About The Garter Girl
Who is The Garter Girl? Oh, so much to tell, so little time!
My name is Julianne Smith. I design and hand create simple, stylish wedding garters. I live in Washington, D.C. with my husband and two children. I worked in PR and politics, but, like many, became burnt out and turned to what I love: being crafty and designing things.
I’m a lucky girl. I have talented parents who passed on their creative genes to me. I am married to an incredibly supportive man who I know doesn’t always get my “creativity,” but loves me anyway. My friends have always believed in me, even when I thought they were nuts. With all this support, I launched a stylish wedding garter design business in 2005.
Why stylish wedding garters? It is an odd niche, I agree. Here’s the story: In 2004, my friend, Brooke, wanted a garter for her wedding. She wanted something “furry.” (I’m not kidding!) As a bridesmaid, I was tasked with finding her the perfect wedding garter. (Of all the jobs that I could have been given!) I couldn’t find anything to fit Brooke’s style. I was only given one bridesmaid duty and I was determined to find her the perfect wedding garter. So, I made Brooke’s wedding garter myself! I’m crafty like that. It is so annoying, I know.
I’ve always been one of “those” people who just made it myself when I couldn’t find what I wanted. Yes, I’m that girl who bedazzled my jeans and sewed scrunchies to match every outfit. (The list of my questionable do-it-yourself fashion forays goes on and on…)
After Brooke’s wedding was over, I thought, “Am I the only person who has had a hard time finding a simple, stylish wedding garter?” And, alas my stylish wedding garter company came to be. I am humbly convinced, however, that if resources like Etsy were popular in 2004, my garter search would have been easier and my life’s course much different. But, lucky for me they were not!
I’ve since stepped away from the over use of sparkles, which dominated much of my youth, but not the animal print – animal print will always be a part of my life. I’ve channeled my energy into creating chic and modern wedding garters that will make brides want to embrace the wedding garter tradition.
The Garter Girl is about designing wedding garters that bring the tradition back…with a little style!
Want to know more? Check out my blog, follow me on Twitter or like me on Facebook.
Julianne
P.S. In my “spare time,” I’m the founder and editor of United With Love, the Washington DC area’s top wedding blog full of fresh ideas and local inspiration.
Photo credits: Top: Mary Kate McKenna Photography; Middle: Jeremy Lawson Photography; Bottom: Robin Watson Photography