Here at Junebug, one of the things that makes us fall head-over-heels for a wedding is great personality! We love to see a bride and groom’s personal style and interests incorporated into their wedding day celebration. For Dallas and Brian, this meant a wedding filled with retro-style, musical references, and to top it all off (literally) a little cameo by a T-Rex and a flamingo! Read on for bride Dallas’s description of their wonderful day!
The day after we got engaged, Brian and I were driving to our hometown for the weekend to share the great news with our families. During the six hour drive, we talked non-stop about what our wedding could be like. We started by thinking of all our shared interests and everything we collectively love. We are both photographers and writers, and love hosting parties. We’re also both musicians and big fans of music and movies, and the particular styles tied to the rise of Hollywood and popular music in North America. Technicolor films, rock and roll, classic cocktails, Motown – we love it all. We decided that the theme of our wedding would be inspired by the movies and music of the late 1950s and early 1960s.
We held our big day in Toronto’s beautiful and historic Berkeley Church, which was wonderful for all our out-of-town guests as it allowed us to host the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception in three different rooms within one gorgeous building. We settled on a color palette of navy, grey, turquoise and yellow, bringing in as many vintage and technicolor-inspired elements as possible. We chose to keep the decor rather simple in order to let the beauty of the venue speak for itself. My parents visited auctions and antique stores to collect dozens of vases, which were filled with lovely, simple arrangements by our florist, Coriander Girl. They were set upon layers of lace doilies over navy linens. Our seating plan was displayed on vintage records, and our table numbers were marked on 45s (small records) dug up from my parents’ basement. The tables were illuminated by vintage jars wrapped in antique lace.
My cousin Tara made our beautiful cake, which was adorned with a T-Rex and a flamingo, my husband’s and my favorite animals, respectively. Our invitations and welcome poster were designed by our best men (both artists) to look like a vintage movie poster, and was created with one of our engagement photos and some Photoshop wizardry. We couldn’t have chosen a better photographer; Lisa Mark did an absolutely stupendous job with our photos, and we will treasure her work forever. Our day was absolutely perfect. Highlights included laughing as one of our groomsmen serenaded our guests dressed as Elvis, and tossing my bouquet so hard that it smashed a bunch of candles and soaked my groom in hot wax! Mostly, it was wonderful to be with the love of my life, encircled by all the family and friends whom we treasure most.
For anyone planning a wedding now, I’d suggest you try your very best to enjoy every moment of the planning process. Incorporate as many things you both love as possible, so that your partner can enjoy and be equally invested in the process. Most importantly, don’t stress yourself out by thinking of your wedding as the “most important day of your life,” but rather as an awesome party with all your favorite people, and the beginning of an incredible new adventure.
Dallas and Brian, thank you so much for telling us about your wedding day! We love all of the personal touches and personality you infused the celebration with!
Cricket and Casey, you’re making my day here with your Great Gatsby and Coco Chanel inspired wedding! Who wouldn’t adore attending an event with such an elegant vintage feel to it? From the pale pink florals to the sophisticated fashion, I’m absolutely loving it all in these photos from photographer Christine Farah!
The Goals:Cricket and Casey wanted a day filled with love, beauty and fun, and in their search for the perfect wedding venue, they were thrilled to find Maravilla Gardens. “We loved the outdoor venue for our ceremony and reception. The gardens were so lush, well manicured and so thoughtfully landscaped, it was perfect for our Gatsby inspired wedding.”
The Design: With the help of wedding planner Alexandra Rembac of Sterling Engagements and florist Susan Tom-Nellis of Peony and Plum Floral Design Cricket and Casey chose wedding colors of blush, dove gray, black and white to create their elegant, vintage, garden environment.
Their wedding invitations were simple but beautiful white card stock with black calligraphy, a black ribbon on the left side, and their C monogram in Tiffany blue. The three tiered wedding cake from Fantasy Frostings was beautiful of course, covered with fondant and decorated with black ribbon and a blush peony at the top. The cake’s bottom tier was funfetti with cream cheese frosting, the second tier was triple berry yellow cake, and the top layer was a black and white cake with a coconut creme.
