At this time of year I crave a good glass of wine in the evening and look forward to early fall wine festivals. There is something very intriguing and romantic about an evening with wine, good food, and conversation.

Thus came the inspiration for a "moss-inspired" vineyard wedding. I love the natural texture and inherent beauty of moss. Decor can focus on terrarium-style containers with ferns and moss. Add a sprig of rosemary and some cream colored roses for fragrant, visual interest.

For an outdoor wedding and reception at a vineyard everything can be kept simple, allowing the natural surroundings to shine. For a touch of elegance add patio lighting or candles to your tables.

Image #1 is a good example of the freedom this style wedding allows you - your bridesmaids can pick out dresses in a few different shades of green or tan and be a beautiful compliment to your dress, the outdoor backdrop and best of all - they can pick a dress they truly feel beautiful in. This is important as none of us have the same skin tone or body shape.

Best of all the relaxed atmosphere will lend itself to a fun night of conversation, dancing and celebration of a new marriage!

Sources: 

1. Dresses    2. Table Setting with Burlap Runner
3. Rustic Cake   4. Cream Colored Roses
5. Rosemary Sprig Place-setting   6. Table with Candles
7. Bride and Groom with Vines   8. Table with Flowers and Candles
9. Moss Covered Frame

Late Summer Vineyard Wedding

Post Created for bridebookva.com | The Official bridebook Blog 

Inspired by the lovely vineyards in the state of Virginia, I thought a simple, outdoor wedding celebration would be fun to develop a board for.

The basis for this wedding would be to eat, socialize, and of course celebrate with wine & cheese.

I chose natural colors of brown, moss, tan, and cream to compliment the colors of an outdoor wedding. What’s more simple than a lush green back drop, some hydrangea blooms and wine barrels? Pretty elegant, if you ask me.

Have a wine tasting and cheese plate near by, dine via long tables with patio lights for a romantic setting. But just don’t forget a place for the dance floor!

Sources: 

1. Reception 2. Bridesmaid 3. Bridal Bouquet 4. Invitations 5. Boutonnieres

6. Table Setting 7. Centerpieces 8. Ceremony Arch 9. Bridal party 10. Cheese and Fruit

Nature Inspired Outdoor Wedding

Post created for WV Weddings | Planners Palette Blog

Inspired by the lush green backdrops of the Pocahontas County Mountains while I was home this weekend, I had a fun idea for a casual, nature-inspired wedding celebration.

Warm creams, ivories, tans, and pale greens compliment the deep green on rain-water grasses.
West Virginia is a beautiful state and August is a perfect time to get outside, take your vows, and celebrate your beautiful heritage and new life, together.

Use white or ivory hydrangeas as your main flower to decorate tables and aisles. String lights inside your tent and add rosemary and green leaves to your cake and place-settings for fresh, fragrant charm.

If you are planning to celebrate at a WV Vineyard, take advantage of their many wine barrels for a simple but elegant backdrop. Also do a wine and cheese tasting. And make sure there's a big dance floor!

Sources: 

1. Flowers  2. Gown  3. Aisle and Pews
4. Flower Barrel  5. Cake  6. Bridesmaids  7. Table
8. Invitation  9. Reception Area  10. Table Decor

Romantic Pink, Blush, and Gold Inspiration

 

I had a little free time at the beginning of July and created 4 (!) romantic, golden themed wedding inspiration boards. This is obviously a passion for me because I take time that I deem valuable and create these boards. It's entertaining and relaxing. 

The gold and pink theme jumps out at me this time of year. If you look back a year ago  I have the same inclination towards celebrating with pink and gold. It's romantic, trendy yet definitely classic, it all depends on the accessories and accents used to define the celebration. 

However trendy or classic you go with this theme it will be a memorable, sparkly  occasion. 

Happy Planning! 

Caroline

Sources: 

1. Dahlias   2. Sequin Table Cloth  3. Pink Clutch

4. Table Setting  5. Invitation   6. Peony Bouquet 

7. Cut-out Detail Invitations  8. Gold Shoes  9. Sequin Table Setting

10. Pink Table Decor  11. Earrings and Heels  12. Chargers & Silverware 

13. Wedding Party Style  14. Golden Apple  15. Reception Decor

16. Floral Inspiration  17. Ceremony Decor Close-up   18. Ceremony Decor

Romantic Gold & Blush Celebration

Gold & Blush Wedding Inspiration Board created for WV Weddings

See Original Post at WV Weddings Blog 

July is a month known for it's warm weather celebrations and my inspiration comes from the latest wedding trend: sequins. They are at once romantic, trendy and very celebratory. 

