A Vineyard Inspired Affair

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Kathryn

I LOVE vineyards and wine tasting and what could be better than your normal trip to your favorite vineyard…well, a vineyard wedding of course! The beauty of the vineyard wedding is that this isn’t just isolated to one or two places, there seem to be vineyards popping up all over the country and world these days making a vineyard wedding a very good possibility in your own backyard (or within driving distance) or as a destination wedding.

Between California and Long Island wineries in the United States as well as many well known and well established grape growing locations all over the world (think Italy, France, Australia, South Africa) whatever type of wedding you are looking for the world will have it! So once you’ve picked the location it’s time to busy yourself with all the details like the vineyard of choice, whether you’ll be having an outdoor or indoor reception (I hope outdoor!) From there it’s moving on to the table ideas, although here you can’t really go wrong if you’ve plopped yourself in the middle of a gorgeous vineyard. As always, never forget the little details like the best ways to incorporate the cork (please, I know it may be cliche but for a vineyard wedding you must!) I love these place cards using cork and this fun guest sign-in “book” (photos below). And finally, among picking the wines you will all be drinking and the best ways to serve them (I love the “drink bar” below where wine bottles rest in the center of a picnic table), you can’t forget the favors! And of course, I would suggest a bottle of wine for this one…

Credits: Style Me Pretty, Stefan Sisters Bridal, Wedding Bee, Botanica Floral Designs, Pinterest via Reason to Breathe, Brides, My own photo of Wolffer Estate Vineyard – East Hampton, Inspired by This

The Western Way

Into the Heartland (Country Style)

Destination Scotland

Vintage Details

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Kathryn

Weddings are all about the details from the lighting to the place cards; the music selection to the appetizers. But sometimes the details can become fragmented when you’re trying to pull together so many different elements into one very short day. One way to avoid a big, disjointed wedding day is to stick with a specific theme and colors that all help add to the day instead of leaving guests wondering what kind of a wedding they had just been to…

These days, all things vintage seem to be on the forefront of high fashion and lifestyle choices with everything from clothes to homes to weddings. So today it’s all about the vintage details! We’re not talking an entire vintage reception (we aren’t suggesting a complete throwback), instead you can give your wedding the vintage feel by adding some simple (and some very budget friendly, do-it-yourself) accessories. Like what? It’s all about the little things when we talk details, so just a few suggestions in pictures… starting with some fun vintage save-the-dates and invitations, your engagement ring (yes that will be “at” the wedding too!), using old books as centerpieces and old suitcases for guests to drop off their gift envelopes or even to store your vintage place cards, or how about leaving your guests with these adorable macaroon favors in a very vintage “vase”… still not convinced? Trust me, you will be once you add these little details to the big day and tie all of your wedding decisions and decor together!

Credits: Not on the High Street, Ring O Blog, Cardinal Bridal, Tabitha & Sachi from Illuminate Photography, J’adore les Macarons, Demi Couture Fashion Blog, Perfect Wedding Guide, The Yellow Buttercup, Butter Toast Boutique, Revel Blog

The Modern Pattern Wedding

Sparkle into the New Year

A Shot Among the Tulips {In Turkey}

Back to the Basics – For an Old Fashioned Wedding

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Kathryn

We (you, me, everyone) seem to forget in our tech-friendly, app obsessed, 21st century life, how lovely and charming the old world approach to things (life, love, weddings, etc) was and can still be. Instead of boats we take planes, instead of paper we use computers, instead of meeting our husbands and wives “organically”, we meet online, and instead of traditional weddings, we are wrapped up in the next best thing… because we are all living in a very modern world.

Okay fine, I know I’m not out to convert all of the modernists back to our traditional roots, but I do want to prove that there is plenty of beauty in an “Old Fashioned” wedding filled with charm, glamour, and grace. If you’ve stopped reading please don’t! I promise that even the most modern of us all can find ways to incorporate the past into our weddings (even though today I’m proposing any entirely back to the basics, old fashioned wedding approach and lots of inspiration!)

