28 Mar
Board #551: Crisp White & Green (Budget Friendly #23)

Mood: chic sophistication
Palette: lime green, crisp white, pale gray

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Top row from left: centerpiece with fruit and ivy from Martha Stewart Weddings, invitation by Cheree Berry, photo of green K.Rose cake by Elizabeth Messina, fluttery petal dress from Bloomingdale’s
Row 2: cheese selection from Martha Stewart Weddings, vintage marquise aquamarine ring from Doyle & Doyle, photo of signature cocktail bar by Anouschka Rokebrand via Camille Styles via Style Me Pretty
Row 3: lady slipper bouquet photo by Anna Kuperberg, photo of Twigs & Honey veil by Elizabeth Messina, lemon madeleine cookies from Martha Stewart, tree in zinc pot from Homes and Gardens via This is Glamorous

 

Yesterday’s budget friendly inspiration board was for an informal cake and ice cream wedding, which I think sounds like a fun time, but which I know isn’t for everyone. Which is why I have six more budget-friendly inspiration boards lined up, including this one in white and green, full of DIY projects perfect for the craft-averse…

 

The Idea:  Easy DIY for a budget-friendly yet elegant outcome.

The Paper:  DIY invitations can look quite sophisticated with the right font, and can be as simple as typing out the text and hitting print. Choose an elegant script like Belluccia or Nelly, and have invitations and response cards flat printed on lovely cotton paper by a local printer. Use the same font for DIY place cards, menus, and other day-of details – even for addressing envelopes! See 50 of my favorite fonts right here (some are free!).

The Fashion:  Scope out high-end department stores for designer dresses in white – this pretty petal dress from Bloomingdale’s sells for $995, leaving room in the budget for alterations and accessories. Pair it with a romantic veil like this little number from Twigs & Honey – for $110, it adds a lot to your wedding day look without breaking the bank.

The Decor:  Sophisticated details don’t have to cost a fortune. Elevate inexpensive elements by sticking with all white linens and natural green accents. For a dramatic centerpiece at a reasonable price, fill a beautiful bowl with monochromatic fruit, accented with ivy tendrils – these can be done ahead of time as DIY projects, or by a floral designer. To frame the altar at your ceremony, splurge on a pair of potted trees that you can use to decorate your home after the wedding.

The Flowers:  In love with lily-of-the-valley, lady slipper orchids, or another pricey bloom? There’s no reason you can’t have the flower you adore if you carry a sweet little nosegay instead of a large bouquet. Bridesmaids can carry similarly sized nosegays made of less expensive flowers in coordinating colors.

The Food:  Signature cocktails are one of my favorite budget-saving ideas, because it feels like adding something rather than taking away. Offering one signature cocktail can save money on alcohol, allowing you to buy in bulk. If you like, offer it alongside wine and beer. A selection of cheeses is a delicious way to DIY your hors d’oeuvres, and you can often find great deals on yummy cheeses at Trader Joe’s or Costco. If a cheese tasting isn’t the main event, plan on at least two ounces of cheese per person, and serve with a variety of breads, crackers, fruit and nuts (Real Simple has a great article on The Perfect Cheese Platter). Finally, save by having two cakes instead of one: a small display cake for cutting, and a large sheet cake (in the same flavor) for serving.

Other Details:  Though it’s often not included in the wedding budget, the engagement ring can still be a place to save. There’s no rule that says you have to have a diamond solitaire – consider alternative gemstones and vintage cuts, and end up with a ring that’s utterly unique. The ring in this board is actually a vintage aquamarine from Doyle & Doyle – 1.5 carats for only $785. One last DIY-ish item? Store-bought madeleine cookies for wedding favors! Donsuemor are my favorites, and can be purchased for as little as 50-cents each. Package them in simple cello bags with a monogram sticker and place them at each guests’ seat.

Are you DIY-phobic? As much as I enjoy crafting, I also really appreciate super easy DIY projects that don’t involve too much tedious work – so hopefully you’ll find these ideas inspiring if you feel that way too. See previous budget-friendly inspiration boards right here, and check back through next week for more!

