Spring is in the air and we can't stop swooning over things like fresh cut tulips, the sound of birds chirping, and of course a new round of gorgeous color palettes. When beginning to plan for your special day, consider that you should start with a color story. Colors are the perfect way to provoke a certain mood for your event. Spring should have a sense of playfulness, softness, and freshness about it. We love the idea that colors much like flowers, tend to be very seasonal. Take the time to look around to find inspiration in the natural colors of this new season. Check out our top spring color picks for any beautiful springtime ceremony below:
Shades of Green
Shades of green mixed with cream and ivory makes for a color palette that adds a formal air to a spring event. If you are going all in on a green palette, then be sure to include plenty of live greenery too! You will want the greens to stand out much more than the flowers. Opt for plants like succulents to create a statement that's quite unique. We also love a mismatched array of green bridesmaids dresses to play up the different shades of the versatile color.
Shop green bridesmaid dresses.
Peachy Perfect
Nothing says spring quite like pale shades of peach and coral. If fun but refined come across in your visual mood board, then this color combo might just be it! These two colors match up perfectly for ceremonies that are outside amongst the fresh spring air. Remember to stick to the faded pastel shades rather than vibrant hues of the colors to radiate a look that's feels utterly enchanting.
Shop peach bridesmaid dresses.
Ethereal Lavender
Lavender always manages to feel feminine and whimsical in formal event settings. When using lavender for your wedding, opt for soft fabrics and dainty details to provoke a light and airy feeling. Other colors that match best with lavender include deeper shades of purple, grays, and white. Try adding in actual sprigs of lavender to places like centerpieces and cocktails at the reception for an added aroma of tranquility.
Shop lavender bridesmaid dresses.
Are you thinking about a wedding full, and I mean FULL, of colour? Like, having your bridesmaids dressed in jewel-coloured gowns, and your flowers in bright, vibrant tones like these joyous ones from Helen Jane Floristry?
Then I've found just the marquee interior you need to follow that theme through for a really brilliant wedding reception party, one that has loads of colour and dancing and energy. And it comes in the form of paper lantern lighting. Hanging clusters of different coloured lanterns from the ceiling of a marquee can transform it into an Aladdin's cave of dazzling, magical beauty, especially if they are set against a backdrop of twinkling lights on black cloth, as shown below.
Tops Marquees in Berkshire introduced me to this fabulous marquee interior idea and I just love it. And with such vibrant paper lantern lighting stealing the show, you wouldn't really have to go mad on the flowers for the tables - after all, all of your guests will be too busy marvelling at the lights to pay any attention to the table decorations! But if you want to keep the lighting a surprise until the first dance, just ask your marquee provide to put up a revealer curtain separating the dance floor from the rest of the marquee, so that you can unveil the lanterns when you're ready and start your married life off in a riot of colour!
Getting married is one of the most exciting moments in your relationship, but it can also cause quite a bit of stress on the both of you. It's important to focus on keeping the little fights to a minimum and maximizing the love in the air. Its's natural for the romance to fizzle during the long stage of wedding errands, however you don't have to wait until the honeymoon to rekindle that fire. From pre-engagement talk to wedding day events, follow these simple ground rules to deal with the changes to come in your love life.
Be Open
Naturally, there are certain things about your partner that are going to bother you, and it goes both ways. From the beginning, establish a sense of honesty in your relationship. Go into the wedding planning process with the idea that you should both be able to express how you feel in certain situations. With an open line of communication, you will likely feel less lasting resentment.
Date Night is Important
Talking about wedding plans at a local coffee shop does not count as a date! Carve out time in your busy schedules to actually go out and enjoy yourselves without thinking or conversing about the wedding at all. It's necessary to take a break from all of your to-do lists and focus on the true meaning of your marriage.
Motivate Each Other
Stress does so much to our bodies and minds. When stress levels are high, it's the most critical time to focus on your health. Help each other stay active by going to the gym together, or taking a hike. Plan out nutritious meals and make a date out of cooking for each other. Not only will it keep your bodies in tip shop shape for the big day, but studies show you will feel less of the effects of stress when you are abiding by a proper diet and exercise routine.
Get Away
Repeat: don't wait until the honeymoon to unleash the romance! Plan a weekend retreat, day trip, or even staycation to prelude the honeymoon. Think of your "mini moon" as an opportunity to unplug and just be together. Taking this time away will help your relationship flourish and also eliminate those pre-wedding jitters.
Simple Reminders of Love
We tend to forget that whisper the simple words "I love you" really means so much. Especially when tensions have been high, stop to just show your love towards each other. Small things make the difference, like leaving a note out before your lover goes to work to simply remind them. Verbalizing those three words can negate all those harsh feelings that have been slipping into your mind.
Photos by M&J Studios and Logan Cole Photography.
