Board #359: Bougainvillea & Stone

Jose Villa's work is a constant inspiration to me, so it's no surprise that one of his photos is on the cover of PDN's new book by Jacqueline Tobin, Wedding Photography Unveiled, a book full of work from some of the best wedding photographers in the world. I used Jose's cover photo to create today's inspiration board - I imagined an elegant, formal wedding set against the backdrop of colonial Mexico, draped in lush bougainvillea. And... to celebrate the book's release, Jose has offered to give a copy to one Snippet & Ink reader! Just leave a comment on this post about why you'd like to win the book, no later than 5:00 PM on Thursday. I will announce the winner in my Friday post.

Mood: vibrant, romantic, old world
Palette: bougainvillea, stone

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Top row from left: Wedding Photography Unveiled cover photo by Jose Villa, bougainvillea from flickr, boutonniere photo by Alisha & Brook, monogram parasol via It's Lovely
Row 2: seating cards from Brides, bouquet via Little Winter Bride, veil via Absolutely Beautiful Things
Row 3: flowers by R. Jack Balthazar via The Bride's Cafe, ice cream cones from Paula le Duc, photo by Elizabeth Messina, invitation by Flush Designs
Row 4: star lanterns from Oh How Charming!, bouquet by Artfool, photo by Meg Smith

Board #356: Budget Friendly #19, Fiesta Means Party!

If you're trying to include a large number of guests without breaking the bank, take a cue from Donia and David and hire your favorite local taco truck to cater - they were able to host a wedding with 300 guests for under $8000! I used that as the jumping off point for this fiesta-inspired wedding board, but there are other cost-effective ways to feed your guests: a crawfish boil, barbecue, or even a soup and bread bowl buffet are all delicious options.

Mood: casually festive
Palette: watermelon pink, citrus yellow, lime green, white

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Top row from left: papeles picados from Brides, bouquet photo by Lisa Lefkowitz, Mexican wedding cookies from Martha Stewart Weddings, taco truck
Row 2: fans photo by Elizabeth Messina, tacos from Beth Helmstetter, mariachi band from Brides, sandals from J.Crew
Row 3: Kay Unger dress from Neiman Marcus, Mexican lotería cards, watermelon from Martha Stewart, fruit skewers from Martha Stewart
Row 4: ring dishes by Paloma's Nest, watermelon margaritas from Domino, invitation by Hello! Lucky

The Paper: Even if you're working with a smaller budget, beautiful invitations are still an option. Hello! Lucky has recently started offering a number of their designs in a digital print option (the one I've included in this board is only $2.21 when you order 150), Milkmaid Press has just launched a more affordable line, Pearl Press, and Wedding Paper Divas offers affordable styles by some of my favorite designers.

The Fashion: If you're considering a non-white dress for your wedding, you'll find plenty of gorgeous designer options for far less than you'd pay for a designer wedding gown (why do they do that!?). This coral number by Kay Unger is $480, and fits perfectly with the bright, festive mood of this inspiration board. Pair it with some gold sandals (starting at $39.50 from J.Crew) and you're all set!

The Decor: At just $12.50 for 18 feet, traditional Mexican papel picado banners are a budget-friendly way to decorate an outdoor venue. In lieu of table numbers, how about lotería cards? You can find a set of 54 on Amazon for $8, or online here for free.

The Flowers: Supplement a few pitchers of flowers with seasonal fruit - and let guests know they should feel free to help themselves! For just the cost of some tissue paper, you might also make some Mexican tissue paper flowers in keeping with the fiesta theme. And if you're going to splurge on any flowers, splurge on a lovely bouquet - it will make for some gorgeous photos!

The Food: Paying less for food doesn't necessarily mean you'll lose out on quality - especially if you hire a favorite local taco truck to cater the wedding! Fruit skewers that you've made a day ahead (with the help of friends and family of course) and baskets of tortilla chips round out this casual meal. Offer bottles of Mexican soda (Jarritos is my favorite) and beer, and maybe one signature drink such as a margarita in your favorite flavor. Skip the wedding cake in favor of Mexican wedding cookies that you (or someone who loves you very much) can bake in advance and freeze if need be.

Other Details: A custom ring dish by Paloma's Nest will only set you back $28, and it is a lovely reminder of your wedding day - after the wedding day, use it as a bedside jewelry dish or maybe a Christmas ornament. And who knows - maybe it will become a new heirloom. If you're holding your wedding in the middle of summer, place hand fans in each guest's seat - at $1.25 they can double as a favor.

