Board #158: Backyard Charm

Yesterday I posted an inspiration board that brought unexpected blue and orange into a rustic setting, and I do like the way it turned out. But the classic combination of green, brown and white for a simple outdoor wedding is always a favorite of mine. Here, some lovely nature-inspired elements for an intimate, do-it-yourself backyard wedding, such as hanging mason jar lights, and painted coffee can vases.

Mood: intimate, backyard
Palette: green, brown, white

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Top row from left: covered table and bicycle both from Brides, bouquet by Ariella Chezar
Row 2: coffee can floral arrangement via {frolic}
Row 3: photo by Jenny Ebert, moss seating cards from Kathleen Deery, hellebore cake from Martha Stewart Weddings, faux bois invitation suite via Brooklyn Bride
Row 4: group photo via Brooklyn Bride, star-of-Bethlehem bouquets by Tapestry Flowers via The Knot, mason jar lights from Hatch

A Little Tech Help...

Hi friends! I am in the market for a high quality color printer and scanner (not an all-in-one). Does anyone have any suggestions? Anything you highly recommend, or anything I should definitely avoid? I've done a little research, and luckily my older sister is really good at helping me with this sort of thing, but I thought I'd put it out there and get some feedback from y'all. What do you use and love? Thanks!

Board #157: Blue and Orange

A rustic setting does not necessarily mean you need to use "rustic" colors, like browns and greens. This inspiration board is an excellent example of vibrant colors playing off of a neutral, rustic backdrop. I was inspired by the image in the top left corner, that Victoria posted on sfgirlbybay, and I was reminded of Viola and Phillip's To Kill A Mockingbird inspired wedding (two of the images here are from that event). I love the colors here, and I love the birds...

Mood: playfully rustic
Palette: robin's egg blue, orange, browns

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Top row from left: Kareem Rizk print via sfgirlbybay, Anna Kuperberg photo via Brooklyn Bride, blue pickup truck photo by Jose Villa, bouquet by Artfool
Row 2: arrangement from Beth Helmstetter, table via Si lo voglio!, A3 invitation via Black Eiffel, veil from Erin Cole
Row 3: save the date by Pancake and Franks, Anna Kuperberg bouquet via Brooklyn Bride, sangria punch photo by Elizabeth Messina, tree ribbons from Todd Events
Row 4: notecard from Whitney English, photo via {frolic}, cake from Martha Stewart Weddings, flowers by Ariella Chezar

Update! Doesn't this mood board from a decor8 contest last year fit perfectly with this inspiration board?
Update! Take a look at this beautiful invitation by Creative Montage, inspired by my blue and orange board!

Board #156: School Days

I have seen a few gorgeous and creative weddings that use school as their theme, and I thought I'd take a shot at it. By far the most detailed one I've seen is Minhee and Truman's incredible event, featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, complete with an invitation suite modeled after old-school report cards, so if you're looking for some real creativity and inspiration, take a look. Some other ideas are: a bundle of pencils printed with the date and place as save-the-dates, kitschy toys for favors (maybe classic yo-yos or Silly Putty), vintage flash cards as clever table numbers, a guest book modeled after a composition notebook, and how about a dessert buffet reminiscent of a bake sale.

(My good friend thought I should tell you that I used to teach kindergarten. As though that adds to this inspiration board's legitimacy?)

Mood: playful, school fun
Palette: red, yellow, black, brown

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Top row from left: photo from Amorology, book "ring pillow" from Chewing the Cud, Ariella Chezar bouquet via The Bride's Cafe, lunch boxes via Lucky Me!
Row 2: table via Brooklyn Bride, school bus photo by Belathee, pencil card by Passing Notes, photo by White Box Weddings
Row 3: cootie catcher from Love Luck and Angels, bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings, apple seating cards photo by Eva Dahl, Mead composition book
Row 4: Rob & Lauren photo via Blush, dessert buffet from The Green Vase, Pretty Pen Jen lettering via The Bride's Cafe

Update! You have got to see this fabulous photo Erika from Urban Grace Interiors just sent over. She had her reception in a one-room school house that her dad salvaged, which fits just perfectly with this inspiration board.


Update! Look at these clever note cards from Cotton Idea Studio, via Design Mom.

Snippet & Ink Sponsors!

I have some pretty exciting news: I've decided to start offering ad space on Snippet & Ink! This is pretty exciting, because it is one more way to provide readers with relevant and lovely resources.