Instead of traditional wedding favors, Cricket and Casey wanted to give back after all the natural disasters that had recently occurred, so they made a donation to the American Red Cross in honor of their guests.
And perhaps one of the most fun details of the day was the inclusion of Cricket and Casey’s beloved pups! “Casey and I are all about our dogs so we incorporated them in the wedding. Layla and Maggie were our flower girls along with our 2 year old goddaughter, Sydney. They wore handmade dove grey tutus with garden roses in their hair. Rocky, our male chihuahua, wore a black bow-tie and the handmade ring bearer pillow. We also incorporated them into our table numbers. Casey created silhouettes of our 3 chihuahuas along with the other doggies from our family.”
The Look: Cricket fell in love with not just one, but two wedding dresses – one by Tara Keely and one by Jim Hjelm. She pulled her hair up for the ceremony and then wore it loose with large barrel curls for the reception – so fun! For the wedding party, Cricket says, “I wanted them to look and feel GORGEOUS. I chose a soft palette for the girls and had them choose from a number of dresses, not repeating any style or color. My aim was to have them look like a runway collection and not a group of girls wearing the same dress. The guys looked sharp in their classic black tuxes with suspenders and dove grey ties.” Agreed.
The Moments: Because Cricket is Catholic and Casey is atheist they worked hard to make their non-denominational ceremony a perfect blend of their values and beliefs. “We thought a lot about what was going to be said at our ceremony because of our differences in religion. Every word meant so much to each of us and crafting what rang true to us and coming to a compromise was a great journey on its own. The whole ceremony for us both was out of this world. Hank, our pastor, was perfect, and declaring our love to our family and friends felt powerful and awesome.”
For the reception Cricket and Casey choose a formal dinner created by Command Performance Catering that started with a crepe brie and fig salad, then a choice of four different entrees with three amazing sides. They served two signature cocktails comprised of their favorite things; the Golden Groom included Crown Royal, Amaretto and a splash of sprite, and the Blushing Bride was a classic French martini. YUM!
Following all that incredible food, DJ Predakon, a good friend of Casey’s who flew in from NY for the event, spun tunes all night. “There was never a dull moment thanks to him. Jazz, Bossa Nova, Rock, Oldies and Top 40 kept everything well paced.
Today’s Real Wedding, shot by Jean-Pierre Uys Photography, will take your breath away with its style and elegance, not to mention the romantic and breathtaking South African scenery. On a perfectly warm and sunny day in October, Shelley and Nkululeko tied the knot at the MolenVliet Wine and Guest Estate in South Africa, surrounded by friends and family from across the globe. When asked what the most romantic moment of the joyful celebration was, Shelley couldn’t choose just one – “from the proposal in Spain, to going to bed with a new surname that night, and every moment in between, it was all romantic”.
The bride chose a dramatic wedding gown from Malcolm Kluk and Christiaan Gabriel Du Toit, and canary yellow dresses by the same designer for her bridesmaids. A few modern fairytale details that we can’t get enough of – for an extra bit of luck Shelley attached a 1965 six-pence to her gorgeous Jimmy Choo wedding shoes, and then rode to the ceremony in style in a 1958 Bentley. During the ceremony her incredible five-meter-long veil even got its own moment in the sun, taking full advantage of a brief and sudden gust of wind, to delight the guests and spread its wings!
Shelley and Nkululeko’s goal for their wedding was to savor every single moment. They were calm and relaxed throughout their big day, enjoying every last detail as they committed their lives to each other, surrounded by their family and friends, in this gorgeous natural setting. Can’t you just feel their joy and ease in these stunning portraits by Jean-Pierre Uys as they took time to themselves to walk throughout the vineyards?
Using a wedding color palette of cream, gray-silver, off-white and black, Shelley and Nkululeko created an event that felt both sophisticated and relaxed. Mirrors, crystals and green foliage were used on the tabletops to accent the neutral colors, and there were plenty of candles and subdued sparkling lighting to set a romantic mood. The couple’s first dance was to Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together“, and from the looks of joy and love on their faces, we have no doubt in our minds that’s exactly what these two will do!
