Friday, December 21, 2007

Not So Mellow Yellow







This spring, you won't be able to get away from the color yellow. It was all over the spring 08 fashion runways. And it runs from pale yellow to true yellow to some neon yellow (can you say the 80's?!). Yellow is a great color for weddings too because it feels fresh and lively, has gorgeous flower options, and can be the star color or a complement to lots of others like green, red, blue or black. From the top: Jovovich-Hawk, Betsy Johnson, Veronique Branquinho, Rachel Roy, 2 from Roksanda Ilincic.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Best for Less




Today we're thinking style and beauty for less. First, look at this gorgeous silk dress from JCrew for only $225! It's empire waist and v-neck is universally flattering to most figures. Add a gorgeous necklace or brooch to it to make it more you. Then there's the always perfect Cetaphil face wash for $5. There is no need to buy those expensive face washes when this cleans without drying out...and it's always a top pick by dermatologists. Finally, Rimmel mascara for $6.79. The genius woman who did my makeup for my wedding hands down recommended this over the expensive alternatives. And now I've replaced my $25 mascara with this one - and like it better! Moral of the post: sometimes the less expensive things are actually the best.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

DIY: lots of uses


A lot of times we think of print items for a wedding - invitations, save-the-dates, thank yous, etc. But video is an updated way to communicate creatively with people about your wedding. This video is very DIY (we could do it for you if you aren't feeling that adventurous...) and is a cool way to send out a wedding invite or a thank you or a flipbook of your wedding pictures or something else. Think flipbook meets video. A really unique way to set the stage for your wedding! Found on Black Eiffel.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Chandeliers: Inspiration





Wow! We think you can tell a lot about a person by what type of chandeliers they like. It's like looking at flowers or dresses...it helps you define what type of style you are drawn to. The top two are from a designer named David Wiseman who uses influences from the outdoors to create these amazing chandelier designs incorporating the ceiling itself or a collage of many lights. The bottom two are from a shop in London, Graham & Green. They have tons of great home ideas for both indoor and out. We heart London... Anyway, remember inspiration for your wedding comes in all places. These chandeliers are one way to focus your style sense.

Monday, December 17, 2007

Centerpiece ideas



Here are two centerpiece ideas. The lotus bowls from Pottery Barn are reasonable (on sale for $20/2), simple and beautiful with a floating orchid or other bloom. The orange tea pot is a quirky alternative, but the color and detailed features of it make it both useful (why not fill with green jasmine tea for guests) and beautiful. Especially for centerpieces, you can think super creatively - anything goes! As long as it feels like you and the style you are trying to establish.

Friday, December 14, 2007

Typography: Inspiration






There are lots of places to get inspiration for your wedding. Even typography. Each of these types creates an emotion, a feeling that could lead your wedding choices. It's a visual cue that instantly relates a mood. And there are so many written elements to a wedding that it's a key decision to making your style come through for your event.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Dresses: Sonia Rykiel





OK, when we saw these we couldn't resist sharing them. These dresses from the Spring 08 Paris show for Sonia Rykiel brought everyone to their feet. They are so feminine and fun. The chiffon flows with a breeze and the accents of chiffon flowers are beautiful. Add the amazing feather-like oversized shrugs and the palest of colors - grey, cream, rose - you have a great look for this coming season. While she may not be the "budget" choice, take cues from her lines, colors, fabrics and accessories. (If you do want to know where to find her dresses, send us a comment.)

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Monograms




Personal. Sweet. Sophisticated. Monograms can be used in all kinds of interesting ways to make the pieces in your wedding uniquely yours as well as tie together. Here are examples in soaps, type keys and the traditional cross-stitch. Also think about it in unexpected ways, like in a hair accessory or pressed into a cookie. So many possibilities...

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Hand-drawn Maps





We love these hand-drawn maps popping up - clearly a trend all around. It adds an element of personality to an event through the graphics, colors, and writing. We've done this for a few of our invitations and the invitees always love them - for the information and the sheer beauty and fun of them. What do you think? How would you picture your map?

Monday, December 10, 2007

Jewelry: Veiled



This amazing jewelry collection called Veiled is from Yoko Izawa, a Japanese jewelry designer and maker. She describes her work in this way: "Veiled jewellery reflects my assumption that although certainty is often required in modern society, ambiguous expression has been the most distinctive characteristic found in Japanese values and religious beliefs." Not only beautiful and ethereal, it seems so appropriate for a wedding.

Friday, December 7, 2007

3D Fabric Centerpieces



Look at these beautiful 3D fabric pieces. From textile designer Jessica Preston, she uses fabric to create origami-inspired pieces for fashion, interiors and public display. Imagine these on the center of your reception tables? They are so different and could be made especially for your look and feel. Love these...

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Vintage Pins



Here's a great alternative to a necklace or even a silk sash. A great vintage (or new yet looks vintage) pin. My daughter actually wore a vintage pin I found in Atlanta on her bridesmaid's dress sash - it was a beautiful touch that pulled all the colors together. Top pin from etsy, bottom pins from anthropologie.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Flowers: Red and not Roses



We LOVE these flowers from Nancy Birch in Rhode Island. Using simple garden flowers like dahlias and hydrangeas mixed with berries can look modern vs. english garden-like. Plus the color combination of warm tones in dahlias and cool tones in hydrangeas play off each other so well. If you're lucky enough to have a farmers market nearby and are getting married in the warmer months, you can put these together yourself.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Invitation Ideas: business cards





Take a look at these inventive business cards. We love the use of thread in the top one and the diecut in the second one. Using paper on paper is also a cool way to create contrast. And the last one is just so simple but genius - it uses debossing to get the effect of handwritten cardstock. All of these ideas could translate into your invitations. With just one changed element - like any of these - your invitations will be a unique take on you.

Monday, December 3, 2007

Dresses: Giles Deacon




We just stumbled onto this cool fashion designer, Giles Deacon. Here are some of his pieces from his Spring 08 line. The feminine lines and materials such as tulle and satin feel ethereal together. And the colors and patterns add to that feel. Plus we're a sucker for those hats! Imagine these as bridemaids dresses or maybe longer as a wedding dress. And don't forget the hat...

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Fashion Inspiration


We found the coolest site! It's called Polyvore. It's a free web-based tool for creating collages. And a community of creative and stylish people. You can either look through all the amazing collages for ideas, or you can pick boards by a color palette! And all items are tagged so you know where they came from. Style outside of weddings can be great inspiration. Be careful on this site though, once you start looking it's hard to stop.

Friday, November 30, 2007

Old School


There is something warm about this illustration. It's kind of Audrey Hepburn like. That retro feel is definitely something that a wedding could be planned around. Classic colors, classic lines, big band music. And this time of year, add snowflakes falling at night and it completes the vision. Or maybe all you need is a husband-to-be who looks at you like that... Card found on Red Stamp.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Beautiful Envelopes



These gorgeous gift envelopes are laser cut, inspired by ancient Chinese papercut. According to the Chinese calendar, 2008 is the year of the rat which is what adorns this envelope. Designed by the team at Design Night out of Portland. The delicateness of it matched with the vibrant color is a great combination. Love it!