A New Spin on Brown & Green

The classic color combo of brown and green is always popular during the summer. Recently, I had an planning meeting with some clients and they told me that brown and green is their color scheme because they are both nature enthusiasts! They love to go camping, hiking, and mountain biking together and wanted to incorporate their love for the outdoors into their wedding.

I created an inspiration board that uses brown and green but in an updated way. Instead of using just two colors, we plan on using different shades of these two colors. A mint and sage green pair nicely and, of course, chocolate and taupe will always be a rich and sophisticated color palette. By using these four colors together with ivory as a neutral we will create a something very visually stunning but in a very simple way. Using monochromatic colors and pairing them together creates a wonderful depth.

Although we are still in the beginning stages of the planning process, I know that this wedding is going to be breathtaking. I'm so excited to incorporate natural, understated elements with a touch of whimsy! My advice to update any color scheme is to use a series of colors in monochromatic shades.

PHOTOCREDITS: THEWEDDINGPLACE.COM, ANN RUTHMAN PHOTOGRAPHY, ZAZZLE.COM,FINESTATIONERY.COM,REDSTAMP.COM, PROJECTWEDDING.COM,FAVORIDEAS.COM, WEDDINGBEE.COM, BRENDASWEDDINGBLOG.COM, SJWEDDINGS.CO.UK, WITHTHISFAVOR.COM,SNIPPETANDINK.COM, STYLEMEPRETTY.COM, THEKNOT.COM

Shabby Chic Wedding

I have a client that is inspired by the shabby chic wedding style which is one of my favorites. Shabby chic is surprisingly versatile, it can be used with whites, pastels and bright colors! All you really need is a touch of whimsy and a dash of romance.

In my opinion, romantic soft flowers such as hydrangeas, roses, calla lilies, peonies, gypsum (babies breath), bleeding hearts, ranunculus, and hypericum berries are ideal. You can use a lot of greens or very few depending on how "fresh from the garden" you want your bouquets and centerpieces to feel.

There are other design elements that can be borrowed from a variety of genres and incorporated into the shabby chic style. For instance, French country is easily translated into shabby chic with the use of toile napkins or hint of print on stationery. Antique white chandeliers with ornate crystals hung from the branches of trees can create an absolutely whimsical atmosphere for a ceremony or outdoor reception.

I love weathered wicker baskets that hold favors wrapped in beautiful antique paper, mixed and matched china with delicate floral designs, elegant Chiavari chairs and urns that are a majestic green from patina. A simple wedding cake dressed in a variety of romantic flowers would be absolutely heavenly, and using a natural element like rocks as escort cards would be dramatic and cost effective. I love the idea of using a white picket fence with flowers as a backdrop for the head table or an old bicycle with a wicker basket as a prop for memorable photos. There are so many fabulous elements that come together to create the romantic atmosphere of a shabby chic wedding.

I think the bride is definitely the jewel. I can just imagine a bride in an elegant gown of ivory lace, or a gown with a fitted bodice and chiffon skirting. Anything that hearkens back to the era of femininity. This style of wedding is above all romantic, elegant and feminine. Perfect.

PHOTOCREDITS: KELLYOSHIROEVENTS.COM,BRANCHINGOUTEVENTFLORIST.COM,THEKNOT.COM, WEDDINGLOCO.COM,BRENDASWEDDINGBLOG.COM,STYLEMEPRETTY.COM, SNIPPETANDINK.COM,WEDDINGDISH.COM,DCNEARLYWEDS.COM,BLOOMSBYTHEBOX.COM, PROJECTWEDDING.COM, BRIDES.COM

Reinvent, Reuse, Recycle - Green Weddings are Grand!

I love to plan every kind of wedding. I like weddings with a challenging budget, I like weddings with an unlimited budget, I like intimate backyard weddings and sophisticated formal weddings. So it is no wonder that I'm also digging the "green wedding" trend that I hope is here to stay.

The younger generations are on the cutting edge of this movement but that doesn't mean that a more mature bride couldn't also be intrigued by the idea of using materials that have already been used for another purpose.

There are so many ways to be "eco chic" at your wedding and the added bonus is that many of these ideas can be cost effective as well. Here are some great ideas to incorporate into your green wedding.

Thrift Store China - Perusing garage sales, thrift stores or even the clearance section at target could be a great way to save money instead of renting china. This idea lends itself to the shabby chic style wedding, or a contemporary styled wedding where everything isn't so matchy-matchy. Mixing different patterns works well as long as the same colors are coordinating together. You can also include solid plates quite easily. Mixing and matching the shapes of the china also give visual interest. Just make sure that each table has some plates that match.

Centerpieces Without Using Flowers - Often times we get so used to the idea of having table centerpieces that are flowers that we forget there are plenty of other splendid natural things to look at. If you are the creative type, do something really fun like filling apothecary jars with candies that coordinate with your wedding color scheme. These can double as favors, and you can recycle the jars by donating them to thrift store or ask guests to take them home!

Grouping different frames together that are painted to match your colors with pictures of you and your fiance would be so romantic! Mixing and matching different sizes and placing them in a circle would be so pretty and it would be easy to incorporate your table numbers into these centerpieces. This way every guest gets a great view of the centerpiece and you can showcase your engagement photos. Adding candle votives to surround the frames would add to the romance.

Another interesting idea is using natural materials such as twigs, moss, cattails, rocks and candles...really there are so many beautiful nature things that can be just as eye catching as flowers. Another really fun idea if you are into gardening is grow your own herbs in wooden box or Terra Cotta pots and have them serve as great smelling centerpieces and take home wedding favors.

Recycle Containers - If you are a coffee drinker, coco drinker or use jumbo sized tomato soup cans then this idea could work great for you! Reuse these cans by hot gluing ribbon around them then coordinating the flowers. For instance, a great centerpiece could be one of these cans wrapped in green and pink polka-dot ribbon with pink roses and chartreuse mums to match. If you want to go the extra mile, recycle that newspaper by using it to wrap the cans in. This would look so great with a black, white and red color scheme but it could also go with a shabby chic pastel color palette.


Cost Effective Flowers - Buying your flowers from the local farmer's market in Minneapolis on Thursday afternoon or Saturday morning would be a great way to save big bucks on flowers. Everyone knows that the bouquets at the farmer's market are just beautiful, and inexpensive. All you would have to do is take apart the premade bouquets and pick out the flowers that are the best quality. Pop them into your recycled container and voila, you have great centerpieces at an unbeatable price.

A great way to make an impact while using inexpensive flowers is to group them together in different containers by color. Bunching the same color of mums or using only baby's breath for flowers in another fantastic idea.

Reuse Linens - Instead of using an overlay to add color and dimension to your table linens, consider reusing old quilts (washed ofcourse!) that have coordinating colors. This would be so cute for a shabby chic or country wedding. After you are done with them, simply donate them to a homeless shelter.

Of course, if you want things to match there is always the clearance fabric at Walmart or your local fabric store. Buy two or three coordinating fabrics and use them as table runners instead of overlays. After the wedding, these scraps could easily be donated to non-profits that make quilts for the elderly or sick children.

Head Table Backdrops - Go dumpster diving! Yes, I said dumpster diving. Using an old wooden fence painted a fresh coat of white would look absolutely lovely as a backdrop for your head table, especially if you hang some mason jars filled with flowers on it. Other ideas include using tree branches from the woods and hanging white lights in them. They would look so romantic when the lights are dimmed! This could also be a great area to reuse linens such as quilts.

Use The IPOD - Although having live entertainment is wonderful, another option is to use your IPOD. This cuts down on the amount of electricity being used. If your venue has a sound system, it would be really cool compile your playlist starting with the first dances and then into the rest of the evening. This is a great way to control the flow of the evening by playing upbeat music early on, and slower music while the reception starts to wind down.

Serve Organic/Locally Grown Food - At the wedding reception, pick a menu that is Earth friendly by serving organic fruits and veggies or locally grown livestock. Many catering companies have organic options in their menus. Although at this time going organic or using locally grown food can be more expensive you will be helping the Earth by reducing emissions and helping your bodies by eating food that is free of modified genes and harmful chemicals.

There are so many more ideas I have to help make for Earth friendly weddings that I simply can't list them all. I think that using creativity with frugality is a great way to "think" green. Of course, sometimes having a green wedding means spending more on certain items but it doesn't have to be that way. Reusing what you already have, shopping at thrift stores and yard sales, and buying local flowers are actually great ways to reduce your spending.

I'm sure we will see more and more couples heading in this socially conscious direction and I would sure welcome the opportunity to help with this style of wedding.

PHOTO CREDITS: MENDOCINO WEDDINGS, MEW PAPERCRAFTS, STYLE ME PRETTY, AMOUR AMOUR, THE WEDDING DISH, THE GREEN AISLE, ETSY, REAL SIMPLE WEDDINGS, BRIDAL SURVIVAL, PROJECT WEDDING, GREEN PHILLY, GETMARRIED.COM

Valentine's Day Wedding

I think Valentine's Day is an especially fun holiday to plan your wedding design around if it falls on a weekend. With so many different shades of pinks and reds there are many possibilities even while keeping with the traditional Valentine's Day color palette. Soft hues of pinks or bolder, rich reds would provide a very dramatic and classic aesthetic.

Valentine's Day by nature is very romantic and hosting a wedding would be such a great date, not only for the couple but for the guests invited! It would remind both your single and coupled guests about true love. This theme also lends itself to cute details in the favors and stationery! So many of the things associated with the holiday such as sweets & chocolates, hearts, roses, and cupids could be easily translated into whimsical details.

In the inspiration board I designed, I decided to pair bold pinks, muted pinks and hot reds together for a very spicy ambiance. The white and hot pink car would make for a perfect getaway after the ceremony. Or you could do something a little more romantic, like a horse drawn carriage.

The bride could wear a bolder, unconventional dress without seeming so unconventional! If using red in the wedding dress is a bit too dramatic for your tastes, there is always the "Gwen Stafani" dress idea. She dyed soft hues of pink at the bottom of her very romantic and flowing dress.

I think the guys would look fabulous in a gray suit with red ties to punch it up a notch. Again, a soft pink tie is another option. I especially love all the romantic flowers that are available for Valentines day. Traditionally, white, pink or red roses could be used but pink peonies are just as romantic. Finally, the favors could be chocolates or candies wrapped in little boxes with whimsical paper.

Overall, Valentines weddings are very romantic because of the warm ambiance that is created naturally by fiery colors. It is easy to use this theme and make it your own with details that can be whimsical or traditional.

Be Inspired

If you are planning a wedding for 2011 or 2012 now is the time to do some retail therapy! What is in style in the retail market now will be hot in the event industry in a couple of years. Therefor, if you are taking your time planning your wedding, look at what the hot colors are at the stores right now for inspiration.

For 2010, we take our color inspiration from the pantone color pallette of 2008. They had a mixture of neutrals, pastels and jewel tones that compliment each other quite nicely and I think many of these hues make for great wedding colors!

In 2008 Pantone's color of the year was "Blue Iris" which looks like a deep blue with purple undertones. It is a jewel tone and would pair well with a contrasting color like bright sunny yellow.

Jewel tones from the Pantone forecast of 2008 include: olive green, pink mist, rococo red, freesia yellow,and snorkel blue. The pastels that Pantone forecasted for 2008 were: cantaloupe, spring crocus, daiquiri green, silver gray and croissant taupe. Pairing the neutrals with either the pastels or jewel tones will be the color trend for 2010. I predict we will see a lot of berry red with cantaloupe, or daiquiri green with taupe.

There are going to be so many visually interesting color pairings this year for weddings and I'm so enthusiastic about it! If you just got engaged and plan to have a wedding this summer or fall, these are the colors that are cutting edge in wedding style right now. I know that there are endless color combinations like rococo red, cantaloupe and silver or freesia yellow, iris blue and ivory that will bring a unique event design like we've not seen for a few years. 2010 weddings are sure to be stunning!

PHOTO CREDITS: HOLLYCHAPPLE FLOWERS, MARCO PATISSERIE, PINK FROSTING, CAPE FEAR WEDDING, ZCASHE.COM

To Chair Cover or Not Chair Cover....That is the Question

Chair covers can be a tricky issue when planning a wedding. A lot of couples look at them as an unnecessary expense and it is true, chair covers are completely optional.
However, it is my personal opinion as a wedding planner that if you have the funds to do so you should cover those darn ballroom chairs!!! Or even better, bring in some beautiful Chiavari chairs.

When creating your event design, it is important to remember that although the ballroom chairs are probably in good shape and functional, the room will look fantastic if you cover them.

Why? Well, for one, most ballroom chairs have burgundy or brown upholstery, sometimes there is even a small pattern on them and this can clash with the color scheme of your wedding. Also, chair covers give a much softer look to the room overall. In addition, you can easily match them to your color scheme either by using a colored sash or chair cover.

They also come in such variety! You can get damask, bold geographic prints, or solid colors. Chair covers definitely "finish" the room and makes it look uniform and completely esthetically pleasing. It is really classy to walk into an event and see a beautifully set table with fantastic floral arrangements and chairs that match perfectly with the overall theme.

The other option that always works well is renting Chiavari chairs. These chairs are very classic and they come in a wide variety of colors. You are also able to match the chair pad to your color scheme. I find that they work well as ceremony chairs and then can be reused at the reception as well. This is definitely the route to go if you want to have a uniform look to your wedding but think that chair covers are a little too feminine or just don't go well with the event design.

Now, this doesn't mean that if your are not able to have chair covers or Chiavari chairs that your wedding ceremony or reception won't be beautiful. I'm just advocating this option if you have room in your budget or if you could move some numbers around to make room in your budget.

So, I think I've answered the question fairly. Are chair covers optional? Yes. Should they be included in the event design? Absolutely.


PHOTO CREDITS: CHAIRS & TABLES R US, MARTHA STEWART WEDDINGS, SNIPPETS AND INK

The Importance of Videography

In this daunting economy, many of my clients are forgoing videography. They rationalize that they have the photographs and so they don't need a video of the event. While I always respect my client's wishes, I really think videography is an important aspect that should be included.

The video of the wedding day is something to be shared with family, friends and future children. It is also really cool to see the moments leading up to the wedding, when you and your spouse were separated and getting ready for the nuptials. It is also priceless to capture the heartfelt moments when you say your vows to each other and kiss for the first time as husband and wife.

Many people think that uncle Fred taking video on his camcorder will suffice. Sadly, they are often disappointed with shaky video, non existent audio and lots of footage of family and friends instead of the newlyweds.

Professional videographers also have a way of capturing important moments and often can use their artistic integrity to create a masterpiece. They use meaningful music selections and capture the minute details of the day, as well as private, intimate moments between the couple.

Photo albums are great, and so is videography! It is your special day brought to you in living color with the most romantic moments highlighted. I really hope that brides and grooms everywhere budget accordingly for this must have service!

PHOTO CREDITS: Livweddings.com