Plaid and Peacock

Weddings featuring even a hint of plaid are few and far between. This wedding has sprinkles of plaid {and peacock} throughout. Imagine my delight! Shall we start with the fabulous bow tie worn by the groom?!
Wait, it gets better. The groomsmen wore plaid ties, complementing the groom's bow tie. I love. The suspenders are icing on the cake.
Naturally, the bride was not to be outdone. Leaving the plaid to the men, she accented with peacock feathers in her hair & in the bouquet! Never mind the stunning neckline of her dress!

Likewise, not to be outdone by the groomsmen, the bridesmaids wore the sweetest dresses I've seen in quite a while. Each bridesmaid carried those cute little clutch purses instead of flowers and I don't mind that one bit!

See more of the details from this wedding by Jagger Photography right here.
Looking for more goodness from Jagger Photography? Here's another one of my favorites!

Something Blue Bridal Shower Cupcake Flags

Oh hi, friends! It's been a while and I'm so sorry about that. Recently I've been recovering from seeing my alma mater play in the Final Four and for the National Championship, attending a concert of one of my favorite country music artists & meeting her backstage{!!!}, working overtime at my day job, cranking out calligraphy order after order after order and trying to complete my duties as maid of honor for my best friend and her upcoming wedding. To say that those are only the highlights of the last month would be an understatement.
Today, I'd like to share with you the darling cupcake flags that I made for my friend's shower mentioned above. Debbie is having a Florida destination wedding sprinkled with blue, white and khaki accents. Thus, I wasted no time in throwing myself fully behind the idea of throwing her a "Something Blue" shower. As you know, friends, it's all about the details...and there just had to be cupcake flags present!

A while ago, I bought a jewel colored cardstock pack at Walmart for various craft projects. I used 1 piece of white cardstock and 4 different colored blue cardstock pieces to create 20 cupcake flags. Using a font that matched the shower invitations, I created the flag template on Word and printed it, in blue ink, onto each of the five cardstock pieces. {p.s do a couple of test runs first to get the correct printer settings and spacing before using all of your good cardstock!} Using a ruler and a pencil, I drew in a cutting guide for each flag.

After the long flag strips were cut, I folded each of them in half around a toothpick and affixed each one with craft glue. Cutting an inverse triangle into each flag provided just the effect that I was going for. The flags were ready to see some action.
Bridesmaid Laura Ann baked and iced the most delicious cupcakes! We added blue sugar sprinkles and gingerly added the flags as a finishing touch.
The cupcake flags were easy make and added a personal touch/detail at the shower that many guests commented about. It's also a great way to incorporate the theme/colors of the shower or wedding into the details of the shower. The bride loved them and, in the end, isn't that all that matters!?

If you would like for me to send you the template that I used, please send me an email to pennedandpretty{at}gmail{dot}com and I will send out a mass e-mail in the next week with the Word & pdf template! Just put "cupcake flag template" in the subject line!

p.s. stay tuned...later in the week I'll be sharing my something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue shower favors!

p.p.s. head on over to Penned & Pretty to see the something blue shower invitations. To say that I'm quite proud of them would be an understatement!

Wedding Details with a Splash of Yellow

The other day, over at Penned & Pretty, I posted one of the most unique escort card display I've ever laid eyes on. It just so happens that the rest of the wedding was just as lovely {with a splash of yellow}, so I had to share. Why don't we start out with the shoes? Ohhh these adorable little yellow bridal shoes.
Silver-taupe bridesmaids dresses? Yes, please! And those yellow bridesmaids bouquets pop with just the perfect amount of sunshine, don't you think?!

Don't get me wrong, I loved my bouquet. However, over a year later, I'm drawn more to the look and feel of a mixed bouquet. This one would be a delight to carry.

A little peak of the details on the tables at the reception and a charming cake with yellow details.

I'll leave you with one last picture, of the reception space {The Ocean Institute}. High ceilings, GORGEOUS table settings and a skeleton of an aquatic creature to top things off. See the absolutely to-die-for photos from this wedding right: here on the blog of Stephanie Williams. And don't forget to stop by the lovely blog of the talented Jesi Haack, the stylist behind all of the details of this event!
{pictures used with expressed permission of Stephanie Williams}

Wrapped with Twigs

Wait until you see the bridesmaid bouquets from this wedding you guys! First, however, the lovely couple with an equally lovely bridal bouquet.

