0 Inspiration Board #4: Spring Brights

A celebration of the burst of color blooming everywhere this spring!

0 Ways to Colorblock your wedding :)

 I love the colorblock trend, it combines multiple bright and bold colors all at once like aquamarine and citron. So, skip the lace and burlap. Colorblocked wedding details – borrowed from the fashion runways – have wedding planners (and brides!) across the country totally inspired. Steal these fresh new ideas!

1. Contrasting Linens

For this intimate beach side wedding the designer played with two equally bold colors: blue on the tabletops with pops of yellow in the centerpieces and chair covers, and topped it off with a simple white draped fabric canopy to ensure the table was the ultimate focal point.

2. Bright Ceremony Decor

While a colorblock ceremony certainly isn’t for everyone it is possible to pull it off in a chic and sophisticated way. A little bit of draping goes a long way and makes the perfect unexpected ceremony backdrop while a whimsical floral arrangement ties the colors together.

3. A Flirty Bridesmaid Dress

Colorblocked bridesmaid dresses are the perfect way to add a pop of color to the day. Plus, it’s on-trend so there’s actually a chance they’ll wear it again!

4. A Color Blocked Wedding Cake

The wedding cake is one of the easiest places to try out a trend and really make a statement like this one. One tip worth mentioning: Use a subtler color on the base of the cake and let the sugar flowers and accents take on the bold hues (for a more edible look!).

5. Bright Neon Cactus Centerpieces

Can you believe these little guys are actually found in nature? It’s true — these desert “moon cactus” grow and blossom in neon bright yellow, fuchsia and orange. A low arrangement like this makes a striking low-key centerpiece or the perfect accent for a lounge area!

6. Half-Dipped Cupcakes

Maybe a stretch but why not? Chocolate dipped cupcakes topped off with your favorite icing will get you a two-tone look that’s truly decadent.

7. Colorful Sugar Rimmed Glassware

You don’t have to add pineapple juice to pull off a colorful cocktail. Ask your caterer about colorful rimming sugar to turn an ordinary glass into a piece of the décor.

8. Colorblock Save-the-Dates 

Minted.com

Save the date for your wedding with colorblocked save-the-dates! This square shaped design from Minted.com strikes the perfect balance between and contemporary and playful.

9. Colorblock Tipped Shoes

Zara.com

For the daring bride, colorblock blue shoes (these ones are from Zara.com!) are the perfect modern way to pull in your “something blue.”

0 Color Schemes Do's & Don'ts

When it comes to planning your wedding, the color palette is of ultimate importance. The hues you choose are integrated into every aspect of your ceremony, from the attire of your bridesmaids and groomsman to the flowers and table settings at the reception. So how do you choose the shades of your big day?

DO choose a color that you love. Don’t settle for colors that just look nice together, or that someone else—looking at you, mom—thinks are right. If you've liked periwinkle blue for your whole life, utilize it or variations of it, and have your wedding planner help you pick complementary colors.

DON’T pick colors that will inevitably become dated and laugh worthy. You might love the idea of neon colored nuptials now, but that doesn't mean you’ll like the looks of your wedding album ten years down the road. Be realistic about what works. There’s something to be said about timeless tones.

DO take inspiration from your natural surroundings. If you don’t have your heart set on a starter color or a special theme, visit a local garden, or take a stroll through a well-landscaped neighborhood. Earth, water and flora tones can be inspiring when looking for the perfect color combos.

DON’T copy cat the color scheme of friends or family. If you've recently been to a wedding that struck you as “perfect,” the bride probably felt the same way. Don’t ruin that for her when you invite her to your wedding and she sees that her concept is no longer hers.

DO have some fun with your choices! If you’re having a spring wedding, don’t be afraid to utilize the colors of the season. If you’d like a more vintage sort of look, go through some old photos and familiarize yourself with the faded hues. If you know your fiance looks good in grey, give him a chance to weigh in on what color he thinks should be on the boys.

There are an endless amount of complementary color combinations out there. Color is a good thing when it comes to your wedding—it’s what makes every aspect of your big day yours.

