Inspiration: Toasty Browns

Posted by Lauren Richel Kelly, Color and Design Expert

Chocolate, Mocha, Cider, and Golden Brown

It’s almost Thanksgiving time: New York is blanketed in fallen leaves, and everyone is wearing cozy wool and tweed. I can’t help but think that warm autumn colors would make a perfect palette for a November wedding.

Just take a look at this lovely bouquet, which incorporates dogwood, garden roses, and bunny tails, that Senior Style Editor Kate Berry designed and carried at her wedding. Or how about treating your loved ones to a warm sweet treat in the form of a hot chocolate or coffee garnished with sugared doughnuts—it’s a sure fire way to please your guests! Or what about a warmed apple cider signature cocktail and this amazing dessert buffet, which includes a faux-bois cake—such a clever way to incorporate the autumnal surroundings into your day.

I love the idea of having an autumn ceremony or reception in a barn at an apple orchard, or even in a great big field under a lovely tent. This long tent is detailed with Eastern motifs. And I love this collection of cuff links displayed on swatches of fabrics; they'd make a smart gift groomsmen can always wear again. When looking at invitations, think about how you want to present your event to guests. This one by hammerpress is perfect for a farmyard affair, complete with tear-off RSVP cards that I just love.

Are you planning to wed in the fall? Do you have more ideas to make your event cozy?

Top row, from left: Bouquet, dessert buffet, and long tent decor from Kate and Ian’s wedding; pearl cuff links from winter 2007 story (see more men's fashion ideas here); cider drink fall 2007 cocktail (more cocktail ideas here); wood cut invitation suite by enormous champion—featured in our fall2009 issue on news stands now!

Inspiration: Seaside Pinks

Posted by Carolyn Veith Kreinke, Color and Design Expert

Coral, Pink, and Linen

Our first destination wedding issue has finally hit newsstands, and I've been dreaming of a beach getaway ever since working on it. In fact, this is the perfect time of year to plan for an exotic seaside destination wedding, but if you're thinking beach balls and umbrellas and sand castles are your only inspiration, think again. There are so many natural elements to work with to make your celebration personal and beautiful.

When we were brainstorming for a beach-inspired wedding theme, we came across some seaweed prints provided by Fritz Karch, MSLO's Director of Collecting. As a child, I lived near the sea and used to make sand castings and pressed seaweed prints with my mother, so naturally these came to inspire a whole wedding seascape, using the prints to make place cards and table numbers. Add a gauzy runner and large pieces of coral, scallop shells to hold salt, and glasses filled with a cool white wine, and you've got a sophisticated, beach-inspired scene that will make all your stress from back home just drift away.

Clockwise from top left: "archer" font; drill two holes in a seashell, then loop ribbon through the holes and add your rings for the seaworthy ring "pillow" from the issue; refreshing layered ice cream and sorbet cake; beach tablescape (click here for our clip art); invitation and map from Gregg and Mark's seaside wedding; seashell salt cellar; coral-clad bridesmaids await their cue at Lindsay and Reed's Bahama's wedding in our destination weddings issue; our seaweed print inspiration; a gauzy gown from MSW's Spring 2007 issue; a lush bouquet of pink peonies.

Inspiration: Honey and Lemon

Posted by Lauren Richel, Color and Design Expert

Sunny Yellow, Marigold, and Wheat Brown

Fall is finally here, and it's one of my favorite times of year. Unfortunately, it’s always when I seem to catch a cold and end up living on honey-lemon cough drops (two of my favorite flavors) until it subsides. This was one such week, and as I was making myself tea (with honey, of course), I realized that a whole wedding could be inspired by the lovely golden colors of honey and lemon.

Just take a look at the grouping of sweets below—what a great candy favor buffet idea! Or this whimsical invitation suite by rifle design would certainly add a playful touch. These centerpieces from our fall color palette story incorporate beeswax wrapped around vases, and there are hints of wheat in each arrangement, which adds a nice autumnal note. Looking for a sweet way to please guests? Why not serve mini breakfast favorites like toast and a cute little poached egg as seen here (because who doesn't love breakfast anytime), or give sweet honey candies as favors? I just love this cake. It’s almost Parisian in its elegance and detail. And take a look at these clever decorations made out of simple ribbons. With lovely ideas like this, who wouldn’t love a honey and lemon wedding?

What about you? Have you been inspired by the autumnal colors yet? Are the leaves outside your window starting to turn yellow and gold?

Top row, from left: lemon and honey sweets from summer 2007 (see more dessert ideas here); invitation suite by rifle design, from our fall stationery story - on news stands now! honey and wheat centerpieces from fall color palette story (see more floral ideas here); mini toast and poached quail egg (see more menu ideas here); honey and lemon treats cake from summer 2007 (more cake ideas here).