If you are interested in sponsoring Snippet & Ink, email me for rates or more information. Ad space is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and ads will be accepted based on their relevance to Snippet & Ink readers.

Creature Comforts' Blog of the Week

Snippet & Ink is featured as Creature Comforts' Blog of the Week! If you haven't checked out Ez's blog, you definitely should. Not only is it a beautiful blog itself, it also has the prettiest, most clever blog directory I've seen yet. Thank you Ez!

Board #155: Versailles Garden Party

Ariella Chezar's gorgeous flowers have inspired me yet again. This Spring inspiration board incorporates the palest blues and pinks with soft white. Refined elements like hand fans and parasols, chandeliers and delicate toile evoke Marie Antoinette (though not as over-the-top). This could easily translate into a grand event on a sprawling estate, or an intimate garden party.

Mood: refined and sweet
Palette: pale blue and pink

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Top row from left: Urban Unveiled image via Style Me Pretty, blue favors from Martha Stewart Weddings, bouquets by Ariella Chezar, monogrammed parasol from Rebecca Thuss
Row 2: toile notecard by Whitney English Paper, cake from Martha Stewart Weddings, photo by Little White Dress
Row 3: photo by White Box Weddings, Amsale dress from Brides, bouquet via Style Me Pretty, photo by Elizabeth Messina

Board #154: Love in the Time of Cholera

This incredible arrangement by Tage Andersen, via Twelve Chairs (I can't read it, but it is a beautiful blog), inspired me to make this board. I haven't seen Love in the Time of Cholera, but it is one of my favorite books by far, and this inspiration board is how I translate it into a wedding.

Mood: tropical refinery, New World elegance
Palette: mahogany, tan, green, gold

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Top row from left: hair pin by Las Coronas, bouquet by Ariella Chezar, tropical arrangement via Twelve Chairs
Row 2: horse and carriage photo by Susan Stripling, ring pillow via Twelve Chairs
Row 3: bananas from Ariella Chezar, cigars from Amber Chic, draped room from Modern Day Design
Row 4: dress from Martha Stewart Weddings, calligraphy by Bernard Maisner, Match pewter via Toast and Tables

Board #153: Springtime Love

What can I say - I had bad internet luck this morning. But, here is Friday's post for you now: a sweet, pastel Spring inspiration board, with some eyelet touches. Happy weekend everyone!

Mood: springtime fresh
Palette: celadon, pale blue, pale yellow, white

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Top row from left: photo by Jenny Ebert, flowers from Kathleen Deery, photo by Little White Dress, baby's breath bouquet from Real Simple
Row 2: boutonnieres from Martha Stewart Weddings, eyelet invitation by The Lettered Olive, croquet photo by White Box Weddings, eyelet cake from Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 3: Priscilla of Boston eyelet dress from Brides, photo by Little White Dress, bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings, rick rack ribbon from Ribbons Galore
Row 4: invitation by Modern Press, flowers via The Simpler Things, photo by Mel Barlow, photo by Mantas Wright

Board #152: Blushing Beach

Can you tell that I've had it up to here with winter? Megan from the fabulous blog Beach Bungalow 8 sent me a photo of her dream cake, and it inspired this beach wedding board. I love the barely-there blush color. It reminds me of the inside of a conch shell, and it helped me to pull this inspiration board together.

Mood: intimate, warm
Palette: blush, ecru

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Top row from left: photo from Beth Helmstetter, invitation by East Six, cake by The Cake Girls, flowers from Victoria Pearson
Row 2: flowers by Petal's Edge, Sarah Arnett dress from Brides UK, starfish seating cards from Beth Helmstetter, photo by Elizabeth Messina
Row 3: dresses by Thread, peach rose-champagne sorbet from Martha Stewart Weddings, amaryllis arrangement by Ariella Chezar, dress via {frolic}, bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings

Board #151: Chandeliers on the Beach

I have had several requests over the last few months for inspiration boards that are beach weddings, without being overly beachy. I think that this romantic, beach wedding board fits that description. I love the pale blue for a beach wedding - it's a nice change of pace from turquoise - and brown is really only an accent color here in things like wood and sand, rather than incorporated hyper-consciously into the palette. Chandeliers and a lounge area are a great way to elevate the outdoors, making for an elegant and romantic wedding on the beach.

