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

Top Ten 2012 Wedding Trends

All across the bridalsphere there seems to be a general consensus about 2012 weddings... goodbye DIY!  As we move into 2012, it's time to wave goodbye to the DIY wedding trend and welcome a more classic take on vintage elegance.  While we all can agree that the vintage, DIY trend will still continue on into 2012 seen mostly through rustic and natural elements like homemade centerpieces and flower arrangements, 2012 will be the year for romance. Expect lavish details, lace, and glittery accents for a more romantic take on vintage weddings with less of the homemade projects. Sorry DIYers!

2012 weddings will see inspiration from media influences like last year's Royal Wedding and the recent Twilight saga Breaking Dawn. The rustic, woodland decor seen in Twilight's gorgeous outdoor wedding scene will be among the many copied looks for this year while Prince William and Kate Middleton's Royal Wedding will be the most coveted of wedding styles. Long sleeved and lace wedding gowns will be among the most popular trends in 2012 for those looking to recreate the classic, elegant look of Kate's stunning Sarah Burton gown.

According to Pantone's recent color forecast, bright and bold colors are also making a swift comeback as we head into Spring. Tangerine has been announced as their choice for color of the year and we are expecting this bright color to be among one of the hot wedding colors in 2012 as well. For a bold statement consider mixing this color with a bright girly pink. Other great color pair ups are modern gray or taupe, yellow, or sodalite blue.

Now to get down to business...check out our top 10 picks below forecasting what are sure to be the hottest wedding trends in 2012.

#10 - A New Take on Old Photography

#9 - Multi-Way Bridesmaids Dresses and Classy Tuxedos

#8 - Tiered Wedding Cakes and Signature Foods

#7 - Period Inspiration and Old Hollywood Style

#6 - All That Glitters

#5 - Traditional Veils and Grecian Headpieces

#4 - Tangerine and Color Palettes That Pop

#3 - Natural and Rustic Elements

#2 - Lavish Centerpieces and Decor

#1 - Lace, Sleeves, and Low Back Wedding Dresses

Credits: Lace Back Claire Pettibone Gown, #10 via Vogue, #9 tux via Lane Dittoe, Bridesmaids dresses via Two Birds, #8 via Brides, #7 via Green Wedding Shoes, #6 from Every Last Detail, #5 via Vogue, #4 pink and gray wedding via Ariella Chezar, Pink and orange wedding from Every Last Detail, #3 from The Vegas Wedding Planner, #2 via Ariella Chezar, #1 Legends by Romonakeveza, Jenny Packham, Coan Couture

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

Say 'I do' In Daring Colors

This just in...Not all brides are wearing white on their wedding day! Well you may have already caught on to this trend but according to our site's Facebook fans this is becoming more and more common. I've been hearing about pinks, and silver and aubergine! Whether it is a pop of color or an overall hue, brides are showcasing their personal style (and their favorite colors) on their wedding day. My preferred way to interpret this trend is to not go too crazy with your color selection, pastels and shades of silver gray and champagne can be sophisticated and elegant. Or if overall color is just too unconventional for you, consider a dress with colored embellishments and beading or a lace overlay. Sashes are also a great (and a more traditional) way to bring in the color to your wedding ensemble. 

Color themes are very big with weddings these days and brides are embracing them more than ever. Maybe that's why their colors are being carried through into their wedding dress as well. Check out our wedding favors and accessory collections pages to find items to match or compliment your wedding dress and color scheme!

Image Credits: Colored wedding dress from Wai-Ching Clothing, Pink dress image from The Bohemian Bride, Wedding dress with black sash, Purple wedding gown from Vera Wang, White and gray gown from Elizabeth Fillmore, Blue wedding gown,  Champagne dress with sash from Sino-Treasure, Coral dress from J Crew, Yellow sweater image from Bride.net

Owl Always Love You...Wedding Inspiration Board

Owls are back in a big way.  I urge all our fellow readers to jump on the owl bandwagon with me because this is one of the most adorable wedding themes I've seen in a while.  Besides being too cute, owls hold that feeling of mystery and wonder.  This theme would be perfect for pairing with softer earth tone wedding colors like the rustic browns and pale yellows seen below.

To put this 'Owl Always Love You' wedding theme together, incorporate items like sliced firewood for rustic table centerpiece bases and old stacked books to bring in the age-old wisdom symbolism.  Be sure to stamp all your stationery with owl images including your table numbers, invitations, favor bags, and wedding napkins.  Most importantly, remember to have fun with it.  This is a theme full of whimsy and is meant to showcase your personality and creativity.

