You’ve confirmed all your vendors and have your Pinterest board ideas pinned with inspiration for your wedding. Now you are trying to figure out how to incorporate your personalities into your wedding. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here are 5 ways you can incorporate your personality and add personal touches to your big day!
Staring at photos of wedding flowers on Pinterest can be equally exhilarating and terrifying! Most brides have no idea what flowers they actually like, let alone what they are called or if they go with the other flowers they like. We've put together this collection of stunning bouquets carried by real brides here in North Florida!
Adding shiny and sparkly elements to celebrations is a continuing trend! Whether you want an over-the-top bling-fest, or subtle touches of gold or silver, add a touch of glam to any color palette or theme.
Are you drawn to pale pink, blush, ivory? These are the perfect colors to add gold accents to. If you are going for a blend of cobalt, teal and navy, add some rhinestone touches to brighten it up.
How are you adding metallics or bling to your wedding?
Last summer, I had the honor of working with Ann at Premier Bride Magazine to create a steampunk-themed photo shoot for their Winter/Spring 2015 issue. The magazine is out now, so we are finally able to share the photos with you! Not only did we get to shoot at my alma mater, Flagler College, our photographer is a fellow alum too. It was amazing working with such a talented team of wedding pros on this shoot: zach•thomas•photography, Jade Violet Wedding & Event Floral Boutique, Beautiful Faces by Erin, Jill Stonier, Professional Makeup Artist, Bridals & More, Take One Productions, Flagler College, Brooch the Possibilities, LLC St Augustine FL, The Panama Hat Company of St Augustine, Men's Wearhouse, Southern Charm Events, First Frost Designs and Simply Delicious Cakes.
And here is a great behind-the-scenes video to show how it all came together! It was so fun to think outside the box a bit for this shoot.
We are so thrilled with our bride, Sarah Jo, for introducing us to her friend Catherine Woodward! Catherine creates stunning wedding maps using ink and watercolor, and each one is custom-created featuring the information you provide. This can include the ceremony and reception location, area landmarks, and even the spot where you got engaged!
We love the idea of using these maps in your welcome bags. But it will also be a stunning piece of art for your home! Check out Catherine's Etsy shop, Maps Of The Moment, for more examples of her work. But hurry if you want one - Catherine starts her med school residency in mid-May, and will have to put her love of creating art on hold for a bit.
Here's a little bit more about Catherine's story:
I started painting and drawing when I was little, but kind of over did it in high school - I took lots of classes and got totally burnt out. I think I took a single class in college, and then for about 7 years I only painted once... I just didn't have time and didn't really want to.
Then I became a fourth year medical student, and went from having no free time to actually having a pretty good deal of it. So, for the first time in years, I did a series of acrylic and news-print cityscapes for a friend...then other friends started requesting things and pretty soon I had done about 15 works.
One painting - the house below - got put on Instagram by my friend. His friend saw it and she reached out to me to see if i would be willing to draw a map of all the venues in her wedding.
I had never done anything like it, but it seemed like it would be a really fun project... so I bought watercolors (which I hadn't worked with in years and years), and just started sketching. The first one was REALLY just like a hope-this-works sort of thing! And she loved it!
I will be a bridesmaid in a bunch of weddings this year, so I did more of them as gifts for the brides. Each piece got such positive feedback and were such a special gift! Then finally, I showed my boyfriend's mom who really has to be credited for the Etsy idea.
I was really hesitant at first, but I had enough time and I really LOVE making them, so one random morning I finally made a shop. I sent the link out to my close friends and they sent it out to their friends, and it has just taken off!! It has just been the most awesome thing! I'll get requests from all over the country and I get to learn about all these cities. People get so excited about them and that for me is the coolest part.
I'm obviously looking forward to starting residency but it'll be sad to take a break from this. However, they say that after the first two years, you get a lot more free time, so I'm hoping I can always have this as a hobby!
We've been hearing a lot of comments lately along the lines of "I don't need a wedding planner, I have Pinterest!" And while Pinterest can be a handy tool, it definitely should not replace any wedding professional - planner, florist, photographer, cake baker, or otherwise.
We wrote a blog post back in 2012 about the dangers of the Pinterest/DIY wedding movement. But we thought we'd point out a few things that we've noticed over the past year as Pinterest has gained popularity.
