Nelson Ghost Town Styled Wedding Inspiration Shoot

This southwestern styled wedding is kindly brought to us today by Creatrix Photography who captured the gritty yet romantic vision of the shoot flawlessly. Taking place near Las Vegas, Nevada, the historic Nelson Ghost Town provided a unique and breathtaking venue chock-full of antique buildings and rustic details.  Styled by the talented team at Archel Rolwing Events, the inspiration for this shoot was a bold color palette mixed with soft pastels, infused with a love for feathers and the natural, Nevada desert surroundings.  The result is this eclectic yet romantic shoot that leaves you wanting to run out and start decorating everything you own with feathers and turquoise! See for yourself...

The distressed turquoise table, braided leather detail, and feathers on this cake table lend a southwestern feel that tie flawlessly into the desert surroundings while the vibrant color palette and florals soften the look.  The striped straws and specialty desserts add whimsy and bring the overall table together.

Photography: Creatrix Photography / Venue: Nelson Ghost Town / Event Designer: Archel Rolwing Events / Cake Designer: Cake It to Heaven / Specialty Foods: Like Yumm / Invitation Designer: First Impressions by Cathy Colbert / Men's Attire: Creative Bridal Wear / Makeup: Glamour Gore Makeup / Hair Stylist: Vegas Unveiled / Equipment Rentals: Nostalgia Resources

A Short Story: Sweet Ideas for Short Summer Wedding Dresses

There once was a bride who was looking for something unique. She thought only long dresses could be sweet. Her summer wedding would be just too hot, to dress from head to toe in such a lot! But alas she was mistaken! For she discovered a whole world full of romantic bridal gowns that let the breeze flow! At or below the knee or skimming the ankle, short informal summer wedding dresses are readily available. Whether your style is edgy or antique, sweet or sassy, dressing for your summer wedding can be easy and classy! Check out our latest inspiration board featuring summer wedding dress ideas that are perfect for warm weather and wedding day bliss!

Wear a short wedding gown for your whole wedding day or consider changing into one for just the reception. A short wedding dress will add a fun and flirty touch to your big day and not to mention keep you cool and comfortable!

Image Credits: Short dress main image from: Diana Marie Photography, Short & Sweet Dresses: from Ivy and Aster, Short & Edgy Dresses: Bride in red shoes dress from The Harrogate Wedding Lounge, Black and white dress photo, Bride with Blue Car, Sassy Wedding Dress from Stephanie James Couture, Fence and ferns bride from Scott Stater Photography, Barn bride and groom from Diana Marie Photography

Ombre Obsession - A Wedding Inspiration Board

Ombre, from a French word meaning "shading," is our new favorite way to make a colorful statement in your wedding. The idea behind this look is creating a color palette consisting of graduating shades similar to those created by dip dying fabric. You can use any color you wish or even a group of colors, like red, orange, and yellow or shades of blue and purple. We chose to use pink for our inspiration board because it is the color we see most often in ombre. This trend seems to also go hand in hand with lovely ruffles everything from cakes to dresses to decor. Ombre ruffling creates such a fun, romantic look and we knew we had to share it with all our spring and summer brides.

Here are few simple tips for brides using an ombre theme...

1. Tone down your color palette by choosing a neutral color that will be used on the majority of your decor. Shades of grey are on trend right now, as are shades of pure white and creamier tones of ivory. If you want a more dramatic look, go for black or brown as your backdrop. This will keep your ombre from being too overwhelming.

2. Dip dyed bridesmaids dresses aren't every girl's style. Instead, dress your bridesmaids in solid colors that are one shade darker than the girl's dress on her right. When they all stand together in a row, the ombre effect will be stunningly subtle. Your groomsmen can wear whatever neutral shade you have chosen with ties or boutonnieres that coordinate with the shades used in the bridesmaid dresses.

3. Check out paint swatches at your local hardware store for color inspiration. Usually the colors on these swatches already show perfectly graduating shades.

We hope you enjoy the inspiration board we've put together. For more ideas, follow our Ombre Wedding Inspiration Board on Pinterest.

