Anywhoo, I just couldn’t help myself and put together a weddings inspired by none other than…the jungle of course!

The best part about tropical locations is the lush foliage and vibrant flowers that seem to be growing on every inch of everything. Although we’re not going this deep into the jungle, the Huaorani Ecolodge in the amazon looks like the perfect spot to get hitched with a small group of people.

I can’t stop thinking about this vibrant dress Juliet snagged at Anthropologie lately. It’s a bold choice for a bride but it’s just so pretty! Perhaps for another night in the jungle?!

As I look for inspiration and fun ideas for our own wedding, I keep coming back to animal everything. I’ve never been so into animals and especially animals at a wedding before. Since many of our guests will all be flying down on the same flight as us, I thought how fun would it be to give each of them a different jungle mask to get the celebration started at 5am on our flight out of NYC. I have a feeling I may be the only one enjoying this, but I may still go for it. {found here}

Unfortunately I can’t seem to find the source for this gorgeous illustration, but the colors perfectly mimic those of the tropics making for the perfect invitation direction.

Oddly enough we have no ideas what we’ll use for our flowers since we’re going to be flying by the seat of our pants. I’m not the least bit worried, knowing that I have Juliet on my side to help forage. It would be nice to be able to incorporate some lush greenery (ferns perhaps) and vibrant flowers (bougainvillea is the obvious solution as it grows everywhere in Costa Rica and is so so pretty). Can’t wait to share everything we dream up for my wedding next year!

What you don’t want on your wedding day is for your overall look to scream SCHOOL GIRL! But a modestly cut dress or girlie frock will seem positively virtuous when worn with accessories traditionally attributed to the elementary set. I think I’ve posted the Dinah gown from Jcrew before… but who cares? It’s so cute. I also like the Feather Dress, for a girlier vibe.

Pair these dresses with iconic school girl items like mary janes (stilettos of course), or a headband holding back perfectly parted hair… and maybe you should wear your glasses.

Dress the boys in shorts. It’s so schoolboy, and so comfortable at a hot summer wedding.

Feed your hungry guests like growing children. As the main serve updated versions of childhood lunchtime classics. Everyone loves PB&J. What about passing them during cocktails, with little cookies or some kind of fancy little pizza roll?

And most important is the setting, don’t you think an old one-room school would be the most fun setting?

And you can’t forget the flowers! It really doesn’t matter what blossoms you use, so long as they’re arranged in vintage thermoses, lunch boxes, pencil cases and glue pots.

The Smashing Pumpkins‘ Mellan Collie & the Infinite Sadness was one of my favorite albums back in the day and the music video for ‘Tonight’ is still among the best ever.  The aesthetic in the video is very ‘steampunk’ but I think using touches of the Victorian aesthetic as inspiration for a wedding without going fully themed would make for an absolutely stunning affair!

The Dress

This little number from Vera Wang would make for a devastatingly romantic bridal look.  I love the soft grey color and pleated detailing in the back.

The Design

Lush foliage and broodingly dark flowers are the perfect touch & antique apothecary bottles, aged metals, or smoked glass make for the perfect vessels.

The Details

Ceremony musicians wearing these fabulous military style jackets would be a pretty amazing.  I also love the idea of having a cellist or two playing a classical version of the song as ceremony music.

Nothing could be better than having this wedding under the stars.  If you can’t have the real thing,  a planetarium would be an excellent venue.

 For a tent, using filament lighting would make for a lovely star-like effect.

 This cake from Lael Cakes  is the perfect finishing touch!

Elizabeth.  If you haven’t seen Cate Blanchet in this, please I beg you to put it to the top of your queue.  It’s really one of the prettiest movies: I rewatched it recently and thought wouldn’t that be a lovely wedding inspiration.  The key to this one is keeping it really simple.  Too much you look like you run a stall selling turkey legs at the Rennasaince Fair, but thoughtful details with a little Tudor inspiration will make for a really romantic event.