1. Don't become pin-happy. You may have 10 different boards with 10 different themes. Which is great, if you are comparing the options. But don't expect to merge those 10 themes into one wedding. Pick one, and stick with it. It's easy to become overwhelmed with all the options. Plus, not every idea is feasible for your venue or time of year. Don't just pin for the sake of pinning.
2. Don't just copy everything. Make it your own. Everything on Pinterest has been done already, that's why there are photos of it. Your wedding should be a unique reflection of you as a couple, not what it popular or trendy. Ask yourself if that pin is something you really need/want, and does it make sense?
3. Keep your boards private. Now that Pinterest has this option, use it. Share only with those who really matter - otherwise, you'll get input from so many people, you won't know what you want anymore. (Plus, isn't it fun for your guests to be surprised at your wedding?)
4. Photos can be unrealistic. As I mentioned in my previous blog post, styled or inspiration shoots are not real weddings. And in most cases, there is no way to actually recreate a majority of those looks for a wedding of 150 people. For a real-life look at Pinterest inspiration vs. reality, check out this great blog post called "Why Pinterest Gave Me Unrealistic Expections For Wedding Photos."
5. A Pinterest board cannot be there on the day of your wedding. Makeup artist Paulina Perez recently shared a story about a bride who spent hours crying on her wedding day because her mom was missing out on all the special moments that happened while she was getting ready. Her mom was at the reception venue, setting up all those DIY projects, and all the other things a wedding planner might be doing. "It was heart breaking," Paulina said. "You knew the mother was not there because she was too busy trying to make the venue look perfect for her daughter, but all the bride could think of is 'how could my mom not be here?' It was a lose-lose situation on both parts."
Pinterest is great for showing your team of wedding professionals what you like. Just be sure to edit your ideas and hire pros to make them happen!
Yesterday, Pantone announced the 2014 Color of the Year: Radiant Orchid. According to the press release,
"Radiant Orchid blooms with confidence and magical warmth that intrigues the eye and sparks the imagination. It is an expressive, creative and embracing purple—one that draws you in with its beguiling charm. A captivating harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid emanates great joy, love and health."
If you don't work in a design-related industry, you might wonder what the heck the "color of the year" is exactly.
"For more than a decade, Pantone’s Color of the Year has influenced product development and purchasing decisions in multiple industries, including fashion, home and industrial design, as well as product packaging and graphic design."
So next year, as you are strolling through the mall and see lots of this color everywhere, think back to this blog post and say, "Ahh, I get it!"
The photo on the right is an example of a bridesmaid's dress from Dessy in Radiant Orchid. Will you incorporate this color into your wedding? Share your ideas in the comments section!
We had a great time last Sunday participating in the first Jacksonville Wedding Venue Tour, hosted by our friends at The Wedding Loft. The premise is that brides and grooms visit four venues, all set up as they would be for a wedding, and they get to enjoy food and entertainment while meeting great wedding professionals. It's like a bridal show on wheels!
We were at The Carling, which is an interesting historic venue in Downtown Jacksonville. The building was formerly the Carling Hotel/Hotel Roosevelt, built in 1925; now it's home to gorgeous apartments! Restored architectural features include Palladian windows, terrazo floors, and a beautiful marble staircase to the private event space.
Thanks to J'Adore Studios for the fun photos! To see more photos from the tour, check out Liz's blog post.
The Jacksonville Wedding Venue Tour attendees on the bus!
At the entrance to The Carling
Design and florals by Blush 129
Cake and cupcakes by Choux Bakery
Food by D'Vine Cuisine
This weekend we will be coordinating Mimi and Trey's stylish and chic wedding at the Sawgrass Marriott Resort and Spa. Mimi found these great escort card holders on Etsy, and we can't wait to use them on Saturday.
Check out the SpottedInk shop on Etsy.com to get yours!
Have something out of the ordinary at your reception and display a decorative board saying “Share Your Key To Success.” This is a fun activity for guest to give their marriage advice to the newlyweds. Have a jar on the table with antique keys with tags attached, and then have guests write down their words of wisdom on the blank tags. The guests can then place their filled-out keys onto the board. The board would be ideal to have near the guest book.