The gorgeous sequin gown in spot #2, would be an elegant, yet nontraditional wedding dress for the bride wishing to shine all night. 

Continue the sequins theme through to a table cloth for accent as in images #1 & #5 and in image #7, a cake baker has abstracted sequins for a delicious looking sweet treat. 

Roses, peonies, and babies breath would be the perfect simple bouquet accompaniment to a shiny dress and table setting.

Sources: 

1. Place Setting 2. Gold Dress 3. Drapery
4. Altar 5. Table 6. Table Decor
7. Cake 8. Reception Venue
9. Blush Table Setting
10. Ribbon Banner
11. Bridesmaids

Classic Navy and Peony Pink - More on the Pattern Play Theme

As seen on the bridebook Wedding Inspiration Blog 

Want to have a classic affair but not seem stuffy? This distinguished color palette is elegant with a playful twist: the incorporation of prints and patterns of polka dots, chevrons, and stripes.

Keep the theme subtle for the ceremony with a demure polka dot pattern in your wedding dress (#1), clothe your ‘maids in elegant lace (#7) with a stripped ribbon on the bouquet  (#5) and have your groom wear a fun, but gentlemanly bow tie with stripes (#4).

Kick the fun up a notch at the reception with chevron napkins (#8), flags (#6), and details on your cake that match your dress or bouquet. In this cake’s case (#11) peonies are in season and a simple navy blue ribbon surround the outside.

Send guests home with salt water taffy in your wedding colors, a fun summer-time treat!

Sources:

1. Wedding gown 2. Bridesmaid Dress 3. Colors 4. Neckwear 5. Bouquet

6. Decor 7. The Girls 8. Table Settings 9. Invitations 10. Centerpiece 11. Cake

Peonies and Pattern Play

Navy, pink, stripes, and polka dots come together with sophistication and flair.

As Seen on WV Weddings Blog 

Love stripes and polka dots but don't want an overly vintage affair? 

Make it modern by choosing a bold base color (navy, in this case) and a bright, modern color (magenta) and incorporate plenty of white into your palette. 

Don't be afraid to mix and match patterns: the invitations in this board incorporate dots and stripes in a pleasing manner. Pick a dress with a very fine dotted fabric for a fun, romantic, yet modern dress and incorporate your beautiful dress design into the cake. Need more pattern ideas? To not overwhelm the decorations, keep the prints to accessories. Think ribbons on place settings, dots on ties for your groom, and funky stripes on your own heels. 

Incorporate large blooms of peonies into your theme for an in-season, simple addition to your fun-loving affair. 

Have fun planning!

Sources

1. Polka Dot Dress 2. Navy Bridesmaid 3. Polka Dot Cake
4. Invitations 5. Pink & Navy Decor 6. Sign
7. Ties 8. Navy Striped Shoes

Navy & Yellow

As seen on the WV Weddings Blog  

With the early May showers this season I was inspired to choose a blue and yellow palette. Each can be powerful colors. I chose a bright yellow with gold tones and a deep navy for balance. This palette is perfect for any time of the year, whether it be football fans celebrating their union in the fall or sailors tying the knot during the summer. It's a versatile color palette with white and yellow floral in season nearly all year long. 

Sources: 

1. Navy and Yellow Wedding Invitations  2. Navy and Yellow Menu  3. Navy ETSY Sash
4. Navy and Yellow Clutches  5. Navy Groom's Suit  

6. Yellow Wedding Cake Photographer Jamie Clayton  7. Yellow Wedding Bouquet and Tie
8. Navy, Yellow, and White Vintage Styled Wedding Cakes 9. Navy and Yellow ETSY Necklace
10. Wedding Invitations 11. Bride and Groom Kissing
12. White, Navy, and Yellow Florals  Photographer Jamie Clayton  13. Yellow Heels
14. Navy and Yellow Table Decor

Mint Green and Yellow Vintage Inspiration for bridebook

Mint Green and Yellow Vintage Inspiration for bridebook

This board and colors were inspired by vintage milk glass vases. Mint green and white vases with spring hued yellow and white flowers turned into a vintage inspired board.