The groom not only had a boutonniere {a calla lily and green berries} that completely complimented the bride's bouquet, but he had quite a stunning tie too!

Here, my friends, are the absolutely drop dead gorgeous bridesmaid bouquets.

I felt as though you couldn't appreciate their full beauty in the picture above. A close up was necessary so that you could see the berries, the calla lilies and the lovely way the twigs wrap around each bouquet. How could you not be charmed by one of these beauties?!

At the reception, the centerpieces incorporated the twigs from the bridesmaid's bouquets as well as the texture from the green berries. The result was a lovely spray that allowed the florals to tie the whole day together.
And I couldn't resist including a picture of the cupcakes in their complimentary color palette. After all, what better of a picture to end this post with than one topped with sugar!
photos by jessica strickland and can be found here

Make of it What You Will

I am in love with these florals. In love. It's like the bride gave the florist a couple adjectives of what she wanted and told him/her to "make of it what you will" and run with greens and whites with hints of yellow. In turn, she received the most beautiful creations. Ever.
The bride's bouquet (above right) complimented the groom's boutonniere (above, left center) perfectly. The groomsmen's boutonnieres were similar but not matchy-matchy. The bridesmaids bouquets (below, left) had punches of yellow that glowed against their black dresses yet blended perfectly into a soft bouquet. Touches of lemons were added throughout the day (below, right)and were a welcomed detail. I won't even begin to tell you how much I adore the bridesmaid's lemon shoes!The place cards were pinned to a lemon which made them sweet and far from sour. Rustic table numbers were flanked by yellow flowers that made quite the statement.

The tables were and are a delight. The lemons did all the work in giving the tables that "wow factor." Simple leafy centerpieces flanked the tables and added texture to the tablescape.

This wedding is just another example of how the vision of the wedding was shaped through the bridal party flowers, the brides bouquet and the groomsmen's boutonnieres. What's not to love?!
all photos by the talented jose villa .

Yellow Billy Balls {and Baloons!}

I always love how the vision of the wedding shines through in the bridal party flowers, the brides bouquet and the groomsmen's boutonnieres. I loved this bride's bouquet from the moment I set eyes on it. Just wait until you see how the flowers set the tone for this event {with the assistance of a couple yellow balloons!}. The bridesmaids carried a smaller version of the bride's lovely bouquet. These darling flowers are craspedia's which are more commonly known as Billy Balls or Billy Buttons. They certainly make a statement on their own but can also be added into a bouquet as an accent.

The billy balls were not only used in the bride's and bridesmaid's bouquets but they also made an appearance on the lapels on the suits of the groom and groomsmens. The groomsmen's yellow ties also pack quite a punch!To bring in the gray part of the color pallet to the bridesmaid's ensembles, they each had a gray cardigan to wear on the wedding day. And what did the groomsmen get to wear to spice up their outfits? Spiffy white shoes, of course!

As if it couldn't get any better, the groom and groomsmen sported yellow and gray argyle socks!

I'm going to go ahead and throw this story out there. My Mom suggested that we use balloons to decorate our reception venue. I recall looking at her like she had a horn growing out of her forehead. I associated balloon decor with my senior prom, not my wedding reception. However, these balloons actually work!Even the cupcake table reflects the yellow theme!

I am such a fan of the flowers used in this wedding and seeing how they pulled together the color palette throughout the wedding day. Check back tomorrow for another post on this same topic!

In the mean time, check out more pictures from this beautiful wedding by rebekah westover here here

Fall 2009 "In" Colors

I found this lovely little graphic over at SW Magazine a few days ago and just had to share! I am personally loving all of the colors represented {minus the violet} and cannot stop dreaming up color combos! However, I got to thinking, how influential are these up-and-coming color schemes on the decision that you make regarding the colors present on your wedding day? For me, it was all about colors that I loved, not necessarily what was "in" for that particular season. There's a little poll on the top right hand side of my little bloggity blog where you can share your thoughts in the form of a vote. Or, feel free to leave a comment! Do you consult the "in" colors for the season before picking out the color scheme for your wedding!? And, just for fun, a second poll for you to pick your favorite fall 2009 color!

p.s. my favorite color combo from the above scheme: Iron & Honey Yellow with a splash of warm olive {i personally feel as though this color combo would work for most seasons!}

