Inspiration #96- Navy and Lime Aquarium Wedding

How much fun does an aquarium reception sound? I think it sounds amazing. The bride who requested this board is working with a navy and lime color scheme with pops of orange. She also mentioned that she loves the idea of using fruit in her centerpieces. I have a feeling this wedding is going to be lovely and a lot of fun!

sources: Mike and Tracy's Wedding Weekend, Francoise Weeks, Arthur Remanjon Photography,

Style Me Pretty (x2), Flights of Fancy, Jerry Yoon Photography, The Knot, Wedding Paper Divas

Inspiration #95- Bright Apple Red and Chocolate

Ok, I just have to say I am in love with the idea of all of the bridesmaids wearing fun, bright shoes! For this wedding I think it would be amazing to see chocolate brown dresses with red shoes. This color combo is definitely a great choice for the October 24th wedding that the bride who requested this board is planning. She also plans to throw some pale gold into the mix (in this board it's used for the brides sash, the grooms tie and caramel apples).

sources: Ian Grant, Elizabeth Anne Designs, The Brides Cafe, Once Wed, DIY Wedding,
Brides (x2), Southern Weddings, Martha Stewart Weddings

* Don't forget to enter the contest! You have until Thursday, click here to enter or scroll down to the post below this one.

Contest!! Win Personalized Art to celebrate my 100th board.

Hi girls, it's time for the first ever Inspiring Brides Contest to celebrate the approaching 100th board! There will be a prize for the winner who will be picked by a random integer generator.

So on to the prizes! One lucky winner will have a choice of either of the lovely personalized art pieces show below from Etsy. The carved tree art is from seller SilhouetteBlue and the silhouette art is by Le Papier Studio. Each piece of art is customizable with your choice of colors and of course your initials/names. I just think these are both so lovely and unique! Find out how to enter after the pictures.

You have until Thursday September 3rd to enter!

There are three easy ways to enter!

1. leave a comment on this post saying which one you'd like to win.
2. leave a separate comment with an idea for an inspiration
   board you'd like to see that I haven't created yet.
3. post about my contest on your blog and either leave a separate comment with
   a link to your post or e-mail me a link to your post. (@ carlyb.wolf@gmail.com)

You have until Thursday September 3rd to enter!

*--Love contests?!? A Bride's Brain is giving away a Groom Survival Kit, click here to check it out.--*

Inspiration #94- A Non-traditional Winter Wedding

A bride who wants to wear converse? Amazing! I love little non-traditional details like that, another non-traditional element I really like is patterned bridesmaids dresses. The bride who requested this board is using a cobalt and platinum color palette for her winter themed wedding. She mentioned that she loved the cake topper shown in this board, which I think is totally modern and very cute. I also like the idea of finding some graffiti to take some wedding photos in front of, very non-traditional and very fun!

sources: B Magazine, Rock n' Roll Bride, Benny Photography, Once Wed, The Brides Cafe,
Ceci New York Invitations, Martha Stewart Weddings, Grazier Photography

Theme Thursday #13- Pretty Peony Backyard Wedding

If you've read through my blog you probably know that I have a strong love for backyard weddings. I just love the fun, laid back atmosphere that they exude. This board was created for a bride who is having her wedding and reception in her parents backyard. Her color scheme is green and pink, using mostly peonies and hydrangeas. She wants the wedding to have a rustic yet elegant country feel to it. I absolutely adore the fact that she bought mismatched china and tea cups from a second hand store. Plus, I think its super sweet that the wedding favors are going to be homemade jams and salsas made by herself, her mother, her mother-in-law and her grandmother! They also plan to have a small cake to cut with cupcakes for the guest and a dessert table.

Also, the bride mentioned that her fiance is a dairy farmer so I thought it would be a really cute idea to have cookies with milk "shots" at the wedding too!

sources: Kerry Morgan, The Knot, Casa Sugar, Perfect Bound, Elizabeth Anne Design, Leigh Webber,

A Splendid DIY $10,000 Wedding, Once Wed, Green Wedding Shoes

Inspiration #93- Preppy New England Beach Wedding

A monochromatic color palette can be just as fun and cheery as a multicolored one, and I think this board proves that. The bride who requested this board is working with a navy and shades of blue palette for her September beach wedding in New England. Her theme is elegant, preppy beach with a touch of a rustic feel. I think the grey and navy is a nice alternative to the usual khaki and navy seen at a lot of "preppy" weddings.

sources: The Preppy Wedding, Wedding Bee, Walkn by the H20's Married Bio, Style Me Pretty (x2), J & M Photography, Brides (x2)

Inspiration #92- Southern California Mediterranean Blue Wedding

I really like this unique color palette! This board was created for a June 2010 wedding in Southern California. The bride wants to use a color palette of Mediterranean blue with lavender and silver accents. I especially like the idea of using Lavender sprigs in the drinks, so pretty!

sources: Best Destination Weddings, Fresh Blog, Martha Stewart Weddings (x2), Eleise Theuer,
Gerald Pope, Snippet and Ink, Flickr, Rock n' Roll Bride

