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

Let's Head to the Beach Wedding Inspiration Board

Beach weddings are still a hot trend in 2012 and if you are thinking of planning one you are in good company. Many brides are deciding to go with the beach wedding these days because they can be much cheaper and let's face it, more fun. Beach themed or beach weddings are not just about a blue color palette. Your beach wedding can have any color palette you desire. By adding sand, seashells and tropical flowers you can make the beach wedding of your dreams. Let this beach wedding inspiration board inspire you with your wedding plans.

With a little planning, your wedding day will be the beach wedding you have been dreaming of. We wish you sunshine and blue skys for your beach wedding day. Good Luck!

Photo Credits: both beach bride and groom and tropical table setting are from; stylemepretty.com, the beach bridal bouquet is from; brideorama.com,  and the beach wedding collection, flip flops, lanterns and place card frames can all be found at myweddingreceptionideas.com

A Masquerade Ball Wedding Inspiration Board for a Magical Night

In the spirit of Mardi Gras, we have put together a few wonderful ideas for a Masquerade Ball themed wedding.  At some point in your life, you may have dreamed of attending a grand ball with glamorous dresses, wonderful food, dancing, and of course incredible romance.  A Masquerade Ball wedding could be the theme you are looking for if you want a formal affair that your guests will remember for a lifetime.

A grand ball gown for you, and Victorian-looking tux for your groom will get you on track to a perfectly planned Masquerade Wedding.  Should you choose to have your ceremony in a church, masks may not be appropriate for the ceremony, but you can opt for an extravagant hairpiece, maybe with a short veil or ostrich feathers.  Traditional colors for a Masquerade-themed event include rich hues like royal purples, reds, and greens accented by gold, silver, and black.  

Your guests will be thrilled to see the magical wedding you create.  You can find romantic and elegant hand-made masks through many sites.  (Helpful Hint: Check Etsy for some of these wonderful masks.)  Remember to stay true to your interests, and create the Masquerade Ball Wedding of your dreams!

Image Credits: Bride with Elegant Mask, Couple with Masks, Wedding Dress, Feather Chandelier, Purple Shoes, Bride and Groom in Masks, Place Cards, Feather and Rose Bouquet, Mask Cookies, Feather Centerpiece, Cake, Ostrich Feather Hairpiece, Pink Mask and Place Card, Gold Mask, Invitation, Couple Kissing

Mouthwatering Signature Wedding Cocktails

Add a personal touch to your wedding reception by offering up a signature cocktail to your guests.  Deciding on the perfect signature drink for your reception may be as simple as matching colors or as involved as telling a story about how you met.  With the huge variety of drink options available, it's no secret that you are going to need to do a bit of research to really find the right cocktail for your wedding.  (But hey the taste testing makes it totally worth the research!).

To decide on the right cocktail, consider picking a drink that includes your favorite liquor, one that matches your color scheme, or one that simply just sounds delicious.  To add a personal touch, choose a drink that fits with your personality or tells a story about how you met.  Seasonal drinks are an easy way to impress too.  Spring or Summer wedding?  Think clean, crisp, and fresh drinks that have lime, lemon, or mango flavors.  Fall wedding?  Consider spiced apple cider.  Winter wedding?  Peppermint drinks, eggnog, and cinnamon spiced cocktails will appeal to the season.

For those looking to save a little money, skip the cocktails all together and offer an assortment of your favorite wine or beer as your signature drink.  You will save time and money by simply limiting the amount of ingredients.  For the less frugal bride and groom, consider offering two drinks instead of just one.  His and Her drinks are a great way to get the conversation flowing and make both genders equally happy.  Offer one drink that has a rougher edge like an Old-Fashioned or Manhattan for the men and another with a feminine appeal like a Cosmo or Sex on the Beach for the ladies.

NA Wedding?  Just because your wedding reception is alcohol free, doesn't mean you have to miss out on all the fun.  Simply turn your signature cocktail into a wine-free sangria or a pumped up punch full of fruit slices and berries.  Vintage coke bottles, personalized cups, striped straws, and other whimsical accessories are all great ways to jazz up NA drinks.

To help you with inspiration for your own signature concoction, we scoured Pinterest and came up with these mouthwatering cocktails and drink stations that we just love.  Cheers!

Don't forget to name your signature cocktail.  After all, it's called signature for a reason.  Try out name generators like this one to take your wedding drink to the next level.  Still unsure what drink to serve, here is another great drink generator for never ending recipe ideas.

Image Credits: Mason jars with striped straws, Drink station, Lemonade bottles, John Daly sweet tea, Mason jars on green tray, Drinks with blue umbrellas, Makers Mark mason jars, Fruit filled punch, His and Hers drink station, Apple bourbon, Winter cocoa, Bridesmaids with vintage bottles, Mason jars with striped straws, Chalkboard sign, Maple leaf mason jars

Things We Love - Succulent Summer Wedding Flowers

Soft, supple and so sweet for a summer wedding, succulent flowers are one of the many things that we love! Recently we have noticed that these fleshy little beauties have found their way into wedding ceremonies and reception decor everywhere. The unexpected use of these non-traditional flowers makes for a striking and simply lovely look! While usually a soft green or gray shade of these plants are used to accent more traditional floral selections, these plants also come in a wide range of colors, shapes and sizes. For all you nature conscious brides out there, these plants are known for their eco-friendly qualities. The plants are able to survive in very dry and arid climates and can survive on very little water. Because of their easy growth, usually no pesticides or chemicals are used. Also, the plants live nearly forever! Once succulents are cut for use in your bouquet and other wedding decor, they will last for weeks and can then be planted! These hearty flowers are perfect for summer weddings because they can withstand the heat of the day without wilting. Check out our inspiration board featuring gorgeous succulents paired with shades of green, cream and yellow.

If you think you might be interested in incorporating succulent plants into your wedding theme check out these popular varieties: Aeonium, Graptoveria, Echeveria, Rosularia, Sempervivum.

Image Credits: Engagement ring and succulent from Green Wedding Shoes, Bride and groom, Boutonniere close up, Peony succulent bouquet, Bridesmaid bouquets, Imagine succulent wedding favors, Daisy and succulent centerpieces from Simply Bloom Photography, Chair and bouquet