If you picked up our most recent wedding issue of clutch, hopefully you were inspired by Heather Cheatham (of Visions by Heather) and her article, ”The Cultivated Palette”. Color schemes can anchor your wedding, and here are visual color stories to inspire you!

Blues and Purples

Reds, Oranges and Yellows

Neutrals

Mixed Colors

I hope that inspired you in choosing a color. Want to see some of Heather’s weddings? Just click here to do so!

Yay, it’s 2013, and that brings newness … resolutions, a new sense of vigor, a chance to start anew, AND an all new color from Pantone. This year it’s Emerald Green, and I have some thoughts. Are you ready?

I love green … it matches everything. Have you ever said that a flower doesn’t match its stem? Probably not! Therefore, green really is one of nature’s neutrals, and it evokes feelings of freshness and the outdoors. It’s also a very regal, deep, inspiring color.

For myself, I remember a while ago, seeing the photo above in an Anthropologie catalog (circa 2011). I actually purchased the bedding (which is no longer available, but I STILL have it in the packages just waiting for my room to be redone). I have had a swatch of green paint called “Kilkenny” for about 6 months now (perfect since I’ve been to Ireland and have Irish in me!). I was SO inspired by the photo and the color of the wall that I wanted to make my room look just like the photo (minus putting my bed outdoors!). Then enter 2013 …

Honestly, once I found out that Emerald (although not “Kilkenny”) was the color for 2013, I disenchantingly took my color swatch off of my wall. See, I’m not one to follow trends … I love setting them. For someone to tell me that a certain color is “in” for 2013 truthfully makes me want to abandon every shade of green until 2014! I’m wondering how someone, somewhere can dictate what color is the “it” color for a year. Hmmm …

So, in short, all of that is to say. If your wedding is purple, salmon, red, turquoise, ecru or any other color or combination of colors … do NOT stress. It’s YOUR wedding, and your color palette needs to please you and not some entity, company or trend. For me personally, will I NOT paint my room green? I’m not sure. To do so tells me that they are dictating a color to me (not really because I’ve had my eye on it for over a year!), but to not use it also tells me that I am listening to what they are telling me … by me choosing to buck the trend, I’m abandoning my original thoughts for the room. It’s a conundrum for sure. They do have pretty color inspirations to match as is shown in the color story from Pantone below, so maybe it’s not all that bad of an idea.

One last thought? No matter what you decide to do, if you have fresh flowers at your wedding, your stems will incorporate the lush green in one way or another. Happy color planning! I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on wedding colors and what you are using in 2013 (and beyond!). Feel free to comment below.

Also, today is the LAST day to purchase your Bliss, a fine wedding fair tickets at the $5 off discounted rate! Click here to find out more.

To say that Love Is in the Air does it all is an understatement … truly! Ok, so they don’t do photography or DJ a reception, but their list of credits goes on and on. From catering and cakes to florals and decor (and more!) this group of ladies is uber-talented and not to mention as sweet as can be.

Here they did a post wedding day brunch for Betsy and Matt, and the results are devine. Pink and green is one of my own personal favorite color combinations, and these ladies think of all the details. They utilized vintage china and sterling, and if you look carefully you will even see the Love Is in the Air crew in some of the photos. Many thanks to Allegra’s Studio for the photography … truly stunning. Enjoy and be inspired.

Beautiful! Be sure to check out more of the work of Love Is in the Air and Allegra’s Studio when you get a chance, and a next day brunch is a fun idea!

In the spring of 2011 (soon after our Napoleon and Josephine stylized shoot), the idea of doing the loved characters of Nancy Drew and Frank Hardy entered my mind. I thought it might be received as a crazy idea, but so many on our team grew up reading the books that the idea just grew into the shoot that we have presented to you over the past few Mondays.

From conception of the idea to gathering vendors to implement the scenes and capture images, untold hours go into planning the details. Here you can catch a glimpse of what went on behind the scenes the day of our stylized shoot, which took place on the ONLY snowy day in Lynchburg this past winter. It seems that bad weather comes on our photo shoots, but don’t worry… our next one is planned for the summer (hopefully it won’t rain!).

Without further due, here is a peek into our day of shooting at the old Jones Memorial Library. Many thanks to clutch interns Becca Burke and Steph McGinn for capturing these photos of our day.

Emily from Bodyworks Day Spa & Salon did our “Nancy”‘s hair and makeup at her salon early that snowy morning.

Ok, please just take note of the one photo that there is SNOW, but no worries. The show went on! Here we are checking out the beginnings of the table setting.

Here, Jessica from Celebration was using the snow to wash the floors so the dress would not get dirty. She was such a trooper that day, and those floors really were filthy!

We had a collection of vintage books to use for the shoot. I do have a cute story to tell, though. My 8 year old daughter knew that I needed books, so on her own she borrowed all that they had from her school library (hence the dotted and tagged books). So sweet of her to think of that!

Here is our staging center with props on the right and Panera on the left.

Sandra from RS Exclusive helped to design the table as did Linda and Mary of Love Is in the Air. Here Sandra puts finishing touches on the cake while Mary and Linda tackle the job of hanging the clock.

It’s always a collaborative effort, which is so beautiful to see. I adore the fact that wedding professionals (even those that do the same line of work) are truly friends and can work together with ease, fun and finesse.

Here Jeremiah of Stone Blue Productions is getting some detail shots before our “Fred” and “Nancy” come out.

It’s always fun to get a sneak peek on the camera as things are moving along!

As soon as I was introduced to my first Nancy Drew book as a young girl, I was hooked. As the star of stories filled with suspense and anticipation, Nancy was level headed, smart and resourceful, much like her male counterpart, Frank Hardy of The Hardy Boys mysteries. Just like a thrilling novel, love can hold the same secrets of the unknown while causing feelings of intrigue. So, armed with the memories of staying up late at night to read the children’s mysteries and a love for books, I propose a twist of fate… a secret unlocked within the City of Seven Hills. Meet our Frank and Nancy, whose life together begins when the books debuted in the 1930s, as they play out their story at the Old Jones Memorial Library in the historic city of Lynchburg, Virginia.

This fourth installment in our weditorial postings focuses on the library itself… the actual room that housed the books, complete with lingering shelves, glass flooring and a mysterious feel. With scenes also set in the main hall and the attic, the feeling of mystery lingers on for Frank and Nancy. Enjoy!