Let’s shift gears and take a look at the softer side- colors that is! We’re going to take a look at some light pinks and greens in this post. Very pretty, and very springtime. If you missed the last post, check it out here. I’m loving the new way’s to sweetin things up at your reception too- so I’ll be sneaking a few of those in this time as well. Enjoy!

Lavender and Sage Green

Flowers- Of course, they’re one of the first things that come to mind when thinking of springtime- the abundance of flowers, the sweet smell and colorful aray of them- this is just an absolutely, knockdown WOW bouquet. A mix of lavender peonies and hydrangeas with pops of white for the bride. Bridesmaids will carry a solid bouquet of the lavender peonies.



This guestbook is by peaseblossomstudio on Etsy.com. Each book is hand-made and can be customized to your colors and/or design.



Cake- This 5-tiered square cake is a bit, off-centered- Literally! Check out how each layer is shifted just a bit from the next as well as the flowers going up the front. So unique and creative! I would switch out the lavender orchids with sage green flowers for a unified look.



Sweets- You can’t say that you have see this one often. The new craze at weddings is the candy bar (no, not a snicker’s bar either), but this cookie bar is sure to be a hit as well. Jars are stacked on paper wrapped boards (so easy to do) and the cookies are placed in open-lid glass jars with labels on the front and a variety of styles of papers is cut to go around the bottom inside of the jar. Use plain white craft paper bags and stickers so that your guest’s can take a cookie.. or two… home with them. Fab right? * interested in the labels/ paper bands/signs? I can help with these!



Gifts- Give gifts to those taking part in your special day, a gift wrapped in a pretty package like these. Get creative- For instance, planning on giving the gift of golf to your groomsmen? Tie a golf-tee on the top. Get creative!

Pink, Light Blue and Brown

A girlfriend of mine used pink and brown for her wedding colors and it was such an unusual pairing (this was 4 years ago)and was just at the start of gaining popularity at the time. I decided to add the 2 popular combos together (blue and brown with pink and brown) just to add a nice balance of femininity and masculinity (pink and blue). Surprisingly, the 3 colors evoke softness and unity.

Invites-With all three colors shown, it sets the mood for an elegant afternoon spring-time wedding! Check them out at paperimpressions on etsy.com. The invitation lay-out is simple, yet has such a soft and elegant look to it. The crest at the top with your initial set can be carried throughout your wedding- on labels, stickers, even a vinyl sticker for your wall at your reception!



Attire- For the men, tan suits of course! Let’s keep the men with the blue… we wouldn’t want them to wear baby pink! Cute tie from Me and Matilda on Etsy.com



For the girls… let’s keep them in Pretty in Pink (one of my favorite movies)! With it’s smart, clean, classic lines, from Jcrew, the silk tricotine Cecelia dress. I love Jcrew bridesmaid dresses, they are so fresh looking that they can be worn over and over again. Bridesmaid dresses have come a long way!



Sweets- Use these mini stands on each reception table for a cute display. Chocolate cupcakes topped with pink and blue fondant hearts.



Thanks to the Knot and Martha Stewart Wedding for the images in the lavender and sage green section.
What did you think of the “softer side” for spring? I’m still lovin on that cookie buffet!

Want to infuse some playful style to your wedding day? Why not use some unexpected colors to do just that? Intrigued yet… keep reading. If you don’t love this playful color combo by the time we’re done, well…you will!
Missed the first spring installment, click here to catch up!

Orange, Aqua and White

Ok, first off I must admit something to you all. I was a little skeptical when I put these two colors together but going back to my Art 101 class in college, they acutally make a lot of sense being together. They’re opposite of one another on the color wheel… simple terms here right… ok, blue and orange are complementary colors- they bring out the best in each other (kinda like you and your soon to be hubby right)? Enough of Art 101… find out for yourself!

Stationary- Crisp White paper with beautiful scroll work and a solid aqua border and text printed in orange bring the main focus on the names of both the bride and groom- pretty right?!



Attire- How about those men…I’m bias to tan suits- as we all know! Especially for a spring wedding, so that would have to change (go with what YOU like)- but the solid aqua tie and that bright orange single rose bout- LOVE!



