect gift for your bridesmaids!
Pro tip! Take your bridesmaids robes to a local shop in your area to be monogrammed! Or order custom iron-on stickers through an Etsy shop. Now you're supporting women-owned businesses & #shoppingsmall!
Images Courtesy of Savage X Fenty
Daily Disco
Some local love! Daily Disco's home is right here in Saint Louis. Started in 2015 by Abbey Eilermann, Daily Disco has "grown to be a team of creative women who design special products and embroideries to make you feel like your best self."
We are so lucky to have this creative business in our STL backyard. Daily Disco's bright & colorful chainstitch embroidery brings a smile to my face every time I look at their Instagram! Their online store offers all kinds of fun & whimsy patches, enamel pins, bandanas and much more.
The best part? Custom jackets! Daily Disco can create a custom embroidered piece for you & for your wedding party. Her products make amazing & memorable gifts, so be sure to check out the full product offering on Daily Disco's website.
My top product picks are the 'Just Married' Iron On Patch, which can easily be added to your favorite denim or leather jacket for a memorable wedding day keepsake; and the Custom Word Chainstitch Embroidery option to add a truly personalized touch to your wedding day attire.
Pro tip! Be sure to think about all of the wedding events when shopping - bachelorette parties, bridal showers, engagement parties & the like. Local shops like Daily Disco & others can provide the perfect favors, welcome bag wow-pieces, and much more!
Estelle Colored Glass
Looking for a picture-perfect tabletop accessory to 'wow' your wedding guests? Searching for a colorful & chic set of stemware for your wedding registry? Look no further than Estelle Colored Glass. This luxurious brand of hand-blown colored glass products are second to none. Described as "jewels for your table", the Estelle Colored Glass brand was founded by Stephanie Summerson Hall and named after her grandmother, Estelle. The gorgeous glasses drew me in, and the touching story of Estelle's knack for hospitality, inspiring Hall's pursuit to revive colored glass, sold me.
I was lucky enough to be gifted a set of Estelle glasses for my birthday recently and I can't say enough great things about them! They're cheerful, whimsical & extremely high-quality. The stemware comes in a variety of playful colors that can accent any home décor palette. The charming cake stands are a delight and would be a gorgeous addition to a cake table or dessert display.
My top product picks are the Estelle Colored Wine Stemware - Mixed Set, which gives you the best of so many worlds with the color variety & is a definite dinner conversation starter; and the Estelle Colored Champagne Coupe, which is the perfect vintage coupe for your wedding table.
Pro tip! Buy enough speciality stemware for the V.I.P. wedding party table as a luxe wedding design touch & keep the sets after to use at home!
OUAI Haircare
You may know one of OUAI's cofounder, Jen Atkin, as a hairstylist to the stars. Her celeb roster includes the entire Kardashian-Jenner universe, Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber, Katy Perry, and many more. In 2016, she became the face of the OUAI product line to much interest of the beauty & haircare world.
I have super thick & wavy hair myself, so any product that claimed it could tame my mane had my attention. Like many others, I jumped online and grabbed a few of their signature products at the time of release. They did not disappoint! Nearly five years later, much of the product line is a staple in my haircare routine. OUAI offers sustainable packaging options, which makes refills a breeze. I also love the signature scents of the products - they make your hair smell amazing!
My top product picks are the Hair Oil - the perfect frizz defuser I've found for those super dry days & would be a great emergency item for your wedding day clutch; the Leave In Conditioner - helps detangle if you've got longer locks & hydrates like crazy to make sure your hair is in the best wedding day condition; and the Detox Shampoo - which clarifies & deeply cleanses any wedding day product buildup on the hair with apple cider vinegar & keratin (have you seen how much hairspray brides need?!).