Happy Planning!

Credits: Row 1, 2, 4, and 5: Bridal top hat, owl cake, groomsmen, yellow roses and owl on glasses by Whitney Lee Photography.  Row 3: Owl beer via Cute Hoots and owl favor bag from Paper Moon by Kat of etsy.com.  Row 4: Horned owl pendant from Morikaty of etsy.com.  Row 5: Wedding dress via Our Labor of Love. Row 6: Book image by Studio B. Row 7: Table centerpiece via weddingbee.com.

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.

A Refreshing Mix of Honeysuckle Pink and Lemon Yellow

Well readers, the wind chill today is -7°, making it nearly impossible for me to think anything else but...buuurrrrrrrrr.  To quell the winter chill, I've bundled up with a cup of hot coffee and put together this refreshing spring wedding inspiration board.  I'm hoping this warm mix of colors will evoke feelings of sunshine and bright, sun-shiny days for all of us.  Featuring an inviting palette of sunny yellows paired with honeysuckle pink (Pantone's 2011 color of the year), I simply can't wait until it's warm again so I can slip on a pair of these awesome yellow heels. Enjoy!

Happy Planning!

Image Credits: Row 1 and 7: Bride with parasol, child in scarf, and candy centerpieces via Shelly Kroeger Photography, wedding bouquet via In Style. Row 2 and 6: Bridesmaids in honeysuckle dresses courtesy of Cameron and Kelly Studios. Row 3 and 5: Yellow shoes, groom, wooden sign, and bicycle shot via Jose Villa. Row 4 and 6: Popsicles and yellow cake via Erin Swift and Fruit lemonade courtesy of Leesa Oreilly.

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!

2011 Spring Color Trends

The 2011 spring fashion report is in and Pantone LLC, the global authority on color, has pulled out all the stops to unveil their detailed fashion forecast.  Featuring the top 10 colors for women's fashion, Pantone cites some of today's top designers along with sketches, headshots, and commentary from other fashion insiders.

"The colors designers have chosen for the spring season present an interesting marriage of unexpected warm and cool tones," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.  The top 10 colors selected for the season include Honeysuckle, Coral Rose, Beeswax, Regatta, Lavender, Blue Curacao, Peapod, Silver Peony, Russet, and Silver Cloud (see below).  For 17 years, Pantone has surveyed the designers of New York Fashion Week and beyond to bring the season's most color trends.  To read more, check out Pantones detailed forecast here.

What does this mean for weddings?  The colors that Pantone has selected for the spring season pair together an interesting mix of vibrant hues and cooler, neutral tones.  I feel that this marriage of colors will undoubtedly carry through to weddings.  Look for colors that pair contrasting, complementary hues together, as well as, palettes that include warmer softer hues paired with vibrant contrasting colors.  By combining complementary colors (colors that are opposites on the color wheel), brides will be creating a striking wedding palette that demands attention.  Flirtatious Honeysuckle is a feel-good hue that brings a sense of playfulness.  Pair with silver cloud for a mix of warm tones and cool neutrals for the perfect post-winter pick-me-up.  Spicy Coral Rose and honey-yellow Beeswax evoke a sophisticated feel.  Combine either one of these colors with Regatta for a striking, vibrant color contrast or Lavender for a unique color combination.

Happy Planning!

Fig and Platinum New Year

Eggplant (or rich purple) is proving to be one of 2011's up and coming wedding colors among brides. Rich, dramatic, and gorgeous....can I please just say, I love this color!!  With the right New Year around the corner, I couldn't help but think how perfect this dramatic shade would be for a New Years Eve wedding.  The drama of this deep purplish shade would look stunning paired with a sparkling, contrasting hue like silver and white.  For this inspiration board, I pulled my color palette from the fig fruit.  Deep purple on the outside and pink on the inside, pair with sparkling accents and you will have yourself a fabulous wedding color combo.

Happy Planning!

Image Credits: 1st Row: Blackberry and fruit centerpiece via Martha Stewart Weddings, Eggplant chair sashes from theknot.com, diamond band and scattered diamonds via White Flash Diamonds.  2nd Row: Figs via Thayer Photo, Chandelier wedding invitations from Wedding Paper Divas, Peonies from The Laurel Hedge, Hanging chandelier from Sheri Crystal Designs. 3rd Row: Love sparklers via weddingbee.com. 4th Row: Blackberry cocktails via Matt Armendariz Photography, Bride and groom toasting from Melissa Mize Photography, Plum ring bearer pillow, pink dress via Etsy. 5th Row: Sparklers via Adrienne Page