Color Inspiration: Personal Style Edition

As you all have probably figured out by now, I am a big advocate for making your wedding special and unique.  Choosing your colors in relation to your personal style is a great way to incorporate your individuality into your inspiration.  I've taken eight different personal styles and created color palettes to fit.  Enjoy and let me know in the comments which ones are your favorite and which personal style categories I should include next time!!

Preppy: Nantucket Red, Gray, and Cobalt

 Wedding Dress by Lilly Pulitzer "Lane"

Bridesmaid dresses left to right: Ann Taylor #247710, Priscilla of Boston PB428, J Crew "Erica"

Center photo: Martha Stewart Weddings, side photos: The Knot

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Great Late Summer/ Early Fall Color Idea

So, as I mentioned last week, I stood up in my cousin's wedding this past weekend and had the pleasure of sporting the lovely and unexpected color combo of purple, orange, and yellow.  I know your probably thinking it's a little weird (as I admittedly did too when I first heard my cousin's plan), but I was pleasantly surprised when the flowers arrived Sunday morning.  Our gowns were purple (or, as David's Bridal called them, "Lapis"), and our bouquets were a great combo of purple lisianthus, orange gerbera daisies, yellow spray roses, and purple limonium.  It was great way to tie in the dark autumn purple tones with the bright, summery yellows and oranges- perfect for late August.  Here are some photos...

Dresses by David's Bridal, styles F13185 and F12732

What do you all think?? Let EB know in the comments section below!!

Scarlet+Citrine: A Winning Combination

At the beginning of June I did a post featuring some fun color combination, one of which was scarlet and citrine.  Jill, a close family friend actually renewed her vows with her husband, Mike, of 25 years a few weeks later and used this gorgeous summery palette for her ceremony!  My sister-the-floral-designer did all of the floral arrangements for her, using white daisies, yellow roses, and red hypericum berries.  Jill submitted her photos to show EB readers how pretty this color combo can be! Enjoy!

The altar featuring not only the lovely floral arrangements, but also the couples original unity candle, napkins, and matchbook from their wedding day!

The bridal bouquet

Color Inspiration: Seasonal Palette Edition

Last week I had a newly engaged bride-to-be ask about autumn color palettes, so I decided to do a seasonal color palette post.  I put together three different combos for each season.   Keep in mind, these are just for inspiration.  You can use any of these colors at whatever time of year you want, regardless of what your maid of honor or mom or bridal consultant says!  Happy planning !

Autumn

Chocolate & Lilac

Private Label Occasion "CD284" and Sophia Tolli "BY21040"

All images via Martha Stewart Weddings

Inspiration Board: Peacocks!

They're so gorgeous!  And even the little white one is cute!

click to enlarge

There's a reason why peacocks have inspired people for centuries- they are incredibly gorgeous birds!  They sport such amazing rich colors and textures.  Use this lovely birdie as a jumping off point by incorporating rich blues, turquoises, greens, bronzes, and dark aubergines.  Peacock feathers make great accents in floral arrangements, headpieces, and as a cake motif.  Top it off with rich maids dresses and a wedding gown that will turn heads!

Top left gown: Mikaella "1508"
Top left maids dress: Alvina Valenta "AV9021"
Blue shoes: The Knot
Top right ring bearer pillow: Project Wedding
Top right maids dress: Watters "7726"

Middle left boutonnieres: Ekaminsk on Etsy

Green shoes: The Knot

Middle ring bearer pillow: The Knot

Middle invitation: Paper Olive

Middle right cake: Brides

Middle right centerpiece: The Knot

Bottom left maids: both Vinyard "1508" and "1507"

Hairpiece: Neva Plume on Etsy

Bottom middle cake: Cake Coquette

Bottom right bouquet: Barb Cameron Photography

Bottom right gown: Lazaro "LZ3050"

{Peacock images via Google Images}

{Trend board images via the listed websites}

Thoughts on this inspiration board?? Put them in comments section below!!

"Ecole de Danse" Inspiration Board

In addition to being a huge fashion nerd, I am also a huge art nerd.  I have a poster of Edgar Degas' "Ecole de Danse" (French for 'School of Dance') tacked to my wall that my mom bought in New York City over twenty years ago at a Met exhibit showcasing his work.  As I was staring at it this morning, I thought about what I like most about this lovely work of art and decided that it is the vibrant Impressionist colors and the illusion of textures they give off.  Since these things translate perfectly into bridal style, I've decided to create an inspiration board based on the painting featuring ballerina inspired wedding gowns and rich colors and textures.

click to enlarge

"Ecole de Danse" by Edgar Degas, 1873 Oil on Canvas, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington

click to enlarge

Use Degas' "Ecole de Danse" and other dreamy Impressionist paintings as a jumping off point when styling your wedding, incorporating rich splashes of color, watercolor textures in your flowers and decor, and fabrics like tulle, satin, and grosgrain ribbon.

