Tropical Flowers and Palm Trees...

A big shout-out goes to Allie (married May 22nd at the Riu) and Yanell (married May 23rd in Careyes)!! Although these two brides didn't know each other, both had chocolate brown and a tropical theme in their weddings!


TROPICAL FLOWERS
Allie first came to us just wanting something super simple and asked to choose a design we had already created. But, once we saw her invites, we knew we could do better than that!

Allie's Invite

Utilizing the colors in the invite and inspired by the flower, this is what Omar came-up with!

PALM TREES

Yanell had a palm tree motif in mind which I knew we could do easily. What came as a surprise was the color - she wanted the main color sage. I thought that would be super simple, especially since she sent me (via computer) a color sample. But, when I printed the sample, what printed out and was on the screen did not match AT ALL! Because the order was so soon to the date, I didn't have a lot of time to go back and forth. So, we had to make our best guess as to "sage" .... I was nail biting up until we received a wonderful email from our bride informing us that they loved the maracas and everything was hunky dory! :)

Yanell's Sample

And the winning color and palm trees!

Next week we'll have photos of the wedding we have been working sooo hard on for months and months! We've come-up with some fab ideas and I can't wait to put them all together for our bride!

Bridesmaid Dresses that REALLY can be worn again!

Still planning big design board surprise but have wedding first so here are more dresses! :)


I've been to a lot of weddings down here and probably can count on my hand the number of bridesmaid dresses I really do think will be worn again (and that work well in the heat and humidity!). When I look for dresses like these I ask the question "could I wear flip-flops with this?" .... if the answer is "yes", it's a keeper! (Keep in mind I didn't say WHAT KIND of flip flops ;)).


So, here are some dresses (and some places) I think would work well down here and most of these won't break most banks!

More Formal

I thought I would start with this category, since I found less I liked here - NOT that I think you shouldn't go formal, if you want - just that I think finding a good formal dress that is also a good beach dress is not as easy as it sounds!

First up, love these bridesmaid combos I found over at PerfectBound. Light, airy, formal, distinct - just really great.

Runner-up is this taupe dress I found at Anthropologie. Similar, of course, to the dresses up above ;).

Worth a mention - Still short, but completely different style is this flapper-inspired dress at New York and Company. Again, I'm thinking "light, airy"...

A Bit More Casual

So, going a bit more casual, love this brown dress from Anthropologie. It has sortof an ethnic vibe to it and I can see bridesmaids all standing in line with bouquets of white flowers breathlessly waiting to hear you say "We do!" ;).

Second Runner-up in this category is this sleeveless patterned dress, also from Anthropologie. I definitely think you have to be careful with patterns, but I think this one isn't a bad pattern - would be nice to have 1 or 2 bridesmaid's in this dress with the other bridesmaid's in complimenting colors/styles.

Beachy Yet Elegant

Of course, you know I saved my heart hearts for last!

Second runner up - Comes in more than one color, just a very simple, flowy strapless from Victoria's Secret.

First Runner-Up - Again, patterned dresses - I found these two in completely two different places and realized later their patterns were similar! Guess I know what I like! ;) I love the long, flowy nature of these dresses - can see them as great dresses for walking the beach at sunset. First dress from New York and Company, second dress from Forever21.

Second Place - I know it sortof has a 70's thing going on, but I just like the look of this fabric - if it feels the way it looks, I bet this is one fun dress to party in! (Victoria's Secret)

Before showing you my number one pick for bridesmaid dresses, I thought I would show you a bride dress/bridesmaid dress combo that I think would be awesome for a bride who wants to go more natural, carefree. I found these dresses at JCrew and would LOVE to see one of you decide to go for some yellow. Yellow rocks!

And now, drum roll please, the number one bridesmaid dress comes from....Victoria's Secret! Not only does this dress come in multiple colors, but you can wear the SAME dress in multiple styles - so, same color for your bridesmaids (if you want) but they can do it in a style that most flatters them! winwin!!

I have NO IDEA what I'm blabbing about next week so I won't even pretend to try - but I'm sure it will wedding related ;).

Amazing Vintage Wedding Dress (2 Pesos)!

I know I promised another design board but when I started putting it together I realized that I wanted us to really do something to inspire - so it's going to take a little bit longer :). In the meantime, I stumbled upon this AMAZING dress and just had to share!

Here are a few more photos of Jana Starr's amazing vintage wedding gowns. I wanted to also provide pictures of a bride in these gowns, but my searches were in vain :(.

So, next week, colors of watermelon, spring green and sky blue will be unveiled!

It's Getting a Little Hairy In Here!

Well, I know I don't typically ever get to help anyone with their style, but I do love hair styles - some of these I've actually had done myself for parties (meaning I had someone do it TO my hair, not ME actually doing it with my own two hands!).

There's something to be said for a simple, sophisticated do. I really love the soft braid/waves in this first picture and this retro look I think would be super chic with a feather and a little jeweled clip. Underneath we have these great semi-bee hives, although of the three, I think I like Sarah Jessica Parkers the best.

