It’s All in the Details: Black, White, and Chevron All Over

It’s All in the Details by Corine Brosseau

For the past couple years, we have seen chevron popping up all over the wedding world.  From sweet invites to stunning fondant covered cakes, this simple geometric pattern has been omnipresent in all sorts of wedding details.  The beauty of chevron is that it can be tailor made to fit any color palette you want, whether you’re loving spring’s trendy pastels or bright citrus hues.  However, sometimes the most timeless colors for a wedding are black and white.  Below, we’ve created an inspiration board that pairs chevron with monochromatic hues and a pop of metallic gold for some extra glitz.

Clockwise, from top left: The Inspired Bride, Martha Stewart Weddings, Little Blue Feathers, Juxtapost, Paper Source, Sweet Sorella, Joie Lala Photography, Style Unveiled

 

Would you incorporate the chevron trend into your wedding day?  How much of the pattern is too much?

Let us know your thoughts!

Its All In The Details: Water Colors

Its All In The Details: Alyssa Aiola

Remember when you were little and you thought you were creating art masterpieces by blending all your watercolor paints together, well now you can be one! One of the biggest wedding trends and themes for Summer 2013 is the use of watercolors throughout your wedding. This theme is not only fun but it also is extremely feminine and romantic if you properly balance out the use of pastel shades with the soft texture of handmade brush stores. This trend is popping up everywhere from invitations, escort cards, backdrops, decor and even cakes. If your husband feels the theme might be to feminine, a great way to balance out the pastels is with a shade of navy blue.  Here are a few of our favorite wedding details sharing the wedding theme of water colors, let us know what you think!

Photo Cred from top left to right: OnceWed.com, Oncewed.com, Stylemepretty, Oncewed.com, Bellabloom floral design, Martha Stewart Wedding Design, Jose Villa Photographym, Artizia, Wedding Paper Divas.

Its All In the Details: Modern and Vintage Themed Weddings!

Its All in the Details: By Alyssa Aiola

This past weekend Private Receptions participated in a bridal trade show on board one of the Horn Blower Cruises where we got to exhibit two beautiful yet different wedding design themes! The event was called The Journey of Love, which was sponsored by Lover.ly and allowed prospecting brides to mix and mingle with the industry’s top vendors. We were given the great opportunity to showcase our work by using 8 different tables and transforming them into a modern design and transitioning the look into a vintage design. The premise of this idea is to show what different themes can be used incorporating the same color palate of navy blue and forest green.  This also allows brides to get a better sense of the type of overall style they are planning for their wedding as well as what we can do as far as accommodating your vision.  With the event being a super success we figured we might as well share with you all of our pictures as well as wedding details that helped bring both the modern prep design and vintage design to life!!

*For this event we used the following vendors to bring our vision to life for both looks: Cakes by Sugar Flower Cake Shop, Paper Goods By Christina Dasaro, Flowers by Quatre Coeur and Table linens by Cloth Connection.

 MODERN DESIGN TABLES:

For our modern design we wanted to create a look that was full of clean lines and sharp edges. The mantra for designing a modern wedding should always remain the same “ Less Is More”.  When having a modern themed wedding it is important to take into consideration the lighting around the space since you want the room to feel more open and less cluttered.

• Flowers: In order to achieve the modern look two flowers automatically came to our mind. In this case we used both Orchids and Succulents across the tables. The beautiful thing about using these flowers is they are more then just florals, they are part of your over all design!
• Paper Goods: This is your chance to individualize your wedding and use the modern theme to your advantage! Using clean lines with geometric shapes you can transform your invitation into a work of art. Take a look at what we did with our escort cards, rsvp cards and invitations!! When it comes to modern design FONT changes everything as well.  A standards modern font we can recommend is Helvetica.
• Cake: When ever any wedding has a specific theme it is important to carry the same idea into the cake. Here we geometric squares along with our color pattern to enhance our theme!