Top left gown: Vera Wang "Eliza" gown

Top row pink place setting photo from The Knot

Top middle wedding gown: Tara Keely "TK2059"

Top bridesmaid dress: Melissa Sweet "MS318"

Top right flowers from Martha Stewart Weddings

Middle left bridesmaid dress: Wtoo "883"

Middle yellow bouquet from The Knot

Middle ballet flat: Badgley Mischka "Reba" flat

Middle cake from The Knot

Middle wedding gown: Sottero and Midgley "ASM3184"

Middle right centerpiece from Martha Stewart Weddings

Bottom left photo from The Knot

Bottom left wedding gown: Forever Yours Bridal "410105"

Bottom middle place setting from Martha Stewart Weddings

Flowergirl dress: Wawa "47819"

Bottom right bouquet from The Knot

Bottom right wedding gown: Modern Trousseau "Wallis"

{"Ecole de Danse" image via Google Images}

{All other images via the listed websites}

Share your comments below!!

-Alessandra

Over the Rainbow

I can't believe Ethereal Bride has been up and running for almost three months and this is only my first feature on flowers!!  You see, I am not the only wedding minded person in my house.  My sister has been a floral designer for over six years and so, through her great floral wisdom, I have learned quite a bit over the years.  (Check out the floral creations she designed for this wedding!) So, here is EB's first flower feature, showing gorgeous, colorful bridal bouquets!  Enjoy!

Red

Red Lion Amaryllis, Amazon Roses and Chinaberries

Six Fun New Color Combo Ideas!

Because there are so many color combinations to choose from, it's very easy to get overwhelmed and go with more obvious choices.  But don't!  Your wedding will be so much more memorable if you choose something a little more unusual!  Regardless of your wedding theme and style, there is a unique option for you.  Take a look...

For a vintage inspired wedding, try:

Aqua & Gold

On left: "Cloud" dupioni silk gown by Anna Elyse; style "Jackie O"

On right: "Sand Dune" tulle bobbinet gown by Vera Wang; style "Veronica"

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Speaking of Turquoise Tropical Beaches...

All this talk of tropical getaways brought brilliant photographer Peter Lik to mind.  I featured one of his photographs a few weeks ago and wanted to feature another one that best examplifies the inspiration behind the yesterday's post.  I'm not exactly sure where this photo was taken, but it features all the gorgeous shades that are so this summer!

click to enlarge

{Image via Peter Lik}

Who doesn't wish they were laying on that beach right now??

-A

Related Posts:
Honeymoon Inspiration: Santorini
Can you tell I need a vacation?

Honeymoon Inspiration: Santorini

I feeling in a travel-y sort of mood today and wanted to post a pic of a gorgeous honeymoon locale that could also double as color inspiration.  I couldn't think of anyone better to turn to than insanely talented landscape photographer, Peter Lik.  I had the pleasure of seeing one of his galleries at The Venetian in Las Vegas last year, and his work is even more mind blowing in person, so if your near one of his locations, check it out!!

click to enlarge

Stunning Santorini, Greece creates not only a picturesque honeymoon destination, but also an unexpected color palette- ocean blue and white, with a pop of scarlett!

{Image via Peter Lik}

Thoughts? Put them in the comments section below!

-Alessandra

It’s Beginning to Look A lot Like….. Spring!

Spring has sprung a little early this year in Chicagoland (which never happens) and as I was walking in my backyard yesterday I was inspired by all the pretty colors blooming after a winter of gray and white… and dirtier white (if you live in a snowy climate, you know what I’m talking about). I took some (super amateur) photos of the happy blooms in my yard and around my neighborhood (yes, owner of the cute red house and the giant magnolia tree, that was me creepily taking pics outside your house). I discovered during my impromptu photo shoot that nature makes some amazingly unexpected color combinations and I’ve decided to match them up with cute spring-y maids dresses. Enjoy and click each inspiration board for a closer look!

 Maids dresses by (left to right): Siri and After Six
Flowergirl dress by: Wawa

 Dresses by: Aria and Priscilla of Boston

Dresses by (clockwise from left): Melissa Sweet, Amsale, Wtoo

Dresses by: Love by Enzoani and Jenny Yoo Collection

Bridesmaids dresses (from left to right): BCBGMAXAZRIA Bridesmaids, Amsale, Jim Hjelm Occasions


{all dress images via their respective websites}

-Alessandra

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