A Purple Color Palette

Posted by Carolyn Veith Krienke, Color and Design Expert

Purple, Lavender, and White

Our amazing Style Director Katie Hatch was walking around the office with this 1920's image of a dancer on a crescent moon, and I just couldn't get it out of my head. It reminded me of the cake from Anne and David's wedding, which ran in an older issue of Martha Stewart Weddings, so I decided to devote this week's color palette to whimsical purple and white. There's something about this color that makes me think of a perfect twilight affair. Recite your vows at 4:30 pm and slip into the night with dark violet hues. Or bring a sweet lavender feeling to a daytime wedding and conjure up the vintage memories of days gone by.

Are you thinking of a purple- or lavender-themed wedding? How would you incorporate this palette into your celebration?

Clockwise from top left: An inspirational image from the 1920s; moon and star cake from Anne and David's wedding created by Ron Ben Israel ; purple favor boxes; a delicate purple floral crown to top a veil; sweet violet topped truffles; bridesmaids in lavender (photo by Shawn Connell for Christian Oth); letterpressed stars and moons adorn Anne and David's stationary suite; purple blooms.

A "Light" Transformation

Posted by Matthew Robbins, Contributor

I hope you're all enjoying the beautiful new Fall issue of Martha Stewart Weddings! In my "Reality Check" column for this issue, I focus on decor elements that transform large spaces. Lighting is one of the most important elements at your disposal, and you can create a truly magical environment with just a few tweaks. I'm always inspired by the dappled light of Autumn, so I thought it would be the perfect moment to share the following images from another recent wedding I designed at the Four Seasons Restaurant in NYC. 

Sometimes Mother Nature brings that unexpected touch of magic—even for an indoor event! I was so thrilled by the romantic and ethereal light that filled the dining room as the sun was setting in midtown. So we worked with that soft light to create a lighting scheme (by Levy Lighting) for the artificial light in the room, then we chose a color palette featuring blush pink, apricot, and champagne tones and romantic candlelight to enhance the effect. Here are some pictures from the reception by Ira Lippke (check out his site for some great inspiration).

As you think about choosing your own wedding date and location, keep the lighting and time of day in mind. You don't need to plan an outdoor event to experience the magic of sunset tones! 

A Metallic and Powder Pink Palette

Posted by Lauren Richel, Color and Design Expert

Silver, Magenta, Ballerina Pink, Khaki

A few weeks ago it was fashion week here in New York, and for me that meant avoiding Bryant Park like the plague so as not to get stuck in a claustrophobic sidewalk mob. For others it meant camping out at that fence to catch a glimpse of Tim Gunn (and his fantastic tie collection) on the way to a runway show. Every year the city is entranced by this exciting week full of glittering gowns, models powdered in make-up, and hair that is perfectly coiffed. It’s just the sort of fantasy world that I can see translating into a most feminine and glamorous wedding palette. 

Just take a look at this fantastic collection of pink and silver pumps! I can imagine a team of bridesmaids walking down the catwalk aisle sporting these beauties on their feet. And this crystal-dipped gown by Monique Lhuillier is glamorous in a sophisticated way without being over the top. How about having your bridal party wear dresses in a spectrum of blush tones as seen here? It’s a great way to allow your girls to tap into their own preferences while staying in your color palette and can lend a soft quality to your photos. Even the guys can get in on the fun with a khaki suit brought to life with a striped tie and bright fuchsia boutonniere. Classic blooms ranging from cream to pink would make a romantic centerpiece, and light and airy desserts would be the icing on the cake, or cupcake as is the case here. Any glamour girl would die for these pretty pink cupcakes topped with sugar-brushed flower petals on a rose-flavored glaze.

What do you think about having a runway-worthy wedding? Do sequins and pink make you cringe, or do you love the glitz and glamour?

Clockwise, from left: Shoes from summer 2009 (see other accessories here); bridesmaids gowns from winter 2009 dress story; drinks from our fuschia and taupe color palette; petal cupcakes from summer 2009 cupcake story; floral centerpiece from spring 09 real wedding of Priya and Ralph; Monique Lhuillier gown from our spring 2009 dress story (see dresses from the runway here).

Golden Goddess

Posted by Carolyn Veith Kreinke, Color and Design Expert

GOLD (with a touch of white and rose red)

If you're looking for a glam color palette to instantly lend some swank to your wedding day, I say you go with gold. After all, who wouldn't want to be a gorgeous golden goddess? Inspired by Dante Gabriel Rossetti's version of Venus Verticordia (below), this palette plays up the decadence of days gone by—just look at the neoclassical cake below it. I love a touch of rosy red with this palette, on the lips and maybe in a ruby sash to add to your draping gown. Imagine your hair up with a delicate braid and a crown of golden leaves and your tables filled with golden goblets of wine and flowers bursting with honeyed yellow hues.You'll have a wedding that's worth its weight in...well, you know.

