September 2016 Archive

Dusty pastels are being paired with moody jewel tones like burgundy, emerald and plum to create a romantic Victorian color palette. The dark hues are reminiscent of the naturally changing surroundings, while the weathered pastels add just a touch of warmth.

Finishing Touches: Accent your color palette with a metallic like brass, rose gold or yellow gold. Metallics have brightening qualities that add multidimensional depth to any color palette.

Humble tiers and topper-less cakes have officially arrived for the season. Rather than adorning cakes with fondant designs or sugar flowers, couples are opting for a clean, textured look, dressed up with small bunches of blooms or greenery. Naked cakes continue to be hot, but they’re taken a step further with flavorful drips. As for the size of the wedding cake, we’re seeing it shrink—couples still hold stock in the classic notion of cutting the cake, but they’re mixing things up with fun, unique treat alternatives come dessert time.

Finishing Touches: Opting for a smaller cake means you’re going to need a second-string dessert to serve your guests. The hot pick right now is a tried-and-true seasonal favorite—pie! Lauren Conrad may have called this trend last year at her own fall wedding, but it’s still going strong.

Fall weddings are about embracing the whimsy in the air, and what better way to do that than with an invitation suite of breezy calligraphy and motifs of graceful garlands. Another big trend? Stamps. Not your average post office stamps, but ones that coordinate with your theme in fun, bright colors. (Hint: Can’t find any unique postage? Search on Etsy where there’s plenty to choose from.)

Finishing Touches: Beautiful calligraphy doesn’t have to stop at your stationery. Weave it through your reception details. A big blackboard displaying your menu is both useful and decorative, or go with calligraphy-adorned table numbers, place cards or signage leading guests around your venue.

Brides are dolling up their wedding day look with the glamorous addition of fur (or faux fur!). Whether it’s a knee-length coat or sophisticated shawl wrap, fur accessories lend an air of old-world, movie-star glam to a bridal look, instead of weighing it down like other winter coats. Not to mention, these wedding day accessories can continue to be worn for years to come.

Finishing Touches: Keep the style of your dress in mind when picking out a coat. A cropped shape will cover your arms and torso while showing off your figure, while a lengthy hem is ideal for a slim A-line gown. Textures (fur or faux) can also give off different vibes: Shearling is more boho chic, while a silky shine looks luxe.

Freshly picked, wild-looking bouquets are still reigning in the land of florals. The hottest stem? Wine-colored dahlias all the way. For tabletops, arrangements are looking more green and leafy. Think succulents, eucalyptus, wheat greens, acacia and bay leaf branches. Additionally, rather than blooms, pops of color are provided by berries like Brazilian pepper berries, hypericum berry spray or raspberries.

Finishing Touches: Small vines of ivy elongate the shape of traditionally arranged bouquets, giving them a whimsical appeal, while unexpected add-ins, like thistles and small leafy twigs, capture the spirit of the outdoors.

Creative food and drink stations are having a moment. We’re not just talking dessert bars here, we’re talking gourmet coffee stands, craft beer tastings, build-your-own taco bars and even barbeque sauce stations. Wedding decor and attire aside, this is one of the best ways to personalize your reception and share a truly unique experience with your guests.

Finishing Touches: Depending on what type of station is best for your budget, consider hiring an expert to really round out the experience. A barista who knows the ins and outs of coffee beans can recommend brews to your friends and family—similarly, for a cocktail or craft beer bar, a certified mixologist can wow them with bartender tricks.

Bring your decor to new heights—literally. The space between the tabletops and ceiling is really being taken advantage of. After all, if you can’t build additional square footage onto your reception space, build up! If your wedding theme is more formal, tall candles and ornate candelabras are making a comeback. If you want to keep things rustic and natural, bring the outdoors in with leaf-adorned branches. (Bonus: The beautiful changing colors in the leaves act as their own decor.)

Finishing Touches: For a rustic theme, round out the Mother Nature–inspired decorations with a favor table overflowing with juicy red apples. For a touch of glitz and glamour, stock it with mini bottles of wine (a seasonal vintage) or boxes of macarons.