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

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.

Peachy Keen: A Vintage Farm Inspiration Board in Peach and Green

This board makes me think of listening to a Dixie Chicks song while wearing a peach dress in a classic muscle car. I wanted to capture the sweet freshness of the colors peach and green; the yearning for summer days with a vintage sensibility.

Mood: 1950's nuptials on a peach farm using Grandma's china

Color Palette: Peach, green, ivory

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

Peach Wedding Cake from Pizzazzerie, Peach Jam Wedding Favor, Milkglass Centerpieces via Green Wedding Shoes, Weddingbee's Mrs. Cowboy Boot's Bouquet by Erin of Plum Sage, Peach Basket and Burlap Bouquet by Simply Bloom Photography, Peach and Green Invitation by Etsy Seller Inkylivie, Necklace by Etsy Seller ABoxForMyTreasure, Centerpieces by Holly Chapple Flowers via Elizabeth Anne Designs, Vintage Style Alfred Sung Bridesmaid Dress via Dessy, Mason Jar Pew Decorations by The Flower Lab, Sweet Couple by Nataliya Cole Weddings via BorrowedandBleu.com

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:

Inspiration Board #6: Springtime Lovebird Sweetness for Summer

I'm so excited to share my first Inspiration Board by request! Summer is having a spring wedding at the gorgeous  Paradise Cove in Orlando, Florida. She told me her details: a color palette of watermelon pink, pale green, and soft yellow, gerbera daisies, and rustic touches of mason jars and milk bottle centerpieces. The venue is beautiful, and with her colors and theme, I saw all the vibrancy and fun of springtime by the lake. To keep things simple and rustic, I added a few lovebirds into the inspiration board. Sweet (budget-friendly!) decorations include fabric bunting, paper straws, rustic signs, and easy to DIY mason jar and sand candles. Summer, I just know your wedding is going to be incredibly sweet, lovely, and warm!

Mood: Easygoing charm lakeside--with a heavy dose of springtime fun.

Color Palette: Watermelon pink, pale green, soft yellow

Artifacts of Inspiration: Lovebirds, lakes, mason jars, daisies, sand, acoustic Jason Mraz

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

Fabric Bunting only $18.00!, Birch Tree Forest Invitation Suite by Inviting Moments, Mason Jar Inspiration from Simplyperfectweddings.blogspot.com (a lot of excellent inspiration for different ways to use mason jars in your wedding decor), Bridesmaid Dress from the Dessy Group, Here Comes the Bride Sign from braggingbags on Etsy, Daisy Bouquet Courtesy of The Knot, Pretty Cookies via Ruffledblog.com, More awesome mason jar decorating ideas including the pink lemonade featured on this board from http://designdazzle.blogspot.com, Sweet Lovebird Cake Toppers from beckykazana on Etsy, The Lovely Paradise Cove in Orlando, Super sweet yet still manly tie from http://www.polkadotbride.com, Lovebirds sign from braggingbags on Etsy, Mason Jar Table Numbers from braggingbags on Etsy, Milk bottle and mason jar centerpieces via delish.com, Flip Flop Favor Basket with cheap deets from signatureeventstampa.blogspot.com

Stay tuned! I have lots, lots more coming with inspiration boards by request!

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