Still going with the "less is more" theme, we have this really amazing braided do up top. I really love this middle do with braid underneath the bun - I think the combination is really striking. And, lastly, a combination of braid and wavy curls, worn by Heidi Klum.

Alright, now we're getting to the good stuff! After scouring the web, I realized I'm an adornment kind of girl, so you'll have to excuse me if so many of these photos have THINGS in the hair! We'll start by Going Greek! I had this done for a party (by Elle Salon here in Vallarta) and it turned out fabulous with gold ribbon I brought from the States - I can easily see this done for a bride, with the right ribbon/jewels. Top left, we have silver string with pretty jewels, in the middle we have my favorite Grecian hair example - when you look close you can see a combination of pretty ribbons, and I love the Grecian look with curls at the end of this row. Underneath, pretty silver ribbons, and double black headband with teased look.

Moving onto flowers in the hair - something quite popular down here by the ocean! I like the simplicity of these miniature roses in the first picture, I think this sculptural hair do is interesting (although not sure how practical it would be for a wedding), I heart heart this floral creation but am a little concerned as to how it would hold-up down here in the humidity! On the bottom row, I think this very simple, wavy hair style is a very classic by the ocean do and love the feel of it. I think the middle floral french braid is very different and could be very striking (those are not real flowers). And I think this last photo is very smooth and classic.

I had to do a section on tiaras. I had a tiara, although it certainly wasn't what I had planned on or thought I would do but, then, ended-up falling-in love with one and just had to have it! I think this first photo is very romantic and whimsical and the next photo has a real nice, soft look to it as well. On bottom, I think this is a great look for a short-hair bride. And last, I know this isn't probably a tiara, but a clip, but it COULD be a tiara and, anyway, I think this is also a great look for a short hair bride.

Of course, I saved my favorite section for last. These are actually what inspired me to do a blog on this in the first place - clips! Oh how I adore thee! I heart heart this first hair style - I'm not sure what it is I love about it the most - I like the combination of curls and braid and pretty clips - I think this would look great with a veil down below. I think this middle hair style with clips is also great, but I don't think a veil would look good for it - those clips would definitely replace a veil. And the last picture in this row is also great - brings back a 1940's, 1950's vibe - super fun! I would have loved to see how this hair style (silver bun) looked like from the front, but couldn't find a picture. This next picture is also a really great bun with a few little pearl pins. Great side ponytail with clips, although I don't think it would be for me - I would be too worried about getting hot; also LOVE these clips on the red hair do and love the hair do - although, again, I'm not sure how well that would hold-up as the night goes on; and lastly, I love this hairdo and big floral sparkly clip - something I think would look well with a veil or not.

Next week I'm going to do a design board on a really odd color combination (olive, pink and blue!), but I think it's going to look amazing!

Yeah for the Red, Orange and Teal!

I bet you thought this post would never come! I was starting to wonder myself ... well, here it is. I know the color is officially "teal" but some of the blues in this post are - well, not exactly teal - so use your imagination!

PRINTED MATERIALS

This was one thing there was a plethora of in this color combo. On the far left we have orange menu on orange napkin on top of blue glass plate (The Knot); next I'm not sure what these were used for but I think they could make some really great invites (Elizabeth Anne Designs); and at the end of this row I LOVE this orange flower combo with blue ink printed menu - very chic! (Tastefully Entertaining). Next row we have these blue and white whimsical flowers which I heart (J Creations) and this way bold/modern red/teal invite from Pink Lily Press.

The two patterns (in blue and fuchsia and olive and orange) are from Paper Laces. I know this box and napkin really could have been under favors or something like that and, while love the combo, also really loved the print (even if it's small and hard to see - you get the idea!) found at Project Wedding. I heart heart the last invite on this row - I love the blue design, large orange flower and the texture - super amazing! (Tastefully Entertaining). I think the word overlay on top of this orange invite is also a pretty swell idea (Tanger Greetings); teal monograms still very hip (Pink Design Events). Really pretty blue cards (The Knot); of course am always a big fan of swirls and dips and curlies (E Bride Connect); great large orange flower invite (Pink Lily Press) and last, but never least, I love when there are combos - when a design is taken and there are elements of that design but not the exact design and I think this invite set really captures that (Favor Ideas)!!

CENTERS and BOUQUETS

This was not an easy color combination to find good photos - which is always fun to me to actually create IRL, because you know you're doing something a wee bit out of the ordinary! I imagine this first photo (Grand Tradition Estate) with teal napkins and teal wine glasses! Can you see it?!! Favor boxes are next and, while not a big fan of fake flowers (actually no fan at all), I actually do see the beauty in this idea (Budget Dream Weddings). I really like this bouquet - I like the greenery combined with the orange roses and the red berries. Add a teal wrap and, wa-la, awesome! (Wedding Bouquets). At bottom we have blue glasses with orange flowers for centerpieces (add some red flowers for a bit more spice!) at E Bride Connect. Very interesting red roses/feather center - in a teal box with some orange accents would be quite striking (Project Wedding). And lastly this is a great shades of orange bouquet which could quite easily have some red accents and still get the same effect (The Knot).