Image Sources: Rose Carpet from Martha Stewart Weddings, Feathers from Green Wedding Shoes, Dresses from Anna Elyse, Shoes from Shoes.com, LOVE Design from Wedding Chicks, Soda bottles from Jam and Toast, "Oat to Joy" Favors from Green Wedding Shoes, Ruffled Cake via Calligraphy by Jennifer, Ombre Cake Slice from Call Me Cupcake, Flower Box from Ruffled Blog

Poppies & Sunshine - A Wedding Color Story

Almost eerily beautiful, the poppy flower has deep rooted symbolism and meaning behind it. While the Wicked Witch of the West used the poppy's powers of sleep against Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, the flower has a more cheerful orientation to it as well. The poppy has associations with beauty, magic and fertility. These delicate wildflowers come in a variety of types and colors. The California Poppy takes center stage in our Poppies and Sunshine Color Inspiration Board. Perfect for a spring or summer wedding, the California Poppy's colors range from yellow to light and dark orange. Pair these cheerful blooms with shades of sunshine yellow, sky blue and shadowy gray for a charming wedding color scheme.

Add pops of color to your wedding day attire with poppy orange bridesmaid dresses, cool blue ties and floral hair pins, belts and boutonnieres.  Cheery and fun, get inspired by this laid back wedding color scheme  for your spring or summer wedding!

Photo Credits: Single poppy bloom, Poppy Field, Paper flowers, Wedding party by the pool by Heather Kinkaid Photographer, Yellow poppy belt, Blue tie groom by Orchard Grove Photography

Fabulous Flowers for Your Summer Wedding

Choosing the flowers for your summer wedding can be a difficult task. Why you ask? Well, because this is the time of the year when most of these colorful blooms are in season and readily available! It will be hard to choose just one of these beauties! Here are a few of my favorite summer wedding flowers to help you decide!

Sunflowers ~ This warm and friendly flower is a known symbol of peace and happiness. What better sentiment for your wedding day! These flowers are inexpensive and easy to maintain. They are especially appropriate for a late summer or fall wedding. Sunflowers are in season from July to September and come in colored varieties of yellow, red and white.

Delicious Menu Ideas for Your Summer Wedding

Summer brides may just have the least amount of stress when it comes to planning their wedding reception menu. Outdoor weddings and exotic warm-weather venues offer inspiration for the types of food you can serve.  Keep your guests tastes in mind but remember that it is okay to choose your own personal favorites and have fun with it. Need ideas? Check out a few of our favorite menus for summer events.

Candy and dessert buffets have been a big hit for the past year. They have branched out to encompass ice cream bars, cupcake topping bars, brownie buffets, and you name a dessert and someone's already turned it into a lovely buffet! The ever talented Amy Atlas took this idea in a new direction with a beautiful display of fruit and veggies. This Fruit and Veggie bar goes beyond that standard round veggie tray and offers your guest delicious treats. This would be a refreshing feast on a hot summer day!

Amy Atlas Veggie Bar courtesy of Pink Blossom List

Another favorite summer reception menu is a seafood smorgasbord. Beach and New England backyard weddings alike are perfect settings for a clam or lobster bake! Fry up some fish and offer your guests a raw bar of steamed oysters, clams, and shrimp. Don't forget the hush puppies -yum!

Photo Credit: Oysters from Prepare to Wed, Lobster Bake Plate from The Sweetest Occasion, Lobster Crate from Clam Bakes Etc.

Last but not least is the summer barbecue. This menu involves honey barbecued ribs, fried chicken, some mashed taters and homemade macaroni and cheese. Roast corn on the cob on easy to handle sticks and have a little fun with appetizers trays full of sliders and mini cups of ketchup and fries. Keeping with your finger food theme -add in some mini apple pies and you have an appetizing all American menu that I would choose over gourmet grub any day! If your little backyard wedding has a country chic feel, this is the menu for you and your hubby to be.

Photo Credit: Slider Tray from The Vegas Wedding Planner, Ribs from Bridal Buds, Fried Chicken from Elizabeth Anne Designs, BBQ Sauce Favor  and Corn Cobs on a stick from Manolo Brides, Buffet plate from Old Carolina, Mini Pocket Apple Pies from Darlini

While you're planning your reception don't forget the personalized napkins - all these finger foods can get messy! Adding personalized napkins or cups to your reception allows you to dress up the tables by matching your colors or decor. These practical items also give you a chance to share an inside joke, a memorable quote, or tie in that custom designed monogram you love.

Enjoy!

~Jenna

Top Summer Wedding Trends for 2011

2011 summer weddings are packed full of personal accents and childhood nostalgia. This is a year for one-of-a-kind wedding themes and accents that can only be described as so you. To find out what the top summer wedding trends are going to be, we polled our brides to see what they have decided on. Read on to see all the great ideas they came up with.