Mood: elegance on the beach
Palette: pale blue, white, brown and tan accents

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Top row from left: Thayer Allyson Gowdy photo via Style Me Pretty, menu by East Six, flowers from Brides
Row 2: photo by Elizabeth Messina, photo by Sarah Bussey
Row 3: napkin from April Joy Events, flowers from Modern Day Design, aquamarine bracelet from Dasha Boutique, cake from Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 4: beach decor from Todd Events, place setting from Beth Helmstetter, photo by Elizabeth Messina, programs from Oh How Charming!

Board #150: Palm Leaf Wedding

I love how a green and white palette can take so many different forms. It can be modern and urban, or it can be homemade and backyard. Here, it's something else altogether. To me, the dark green palms and the bright white flowers evoke an old Florida estate, something both humid and elegant (and if you've ever been in a New York City subway station in the middle of July, you know how difficult it is to pull that off).

Mood: tropical elegance
Palette: dark green, bright white

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Top row from left: decor by Smith & Niemierko, photo via Nibs, hairpin by Erin Cole, cake from Beth Helmstetter
Row 2: photo from La Fleur, flowers by R. Jack Balthazar, place card vase from Cox & Cox
Row 3: photo from Junebug, chair garlands by Ariella Chezar, invitation by Mr. Boddington, photo via I Suwannee
Row 4: photo from Oh How Charming!, flowers by Red Ribbon Studio, invitation by Modern Press

Update! For a wedding like this, wouldn't it be great if your guests could stay here.

New Header

Some of you may have noticed the new Snippet & Ink header, with calligraphy by the talented Laura Hooper. I'm still fidgeting with the size and color, but I absolutely love the way the calligraphy looks (it's Laura's Massy style). For more of Laura's work, head over to her website or her Etsy shop - truly beautiful stuff.

Board #149: Nicole's Garden Dinner Party

Happy long weekend to some of you, but I thought I'd post an inspiration board for those of you who are at work today. This board is for Nicole from the lovely A Little Sussy. She posted a fabric sample recently that is inspiring her palette for her upcoming garden dinner party wedding. Four generations of women in her family will have been married in the same temple, and Nicole wants to honor that by having her sisters, mother and grandmother wear a locket of their mother's wedding day. Another idea is to have framed wedding photographs from each of those generations at the guest book or seating card table. I hope this inspiration board is helpful to you, Nicole!

Mood: family-oriented garden party
Palette: peach, pale yellow, strawberry

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Top row from left: bouquet by Ariella Chezar, strawberry cake from Martha Stewart Weddings, peonies in jars, tags by Atelier Isabey
Row 2: Jim Hjelm dresses from Brides, invitation by Cheree Berry, photo by Whitebox Weddings, flowers by Mathew Dickinson
Row 3: photo by Meg Smith, punch from Amorology, locket photo from The Knot, milk glass arrangement via Oh Joy!
Row 4: card by Pearl Papers, flowers by Mathew Dickinson, pew ribbons from Modern Day Design, seating cards from Rebecca Thuss

Board #148: Sunshine Fix

Have you noticed that every once in awhile, I just can't help but post a bright and cheery yellow board? I'm just craving springtime and sunshine so badly, and this is one way to get my fix. This, and heading south for the weekend to find some warmer weather...

Mood: joyfully bright
Palette: yellow, white

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Top row from left: lanterns via Cookiemag, Lorina orangeade, tie from Luxury Ties, bouquet by Todd Events
Row 2: cakes by Cake Girls, invitation by Merrilee Designs, flowers by La Fleur, lollipops from Martha Stewart Weddings, photo by Mel Barlow
Row 3: flowers from Amorology, photo by Paul Johnson, seating cards from The Knot, ric rac pillow from Koo Koo Bear Kids

Board #147: Valentine

I have stacks and stacks of typical Valentine images: doily envelopes, heart-shaped sugar cubes, chocolate chocolate chocolate and pink pink pink. And I could not bring myself to make that kind of board. I have no problem with sweet handmade paper goods, and you know I don't have a problem with chocolate. But to be perfectly honest, Valentine's Day isn't really my thing. I prefer my love and romance year-round, expressed in small ways daily and surprising ways unexpectedly. But that's just me, and I knew I couldn't get away with ignoring Valentine's Day, of all things, on a wedding blog. So here is a chic, modern, romantic inspiration board for you for Valentine's Day. May you give and receive lots of love today, and everyday.