0 Shower Sunday: Pastel Blue

0 Military Wedding Traditions & Ideas

In Honor Of Memorial Day....

Ceremony Location
Many military weddings take place at military chapels or on academy grounds (Army, Navy, or Air Force). If you'd like to use another location, run it by your installation. Most military chapels are like other in-demand ceremony sites -- you need to reserve them at least a year ahead of time, often by applying in writing to the chaplain's office. All service academies have more than one chapel; at the Air Force Academy, for example, there are Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish chapels. To marry in a military chapel at a service academy, you must be a graduate or one of the following: a dependent of a graduate; an officer or enlisted person assigned to the academy complex, or his or her dependents; or a faculty or staff member, active or retired, or his or her dependents.
There will probably be no charge for the use of the chapel, but a donation to the chapel fund will be expected. Rules for decorating military chapels vary across the country, but all flowers, candelabra, and other decor are arranged by the Chapel Altar Guild and are the same for all weddings. Some chapels and churches do not furnish decorations; the couple plans them themselves.

Choosing An Officiant
If you marry in a military chapel, the chaplain will perform your ceremony, and when you reserve the chapel you'll arrange a meeting. A few sessions of pre-wedding counseling may also be required. If you'd like your civilian clergy person to co-officiate, talk to both officiants early about the possibility. Chaplains are commissioned officers and are paid by the service they represent; you do not need to pay them a fee (although you should make a donation to the chapel; see above). It's customary to offer any assisting civilian clergyman an honorarium.

The Arch Of Sabers
After the ceremony the newlyweds walk through an arch of sabers, which are curved swords with only one edge. Actual swords are used in a Naval wedding. The arch is not mandatory, but it's definitely a memorable part of a military ceremony. On most bases, at least one chapel or an honor guard usually has sabers available for wedding ceremonies. Another possible source is the local ROTC unit. The arch is usually formed outside of the church or chapel; traditionally, a sword should never be unsheathed inside a religious sanctuary.
Only commissioned officers can carry sabers or swords and participate in this ceremony. (The Marine Corps is the exception, with NCOs also authorized to carry them.) Often the military groomsmen participate, but other officers (guests, perhaps) may be designated to help create the arch. Usually 6-8 officers are included. The head usher usually issues the commands, starting with "Center face," the signal to form two facing lines. When the order "Arch sabers" (or "Draw swords") is given, each usher raises his saber, cutting edge up, to form the arch. Officers have been known to detour from tradition, announcing the couple ("Ladies and gentlemen, may I present Lieutenant and Mrs. Smith") or lowering the final two sabers to block the couple's way and demand that they kiss! A Marine Corps tradition, often adopted by the Air Force, is for the last saber bearer to "tap" the bride with his saber and say, "Welcome to the Air Force, Ma'am."

The Reception
Military receptions at academies or bases are often held at officers' or enlisted clubs on the installation, or you can have a traditional hotel or restaurant reception. Military guests are traditionally shown to their seats in order of rank. You might play at bit of regimental music, including the theme song of the bride's and/or groom's branch of service. Decorations could include American flags and/or the standards of your unit(s) in addition to flowers.
The highlight of a military reception comes when the bride and groom cut the cake using a saber or sword, one belonging to the groom if he owns one. The groom presents it to the bride and she cuts a slice of the wedding cake with the groom's right hand resting over hers.

Ideas: 

Thank You For Serving.

0 Inspiration Board #3: Safari Style

Happy Friday ladies (& gents)! Let’s end the week with something a little different. I just love this Safari scheme for a relaxed, stylish wedding.  Keep everything super simple and let your surroundings create the atmosphere.  Imagine exchanging vows under a baobab tree as the African sun sets over the dusty plains.  An intimate reception held in the mess tent, lanterns and candles lighting the routes through camp.  Utterly romantic, and totally unique!