VINTAGE DESIGN TABLE:

The major difference between a modern design to a vintage design is it is much less structured and much more romantic. The idea of a vintage wedding uses any soft color palates from the past like champagne, golds, roses with the use of a bold color like our navy blue or green. You want the over all feel of the room to be warm and elegant.

• Flowers:  For our vintage feel, flower arrangements we used a variety of soft colors roses to keep the romantic feel. A great option you can do to incorporate your theme more is add pearls to the florals!
• Paper Goods: One of my personal favorite parts of our display was our vintage escort card’s, which are so easy to make! We simply spray painted vintage keys and placed them over the escort cards so guests could “unlock” the way to their table. Simple, Easy and DIY!
• Cake: our vintage cake is breathtakingly beautiful and much less structured then our modern design. With a floral frosting design embossing the entire front the vintage feel can be seen from a distance!

We hope you liked both of our vintage and modern designs at this weeks bridal show! Please let us know what you thought of our pictures by writing on our blog, facebook, twitter or instagram!

It’s All in the Details: Outdoor Celebrations

It’s All in the Details by Corine Brosseau

With Spring here and Summer on the way, the number of outdoor weddings will be creeping up as well. There are so many beautiful options for an outdoor celebration with something to suit every bride’s budget and style. Here are some of our favorites!

1. Farm Weddings – For the rustic chic look, barns and farms make the perfect backdrop. With rollicking fields and stunning natural landscapes, these are lovely scenes for your wedding day photography. The collage above features Tyrone Farm’s Chestnut Barn, located in Pomfret, Connecticut. Featuring elegant gardens, a stone terrace, and, of course, the gorgeous barn, there a number of options for a unique ceremony and reception on your wedding day at Tyrone Farm. It’s a truly special venue for the countryside bride.

2. Beach Weddings – The beach makes a wonderful location for the couple who loves sand and surf. Offering a breezy, laid back feel, sandy beaches are perfect for the destination wedding or for the domestic one, giving guests a feeling of being on vacation for the day. Additionally, the beach makes the perfect blank canvas for your reception, giving you complete freedom to dress it however you like.

3. Garden Weddings – For a sophisticated celebration, gardens can make a stunning venue selection. If you love flowers, this is the best spot for you. Gorgeous colors and blooms add character to your celebration and provide inspiration for all of the little details.

4. Backyard Weddings – If you’ve got the right backyard, this can be the best option for the bride on a budget. You can save on the venue and put a little more into the details. A backyard celebration can be the the most comfortable and they can also be filled with the most love. For the family who is incredibly tight knit, these parties can be so raucous and fun, while truly reflecting the joy of the couple and their loved ones.

5. More fun options: For a wooded feel, try checking out state parks or national forests in your area to see if they’d allow you to have a wedding there. If you love horses, the racetrack can also be a lovely choice.

Did you or are you having an outdoor wedding? Share with us on our Facebook or in a comment below!!

It’s All In The Details: Sweet Favors!

Its All In The Details by Alyssa Aiola

Lets be honest, most brides will spend anywhere from 2-6 dollars per party favor for each guest only for it to be forgotten about, thrown out or lost in clutter. More and more brides are using the idea of an edible favor since its extremely versatile and you know your guests are going to get some use out of it! When choosing your edible treats it is important to keep in mind your overall theme and also the age bracket of your guests attending. Candy bars are a great idea if you know ahead of time you are going to have a lot of kids attending but maybe then you should pass on the candy apple buffet since it could get messy! Also it is important to think about what you want your gifts to look and taste like, as well as what they’ll represent. Any special traditions practiced by your religion, culture, etc. can also be integrated into your favors in some way. Give your guests a bite to remember with these six adorably delish parting gifts:

• Cupcake in a Jar: More and more brides are using this trendy and yet easy idea as favors for their guests! Pick from any flavor of your wildest dreams and get creative with the label! Under The Table and Dreaming  has 50+ recipes on cakes you can put in a jar from S’mores to cheesecake! Guests will be able to bring home a unique gift that looks too good to eat!

