Rustic Elegance: A Wedding Inspiration Board in Chocolate and White

Rustic weddings have become extremely popular, and for good reason. They evoke that warm family feel, the sweetness, fun, and intimacy most of us crave for our weddings. While I could do about a bazillion boards that take their cue from country fairs, I also love the juxtaposition of elegant romance and rustic rawness. I wanted the board to feel fresh and effortlessly stylish, so I chose a palette of chocolate brown, hay, and white. I wanted to show off how a barn, ranch, or farm wedding could still feel pretty and elegant by contrasting soft and dreamy florals against burlap, rough wood against the sparkle of chandeliers. Plus who can resist cowboy boots with a gorgeous gown?

Mood: Farmland sweetness gets a city stylist

Color Palette: Chocolate brown, hay, white

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

Santa Barbara Wedding by Mark Brooke Photographers via Style Me Pretty, Bridal Party and Cowboy Boots by Priscilla Valentina via Green Wedding Shoes, Wedding Decor by Jack Wittbold for Sarah Yates Photography via C Star Events, DIY Rustic Cake Stand by Once Wed, Earl Grey Sandwich Cookies by The Sweetest Occasion, Skeleton Key Placecards by Z Media via Red Carpet Brides, Hanging Mason Jars by Paloma Images via Wish Special Events, Peony and Burlap Centerpiece by Aileen Tran, Barn with White Drapes via Project Wedding

A Little Something Extra:

I love this ranunculus bridal bouquet by Etsy Seller braggingbags. It's gorgeous and soft with a hint of rustic from the burlap ribbon and a touch of sparkle from the brooch. At $59.99, the price is pretty hard to beat for a bride bouquet, and because they're silk flowers, it's also green! To purchase or view more pics, click here.

I also couldn't resist sharing this awesomely styled bridal party. I love how the bridesmaids are wearing different dresses in the same palette, and again, the boots! Ooh, and those belts! Le sigh. This image is by Leah Noble via Caitlin Carty.

A Gentler Side of Paradise: Vintage Hawaiian Inspired Wedding

I've only been to Hawaii once, but that was enough to fall madly in love. Although I adore the bold colors and seashell motifs found in most weddings at tropical or beach venues, I thought it would be interesting and unexpected to play with a vintage Hawaiian theme: softer hues, vintage prints, antiqued decor pieces, and touches of crystal contrasting against the natural lushness. I took my inspiration from Hawaii, but I think any beach venue could take a cue from this board.

Mood: A trip to paradise in your grandmother's dress; the Andrews Sisters played with a ukelele

Color Palette: Wood, antique white, shades of teal and dusty blue

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

Vintage Chair and Hawaiian Sodas by Jose Villa via Style Me Pretty, Chandelier on Hawaiian Chuppah by Christie Pham Photography via Ruffledblog, Box of Leis and Brooches by Christie Pham Photography via Ruffledblog, Vintage Style Hawaiian Surfers Cake Toppers from Pacific Weddings, Ridiculously Gorgeous Couple by Nineteen Owls Photography, Vintage Hawaiian Postcard via Design by Tanya, Keishi Pearl Necklace by Etsy Seller KahiliCreations, Postcard Guestbook via La Belle Bride, Lei Strewn Chairs by Angie Silvie Photography via Hawaii Wedding Photos, Vintage Birdcage and Hawaiian Stone Steps by Matt Alvarado of Beloved Weddings via Style Me Pretty

A Little Something Extra:

I love this wedding suite by Ott Design. The pirate map and hibiscus flower print would be puuurrrrfect for a vintage island theme!

Want some inexpensive, eco-friendly, island themed favors? Check out these buri fans from Eco Friendly Market:

Photo courtesy of Eye Expressions Photography

I'm pretty much bonkers over this couple's style and spent for-ev-ER poring over these gorgeous shots by Nineteen Owls Photography. The dress! That veil with the lei! The groom's awesome hat! Le sigh. Check out their full post here.

Enchanted Forest Themed Wedding

The woods: there's something about trees lit by tiny lights that speaks to the magic-hungry little girl inside all of us. I wanted to tap into that glittering fairy tale world nestled deep in our psyches in a way that could be easily translated into wedding decor without being overtly kitschy. With the right centerpieces and a few decor items spaced throughout, any outdoor space with lots of trees--or even a properly lighted tent!--could be transformed into an enchanted forest setting. Check out a little something extra for some ideas on where to purchase some DIY materials.

Mood: Enchantment under the trees

Color Palette: moss green, wood brown, gold, candlelight

Artifacts of Inspiration: Fairy tales, fireflies, the forest

The Deets, Credits and Maybe Where to Buy Them:

Candle Holder Decor by Tricia Fountaine Design, Butterfly Grapevine Ball via Style Me Pretty, Enchanted Forest Centerpiece by Tricia Fountaine Design, Candlelit Trees via Design Indulgences, Wood Placecards via I Do It Yourself, Moss Chair by Jasmine Star via Style Me Pretty, Lighted Branches via My Cleveland Wedding, Firefly Mason Jar via fightingsharks.blogspot.com

A Little Something Extra:

Save-on-crafts.com has become my new BFF as I help plan the decor for my sister's wedding, but I'm sure you could find similar items at other craft stores. A little creativity, time, and some of the items below, and I think the above inspiration board is totally DIY-able.

The gorgeous lighted branches run about $10 to $16 at http://www.save-on-crafts.com/li3.html.

I always wondered how so many crafty people got lights inside grapevine balls without having them attached to a Christmas light string: LED battery powered strings. From what I've seen, they run about $11 for four feet. You could stick them inside mason jars alone, or add moss from a craft store like so:

The moss could also be used to cover wood slabs to create centerpieces like this lovely number via gourmetinvitations.blogspot.com:

Short on time or craftiness? I found them for purchase on--of course!--Etsy by seller simplykacie here.