I don’t know why, but I’m really digging this dark moody gray right now. It feels like such a perfect neutral for this early part of Spring, the windy, rainy days paired with blossoming trees. I also like the way it has a masculine feel to it that balances the sweet, feminine pink in this inspiration board. What do you think? Do you like this charcoal gray as a neutral, or is it too dark for your taste?
If you’re just at the beginning of your planning, browsing around the internet for ideas, I’d like to make a suggestion. Instead of starting with a look or “vision” in mind, and then trying to find a venue that fits that vision (because if you’re anything like me, you’ll drive yourself totally bananas when you realize that the perfect* place doesn’t exist), start with a budget, a guest list, and a date or two. Find a venue that fits those things, and then develop a vision from there. I know that some venues aren’t inherently inspiring – more like blank slates – but if your venue is (inspiring, that is), why not let it spark your vision? That’s what I had in mind when creating today’s inspiration board, which is based entirely around the idea of an ivy-covered, brick-walled venue.
Mood: vintage urban
Palette: brick and ivy green
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Top row from left: topiary in terra cotta pot via Design*Sponge, ivy cascade bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings, buttercream cake with olive leaf decorations photo by Jose Villa, ivy-covered brick wall photo by Anna Boudreau
Row 2: rose petal toss from Wedding Style Guide, bride and groom on balcony photo by Rebecca for Millie Holloman, rustic seating card display photo by Jose Villa, ivy plant wedding favor via {frolic!}
Row 3: galvanized tub of wine bottles from Brides, ivy covered basket photo by Belathee, banquet table in brick courtyard from Jo Gartin, vintage stamps
*A note on this word, perfect. Back when I was planning my wedding in what I like to call “Round 1,” the biggest source of stress (okay, insanity) for me was the idea that my wedding had to be perfect. That it could be perfect. Perfect in the sense of perfectly scripted, costumed, directed, produced. But here’s the thing. That’s not a wedding day; it’s a movie. An impossible goal, and you will make yourself crazy trying to achieve it – and miserable when it doesn’t happen. For myself, I’d rather focus on having a day where I get to marry my best friend, hopefully surrounded by the people who love us, and hopefully followed by cake. I’m not sure it gets more perfect than that. (If you need more convincing that going for perfect isn’t where it’s at, Meg’s got a great post on it over here.)
It’s been awhile since I posted a rustic barn inspiration board, and since it finally felt like spring here yesterday, I thought that today I’d post one that combines those two things. A lucky horseshoe motif on the invitations hints at the country location – and maybe set up a horseshoe pit for your guests to enjoy during cocktail hour. We see so many autumn barn weddings, but white flowers, blossoming branches and chocolate quail eggs (in a little nest!) mean Spring, which I think is a nice “theme” for a slightly formal ranch wedding.
Mood: rustic, elegant spring wedding
Palette: nest brown, petal white
After posting nearly 500 inspiration boards (good grief!), I figured it was okay to revisit some of my earlier ones. Pulling from them and re-working them, at the least making them new, and at best improving on the originals. I first posted an inspiration board called Chasing Butterflies back in 2008, and decided to change it up a bit in today’s post. A butterfly-themed wedding could so easily become too sweet or cute, which is why I love this antique, scientific take on it. Maybe incorporate magnifying glasses and vintage scientific illustrations to complete the look? Also, notice the use of old jewelry and keepsake boxes – I think these could be a wonderfully unexpected decorative element. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this revised version as much (or more!) than the original.
Mood: adventures in romance and academia
Palette: blue gray, caramel, oak, dry hydrangea
This inspiration board was inspired entirely by the bedroom designed by Eddie Ross – that saturated yellow of the wall and the lamp, the totally sheer pink of the bed linens, the pretty pattern on the screen, and the matte black of the lampshade. The result is, I think, a boldly modern – and sweetly romantic – palette and look.
Mood: boldly romantic
Palette: lemon drop, sheer pink, matte black