CAKES

By now I'm sure you know how much I HEART cakes! I do realize this white cake isn't blue, orange OR teal, but I love the accent of white throw in there with all that color and I love this cake and it's my blog, so there! ;) (Tastefully Entertaining). Next we have this really unique blue and red cake (add a strip of orange ribbon and all your colors are there!) (Pink Cake Box). At bottom we have a very interesting blue with orange textured/patterned cake (E Bride Connect) and lastly, teal and chocolate brown (which could very easily be teal and red with an orange overlay on the cake table) from Favor Ideas.

KEWL STUFF

Okay, so I admit I've been stumbling over myself to get to this design board! I can't really define why but I heart heart these shoes with a wedding dress - it's just a fantastic touch (The Knot). I hesitate to put this because I don't like putting in things that we probably can't get here in Vallarta, but pic and idea is fab - I love boxes of all kinds and I think this retro blue box is awesome and I would love to get that as a favor at a wedding! (Once Wed) Ya'all know I love wraps and this one is no exception (Elizabeth Anne Designs). This invite is just "wow" - imagine teal where it's gray and red stones where there are white stones (haha! this is how I think all the time!) (Social Frog)... Of course blue fans rock - especially if they had a red design painted on them! (The Knot) Blue china is just awesome - can be done here, but expensive (Kim Vallee); up above we have this great blue/orange flower garter (Project Wedding) and underneath these stamps - heart heart heart! (Zazzle) Lastly, love sassy bridesmaids with great blue dresses, red bouquets and red shoes! (Project Wedding)

Next week might be tackling hair, believe it or not - not something I get asked about often, but love anyway .... OR I might share some sneak peeks of one of the wedding designs that has kept me from posting :).

Chocolate and Ivy Lacy romance....

Don't chastise me, dear brides and coordinators - we've been super busy working on an upcoming wedding which is turning out AMAZING - but as a result, I'm horribly delinquent writing to you! A BIG shout out goes to Scott and Carrie who were married April 11th in Las Caletas!

INVITES

As a twist, both the bride and groom got into the maraca deciding action, as they chose which design they liked best. They did send us their invites which we loved and were excited to copy, but really wanted the Lacy Romance design which we have done before as an example.

CHOCOLATE AND IVORY LACY ROMANCE

We also did little name/date/location tags which Omar freehanded into the computer and I played around with to look just so! I'm pretty pleased with it, if I do say so myself!

As we have a slight lull in the action, I will be posting ideas again - I miss them too and I've been collecting things I've seen online just to share with you - just haven't had the time! So, I will do my best to make a big blog full of ideas to say "thank you" for checking-in even when I've been a bad blogger! Ya'all rock!!

Copper Lillies and near Talavera April Fools!

Hello dear brides and coordinators! A BIG SHOUT out goes to Jen who was married (by me, no less!) April 1st and to Megan who tied the knot April 3rd ... and nearly got an accidental belated April Fool's joke!

Copper Lillies

We met with Jen when she came down on an earlier trip - a real down-to-earth bride with an easy smile! She sent us her very own design board as an example of what she would like to see on her maracas.

Jen's Design Board

After talking about it, we discussed with Jen that we were a little worried that the tone of copper she picked might not be the right tone on a maraca - so we switched the background color to ivory and the design to copper and this is how it turned out!

Jen's Maracas

Jen also wanted a huppah - she had read the blog about huppahs written by Vallarta's very own Tamara of Incredible Weddings, and sent us pictures. The day we went to put her huppah up it was very very windy - so, in order for things not to flap around we needed to tie them down fairly well. This is the example and her huppah!

Jen's Huppah

Talavera April Fools

Megan really liked the talavera example we had on created before for our photo shoot but we wanted to do something a little different. I asked Omar to create a different pattern but didn't like the look of it so I asked him to do something based on the talavera design example we had used before. I normally don't have time to send maraca photos to brides before I send them off, because we work right up to the due date. But this time I took a picture and sent it to Megan - only to figure out that the colors were wrong! Omar had mixed-up two of the orders!! Luckily, Megan caught the mistake (and was sweet enough to say she would accept them the way they were - but I would have none of that - her wedding colors were turquoise blue NOT turquoise green and that's a big difference!).

April Fool Maraca

While this is not something I would ever like to happen again, I do think the added color gave a better definition to her maracas and they turned out better than they would have the first time around!

Megan's Maracas

Inspiration to April Fools to Megan's Maracas!

I've been working on some beautiful designs for an end of April/beg of May wedding and end of May wedding but I promise I do still have the design board I promised eons ago and will post that next week as we have a small break in the favor congo line!