• Candy Apple Buffett: This idea for a candy apple buffet is not only delicious, but so fun and interactive for any age. Providing multiple different apple toppings and a customized box, we love Labels For You , guests will be able to take home their wonderful handmade treats as a token from your wedding!

• S’mores Kit: With summer fast approaching, a great idea would be to give your guest the perfect Summer Night BBQ gift of a DIY S’mores kit! Fancy That  has the perfect clear box which you can then customize and fill with graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate!

• Candy Bar: Create a table with a list of both “his” and “her” favorite candy and allow guests to pick and choose which sweets to toss in their bags. You can also use Chinese take out box’s as containers that can be stamped with your monogram!

• Late Night Snack Bar: After the wedding cake has been passed and the last song has been played your guests might need one last pick me up before driving home. Creating a late night snack bar allows your guests to pick and choose from whatever sweets they are craving along with a box of milk to wash it down.

• Breakfast in a Bag: How thoughtful would it be to give your guests a bag full of bagels, cream cheese, butter and orange juice so they have breakfast all set for the next morning! This is a great gift especially for weddings that run late into the night! To go along with the next morning theme, you could throw in Advil and even a newspaper!

Let us know what sweet treats you gave out on your wedding night or if you ever received a delicious gift as a favor by writing on our Facebook wall or tweeting us!

It’s All in the Details: Coral Crush

It’s All in the Details by Corine Brosseau

Here at Private Receptions, the team is itching for real Spring weather and the sunny hues that come along with it!  Last week, we talked about the ever trendy mint green.  This week, we’re having a crush on coral!  This cheerful shade makes a beautiful color for your Spring or Summer wedding.  Here are some of our favorite bits of coral wedding inspiration and some of our tips on how to incorporate this gorgeous color!

Left to right, across rows: Style Me Pretty, Wedding Bee, The Perfect Palette, Style Me Pretty, Pinterest, Sweet and Saucy Shop, The Art of the Occasion, and The Decorista

• Color Schemes: Coral can look amazing with any number of colors, making it an easy option for your wedding day.  For a preppy, nautical feel, try pairing it with white and navy like in the place setting above (bottom left).  If you’re aiming for upscale and elegant, try mixing coral with gold and blush.  Tones like aqua and mint also mix well with coral for a more springy or rustic look.
• Fashion: Bridesmaids will look gorgeous in shades of coral, which lends itself beautifully to gowns of softly draped chiffon.  For you, try a fun coral shoe or a pretty flower in the hue for your hair.
• Beauty: This color trend can even be incorporated into your makeup look for your wedding day.  There are so many beautiful coral-toned products that can pull together look fabulously.  Mixed with a neutral eye, Bobbi Brown’s Rich Lip Color in Miami Coral is soft and pretty.  It brings a pop of color to the face without being over the top.  More of our favorite coral beauty products include Revlon‘s Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Coral Reef, Essie‘s Tart Deco nail polish, and Tarte‘s Amazonian Clay Blush in Glisten.
• Flowers: For a coral-toned bouquet, you have so many amazing floral options.  From peonies and roses to gerber daisies and peach calla lilies, any of the above would make a beautiful choice.  Mixing your coral blooms with succulents can be a great way to incorporate some more Spring-inspired hues and allow the coral to really shine.
• Sweet Stuff: For a bright and fun look, go all coral with white details for your cake.  If you’re a bit more traditional, a white fondant cake with coral and peach sugar flowers makes a beautiful statement.  Coral colored cookies and macarons paired with desserts in your other wedding colors create a great ensemble for a dessert table.  For flavors, try fresh, fruity notes like peach and lemon.

These are just a few of the many ways you can incorporate coral into your wedding.  Share your best coral-y ideas with us on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram with the hash tag #coralcrush!

Its All In The Details: Its “Mint” To Be

Its All in the Details: Alyssa Aiola

One of the biggest color trends sweeping across the bridal scene for Spring/Summer 2013 is mint green! The biggest perk of this romantic shade is its versatility and ability to work with all different wedding atmospheres from modern to glamorous to even vintage! It also coordinates perfectly with so many other colors whether they are bold or soft that mint can act either as an accent to all your wedding details or be the dominating color theme. Here are six of our favorite ways to incorporate the shade into your own unique wedding!

