Archive for the ‘Style and Trends’ Category

Today I woke up with colors dancing through my brain.  Navy and green, in fact.  I absolutely love this color combination because its simple, classic, and yet so youthful and fun.  And, of course, it is just perfectly preppy!

Because of the classic feel of this combination, it is easy to add unique details, such as argyle or paisley accents.  This works especially well with wedding party attire- give your guys awesome bow ties, or your ladies some adorable heels in these fun colors.  For floral arrangements, green hydrangeas are a magnificent choice, but you can also incorporate apples, limes, and even pears for a different texture.  These fruits can also make great escort cards!

However you choose to use them, you can never go wrong with such great colors!

Today’s post is all about where I wish I was: the beach.  Beach weddings are so much fun and you can incorporate so many other summer elements into a beach wedding.  Even better, there is such a variety with the beach itself: you can focus on New England or tropical beaches, go with a calm bake or bonfire atmosphere, even have an incredibly fancy dinner right there on the sand.  There are so many options, I collected a bit of a variety to hopefully spark some inspiration.  Wish you (and I) were there!

PHOTO CREDIT:

1. http://thebridesheart.com/tropical-beach-wedding-koh-samui-thailand/

2. http://www.stevezphotography.com/new-england-beach-wedding-photography

3. http://preparetowed.com/blog/2010/07/beach-wedding-inspiration.html

4. http://honeymoons.about.com/od/sandalsresorts/ig/Sandals-Wedding-Martha-Stewart/Seaside-Serenade-Reception.htm

5. http://www.weddingideasandtips.com/general-wedding-stuff/clam-bake/

6. http://www.wedzie.com/color/blue/contemporary-new-england-beach-wedding/attachment/110225-apwedding6-1/

7. http://www.weddingsonthefrenchriviera.com/tag/wedding-party/

8. http://www.projectwedding.com/wedding-ideas/vintage-amor-by-the-shore

9. http://weddinghairstylesblog.com/beach-weddings/

After enjoying a beautiful and relaxing summer weekend, we are back with more summer inspiration!  While buying fresh, organic strawberries at a farmer’s market this weekend, it struck me how fun and delicious it would be to incorporate strawberries (and other summer berries) into both your wedding menu and the overall decor.  I absolutely love fresh strawberries in salads of both the fruit and lettuce varieties, and summer berries make for divine desserts: tarts, shortcakes, pies, you name it!  You could do an entire dessert table of summer inspired delicacies!  But the fun doesn’t have to stop there; you can include strawberries in your centerpieces, on your invitations, and even have mini jars of jam for escort cards or favors.  Take a look at the delicious images below and just try to avoid a craving for something fresh and juicy!

These centerpieces look

good enough to eat!

PHOTO CREDIT:

1.  http://www.onechickennugget.com/tag/marmite/

2. http://www.brendasweddingblog.com/blogs/2011/5/13/eye-candy-friday-v104-not-your-ordinary-strawberry-cake.html

3. http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/2010/06/30/strawberry-farm-wedding-inspiration/

4. http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/2010/06/30/strawberry-farm-wedding-inspiration/

5. http://celebrationsathomeblog.com/2011/05/all-american-backyard-picnic-style-shoot.html

6. http://in-season-events.blogspot.com/2011_04_01_archive.html

7. http://thekristinmarieblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/strawberry-flavored-wedding.html

8. http://in-season-events.blogspot.com/2011_04_01_archive.html

9. http://www.weddingsalon.com/blog/index.php/2010/08/16/a-very-berry-shower/

10. http://www.driscolls.com/recipes/great-grill-recipes.php

11. http://greenweddingshoes.com/real-wedding-roselyn-bens-strawberry-farm-wedding/

Today’s summer inspiration comes from one of my all time favorite things: gingham!  I just absolutely love the clean look of a bright summer gingham, whether its a button down or a dress, even just as ribbon on a flower pot.  And the bright white and color combinations make it absolutely perfect for summer fashion.  These pictures were just some of my favorites (I really had to refrain from including hundreds!)  Enjoy!

PHOTO CREDIT:

1. http://weddingcenterpiecesonline.com/gingham-wedding-ribbons.html

2. http://www.weddingwindow.com/blog/2010/08/30/gingham-accents/

3. http://www.weddingwindow.com/blog/2010/08/30/gingham-accents/

4. http://www.theknot.com/

5. http://hankandhunt.blogspot.com/2010/07/i-heart-stripesdotsand-checkspart-2-of.html

6. http://alfrescoweddings.blogspot.com/2010/07/gingham-accents-for-your-wedding.html

7. http://itsabrideslife.com/grooms/gingham-ties-vests-and-suspenders/

8. http://www.thewhitelibrary.com/

9. http://www.flickr.com/photos/cococake/4817082426/

10. http://thingsthatwelove.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/table-setting.jpg

11. http://www.weddingwindow.com/blog/2010/08/30/gingham-accents/

12. http://www.weddingwindow.com/blog/2010/08/30/gingham-accents/

13. http://lisaricephotography.com/blog/2011/03/monday-math-wedding-decor-on-a-budget/

14. http://manolohome.com/2009/10/27/check-check-check/

15. http://www.petdogonline.net/?p=219

16. http://www.modeleweddings.com/2011/03/sweet-nothing-from-modele-weddings/

17. http://www.modeleweddings.com/2011/03/sweet-nothing-from-modele-weddings/

Well, it is another beautiful summer day and in honor of the sunshine, our summer highlight of the day is sunflowers! These large, happy flowers somehow capture the essence of summer: simple, fun, and glorious in their bright, bold colors.  Using sunflowers in your wedding, whether as a simple addition to wildflower bouquets and arrangements or as inspiration for your entire color scheme, will add tons of festive summer beauty and cheer!

