A Steampunk Future

{image from offbeatbride.com}

"Steampunk" is an aesthetic, growing in popularity, that presents the future from the imagined view of the Victorian age. Steampunk gets its inspiration from a combination of Jules Verne and H.G.Wells to contemporary retro futuristic sci-fi films such as "The City of Lost Children" and "Hellboy". It is a mix of 19th century industrialism with exposed steam pipes, greasy etched gears and Victorian style varnished dark woods, ornamental brass fittings, velvet, tin, with the added utilitarian beauty of worn leather and glowing electrical vacuum tubes.

{image from offbeatbride.com}

This antique vision of the fantastic has shown its influence in areas ranging from fashion, modifications to laptops, televisions and phones to collectible re imaginings of historical figures and even "Star Wars" in the form of action figures. Now it has even made it way into weddings; grooms decked out in long coats and vintage vests and top hats accented with antique goggles, riveted brass and other factory style garments. Brides gowns move away from traditional white to darker tones with Victorian flourishes, lace, fingerless gloves and industrial style jewelry. Even wedding cakes are getting the fondant sculpted treatment.

{image from technabob.com}

Vera Wang and Unveiled by Checkerboard

{image: vera wang gown, via verawang.com}

{sneak peek image of checkerboard's unveiled invitation, presidio: suite no. 1}


The accent of black is so elegant. I love Vera Wang's line of wedding gowns that feature long silky sashes of jet and these gloves in the image above paired with the industrial elegance of the neckpiece screams personal style and edgy elegance. These stunning gowns perfectly coordinate with this invitation suite.

Checkerboard has come out with an innovative line of wedding invitations coming soon to eInvite.com. This elegant item featured is Suite No. 1 called Presidio. It features a custom Geneva diecut envelope and printed liner, a Jet invitation with a diecut pocket on the back that echos the same shape of the envelope and reveals your response set and direction card. Checkerboard has also added a number of imported Italian liners to the collection. This suite features the fashion forward, Donatella liner. If you are looking for something that brings out your personalities, text that embodies your spirit as a couple in celebration with your family, these invitation suites are sure to excite. Do you want to share your story to your guests instead of just telling them the time and place? Create the most exciting prelude with Unveiled by Checkerboard. Stay tuned...we can't wait to share more!

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!

Something Sweet by Michelle & Cookie Creatives

{images of michelle's cakes and incredible orchids by jenn burkhart}

There is nothing like the flowers that Michelle Bohigian can craft. Her company is called Something Sweet by Michelle. The exquisite ruffly edges and the lifelike compositions are so stunningly beautiful. Many think they are real. Located right here in Worcester, Massachusetts, Michelle has been featured in so many top Bridal mags, including being the top of the top for Bride's Magazine. Michelle and I have recently collaborated on a project and she has been so amazing to work with. Brides, get to her early. Everyone wants a piece! She invited me to a tasting and I could hardly resist wanting to try them all. At her tasting she was bubbling over to introduce me to Jennifer Burkhart. Let me introduce you...

{images by jenn burkhart}

Look at how cute the cake cookie is!

Jennifer Burkhart is the Pastry Design Artist and owner of Cookie Creatives. I have been meaning to post these sweet treats for you for two weeks now! How cute these are. Jennifer was recently added to Style Me Pretty's Little Black Book. No doubt, her delectable treats are making her a huge success! Congratulations on all the new adventures Jennifer.

Pantone Turquoise Wedding Inspiration

{images: Puerto Rico by me, Wave invitation by Checkerboard, peacock feathers via polyvore.com, and sach via the knot.com}

In many cultures, Turquoise is believed to be a protective talisman, a color of deep compassion and healing, and a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky. Through years of color word-association studies, we also find that to many people, Turquoise represents an escape, taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting – even if it is only a fantasy.

Whether envisioned as a tranquil ocean surrounding a tropical island or a protective stone warding off evil spirits, Turquoise is a color that most people respond to positively. It is universally flattering, has appeal for men and women, and translates easily to fashion and interiors. With both warm and cool undertones, Turquoise pairs nicely with any other color in the spectrum. Turquoise adds a splash of excitement to neutrals and browns, complements reds and pinks, creates a classic maritime look with deep blues, livens up all other greens, and is especially trend-setting with yellow-greens.
~pantone.com

Turquoise is a color ever present in nature. It is the color of warm tropical waters that we gravitate to in cold winter months, especially if you are from New England! It is the color the conjures up memories of adventure and exotic locales. A perfect wedding inspiration. If you are having a destination wedding or a small town wedding in the backyard barn, turquoise is THE color to compliment your festivities. It is complimentary to so many others because it is found in nature, so let your imagination go and find which combination is right for you.

Great ways to add touches of turquoise to your floral bouquet, cake, and tabletops:
ribbons by Midori, turquoise beads, and turquoise feathers.


for modern turquoise and blue weddings, peek here
for destination wedding invitation inspiration, peek here

Ralph Lauren

So inspired today by the Ralph Lauren 2009 Fall Collection. Scrumptious hues from champagne to mauve with subtle earthy goodness. The textures, metallics, satin sheen and velvet shimmer adds life and depth to the eclectic, but contemporary mood of this collection. Translated to what we see as desingers, like the surge in shade of purple tones for wedding over the last year. I am glad to see the mature and evolved palette that is keeping this jewel in play for this year.

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.

Brides of Autumn

{collage images via sweet paul, who I just love!}

{invitation via eInvite}

While all of us are enjoying the warm sun of spring, brides of autumn may have other temperatures and colors playing in their minds. Inspired by the palettes offered in the photographs of Sweet Paul's blog, here is a collage of autumn inspiration. All images found via Sweet Paul, who is a seriously talented food designer and quite a crafty guy. Black details can add the most amazing hint of drama to almost any color palette. This invitation by Rytex-Mission via eInvite goes all out with sophisticated black.

Whether there is a subtle hint or a bold presentation, pairing a natural palette with noire is just stunning.