Results tagged “inspiration boards” from Beantown Bride, Boston weddings, wedding blog, real weddings, DIY weddings, wedding blogs

Kirsten O'Neil, who grew up shy and innocent, and Carl-Hubert Joachim, more of a wild, outgoing type, are the epitome of an opposites attract union-ship. The high school sweethearts have been lucky in love long before Carl-Hurbert placed his future wife's engagement ring in a lucky bamboo plant while she was re-potting it. 

The pair was also fortunate to have gorgeous weather for their ceremony on the outdoor pavilion at Black Rock Country Club in Hingham. Sticking to her girl-next-door look, Kirsten wowed their 110 guests in a Maggie Sottero slim, A-line strapless gown with a sweep train, the neckline brimming with lace and adorned with Swarovski crystals, bugle beads, pearls and sequins. The taupe, tea-length bridesmaids dresses were a unique contrast to the floral decor of hydrangeas, Bells of Ireland and ivory roses provided by Kimberly Cobb from Marla's Flowers. Not to forget how blessed they are to have found one another, Kristen and Carl-Hubert chose to have their first dance to "The Luckiest" by Ben Folds.

Boston is full of green trees, beautiful sunshine, and warm breeze now, which means that spring in the city is in full effect! And though we struggled last year through a very gray and wet wedding high-seasons (this August bride, for one, was worried), it seems that looking ahead we have a lovely summer in store for us. But, goodness knows, New England weather can be finicky no matter what the season. Even when we're well out of early springs "April showers bring May flowers" territory, there's a chance that all of this heat may quickly lead to thunderstorms. And even if the sun is shinning this week, there's no knowing what the next may bring. So what does that mean for the bride planning either a spring or summer wedding outdoors? When you and your guests will be exposed to the elements rain is a necessary factor to consider and plan for. The upside to all of this is that there are plently of adorable acessories to choose from to help outfit yourself again unexpected showers. And so this inspiration board takes the unexpected to heart and makes rainy day moitifs a central theme. In shades of spring green with some spicy reds and yellows that look forward to the hot months ahead, it's a fun look that has a sense of humor about the prospect of rain on one's wedding day. And since it is considered a good omen and makes for an adorable style, who knows, you may just find yourself praying for showers! (...Or Not. But keep in mind that the parasols can provide sun protectiion in the warmer months even it's not raining, so it's a look that does double duty to keep you protected.)

Clockwise from top left: Wee Little Umbrella Man Silk Screened Skinny Tie by Satisfactory on Etsy; Bridal Party with Parasols by Jen Stewart via Just Jules and Your Average Job; Lemonade with Paper Umbrellas by Brooklyn LImestone; Showered with Love Cake Topper by Things Festive; April Showers Bring May Flowers Scap-booking Page by Pink Crafts on Etsy; Custom Illustrated Save The Date Cards by Felice Design on Etsy; Lucky Rain Bracket by Indigo Moon on Etsy; Rain Books by DJJ Rainwear; Paper Rain Garland by Kate Grenier on Etsy

Sweethearts carving their initials in a chosen tree. Small saplings planted to honor a special occasion. Family trees illustrate the past and suggest the future. Rings spiraling out around a trunk's center to measure its years. Tress suggest loyalty and strength, have an air of both history and timelessness, and are at once grounded and growing. For this and countless other reasons, these sturdy plants serve as a beautiful analogy for marriage. As such, to make reference to trees or to incorporate wooden elements in your wedding day can speak to this lovely sentiment. And not just that-- these elements can make for a lovely day-of design too. Even with playful details included, like the stamp with carved initials or the whimsical cake toppers, when paired with classic choices, like twinkling lights hung overhead for a ceremony and simple but special golden bands, the looks reads as sweet and easy elegance. In hues of leaf green and loam brown with touches of sparkling gold, this is a design that is quite similar to the source of it's inspiration: its a look that's as down to earth as it is forward thinking.

Clockwise from top left: Green Dresses from In Style Weddings; Bride and Groom Under Tree by Ars Magna; Twig Wedding Bands by BMJ NYC on Etsy; Custom Family Tree Illustration by Simple Sweet Design on Etsy; Birchwood Centerpiece from Kurt Cyr Interior Design and Decoration; Initials Carved into Tree Love Stamp by little t Jane on Etsy; Sapling Wedding Favors from Wedding Bee; Bouquet with Curling Twigs by Wildflowers By Design; Flowering Tree Inviations by Momental Designs; Custom Cake Toppers by Star House on Etsy; Planting Wheel Invitations from Paper Crave

Author: Pamela DeGregorio

If I were to suggest that you use all things floral as the crux on which to base a wedding design, you may very well have nightmarish visions of all things stuffy and frou-frou -- the sort of style that's outdated and one that you'd certainly prefer to avoid. Don't fear my compatriots, there are a lot of modern florals out there are anything but. They're playful, modern, and even fashion forward. And if you pick a flower that's graphic to begin with - like poppies, used as the springboard for my inspiration here half of your work is done. Right off the bat you've got a color palette, suggested a mood, and have a signature image to use throughout your day. A little goes a long way, which will help you keep both fuss and spending to a minimum. The actual floral arrangements seen here certainly speak to that aesthetic: spare peonies in simple ceramic vases or a singe bold bloom wrapped in a dapper bow speak volumes and don't break the bank. And this high-impact look invites the chosen flower to show up in even more surprising places; in graphic prints in dress fabric, in repeated form on the invitation suite, and even in sculptural style thanks to the use of interesting materials, like paper, felt, and sugar seen in the decor hanging over tables, in adornments for hair, hand, and dress, and of course, in tiers of dessert. And the shoes - golly, hand painted and with floral clips - don't forget the shoes! Overall it's a look that's modern and bold, fashionable and fun, and the palette of poppy red with touches of leaf green and pale yellow is incredibly contemporary - certainly not for wallflowers!