To learn more about this wedding and all of the businesses that contributed, be sure to visit our Real Weddings library!
Thank you so much for sharing this incredible adventure with us Shelley and Nkululeko! It was so beautiful!
Readers, for help planning a Seattle or Southern California wedding, don’t miss the trusted recommendations in our Plan Your Wedding hot list!
Ooohh…couture! I was perusing the Versace fashion website after seeing this post on Fashionologie.com about the Atelier Versace couture collection, and I found all kinds of great wedding fashion inspiration. Donatella Versace’s sexy design sketches and the gorgeous gowns created from them are simply amazing. Seeing the creative process and imagination behind her artistry is such a treat. The fabric embellishments and rich colors in these dresses could easily inspire wonderful ideas for your bridal or wedding party style. I love the oversized fabric pleats and flowers, the one shoulder neckline, the silky charmeuse fabric in periwinkle, lavender and chartreuse and the layering of black, grey and navy together in one dress.
Versace’s recent fall 08 ready-to-wear runway show paired lots of brightly colored shoes with contrasting colored dresses, which I think is a fun and modern look for bridesmaids or for your engagement party, rehearsal dinner or bridal shower ensemble.
Here are a few colorful real life possibilities for your wedding from Bluefly.com…
From picking an eye-catching theme to finding the perfect wedding day attire, there are many moving parts that go into planning a wedding. For couples dreaming of a boho-style ceremony, you’ve come to the right place. The laid-back attitude, opportunities for personalization, and color palette options that make boho a popular trend won’t fade away anytime soon.
Whether you’re looking to dress your bridesmaids in deep shades of burgundy, mismatched shades of green, or a mix of neutrals, we’ve compiled a list of gorgeous bridesmaid dresses that will compliment any boho wedding, no matter the color palette.
Now that you’re ready to dress your wedding party up! If you’re loving these dresses and want the mismatched look but aren’t sure how to pull it off, check out these five tips for nailing the mismatched bridesmaid look. We also put together some mismatched bridesmaid color palettes to make your life even easier.
Cozy blankets, crunching leaves, and pumpkin spice everything—it’s finally autumn. While we’re sad to say goodbye to warmer weather, we can now say hello to all things fall—especially if you’re planning a fall wedding. Fall doesn’t only bring cooler temperatures. It also brings different textures, colors, and fun fall accessories.
If you’re including a bridal party on your big day, your bridesmaids’ style should be on your mind. Choosing the perfect bridesmaid look will help tie your whole fall wedding together. To help figure out what style you like best, we’ve rounded up fall bridesmaid style inspiration with everything from mismatched colors to mismatched dresses.
Mismatched Fall Bridesmaid Dresses
Mismatched bridesmaid dresses have been popular in recent years and it comes as no surprise. Mixing dresses allow you to showcase all the different colors in your wedding seamlessly. When you think about fall, do you think of mustard yellow, dark reds, and burnt oranges? What about different shades of green?
If your fall wedding color palette features a multitude of different colors, try dressing your bridesmaids in mismatched dresses based on your wedding colors. This will also blend well with your floral arrangements and decor.
Using mustard, red, and burnt orange colors doesn’t mean your bridal party needs to be plain! These three colors look great in both floral arrangements and bridesmaid dresses. Whether you keep the group in the same fabric texture or use different fabrics, these colors are sure to look good together.
Most people think that neutral fall colors are beige or grey, but blues are another great neutral color that makes other rich tones pop. Whether you prefer stormy blue colors or a rich navy blue, using shades of blue is an easy way to enhance your wedding palette. Plus, if your bridal party has different skin tones, you can pair each of them into shades that look best for each of them.
We’ve said it before, and we will say it again—don’t ever sleep on emerald green. This dark green not only pairs beautifully with so many other colors, but with the right combination, it embodies everything fall. Emerald green is sort of like a classic little black dress—it looks great on every skin tone and body type. Having all your bridesmaids in this shade of green will look cohesive and accentuate your wedding theme and color scheme.
