Board #470: Ivy & Brick

If you're just at the beginning of your planning, browsing around the internet for ideas, I'd like to make a suggestion. Instead of starting with a look or "vision" in mind, and then trying to find a venue that fits that vision (because if you're anything like me, you'll drive yourself totally bananas when you realize that the perfect* place doesn't exist), start with a budget, a guest list, and a date or two. Find a venue that fits those things, and then develop a vision from there. I know that some venues aren't inherently inspiring - more like blank slates - but if your venue is (inspiring, that is), why not let it spark your vision? That's what I had in mind when creating today's inspiration board, which is based entirely around the idea of an ivy-covered, brick-walled venue.

Mood: vintage urban
Palette: brick and ivy green

{click image to enlarge}

Top row from left: topiary in terra cotta pot via Design*Sponge, ivy cascade bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings, buttercream cake with olive leaf decorations photo by Jose Villa, ivy-covered brick wall photo by Anna Boudreau
Row 2: rose petal toss from Wedding Style Guide, bride and groom on balcony photo by Rebecca for Millie Holloman, rustic seating card display photo by Jose Villa, ivy plant wedding favor via {frolic!}
Row 3: galvanized tub of wine bottles from Brides, ivy covered basket photo by Belathee, banquet table in brick courtyard from Jo Gartin, vintage stamps

*A note on this word, perfect. Back when I was planning my wedding in what I like to call "Round 1," the biggest source of stress (okay, insanity) for me was the idea that my wedding had to be perfect. That it could be perfect. Perfect in the sense of perfectly scripted, costumed, directed, produced. But here's the thing. That's not a wedding day; it's a movie. An impossible goal, and you will make yourself crazy trying to achieve it - and miserable when it doesn't happen. For myself, I'd rather focus on having a day where I get to marry my best friend, hopefully surrounded by the people who love us, and hopefully followed by cake. I'm not sure it gets more perfect than that. (If you need more convincing that going for perfect isn't where it's at, Meg's got a great post on it over here.)