Well it’s sunny outside today, but I love looking back to this fall post featuring the sophisticated yet edgy look of black tableware! Originally featured on October 8, 2008, these clever wedding decor ideas are absolutely timeless…
In honor of autumn and the raindrops that are falling on the orange and yellow leaves outside my window as I write this, I’m whole heartedly embracing all that’s rich and dark and cozy. I bought fabulous new boots, I turned on my heater, and I’m fascinated by the creative possibilities of incorporating black tableware into a wedding. And this morning, just as I was thinking about how to make the most of this look, I came across this unbelievably beautiful photo collection from photographer Colin Cooke and stylist Paul Lowe on Paul’s blog Sweet Paul (via Snippet and Ink, thanks Kathryn!) and it made me absolutely swoon. Could this meal look any more delectable and luxurious?
Incredible event designers can take a vision, an idea, a tiny inspiration, and bring it to life super-sized, fully realized, and in technicolor! Today we get to see just that with the ultra-creative work of Daniela of Seattle’s Bella Signature Design. Read on to see how she worked with a wedding couple to turn their love of color and modern wedding design ideas into this striking concept…
and into this stunning reality…
Staci and Brett came to me with a love of all things modern yet lush, and a love for bright colors (Ah, the perfect match for Bella!) They had chosen Januik Winery, one of my favorite venues in Seattle for their wedding. Fabulous modern architecture, great wine, and sensational food! While Staci, Brett and I worked on the color palette (chartreuse, persimmon and raspberry) it was Staci and I that struggled over her point of inspiration. One of Bellas beginning design stages is to find the couples “point of inspiration.” This can be anything; a favorite season, a location, a stunning piece of fabric – anything that speaks to the bride and groom and represents their combined style. This inspiration begins the concept of the design, so that the wedding is uniquely theirs, and not something just created from magazine tears. Staci gave me this beautiful Missoni scarf to use as inspiration, which featured one of her favorite patterns as well as the couple’s favorite colors. What a great piece to use as inspiration!
Staci and Brett were adamant about excluding the cliché “single, giant arrangement” behind them as they recited their vows, although they did want something that would frame them beautifully. Since Januik has an amazing orange-red wall that would be the backdrop for the ceremony, I designed an art piece out of flowers to hang on the wall, with a wave pattern similar to the scarf. We framed it in wood and hung it like a piece of art, and it created a perfect focal point before the couple walked up the aisle! Staci LOVES floral orbs, so we flanked the aisle with them to keep things fresh and modern. Brett loved the trees that line the ‘aisle’, and wanted some color there as well (I love it when grooms get involved!) so 100 glass orbs, to reflect the orbs on the ground, were strung into the trees and bedecked with beautiful orchids. The sketch of this wedding was an immediate winner!
Greeting the guests after the ceremony was a lemonade station, and a wonderful entrance piece on the escort card table, a frame with squares of blooms, in the center of which, of course, was the wavy pattern!
For the reception, we again used the pattern from the scarf and wove that into the centerpieces, using orchids, roses, celosia and Kermit mums. Since the couple did not want tall, overbearing centerpieces, yet the room needed some height variance, we created four custom hanging centerpieces form Plexiglas strung on colorful ribbon from the ceiling. Even the staff commented on how different the room looked! For the dessert table, we worked closely with Jen from Jen’s Desserts, to match her exquisite and delightful sweets with Staci and Brett’s style. For dancing, we turned the tasting room into a swanky dance lounge by adding magenta up-lighting, custom seating in persimmon and chartreuse, and glassybaby candles everywhere. Romantic, elegant and down right sexy!
This was one of my favorite weddings – completely infused with the couples style, and warm, joyful colors. Staci was great at giving me hints of things she liked, and then letting me design away! I always feel I do my best work when given some direction from the client, and then allowed to create wonderful, unusual pieces to fit together into a fabulous concept for this important celebration.
Junebug reader Ashley recently wrote in asking for a little help in bringing together some ideas for her upcoming Santa Cruz area wedding, and as you’ll soon see why, I just couldn’t resist giving it a go! She and her fiancé want a romantic and slightly rustic look, with a fun wedding color palette that will pop next to the monotone cliff sides and lighten the mood if the weather itself isn’t bright and sunny. But most importantly, they want to incorporate their passion for restoring vintage bicycles and make it an intricate part of their wedding! Fun! Here is an inspiration board and a few ideas to get you going Ashley…
Top row:
A perfectly romantic and lacy Carolina Herrera wedding gown accessorized with pearls from MarthaStewart.com. This model’s simply pulled-back hair and clean makeup with pretty pink lips are a classic look that will never go out of style.
A colorful and rustic loose floral arrangement by Southern California florist Kate Holt of Flower Wild, image by Josef Isayo.
Second row:
An all white wedding cake on a matching milk glass cake stand, image by Stephanie Williams Photography. A wide variety of milk glass pieces are easy to find at thrift stores and flea markets, and make lovely accessories for a romantic style wedding. Collect vases, dishes, candle holders and platters in the months leading up to your wedding and then let your florist and cake designer incorporate them into your wedding decor!
Beautifully calligraphed cootie catchers add to the fun and games for your guests. Use them as menus or wedding favors and place one at each place setting. Image from MarthaStewart.com.
Third row:
Ashley and her finacé are restoring bikes from the 1930s-50s especially for the wedding and the wedding party. Ashley’s bike is her “dream build,” a pink, white and chrome Roadmaster Luxury Liner, so the wedding’s color palette will definitely incorporate “sweet pea pink.”
Fourth row:
Paper lanterns from Luna Bazaar in the wedding’s colors of turquoise blue (for the California ocean) and petal pink and fuchsia (for Ashley’s bike) will make easy and dynamic decor accessories whether used inside or out.
Fifth row:
Gray and white letter press wedding invitations from Pixel Soup Creative are made with playful calligraphy on a slant across the paper to create a classic yet modern look.
Cuff links for the groom and groomsmen are made from recycled bicycle tires by Etsy artist Christine Bossler.
Sixth row:
Pink frosted cupcakes from Seattle’s famous Trophy Cupcakes look extra sweet on a milk glass display. Image from Junebug’s Candy Coated Color Fashion Report.
Colorful mismatched boutonnieres for the groom and groomsmen will add a little fun and individuality to the wedding party look. Boutonnieres by Kate Holt of Flower Wild, image by Jose Villa.
Bottom row:
Incorporate those beautiful bikes into your wedding photography! Get creative like this couple did at a wedding photographed by Kayleen T.
Junebug Weddings uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. We also use cookies to show advertising that is most relevant to you. If you continue you agree to the use of cookies on Junebug Weddings.
Terms & Conditions
.jpg "Photographers")