clockwise from top left: Pippa Orange Poppy and Emerald Floral Necklace by Luxe Deluxe on Etsy; Invitation Suite by ExQuisiteInVitation on Etsy; Poppy Boutonniere from Once Wed; Oversized Felt Flower Brooch by Starz Selection on Etsy; Table Setting from Project Wedding; Rosette Fascinator by Giant Dwarf on Etsy; Poppy Fields Silk-Lined Clutch by ViaBella on Etsy; Red Bloom Muff of Fabulousness by Birdism on Etsy; Kate Spade Graphic Floral Print Dress from Real Simple; Maddie Floral Shoe Clips on Hand Painted Shoes by Chloe & Maddie on Etsy; Poppy Wedding Cake by Polka Dot Cookies and Cakes

When I think about the phrase "American Classic" my mind can't help but wander to tried and true fashion, food, and music. Truth be told, this probably says a lot more about me than it does the term. Regardless, I think of Levi's worn until they're paper thin and Converse sneakers so well-loved they're tattered at the seams. A red and white gingham dress in a classic cut topped off with a bold shade of red lipstick. Apple pie, milk and cookies, and a heaping helping of comfort food. A great guitar that mellows with age and dancing with your sweet heart to old love songs on vinyl. Strung together they're something like an incantation for simple pleasures and simpler times, but when grouped in this fashion there's something really hip about their paring. Both qualities of which are worth taking note of: you can easily build a beautiful day that's equal parts familiar and modern with items and that are near and dear to you. Rather coincidentally, this inspiration board came together in shades of red, white and blue, with touches of greenery and shades of sepia to compliment. Because in addition to the triumvirate listed above, classic Americana also makes me think of landscapes full of sun and old photos brimming with smiles. Cool, casual, and a tad sentimental, it's a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll.

clockwise from top left: Leaping Converse All-Stars via Santa Barbara Chic; Chenille Dot Veil with Bow by Suzanne Couture Millinery at Martha Stewart Weddings; Table Setting via Snippet & Ink; Apple Pie Martha Stewart; Guitar Shot by Katherine O.;via Red and White Gingham Anqelique Dress by petapledger on Etsy; Just Married Sign by Modern Press via Kiss The Groom; Farmhouse Photo by Jasmine Star via J'adore Details;Cookies and Milk by Martha Stewart Weddings

While many people bemoan Valentine's Day as nothing more than a commercial construction meant to take advantage of consumers (and certainly this view isn't without reason), I believe that the holiday at its most basic is a truly lovely one: a day for sending kind words of love to those we care for, be they sweethearts, family, or friends. Even when we first began dating, the hubby and I have always aimed to keep the day sweet and simple ourselves. While we don't use the occasion to spoil each other with big ticket items, we always manage to make the day special by carving out time to share a really great dinner and to gift each other with a penned poem or card, sometimes a mixtape, on at least one holiday when we lived apart a brown paper package, covered in cartoons drawn by yours truly, and, almost always, gobs of chocolate. (It should be noted that this last item is one that I'm always and forever, without any shame, glad to consume in either context of the word). And as we continue to celebrate the holiday in this fashion, I've come to realize that the tradition is rather close to what I knew of Valentine's Day as a child. Then it was a day for crafting valentine's out of construction paper, doilies, and paste smeared with a popsicle stick, a day for penning juvenile verse and writing cards for family, friends, and classmates, a day for helping to make cookies in the shape of hearts, and again, eating gobs of chocolate. And really, I think the day at it's most ideal operates somewhere along those lines, as an occasion to give something made with love to those you care for. As a child my parents always told me that the best presents were those that were made by hand, and the older I get the more I believe this sentiment to be true. Truly, there's little better than getting something made just with you in mind, even if the gift is as simple as words on a page. Indeed, in an era where email is ubiquitous, when is the last time you were given a love letter you could hold in your hands? Could there be a more marvelous gift? Inspired by this, I was moved to create an inspiration board that was a grownup version of the Valentine's Day I knew as a child and the ones that I now aim to create. All of the items included contain handmade elements, be they wax paper and crayon hearts hanging in a window (similar version of which you may have made as a child - I know I did), the paper moon constructed for a sentimental wedding, or the hand worked flower detailing on both the dress and shoes. Handmade touches always lend a certain amount of warmth and charm to any look, but this is a style that manages to be chic and elegant at the same time. The frayed edges of fabric, the curving calligraphy, the envelopes sealed with string - these crafted elements all radiate a sort of perfect imperfection inherent in their design, which is, I think, a lot like love. Much love to you all, dear readers. Happy Valentine's Day!

Clockwise from top left: Handmade Envelopes by Martha Stewart; Hand Lettered St. Valentine's Day Menu by Cynthia Warren Design; Blume Printed Peep Toes Heels in Papaya Dots by J. Crew; Needle Felted Conversation Hearts by felt cafe; Dessy Bridesmaid Dress Style 2780 in Flame by the Dessy Group; Waxed Paper and Crayon Hearts by Martha Stewart; Paper Moon via Snippet & Ink; Rose Heart Centerpiece by Martha Stewart; Genova Brass Locket by Japonicas Boutique on Etsy.