Inspiration Board #8: Carnival

This board was inspired by Victor Sizemore's photos of a Carnival Themed Wedding in Anaheim, CA. You really must check them out - the wedding was so incredibly unique and looked like everyone in attendance had a super fun time. I will admit this isn't for everyone...it would require a pretty adventurous couple to pull off. But if you're looking to create an event people will talk about for years and years, this may just be the wedding idea for you.

1. Photo by Vallentyne Photography
2. Carnival Poster via Chica and Jo
3. Cornish Cream Tent from the Arabian Tent Co.
4. Ice Cream Cone Basket via Wedding Trikes
5. Cupcake by bookgrl (Flickr)
6. Ring Toss game from Stitch of Gold
7. Carriage from One of a Kind Pony Party

Inspiration Board #7: Spring Prairie - Honey, Butter, Spearmint

My board today was inspired by the bridal photo in the left corner by D Andrew Photography. The shot evokes an image of old-time romance - a bride with her hunting dog? Simply fabulous! I love the idea of an all-white table setting with monogrammed napkins. And how adorable are the homemade honey jar favors?

Sources:

1. Photo by D Andrew Photography
2. Bouquet by Livia Cetti via In Style Weddings
3. Honey Jar Favors via Vintage Mint (Photos via Country Living; Photo Credit: Laura Moss}
4. Table Setting from Country Living
5. Men's Suit shown on the Knot via Stylish Events Blog
6. Bridesmaid Dresses via Mr Penguin Bridal Boutique
7. Cake via Real Simple
8. Bridesmaid Jewelry from 2-Be-Unique
   

Inspiration Board #6: Spring Violets and Plums

Lately I've been battling violets in my front yard. But even though I don't like them taking over my lawn, I think they're very pretty on their own...pretty enough even to inspire a royal, purple-hued wedding theme. Some of my favorite ideas in this board are ties for the groomsmen in different purple patterns (who says they all have to match!) and surrounding a beautifully simple crepe cake with violet and white cupcakes.

1. Photo by Vallentyne Photography
2. Two Lips Disco Purple Stilettos – via the Fashionable Housewife
3. Purple Table Setting by Maddy K Weddings – Montreal
4. Glorious Garden Invitation by Felicitations
5. Necklace by Magical Becomings -
6. Purple Tie Rack by TheBazile on Flickr
7. Purple feather adornment with purple flower from Emerald’s Hats & Frills
8. Crepe Cake by Lady M Confections via Martha Stewart Weddings
9. Violet Cupcakes via Crumbs and Doilies Blog
10. Wedding Bouquets by Livia Cetti via In Style Weddings
11. Bridesmaid Dresses via In Style Weddings (Kate Powers = Photo Credit)
    

Inspiration Board #6: Southern Romance - Buttercream, Pale Yellow, White, Lace

Every morning when I arrive at work, I walk by a beautiful, black and white photo of Oak Alley Plantation in Louisiana. For months I've been thinking about how it would make a lovely backdrop for a wedding and finally pulled together an inspiration board centered around the historic property.

I think some brides get carried away and think a romantic a wedding needs to have lots and lots of expensive details. But romance doesn't need to be complicated. In this board I paired buttercreams and pale yellows with simple but finely-detailed accessories. Notice how the table setting is uncomplicated with plates, linens, chair covers in the same hue and a large flower arrangement of complimenting tones. Also, due to the cake having a lot of lacey detailing, it is best presented in a simple, single-tier. This setting would make for an elegant yet relaxed afternoon wedding. You could make the reception brunch-style, serving fresh orange juice mimosas, chicken-salad cream puff sandwiches, fresh caprese salad and chocolate-covered strawberries. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Also, can I tell you how much I love the Maggie Sottero wedding gown in the two photos from Swensen Photography? It's simply gorgeous!