Cate Blanchet looks gorgeous throughout, especially in the opening scenes when her skin is so clear and youthful.  The minimal makeup, just lip and cheek stain along with her super-soft-looking-over-brushed hair make for a pretty (and simple) bridal look.  It’s best to not be so literal with the dress.  Pick a favorite detail (or two) from the costuming and really focus on them, like the pinched waist of a corseted dress in a romantic shade of pink.  Or maybe it’s something that gives you a feeling of antiquity without being able to place it.

Those can be found here and here, I love the blush/nude tones.  I also think the Kira gown at J.Crew would be a nice fit.  The full skirt and ruffled neck are rather princessy, and the collar would be super Elizabethan if starched up.

As far as your male counterparts?  Again, keep it simple: dress your men in clean modern suits but give them a lavish velvet bow tie (or maybe even a smartly fitted velvet jacket).  Welcome rich expensive colors, blues against blacks and eggplants and russets.

Queens has a perfect setting for an Elizabethan inspired wedding with it’s own Tudor inspired village, Forest Hills.  Both the Church in the Garden and St. Lukes would be beautiful locations for your ceremony.

Make sure your invitations include a prominently placed and rather royal looking monogram.  Elizabeth I had an amazing signature, perhaps have some outrageous calligraphy done that’s reminiscent of her sharp curlicues.

For dinner I think it’s pretty obvious that game hens or pot pies would be on the menu, maybe lamb or a suckling pig… something simple and tasty and a little luxurious.   And for the pudding, a traditional Fruitcake.  It’s what was served at the royal wedding last year.  Martha has more recipes than I even imagined existed.

And the flowers.  Along with huge roses and peonies and  fruit, exotic citrus, pears, quince, berries and grapes.  The arrangements should have the feeling of over ripeness.  I quite like these ones that the girls did a while back, but imagine the table set with quite “fancy” colored glass and gold accents.

An English Hunting Weekend!

I love the idea of a wedding on a blustery autumn day during hunting season in the English countryside.  Now, I don’t think it is necessary to actually take up arms on your wedding day but infusing a few of the traditions into your nuptials would make for a very chic affair.

The Dress

I adore the dress above (by Dolce&Gabbana via Vogue) and think it would be the the tops worn as a wedding dress.  I could also see this tartan number looking amazing as a ‘less than traditional’ wedding dress.

(Dolce&Gabbana)

The Design

(photos by Jen Huang)

The deep colors in this bouquet coupled with the earthy textures of the berries and herbal foliage make it perfect for the English countryside.

(photos by mademoiselle fiona)

I prefer the deep colors in the bouquet for this particular design but think having trophies overflowing with lush blooms would be the perfect accent to the ‘English Hunting Weekend’ tablescape.

The Details

I love stirrup cups! They are called that because it is tradition to serve your guests a little tipple in them when they have their feet in the stirrups; either as they first arrive or right before they are set off.  I think serving a welcome drink or toast in stirrup cups would be a gorgeous way of greeting your guests.

Serving a luncheon or hunt breakfast would be the perfect way of celebrating with your friends and family.  I love the menu and descriptions found here about a traditional hunt breakfast.

Let’s not forget the wedding party.  I think bridesmaids in jodhpurs and tailored jackets would be gorgeous! Now, insert Matthew Crawley as the groom and we’re talking.

(Dior)

(Dolce)

The dress…

I found the vintage image below (it was sent in by a reader) on The Sartorialist a few months ago and it really stuck with me.

She’s where Princess Di and Truly Scrumptious meet.  I love the fact that she choose separates in lieu of a gown.  Such a chic and easy alternative to what can sometimes be looked back upon as a fussy dress.  I love the hat and the length of the veil.  Super practical if you’re holding the ceremony out of doors, right?  I love the pilgrim loafers, bnd most of all I love the louche tailoring of the men behind her.

the groom and party…

A few specific details really stand out on these guys and would translate into a really groovy groom and modern party.  The wide lapels and oversize bow tie really say “70’s” to me, but it’s the beautiful fabric choices and a classic color scheme that keep the look from screaming “disco ball”.  Think Tom Ford, the below add for his menswear really pinpoints those details.

the details…

When I think of the seventies I think gold not platinum for your wedding bands, and cream (yellowed even) not white for your paper goods, dark wood paneling vs. light colored walls for your reception hall.