Gone are the days that a bride has to be in white. If you plan on wearing a non-white wedding dress, like black or light pink, having your bridesmaids in all white will make your colorful dress pop. White bridesmaid dresses act as a blank canvas and when you add your fall-toned bouquets your whole wedding color palette pulls together.
If fall makes you think of dark rich tones, having your bridesmaids in darker shades of red helps achieve that cozy fall vibe. Dark red shades like burgundy, wine, and berry pair well with dusty rose, gold, grey, and navy. If your partner or their wedding party is looking to wear any of these colors, dark red pairs beautifully.
Shop dark red bridesmaid dresses:
We know that shopping for bridesmaid dresses can be difficult, especially during unprecedented times and living in different time zones. Thankfully, we put together a list of places to shop bridesmaid dresses online. These online shops will help you find everything you need whether they’re in these color schemes or another color palette of your dreams.
Couples around the globe are opting for non-white wedding dresses and colorful suits as a way to better express themselves. While there is nothing wrong with a crisp white gown, it’s not an absolute must-have when you’re shopping for your dress. Whether it’s a subtle color choice like champagne, or a bold choice like black, wearing white is a tradition that you can totally skip.
We scoured the internet in search of the best non-white wedding dresses that range in colors and styles. Get ready to find the colorful dress that speaks to you and your unique personality. Happy shopping!
When you want to add some color without fully sacrificing a white bridal look, there are a few things you can look for. Some brides opt for a mesh or chiffon overlay that includes color like floral embroidery or beads. You can also look for a slight print, or try bridal separates with a colorful skirt.
If you’re looking to ease yourself into the colorful wedding dress trend, try switching from white to a neutral color. Think colors like champagne, taupe, or grey. These neutral colors still add color to your wedding without being so bold. Plus, these colors are perfect for outdoor weddings and elopements.
Ever dreamed of running in a pink Bridgerton-esque gown? Then use your wedding day to live out your dreams. With hues like blush or rose gold, you’ll feel pretty in pink while rocking a pink wedding dress. These dresses are perfect for spring or summer weddings at a castle, a beach, or even just in your backyard.
A more popular color choice that brides are opting for is black. Surprisingly enough, black wedding gowns are perfect for fall and winter weddings—and the seasonal wedding boots. Whether you add a tulle black skirt, or go for a full black bridal gown, black is a color that exudes sophistication and elegance. So, if you’re planning a formal, black-tie wedding, opting for this non-white wedding dress might be the perfect choice for you.
You may have heard of the saying “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.” Who’s to say your dress can’t be your something blue from this rhyme? If you don’t choose a blue wedding dress for this meaning, blues are also associated with calmness and purity. Lighter blues are so soft, feminine, and delicate that it would be perfect for spring and summer weddings.
Traditional for Chinese and Indian cultures, the bride wears a red dress to symbolize good fortune, fertility, and prosperity. But if you love the idea of walking down the aisle in a bold color, a red dress is your answer. While red is a dramatic, memorable, and unique color, it’s also associated with love and romance. Seems like a great option for the most romantic day of your life!
If red is your power color, go for it. Opt to wear the color of love. If wearing it down the aisle is too attention grabbing for you, you can always change into a red dress for the reception.
When in doubt, adding sequins and sparkle is often the answer. A full sequin dress is an eye-catching, non-white showstopping dress option. If you’re not sure you can rock sparkles the whole wedding day, these are great outfit changes! Some brides switch to sequin dresses and jumpsuits for their reception or their wedding ceremony. It’s a glamorous look.
If you didn’t see the color you were hoping for, don’t fret. When it comes to your day, it really is your day. Showing off your personality in whatever color you want makes it special. Whether you choose a wedding gown that’s yellow, orange, or even rainbow, we hope you find the color that makes you feel beautiful.