1) Themes that tell a story - Our bride's number one pick for summer weddings are themes that tell a story or relate to your childhood. Did you and your FH meet in a library? Then incorporate stacks of books as your table centerpieces, use old checkout cards as place cards, and bookmarks as your wedding favors. Do you both love photography? Incorporate your interests by having a photo booth at your reception. Unique additions like these that tell a story about you and your fiance help bring a personal feel to your wedding and make it even more meaningful.

2) Country living - Summer weddings this year are all about getting back to the basics by bringing the 'at home' feeling of the country to your reception through outdoor venues and homemade accents. Think homemade reception signs, card boxes, wooden accents like birch tree centerpieces, and other rustic decor. Laid-back food selections and comfort food will be popular with items like mac n' cheese and fried chicken topping the list.   Homemade pies in lieu of large wedding cakes are a popular choice and really say 'made with love'. By opting for a smaller traditional wedding cake and including homemade pies made by family members, you will save money and have an effortless country accent to add to your reception.  Expect simple decor to also top the list.

 

3) Personalize it - Personalization is back with a bang and can be found on everything from monogrammed napkins to custom made wedding garters. To save costs, brides are adding their own stamp on their wedding through DIY crafts. Homemade monogram banners and invitations are hot right now with hand-stamped napkins and homemade wedding favors also topping the list. Embroidered wedding garters, engraved flutes, and personalized ring pillows are also popular ways to personalize your wedding accessories. File these great keepsakes away in your memory chest after your wedding and you have cherished mementos of your special day long after your wedding has passed.

4) Refreshing color palettes - Refreshing shades of pink, yellow, and green are the hot color picks for 2011. Combine yellow and lime green together for a mix that screams summer. Honeysuckle pink paired with pale yellow brings that feeling of summer while still keeping a feminine feel to your wedding day through the unique pink shade. For a unique summer twist, bold red paired with pale blue plays on the summery feeling of firecrackers and summer cook-outs while still being modern and fun.

5) Decor that makes a statement - 2011 summer weddings are all about what's unique and your wedding decor is no exception. Brides are pulling out all the stops when it comes to creating unique decorations for their venue. Using fruit as decoration is the most popular and easiest way to add a twist on traditional decor. Add lemons, limes, and other summer fruits to your table centerpieces, wedding cake, and even your wedding bouquets and boutonnieres.

6) Add vintage nostalgia - Brides in 2011 are all about vintage accents. Classic cars on display during your reception, vintage cake toppers, 1930's finger waves, and old-fashioned sundae buffets are a few additions that are increasing with popularity. It's all about what's old with this theme. When including a vintage flair, be sure to check thrifts stores and mom's attic for items like porcelain vases to use as centerpieces, retro lighting, vintage shoes, and grandma's brooch

7) Make guests feel important - Brides and grooms are paying close attention to their guests and are going out of their way to say a special thank you. In the summer heat, hand fans and personalized water bottles are popular choices to give guests to use during your ceremony. Lavish candy buffets are popping up all over reception with smaller wedding favors still being presented as guest table settings to say thank you.  To see other unique wedding favor ideas, check out our full selection of summer wedding favors.

Happy Planning!

Sources: Homemade apple pies via The Knot, Honeysuckle bridesmaids dresses via Cameron Kelly Studio

Honey and Pecan Color Palette for A Wedding that is Truly 'Meant to Bee'

Create a warm color palette for your casually elegant outdoor wedding with rich tones of honey, goldenrod yellow, and pecan brown. This palette when combined with a subtle honey or bumble bee theme creates the feelings of being outdoors on a sunny summer day. Guests will love little hints at your theme here and there. A bumble bee brooch in your wedding bouquet, honeycomb inspired invitations, and pure beeswax candles are few ways to incorporate your theme without going overboard. Milk glass vases, which can be found with a little creative thrift store and attic shopping, are a beautiful accent that gives your event just a little more elegance than the popular mason jars. Fill your vases with beautiful golden yellow roses for a simple centerpiece. At the end of a beautiful night, send your guests home with a decorative jar of natural honey complete with a gift tag and a personal thank you message. For more inspiration, soak up the sunny images below!