For your invitations choose a simple layout with little or no decoration and a rich but somber palate (cream and dark orange, navy and cream, chocolate and …cream) but pick a crazy 70’s font for all or some of the text. These vintage fonts are so much fun and would be toned down considerably with a calmer color scheme.

Keep the flowers in those same warm tones, oranges, creams,  salmon, with a bit of green.  Large blooms in big organic arrangements.  I like this bouquet that the girls designed on Style Me Pretty a while back.

As for vessels, I’d put the flowers in a mixture vintage le crueset dutch ovens, pots, and pans.  I found a huge selection on ebay.  Just think of the cookware collection you’ll have after the party.

And finally you’ve got to have a cool get-a-way car to speed off to your happy ever after… and honeymoon.  I love this 1974 BMW m5.  You can find a similar one here.

xo,matt

The color palette…

(boat photo from here, print from here)

The dress…

I’m loving the top dress’s subtle nod to soft waves making it the perfect fit for any seaside affair (photo via bustle events).  The bottom dress in my opinion is the ultimate, romantic starfish dress for a seaside wedding (photo found here).

The reception…

If you’re lucky enough to have a seaside wedding, a tent is a must in most places on the east coast. The only choice in our minds is a Sperry Tent! They are hands down the most beautiful tents available and extra special because there made from waterproof sailcloths.

The flowers…

We designed these flowers for a city wedding, but think that they’d translate very nicely under a tent and placed on wooden farmhouse tables. Keeping the color palette simple with creamy whites allows the scenery to really shine. There are touches of blue porcelain vine woven through the arrangement to compliment the color palette. Steer away from blue flowers as there are very few that you can find in the perfect hue. The bud vases are vintage and remind me of beautiful, battered sea glass you may find on the beach. Place collections of these on your cocktail tables for an added detail of flowers. The bride’s bouquet below follows the same thought process. Creamy whites with touches of blue/ green mini succulents makes for the perfect pairing. (all photos by weddings by two)

The details…

Writing your menu on an oar for your guests to read is genius. We suggest making a couple of them and have them hang on either side of the bar during cocktail hour. Remember by choosing blues and sea foam greens for your color palette does not mean you have to make big, bold statements of blue. Incorporating touches of blue and green hues in your glassware, table runner, or even in your paper goods is a perfect use of the colors. Leave your guests with a message in a bottle to take home letting them know how much it meant to you that they attended your wedding. Lastly, (and my favorite idea is to) hang these nautical inspired lights over the dinner tables and running the length of the tent to create the perfect warm, romantic glow under the tent.  (top photos found here and sign painted by leslie lewis sigler, bottom left photo found here and lights found here)

Escort cards can be made to resemble sailing flags with each couple’s names and table numbers written on them. Have a calligrapher handwrite each table number on these beautiful mirrors to be placed on each table.

The favor…

Guests often travel far and wide to make it to a wedding of a special friend or family member. If you’re going to give a favor, make sure it’s one with style, class, and purpose. This collection of items is the perfect gift to end a nautical affair! (photo found here)

Bon voyage!

This week I was really inspired by the effect of white on white.  We’ve had so little snow this year, perhaps I am just longing for that serene feeling I get when the whole world is blanketed in white.  I love the way a simple touch of grey, like the trees on the horizon in the pic above, can make the shades of white come alive! It makes the whole world look like it has been shot on black and white film.

Dress It Up!

I think bridesmaids dressed all in white is a tres chic move!

I personally loved what Kate Moss did at her wedding.  A gaggle of children all dressed in adorable white dresses and whimsical toy soldier-esque suits made for a magical event.

(image via vouge.com)

If you’re not mad about having everyone else in white too, something like this dress, from Whitney Deal, would be gorgeous! Her newest print August Rose, is available in all of her bridesmaid dress styles.