Announcing our newest seminar, Blueprint For Wedding Success! Join us for an afternoon of valuable tips and information from Master Bridal Consultant, Heather Canada. Topics include:
Ceremony:
Reception:
Extras:
Followed by individual Q&A with Master Bridal Consultant Heather Canada. Plus:
Tickets are only $15 per person, or two tickets for $25. Plus, clients of First Coast Weddings, Avalon Hall, and The Perfect Pear get a special discount! (Ask us for details.) Seating is limited, so sign up today at http://weddingblueprint.eventbrite.com.
I recently attended a conference session called "25 Centerpieces Under $25." While most of our clients spend a great deal more than that on their centerpieces, I got some great ideas for enhancing floral arrangements, adding a special touch to a bar or guest book table, or perking up the ladies' room.
One idea presented was adding ribbon to the top of vases or candle holders. While this isn't a new idea, the speakers put a little twist on it by using a pretty lace ribbon. Lace has been extremely hot since William and Kate's wedding, and what an easy way to add a royal-inspired touch to your wedding!
I found this photo on a blog post over at Wedding Paper Divas. What a pretty glow! Even if you are using floral centerpieces, this would be a beautiful additional to the table surrounding your arrangement.
Have you found any cute DIY ideas you will be incorporating into your wedding?
Often mistakenly interchanged, escort cards and place cards actually serve two distinctive purposes. Simply, escort cards let guests know where they are sitting. In effect they escort guests to their seats. These cards are often seen creatively displayed on a separate table just outside the dining area.
Alternatively, place cards sit on each table and indicate the specific seat where a guest will sit. In addition they are often used to indicate to the catering staff which meal you guests have chosen, if they have been given a choice between two or three items.
And what if you have open seating? Well then cards aren't necessary at all! For the couples who to choose to use escort and pace cards, use it as an opportunity to enhance your decor! For example escort cards can be hanging from a tree or enclosed in an envelope. Place cards can be placed inside a frame or attached to a single flower. Don't be afraid to get creative!
It's official - Pantone has released their 2011 Color of the Year:
Is anyone thinking of changing their wedding (or business) colors to add in this new choice? 2010's color of the year, Turquoise, will always be OUR color of the year!!
I had a great question from a bride last night at The Wedding Party's "Fully Engaged" event - "How do you keep up with all the new trends?" And my answer was simple: a lot of the same ways you do!
But the real answer to the question is this: We don't keep up with the trends, we create them.
Most wedding magazines are published only two to four times a year. That means that the weddings in the current issues may be over a year old already. Which means the details that went into that wedding were planned for at least a year before that.
I keep hearing about trends like "feathers" and "monograms" and all sorts of other wonderful ideas - but we have been using those ideas for several years now. As an example, check my post about Kimberly and Victor's March 2008 wedding using these "trends."
Re-creating something in a magazine is great, but ask your event designer, florist or planner about creating a look that is uniquely "you!"
The city of Jacksonville will be bathed in teal tonight as our Jacksonville Jaguars take on the Indianapolis Colts. And since I have teal on the brain, I thought I would share some pretty inspiration boards from around the web:
From Lucky In Love Wedding Blog
Last night, we had the pleasure of attending the premiere of Rose of Sharon's recently remodeled studio. Amazing! The transformation makes me want to re-design our office.
The space formerly used for bridal consultations (and the accounting department!) now has a stunning “greenhouse” feel. The team actually demolished the paneling and found gorgeous brick walls. Add in some unique display shelves and the look is incredible.
And speaking of incredible, the new wedding section is fabulous. Not only is there a couch and a large computer monitor for viewing photos, but every type of vase, container, candelabra and column is right there to touch and feel. I feel like a kid in a candy store each time I walk in.
If you haven't selected a florist for your wedding, be sure to make an appointment with Lynette or Judy!
New York Fashion Week always makes me happy. No, I don't have the joy of actually attending, although maybe someday! {Fingers crossed!} Fashion Week means it's time for the next Pantone Color Report to make its debut. And OH, how I love some of these colors!
Although it's not too obvious since our website/blog re-design, our corporate color is turquoise. And there it is, at the top of the list for 2010 Spring Colors - Pantone 15-5519. My heart skipped a beat!
And who can help but love a color called Tomato Puree?! And Pink Champagne - my fave!
But even beyond the greatness of the Spring Color Report is the fun of a whole new concept from Pantone and The Dessy Group. Pantone Wedding is a way to create inspiration boards to share and order color swatches to go with them! So much fun to play with.