There is a reason that many soon-to-be newlyweds opt for black, grey and navy suits. They’re neutral colors that pair with any color palette and theme. But more and more couples are opting to break tradition and opt for colorful pieces, allowing them to include more personality into their wedding day look. From bolder hues like burgundy and teal to lighter looks like light pink and yellow, there’s a suit for every single unique soon-to-be spouse.
Blue Colorful Suits
Navy suits have taken the world by storm, but why not lighten things up with a baby blue suit? Perfect for spring and summer weddings, this modern take on the 70s style pairs perfectly with sunshine and over-the-top florals.
Ministry Of Supply offers moisture-wicking suits in a variety of blue hues that are perfect for anyone eloping—that’s right, anyone. They specialize in men’s and women’s suits. Don’t miss out on these gorgeous and flexible options!
Teal Colorful Suits
Jewel tone color palettes are some of our favorites for weddings, and they don’t have to apply to just bridesmaid dresses. If you want to be the star of the show in a crowd of black suits, consider a teal colored suit. We think this bride nailed it with her gold details and floral pocket square. Not to mention the color perfectly contrasts her significant other’s royal blue suit and bolo tie.
If you’re tying the knot in the fall and want to add color, but you’re not quite sure how, consider a purple suit. The deep eggplant color will pair beautifully with the oranges and reds of the season without being too bold. You can also find lilac colored suits if you want something a bit more casual and airy.
One word: mustard. The deep golden color looks incredible on most skin-tones, pairs perfectly with more boho accessories such as bolo ties and boots, and can be worn year-round. If you want something brighter, go for something brighter, like a banana yellow.
Out of all of the suits on this list, orange is definitely the most unique. It’s not only the hardest to find–you may have to have something custom-made–but it’s also one of the hardest colors to match. But if you’ve seen our 2021 wedding trends, then you know eclectic colors are in, and terracotta is all the rage right now, so why not go big for one of the most memorable days of your life?
Wearing color doesn’t mean that you have to wear something overly vibrant. You can add color in a very understated, tasteful way by choosing a burgundy suit. The color is flattering on every skin tone, making it an ideal choice if you are looking to dress your wedding party in the same color.
There’s something incredibly romantic about light pink wedding attire, especially when paired with neutral decor and florals. Perfect for summer’s warm temps, light pink colored suits are a subtle way to add color to your special day.
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, which means we’re one romantic holiday away from the end of engagement season. Time flies when you’re in love! Now that you’re engaged, a long list of wedding tasks is calling. Whether you know your dream wedding plans or you’re starting from scratch, your first task is choosing a date. Then, order your Minted wedding stationery.
We partnered with our friends at Minted to help couples incorporate the 2021 Pantone Colors of the year into their wedding stationery. If you’re not familiar with Minted or Pantone weddings, read on to learn more. With Minted’s help, you can learn how to tastefully incorporate these colors into your wedding stationery.
Making The Colors Of 2021 Your Pantone Wedding Colors
Illuminating—a bright shade of yellow—and Ultimate Grey are the Pantone colors of 2021. An optimist nod to the year ahead, they can seem a bit off putting. If you weren’t dreaming of a sunflower or storm-cloud themed wedding, don’t sweat! There are endless opportunities to include these bright and optimistic colors into your wedding stationery.
Plus, utilizing one of these colors doesn’t mean you’re boxed in for your entire wedding. The perk of working with Minted’s independent designers means you can test out these colors and find thoughtful ways to incorporate them without making your entire wedding Pantone themed. However, if you want to host your wedding in these shades, we certainly won’t stop you. Instead, we’ll wait patiently to see your gorgeous wedding photos!
When it comes to wedding stationery, our friends at Minted have an extensive catalogue of unique stationery designs created by a community of independent artists from around the world. Their ability to take designs across digital and physical products for your Pantone wedding stationery provides everything—from your wedding website, save the date cards, and even the postage—with a cohesive look and feel.
Luxury Meets Affordability In Minted Pantone Wedding Stationery
Working with a dedicated Minted designer provides you with access to luxurious printing and paper materials for your wedding stationery. After all, these are the pieces you’ll use to announce and celebrate your love—make the announcement in style. You’ll also have the opportunity to tweak it until you’re happy with it through unlimited rounds of customization.