Sources:

1. Photo of Oak Alley Plantation via The Oak Alley Plantation Website
2. Nina & Shawn's Wedding by Swensen Photography
3. Nina & Shawn's Wedding by Swensen Photography
4. Fragrant White Bouquet by Teenas Creations
5. Cake – Fabulous Gourmet Patisserie
6. Vintage-inspired Necklace by Magical Becomings
7. Chicken Salad Crème Puffs via My Recipes
8. Bridesmaid Dress in Style 2053 by Dessy
9. Cream Table Setting shown on Marquee-Hire
10. Rose and freesia bridal bouquet by Wild Poppies
11. Wedding Ring Photo by Sakura Photography
12. Cream Wedding Favor Bag from Pac-HS (UK)
13. Cream Wedding Invitation (Style #AC4713B) from Indian Wedding

Inspiration Board #5: Spring Fling - Melon, Peach, Yellow, Orange

I was driving back from the Detroit airport today and noticed massive clumpings of daffodils in full bloom off of I-94. I decided to use these lovely signs of spring as inspiration to create a lively, bright theme perfect for this time of year. Warm and inviting colors with a few narcissus thrown in = a sassy mix of class and comfort.

1. Dahlia Gown by Simple Silhouettes
2. 320 Park Avenue in New York via EMRG Media
3. Striped Neck Tie from Ties-Necktie.com
4. Boutonniere from Wedding Flowers Guide
5. Cool Passport Invitations found on Ars Lounge
6. LulaKate Bridal Bridesmaid Dresses via Lucky in Love Wedding Blog
7. Bouquet shown on Australia Entertains
8. Serrano Ham and Melon photos from The Flirty Guide
9. Raspberry Lemon Pie from Thimbelanna
10. Ticket from Amemptos Music (UK)
11. Flower Hair Combs shown on Martha Stewart Weddings via Bridal Wave
    

Inspiration Board #4: Vintage Wedding at the Pinnacle Golf Club; Brown, Cream, Bronze

Meghan and Justin have pretty much decided on the elegant Pinnacle Golf Club in Grove City, OH for the location of their wedding and reception (I'll blog about Pinnacle later). Since they now know the place and the theme, I decided to take an initial stab at creating a vintage-inspired board customized for the location.

Some of my favorite ideas in this board include the necklaces in Jim Hjelm's bridesmaid dress photos(they completely make the outfit and have that vintage-elegance Meghan is seeking), using monograms on napkins, parasols, etc (that along with her lace bridal gown = classic, timeless elegance), and accessorizing the decor with vintage items such as necklaces and keys.

BTW...I'll blog later about an idea I have for a super unique entrance "tree" that combines seating locations and favors all in one (hint - it involves buying up some vintage jewelry lots on eBay).

1. Clubhouse @ the Pinnacle Golf Club– Red Gallery Photography via The Caspersons's Wedding Page (no longer exists?)
2. Wedding arch at the Pinnacle Golf Club
3. Men’s Suit – Jims via Wedding by Color
4. Cameo Lot found on eBay
5. Vintage Car via Long Stowe Hall (UK)
6. Monogrammed Parasol via Australia Entertains
7. Cake via the Cake Channel
8. Faux Vintage Polaroid by Crazy Leaf Design (Tutorial)
9. Typewriter Guest Book from Wedding Bee
10. Peach Bouquet from Vintage Design Company
11. Vintage Keys found on eBay
12. Vintage Photo - Unknown
13. Chandeliers from Pinnacle Golf Club
14. Jim Hjelm Occasions Dress in Style: jh5716
15. Paper Fan via All You Need to Wear
16. Jim Hjelm Bridesmaid Dress in Style: jh5736
17. Jim Hjelm Bridesmaid Dress in Style: jh5708
18. Bouquet - Photo by Rare Image Photography via Flickr
19. Cream Wire Lantern from Global Event Supplies
20. Faux Vintage Postcard by Red Leaf Studios
21. Vintage Bridal Shoes via The Bridal Wishlist Blog
22. Ring Pillow by Paper Hill (sold on Etsy) via Pink Streed Design Blog
23. Table filled with candles photo by Jennifer Dery – Wedding at the Four Seasons
24. Tree Centerpieces - Unknown
25. Monogrammed Napkins via Escape Concepts

(If you recognize a photo on here and know the source, drop me a note - I want to give credit where credit's due!)

Inspiration Board #3: Champagne & Lace, Spring Pastels

Since it's starting to warm up here in Michigan and I've been seeing Easter decorations in all of the stores, I was inclined to create a soft, pastel-themed inspiration board. The first photo I found was from the National Park Service - Big Spring Park - and thought it fit the image of the ideal spring wedding perfectly.

