Mr. and Mrs. Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Inspired Board

I read an article once that took a poll asking women which literary figure they would most like to go out with on a date, and Mr. Darcy was the runaway favorite. I love Jane Austen, and no one who has watched the A&E adaptation of Pride and Prejudice can tell me that a man can't look sexy in a cravat. (Here's looking at you, Colin Firth!) So despite my longstanding bias against frilly floral prints--a result of my mother's fixation with Laura Ashley home furnishings during the 80's--I thought I'd give a regency inspired board a shot. I think that choosing a wedding theme can often feel constraining, and if you're going vintage or literary, it's easy to end up with something campy. A little goes a long way, and the right touches can create a cohesive theme without feeling contrived. With an English garden motif, antique books, bridesmaid dresses that nod to regency fashion with empire waists, a soft palette, and the right gown and accessories, this is a contemporary take on the Darcy wedding.

Mood: Pride and Prejudice. 'Nuff said.

Color Palette: Soft pink, ivory, green

Artifacts of Inspiration: Jane Austen, English gardens, Regency era,

The Credits, Deets, and Maybe Where to Buy Them:

Pride and Prejudice Prose in Vain Necklace by Etsy Seller justbedesigns, Dessy Bridesmaid Style 2759, Claire Pettibone "Emma" by Miha Matei via Green Wedding Shoes, Teacup and Book Centerpiece by Heather Balliet of Amorology via Style Me Pretty, Antique reticule bag by Moyna courtesy of Anne Sage, Bouquet by Karen Tran, Chantilly and Rhinestone Self-Tie Headband by Twigs and Honey, Suit with Cravat from Sandy's Menswear, Wedding Table by SugarLove Weddings via Polka Dot Bride

Soft and Elegant: A Peach and Black Inspiration Board

Yesterday's peach and green board had me thinking of all the possibilities of peach hues and the moods they can create. Adding black and touches of soft pink to a muted peach palette feels both modern and vintage, feminine yet unfussy.

Mood: Classic romance with a contemporary eye

Color Palette: Muted peach, black, soft pink

Artifacts of Inspiration: Audrey Hepburn, Natalie Portman, cocktail parties, Frank Sinatra

The Credits, Deets, and Maybe Where to Buy Them:

Vintage Inpired Cocktail Flower by Etsy Seller GraceDunbar, Peach Cake via WeddingbyColor, Bloom Letterpress Invitation by Etsy Seller maidavale, Peach Teardrop Earrings by Etsy Seller justmel, White Peach Sangria via Martha Stewart Weddings, Vera Wang "Farrah" Dress, Table Setting by Rosenbaum Photography via Elizabeth Anne Designs, The Reversible Chameleon Convertible Wrap Dress by Etsy Seller isadoraclothing, Peach and Black Centerpiece by Emily Takes Photos via Every Last Detail Blog, Vintage Couture Decor by South Dakota Wedding Style, Organza Peaches Shoe Clips by Etsy Seller haticenevin

A Little Something Extra:

I love this sweet little flower girl dress from Etsy Seller FoxnLily. Although it's listed as Toffee/Caramel and Ivory Silk, I think it could work for a gentle peach palette as well. You can find it here.

I couldn't resist adding this lovely hanging heart ornament from Etsy Seller danamazing. They can customize in your colors and you can find it here.

A Marie Antoinette Inspired Board

For the most part, I try to create boards that would work for the budget bride. This is probably not one of them, *in painfully fake French accent* but we all deserve a little of ze fantasy in our lives, non? And what better historical figure than the controversial Marie Antoinette to inspire a wedding of delicious opulence and grandeur? It makes me want to eat petits fours in a bubble bath under a rococo chandelier, which I want to do all the time, but is alas, impractical. So on to the board!

Mood: A dreamy confection of a wedding a la Marie Antoinette

Color Palette: Cream, gold, powder blue, blush pink

Artifacts of Inspiration: Marie Antoinette, rococo, 18th century France, Versaille gardens, feathers, gilt, crystal chandeliers

The Deets, Credits, and Maybe Where to Buy Them:

Marie Antoinette Wedding Hair by Sergerius Bruce Photography, Dessert Table by Julie at Strawberry Milk Event Design Studio and photo by David Hartcorn via United with Love, "Antoinette" by Ian Stuart, Marie Antoinette opulent earrings by Etsy Seller laralewis, Cameo votives via Martha Stewart Weddings, Rococo Table Setting by Tab McCausland via The Wedding Chicks, Marie Antoinette Table by Aileen Tran, Feather and Crystal Rose Bouquet, "The Marie Antoinette Collection" by Peggy's Cupcakes via 5starweddingdirectory.com, Marie Antoinette Flower Girl by Like Flowers and Butterflies

A Little Something Extra:

I just discovered event stylist Aileen Tran of Karen Tran Florals and I'm swooning--wedding blogs use that word a lot, but it's appropriate here, swooning!--over her work. I had trouble choosing just one photo from her French Vintage Tabletop, so I included some a few more luscious images below. You can see more of her work at http://aileentran.com/blog/.

Inspiration Board #9: Art Nouveau Elegance

I bought my first Alphonse Mucha print in college and have been hooked ever since. I could probably do eight of these boards using different color palettes. Something about the pure, organic lines, the sexy, undulating curve, the effortless elegance of nature inspiring objects of art is so gorgeously realized in a wedding theme.

Mood: Ultimate elegance and whimsy at a high society affair.