Take the color theme to the layers of your cake (#1), invitations (#2) earrings (#8), and even the accents on your dress (#6).

To add texture to the bright colors add a patterned table cloth (#4) or choose a lovely lace dress from Jim Hjelm (#3) and consider details like chevrons in the invitation’s envelopes (#2).

Send guests homes with mint green hued and mint flavored macaroons for a fun and trendy treat.

Sources: 

1. Cake 2. Invitations 3. Wedding gown 

4. Table Settings 5. Flowers 6. Bridal Bow 7. Bolero  

8. Earrings 9. Cupcakes 10. Boutonniere 11. Table Settings

Vintage Milk Glass Inspiration Board for WV Weddings

WV Weddings Mint and Yellow Vintage Inspiration Board, April 2013

I was inspired by Fenton Glass, the historic glass factory  in Williamstown, WV for this inspiration board. As noted on pinterest, the mason jar trend is moving towards decorative milk glasses (white floral vases) and other colored glass.

I love the particular colors of white and mint green for milk glasses and yellow and white flowers make a beautiful, vintage combination. To stick with the theme pick yellow or mint bridesmaid dresses and send your guests home with trendy mint macaroons!

Sources: 

1. Cake   2. Bride & Groom  3. White Centerpiece
4. Necklace  5. Yellow Florals  6. Favors
7. Mint & Yellow Tablescape  8. White & Yellow Bouquet  

9. Mint, White, & Yellow Details

A little bit late, Pink Ombre Valentine's Inspiration

This inspiration board was design for a Valentine's Day Blog Post on the WV Weddings Planner's Palette Blog. Better late than never when it comes to a Pretty Pink Ombre Inspiration board.

Since this is late I am going to share what fun I had preparing this set of inspiration boards. I now do two a month, one for WV Weddings (my native state) and one for bridebook, the new wedding publication I am a founding member of at Leisure Publishing in Roanoke, Va. I am living out a dream working on an official wedding magazine and these inspiration boards are the proverbial icing on the cake.  Speaking of cake, can I please have a taste of #5 on this board, gosh, it's so perfect looking! 

Now on to the original text:

What's the perfect Valentine's Day wedding trend? A pink or red ombre color scheme. The cascading colors from red to pink to blush to ivory blend for a romantic, trendy Valentine's wedding celebration.

Your options with an ombre palette are limitless. For a very creative take, one DIY bride painted bottles in various pinks, peaches, and creams for a fun budget and environmentally friendly center piece (#6). And the ombre theme doesn't just have to start at the reception—a series of cream, pink, and dark pink ribbons can be layered (#7) for an incredible backdrop to your vows.
Of course, the fun part of an ombre palette is picking out a cake with cascading color layers and a matching candy bar for guests to take home lots of fun Valentine's inspired goodies.

Sources: 

1. Floral Centerpiece  2. Stationery Set   3. Bridal Party
4. Dessert Bar   5. Layered Cake   6. Painted Bottles
7. Ribbon Backdrop  8. Wedding Gown  9. Ombre Centerpieces

Spring Beauties: Hyacinths for the bridebook Blog

bridebook post

My favorite March flowers are hyacinths. Their refreshing fragrance and pastel colors are exciting reminders of the beauty to come in the spring and summer seasons.

Hyacinths in pale blue and white placed sporadically in vintage jars make for unique and fragrant centerpieces (#1). Continue the the vintage charm with a cool getaway vehicle (#6) and some fun neck ties for the guys (#8).

Your wedding dress can even fit the theme literally, Jenny Packham’s “Hyacinth” dress is a spring beauty in its own right (#2).

Sources:

1. Centerpieces 2. Wedding gown 3. Cake 4. Invitations 5. Groom

6. Truck 7. Bouquet 8. Ties 9. Shoes 10. Drinks

Spring Beauty for WV Weddings

 WV Weddings

My favorite March flowers are hyacinths. Their fragrance and pastel colors are an angelic reminder of warmth and re-growth of the spring season.  

Hyacinths in pale blue and white make a perfect palette for a charming early spring wedding (#2) Continue the casual charm of the season with navy suit jackets and khakis for the guys and pale blue seersucker dresses on the girls (#8). 

