Purple Haze...

Inspire

A wee late but here we are! I have to admit that I found researching some great purple ideas was a lot harder than doing the yellow - or even the polka dots! I hadn't expected that ... but, when done well, I think purple can really bring a pop of color into a wedding. Take a look at the design inspiration board.....

Top: Beautiful chandelier - great for a dance floor accent (Amazon); Great purple pattern with green chair (Anh Minh);

Bottom: Love this outdoor set-up (Sugar Plum Invitations); Really heart this purple see-through pattern (Harmony and Home); and I found this amazing dress designed by a young design student at Auroras Light.

Invitations

You know how much I love graphics and these invitations, I think, are truly some of the best eclectic group of invites I've collected in a while! I do think invites and/or STDs are one of the most important design pieces for your wedding - they make a statement right from the start about what guests can anticipate and look forward to!

Top: Very pretty, elegant monogram type invite (Pink Design Events); whimsical and creative (Invitations by Nature).

Middle: I think this color combination is just really nice (Be Our Guest); And I would have never thought to put green and purple together before but I am becoming a fan! (Mirabel Press); I like the layers and texture in this invite (Be Spoke).

Bottom: I have to heart heart this whole invite collection - it's really just awesome (Joyful Heart Design); and I really love the use of the black with the purple dendrobium orchids - just gorgeous! (Invitation Box); UP TOP we have this great traditional, yet modern monogram and pattern (Lela New York); Next I super heart heart this amazing invite collection (Style Me Pretty); DOWN BELOW we have this pretty two-tone purple invite (Imagine Wedding).

Bouquets

Fortunately for the purple bride, there are a variety of flowers in PV to make the perfect purple bouquet. Some of my personal favorites would be dendrobium orchids, sterling silver roses and purple lisianthius. And a disclaimer - some of these bouquets do have flowers that are not available here in Vallarta but as it seems I have a following of people who aren't getting married in Vallarta, I've included them anyway! :)

Top: Not my favorite but has lots of promise (Kugab); really pretty with a hint of purple (Romantic Wedding Flowers).

Middle: I heart heart this bouquet - it's just full of surprise and beauty! (Holly Chapple Flowers); again, another beautiful bouquet of orchids not available in pv ;) (Wedding Tactics); This is such a pretty, soft, romantic bouquet (In Emotion).

Bottom: Absolutely heart heart heart this organic looking, amazing bouquet (The Knot); A great combination of flowers and colors (ColleenBlooms on Flickr!); UP TOP we have a bouquet I wish I could have gotten a little bigger to really see what the blooms are, but pretty nonetheless (Tastefully Entertaining); DOWN below a yummy looking bouquet (May Wedding Flowers); and last very pretty purple/white bouquet (Istock Photo).

CENTERPIECE & CEREMONY IDEAS

To stay away from high school prom scary, I really found that you needed to be creative with the whole purple dominant theme .... as a result some of these centerpieces are just amazingly imaginative and definitely something that will make a statement.

Left: Just heart heart these floral boxes - not real sure I would put them into a centerpiece but would definitely love to tuck them around a reception area (Stylish Events); absolutely awesome beaded vases with purple flowers tucked-in - those vases will look great with some candles next to them in the evening (Country Living); great branches with dark purple orchids (The Knot).

Middle: This is such a great, amazing centerpiece that it had to have its own category - even if we can't get those purple blooms here in Vallarta (Simply Blooms).

Right: I heart heart heart these creative flower vases - what a simple idea but it just looks fabulous (My Coin Purse); two ceremony ideas - love the purple with green on the ceremony chairs (Wedding Belles); and I thought this ceremony aisle was different, the way they draped the fabric and put the purple floral balls at the top (Invitation Box); and last so pretty little floral vases and big pillar candles (Elizabeth Anne Designs).

CAKES

Well, ya'all know how I love cakes - they are just a great way to add a signature accent to the evening and, when done just right, can be a great moment :).

