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/.

Inpiration Board #11: Hot Pink, Black, and Ivory for Shell

Shell gave me her color palette, a delightful mix of hot pink, black, and ivory, and described her upcoming wedding as formal, elegant, and fun. Although the very popular damask is an awesome option for black and ivory, I thought using it with a light touch and focusing more on a chandelier motif would keep the board from looking too modern and graphic. The curving lines of the black candelabras, centerpiece holders, and place card frames manage to be elegant without an overwhelming amount of prints. And how can you not have fun with hot pink?

Mood: Holly Golightly as a wedding planner for Marilyn Monroe

Color Palette: Hot pink, black, ivory

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

Pink and Black Wedding by Sunny Ravanbach via Luxe Event Rentals, THE Little Black Dress by Alfred Sung via Dessy, Martinez Valero "Brit" via WhiteThread.com, Hot Pink Lipstick Bride by Unity Weddings via Style Me Pretty, Ivory and Black Cake with Hot Pink Roses, Black Baroque Place Card Frame, Black and Ivory Damask Decor, Black Birdcage by Love Life Images via Elizabeth Anne Designs, Black and Hot Pink Invitation by Etsy Seller PaperPersuasions, Decadent Damask Favor Box by Etsy Seller JaclynPeters, Hot Pink and Black Bouquet by Bella Pictures via OneWed.com

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 #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