Color Palette: dusty blue, bottle-glass green, antique rose, champagne

Artifacts of Inspiration: Alphonse Mucha, absinthe, turn of the century, the S curve

The Deets, Credits, and Maybe Where to Buy Them:

Bouquet by Brookelyn Photography via Green Wedding Shoes, Art Nouveau Invitation by Etsy Seller OldPaperAndPrints, Edwardian Jacket by Kilkenny Formal, Chiavari Chair and Cover by Melissa Jill Photography via BZEvents, Double Peacock Feather Necklace by Etsy Seller sparklyshoes, Jenny Packham "Fontaine" Dress via Wedding Inspirasi, Calla Lilies Centerpiece via The Dessy Group, Gold Birdcage by Heartistic Photo via Southern Weddings, Absinthe Favor by Lilia Photography via Elizabeth Anne Designs, Art Nouveau Wedding Cake via Martha Stewart Weddings, Art Nouveau Staircase via Belle Maison Interior Design, Bridal Crown by Twigs and Honey

A Little Something Extra:

I also adore the dress below and had to post it! I heart Romantic Threads and am currently trying to figure out a party formal enough for me to show up in full Victorian steampunk regalia. You can find this little number on sale for $175 here.

Inspiration Board #5: 1920s Southern Charm

If Nick Carraway from The Great Gatsby met a whimsical, easy-going gal, and they inexplicably had access to photoshop, I think this is what their inspiration might look like. I don't know if "Boardwalk Empire" started the trend or is just reflecting the interest, but the 1920s are back--and horsefeathers! Don't I think it's the bee's knees!

Although I wanted to capture a 1920s sensibility, I also didn't want the board to feel like a cos-play pamphlet, hence the glaring absence of fringed flapper dresses and the slightly more modern layered, black dress above. But if your bridesmaids are bold enough to rock some fringe, get on with your bad self! I also wanted it to be *gasp* a tad more affordable. I just love the sleekness of the 20s aesthetic, every dress an ode to the line and silhouette. Besides, how could I not love a decade of fashion that considered flat-chestedness ideal? And that delicious white number above? It's $195.00. Check out the deets for all the cheap goodness.

Mood: 1920s dinner party in the summer

Color Palette: Black, cream, soft pinks, brass

Artifacts of Inspiration: The Great Gatsby, southern mansions, Al Jolson, mint juleps, art deco, frills, "Boardwalk Empire"

The Inspiration Deets, Credits, and Maybe Where to Find Them:

The Acacia Mansion, Amazing Headband from Twigs and Honey (Pretty much any of these would have worked for this board. They are all incredible and I spent way too long sighing over them.), Little Black Flapper Dress from GutsyGirl on Etsy, Incredible DIY Chandelier tutorial from weddinghigh.blogspot.com,Phonograph with CD Capability, Nataya Ivory Dress from RomanticThreads.com, Vintage Groom Suit Guide from Ruffledblog.com, Pink Balloons by Amanda Wilcher via StyleMePretty.com, Black Ikea Framed Monogram, 1920s Music Cover Art, Rose Centerpieces (SO simple and pretty. Some clear glasses + Wholesale Garden Roses = cheap and pretty centerpieces.), Art Deco Lantern Necklace by kneehighsnpigtails on Etsy

A little more on cheap sweetness:

Aviva Events has some excellent ideas on using Ikea products for wedding decor. Score! That frame above is only $29.99.
That black flapper dress from GutsyGirl is only $21.00!
Art Deco Lantern Necklace from kneehighsnpigtails is only $20.00!

Vintage Spanish Inspiration Board

Originally, the fiance and I planned on getting married on a ranch in the San Luis Obispo area. I surfed the interwebz high seas, googling every variation of "San Luis Obispo/SLO county/every town surrounding ranch/barn/farm wedding/venue/events" to no avail. Too expensive, too remote, too small a capacity--and what? No hard alcohol?! Yet I was convinced I was going to make it work, and I have a bookmark folder full of mason jar pictures to prove it. Fast forward four months and we're looking at an old adobe in Santa Barbara. Que sera, sera! I heart vintage and now I've moved it from country sweet to SoCal spicy. On to the fiesta!

Vintage Spanish Inspiration Board

Mood: Sipping sangria while rummaging through your Spanish grandmother's hope chest

Color Palette: Sandy neutrals, ivory, washed-out terra cotta, dusty teal, blush pinks

Artifacts of Inspiration: Isabel Allende, succulents, California with a rolled "R", Spanish lace, Buena Vista Social Club (I know it's Cuban music. Just play along.), papeles picados

The Inspiration Deets, Credits, and Maybe Where to Find Them:

Papeles Picados, Horchata,Succulent Centerpieces, Churros y Chocolate, Lace Luminary Bags, Dulce Favors, Rose Hairpiece from Etsy, Pretty Tile, Succulent Bouquet, Mexican Doors, Muy Bonita Bridesmaid Dresses

Link Shout-outs:

The siempre fabuloso www.greenweddingshoes.com with an excellent tutorial on how to DIY papeles picados here.
I want to put this wedding in my pocket and and look at it when I'm sad. It's like the above inspiration board, but real life and cooler. Beautiful photos from globetrotterdiaries.com.
A muy excelente breadown of how to do "Amor by the Shore" on the cheap from Project Wedding here.
That kickass tile? You can find personalized ones for placecards at http://latinwed.blogspot.com/2009/11/tile-placecards.html.