0 Unique Wedding Ideas WeddingBlvd loves!!

For all the wedding inspiration that’s out there on the internet today, there’s no limit to the great ideas that you can get for your special day. However dear readers, have you noticed that lately it’s been hard to find truly unique ideas? “Will you be my bridesmaids” cards and signature cocktails are a dime a dozen online, but every once in a while we’ll stumble across amazing wedding ideas that have been thought up by inspired, quirky couples. Whenever this happens, I want to pump my fist in the air and jump up and down, shouting “YES! FINALLY! THAT IS SO COOL!” In fact, I did that for every single one of these awesome ideas that we found on the interwebs:

1. The big DIY paper flower instead of a bouquet. Quirky, adorable, and it saves you all those dollar bills that you would otherwise have dropped on flowers that’d be gone in a week.

Studio Castillero via Green Wedding Shoes

2. A confetti bar to let out your guests’ creative side, and give them a variety of paper goodies to shower you with. Mix, match, toss and enjoy!

3. A wedding invite with song requests, so that you won’t have to give your DJ a list of songs that you hope your guests won’t hate. Plus, everyone can get their own little tune in there, from the kids to the grandparents. Genius!

4. The statement necklace to add that extra “je ne sais quois” to your wedding day look. I love this, because it opens up such a realm of possibility on how to really stand out and look unique on your wedding day. It’d be perfect for a bride that gets a plainer dress, but still wants to feel and look amazing.

Brittany Lauren Photography

5. A Healthy Cocktail Bar Help your guests stay healthy by serving specialty cocktails that include freshly squeezed juices and fresh herb accents,

6. Black and white photography When interviewing wedding photographers, make sure to ask if they can shoot both in color and black and white, and then make sure he or she captures formal portraits, details, and special moments in both.

7. Posies for moms Who wants to put a hole in their clothes? And wrist corsages tend to be rather itchy. If mom is insisting on having personal flowers for her walk down the aisle, Medley says a small posy is the way to go.

8. Global inspiration Brides have always looked to their family’s cultural and religious customs to help them plan and design both their wedding ceremony and reception, but now more couples are looking beyond their own heritage. Brides are asking for a patchwork of polychromatic hues with an earthy basing. Wood, fabrics, paper, and feathers are featured as part of this mix.

9. Seasonal cake decor 

Winter: Winter weddings can be white on white with three dimensional snowflakes or add amaryllis to each tier.

Spring: Weddings held in the spring have the luxury of choosing from a large variety of flowers such as lily of the valley, peonies, and tulips.
Summer: The summer cake shown here was designed by Kristine Bender of K. Rose Cakes in Washington, DC and features wild strawberries and small flowers made from marzipan.
Fall: Fall foliage, leaves in a beautiful reds, oranges, and golds, as well as acorns or tree-motifs are perfect for fall or woodland-themed weddings.

10. Shorter guest list and casual settings Forget the never ending guest list. Keep your wedding small(-ish) and plan an intimate reception, Instead of a 5-hour party—1 hour of cocktails and 4 hours of dinner, dancing, and dessert- opt for a 4-hour party where they have passed canapés, food stations, and passed small plates finished off with bite-sized treats. A shorter guest list and a more casual setting can also save you money. You're basically compacting all the fun, pomp and circumstance into a short party, which sometimes means a smaller budget.

0 Color Palette Tuesday: Neutrals

0 Galia Lahav & Inbal Dror Couture

Inbal Dror Couture

Inbal Dror is based in Ashdod in Israel. Her haute couture collection centers on two statement features – the low, detailed back and the train. These gowns are devastatingly beautiful – each oozes an alluring sexiness, while also being modern, stylish and elegant. (Of course this is all helped along by the stunning model showing them off!)  For the past few years, the only way to get your hands on one of Inbal Dror's captivating creations was to go to the woman herself, however rumors were confirmed recently that Morgan Davies in London will be the first stockist outside Isreal to house the collection from December 2012, so if you have an eye for style, extreme body confidence, and about a £5 to £8K dress budget, we suggest you make an appointment. For my US brides i will keep you updated as to when they will become available. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All Inbal Dror dresses found here.

Galia Lahav

 

All Galia Lahav gowns found here.