I know that black is perfect for winter, but don't be put off having short black bridesmaid dresses for a Spring or Summer wedding. The trick is in the accessories:
Take the girls above; strappy heels or colourful/metallic courts are the order of the day. And the flowers? Bold, breezy, voluptuous creations with spirals of foxgloves and fronds of ferns. Inspirationally oozing joy and fun rather than the more usual slick sophistication of a black-themed wedding.
You'll see more what I mean below. The flowers at this wedding were by Cornwall's Amanda Taffinder and they absolutely capture the vibe of the Very Happy Couple:
And I love the rustic touch of the wicker basket holding the cards (what a clever idea) and the outrageously vibrant table settting:
And they lived happily ever after.
With a million thanks to Amanda Taffinder for her amazing floral creations and to Shanna Jones Photography for capturing them on film.
If you'd like short black bridesmaid dresses for your girls, shop the look at Dessy.com. The first one I'd recommend is Alfred Sung D701 in Peau de Soie (below left). Its bateau neckline and scoop back are extremely flattering and the cut-a-way tulip sit with is neat bow detail at the natural waist is delightful.
Another pretty option is Dessy Collection Style 2939 (above right) which is a sleepless marquis lace dress with a jewel neckline and a fully shirred skirt. Its scalloped edge is a charming detail.
For a short black bridesmaid dress with a halter neck style front, look no further than Alfred Sung D492; the bared shoulder and low back make for a particularly becoming style.
Finding a dress for the big day is no doubt a grueling task, but deciding on a hairstyle can often be even tougher. Considering trends and looking at consulting all the major editorials is the first step in finding the perfect style. We also always recommend playing around with your locks with your stylist prior to your special day.
This season we are drawn to a look that is whimsical, natural, and ultra feminine. Whether your wedding is set in front of the crashing waves or amidst the dainty wildflowers, consider a 'do that's a little undone for your bridal look. Give the traditional a little twist and get inspired by these current hairstyles that we adore encourage you to try out before the big day.
The Braid Within a Braid
This is a super intricate style for the bride looking for something quite unique. Twist the front two sections of your hair until they meet in the back of your head. Create a fishtail braid out of the top section of your hair and secure. With the underside of your hair create a very wide and loose simple braid. Towards the end of the braid, grab the fishtail braid, remove the hair band, and weave it in to combine your hair into one section at the end.
The Half Up Half Down With a Twist
If you can't decide between a beautiful braided updo and tousled waves, then how about both? Start by loosely braiding the two front sections of your hair. Overlap and connect the two braids in the back with bobby pins and hide any loose ends. Style the rest of your hair with a wide curling iron and sea salt spray.
The Slick Side Swept
Here, the old hollywood glamour side swept hairstyle gets a revamp with a slicker appeal. Comb back and gel the front of your hair. Apply a staggered row of bobby pins behind one ear and sweep your locks to one shoulder. Voila!
The Braided Headband
This is a must-try for boho chic brides that are opting out of the flower crown trend...create your own braided crown with your hair! First, take a large section of hair from underneath one side of your head. Braid it in the direction of the opposite side of your head. Attach the end of the braid with bobby pins and arrange hair to cover any loose ends. Style the front of your hair to frame your face.
The Wispy Low Bun
If you're going for more of a streamline look, then opt for more of a simple hairstyle to compliment. Part your hair in a deep side part. Tease the hair at the crown of your head. Gather a ponytail at the nape of your neck and attach with a hair band. Divide the ponytail into two and loosely twist and secure them around each other into a bun with bobby pins. Grab small pieces of hair to loosen the look and create more volume.
Photos by Valentina Glidden, Apryl Ann, Nicole Berret, and Cole Logan.
With Valentine's day coming up next Sunday, there is love in the air. Valentine's Day is a day of expressing love to everyone around you and taking the time to appreciate the great love you have present in your life. Take the time to take a closer look at your relationship. If you are newly engaged, recently married, or celebrating your twentieth anniversary, there's a reason why the two of your souls were meant to be together. Sometimes it's hard to articulate exactly what that love means to you, so we gathered our favorite quotes about romance. Whether you incorporate them in your vows, verbally recite them to your partner, or write them down on a card, share them with your nearest and dearest this Valentine's Day!
"To be brave is to love unconditionally without expecting anything in return." -Madonna
"To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides." -David Viscot
"Love is like a friendship caught on fire. In the beginning a flame, very pretty, often hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. As love grows older, our hearts mature and our love becomes as coals, deep-burning and unquenchable." -Bruce Lee
"I love you. I am who I am because of you. You are every reason, every hope, and every dream I've ever had, and no matter what happens to us in the future, every day we are together is the greatest day of my life." -The Notebook
"We've got this gift of love, but love is like a precious plant. You can't just accept it and leave it in the cupboard or just think it's going to get on by itself. You've got to keep watering it. You've got to really look after it and nurture it." -John Lennon
"I believe that two people are connected at the heart, and it doesn't matter what you do, or who you are or where you live; there are no boundaries or barriers if two people are destined to be together." -Julia Roberts
Photos by Tyler Branch Photography, Cole Logan Photography, Merari Photography, and Arnau Dubois.