Top: I would prefer a different shade of purple, but this design is just heavenly (Real Simple); I just thought this cake had enough elements in it to make it really interesting (Pretty Frosting).

Middle: Great use of different shades of purple with a touch of hint (Stylish Events); again, just really am grooving this green and purple combination (Invitation Box); I'm not normally a fan of sugar flowers but I think this cake just looks awesome (Kue Wedding).

Bottom: I have to be honest - I'm not real sure how I feel about this cake - but it was so creative and original I just had to include it (Budget Wedding Planning); I know this isn't a cake, but I can imagine how a cake would look if you utilized those swirls and flowers - awesome! (The Artful Quiller); I liked this very different size, striped cake (A Piece of Cake); and last silver white and purple - with dots no less! (Tastefully Entertaining).

So, I will try my very best to do another inspiration board before we launch into this next season - it's going to be a busy one, so forgive me if I get a wee behind!

Sweet Huppah, Creative Bride!

The biggest shout-out goes to Isabel who was married this past September 5 in Woodland California! I loved everything she sent me and was so inspired when she asked us to please create a special huppah like what we did for Natalie & Jed (shown below) but based on her STD's and invites! Fun!

Isabel's STD's, I think, were amazing. Take a look for yourselves!

This was the huppah in process.....

And, finally, the finished product - I can't wait to see photos from the actual wedding and so wished it had been in Vallarta!

If the Shoe Fits...

Hello my dear brides!! Before the new season in Vallarta gets underway I wanted to share with you some fun finds I found when looking for other things - you would be amazed at what shows up in a search engine when you are not looking for something! ;)

Cream, White, Beige, Silver, ETC.

Top Row: We have these India inspired silver dangly heels - look great, not so sure about comfort though (My High Heels); I love these retro Betty Boop type shoes (Brides Best Mate); these probably should have gone under the shoes with pop and color, but I felt they were more conservative in nature (although very classical) (Simply Chic Events).

Middle row we have these very simple, yet again classical peep toed heel (Simply Chic Events); Love this peep toed heel with the flower at the toe (Brides Best Mate); and ending the row with these great vintage shoes (Elegant Steps).

Bottom row, I do believe this was a DIY shoe which the bride crystallized herself, but could be wrong and, if I am wrong, there's an idea for you (Pricescope); I think these lace heels could look awesome under a simple satin sheath type dress to give the whole look a bit of texture (This Next); and, at the end of this row, up top we have these butterfly flats (Perfect Bound); I'm not a big fan of flats but I do find these really pretty with the pearls and black bow (Wedding Central).

Pop, Color, Pizazz, ETC.

Top row we have these amazing black and white heels, probably not under a big, full dress but would look great in a shorter dress (Perfect Bound); a great red, silver heel - I just HEART HEART the idea of red under a wedding dress (Wedding Paper Divas); I HEART HEART these shoes - they are just seriously fabulous ... well, except for the heel part which could very well be uncomfortable! (Bridal Wave).

Second row we have these retro/mod blue and silver flats (Blue Swallow at flickr); these light blue heel with crystal accent at the ankle (Jeepnaysaparis); great runchy at the green heel with flower at toe (Simply Chic Events).

Bottom row up top we have bright fuchsia heels (The Knot); these fab pink retro heels with flower at toe (Pretty Small Shoes); underneath we have some pink chucks - I'm generally not a fan (or even close to fan) of tennis shoes worn under a dress but I relented after seeing these photos (Queta Knits); very blue shoes with Renaissance looking buckle (Wedding Paper Divas); up top I heart heart these blue ruffley shoes - I mean, if you're going to do a colored shoe, so fun to do something that says "look at me!" (Prima Donna Bride); and lastly green shoe with interesting flower at toe (Wedding Paper Divas).

Sandals and Barefoot

Last, but never least, if anything the most important for the beach, are sandals and barefoot!

