Inspiration Board #10: A Cozy Fall in Ireland for Niamh

Niamh is seriously having one of my fantasy weddings: a fall gathering in West Cork, Ireland, parts of which look like this:

At a hotel with views like this:

*SIGH* I'm swooning with envy. Niamh loves lanterns and lighting, and had picked deep purple as one of her colors. She knew she wanted her wedding to feel like a warm, fall celebration, filled with a sense of family and friends oriented coziness. Here's what I came up with:

Niamh hails from Ireland if her awesome name didn't tip you off, and her husband-to-be is Canadian. She wanted to incorporate some elements that paid homage to their origins. I thought maple syrup favors were both perfect for fall and her fiance's Canadian heritage, while the backdrop and some place cards embossed with a golden claddagh could give a nod to their home countries without being over-the-top or cliched. I also love the idea of postcards from their hometowns, places they've visited or are honeymooning, and even where they're guests are from that could take the place of a guestbook. A variety of pies instead of cake contribute to a cozy, family feel, and depending on your caterer can be cheaper because they don't include cake-cutting fees. Apple cider and hot toddies evoke a fall mood better than plain coffee. Add different styles of lanterns, and some DIY fall candles and grapevine balls, and you have a magical autumn evening.

Mood: Autumn festival of lights with the people you love best.

Color Palette: Rich purple, golds, cranberry, touches of sage green

Photo credits above: West Cork, Ireland, Local View from the Dunmore House Hotel

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

Pie Table with Lanterns by Sarah Remington Photography via Style Me Pretty, Gold Lantern Decor, Hot Toddy Picture and Recipe, Postcard Guestbook via thebigmouthbride.com, Fall Table with Candles and Grapevine Balls via The Knot, Firefly Lightning Bug Lanterns With Moss by Etsy Seller braggingbags, Maple Syrup Favors from FavorStudio.com, Deep Purple Bridesmaid Dress from Dessy, Lantern Decorated Pews via Intimate Weddings, Purple Tie and Bout via The Knot, Fall Leaves Candles via WeddingbyColor, Burgundy, Eggplant, & Merlot Bouquet by The French Bouquet in Tulsa, Dreamy Church Wedding by One Love Photo via 100LayerCake

Inspiration Board #8: Traditional Whimsy for Cristin

With a color palette of deep purple, silver, and powder blue, Cristin's wedding is a delightful mix of traditional and whimsical. While still maintaining the elegance of a more traditional fete, like her pretty centerpieces of tulips or roses submerged in cylinder vases of different heights, topped with floating candles, she added fun twists like groomsmen wearing chucks and no jackets, and paper lanterns that create a festive feel.

Mood: Traditional pretty with a wink and a hip wiggle

Color Palette: Deep purple, silver, accents of Tiffany blue

The Deets, Credits, and Maybe Where to Buy Them: Deep Purple Infinity Dress from Etsy seller Dalina, Purple, Silver, and Blue Invitation from Etsy Seller Beacon Lane, Cylinder Vases from scarletpetal.typepad.com, Spring Bouquet from brocadedesigns.typepad.com, Purple Ring Pillow via The Knot, Satin Flower Embellished Clutch from Etsy Seller Parisxox, Chuck Taylors and Argyle Socks courtesy libbyjames.wordpress.com, Amethyst and Silver Necklace from Etsy Seller ANORIGINALJEWELRY, Silver Favor Boxes courtesy The Finer Things, Groomsmen by Ryan Price Photography via Ruffledblog.com, Purple and Silver Lanterns via thelandlockedbride.com

Check out these uber cheap cylinder vases from The Dollar Tree online! http://www.dollartree.com/catalog/search.cmd?form_state=searchForm&keyword=cylinder+vases&x=0&y=0