The yellow flowers of Springtime are so beautiful; yes, you get the brasher yellow of daffodils dancing gaudily in the breeze, to paraphrase Wordsworth rather harshly, but you also get more delicate yellow blooms with other narcissi, fragrant freesias and tuberose. But for me its the woodland primrose that encompasses the most delightful of yellow hues - pale, fragile and charming. Yet like most wild flowers, primroses don't make for the most robust of cut flowers, so if you want a primrose yellow Spring wedding then have your bridesmaids dresses in that colour and choose other flowers for the posies and bouquets.
As ever, take your lead from what's growing in the garden and woodlands in Spring and consider pairing the yellow with its complementary colour, purple, like the pretty maids all in a row at the top in their gowns from Tulle and Chantilly. Alternatively, the peach, pink and orange roses above look absolutely wonderful against the yellow dresses (also from Tulle and Chantilly) and I love the palest of pale pink roses held by the bride.
For a similar look, consider Alfred Sung D650 in Maize or Social Bridesmaid 8136 in Buttercup:
Alternatively, this predominately white bouquet below from Helen Jane Floristry looks so fresh and delightful with its touches of primrose yellow within the narcissi, that it would be perfect for a primrose yellow Spring wedding, and would smell diving too.
For a really delicate look, I'd be tempted to choose a Lela Rose dress, style LR204, from Dessy in Buttercup which is such a charming shade of yellow. The bridesmaids below have partnered their dresses with tiny hints of blush pink in their parasols and posies which gives such a pretty effect:
And the best thing about choosing this soft yellow for your bridesmaids is that it goes beautifully with all types of hair and skin colouring so everyone will be happy, even the teenagers!
Junior Bridesmaid JR534 in Maize
Ladies and gentlemen, the craze of the "do it yourself" wedding is apparent and we have to admit, we're totally loving it. Incorporating DIY ideas into your wedding means you're after a unique flair that will have guests paying close attention to all the details. Whether it's a simple craft or a large scale project, trading the traditional for something a bit more creative will put a personalized touch on your wedding day, elevate your event, and save you some cash. We've seen many projects replicated beautifully again and again but we give these projects a 10 out of 10 rating on our scale in terms of pure originality.
Alternative Boutonnière
This fishing lure idea is sheer perfection for an event thats set in the countryside and has a rustic appeal. We like the notion that a boutonniere doesn't have to be a floral arrangement. Try incorporating a small pin into your gentlemen's ensembles that relates somehow to your overall theme.
Vintage Photo Booth
Photo booths are an amazing place for guests to remain entertained and also obtain a keepsake. Create a space where guests can hang the photos for an interactive decor idea. A vintage set up is a little more rare so you should research where to rent one from in your local area.
Survival Crate
Take a different approach to the wedding survival kit and gear it towards your wedding party as opposed to your guests. Create two separate crates for both the bridesmaids and groomsmen that contains items for them to use while they're getting ready. Include uniquely crafted snacks, beauty products, and celebratory beverages.
Needlepoint Keepsake
The vintage art of needlepointing makes for a very charming keepsake. Embroider your names the date of your big day to display for years to come. 
Paper Crane Hanging
Florists get a run for their money when paper crane hangings are introduced into the mix. Note: this project is definitely time consuming. To quicken the timeline of this DIY think about purchasing paper cranes on Etsy (or a similar site) that are already folded. Once you receive the oragami, you will just have string them together and strategically place them at your venue. 
Embroidered Jackets
We love that you can take the traditional bridal robe and revamp it to feel modern and different. Consider embroidering a flannel and wearing it to get ready for the special day. We also love the idea of applying patchwork to matching denim jackets to create personalized Bride and Groom looks.
Teepee Altar
For this grand scale project, assemble a team to help you both conceptualize and execute. The only materials you need for a teepee altar are very large wooden dowels and your choice of fabric. Consider enhancing your DIY sanctuary with colorful garlands or fresh blossoms.
Wooden Directional Signs
Hand painting signs is a rustic way to show your guests which way to proceed.
Plant Favors
Plants are a wonderful way to add some green to your wedding. Handing out something that can be planted not only resonates as sentimental, it's also environmentally friendly!
Photos by Apryl Ann Photography, Bonnallie Brodeur Photography, Town Country Studios, Heather Michelle Photography, Jose Villa Photography, Steffen Harris, and Black Hue Photography.