See the rest of Snippet & Ink's budget-friendly inspiration boards here. What are you doing to keep your budget low?

Board #259: Tex-Mex Fête

I love the earthy colors in this warm Tex-Mex inspired wedding board. Tamales, mariachi, and dancing under strings of papeles picados sound like a party I'd like to attend! Don't you think this would also make for a really fun rehearsal dinner party?

Mood: warm, festive
Palette: marigold, burgundy, tan

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Top row from left: cake from Yvonne Floral, mariachi photo from Oh How Charming!, bouquet photo from Brides, mantilla photo via Absolutely Beautiful Things
Row 2: church photo by Elizabeth Messina via The Bride's Cafe, Otomi-inspired invitation by Ceci New York, pineapple mango rum from Martha Stewart, fan photo by Jonathan Canlas
Row 3: plates photo by Jen Siska, bouquets by Set the Mood Floral, photo by Jonathan Canlas
Row 4: photo by Fred Egan, tamales, door photo via Elizabeth Anne Designs

Update! This packaging fits in perfectly with this wedding board.

Board #199: Cinco de Mayo

I think this inspiration board would work for a destination wedding in Mexico (clearly), or even a wedding or rehearsal dinner at a Mexican restaurant or with a Mexican theme. It could even be translated into a non-wedding party! I love bright, bold colors, and I think that a mostly warm palette makes perfect sense, but here I balanced it with white and an unexpected pale turquoise. Miniature piñatas would be a fun favor, at the kids' table or for everyone. And this save-the-date by Bird and Banner would definitely set the tone for a fun, Mexican-themed wedding.

Mood: sassy fun
Palette: yellow, red, pale turquoise

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Top row from left: fish tacos from Blueprint, photo by Lisa Lefkowitz, papeles picados decor by Ariella Chezar via {frolic} (photo by Dasha Wright), bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 2: invitation by Saturate Design, chili dusted mango wedges from Martha Stewart, photo from The Knot, beer photo from Pacific Weddings
Row 3: cocktail from Matthew Mead Style, tissue flower from In Style via Jacaranda Home, photo from Brides UK, cake topper via Santa Barbara Wedding
Row 4: parasols from Brides, centerpiece from Todd Events, cake by Bakery Bar, photo by Vallentyne

Board #135: ¡Felicidades!

Diane wanted a board to help her pull together her vintage Mexican inspired wedding. Her colors are white, red, and aqua, and she wants to incorporate Mexican traditions to celebrate her and her fiance's heritage. To fit the bill, this board includes Mexican wedding cookie favors, white papeles picados, and a tequila bar among other things. I would also have galvanized tubs of Mexican sodas, like Jarritos and Peñafiel, and if I could have found better images I would have made sure to include white tissue paper flowers.

Mood: ¡fiesta!
Palette: red, white, aqua

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Top row from left: candy cones from Brides (photo by Dasha Wright), photo by Elizabeth Messina, miniature programs from Rebecca Thuss, photo by Meg Smith
Row 2: Mexican wedding cookies from Martha Stewart Weddings, flowers by Ariella Chezar (photo by Dasha Wright), photo by Meg Smith, calligraphy by Laura Hooper
Row 3: photo from Oh How Charming!, Danielle Lara dress from Brides UK, invitation via The Paper Moon Project, cake from Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 4: Jarritos soda, photo by Susan Stripling, papeles picados via {frolic}

Board #87: Fiesta a la Frida

I've had this board sitting on my computer for a while now, and I thought, why not post it today? I love the idea of a wedding inspired by an icon, which often means a classic style icon like Grace Kelly. Instead, I wanted this board to be bright and unusual, like Frida herself.

Mood: vibrant, fiery
Palette: hot colors of all kinds

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Top row from left: braid from The Knot, Lunn Antiques dress from Brides UK, Ralph Lauren dress, Mexican wedding cookies from Smitten Kitchen
Row 2: photo by Elizabeth Messina, photo from Junebug, decorations via {frolic} (photo by Dasha Wright), hot chocolate from Vosges, flowers by Wiggy Flowers
Row 3: photo via Doorways Around the World, ruffled shrug from Brides, cake by Lovin Sullivan, invitations via {frolic}, save the date card
Row 4: photo from Ariella Chezar, gift box via Black Eiffel, peony and cymbidium bouquets