Mood: chic romance
Palette: ivory, champagne, black, red

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Top row from left: bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings, hair pin by Erin Cole, heart garlands via Apartment Therapy, photo from Modern Day Design
Row 2: note card table from Rebecca Thuss, cake by April Reed, photo from Artfool, champagne from In Any Event
Row 3: bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings, dress via Perfect Bound, dress from Martha Stewart Weddings, Elum Press card via Design Mom

Board #146: Hamptons by the Sea

Not too long ago, Erika over at the fabulous and inspiring Urban Grace Interiors featured Snippet & Ink on her blog. While she and I were emailing back and forth, she thought of a fun challenge for me: create an inspiration board based on a fabric sample. So here is the fabric sample...

...and here is the board. A slightly beachy, slightly nautical, very preppy Hamptons wedding in navy and green.

Mood: preppy seaside
Palette: navy, green, white

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Top row from left: farewell flags from Love Luck and Angels, bouquet photo by Meg Smith, photo by Stacey Kane, photo by dagzag
Row 2: seating cards photo by Susan Stripling, hydrangea bouquets from Martha Stewart Weddings, photo from Michelle Rago, invitation by Louella Press
Row 3: photo via Faye and Greer, favor box from Cox & Cox, photo by Mark Staff, J.Crew dress via Brooklyn Bride, photo by Jose Villa
Row 4: card by Lily Darby, centerpiece by Ariella Chezar, chair photo by Sean Flanigan, cake from Brides

Board #145: Kelly's Vivacious Wedding

Vivacious is the best word I can think to describe Kelly. She is one of those people who has this energy that just makes you want to be around her. She is fun, outgoing and hilarious, so I think pink is a fantastic color choice for her wedding. I also thought I'd include some fun details, like a stack of donuts in place of a cake, and sparklers as a send off.

Mood: fun, vibrant
Palette: shades of pink, ivory

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Top row from left: Michelle Rago sweets photo by Dasha Wright, bouquet by Taste, photo by Elizabeth Messina
Row 2: photo by Stacey Kane, donut "cake" from Martha Stewart Weddings, bouquet by Waterlily Pond
Row 3: rose petal cones from Cynthia Martyn, table from Rebecca Thuss, photo by Lauren Slusher
Row 4: dress from In Style Weddings, seating card by East Six, bouquet from Always A Bridesmaid, photo by Mark Staff

Can This Outfit Be Turned Into A Wedding? (Part Two)

It's Monday! Which means the next installment of Martha B's and my project: Can this outfit be turned into a wedding? This week I've contributed some of my favorite flower finds. Next week: shoes. Be sure to stop by Nibs and check it out.

Desire to Inspire

I was just doing my morning blog reader check in, and happily found that Jo over at the gorgeous and always inspiring Desire to Inspire included Snippet & Ink in her list of winks (weekend links). Thank you Jo! And welcome to Desire to Inspire readers who have found their way here - Snippet & Ink definitely has the desire to inspire you, too!

Board #143: French Flea Market

I saw these wonderful invitations on Bird and Banner, and then Pam over at Housemartin posted her gorgeous bouquet that she designed for Oregon Bride, and they inspired this board - a French flea market wedding. Paper ephemera, vintage fabrics, loose floral arrangements, pastels...

Mood: French flea market, shabby chic
Palette: pastel pink, green, orange, blue....

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Top row from left: flower cone from Michaele Thunen, pearls from The Green Vase, flowers and cake from Ariella Chezar, invitation by Bird and Banner
Row 2: J.Crew via {frolic}, votives from Kate Parker, bouquet by Ariella Chezar
Row 3: Laduree macarons via Housemartin, centerpiece by Ariella Chezar, table number from Kathleen Deery, vintage bottles via Urban Grace
Row 4: lunch box from Matthew Mead, bouquet from Rebecca Thuss, miniature bundt cake from Martha Stewart Weddings, bouquet by Housemartin

Board #142: 1,001 Paper Cranes

Chesney emailed me with a special request, and since she was kind enough to serve as a guinea pig for the first Snippet & Ink inspiration package, I thought I'd share it here. She and her groom eloped to Japan, and now they went to have a ceremony and reception here that includes friends and family. They are looking for a traditional Southern wedding, in a cherry blossom pink and celadon green palette, that incorporates some Japanese elements. They are folding 1,001 paper cranes themselves for hanging around the dance floor! Here is my interpretation of their event.

