Inspiration: Leopard print wedding

My own opinion on animal prints? They can be tacky and they can be tasteful. If you're thinking of including animal prints in your wedding, think more subtle, less Snooki. Here are some ideas for ways to incorporate animal prints. Don't choose everything; a few details certainly be noticed, while too many is overkill.

Accessories

Cover

Gorgeous, but just remember to go faux ;)

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Shoes

Jessica Simpson via Zappos

Garter

Source via Etsy shop: Hello Design Crew

Bridesmaids

Dress: La Posh Style ($52.99) - Pumps: Michael Kors ($130.00) - Clutch: Lauren Merkin ($180.00) - Earrings: Overstock ($32.99)

Total cost of look: $395.98

Decor

How unexpected is the leopard print linen over the purple? Even with the flowers, it works for this lavish Plaza wedding

Photo by Brian Dorsey

Other ways to incorporate subtle animal print:

• the cake/cupcakes
• linens, ie: leopard print napkins with gold napkin rings
• groomsmen: boutonnieres, socks, even shoes!
• hairpiece
  
• Are you a fan of animal prints? Would you subtly include them in your wedding, or would you go all out?

Black and white wedding inspiration

The combination of black and white is effortlessly classy and will never go out of style. Here is some inspiration for those who are choosing this elegant combination.

Wedding gown

This wedding gown with black flowers is by Maggie Sottero and is stunning

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Bridesmaid dresses

Beautiful, simple dresses and I love the look of green with black, white, and black/white

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Bouquets

Perhaps it is because they're delicate cala lilies, but the all black in this bouquet does not seem at all dark

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The anemone flower is a popular choice because of it's natural, dark centre

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I love the entirely black wrap (so that no green is showing from the stems); this bouquet is made up of inexpensive carnations

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Centerpiece

A statement of a centerpiece!

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Cake

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Wedding inspiration: Bright neons!

When it comes to color, I am drawn to black, white, and pale neutrals. I might even go as far as to say that I'm slightly "afraid" of color (and I'm sure that I'm not alone). However, bright colors featured in weddings look gorgeous, whether they are subtle, such as only the bridal bouquet, or done all out in linens and dresses. Here are some ideas for incorporating bold brights into your wedding.

Bouquet - Spring/Summer

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Bouquet - Fall

The yellow and orange keep this bouquet bright, while the red flowers and berries add rich color and fall style

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Centerpiece

With their natural, bright hues, the addition of citrus fruits adds pops of color to floral centerpieces

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Linens

If you're looking to go all out, forget pops of color and choose linens in bright yellows, greens, blues, pinks, etc.

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Shoes

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Bridesmaid dresses

Bright yellow and neon pink are popular choices for bold bridesmaid dresses, but I am loving this blue!

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Boutonnieres

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Other places to add pops of neon:

• Flower/hairpiece in bride or bridesmaids hair
• Ties or bowties
• Corsages/boutonnieres for parents, grandparents, etc.
• Signage and stationary (ie: programs, seating chart)
• Plates, drinking glasses
• What colors are you drawn towards? Are you a fan of neon?

Rustic ceremony decor

I don’t know if rustic weddings can be considered a trend or not. If I had to bet, I would say that they are here to stay. They are always so full of personal touches and there is something very much down to earth about it. Here is some inspiration for rustic touches to add to your outdoor ceremony. These can easily be moved indoors in case of rain or weddings held during the colder months. Another useful thing about most of these options is that they can be transported from ceremony site to reception for centerpieces, receiving table décor, etc.

Stumps lining the aisle

You could customise with anything you want on top and surrounding the stumps (or nothing!) Some ideas: lanterns, mason jars, vases, candles. I am loving the wildflowers featured in the photo below.

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Jars or vases hanging from chairs

The great thing about these is that they can easily be transported from ceremony to reception and used as centerpieces for guest tables, head table, receiving table, etc.

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Baby’s breath tied to chairs with burlap bow

Transport these to the reception by taking big bunches and placing them in galvanized buckets or vases of your choice.

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Floral “trees”

These are gorgeous! Bunches of large sticks topped with a bouquet of flowers and made to look like trees. You could DIY or ask or florist to create something similar.

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Lanterns hanging from shepards hooks

Inexpensive and pretty décor.

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Grapevine balls

You can find grapevine balls from 6" to 96" on Brena.com and they come with an option of with our without lights. These can be used again in or outside of your home - great for autumn and winter decorating.