Up top we have these beautiful silver flip-flops (Bridal Wave); I heart heart these turquoise blue sandals (Coastal Living); very interesting starfish at the toe sandals (Beach Wedding Ideas); very colorful sequined or crystal (or combination of both) sandals (Too Too); for those of you who have followed my blogs before you know that I heart heart heart these barefoot "sandals" - I've seen them at weddings before and they are just beautiful - first up beautiful blue with mother of pearl accent (Beach Theme Wedding Shop); next, a beautiful mother of pearl barefoot sandal (Sandals and FlipFlops) and lastly I thought this was a very interesting idea of a henna tattoo "sandal" (Emily Whetstone at Flickr).

So, I hope there were enough shoe inspirations to whet your appetite for a great adornment - if you are having a ceremony on the beach I would highly recommend a flip-flop or sandal (or barefoot - my favorite!) and then have a pair of heels for later on (especially if dancing is involved)!

Next week we tackle the color purple!

I'm Seeing Spots....

No, my dear brides, you are not seeing spots - you are seeing Polka Dots! Now before you roll your lovely eyes and really have thought I've lost all my marbles (those are round too ... sortof like spots ... sortof like polka dots!), let me show you why I want you to find your inner pattern! :) Instead of doing a design board, I fell-in love with this collage just the way it was created and had to share! (Bliss Event Group) What's so awesome about this board is the mix of patterns - and elements...

DESIGN ELEMENTS
I was going to save the design until last but realized that I had to prove to you why I think polka dots, combined with patterns, could be awesome!

FIRST ROW: Awesome polka-dotted feathery hair piece (Fine Stationery); I heart heart this pattern with round blue fringe, white and blue flowers and little polka dot up top - absolutely perfect example of combining literal and figurative polka dots but in a very unique and awesome way! (Nichole Heady); and you would think this last image would go under bridesmaids and such but I just loved the whole concept of the photo - very retro and edgy and COOL! (Chronically Vintage).

SECOND ROW: White wall with black polka dots and black furniture and accents (Fabulous Finishes); and I'm not sure if this is fabric, but if it is, I could see this as a great wrap for bridesmaids (for the right bride ;)) (Lifestyle at MSN).

THIRD ROW: Combination of floral balls and Chinese lanterns (Design OutLoud); I heart heart these shoes - black with white polka dots (Amy Carroll Photo); and round paper floral pom poms (Fabulous Finishes).

SQUISHED IN-BETWEEN: Green mum flower basket and ring pillow (Wedding Bee); and candy favors (Wedsmack).

BOTTOM ROW: Up top we have fuchsia and green polka dotted ring pillow (Bliss Tree); down below we have a ceremony aisle lined with floral balls (Blog Dig); I heart heart this red rose image - I think you could do something really romantic with this image as a base (Pop Wheel); and this hanging white sequin image is awesome - think dividing curtain for the cocktail or dance area - could be really cool! (Stylist Events).

PRINTED STUFFS
So, let's start off with the very first thing you send out - your invites! :) Funky polka dots in fuchsia (A La Mode Bride and Orehlrig at Flickr respectively). The last in the top row I heart heart - I know it doesn't appear, at first glance, to be polka-dotty (is so a word if I say so!) but, if you look closer, you will notice the round shape of the flower ... ah-ha! yes, is sooo polka-dotty! You see - sometimes we're going for the concept, and not necessarily all-out polka dots (although, if done right, all-out polka dots could be super cool!) (anyway, found at: Elizabeth Anne Designs). Underneath we have a series of green with black and white polka dots (Jamie Konet at Etsy), this fab green with white polka dots and accent in red (Polka Dot Bride), and lastly this bit more whimsical pink and green menu (Bliss Tree).

Sortof squished in-between we have a black and white polka dot affair with matching stuffs with ribbon and floral accent (Meg Moynahan), green envelope with black and white polka dots (Fine Stationery) and various colored polka dot escort cards (Stella Event Design).

Bottom row we have this great white invite with blue and white polka dot ribbon accent (Gorgeous Cards), also fab eggshell blue with white polka and black with white polka accent (Photo Card Chef) and lastly this more modern take with white and blue polka dots again from Jamie Konet of Etsy.