(via Darling Dexter)

Design

There are so many directions you could go with flowers when you’re using white. I love the millions of snowdrops that blanket forests in spring.  These delicate flowers along with the likes of lily of the valley & heleborus would be a smashing punctuation to an all white wedding.

Details of birch with it’s soft white and grey bark would be gorgeous alongside these delicate blooms!

 The Details

I love letterpress with with barely their ink colors.  Having all of your paper goods printed with this white on white effect would be absolutely smashing!

(above via Papersheep Press)

I love the pale skin and lip with a strong eye.  I think this look would be gorgeous for an all white wedding! If it’s a little too washed out for you try a soft peach lip.

(image via cocoty)

And how about some gorgeous vanilla truffles from Charbonnel et Walker at every place setting? Yum!

(via looks like white)

]]> http://dev.poppiesandposies.com/weddings-inspired-by-3/feed/ 0 http://dev.poppiesandposies.com/weddings-inspired-by-the-english-patient/ http://dev.poppiesandposies.com/weddings-inspired-by-the-english-patient/#comments Wed, 14 Mar 2012 06:34:48 +0000 http://poppiesandposies.com/?p=3563

The English Patient is such a romantic movie and a great inspiration for a wedding.  You can go quite literal with your translation without the design feeling heavy handed.

I love the above dress by Raf Simons for Jill Sander S/S 2012.  It’s so buttoned up/safari/Grace Kelly.  I think I would style it with the sleeves rolled up, a la ’90’s prep.

I love the work wear inspired color palate of khaki and chambray, you would easily be able to outfit your groom and his party in these handsome J.Crew suiting separates.

The work wear/safari theme can carry through to the bridal party as well.  White button downs and cream colored henley t’s will look modern and sophisticated tucked into paper bag waisted skirts and harem shorts accented with brown leather.  The bridesmaids should look like this…

…but without the dirt.  And with some jewelry.

One of the most memorable images from the film is Juliette Binoche in a WWI doughboy helmet.

…which would be a really interesting vessel for some sandy cream colored blooms.

I also love these airplane postcards; they’d make really cute seating cards and party favors.

The story has so many exotic locales and characters with disparate origins, which could be reflected through your menu… but it is The “English” Patient so I might be tempted to just serve traditional English menu items. English finger sandwiches, small game birds, tomato summer pudding, and lovely fruit tarts and cakes seem just right to me!

The dress….You really have to be in the mood to make a statement, but your wedding is suppose to be the biggest celebration of your life, so we say why not wear neon yellow?! We found all of these J. Mendel frocks perfectly fit for a neon bash.

If it’s a bit too much for your wedding dress to be this colorful, we suggest sprucing up your outfit with exciting accessories or perhaps choosing this flashy short dress below for your reception.

Let’s be honest, the flowers, details, and decor is what makes or breaks a wedding. Sure, sure we’re a bit bias over here, but to us these are the elements your guests remember and always what makes your photographs extra beautiful.

You can choose a simple, white plate if you’re complimenting them with dipped or spray painted silverware. Paper goods are always a huge part of a cohesive design concept. We found these amazing neon inspired invitations, seating cards, and menus by Oh So Beautiful Paper. There just perfect with the gold details! Offset the bright colors by incorporating some natural elements into the mix as well. Perhaps it’s a kraft paper box or bag to package your favor in or a seating card made with a thick kraft paper. Neon paints found here and white table with hot pink seats here.

White porcelain vases or even bud vases would be the perfect element to tone down all of the vibrant colors a bit. We even loved this washi tape that was fashioned to each vase to give them a added detail of pattern and texture.

Last, but certainly not least let’s talk about flowers. Depending on the time of year you’re getting married, there is always a great selection of flowers that can really pop off of a white table. Some of our favorites are poppies, dahlias, peonies, ranunculus, garden roses, sweetpea, and some variety of tulips.  Ask your us or your florist what may be best during your season. Vases & poppies found here.

Keep it bold ladies! xx