Inspiration Board; Clean and Compelling

Less is More.

I know everyone is sick of hearing it, but it is so true. 

Keep it simple with a soft, neutral base tone to your Wedding, and dress it up with some interesting prints or textures.

It gives you a clean, tailored, romantic look without half the hassle of trying to match up colours!

Remember, 9 times out of 10, the Wedding dress is going to be a shade of white, so why not just go with it, and find some really quirky pieces for table centres or backdrops? 

Here is my take on Neutral with Interest!

images; clutch, invitation, shoes, drinks, car, couple

Colour story- Dove grey and sunshine yellow

This is a popular combo... and why not. You get the softness of grey with the  upbeat joy of yellow. Grey ranges from beige tones to blue based hues and all work incredibly well with yellow.  My one tip would be, try to keep your shade of sunshine soft, and avoid eye jarring fluro lemon.

Flower girl, cake, couple, dress,  wrap,  bridesmaid

Man About Town.

It's been a while since we touched on the subject of Groom's style, and I still stand by the fact that Male Celebrities with their glamorous events [and personal stylists] are an excellent way to get a feel for what is in right now.

In bringing you all this post, I am gorging myself on another of my celebrity crushes. What a good excuse to indulge, this blogging business!

Joseph Gordon Levitt has come a long way since his 3rd Rock From The Sun days, and so has his style.

I have no problem in basing a Groom's outfit on his style!

The left is is my favourite outift from all of these. I love the quirky Waistcoat! How about a casual t-shirt and blazer look for a morning-after brunch?

Having a casual wedding? Why not try suit trousers, with corresponding shirt, tie and jumper? Another option is an open collar and mismatched jacket and trousers.

I love the colours in this shot. The navy suit and burgandy tie... to die for!

Don't be afraid to mix those colours up!

Any requests for celebrity eye candy?!

What is your favourite groom look?

whiter shade of pale

White weddings don't have to be a thing of the past. When you mix white with creamy hues and latte, the result is so delicious.

milk bottles here,  meringue tower here, cake image here, dress here, headband here, flowers here,  

table setting- here, white balloons here

Heathcliff, It's me, Cathy!

I saw the featured Sarah Seven gown, and was instantly thrown back to England, overgrown meadows and rolling hills and dales. Mud, and rain! Upon thinking of dales, Wuthering Heights sprung to mind. I know, it is as tragic as they come, but what if Cathy and Heathcliff weren't so mental?....

photos; Sarah Seven, Pete Barnes Photography [uk], Not on the High St, Artist Bride, Ritzy Bee, Valley and Co.

Something to listen to...

Music is great. It's also a very personal thing. Choosing wedding music is a VERY difficult task! I know this as I have recently experienced the challenge of putting together a playlist for my own wedding.
(We had an Ipod playing.)

A few tips

#1 You can't please everyone so you may as well please yourself! ( However, I tried to put a little    something in for those very special to me.)
#2  Try to steer clear of explicit lyrics... for obvious reasons.
#3  Have friends contribute by asking them what they would like to hear at your wedding.
#4  Plan your wedding tunes in sections as in: Ceremony music/ Dinner music/ Speeches music ( pref quiet) /Dancing and or Party music. You can create very different atmospheres for each period of time. In general, the music you play for the dinner will be quite relaxed while after dinner will be more celebratory and upbeat, but again thats all up to you.
#5 Not all your songs have to be love songs. Choose tracks that hold memories for the both of you, for your families and your friends. If its a little dorky, that's ok... its your wedding.
#6 Having a era theme for your wedding eg. 20's, 50's, 60's, Rock'n'roll, Country, makes choosing your music a little easier as you have a direction to go in.
#7 The best way to find songs you like is to listen to lots of music!

Here are a few songs I think are cute, in case you were looking for a little extra inspiration or just something to listen to...

Nina Simone- My baby just cares for me
The Temper Trap- Sweet disposition
Snow patrol- Chocolate
Fleet Foxes- White winter Hymnal
Cathy Davey- Reuben
Vampire weekend- Cape cod Kwassa kwassa
Lykke li- Tonight
Patience and Prudence- Tonight you belong to me
Sarah Blasko- All I want 
The Killers- Romeo and Juliet
Lisa Mitchell- Clean white love
Old crow medicine show- Tear it down
Department of Eagles- Teenagers
xxx

Words, Words, Words

I am seriously loving the lettering/monogram trend. But what I am loving even more is the wording trend. 

There is bunting all around with 'Married' or the Bride and Grooms names on. And I love it. It makes such a statement. You don't even need to stop at 'Gettin' Hitched!' How about a meaningful lyric, screen printed on a sheet above the head table?

Some wonderful, simple ideas below.

What interesting ways would you display your 'Just Married'?

images; Style Me Pretty, Ruffled

Bows and Butterflies

We all know bows are big, a la lady gaga and fifties retro. Another trend I have noticed popping up in weddings is the butterfly motif. I wouldn't overdo this look and I would also avoid glittery butterflies but these images show both trends looking super cute...