BRIDESMAIDS & BRIDE
Just a few dresses that I had to share! Top row is my heart heart bride's dress at Off Beat Bride (and, if you are an off-beat bride you MUST visit this site - it's fabulous!). I mean, how much fun does that dress look?! In the middle we have a white polka dot (similar to the first dress but more demure) flocked with bridesmaids - the only thing I'm not crazy about is the lace on the bridesmaid's dresses, but that's just me! (Stella Event Design) Underneath we have a great mix of patterns and greens - if you just added a touch of polka dot here and there, would look awesome! (My Bride's Story) Next up we have this great bridesmaid's dress in fuchsia and polkas (DC Nearly Weds) Underneath, another heart heart but this time a bridesmaid dress (or a very daring bride!) - I know you may think I'm crazy, but I just love it! (Discount Dress Shop) Next we have a little saucy bridesmaid dress (Quincera Dresses) and, lastly, this black and white polka dot affair found at Home School Blogger (I CANNOT make this stuff up!)

BOUTS & BOUQUETS
Still not sold? That's okay - let me pull out the big funs! ;) First up, heart heart heart (did I say heart!) this beautiful white bouquet (Fine StHYPERLINK "http://blog.finestationery.com/"ationery). Next is this great bout with polka accent(Bubbly Bride). Underneath we have two fuchsia bouquets with polka accents (Polka Dot Bride and Bubbly Bride respectively) and, lastly, also hearting these fabulous polka feather accent bouts (Fine Stationery).

CENTERPIECES
Okay, now to the nitty-gritty and do I ever have it chock-full!

TOP ROW: First we have this really great white with black polka dots - those could be reflective mirrors - very modern and different (Primma Donna Bride); next, at first glance this may not seem like a polka dot set-up but it so is! Round chinese lanterns combined with round sequins on a floral centerpiece and white coasters with, you guessed it, polka dots! (These Make Me Happy at Flickr); and lastly this combination of polka dots and stripes (Country Living).

SECOND ROW: This is a great piece with round flowers and black and white polka dots (The Knot); my absolute favorite (hearts everywhere!) with the combination of black and white patterns (Kate and Ryan Wedding); and, lastly, sortof hard to see but big martini glasses filled with round pink and white marbles (Get Married).

THIRD ROW: This has to be one of the most interesting wedding color combinations I've seen in a while - if someone just told me about it I would probably think "eww" - but, when you see this picture, it totally makes sense - black with chocolate brown, and a cream yellow with pink and brown polka dots (Brides); this is a great use of materials and texture with the polka dot white fabric combined with green and blue vases and blue flowers (Foto Bank); and, again, a combination of green with white polka dots (literal) and round yellow flower (figurative) (Team Sugar).

SQUISHED IN-BETWEEN: Again, awesome little round place-card gumball tree (Bliss Tree); chocolate brown with pink polka dots (Brides).

BOTTOM ROW: White with black and white polka dot ribbon accent (also love the combination of the elegant table number!) (Fine Stationery); round pom pom paper accents (Nichole Heady); floating round gerber in vase with what looks like fuchsia rocks (Get Married); and this amazing amazing creative centerpiece with spools of thread (Simply Divine Events).

CAKES

Topping it off with yummy cake we have:

FIRST ROW: Eggshell blue with white polka dots (very Breakfast at Tiffany's, don't you think?) (Zimbio); white with light pink polka dots (Stella Event); and this very creative/retro chocolate brown/peach/lime green cake (Snarky Chef).

SECOND ROW: Light pink with chocolate brown, pink and white polka dots (Tasty Layers); I'm not sure what color this cake is, but I'm going to go with peach with polka dots (Toast and Tables); white with fuschia polka dots and black and white polka dot ribbon accent (The Twisted Sifter).

