When our pal Meredith (of Regas New York –and Thread Said–fame) told us about her friends’ company Navy & Lavender, we just had to share with you. Why, you ask? Well, you know how, when attending an out-of-town wedding, by the time you finally arrive at the hotel, you are a bit tired, a bit hungry, a bit disoriented? And you know how there is but one thing that can put you fully back on the excited-for-the-wedding track? Yes, folks, we are taking about The Welcome Bag here. We know we aren’t the only ones who immediately tear into the bag to see what kind of goodies lay ahead for us, both in the bag itself and the weekend ahead.

That said, we always wondered how, with everything else going on, the bride and groom manage to throw this bag together. It is probably one of the more fun things on the wedding to-do list, but definitely not as important or necessary as, say, choosing your flowers or finding the perfect band. And that, my friends, is why we needed to share Navy & Lavender with you: The girls over there will not only put together these bags for you, but they will do it well, customizing each and every ‘Welcome Tote‘ to fit the wedding locale, theme and guest.

So, brides-to-be, we think you should consider this as one thing checked off that long to-do list of yours.

(Above, Navy and Lavender’s Winter Romance Welcome Tote. Peppermints, hot cocoa and a pashmina? Oh my. Sold. FYI: The Welcome Totes are just the tip of the gift-y iceberg the site offers; we strongly suggest taking a peek and checking out all the goods for yourself.)

Jen is Thread’s beloved production manager, which means she is the one who ultimately takes our designs from paper to product. She spends her days sourcing fabrics and pricing dresses and talking to different factories and making sure everything and everyone is running on schedule, all to make sure you get your dress in plenty of time for your sister’s wedding next month. It is a crazy (we imagine) job, but one she does very well. So you can imagine why Jen, and her fiance, Louis, jumped at the chance to get married quietly and intimately during their recent trip to Costa Rica. The guest list was small (just the two of them!), the dress was Thread (but of course!) and the weather was perfect (think blue skies and beach!). There will be countless parties to celebrate, of course, but now Jen and Louis can enjoy the festivities knowing they never lost sight of the most important part of getting married: their love for one another, and their desire to spend the rest of their days with each other.

Congratulations Jen & Louis!

(Above: The gorgeous couple on their big day. Her dress? The Athena.)