Three Elements

When one of my best friends from home, Abby, became engaged this past spring, I, of course, couldn't wait to hear about her planning; I LOVE talking about weddings! I may have driven her crazy with my questions trying to establish the look and feel she wanted for her wedding, and, I decided sending her some inspiration boards might help clarify for me, and perhaps her, what she hoped to see.

Abby was unsure if she wanted something traditional or a little more whimsical. She thought she might like a color scheme of black and white with either a combination of bright summer colors (magenta, orange, lime, etc.) or one specific color.

Original Color Considerations
all colors from COLOURlovers

Colors here, here, here, here, and here

We started with three inspiration boards, and, after viewing them, Abby decided a combination of all three spoke to what she wanted. Abby, then, selected a country club as the venue for her reception and wondered if she should still use bright, bold colors or just a pink that was softer in hue.

We established that she wanted to find a way to carry black onto the tables other than through the linens. She also thought she'd like to include a monogram throughout the wedding and possibly wanted to use a black and white stripe envelope lining.

Two more inspiration boards followed based on those changes to her visions for the day. I chose three elements that met the criteria she thought she wanted and showed how they could work in two very different feeling weddings.

The three images below are those three elements.

Utilizing Black Containers- Escort Card Display
Wedding: Sabrina and Conrad; photo: Laura Novak via Brides.com

Thin Black and White Stripe for Envelope Liner
Image from here

Inspiration for Incorporating Monogram
Save the date from Wedding Paper Divas

The first board incorporates a slightly softer look with black, white and pink. It is an updated take on a traditional country club wedding.

Country Club Modern

First row: L to R- La Sposa gown- Brides.com, Anemone bouquet- marthastewart.com, Champagne-freedigitalphotos.net, black and white stripe- fabricsandpapers.com

Second Row: Save the Date- Wedding Paper Divas, Reception-Wedding of Stacey & Kyle- Photo: Marisu Wehrenberg via Brides.com, Max & Cleo Dress- Nordstrom.com, Goat Cheese Collection- Williams-Sonoma

Third Row: Photo- Brooke Schwab Photography blog, flower girl- Stella Alesi Photography, Boutonniere photo- Jennifer Skog Photography blog, bouquet: Ariella Chezar Design via Brides.com

Fourth Row: Escort Card Display- Wedding of Sabrina & Conrad- Photo: Laura Novak via Brides.com, Wedding of Maggie & Jeff- Photo: Anna Kuperberg's Kuperblog, Black and White Cookie via OaklandMagazine.com

The second board includes the bright summer colors that Abby was drawn to originally. It features the same starting three elements as found in the board above.

Black and Bright

First Row: L to R- Centerpiece- Wedding of Namrita & Roman- Photo: Elizabeth Messina via The Bride's Cafe, Diane von Furstenberg Dress from Nordstrom.com June 2008, Buckwheat Belinis- Epicurious.com, black and white stripe- fabricsandpapers.com

Second Row: Save the Date- Wedding Paper Divas, Bouquet- Wedding of Sarah & Sean- Flowers: Yvonne Floral Design & Photo: Stefanie Riedel of Absolutely Loved via The Bride's Cafe, Matchbox Ring Shot- Wedding of Kathy & Mark- Photo: Our Labor of Love blog

Third Row: Centerpiece photo- Stella Alesi Photography via The Knot, Peaches Melba- Epicurious.com, Escort Card Display- Wedding of Sabrina & Conrad- Photo: Laura Novak via Bride's.com
Fourth Row: Pronovias gown- Brides.com, Shoes- Wedding of Sarah & J.W. via Our Labor of Love blog, Laduree Macaroons via Southern Weddings

These two inspiration boards illustrate that you can personalize your wedding to create a feel that is unique to your day, even when starting with the same elements at the beginning.

After looking at these boards, Abby decided she was still inclined to choose the bright colors she'd originally imagined. I know with my wedding, my color choices ended up changing further along in the planning process; as Abby's wedding is this upcoming summer, I'll be excited to see the end result and what evolution may occur in the design plans!