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Arches

I love arches made from wood, with or without the addition of flowers they’re great focal points at the ceremony (or is that just because of the couple standing underneath…)

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Wine barrels

Winery wedding or not, wine barrels are a great rustic addition. So that the wine barrel doesn’t overpower the décor that you decide to put on top, make it big: large lanterns or floral arrangements are great. Or, you can leave them bare!

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Hay bail seats

Cover with various sheets or quilts and you have seats for guests! Not just for barn weddings, this would be a great option for winery weddings and backyard weddings.

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Wooden signs

A hand painted wooden sign that shows guests where to go is practical and charming.

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• What do you think of rustic or country weddings? 

Wedding inspiration: Feathers

This wedding inspiration is based on aspiring model Martha Patterson’s Monique Lhuillier dress from her recent nuptials with Jared Followill of Kings of Leon.

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From the dress to the décor to the cake, feathers done properly look effortlessly gorgeous and classy.

Accessories

Steal - Aldo shoes (on sale for $38.99!)

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Splurge - Manolo Blahnik's

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A feather hair piece is a great way to add elegance to a simple dress

Source at Etsy Shop PowderBlueBijoux

Bouquets and boutonnieres

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You could opt for an all-feather bouquet

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Or go tradition with flowers and accessorize your bouquet with flowers - how gorgeous is this?!

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A cute flower girl basket from Etsy

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Ceremony décor

Hang from church pews or shepard's hooks for an outdoor ceremony

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Reception décor

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Cake

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• What do you think of feathers for a wedding?
• Where do you draw your inspiration from? 

Halloween Wedding?

With Halloween about a month away, I feel inspired to show some spooky, yet stunning ideas. While the idea of a Halloween theme might scream (pun-intended) "tacky" to some people, I think that, done properly, you can still have a gorgeous wedding.

You could do an outright halloween theme, with cobwebs, spiders, and typical halloween colours (black, deep purples):

 

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Or you could choose to follow more of an autumn theme, with certain "Halloween" accents (ie: a candy buffet). If you're after a more traditional approach to your wedding, this option is certainly your best bet.

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Speaking of a candy buffet - no Halloween themed wedding is complete without one! The majority of candy buffets at weddings feature typical treats like licorice and jordan almonds. For a Halloween themed wedding, I would go all out with cliché candy such as:
- miniature chocolate bars

- miniature bags of chips (reminiscent of trick-or-treating days without the disappointment of a crushed package)
- candy corn

The candy buffet can also double as a favour station - just leave some cute bags or boxes with a sign, and you instantly have favours for guests to take home.

Other ways to add halloween flare without an all out halloween bash?

Cake and cake alternatives

Cake pops, cupcakes, and traditional cake can all be transformed into something spooky, yet tasteful (and tasty!)

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Photo Booth

In lieu of asking guests to come dressed in costume, you could provide opportunity to dress up briefly at the wedding! Replace traditional photo booth props with more halloween inspired props (ie: scarier masks, wigs, and costumes).

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Signature drinks
How about a couple of signature bride and groom drinks on the menu?

Apple cider martini

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Recipe very slightly adapted from Martha Stewart

Yields 1 Martini

IngredientsBlack decorating sugar, for rim
1 apple, chopped
1/2 lime, cut into wedges
1/2 lime juice, for rim
1 ounce maple syrup
1 ounce apple cider
2 ounces vodka (plain or apple flavoured)
Ice
Club soda

Directions

1. Have decorating sugar on a plate, ready to use. Moisten the rim of a martini glass with lime juice and dip the rim of the glass in the sugar.

2.In a cocktail shaker, muddle apple cubes and lime wedges. Add syrup, cider, and vodka; fill with ice. Cover and shake. Strain into prepared martini glass; top with club soda.

For those who prefer beer over liquor, fall is when seasonal pumpkin beer makes its debut. You may have to ask your venue (and perhaps pay a fee) to stock a specialty for you.

Pumpkin Ale

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I am all for weddings reflecting couples. If a wedding that makes a haunted house look innocent is what you're after, I say go for it! However, if you're looking for a way to incorporate some fun, halloween inspiration into your wedding, it is possible to do without sacrificing the "dream wedding" that you imagine.

• Have you ever been to a Halloween wedding? Would you do it yourself?