Your wedding dress can even fit the theme literally, Jenny Packham's "Hyacinth" dress is a spring beauty in it's own right (#3).

Sources: 

1. White Flowers   2. Blue & White Bouquet  3. Hyacinth by Jenny Packham
4. Cupcakes  5. Bridesmaid Bouquets  6. Favors  7. Programs 8. Wedding Party  9. Aisle Style

Red Ombre Valentine's Day Celebration as seen on the bridebook Blog

 

Original bridebook Blog Post 

What’s the perfect Valentine’s Day wedding trend? A red ombre color scheme. You get beautiful deep reds, pretty pinks, blushes, and lush ivories in one romantic, fun, energetic palette.

Your options with an ombre palette are limitless. You can do a subtle inclusion of the cascading color in just your bouquet (#2) and invitations (#5) or it can extend from a Gwen Stefani Style gown to your bridemaids’ dresses (#1), to your cake (#9, it’s red velvet!)

You can do also an ombre theme with almost any color and any flower, so if you aren’t celebrating a Valentine’s Day wedding or don’t have a rose and champagne budget, that’s ok! You can go with a blue ombre palette in the spring and use a large bloom like a hydrangea, which is in season and requires less blooms to fill a space.

Sources: 

1. Bridesmaids 2. Bouquet 3. Table Decor 4. White Table Decor  

5. Invitations 6. Bouquet 7. Down the Aisle 8. Wedding Cake 9. Table Settings

Fresh Greens & White as seen on the WV Weddings Blog

 

Planner's Palette | WV Weddings

I forgot to post this in August, so here's a little summer inspiration for bride's looking to get married in the warm months of August or September. Have a blast planning!!

August is a beautiful time of year in West Virginia. It seems the green of the mountains and fields brighten before they slowly become ablaze in gold and red hues.

Thus, a green and white wedding in August is very fitting. A simple outdoor affair with fern fronds, leaves, and white flowers to grace tables and wedding bouquets. It's a perfect casual evening affair to celebrate outside and dance under the warm August stars.

Sources: 

1. Table  2. Flowers & Details  3. Bridesmaids Gowns  4. Ribbon Tablescape
5. Invitations  6. White Bouquet  7. Table Settings  8. Green Bouquet
9. Bride  10. White Gowns 11. White Cake

Emerald Celebration as seen on the bridebook Blog

bridebook blog | Leisure Publishing

Pantone says Emerald is the color of the 2013, could it be the color of your winter wedding? Emerald is a personal favorite as it is my birthstone and signifies celebration and renewal. Something that is quite fitting for the new year and celebrating a new union.

Emerald pairs well with gold and white accents. Dress your maids in the evergreen color and it will compliment even the palest of winter skin tones. Carry white tulips, roses, ferns and pine for a textured and fragrant bouquet.

Simple reception decorations can incorporate gold candles and green bottles with a single white stem or fern leaf for an easy, romantic vibe.

Give your maid’s gorgeous but reasonably priced emerald earrings from ETSY that they can wear over and over. And don’t forget a tightly woven lace or faux fur bolero for fun, wintery outdoor photos!

Sources:

1. Invitations  2. Cakes  3. Emerald Cut Earrings from ETSY 
 4. Emerald Barn  5. Lace Wedding Dress 6. Green Wedding Shoes  7.  Emerald Ring 
8. White Tulip Bouquet  9. Table Decorations   10. Green Bottle Decor

Bold, Beautiful, Emerald Green as seen on the WV Weddings Blog

 

WV Weddings | Planners Palette Post

Emerald green signifies renewal, celebration, and prosperity. Add a hint of metallic or glittery gold and you have the recipe for a chic and sparkly celebration. A celebration of a new year and a new union, absolutely perfect for a January wedding.

What else is awesome about a January wedding? Venues usually are cheaper in the winter months because it's not "wedding season," so if you and your fiancé love winter, why not throw a bash in January? Save a little money, get photos in the snow, and have some very unique, cozy winter wedding memories!

Sources: 

1. Bouquet  2. Emerald Earrings  3. Gold Cake 4. Bridesmaid Gowns 
 5. Gold Bridal Gown  6. Signature Drink  7. Bow Tie  
8. Gold and Emerald Décor  9. Emerald Cut Diamond  10. Gold Tablescape