Out-of-town Guests-
Your guests coming in from out-of-town deserve something a bit extra. They traveled a great distance to share your day with you, so you should thank them! I love these tote bags. When I got married, I lived in Ohio- so I filled my bags with things from the state. You can use a theme, or just fill with snacks (that’s always thoughtful)! ** oh and yes… I can make these!



The Party-
Let’s start off with the cake. This 3-tiered square cake is a simple cake, but add these bold, orange fondant flowers and the cake is not so ordinary anymore! Want to wow your guest’s- go for a unique flavor on one or more of the layers- how about creamsicle!



Favor Bags-
Simple grab bags turn into a playful gift for your guests as they leave your reception. Filled with a sweet treat for them to enjoy later~who would resist?



See? Pretty great color combo right? What did you all think?

Thanks to The Knot and Martha Stewart weddings for a few of the images.

Spring has sprung! Well… sort of, here at ASD it has. I’m back for the third installment of Hot Color Combos and this time, it’s spring season!
In case you missed where it all started- here’s a link to the original post.

Cotton Candy Pink and Purple

These two colors just go together and to me, radiate carefree and fun!

Stationary- I love the classic style with this square invite. Along with the added touches of the border to replicate hand-stitching and the whimsy of the pink font just jumps off the page. Tie the stationary set together with this pink ribbon and simple purple button.



Bride-Add some fun to your outfit, let’s face it, most people won’t see these, but you’ll know they are there and it’s a daring to wear this color with all white.. isn’t it?



Bridesmaids- I love this strapless purple dress from David’s Bridal that hits just below the knee- perfect for a mid afternoon or evening wedding. Plus, it’s a great dress that your girls can wear again and again.



Reception-What says spring more than flowers? Umm.. I can’t think of anything else : ) so shower them all over your reception! Use these glass pots with a pretty purple bloom. As usual, I love something that has 2 or more uses- these add vibrancy and color to your reception tables as well as serving as a favor for your guests to take home and grow. Genius idea- etch your monogram or initials on the glass pots to personalize them.



Sippy- Last but not least, serve these cotton candy pink colored cocktails that your guests won’t be able to stop raving about! It all comes together with a stir stick bearing your monogram!



Thanks to Martha Stewart Wedding’s and the Knot for a few of these images!

Back for the last installment for winter color-combos, then we’re on to Spring! In case you missed the first post, here is a recap.

These aren’t your typical color-combos that you might think of when planning for a wedding during the winter. We’re moving past the typical “holiday and seasonal” colors and on to something still appropriate but a bit off the beaten path. Live someplace warm- then why decorate with blues & gray’s? Or want to warm things up a bit, but keep with the sparkle of the season? Try out this first combo.

Silver, Magenta and Yellow

Paper Suite
I love the look of these invitations from Invitations4Less.com. I would, however, like to change it up a bit. Perhaps not having everything so matchy-matchy. Add a thin stripe of magenta instead of the white stripe thru the grey box (which I would change to be silver). Also, swap out the colors of the RSVP card by either using a yellow or silver colored card instead of white.



Attire-
For the bride, stylish-modern accessory for the bride. A gorgeous magenta colored birdcage veil by weddingaisle on Etsy.



For your bridesmaids, a sophisticated and elegant silk taffeta sleveless dress from JCrew. It has strategically placed pleats to make it unfailingly feminine and terribly flattering. This is one dress that your bridesmaid’s will WANT and CAN wear again and again!



Decor-
Start off with a light grey table cloth and folded magenta colored napkins.
I love these arrangements put together to use scattered at both your ceremony and at your reception. The cream colored spider mums pay homage to the floral motif on your stationary (see first image above). Thanks to Martha Stewart Weddings for this image.
Although I do like the vase’s, how about using silver coffee cans in various shapes and sizes? (Without all of the labels of course)! Adding a solid magenta grosgrain ribbon around the can add’s a nice “pop” of color to the arrangement.



And…these adorable silver bells that you can use for two purposes. 1-your escort card holder
2-a favor gift for your guests.



Grey and Maroon

Grey is now the new black and I’m going to use maroon to replace “red” in the tradition holiday season color palette. I’m partial to maroon too. (Shhh… high school colors)! Ahh… a throwback!
Attire-
For the men- a grey suit matched with this cool striped maroon and grey tie and they are set for the night.



For the Girls-
Add this maroon chunky pearl necklace to a solid grey mid-length dress and your girls will look stellar with the men! Also, can be your gift to your gals. Very vintage and stylish thanks to AMIdesigns on Etsy.



