Inspiration Board #7: Mediterranean Lanterns for Robin

Robin's venue, The Holly Farm, a Carmel getaway of lush gardens and rustic cottages, is so lovely I think it doesn't need much. Her clean color palette, kick-ass idea to use fresh herbs she picked from a farm instead of florals (budget-friendly AND green!), and a few personalized touches and voila! Magical wedding prettiness. I loved the idea of using plain wire racks, hung with loosely gathered herbal nosegays as a decoration piece, along with a clothesline of black and white photographs to add some casual charm. As Robin imagined an easygoing, laidback feel with perhaps a Mediterranean flavor, I thought lanterns would add  pretty touches of warmth without compromising her clutter-free, flowing aesthetic. Bonus: they're also relatively affordable!

Mood: Effortlessly classy garden party in a paradisaical Mediterranean garden

Color Palette: Black, white, shades of green

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

Photo Clothesline from weddingaces.com,  Herb Wall from Todd Pellowe via greenweddingshoes.com, Priscilla of Boston Dress, Tree at the Holly Farm, Lantern Centerpieces from Wish Special Events, Cocktail, Black Benches from Art of Vision via stylemepretty.com, Sweet Herb Bouquet from dahlias-day.blogspot.com, Family Style Tables at The Holly Farm, Shades of Green Bridesmaid Dresses, Lantern Ideas from engagedandinspired.com

A Little Something Extra:

Lanterns from Ikea range from $3.99 to  $14.99. I can't count how many gorgeous and CHEAP lanterns I came across from wholesalers and lighting websites, even dollar stores or places like BigLots. Hanging from trees, used as centerpieces, or bordering staircases, aisles, or pathways, these babies are economical and super pretty. I love luminary bags, which are even cheaper, but if you want to really dress up a space without investing a ton in floral arrangements, I think lanterns are the way to go. It's also a no-fuss easy theme, especially for fall! I just had to share this sweet lantern invitation from Etsy seller EllasPaper:

Keeping it Casual: A Love Tree Inspired Wedding in Tahoe

One of my sisters is getting married this June in Tahoe. She is pure awesomeness and also hates wedding planning. The words "theme" and "details" incite a strange amalgam of emotions; comatose boredom spiced with mild panic. Sweet! This means that I have another reason to brainstorm and scour the interwebz for DIY crafts. In addition to responses of "meh" or "I like" that I receive when showing her my suggestions, she gave me some guidelines to work with. The venue: a restaurant in Tahoe with space for a beachside ceremony and patio reception. Add her dress, the bridesmaid dresses, that hydrangeas are her favorite flower, and a couple adjectives: casual, fun, relaxed. And just to show that inspiration can come from unexpected places, her wedding theme impetus came from her favorite t-shirt which resembles something like this:

The genuine article is dark brown with a green tree and says "LOVE" instead of "HUGGER" but you get the idea. The "love tree" has become her (pirated) trademark, appearing on everything from birthday cards to post-its about remembering to buy coffee. So what better place to begin? The love tree met bookmarks, had an awkward first date, but ran into each other again in photoshop. After some free trade coffee and the discovery of a shared passion for Jack Johnson, they became an item and spawned this inspiration board:

Mood: The best barbecue you ever went to masquerading as a wedding, Vacation

Color Palette: Woodsy browns, shades of green, and ivory touches to keep it breezy

Artifacts of Inspiration: Beloved t-shirt, Tahoe, Summertime, Acoustic rock playlist,

The Inspiration Deets and Maybe Where to Find Them:

Tahoe Pier, Dress, Tree Silhouette Table Numbers, Green Shoes, Bridesmaid Infinity Dress, Cookie Favor Bags, Wood Candle Holder (Actually a link to a great tutorial on how to make your own from Nuptial Nattering. Big ups!), Khaki Suit, Beach Chuppah, Hydrangea and Rose Bouquet, Tree Invitation, Beach Ceremony Chairs, Rustic Wood Cupcake Stand, DIY it or Buy it