 

If you like this budget-friendly inspiration board, you might also like:

Board #276: Keep it Simple
Board #358: Playful Minimalism
Board #281: Something Unexpected

3 Comments »

27 Mar
Board #550: Oh Happy Day (Budget Friendly #22)

Mood: sweet, playful
Palette: bright white and cheerful pastels

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Top row from left: glassine and confetti save-the-date by Lisa Rupp for Creature Comforts, photo of room full of balloons by Brittany Esther via Green Wedding Shoes, multi-colored poppy bouquet from Wedding Style Guide
Row 2: cake table with balloons by Amy Atlas, mixed cakes by Jordan Ferney for Project Wedding, “Elope” dress by Sarah Seven
Row 3: DIY party hats by Oh Happy Day, plastic toy lion with party hat from You Are My Fave, ice cream cones from Ici Ice Cream

 

It’s been THREE YEARS since I last posted a series of budget-friendly inspiration boards – how did that happen?! Needless to say, I thought it was high time to bring them back!

When I was imagining this cake and ice cream inspiration board, I couldn’t help but think of my friend Jordan over at Oh Happy Day, who is always creating and posting the most cheerful and charming parties and ideas – lots of the ideas for this board came directly from her posts, hence the name of this cake-and-ice-cream wedding board! Also, my birthday was yesterday, so I have cake and ice cream on the brain.

 

The Idea:  It might seem odd to take inspiration from a child’s birthday party for a wedding, but in my mind, nothing says happy like cake and balloons (ice cream cones and party hats don’t hurt either)! One of the biggest expenses in any wedding budget is food, so this twist on the traditional cake and punch reception is a great way to save.

The Paper:  Get your guests in the mood to celebrate with a confetti save-the-date. Print information directly on a translucent vellum envelope ($15 for 100 here), and fill it with multi-colored paper circles in various shapes (punches available at Paper Source and Michael’s).

The Fashion:  It’s a party, so naturally you’ll want to wear a sassy party dress! A short dress is likely to cost less than longer bridal options – this polka dotted number by Sarah Seven is $770 – and since they don’t scream bridal, you might even be able to wear it again.

The Decor:  Fill the entire room with balloons to create a big impact for low cost. To keep the look sweet, but not cheesy, stick with one pale color, or even all white. En masse, something as simple as balloons can look sophisticated or even expensive, like in this Martha Stewart Weddings story.

The Flowers:  Bridal and bridesmaid bouquets do double duty when placed in vases on the cake table. Here I’ve imagined cheerful poppies, but any flowers in the appropriate color scheme will be lovely and allow you to save on floral decorations.

The Food:  Save money by skipping a full meal, like Ashley and Dusty did. Hold the reception at a time of day that allows guests to eat beforehand or in between the ceremony and reception. You can offer savory snacks, too, if you like, but it’s perfectly okay to serve just cake, ice cream, and soft drinks as long as it’s clear on your invitations – you don’t want guests to arrive expecting to eat lunch or dinner. Worried it won’t seem special enough? Set up a pretty display table for the cake or cakes, and find out if your local ice cream shop has a cute catering cart available to rent.

Other Details:  How adorable is this little plastic lion with the party hat? (Yet another cute idea seen on Oh Happy Day.) You can spray paint the animals so they’re all one color, or leave them as they are, then tape tiny party hats on them. As with the balloons, a simple item that’s elevated to something special and unexpected when used en masse. And of course if the toy animals have party hats, shouldn’t the guests have them too? Decorate simple party hats with tissue paper flowers and fringe like Jordan did in this DIY project (you can make the hats yourself, or buy them for pretty cheap from party supply stores).

Would you have a cake and ice cream wedding reception with balloons and party hats? I say why not! See all of my previous budget-friendly inspiration boards right here, and check back in all week and next for more budget friendly ideas.