For the Sassy Flower Girl-
Love this WAY too much. This dress by Classy Sassy Girls found on Etsy is complete with chiffon ruffles. All we need is to swap out a maroon colored hair brooch instead and your little flower girl will LOVE to wear this!



Decor- I love the look of grey tablecloths, silver chivari chairs and white plates and napkins. Accent maroon on the tables thru floral arrangements and these floating candles to set a romantic feel- these have orchids in them, I would probably opt. for a maroon orchid or ranunculus to fill the holder



Check out these adorable cupcakes that your guests will LOVE!

Chocolate Brown, Forest Green and Tan

Add some warmth to this dreary and cold time of year with colors of nature. Not all of us actually see snow in the winter and these are typically the colors that we see around us. Especially those in warmer climates.

Flowers-
This beautiful image from the Knot of a bouquet for the bride consists of bright green spider mums, green hydrangea, and brown button mums. To compliment, the bridesmaids can each carry a different bouquet of each flower. For example, one can carry the green spider mums, another green hydrangea, another brown button mums, another green button mums- mix it up!



Adorn your doors to your ceremony and then hang above a table at your reception where your guests can leave their wishes for you, with this hearty button mum wreath. (Psst… want this to last beyond your big day…use silk instead of fresh flowers- so much less expensive too* I make these)



Using the different colored brown ribbon from the above wreath- add them to bind your program together. Using a tan colored paper, a forest green printed monogram on the front and the patterned chocolate brown ribbon to tie them all together. Perfecto!

Attendant Gifts-
Want to do something nice for those that stood by you on your big day? Use these universal bags in shades/patterns of brown to present your gift(s) to them. Complete with a tag with their name and date of your wedding.



Decor-
Besides styling your table with tan tablecloths, chocolate brown and forest green plaid napkins, try these out for your favor and escort card- these are so easy to make on your own- Don’t have time, let me put them together for you (minus the home-made treat)! The jars, the stickers, you name it- I’ll get it all set up for you! So stylish!


Thanks to the Knot for this great idea!

Provide you guests with a nightcap with this yummy hot chocolate a drink (as well as coffee)and mini-donuts- FUN for all ages!



Now that my hand is cramped from such a long post- I’ll hand it over to you all.
What do you think- are you more for the “traditional seasonal colors” of winter, or are you one to take the off-beaten path and go for something a bit non-traditional?
Do Tell… and stay tuned for Spring colors coming up next!

In case you missed the first installment of winter color combos, here’s a recap.

Since we focused on the classic holiday colors in the first post, we’ll move on to colors that go hand-in-hand when thinking of the cold weather associated with winter. There are so many ways that you can use these colors, I’m excited to share a few with you here!

Navy Blue, Periwinkle and Grey

Invitations
I would use a crisp white cardstock with a copy of the design of the brooch (see bridesmaid’s attire) to use on the invites in grey and periwinkle with a customized monogram.
If you want to go a bit more formal- try a grey cardstock and have the moogram done in navy ink and the lettering done in white ink.

Attire
Bridesmaids. This has got to be one of my favorite looks that I’ve come across. Thanks to Badgley Mischka designs- it’s a great look for a winter wedding, along with white fur wraps, navy pumps and crystal brooches (bridesmaid gift). Image courtesy of The Knot.



Groomsmen
Grey Suit with Solid Navy Blue tie and Handkerchief

Flowers
Only 2 types of flowers in this bouquet for your bridesmaids to carry, but WHAT a statement they make! One Ivory colored opened Rose, nestled within ivory spider mums. LOVE THIS!!!



Decor
Set your tables with navy table clothes and silver chivari chairs- what will be your centerpiece?
We’ve all see those daunting swan ice sculptures right? I bet you’ve never seen these before, or thought that an ice sculpture would actually have a stylish place at a wedding right? I love this idea- ice sculptured vases for your centerpieces filled with branches, flowers, you get to choose. Anything would look fab in these on your tables!
Pretty crazy that they are actually made out of ice huh?
Image courtesy of cynthiamartyn in Canada.



Sweet tooth
Give your guests the option to choose a few cookies to enjoy on their travels home-nothing can beat these sugar cookies adorned with periwinkle icing and white piping. YUM!