PHOTO CREDITS

1. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2187/2675740104_08c09d3a7f.jpg

2. http://www.sunflowergardenwedding.com/

3.http://jenadevents.blogspot.com/2009/02/for-jennifer-sunflower-wedding.html

4. http://www.w-weddingflowers.com/sunflower-wedding-flowers-2/

5. http://blisstree.com/feel/party-ideas-inspired-by-sunflowers/

6. http://ohsobeautifulpaper.com/2009/08/real-invitations-jennifer-james/

7. http://www.pdbloom.com/Sunflower%20Table%20Marker.jpg

8. http://www.momentaldesigns.com/2011/05/05/inspirations-sunflower-wedding-invitations/

9. http://bellafiori-events.blogspot.com/2010/04/flower-inspiration-rembrandt-yard.html

10. http://www.azweddingfloral.com/tag/sunflower-wedding/

We all know a well stocked bar is, in most cases at least, key to a successful wedding reception.  But the bar, more specifically what is being served, can be a great way to add personal and unique details that guests are bound to remember (or try to forget as the case may be.)  Rather than picking some arbitrary, overly sweet cocktail as a specialty, think about the other aspects of your wedding and use those as inspiration; your goal should be a drink choice or two that ties into the rest of the wedding and really reflects you as a couple.  Look at things like your own personal favorites, your decorations, even the weather.  By finding a specialty drink that flows with the surroundings, you can create an even more seamless reception.

DÉCOR INSIRED

We love the idea of translating a wedding theme into liquid form.  For instance, if you are using the glamour of the Roaring Twenties as inspiration, consider offering Champagne Punch and Old Fashioneds.  You can even go one step further, and rent champagne coupe glasses, the traditional shallow glasses used in the era.  Your guests will feel like true members of the Lost Generation holding such glamorous drinks.

If your inspiration comes from a place rather than a time, look for regional drinks that your guests may already love or that may become a new favorite.  For instance, if you are going for a Spanish influence, sangria will make a great, festive addition.  If you are offering Spanish cuisine, like tapas, red and white sangria will make a great compliment to your delicious meals!  But if your are using Jolly Old England as your motherland, consider offering Pimm’s Cup, a cocktail punch that is traditionally offered at summer weddings in Britain.

A Jolly Good Cocktail

HIS AND HERS COCKTAILS

If you don’t have (or don’t want) a matching drink for you theme, consider personalizing by offering your recommendations to your guests.  If you absolutely adore a certain white wine, or dirty Grey Goose martinis, share it with your guests.  Even if your fiance’s favorite drink is a tall boy of PBR, both he and his guests should be able to enjoy something near and dear to his heart.

Beautiful and Delicious

SEASONAL LIBATIONS

Another way to offer guests something tailored to your day is to use the weather as your guide.  For hot summer weather, consider something light, refreshing and maybe fruity.  Watermelon is something just about everyone associates with the hotter months, so look into watermelon cocktails or even beer (odd sounding, but absolutely delicious!)  If you are getting married in the dead of winter, offer guests Hot Toddies or hot cider and spiced rum to help them stay warm.

A Delectable Summer Specialty

The final step in selecting your specialty cocktail choices is to choose a fun and unique way to display them to your guests.  You can have the list typed and framed on the bar, or even in larger frames hanging behind.  For a more rustic feel, chalk boards are always a good option.  Or maybe instead of having traditional framed cocktail menus, you have laminated cocktail recipe cards with pictures, like those used by bartenders.  Just be creative! And remember, no amount of drink testing and tasting is too much!

An Adorably Rustic Cocktail Display

This Saturday, May 21, Old Navy is having a $1 sale on their flip flops. Summer weddings: this is the time to buy!

How many flip flops should you get? And in what sizes?? We suggest:

Purchase enough for your female guests { about 50% of your guest list }
Let’s approximate at 100 pairs. To accommodate the most guests, we suggest:
Size 5: 5 pairs
Size 6: 20 pairs
Size 7: 30 pairs
Size 8: 30 pairs
Size 9: 5 pairs
Size 10: 5 pairs
Size 11: 5 pairs

Then find an appropriate way to display them for your guests. One of our summer clients is planning to greet guests at the end of the venue’s driveway with a glass of champagne and flip flops – sounds like the start of a fantastic party!

{ post-dancing shoes }