1. Wedding Fashion: Lately, mint green has been dominating the red carpet as celebrities give their stamp of approval on this timeless color. Why not join them and either dress yourself or your wedding party in mint?! Designers like Vera Wang and Romona Keveza have contributed most of their bridal collections to colored wedding gowns, including mint. J Crew has designed multiple dresses for your bridesmaids in all different silhouettes and shades of mint green, that when put together are soft on the eyes and yet romantic.
2. Accessories: Stand out on your wedding day by incorporating mint green in your accessories from your shoes to your earrings to even your nail polish!  Margret Elizabeth has created a sea foam fresh collection of earrings perfect for a beachside wedding. To complete your entire head-to-toe look in mint, River Island has created the perfect set of pumps while Essie’s Absolutely Shore will keep your toes looking sweet.
3. Dessert: We have seen some of the most beautiful and yet striking wedding cakes in mint green. You could keep the base of the cake mint green and adorn flowers, ribbons, or a modern design or better yet choose a mint flavored cake! Another great way to make your dessert table stand out is to have mint color cake pops and macaroons!
4. Drinks: A refreshing way to incorporate mint into your wedding theme is by creating mint colored drinks.  One of our favorite recipes is quick and simple, mint green lemonade! You could also use mint colored straws as a tiny detail that will keep your theme alive!
5. Flowers: Let nature be your inspiration and pair your mint green attire with lush florals and seasonal flowers and colors. Your bouquet is where you can add an additional pop of color or allow your wedding theme to come alive as well as in your centerpieces. Add a touch of cream or pink roses for a softer yet romantic look or add sunflowers for a pop of yellow for a more modern approach.
6. Invitations: Inform your guests with a classical invitation embossed in mint green. Adding a signature gold accent upgrades the look of your invite with a luxurious and unique touch.

Let us know some of the great ways you have incorporated this shade into your wedding day or any ideas you have come up with by posting on our Facebook page!

 (Image Courtesy from Left to Right Clockwise) Style Me Pretty, Essie, Pinterst, The Bakers Confections, Fern Lee Photography, Perry Vaile Photograhy,Etsy JWD Paperie, Margret Elizabeth, Style Me Pretty, Romona Keveza, Style Me Pretty, Untamed Heart Photography, Hey There Cupcake

It’s All in the Details: Equestrian Elegance

It’s All in the Details by Corine Brosseau

On May 4th, everyone will be bringing out their big hats and bow ties to fete the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby. This equestrian event is a nod to classic Southern glamour and makes a great theme for your Spring wedding. If you’re an equine enthusiast with a love for sophisticated flair, check out our inspiration board below and read the following tips on how to inject some of that Derby flavor into your special day!

Clockwise from top right: Purity Bride, My Sweet and Saucy, My Sweet and Saucy, Hostess with the Mostess, Elizabeth Anne Designs

 

Color Scheme: For a more literal interpretation of the Derby, go for the true red of the roses strung upon the back of the winning horse. This looks beautiful mixed with a nice jewel tone like emerald or navy. To update the look and bring it to a more modern place, take inspiration from the currently trendy pastels and the signature mint julep. Mint and pale pink, like that of the palest rose, complement each other well and have an understated chicness to them.

Flowers: As this is the Run for the Roses, roses are an obvious choice. However, there are so many different shades of roses that you can choose from. In the arrangements above, pastel pink roses are paired with some minty succulents and lavender irises. Placing them in an antique trophy really pulls the inspiration together.

Beverages: Be sure to serve traditional Derby Day drinks like mint juleps and bourbon at your reception. You can even label them with ribbons as “his” and “hers” for a personalized touch.

The Cake: Our top choice? The Southern classic, red velvet with cream cheese icing, of course!