Mood: sweet celebration
Palette: cherry blossom pink, celadon green, ivory

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Top row from left: cherry blossom invitation by hello! Lucky, hanging pomanders from Lisa Lefkowitz, parasols from Brides, bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings, photo via Brooklyn Bride
Row 2: paper crane seating cards from Julie Mikos, RSVP by Bird & Banner, cherry blossom cake by Cake Girls, profiteroles from Love Luck and Angels
Row 3: bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings, pink lemonade from Soiree, drink from Martha Stewart Weddings, menu from East Six
Row 4: table setting from Rebecca Thuss, ties from Martha Stewart Weddings, dresses by Thread, boutonniere by Michelle Rago (photo by Dasha Wright), wish tree from Rebecca Thuss

Board #141: Playful Red

I'm still figuring out my feelings about red, but I tend to lean away from dramatic crimson and more towards playful cherry. Here's a board for a less formal, somewhat rustic, and certainly playful wedding.

Mood: playful, rustic
Palette: red, white, tan

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Top row from left: photo from Nancy Liu Chin, save-the-date by Ceci NY, photo via The Bride's Cafe, ice cream via Brooklyn Bride
Row 2: photo from Todd Events, cake from Martha Stewart Weddings, table by Artfool, photo via Brooklyn Bride
Row 3: table number by Milkfed Press, Gertrude & Mabel photo via Brooklyn Bride, bouquet by Ariella Chezar, photo via The Bride's Cafe
Row 4: mini burgers from Love Luck and Angels, sign from Jo Gartin, boutonniere from Martha Stewart Weddings, veil by Leah C.

Board #140: Brooklyn Bride

The lovely Vane over at Brooklyn Bride has put so much effort into her blog, and I know that it is a great resource for so many of us, so when she asked how I might put together a board for her, I jumped at the chance. Her colors are vibrant green and white, with a modern minimalist feel, with an underlying Brooklyn theme, of course!

Mood: fresh, modern Brooklyn
Palette: bright green, white

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Top row from left: photo from Always A Bridesmaid, seating cards from In Any Event, photo via The Sartorialist, invitation by Modern Press
Row 2: hors d'oeuvres by Creative Edge, cake from Brides, bouquet photo by Anna Kuperberg, grass centerpiece from Good On Paper
Row 3: iPod nano, flowers from Kathleen Deery, poster by Ork Posters, boutonniere from Brides, Vera Wang dress from Brides
Row 4: bouquet by Fiore Designs, photo via Offbeat Bride, photo by Natalie Moser

Can This Outfit Be Turned Into A Wedding? (Part One)

Be sure to stop by Nibs to check out the invitations that Martha B. and I gathered for our "Can this outfit be turned into a wedding?" project. For the next few Mondays, we'll be using an outfit as inspiration for invites, flowers, etc. and at the end I'm going to pull some of the images to make an inspiration board. You truly can find inspiration anywhere!

Board #139: Purple Rain

It's raining and this board is purple. There you have it. Apparently gray is the accent color of the year, and you can see why. It's subtle and sophisticated, and it adds some depth to your other color choices. And I think this palette would work nicely in either Winter or Spring. Something to think about when choosing your colors: they shouldn't have to compete with each other. This board ended up mostly purple with touches of gray, but mostly gray with touches of purple would have been nice, too. Keeping equal amounts of all your colors, you can end up with something that resembles a circus more than a wedding (this is especially true when you combine two or three bright colors).

Mood: sweetly sophisticated
Palette: purple, gray, white

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Top row from left: lanterns via being SOCIAL, photo from Love Luck Angels, cake from Rebecca Thuss, veil via Brooklyn Bride
Row 2: photo from Ashley Baber Weddings, favors from The Green Vase, flowers by Loop
Row 3: miniature pies by Callahan Catering, boutonniere by Ariella Chezar (photo by Dasha Wright), suit from The Sartorialist, dresses from In Style Weddings
Row 4: bouquet from Real Simple, RSVP card by Ceci NY, groom's cakes from Martha Stewart Weddings, grape spritzer from Matthew Mead Style

Board #137: It's All Greek To Me

Stephanie left a comment on my last board saying that it could easily be tweaked into a Greek board, which is funny because this is my next board! It's not really a Greek board in the way she was thinking, but the palette is inspired entirely by the blue and white architecture of Greek islands.

Mood: bright and warm
Palette: lapis lazuli blue, bright white

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Top row from left: centerpiece by Todd Events, cake from Michelle Rago, Sarah Arnett dress from Brides UK, bouquet by Red Ribbon Studio, photo by Mel Barlow
Row 2: photo from Beth Helmstetter, invitation from Rebecca Thuss, seashells
Row 3: invitation by Lily Darby, Greek buildings, bridesmaids from The Knot, koufeta from Martha Stewart Weddings, lapis lazuli beads from YStudio