So as always, I like to begin with the bridal gown! This Ian Stuart gown (below) is impeccable. The detailing of the skirt, the choice color (ivy, not white), and most especially the separate jacket with a corset that hugs the waist, make this dress the perfect choice for a very traditional wedding. But there are plenty of ideas that aren’t just about the fashion. Try making fun place cards for your guests using vintage keys like the ones below… For the reception, throw in vintage rented furniture to fill an empty reception hall (see below) like this 18th century inspired sofa canape upholstered with blue and silver silk lampas. For the bride, accent your modern hairstyle with a very vintage brooch (below) and a pair of vintage shoes – I am OBSESSED with these Vintage Di Scarla of Italy heels from Etsy! And finally for your color palette, pick accents like cream and mauve which can be used perfectly in all of the floral centerpieces and bouquets (I LOVE the bouquet below). These colors are so muted that you can add the loud touches like an intricate wedding dress and vintage furniture which nicely balances those creams, taupes, and mauves to create that “old fashioned” look we are going for…

Credits: Met Museum, Ian Stuart – Bellevue, Style Me Pretty, All the Rest , The Wedding Chicks, Etsy, Etsy

PinExt Back to the Basics For an Old Fashioned Wedding

India Inspired

Dress of the Week - Yaki Ravid

Dress of the Week - Peter Langner

Au Naturel

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Kathryn

Au naturel? Yes, for the wedding at least. With Earth Day right around the corner (it is this Sunday..) I figured it was time to go back to our roots in terms of wedding decor so today it’s all about the all natural – earth tones, outdoor weddings, and even some bark place cards!

Seriously though, greenery is not always a part of our wedding plans (except probably for the pictures) but the outdoors can serve as the perfect backdrop for a ceremony and reception. What is so perfect about the outdoors is that your setting can be dressed up or down accordingly. I love the idea of creating an elegant and romantic “earthy” wedding but styling certain pieces like your table setting as though you were in a glamorous country club (check out the place setting below!) You can also pick long bridesmaid dresses to make the atmosphere more formal (I’m keeping with my brown and green palette today with a beautiful dark brown chiffon dress). Remember to blend your touches of elegance with the outdoors (you are after all planning an outdoor wedding!). Fun ways to keep the atmosphere earthy are with these perfect bark place cards and baby plant favors (both below)! And don’t forget the bridal accessories! Instead of a classic veil or sparkling tiara, why not chose a natural wreath or small flower in your hair. Combine these with some fancier decor and before you know it au naturel will be simply gorgeous.. and just in time for Earth Day!

Credits: Style Me Pretty, My Tent House and Wedding, Wedding Chicks, Alie Express, Etsy, Pinterest, Weddings Madeez, Project Wedding, Etsy

Trend Alert: Wedding Favor Bags

Destination Florence

Trend Alert: Bridesmaids Patterns

Enchanted – For a Fairy Tale Wedding

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Kathryn

Whether you like them or not, we all grew up with fairy tales. Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Rapunzel have all made their way into our hearts and still inspire us to dream about our own happy ending. And isn’t your wedding day supposed to be just that?

Every bride deserves an enchanted wedding day whether it’s big or small, so here are some “fairy tale inspired” ideas to bring out the Sleeping Beauties in each of us…

I imagine colors in fairy tales to be light, airy and delicate which is why a pale pink and light turquoise are so fitting. The setting doesn’t need to be in the middle of a pink enchanted forest (first photo), but your photos can be done in a unique and enchanted place of your own. How about your reception venue? Well, a castle may be more realistic than you think.. Although the Egeskov Castle in Denmark (second photo) may not be available for your reception, there are so many castle-like venues that can help to create your fairy tale wedding. And the dresses…. I picked a light blue for the bridesmaids (forth photo), and yes although the dramatic staircase below isn’t necessarily realistic, it is meant to inspire the type of wedding photos that you would find only in fairy tales. Finally, the wedding gowns (fifth and sixth photos) are of course romantic but strong and simply perfect for an enchanted affair.