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 Vintage Hollywood Wedding: A 1930's and Board

I've been a bad, bad blogger...I'm bummed I haven't had a chance to post in the past week, but helping out with my sister's wedding has eaten up my usual blog-joy time! More on that later. Buuuut, I have a new board to post and I'm pumped! I wanted to pull together some elements I've seen from weddings that I love and combine them in a way that was vintage, classic, glamorous, with just the right amount of sexy--and Jean Harlow typifies the classic screen siren.

Mood: A 1930's classic Hollywood fete

Color Palette: Black and white

Artifacts of Inspiration: Feathers, crystals, satin, art deco, vintage Hollywood, 1930's fashion, and of course, Jean Harlow. Check her out!

The above photo was courtesy of Macarons and Marie: My Modern Vintage Wedding, and I have to agree, I luurrve feathers. How bad-ass is that capelet? I want a feather capelet! You could be folding laundry and still feel like a fabulous vixen if you had a feather capelet.

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

Classic Tux and Bowtie via Style Me Pretty, Ostrich Feather Centerpieces by Wedding Design Studio, Harlow and the Signature Slinky Dress via LilPaisley.typepad.com, Johanna Johnson Wedding Dress via Ruffledblog, Art Deco Bridal Earrings by Etsy Seller nyjolejewellery, Sophisticated 30's Shoot via Hepwrights.com, Napier Wedding Suite by Etsy Seller Tulaloo, Vintage Typewriter from Jon and JoAnn's 1930's Wedding by Paco and Betty via The Ebury Collection, Calla Lily and Feather Bouquet by Holly Chapple Flowers

A Little Something Extra:

I love this dress from Romantic Threads as a potential bridesmaid gown. It's vintage without being kitschy and goes perfectly with the theme--and at $150, the price tag ain't bad either. Find it here.

In searching for inspiration board pictures, I came across photographer Mukhina Ekaterina and just had to share this photo. How fun does that shoot look?!

You can see more of her work on her flickr stream here.

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.

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: