Fall into a Bold Color Palette

Fall is almost here and that means a fresh new season of color trends. We predict bold and bright colors for 2017, beginning with rich, rustic reds and deep satin blues during our autumn months.  Read on for what to expect when you’re expecting…to be married…in the coming months ahead!

Cranberry. Warm and inviting, offsetting lighter shades of rose with a deep cranberry can turn your day into a visionary stunner for sore eyes. This color is lively enough to serve as your backdrop to a killer dance party, yet romantic enough to walk you down the aisle during your ceremony.

Plum.  This color is striking when complimented with dove gray. Pairing an exuberant color with a calm one balances out the two extremes and is an aesthetic treat hitting both ends of the color spectrum. Plum is always elegant and adds an earthy, dreamy vibe to any wedding.

Photo by Kate Price Photography

Magenta. I’m not saying to line your venue with magenta tapestries—unless you’re into that sort of thing (in which case, by all means please do so, because it will work with the right level of commitment)—but magenta is one of the boldest colors in the many varieties of the wildflower family. If this is what you’re looking for, pair magenta accents with light sweet oranges, soft lavenders, or soft earthy green. This creates a straight-outta-the-field wild flower feel.

Mustard yellow. Mustard yellow and gold accents are a gorgeous combination and make for a flawless bohemian atmosphere. Add a few succulents here and there and you’re all set. Less structured bouquets and centerpieces with the above mentioned wildflower look can tie this look together perfectly.

Peacock blue. Don’t be afraid—deep satin peacock blue is great in small doses. If you want a modern punch to a sophisticated wedding, this is a wonderful color to choose. Offset this bold hue with a blush pink and/or dove gray and watch the magic fall into place.

Don’t be afraid of color this season. Bright is beautiful! Also remember that a little bit of color goes a long way. If you are looking to incorporate a bold color into your special day, be sure to counteract each bold accent with a soft one. Happy planning! 

Think Outside the White

Sometimes you want to move away from traditional wedding practices without losing said tradition completely. Today we want to talk about an alternative to the classic white wedding gown without completely disregarding custom altogether. There are a couple different avenues you can go that won’t abandon the elegance that a classic white dress brings on your wedding day.

Champagne. A lot can be said to introduce a wedding dress with a glistening champagne glow. Since this errs on the side of yellow, stay away from yellow accents that will make the champagne look bland. You want it to pop! Highlight the array of hidden flecks of sparkle in your dress with gold or even silver accents. You can never go wrong pairing diamonds with champagne either.

Blush pink. If you want color without going overboard, blush pink is the perfect fit for you. Whether it’s blended through the tooling of your skirts, or a lace overlay across your gown, this color is sure to warm up your look without sacrificing sophistication.

Photo by Clane Gessel

Pops of color. Don’t want to commit to a dress entirely not white? Add a colorful sash; embroidered, lace, or satin. This will easily add that pop of color without going too far out on the ledge. You can also sport a headpiece with an array of different color choices.

Ivory. It’s not off white, it’s not cream…it’s ivory. This color choice is creamy and full of depth, giving your dress a marble smooth look. Ivory looks especially elegant with classic black tuxedos. 

Shades of gray. New for the season, light shades of gray are a bold and beautiful alternative to white. Not too dark and not too light, gray compromises by sitting right in the middle and giving you the best of both worlds. This choice is modern and chic, wandering into a whole new territory that’s beyond fashion forward.

A second dress. If you’ve always wanted to wear white on your special day, that doesn’t mean you have to ditch your dreams of color altogether. If having a second dress for your reception is something you’re considering, this is a great time to showcase your pop of color. Change into one of the creamy dream variations listed above, slip on a sultry black number, or choose a solid bright and bold color, like cranberry red. You’re sure to stun your audience in awe with your party ensemble change!

There you have it! A few of the alternatives to a white wedding dress without losing the sacred hue that makes your day magical and bright. If you have ideas of your own, don’t be shy to branch out and begin your own trend. It’s your day so be sure to make of it what you want!

Back to Basics: Wedding Planning 101

Today we want to talk about creating a basic overview that you can use as a guideline as you walk through the motions of getting your big day in order. As we discussed last week, it can be overwhelming to get engaged and move into the planning phase when you don’t know where to begin. We walked through what to begin with directly after your engagement and now we will take a step further to look at the process as a whole. Let’s get some major tasks pinned down!

Guest list. The guest list is probably one of the most important facets to planning a successful event. You need to know how many people will be attending, including how many kids. This will help decide how kid friendly you will need to design your reception and what your menu will look like. It will also aide in beverage decisions (i.e. open bar vs. cash bar).

Bridal party. Make a complete list with your other half of those you want in your bridal party. Make sure to follow through with this step all the way and include who will be walking down the aisle with who. During this step, also think about who else will be walking down the aisle. Do you want the officiant to already be in the ceremony area? Or would you prefer him/her to walk down the aisle to begin with? Who will be escorting your grandmother or grandfather? Lastly, agree on a flower girl and ring bearer.

Venue shopping. After you’ve gone through the beginning motions of finding your season and setting a date, begin to brainstorm where and what kind of venue you’re looking for. When you have an idea of the style you like, begin to search around the area you’re aiming to wed. Budgeting is important during this step, so be aware of your spending limit.

Find that dress. Next up; the dress. You’ve got the styles you like and don’t like and you know what will flatter your figure best. Choose one dress shop you’re curious about and make an appointment. Take it one appointment at a time. If you don’t find anything you like at the first shop, pick out another and make an appointment a few weeks later. You want time for your brain to decipher why you didn’t like any of the dresses at the first shop and help you gain some perspective of what you’re specifically looking for.

Catering/dessert. Now that you know what your guest list looks like and how many people you’re expecting, you can begin to narrow down catering options. Getting recommendations from someone you trust is important. Pick two different caterers and set up a tasting. If you like neither, pick two other catering companies you want to try and make a tasting appointment for a couple weeks later. Like finding a dress, it will give you some time to marinate on what you’re looking for. Use the same technique for choosing your dessert.

Florist. Go through magazines and photos of flower scenes that best match your taste and color choices. Then, pick out a florist that has great reviews near the venue you chose. You want them to be nearby so the flowers don’t have to be in transit for an extended period of time.

We hope this guide gives you some relief as you begin planning your special day. This is only the beginning and on Thursday we’ll expand this overview to highlight what’s to come next. Stay tuned everyone!