Accessories: Ask the guys to don debonair bow ties and women to bring out their best hats. Don’t worry – if the hats aren’t your thing, you can go with a more subtle fascinator or even just a beautiful brooch for your hair. Horseshoes bring good luck, so gift your groomsmen and maids a little bit of luck with horseshoe cuff links and necklaces.

Table Details: Name your tables after famous Derby winners. Prize ribbons make excellent escort cards.

What would you do for your Derby wedding? Let us know!!

Its All In The Details: Bridesmaids Gifts!

Its all in the Details by Alyssa Aiola

From start to finish and through thick and thin your bridal party managed to survive the wedding planning process and deserves some appreciation. Whether you have two bridesmaids or twelve, it is important to put some thought into a gift that they will actually enjoy and will use for years to come.  When it comes to actually picking out your presents there are thousands of options and not breaking the bank is extremely easy. In the past most brides gave out the usual key chain or strand of faux pearls but today we are all about the trendy and unique presents. Here are a few of our favorite stylish and personalized bridesmaids gifts that are all under 100 dollars!

Apron:  What a cute way to play up “maids” then to give her an adorable, stylish and feminine apron from the Anthropology Apron Collection ranging from only 32.00-38.00 dollars!

Jewelry: What girl doesn’t love jewelry! From necklaces to bracelets, personalizing is made easy since you can incorporate your bridesmaids first initial. One way you will really brings your bridesmaids to tears is by giving them a personalized Tiffany Notes Disc Charm necklace for only $75.00!

Compacts: If you are trying to go for the more playful present, compacts are extremely practical and fun. Our favorite is Henry Bendels initial compact, which once again allows room for personalization for only $38.00!

Cosmetic Bags: Cosmetic bags are a great way for your entire bridal party to keep their makeup and jewelry together when getting ready for your ceremony.  We love Tory Burch’s Cosmetic Bags that are only between $55-$75 dollars and come in fun vibrant shades that can be tied back to your wedding theme!

Earbuds: Allow your bridesmaids to never miss a beat by buying them a great pair of ear buds. Kate Spade has come up with a trendy and stylish collection of ear buds for only $40.00

Kindle: Give your bridesmaids a gift that they can use anywhere at anytime and is one of the top wanted gadgets of all time! Kindles are now more versatile then ever and start only at $69.00!

It’s All in the Details: Sweet Stations

It’s All in the Details by Corine Brosseau

 

Now more than ever, brides are often choosing to forgo a large, lavish wedding cake in exchange for something with a little more variety: the dessert table. With plenty of options for every guest, dessert tables are not only delicious – they allow you to express your unique wedding style with a beautiful presentation.

Outer images, clockwise from top left: 100 Layer Cake, Kara’s Party Ideas, Style Me Pretty, Hostess with the Mostess
Center images, top to bottom: Calligraphy by Jennifer, Cocoa & Fig, Deliciously Darling, Whispering Pines Catalog

Here are some tips for how to make your dessert table a part of your wedding no one will ever forget!

1. Make it personal! Choose desserts that have a special meaning to you and your spouse. You can even create a “timeline” of dessert with little signs that tell what each sweet means to you. For example, if you celebrate your birthday with a certain cupcake, label it “Bride’s Birthday Surprise.”

2. Got a bunch of awesome family recipes? The dessert table can be a great way to include your families in the celebration. Include all of your family dishes and provide recipe cards so guests can recreate their favorites from your special day.

3. Be sure to cater to the needs of your guests. Offer gluten free or vegan options if need be.

4. You don’t have to skip out on cake just because you want to include other options. Simply scale down on the size and grandeur of the cake. It’ll still stand out amongst your other dessert choices.

5. They say variety is the spice of life but that doesn’t mean you need cake, cookies, pies, macarons, tarts, candies, and every other dessert under the sun. You can focus on a favorite and simply offer different choices in that category. Having a rustic barn wedding? Try offering a bunch of beautiful pies in everyone’s favorite farm fresh flavors. Going for a fun summery theme? Try an ice cream or gelato bar with plenty of toppings!