1. Men’s Suit from Loris Diran (Spring 2007) via AH Fashion
2. Table Setting from Roland Kreig Photographic Print via All Posters (UK)
3. Big Spring Park via the National Park Service
4. Mui Mui Ballet Flats via Mindless Ramblings & Misadventures of Miss Clio Blog
5. Mui Mui Ballet Flats via Mindless Ramblings & Misadventures of Miss Clio Blog
6. Invitation by Invitations by Nature
7. Fine Silver Stamped Spiral Ring – Wear Me Jewels (Etsy)
8. Love and Romance Bouquet from 4165 Flower
9. Wooden Utensils – Michelle and Noah’s picnic wedding from the Bride’s Café via East Side Bride Blog
10. Folk Art Bunnies – Old World Primatives (Etsy)
11. Dress - Think of Strenesse's strapless dress via Cynthia Nellis (About.com)

Inspiration Board #2: Modern Peacock - Lime, Brown

This inspiration board was inspired by a funky peacock lampshade I found on Anthropologie this week. It sets the tone for an uncomplicated, modern and exotic wedding theme with just the right pop of aqua and lime to offset the rich brown. I visualized turning the shades into pendant lights which would then be hung over a long, rectangular main table.

1. Anjou Wire Lantern from Wrapables
2. Peacock Shade from Anthropologie - Available in May 2009
3. Luggage Tags as name cards from Favor Studio
4. Versini, Brown, Multistripe, Three-Button Suit from Men's Warehouse
5. Peacock Paisley Pillow from Amazon.com
6. Maggie Sottero Wedding Dress in Fredricka found on Brides.com
7. Table Design by Root Candles (Includes instructions how to re-create this look)
8. Green Hydrangea Bouquet found on Wedding Flowers and Reception Ideas (Photo by John Henry)
9. Truffle Bridesmaid's Dress from David’s Bridal
10. Handmade Card by Mel Stampz (Blog includes instructions how to re-create)
11. Boutonniere from Melissa Marie Floral Design
12. Peacock Flourish Menu from Documents and Designs
13. Cellini Ladies Satin Wedding Shoes from Amazon UK
14. Bridal Bouquet by Monday Morning Flowers
15. Hot Chocolate Wedding Cake by Maisie Fantaisie (UK)
16. Modern Place Setting by Dwell Studio via Hatch: The Design Public Blog
17. Customized Take-Out Box by Coastal Blue Promotions
18. Lunch Tote by Milano found on Organize.com
19. Peacock Metal Wall Art from Quilted Bear
20. Kiwi Vases from Crate & Barrel

Inspiration Board #1: Silver Wedding

The other day I was looking at artwork online and became inspired by this painting of a gray pansy butterfly (from India) posted by Nature Magics. The lovely, earthy colors of this insect helped me pull together some ideas for a silvery, wintery wedding theme: A Silver Celebration.

1. Dapper Gray Suit shown on Paton & Dhoot Bespoke's website
2. Silk Dupioni Gwendolyn Gown (J Crew)
3. Table Décor by Rebecca Thuss

4. BCBG Dresses Found on Lindemanweddings.blogspot.com

5. Silk Taffeta Delores Dress (J Crew)
6. Crystal & Pearl Bridal Hair Comb (8839) from Wedding Factory Direct

7. Wash Room sign by Delightful Details

8. Two Little Birds Custom Wedding Invitation by Alannah Rose
9. Three Tier White Wedding Cake shown on Brides.com
10. Birds as Cake Topper by Rebecca Thuss

11. Tree Decorations from The White Company (London)
12. Silver Crystal "Favours" from Rainbow Sugarcraft (UK)
13. Table Decorations from The White Company (London)

14. Silver Dollar Branches from Save On Crafts
15. Photo from Pyro Artistry (UK)

16. Polished nickel lantern from 4himonly (UK)

17. Glass Icicle Ornaments from Smith & Hawken (found on Amazon.com)
18. Gray Leather Necklace by Eninaj
19. White cake with silver dragées found on Country Living.com
20. Placecard Idea from the talented Heather Bullard