THIRD ROW: Light pink cake with polka dots and ribbon accent (Wedding Bee); chocolate brown with pink flowers (Brides); and white with green ribbon and white polka dot accent (My Artisan Cake Company).

SQUISHED IN-BETWEEN: White with black polka dots (Fine Stationery); and I know this cake is hard to see but it's black with white round flowers! very interesting! (Snarky Chef).

BOTTOM ROW: Up top we have pink cake with different shades of pink polka dots (Toast and Tables); below we have an eggshell blue with white and blue polka dots (Sweet Retreat); this very whimsical pink and green polka dot and various patterned cake (Bliss Tree); this even more whimsical green Just Married cake (Kawinan); and I saved my heart heart for last - chocolate brown and pink polka dot and patterned cake (Wedsmack).

Next week it's all about shoes!

Corals and Monograms

A big shout goes out to Shannon who was married last Friday in Cabos!

Shannon sent us examples of her invite and monogram, which was done by Sarah over at Sprouille Designs. Absolutely beautiful!

So, we thought it would be great to mimic the coral looking tree in the background of the monogram onto her maracas! Shannon sent me some color samples of the colors she wanted - a bright yellow and a light blue ... and these were the results!

Next week I will reveal another design board (or this week if I can put all the pictures together) .... to give you a little hint think circles.....

Yellow is the "it" girl!

Wait until you get a look at this blog, my dear brides, and you may just forgive me for being absent so long! I get so involved when I start researching and then the blog becomes this huge thing! I might try taking this in smaller chunks so you don't continue to send me email with "wazzup" in the subject heading ;).

Yellow, my dear brides, is the new "it" this season - or at least it should be! Don't be afraid of yellow! Embrace your inner yellow! And, without further ado, here's the inspiration board....

Can you see my point?! Don't worry - these images pop-up later down below....

Invites

So, let's start with the invites .... in the upper left hand corner we have a whole series of paperworks (invites, STD's, programs) found at Green Wedding Shoes; a very dramatic, elegant yellow and black creation from Dolce Press; upper right one of my heart hearts that I discovered somewhere on Flickr!; underneath we have a really artsy inspiration from Black Eiffel; a golden filigree (Uu Designs); and a stamped, very natural light yellow rustic invite (She Knows).

Starting in the middle, we have face cut-outs in bright yellow (Sway Space); very modern yet elegant grey and yellow invite (In the Clouds Events); and an even more modern grey/yellow combo (One Wed); love these thank you cards in the box at Stylist Events.

Bottom row yellow/navy blue bird theme motif (UU Designs); bright yellow-orange/fuchsia invites (Style Me Pretty); my heart heart heart invite discovered at Quilling by Sandra White; and last this yellow/black combination at Formal Invitations.

Bridesmaids
And, as you know how much I love dresses (and shoes and and and!) I couldn't help but include these great bridesmaid finds ....

Upper right, very beautiful white lace with yellow satin bow (Sexy Red Frame); this retro, yet elegant bridesmaid ensemble (Kenzie Kate); in-between there's a yellow/white bridesmaid ensemble (Bridal Boutique Mr. Penguin).

Smack in the middle we have this awesome blue shoes/yellow dress photo (Green Wedding Shoes); and a very beachy, elegant dress (Tinkled Pink); bottom row we have this sassy golden yellow with purple bust (June Bug Weddings); up top bridesmaids in yellow with flower girl in white with yellow sash (DC Nearly Weds); this great satiny golden yellow dress (Forever 21); and last, but not least, these mellow yellow dresses (Stylist Events).

Bouquets
In case you are still not convinced, here are some flowers - nice bright yellow ones!

Upper left, absolutely lovely calla lilies and what looks like a freesia/rose combination (Lindeman Weddings); I heart heart this dramatic bridesmaids in black with yellow floral ball bouquets (Wedding Bee Pro); in-between we have this nice, soft yellow bouquet (hmm - someplace on Flickr!).

