Sultry Emberglow at BHLDN

{images: dress, earrings: BHLDN via aisledash, osj: me, invitation: unveiled by checkerboard at eInvite,

couple: michèle m. waite photography}

{image: pantone}

Yummy "emberglow" and "coffee liqueur", two of Pantone's pick's for Fall 2011 Fashion Color Trends report are alive and full of life. They just landed in my inbox today, as I was about to post this sultry color combination! Another of my favs from BHLDN is this coral bridesmaid dress and earrings, which pair so well with the Flora Fauna invitation from Unveiled by Checkerboard, just just made available on eInvite.com. Michèle M. Waite had some foresight when she caught this couple in front of this colorful foodstand. All the warm and lively colors make me wish for spring. The 14th better hurry up and get here so we can see what else BHLDN has in store!

BHLDN looks good with Unveiled by Checkerboard!

{images: headpiece, dress: BHLDN via aisledash; wedding: michèle m.waite; flowers: sprout;

invitation: unveiled by checkerboard at eInvite}

Sneak peaks of the new wedding collection by Anthropologie are all over the internet, officially launching on February 14th, the day of love. How excited I was to see how well they pair up with the Unveiled wedding invitation collection by Checkerboard. Just presently launching on eInvite, this exciting line has a global heart with a city spirit. The soft colors of natural ballet pink in this selection are accented with luxe satin creating a vintage allure with bohemian flair. The trifold invitation has a pocket behind to hold accessories.

Stay tuned for some more "Beholden" inspiration.

Unveiled by Checkerboard: Solstice

{images: boutonnieres, cute couple, bouquet, flower girl by michele m. waite photography, cake: something sweet by michelle, carpathian mountains by michelle may}

This invitation suite sneak peak, called Solstice by Checkerboard features an embossed folder and rich ribbon presented in a luxury Swiss Flap Envelope. The liner, called Aeronautica is imported from Italy, and features antique sketches of old world hot air balloons. It was made in a mill that was built in the 1400's outside of Florence. There is actually a town in Italy named Montisi, known for hot air ballooning.

All items from Unveiled by Checkerboard are coming soon...stay tuned!

Another Checkerboard Sneak Peek

{images: rings, xo, seating, boy & couple: michèle m.waite photography; cake: Something Sweet by Michelle; silver brunia: sprout}

Checkerboard is about to "unveil" their new concept for wedding invitation presentation at the National Stationery Show in New York, opening Sunday. Here is a sneak peek at one of the new items that will be featured. Inspired by runway shows of fashion week, trend watching, and the surge of personal expression as couples invite, Unveiled brings creative invitation suites to life with incredible visual inspiration. Beautiful imagery makes us all excited, especially those looking for special touches to enhance their event.

This collection is different. The ensembles tell stories of the bride and groom. From mentions of their inspiration for the wedding back to intimate stories about how they met, bringing guest right into the wonderful experience they are invited to be a part of. The suites include bachelorette parties, bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, save the dates, engagement parties, personal stationery, bridal calling cards...all eclectically fashion forward, complete with envelope linings imported from Italian paper mills that have been in existence since the 1400's.

The collection, called Unveiled was inspired by couples looking for something different, who admire fine papers, interesting typography and unexpected details. For those who love custom boutique styling, the price points in Unveiled are unmatched!

This is just invitation suite numero uno. Stay tuned for mas y mas....

A Blush Pink Wedding

{images: couple, tent, candy and seating: michèle m. waite,

amnesia roses: sprout, meringues: cookie creatives }

We are so happy to share some inspiration from Checkerboard today. With so much emphasis on color in weddings for the coming year, this blush inspiration board sets the tone for a stunning use of this earthy pink hue. You will be seeing it everywhere this coming year.

Checkerboard has been collaborating with some outstanding wedding professionals to bring a little innovation to the world of invitations. With images from Washington photographer Michèle M. Waite a premiere wedding photographer here in the U.S., whose amazing work really fired up the collection. The exciting project is about to lift off at the National Stationery Show in May. Michèle's images are celebrated all over the wedding blog-o-sphere. She is incredibly talented at capturing the true essence of each wedding with a playful and fresh perspective. Her eye for color, light and location really give her clients something to cherish for generations. Also featured are images from Dom Miguel Photography of Boston whose talents recently captured moments from a wedding close to our hearts here at eInvite. {Click here to peek.}

All this wedding imagery in this collage board is complimented by incredible mocha kissed amnesia roses from florist Cathy Walsh of Sprout, a local designer we work with all the time. Trendy meringues from Jennifer Burkhart of Cookie Creatives, round out this champagne taste of wedding celebration. Wedding cakes from Worcester designer Michelle Bohigian from Something Sweet by Michelle are also featured throughout the project. Michelle's cakes have recognition of their own, as top choice in Bride's Magazine, her life-like sugar florals are second to none!

