Wedding Colors

Deciding on your color scheme for your wedding is a big decision, and sets the stage for your entire wedding. Your accessories, bridesmaids dresses, flowers, place setting or other table decor, as well as invitations and programs will normally all be decided after you choose your wedding color(s).

Colors help set the mood and show your personality. Another thing you want to be sure is that the colors you choose will go with your location, as well as be appropriate for the season when you get married. Here is an article that talks about the different meanings associated with colors. It could be helpful when deciding what colors you want to use at your wedding.

Coming to the decision for some brides is one of the easiest decisions, while for others it is one of the hardest. Browsing pictures from other weddings is a perfect place to find inspiration.

If you check out this site or this slide show on the knot you can get some great color combo ideas. Here is an article for some great tips if you are having trouble deciding on what colors you want for your special day.

I wanted to mention a few fun color combinations that I think are great, as well as some of the predicted big colors for 2011.

Here is a slide show and an article by Jeanine Edwards on Aisle Dash about the 10 Hot Hues for 2011 weddings. I am loving that Honeysuckle Pink! Check out these adorable photos using it with yellow accents!

Or you can check out a larger list here. I am loving night.

According to an article on Bridal Beauty by Michelle Mospens of http://www.mypersonalartist.com there are some really pretty color combos that will be popular this year. You can check out her full article here, or her website here.
She also did an two different articles where she broke it down by season. To see the Spring colors click here, or to check out the Fall colors for 2011 click here.

Here is one of my favorite photos! (well, not because of quality, I just snapped this on my iphone, but because of the brides shoes!) It had been poaring, so the (super adorable) bride (Caroline) had her dress hiked up so as to be sure it didn't get wet and you can see her FANTASTIC shoes! I think this is a perfect place to show your style and colors! So fun!

If you want to check out the actual photos from this wedding (The photographer's were Chuck and Beverly Williams, who are wonderful by the way) you can look at their website here.

Wedding Stationary Part 2

Invitations

This can be a point of stress for brides. There are so many etiquette rules when it comes to your invitations. Thankfully, over the last few years the rules have become easier, and there are plenty of websites you can reference to make sure your wording is just right for the occasion. Depending on if you and your groom are paying for the event, or your parents (or his) or any combination of these, the invitation wording changes. Also, the wording varies depending on how formal you want the event to be. Again, my best advice in this department is to do a little online research before you get to the point that you need to make a decision. You don't want to feel rushed into anything, and the more time you have to look at options, the more confidant you will be in your final decision. Click here, or here for some help in the wording department.

If you decided not to send save the date cards, your invitations are the first "official" part of your wedding that your guests will see. If you are having a theme to your wedding, this can be a great place to showcase that theme, color scheme, or special detail.

This can also be a time to show your "green" style by using recycled materials. It is now common to offer online RSVP options. Just be sure to still offer a way to RSVP by phone or mail for those who are less "technically savvy." You can even create a wedding website for your guests to view with all your wedding details, engagement story, pictures, etc. (More info on your wedding website will come later, I think it deserves a post all to itself!) This is a wonderful way to show you are a "green" bride, while helping those who do all their communication online these days actually respond since it only takes a few clicks of the mouse.


Now to give a little overview on some of the styles that are available. (To make this easy I will use one website for all the examples, but I will give you a few other online & local options. Using a local vendor is a "green" option, and one I recommend if possible. If you can't get what you want locally, or for the price you need, of course shop around, but local is best when available. This is a way to get a very customized look as well.)


Letterpress invitations are a beautiful option. You can order all of your wedding stationary including invitations, reception cards, response cards, menu cards, place cards, thank you cards, etc. in a beautiful letterpress option.


A layered card can be casual or formal. You can also order matching response/thank you/etc. cards with these invitations. The possibilities seem endless when it comes to style.




Thermography invitations are a beautiful option that uses raised ink. It is more commonly used in a formal style, but can be done in a modern or contemporary style as well. Matching stationary for all purposes are available in this style of printing as well.


Pocket Fold Enclosures are a fun option. Everything neatly organized within the envelope. There are, of course, many options available when it comes to color and style, this is just one that I like.

This is of coarse just the invitation, all of the elements (response card, reception card, etc.) come together to create a pocket enclosure invitation similar to this.


A photo invitation is one of the newest options when it comes to wedding invitations. I would say it is for more of the modern, non-traditional bride. It is about as far from traditional as you can get, but it is a nice option if you didn't use your engagement photos for your save the date card...or didn't do save the date cards at all.



Another thing that can add a special element to your wedding stationary is a personalized ribbon or label. You can order these from many stationary sites, and if you have the budget it is a nice touch.



Here are a few other fun stationary sites to check out!

123Print (2011 color trends)

Invitations by Dawn

Magnet Street

Papered Wonders, Inc.