Pretty In Purple

Purples seem to be a huge trend right now among brides. So many different combinations, hues, tones...options are endless.

An Outdoor Irish Soiree

A very dear old friend of mine was just recently engaged. She and her fiance are Colorado natives and were looking for a natural color scheme with an Irish twist. I loved this little "inspiration" for her using rich greens, natural browns and whites, to keep it fresh. We also included "shamrock shakes" to keep with the irish tradition, and we'll be adding punches of midnight blue to elaborate on her "elegant-outdoorsy" theme, utilizing samples of Irish Kilts.

LOVE is in the Air

February is the month of love, and as a tribute, I chose to put together a little inspiration for those blushing beauties getting engaged on this Valentine's Day! First, Congratulations!!! The whirling romance and suspense of the 14th didn't let you down, and now you're faced with months and months of planning and anticipation leading up to your Wedding Day.

So let's talk about our love stimulant. This red, white and pink story board reflects all things Valentine, and when combined, generate a lovely little wedding story. I tend to think less is more, and in this instance one bold color is plenty. The intensity of RED, softened by pale pinks and white

makes sense. The two lighter colors balance the one stronger color. Think color wheel. Pink is the result of adding white to red. This should be your mentality when you choose your bridal colors: flowers, bridesmaids, linens, etc. If you aren't familiar with this method, visit http://r0k.us/graphics/SIHwheel.html for an interactive color wheel to explore.

Also notice the small, and more tailored floral arrangements. Often, we see weddings with large floral centerpieces. This can become overwhelming and cluttered for some brides. The arrangements above are low and simple. Don't make the mistake of oversizing your flowers to fill dead air space. Instead, keep them low and intimate. This will allow for better conversation among your guests and a more comforatble seating display. If you're worried about the high ceilings of a venue, bring the ceiling down. Focus on drapery, low hanging chandeliers and light fixtures. Or better, opt for a tented event where you have complete control over ceiling height.

Just a little favorite of mine below. These are the letterpress Valentine's Day cards from Andria Ledon, owner of Lilikoi letterpress in Santa Monica, CA.

Visit her website at http://lilikoi-design.com/index.html

Lantern Lighting

Sometimes backyard budgets just need a little lantern lighting to set the mood and create and great atmosphere. There's no need to spend an arm and a leg on flowers, when small details and ambience are really all you need for a nice evening. So, for the more financially conscious brides, hanging vintage blown-glass lanterns from tree limbs allows for a more intimate and subtle decor.

(images compiments of marthastewart.com)

Hats! Hats! Hats!

One of my favorite new trends for Spring and Summer are tailored hats. A great complement to a classic gown, a sweet chapeau adds a traditional old english flair to your look. Couture bridal designer,Carolina Herrera, featured feathered hats on her Spring 2009 runway show to tie in her European inspiration with a modern approach to bridal wear (visit http://www.carolinaherrera.com/). See photos below:

Oscar de la Renta also presented his Spring 2009 Bridal show with fun oversized floppy hats (visit http://www.oscardelarenta.com/)

(editorial images from http://www.gettyimages.com/)

Pretty In Pastels

Wedding season is upon us, and I thought sharing a collage of pastel table settings and florals would help inspire our spring and summer blushing beauties. Keep in mind when choosing a palette, its always best to stick with a monochromatic color scheme, or to incorporate lots of colors sharing similar brightness, intensity, etc. Don't be afraid to pull in pinks, yellows, greens, blues and ivories. A wide spectrum of color is always a cheerful one!

photos courtesy of marthastewart.com

Looking for great Bridal Shoes?

Every Bride searches for the best bridal shoe- adorned with exotic skins, swarovski accents and your little "something blue" the Chirstian Louboutin bridal line is the perfect starting point. Check out the sling-back stilletos and visit the website:

http://www.christianlouboutin.com