Clockwise from top left: Dante Gabriel Rossetti's Venus Verticordia (1864-8); Seating cards from our fall issue, on newsstands now; our own version of Venus from our Winter 2008 issue, dress by Reem Acra; golden bouquet from our xx issue; sit at the royal table from our fall 2009 issue (center piece by Matthew Robbins of Artfool Events); a cake for the gods by Wendy Kromer, from our fall 2009 issue.

ROYGBIV, or Back to School Colors

Posted by Lauren Richel, Color and Design Expert

Apple Red, #2 Pencil Yellow, Grass Green, and a Burst of Bubble Gum Pink

“Don’t you love New York in the fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly-sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address.”

This is one of my favorite movie quotes (it's from You've Got Mail), and it perfectly describes how I feel when I see the calendar on my wall switch to September. It’s the time of year that makes me think of some of my favorite things: pink pearl erasers, beautiful wooden rulers, vintage graph paper, board games, and the smell of a box of Crayola crayons. I'm sometimes jealous of my sister, a school teacher, who gets to use these tools on a daily basis, but I think that these nostalgic elements paired with a bright primary color palette would make a perfectly playful wedding that all of us kids at heart would surely love.

Don’t you like this apples-on-desk seating card idea? Minhee and Truman met in elementary school and had a wedding full of fun ideas like this one. Check out their stationery suite below, which uses beautiful vintage notebook paper and paperclips—I love how all of the seemingly simple elements make such a sophisticated suite. Or why not give your guests a laugh as Cheree Berry did when she gave favor bags full of toys reminiscent of childhood. Stripes are always a sure-fire way to please, like the stripes on the red velvet cake that Randi and Jacob served at their wedding. Or perhaps adding a non-traditional mode of transportation would add a festive flair: Laura and Ben rode off into the sunset on bikes, but perhaps you could rent a trolley or even a school bus to transport your wedding party or your guests.

What do you say—is a bouquet of #2 pencils in your bridal future?

Choosing a Garden-Inspired Color Palette

Posted by Carolyn Veith Kreinke, Color and Design Expert

GREEN AND WHITE

I've been trying to brush up on my western literature and art these days (long overdue!), so it wasn't very hard to come up with romantic inspiration for this week's color palette post. There's definitely something to be said for the leisurely life of the cultured class of days gone by, especially their Sunday walks in the park and rituals of afternoon tea in the garden. Claude Monet's The Women in the Garden really had me dreaming of a garden wedding setting. Delicate parasols, tender green and white prints, and the sensitivity of gentlemen savoring the fragrance of a bouquet (yes, guys love flowers, too!). Gardens transport us into an oasis—albeit one of our own making and imagination. After all, I've gotten lost for hours frolicking in Central Park, even though it's in the middle of this crazy metropolitan city.

Do you have a garden dream wedding to share, or are you planning one? What's your take on adding color to this beautiful green and white affair?

Clockwise from top left: Claude Monet's The Women in the Garden; classic white strapless dress by Monique Lhuillier under a pink parasol (and a perfect kiss) from the dress story in our Fall 2008 issue of MSW; romantic garden flower bouquet from Amy and Leo's wedding; lavender-spiked drink from Christina and Peter's wedding; dogwood blossom cake, also from Christina and Peter's wedding; the perfect send off for our former art director (and color expert) Jayme Murray; a dogwood bouquet from the same day.

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Posted by Britni Wood, Style Expert

What could be more fun than picking out the color palette for your wedding? Bridesmaid dresses, flowers, tablecloths—everything looks better in color. There is one problem, though: matching. While we all have our favorite colors, and while they may be gorgeous in their own right, sometimes they can end up looking garish or childlike rather than elegant and unique if we don't coordinate them correctly.

So I flipped when I found this Color Palette Generator. This amazing service allows you to upload your favorite images into the generator and voilà, you have a personalized color palette just for you.

Just do what I did. I'm a lover of art and interior design, and I have a penchant for quirky objects, so I made a few color palettes inspired by a few of my favorite things.

I absolutely love Agnes Montgomery's beautiful collages. This one in particular always makes me swoon.

 

My favorite store in the whole world is a curiosity shop in Paris called Deyrolle. I love how bizarre and beautiful the colors are from this image.

And finally, no color palette would be complete without an image of the gorgeous Bergdorf Goodman restaurant overlooking Central Park, designed by Kelly Wearstler. It is simply magic.

 

I can't resist, here is another one I made from the Bergdorf Goodman restaurant.

It's so important to choose a palette that makes you happy, and if that means you have to stray from all the current trends, I say go ahead and have the wedding you've always dreamed of. What palette have you chosen for your wedding?