 

If you like this budget-friendly inspiration board, you might also like:

Board #188: Cake & Punch
Board #274: Playful!
Board #283: Tea Party

5 Comments »

21 Feb
Board #549: Peach Rose & Gray

One of my favorite things about this job, is that I get to imagine a different wedding with every inspiration board. In this one, I wanted to combine playfulness and chic sophistication: orange and pink plus soft gray, retro wedding bells meet gorgeous calligraphy, a mini dress with long sleeves, cocktails and sweets following a city hall ceremony. This is an inspiration board I would love to see brought to life!

Mood: playfully elegant romance
Palette: dusty rose and peach, gray velvet, warm cream

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Top row from left: couture by Ulyana Sergeenko, letterpress stationery by Cheree Berry, bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings, blushing coupes from BHLDN
Row 2: Bonne Maman jam jar by see/saw via Daniella Marie, elaborate calligraphy by Elizabeth Jones for Sixpence Press
Row 3: small chocolate cake photo by Elizabeth Messina, birdcage veil by Jennifer Behr for J.Crew, San Francisco City Hall, vintage book photo by Aaron Delesie

 

If you like this inspiration board, you might also like:

Board #541: Coral and Storm
Board #481: Nude & Gray
Board #515: Sidewalk at Sunset

 

Elizabeth Messina is a sponsor of Snippet & Ink.

4 Comments »

07 Feb
Board #548: Deco Glam

I think a wedding can pull inspiration from an era or style without being too literal or theme-y, don’t you? That’s what I was going for with this metallic and purple Art Deco inspired board. Something glamorous and gorgeous, but with a bit of vintage wear to keep it from being too flashy.

Mood: glittering Art Deco
Palette: silver, gold, purple

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Top row from left: Alberta Ferretti ad campaign, Art Deco-inspired cake and purple potato chips both from Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 2: purple gown with velvet sash from Mariana Hardwick, calligraphy cocktail napkins from Linea Carta
Row 3: Victorian amethyst earrings from 1stdibs, silver engraved menu calligraphy by Bernard Maisner, purple sofa with silver wall paper photo by Rachel Whiting via Remodelista

5 Comments »

31 Jan
Board #547: Pale Paris Morning

Mood: gauzy morning light
Palette: pale french blue, barely blush, soft white, gold leaf

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Top row from left: Kirsten Dunst and Bryce Dallas Howard in Jane magazine (2007), photo of gold lettering on glass by liz.rusby via This is Glamorous, blush pink veil and dress by Watters (pinned by Sara Gemignani), Pale Paris Morning by Eye Poetry Photography
Row 2: vintage envelope with calligraphy from French Larkspur (pinned by Vivian Peets and Jennifer Disney), photo of Parisian breakfast by Pia Jane Bijkerk (pinned by Laura Reaux), peach satin ballet flats from J.Crew
Row 3: madeleine “pineapple” from Martha Stewart Weddings, gold rimmed cafe au lait bowls via Curate + Love, boulangerie window photo by De Vetpan via Strikes Our Fancy
Row 4: Reem Acra gowns, photo of garden roses by Lisa Warninger via {frolic!}, vintage map of Paris via Vintage Me Oh My

 

So. There are some things I would change next time I do a Pinterest collaboration (my apologies to anyone who follows my Pinterest feed and was overwhelmed by Pale Paris Morning pins!). BUT. I had so much fun seeing all the beautiful things that everyone shared. There were so many images that I repinned and saved for future posts – so many ideas! To create this inspiration board, I used some of my original pins, some of your contributions, and then finished it up with some that were inspired by your pins. The result is something full of dreamy morning light, barely-there pinks and blues, and hints of gold. I imagine a gorgeous display of breakfast pastries, fresh berries, and mismatched vintage cafe au lait bowls for sipping. And tons of soft, romantic fabrics and textures. And roses.

What did you think of the Pinterest collaboration idea? With some tweaks, is it something that would be fun to do again?

 

If you like this inspiration board, you might also like:

Board #510: French Lace
Board #456: Juliet and Blue
Board #376: French Flair
Color Board #10: French Blue & Nude

19 Comments »

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