Each of these wedding pros contributed their work to the making of each of 18 collage boards for the Unveiled project, something new and different in the search for the perfect wedding invitation. Creative imagery can really get your wheels turning, and these girls are the best of the best at their craft!

This portion of the mood board is a little sneak peek that gives you a sounding board of inspiration. This board was created to compliment a new invitation suite from Checkerboard, which will be Unveiled in a few weeks at the National Stationery Show in New York City. There is more, a lot more. We can't wait to share!

Keeping Current with Wedding Trends

{j.crew: gown, bridesmaid dress, flower girl dress, bracelet and tuxedo}
{photograph of wedding rings: michèle m. waite}
{flowers by sprout, worcester}
{sneak peak of unveiled invitation suite by checkerboard}

The current trends are so great for wedding. I am really into the understated hues and soft earthy tones. With a little accent of black or chocolate, these hues make a big statement. These colors are also elegant and timeless, so I have a feeling they will be with us for a while. Weddings are also trending toward the creative, organic, personal expression and an explosion of fun. Photo booths with great silly accessories are everywhere. Flowers are full of texture, like the ones shown here. These are such an amazing example of pulling color right from nature and running with it.

The invitation suite {a sneak peak to you readers of eInvite's insights}, features an oversized satin ribbon that just begs to be touched. The respond offers room for the recipient to write a personal note back to the bride. With a surge in guests not responding these days, the selections in Unveiled offer a creative prompt that in turn creates a very personal prelude to the wedding. How wonderful to open a response that includes a note from your favorite aunt, rather than seeing that she has chosen chicken over steak! The typography and the "stories" on the items in this book are so fresh. We look forward to offering them soon.

Today's brides are so lucky to have all this stunning eye candy, and oh the ruffles and baubles!

Unbridled Color

{images: bride and groom via Michèle M. Waite, tropical orchid cake via instyle weddings; thistle via artsy_t on flickr, purple girls via instyle weddings}

Letting go is sometimes hard. Like letting go of the last oreo cookie, sending your youngest off to preschool, saying goodbye to your college friends at graduation, and letting go of thoughts that everything has to match exactly for your wedding.

From the invitation accessories to the bridesmaid's dresses, color variation is so acceptable and exciting. I find it so interesting and captivating, leaving your guests to wonder what is coming next. I love spicing up the palette with some unexpected and interesting details, like the girls here looking so vibrant in their array of magenta to plum. The bride and groom photographed by Michèle M. Waite in front of this wall of color, reminds me that variation is key.

Variations are found everywhere in nature, so run with it and create a slendor of unexpected excitement. Jumping over to Simply Seductive today, I found some more subdued lavender inspiration.

Color Full

{images of girls playing and bouquet courtesy of the very talented Michèle M. Waite}

{images of dress via J. Crew and jewelry via beijoflor on etsy}

Inspired by the whimsical captures of Michèle M. Waite, this board is alive with color and life, like the vibrant Caribbean. I can hear the music and the bustle! The calliope of color in the bouquet, seated on painted chairs is just electrifying as the spontaneity of the girls playing in the fountain.

Floral Letters

{images found on the knot, instyle weddings and michèle m. waite photography}

I love the inspiration from the floral letters I have been seeing. These are all great do it yourself projects that your wedding party could do over a few sips of wine. I think these are great for small gatherings too. Some years back I did some framed dried flower monograms for a very special little girl, and the presentation was so impactful. They made her room a little wonderland. Use your imagination!

Outdoor casual elegance

{images of Kristina and Brock's wedding by Michele M. Waite, via Lovely Morning}

Casual elegance at it's finest for a lovely soiree in the desert! I am loving Lovely Morning and the lovely perspectives of Kristina, writer and recent bride. A Palm Springs evening complete with succulent centerpieces and swaying palms reflected in blue waters. Every wedding photographer should have the eye and patience of Michèle M. Waite. Capturing the essence of people and the aura of the day is intuitive. Retrospective visits to those wedding photos should be celebrated years after the event...and photos like these will take you back to that day and the people you shared it with. Visit Lovely Morning here to see more photos.

Merci Michèle for your permission to use your amazing photos. Your perspective and the way you capture the realism of the event is so clear. Your images convey the moment. We are so excited to share them.