Wedding Inspiration | Pretty in Pastels with Gold, Wood, and Natural Fiber Accents

Oh, wedding season. How I love thee!

With my Pinterest obsession and general interest in pretty and fabulous things, I am always looking at wedding pictures – dresses, couples, flowers, tablescapes (my favorite), decorations, random details, etc., etc. – and I love them. And I will always, ALWAYS love wedding and event inspiration boards (you know, those things that people made before Pinterest?!). And hey, even though they feature wedding-y images, the same colors and elements can be carried over into any event (this one specifically would work wonderfully for a bridal shower, baby girl shower, afternoon tea, or a birthday party for one classy lady)!

You know that Instagram-y look you see on so many pictures these days? I love it! Had I any photography experience, I might actually be able to tell you what it is and how to achieve the same look in your own photos even without Instagram. But I don’t, so I can’t. But hey, you know what I’m talking about – that’s what matters. The images look soft and dreamy, two things that carry over quite nicely when creating the overall ambiance of an event. Want to recreate this look? Here are some tips.

Colors – Dusty pastels! Pinks and peaches specifically, with touches of creams, dusty purples and browns. They are so lovely, creating some depth when put next to each other while keeping everything soft and easy on the eyes. Accent with gold – flecks, streaks, and sparkles!

Textures – Keeping with the super soft “feel” of the event, go with large, lush flowers like peonies, hydrangea, carnations, sweet pea stems, dahlias, and ranunculus. Throw in layers or ruffles on things like your cake and fabric used on tables and chairs. Add some visual and textural excitement by incorporating natural wood – work it into your centerpieces, pick a venue with wood elements (like a barn), or DIY wooden signs to direct guests to the proper locations. Fabrics like linen, muslin, and burlap can also add soft, natural texture. Just make sure your napkins aren’t burlap – I don’t think faces would take too kindly to that.

Paper – Who doesn’t like this part of party throwing?! Mix curvy typefaces with more simple, sans serif options. Print (or have them printed) on recycled paper where you can still see bits of fiber. Or, get all fancy and have them printed on thin slices of wood (like the beautiful suite pictured above)!

Clothes – Keep everyone in lightweight, airy fabrics – toile, chiffon, crepe charmeuse – and layer them for an ethereal look. Mix faint patterns if they are tinted (lightened) similarly, especially for the gentlemen of the group. Accent with hammered gold jewelry and cognac-colored leather accessories (the fabric + the metal + the leather works in the colors and textures we’ve been talking about).

Lighting – If your event is in the middle of the day, embrace the natural sunlight! If you’re planning an evening soiree, use as much indirect and candle light as you can (without burning anything down) – the glow will only add to the ambiance!

What else would you add to the list to create this lovely look? Location options? Menu choices? It’s just so fun to think about, isn’t it?