• Iron: Color experts are calling Iron “the new black”. Neither gray nor brown, Iron is a grounding color that coordinates well with other Fall hues.
• Honey Yellow: More subdued than Spring’s vibrant Mimosa yellow, this shade carries yellow through to fall and winter with its golden tones.
• Warm Olive: An unexpected, “tangy”, rich yellow-green. When combined, this intriguing hue makes other Fall colors come alive.

lovely little illustration by Gia from betsy white via SW Magazine

Orange: For the Fall Bride

I know there are a lot of brides in the middle of planning a pretty fall wedding at this very moment. I know from my own experience that for fall brides, the winter brings a lull to the planning. The important things like the ceremony & reception venue, photographer and florist are booked. However, the wedding is too far out to get into all of the DIY details and detailed planning. So, the fall bride turns to her favorite blogs and websites to browse for inspiration that she can stash away for when the wedding date draws near. However, at this time of year, the inspiration found in blogs and magazines seems to be geared towards the upcoming spring weddings {and hopes of warmer, less snow-filled days} with the light color pallets and whimsy details.

So here's a little inspiration for all of the fall brides out there that might be incorporating a bold color like orange into their color scheme. I hope you likey.
The inspiration behind this post began with seeing this bouquet. So soft and pretty with roses and dahlias.

And the accompanying boutonniere is quite handsome. The groom looked quite dapper in his back suit and orange & brown tie {who says the Groom can't wear brown with black...it's his day too!}. Bouquet and boutonniere by: holly heider chapple flowers

I love everything about this picture {below} even the capped and slightly poufy sleeves on the bridesmaids dresses. The bouquets wrapped in oversized ribbon, the lighting dancing on the field in the background and the smiles on all the beautiful faces add to the loveliness of this fall wedding.

elizabeth anne designs

A little orange in a reception venue can go a long way. Since orange is such a strong color, don't overuse it. Accent with other colors from your wedding color pallet for a lovely result.

via: bv weddings

Doesn't this just look like the picture that you want to define your wedding day? Pretty light from a pretty day, soft smiles and lots of love.

via: ben chrisman

for a little more orange eye candy check out this post: orange: i got nothin catchy

Lovely Damask or Bold Stripes?

Going the extra mile to spruce up your tables can have a big visual impact at your reception. Using nontraditional patters such as black & white damask or black & white stripes will leave your guests in awe.

I have always had a "thing" for damask. In fact, I wanted to use it as our wedding color scheme way back when {before I changed my mind 100 times}. When executed well, the damask pattern can be the belle of the ball, next to the bride of course!This damask table-scape is from the lovely wedding of kate's wedding blog who can now be found at pretty damn fabulous. Her wedding was adorable and attention to detail impeccable. I think the pictures speak for themselves.

If you haven't seen the work of Robert Sukrachand, get a move on over to his blog. I found this wedding particularly stunning. And if the black and white striped table cloths weren't eye popping enough, can we talk about the floral arrangements?!

The fluffy dahlias paired with squares of green grass make for a stunning series of centerpieces, don't you think!?

And if you haven't checked out this damask wedding, go now.
Whether you prefer the lovely and versatile damask or the bold style of thick stripes, I think that we can all agree that both patterns are stunning.

Adorable

I am absolutely smitten by this picture....

...for the following reasons:

• The dreamy gown
• The groom not wearing black
• The brides 'casually glamorous' hair
• The darling bouquet
• The massive bling on her finger
• The hand-holding

And just when I thought that my love could only be contained the one photo above, I found more of this couple's wedding here. If the pictures are too small for you to see, just know that they are amazing.

I will never tire of a green + white + tweed wedding. Bonus points if it's an outdoor wedding/reception.

Thank you, random couple, for having a spectacular wedding that I was able to drool and lust over just a little bit today. xo jessica lynn

You Would Think It's an Ad

Are you kidding me? You could have plucked these images out of a wedding magazine/ad for all I know! Love love love {and I'm normally not a huge fan of yellow}.
Love the chair, love the pale yellow dress, love the non-black suit, love the fetching tie. Yes, I said fetching.
If you don't love the yellow dress, you at least have to give her props for her yellow pumps.
The dog sold me on the whole wedding. The bow tie was just added charm. Naturally.
"Hmmmm maybe I'll just kick back with my new hubby on these FABULOUS yellow striped lounge chairs for a moment before we step into our TO-DIE-FOR reception...". I'm sure she said that. And if she didn't say it she was sure thinking it.
Who doesn't love a little detail?
Check out the whole post on the next exit photography blog.