Reader Maddie writes in to ask:

I come to you seeking magic and whimsy (oh and help!) in figuring out the scheme of my funky, beachy, *cheapy* wedding. What I have worked out so far is that I’d love to infuse my wedding with a palette of turquoise, chocolate brown and bright orange. We are having a simple ceremony on a beach in Maine followed by a reception at a restaurant/bar that sits directly on the ocean. The restaurant is wonderfully rustic, with simple wooden tables, chairs, and a huge bar that used to be the front end of a lobster boat. Very brown, lots of fishing net and old ship’s wheels (which, are all delightfully tacky in a way that only my FH and I can appreciate).

I want to incorporate an ocean feel to the decor and attire, but I simply despise ocean themed garb. I like bright, high contrast colors and textures that feel organic, like natural turquoise and weathered metal. And though we plan on having our wedding in a place that is very low maintenance, I at least like to supplement style where I may lack class. How do I make this happen?

Well Maddie, we’ve worked up an inspiration board that we hope fits the bill!

Clockwise from top left: BreeBailey’s Flickr, Jennifer Skog via The Bride’s Cafe, Junk Drawer, Trip Advisor, Brooke Mayo, The Knot, Toast, Laura Hooper, Jamaican Treasures

We love the look of sea glass, branches, and an overall rustic appeal with the bright pop of turquoise and orange.  Maddie, we hope this helps you as you plan what sounds like it will be an amazing wedding!

E.

It’s Memorial Day - the official first day of summer.  So in honor of that, and in the spirit of A’s GORGEOUS sunset board earlier today, I give you a wedding inspiration board built upon ocean blue and white, one of the cleanest color combos there is!

 
Clockwise from top left: The Wiebners, Semmi via Cherry Coloured, Carolyne Roehm via Tiffany’s Hand Painted Love Boxes, Architectural Digest via The Inspired Room, Something Sweet by Michelle via She Walks in Beauty, Carolyne Roehm, Susan Stripling, JK Place Capri via Desire to Inspire, Artfool, MS via DC Nearlyweds, Michelle Rago, Millie Holloman

Happy Summer!
E.

A huge tradition in the coastal areas of the South is to have beach bonfires.  So why not translate that into a wedding?  I played with orange as my color because it goes so well with the beach and the bonfire!

 
Clockwise from top left: Millie Holloman, Maui Weddings, Laura Hooper Calligraphy, Kim Le Photography, Andrea Carlyle via Weddingbee, the Knot, Jerry’s Junk blog, Marie Labbancz, Stoneblossom Floral

Love love LOVE the idea of having a smores tray on each table for guests to roast their own marshmellows!

E.

Reader Dana writes:

I’m planning a wedding overlooking the beach in Rosarito Mexico and am having trouble coming up with an appropriate color scheme to convey the festive feeling I’m after, without being overly kitschy or hokey… or resorting to the typical sky blue, beige, sand and seaglass motif. Can a design palette say both fiesta and romance, at the same time? I especially love vintage mexican elements - such as delicate papel picado flags and luminarias. I’m just really having trouble sorting out the colors that would suit our wedding while celebrating the location as well. Can you help?

After finding out there weren’t any colors that she was opposed to using, I thought of all of the color combinations that in my mind say “Mexico” and one stood out - orange and yellow with pops of red.

Clockwise from top left: Mexico Daily Photo, JessLo’s Flickr stream, the Knot, Eclectic Images, This is Glamorous, Stoneblossom Floral, Brooklyn Bride, Weddingbee, Artfool, the Knot, Wedding Paper Divas, The Wiebners

Dana, let me know what you think of the direction!  I hope it’s bohemian enough for you.  :)

E.

It’s snowy and cold here in Chicago, which of course has me thinking of how I want to escape to the beach!  Hence this board, in the middle of Christmas season, on a tropical wedding.

Top row (l-r): Susan Stripling, Mel Barlow, HanaHou Productions
Bottom row (l-r): Jessica Claire, the Knot, Susan Stripling

I’ve seen a lot of gorgeous pairings recently with aqua - orange, hot pink, and emerald to name a few.  But I personally love the playful feel that a bright yellow brings to a wedding. 

Serve your guests blue hawaiians and lemonade.  Put an orchid behind your ear.  Throw a luau for your reception!  This wedding has endless possibilities.

E.