Middle row we start with this yellow/purple bouquet (Fashion Bride); and this great calla Lilly/grass combination (Home and Family Network); in-between white and yellow bouquet (Alieli Florals).

Bottom row very elegant yellow bouquet with champagne wrap and bright, big yellow floral ball (Stylist Events); and ending with this fabulous yellow/white bouquet (Silk Wedding Flower Ideas).

Centerpieces
This is where the yellow truly shines! Such bright, happy looking tables - who wouldn't have a good time? ;)

I'm not sure whether to eat or adore this centerpiece with lemon slices and tulips (Porter House Designs); amazing dramatic black and yellow centerpieces (which, for some reason, remind me of Alice in Wonderland!) (In the Clouds Events); in-between, lemons in a tall glass vase (Yellow Brick Blog).

Middle we have this beautiful, elegant black and yellow tablescape (Think Like a Bride); lemons and green orchids (Lindeman Weddings); in-between white vase with yellow stripes and yellow flowers (Entertain Exchange).

Bottom row heart these white mum floral balls with yellow sashes (Wedding Belles Online); great table marker (love the design and the golden color!) (Stylist Events Blog); and these great yellow/black/white centerpieces (Think Like a Bride).

Napkins
Before we get into the cakes and etc., I thought I would give a nod to two napkin accents I found. Top golden yellow with white design (Stylist Events); and navy blue napkins with yellow ribbon accent (With this Ring).

Cakes

Yum yum! Can't forget the cake!

Top row I love this yellow present cake (Minette Rushing); middle, light yellow cake (Real Simple); I love the color and simplicity of the last cake in this row (With This Ring).

Middle row I also adore this yellow cake with white flowers (Martha Stewart Weddings); more golden yellow with white flowers with cool cartoon looking black car topper (Italian Lakes Wedding); heart heart this individual cakes with initials (somewhere on Flickr!).

Bottom row - starts with two golden yellow/purple cakes ... first one (The Sugar Syndicate); second one (somewhere on Flickr!); underneath a yellow-orange cake with white (Anna Whitford); I love this next cake but am not overly fond of the cake topper (Yellow Brick Blog); top a light yellow cake with white ribbon (very elegant, me thinks!) (Pink Cake Box); and bottom a white cake with yellow paper lace (Whipped Bake Shoppe on Flickr!).

Design

In case you are still unsure, I went out to find design inspirations for yellow and found these!

Top left, this dress is just so dramatic and Spanish flair looking! (M-A-Belle); this was wallpaper, but I loved the texture and the design - could really do something great with this as a focal idea (Black White Yellow); loved this lounge area and could see this on the beach next to the dance floor! (Stylist Events).

Middle Row, loved this sunshine artwork (Michelle Geller); great yellow/black votives (Pepper Mags); heart heart this black lantern/yellow lamp motif (Lili Vieira de Carvalho).

Bottom row, fab shoes underneath a white dress! (Christian Lou Boutin); Underneath the shoes we have this great yellow/black lantern and yellow lamp (More Ways to Waste Time); heart heart this lighting affect (think dance floor dear brides!) (Project Wedding); and great inspirational wrapping paper ... top yellow cherry blossoms (Ph Designshop); bottom elegance found at The Cinderella Project.

As if trying to convince you that yellow is a GREAT color for a wedding wasn't hard enough, I've set my sights on another inspiration for next week ... perhaps July is mission impossible month ;).

Belated and Then Some!

I thought this would be a relaxing summer but I've been oh so wrong! But I'm back on the bandwagon now dear brides and promise oodles of good stuff from now on ;).

First, a big shout out goes to Rebecca who was married waaaayy back June 6th! Also, we found photos of Danielle's maracas.

Rebecca

Rebecca wanted one of our most famous designs the "lacy romance". So, that's what we did, along with "shake me at the kiss" tags.

Danielle

And, harking back to the Zen and Not so Zen blog, we finally found a not so great photo of her maracas ;).

Next week I think we might have an example of Isabel's huppah but, if not, I will do a design board (delinquent I know I know!).