What do you think?

shoes via green wedding shoes- cake- maisie fantasie, bow headdband- something new (etsy), bow headband- blk- once wed, bow purse- etsy, Butterfly hair clips orange- kaboodle, sequined hair bow- stylehive,  invitations- paper persuasions

 butterfly bouquet- laura normandidn, whichgoose monach clip, flyaway butterfly hair piece, cake- martha stewart, michelle williams- lyndell mansfield

Breaking The Rules.

Boutonniere flowers have become badges.

Bouquets of roses have become bouquets of buttons.

White Wedding gowns have become any colour Wedding gowns.

So by today's DIY, personalised Wedding standards, who says Bridesmaids need to wear matching gowns, or even a dress?!

There are some adorable outfits around at the moment. Mismatching your ladies is definitely a trend, why not take it to the next level?
Here are a few of my favourite cute outfits.

  one, two, three, four

Win an Engagement Session!

The wonderful Kate Robinson has a LOVELY wee competition going.
I think you should all go post on her blog! Good luck!

Honey and Peony

One of my favourite colour combos of this year would have to be Honey and Peony. It can be either bold and rich, or soft and pastel. Either way, It makes a fantastic combination, I just wish I suited either colour! It screams fun, fun, FUN!

images via; bunting, bride in blush, honey, heart plush, baloons

Golden Day

I love this board... 

It makes me reminisce being a romantic teenage girl, who loved all things pretty and nostalgic. And of course those donuts are fantastic!! Keep this palette chic by not over using the glittering gold. Instead supplement it with honey tones and leave plenty of white/ ivory space.

I really love the touch of green, reminding me of the burnish on vintage brass. 

 book- jose villa, pandora, teacups- louella court, locket- we heart it, donuts- icing designs online, bride with purse- joanna wickham, dress- marchesa, couple- unknown, ruffles- sparkliatti

All in the detail

What makes your wedding dress unique, and what is it about your gown that shows your personality? By using details you can really express yourself, and be as bold or as delicate as you like. 

1 bravo bride, 2 eric hegwer, 3 vera wang, 4 in wedding dress, 5 wedding style guide, 6 kleinfield wedding dresses, 7 delicatessen, 8 jenny woo, 9 jenny packham, 10 kelima-k, 11- budget wedding dresses, 12 morgan bozllkov, 13 sugarlove weddings, 1 4 j crew, 15 anna greeda, 16 reem acra, 18 city chic, 19 romano kevesa

Framed

My husband and I are about to visit our lovely photographer, Jo Grams of Moda Fotografica to see our finished wedding day prints. Exciting!

So, now I need to figure out how to display them!  Im trying to avoid hanging them in a straight line in matching frames, or dotting them around the place. Grouping creates greater impact. Anyway... Here are a few images from around the web that gave me inspiration and some great ideas.

1- southern living, 2- houzz.com, 3- laura winslow photography, 4- jordan guides design, 5- jill carmel, 6- cayton photo journal, 7- style at home.com, 8- country living

Colour Story; Modern Ruby and Platinum

Hows about a little feast for your eyes today?

Yes? Lovely. But before I post the goodies below, I would just like to take a moment to send all my thoughts to those affected by the 'quake this week. This mornings aftershocks were shockingly big and scary. I hope it all gets better very soon. but so far, Canterbury, You have been amazing. Keep it up. =]

So, on to the noms!

This inspiration board is something a little different to our soft, muted vintage tones.

Team some bold typography or imagery with a statement colour, carry the colour throughout, et voila! You have a modern, edgy wedding.

What would be your colour choice for a bright, modern wedding?

MisteR Suit, pillow covers, Heart Stickers, heart print, shoes, dress, bouquet

Pear, Forest and Vanilla cream

Ivory Dahlia wishes everyone in Canterbury, NZ, a safe week.

An English Country Ga-aaarden!

Ah! I have returned to Christchurch from my mini-break. I spent the time away by the fire with a girlfriend, curled up on the sofa eating junk food and watching many a period drama. It was the period dramas, along with the stash of  British edition House and Garden, which got 'English Country Garden' in my head, and has subsequently fuelled my English Country Garden themed board for today.

images; swing, necklace, shoes, preserves, daisy chain, bouquet, suit, couple, invitation, seating, dress, arrow.

The wonderful world of Louise Douglas

What should I find in my inbox this week but a collection of GORGEOUS, and I must stress, absolutely stunning, jewellery. I haven't come across the work of Louise Douglas before, but now that I have, I am head over heels for it. Anybody who loves the seashore will understand where this brilliant designers' inspiration comes from and the best part... Louise is based in Nelson! I can see this jewellery at a beach wedding for sure. My pick is the sea lace collection in gold. 

Please visit her website, linked below, to see more of this amazing collection. Also check out her fantastic blog.

+643 744 3143

info@louisedouglas.com