Along with luxurious materials, the ability to sample any design, get personalized samples, and request a free sample kit makes couples feel like royalty. When the team at Minted says they want to ensure the announcements you’ll be sending out are cohesive with your wedding design, they really mean it.
Whether you’re leaning into the Pantone colors of the year or are looking for ways to incorporate these hopeful nods to the future, we know you’ll find what you’re looking for on their website. Get started crafting your dream wedding stationery on their website today.
Whether flowers aren’t your vibe or you’re looking to decorate your wedding on a budget, floral alternatives are a creative way to style your day! Even if you’re a big fan of flowers, unfortunately, you may not be able to access them in 2020 and 2021 weddings. COVID-19 is impacting the wedding industry in a variety of ways, from weddings being postponed to small businesses hurting. One aspect you may not realize is being affected are flowers! Wedding florists, who have been hit some of the hardest by the pandemic, have not only lost business but are seeing a shortage in flowers as wholesale businesses were shuttered during quarantine. With fewer flowers available, we wanted to offer up some of our favorite alternatives to using flowers throughout your day.
Not convinced you can decorate without flowers? These floral alternatives will change your mind:
Dried flowers, pampas grass, and leaves
Linens
Neon signs
Candles and lanterns
Terrariums
Greenery
Read on for examples of these floral alternatives in use plus some of our favorite shops + products to use in your wedding.
DRIED FLOWERS, PAMPAS GRASS, & LEAVES
Okay, okay, we know this is supposed to be a floral alternatives roundup, but hear us out. While fresh florals might be hard to come by due to COVID, dried florals are a beautiful alternative that also happens to be trending this year! From fluffy pampas grass to dried palms to exquisite arrangements crafted from dried flowers, you don’t have to rely on fresh blooms when decorating your wedding. Dried botanicals can have a big impact on your wedding style, too, whether you’re going for an edgy moody vibe or romantic fairy tale look.
CHECK OUT OUR FAVORITE ETSY SHOPS FOR DRIED LEAVES + PAMPAS GRASS:
When designing your wedding, don’t forget to start with a strong foundation! Linens like patterned table runners or bold napkins in your wedding colors can be a great way to infuse your personal style into your decor. Plus, your table settings need napkins anyway, so why not make them a memorable part of your design!
Wedding decor doesn’t have to be so serious, so consider adding a playful element to your day with a neon sign! Lots of wedding rental companies have romantic neon signs you can use, but if you’re down for the investment we love the idea of getting a personalized neon sign you can display in your home after the wedding is through. Pro tip: neon signs make a great addition to your sweetheart table setup or as part of the display above your dessert table or reception bar.
Say yes to styling and ambiance with a collection of candles and lanterns around your wedding space! There’s nothing more romantic than dining by candlelight, so don’t be stingy. Candles can also be the answer to two big styling issues when decorating your wedding: contributing to your color palette and creating levels in your decor. Use candles in hues from your palette at varying heights to create visual interest throughout your design. Lanterns and other candle holders can also help you carry out your thematic vision, whether it’s rustic, Moroccan, modern, or bohemian.
Looking for a solution that’s chic and natural? Terrariums are the answer you’ve been looking for! Terrariums make great centerpieces or decor on your dessert or gift tables, plus they can serve double duty as favors for your guests at the end of the night. Keep them simple with a succulent or air plant in a diamond-shaped glass terrarium or make a major style statement with an assortment of plants inside of unique geometric shapes. Pro tip: consider hanging small terrariums from an arch or the ceiling to help fill your space.
No matter your venue, adding greenery to your decor creates a lush environment for tying the knot. From tropical fronds to fresh eucalyptus to putting your favorite houseplants on display, you not only incorporate natural elements but also carry out a theme by curating greenery to match your intended vibe. Use leaves sparingly and intentionally for a minimalist look or go big with full garlands on tables and arrangements hanging from the ceiling.
Neutral Boho Bridesmaid Dresses