Photo Credit: Honey and Granola Gift Box by Design'Sponge, Save the Date by Heather Jeany, Bumble Bee Wedding cake by Maggie Austin Cake, Honey and Wheat Dresses by Martha Stewart, Bees Wax by Gfits from the Earth, Beeswax Candle by My Wedding Reception Ideas, Paper Bag Honeycomb Invitation couresty of Australia Entertains.

Here's the Scoop on a Fabulous Bridal Shower Idea...

As the winter months drag on, shift your mind to warmer thoughts. Are you searching for a unique idea for that spring or summer bridal shower? How about an Ice Cream Social theme? For all you girls out there who can recall spending more than one evening of their lives curled up with a pint of Ben and Jerry's, this bridal shower is right up your ally. Follow this recipe for a sweet shower that you and your guests will surely enjoy.

Kick off your ice cream themed bridal shower with do-it-yourself invitations shown at right. Use card stock and bakers twine to create adorable ice cream cone invites. If you can, throw your party outside and decorate your venue with whimsical ice cream cone garlands, balloons and centerpieces made from balls of yarn and sugar cones, as seen below.

Start your shower off with a light and tasty lunch with a 50's diner feel. Mini slider burgers and mini grilled cheese sandwiches are perfect paired with an ice cream treat to follow. Include appetizers like French fries and onion rings served in cone-shaped holders.

Your Ice Cream Social shower would not be complete without a self-service ice cream sundae bar. Your bar should include ice cream, of course, stick to the basic flavors like vanilla and chocolate and let your guests go crazy with the toppings. Place containers of ice cream in galvanized steel tubs filled with ice.

Ask each of your guests to bring in their favorite sundae topping, be sure to provide the essentials like chocolate syrup, caramel, chopped nuts, sprinkles and whipped cream. Other great toppings like Oreos, crushed candy bars, marshmallows, brownies and fruit will surely be appreciated. Don't forget the cherries! Place toppings in old fashioned glass jars or waffle cone bowls for a nice presentation. Have your guests create their sundaes in old fashioned, tulip sundae glasses for a retro touch, or waffle cone bowls for a less expensive option. Because nothing goes better with ice cream than cake, include in your menu cupcakes made in sugar cones, frosted like ice cream.

 

What would a bridal shower be without games? Keep your theme going with an ice cream sundae building contest, blindfold optional! Pair guests up and blindfold one, the blindfold-free partner will direct the other in building their sundae. Pair this game with other traditional bridal shower games. Give out ice cream themed party favors and prizes like neat ice cream scoops or collectible ice cream dishes or bowls.

You don't have to wait until spring or summer to celebrate with an Ice Cream Social Bridal Shower, ice cream is appreciated year round. Throw your party indoors and you will have your guests looking forward to warmer weather. This Ice Cream Social theme would also work well for engagement parties, couples showers, afternoon wedding receptions, and weekend wedding festivities.

So grab a spoon, you might need to start practicing for that sundae building contest!

Mandy

Credits: 1st image-ice cream cone dishes, 2nd collage-balloons, invitations, garland, 3rd collage- mini slider burgers, french fry cones, 4th collage- yarn centerpiece, bowls of ice cream, cupcake cones, waffle cone bowls

Take a Cue from These Wedding Hues

The shiny New Year is right around the corner and with it brings a whole new gamut of fresh and innovative weddings.  I personally can't wait to see what all our brides will come up with.  It is sure to be an exciting 2011 full of creativity and personal touches.

Before all the ribbon and decorations, of course comes an inspiration.  Whether it's pulled from your grandmother's vintage brooch or your favorite handbag, brides seem to be inspired by color early in their wedding planning stage.  To help with your wedding color hunt, we've pulled out all the stops, taking a cue from all our brides, Facebook fans, wedding industry giants, and fashion gurus, to bring you our top wedding color palettes for 2011 weddings.  Broken down by season, these colors are dramatic, romantic, and perfectly fabulous.

Spring - A freshing mix of fuschia and sunny yellow

Credits: Pink and yellow table setting, popsicles, wedding bouquet, wedding cake

Summer - Exciting palette of cobalt blue paired with tangerine

Credits: Bride and groom in grass, blue and orange table setting, bride against orange wall, wedding cake slice

Fall - Deep plum, orange, and earthtones make this palette a fall hit

Credits: Bride leaning on wall, wine bottle bags, bride with bouquet, blackberry pie

Winter - Wine, icy pink, and navy blue create a warm and inviting winter mix

Credits: Groom's pocket square, pink bridal shoe, wedding aisle, raspberry fudge

Happy Planning!