Inspiration #91- Making Black and Orange Work for Spring

The bride who requested this board wanted to work with a orange and black color scheme that didn't look like Halloween. Since her ballroom is brown and cream she plans to use Kermit mums and some pink to brighten it up. So I think incorporating some green or pink into the bridesmaids bouquets definitely help orange work for spring. For the reception she plans to have clusters of vases with monochromatic flowers in each one (so each table would have say a vase with orange tulips, a vase with pink roses, a vase with green Kermit mums etc.)

sources: Anna Kuperburg, Bloomery, Where Flowers Bloom, Project Wedding, The Party Dress, Colin Cowie, The Knot (x2), Stylish Soiree

Inspiration #90- Pretty Outdoor Yellow and Gray Wedding

Sorry for the little break in posting! This past weekend we had my sister's bachelorette party down the shore so I was pretty busy with getting things ready for that. But I'm back!! Plus, I have two boards for you today :]

Anyway, this board was requested by a bride who is getting married at a winery in California. She was deciding between a yellow and dark blue or a yellow and gray color palette. I just love the freshness of gray though and I think it works brilliantly for an outdoor wedding.

sources: Victor Sizemore, Toole Art Photography, Dallas Brides, Green Wedding Shoes, Tea and Whimsy,
Martha Stewart Weddings, Style Me Pretty

Inspiration #89- 1940s Vintage Blush and Gold

Vintage inspired weddings are so lovely! The bride who requested this board wanted to work a blush pink and gold color scheme into a 1940s theme. She mentioned that she loved milk glass (which would make lovely vases for the centerpieces) and was some what inspired by Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face.

sources: Stephanie Williams Photography, Elizabeth Anne Designs, Dolly Couture, Oh Joy, Wedding Things,

Decades Inc., Rock n Roll Bride, Jose Villa, Brides

Inspiration #88- Wine Enthusiasts Lilac and Chocolate Wedding

I really love many of the ideas that the bride who requested this board wants to incorporate in her wedding. My favorite is using a magnum of wine as the guest book, I love that its something that can be used and enjoyed in the years to come! She also wants to add a fun accent color to her lilac and chocolate color scheme. Some of the ideas she had were crimson, orchid, plum or Cymbidium Orchid green. I decided to go with the green since her wedding is in April so I think it brightens it up a bit.

sources: Martha Stewart Weddings, Brides (x2, x3), Kelly Oshiro Events, The Party Dress, Best Destination Weddings, Perfect Wedding Guide, Victor Sizemore, The Beginning of Forever

Inspiration #87- Romantic Elegance with Fun Details

The bride who requested this board wants to have a very elegant wedding to match her very elegant and beautiful venue. Her color scheme is pale pink and cream and her bridesmaids are wearing charcoal colored dresses. Also, her fiance is Japanese so she wants to incorporate some Asian elements. I used a Japanese Cherry Blossom branch (which are so pretty and pink so they match the color scheme!) guest book pictured in the top right corner. Some of the fun details she plans to have black and white photos of her American Eskimo dog as table numbers and for her bouquet to be deep purple. This sounds like its going to be a gorgeous and fun wedding!


sources: DCGirl924's Wedding Planning Bio, Rebecca Thuss, Southern Weddings (x2, x3), David's Bridal, Jim Hjelm, Jasmine Star (x2), Martha Stewart Weddings

Inspiration #86- Fall with a Pop!

How about a fall wedding with a twist? The bride who requested this board wants to work with a fall color palette but add a pop of fuchsia. She plans to incorporate a lot of natural elements including pumpkins and natural wood. I think its so sweet that her dad is making her a tree trunk cake stand! Plus, she plans to have a cake buffet, yum.

sources: Once Wed (x2), Laura Ivanova, Kee to Your Heart, Southern Living,

Queen of Hearts Weddings, Calligraphy by Shannon, Elizabeth Anne Designs, The Knot

Inspiration #85- Updated Art Deco

This board was requested by a bride who wants her wedding to have a 1930s and Art Deco theme but also be modern. I think her royal blue, silver and champagne color scheme help to add a modern touch to the Art Deco elements. I love the vintage inspired hairstyles on the bridesmaids in this board. Another element I love is the modern touch of the open back dress that still has a vintage feel.

source: Colin Cowie, Flickr (x2), Aawsomblei Vintage Jewelry, Tiny Water Photography, Dessy, Casando Ideias, Brides, Real Simple, Etsy

Inspiration #84- Library Meet Barn, Barn Meet Library

The bride who requested this board was uncertain about her color scheme, but since she was having her reception in a barn she wanted to keep it a bit rustic. She also mentioned that her fiance and herself were literature "geeks" (her words not mine!) So I tried to incorporate that into the board :]

You could use favorite authors to name the tables instead of numbers (and include your favorite quote). I really love the idea of incorporating vintage (or vintage looking) books into the centerpieces. With this in mind I worked with a natural wood, gold/sunflower, rust and red color scheme as most vintage book colors tend to be in that scheme. The sunflowers add a bit of a rustic hint, at least in my opinion. I hope this board helps create the beautiful rustic wedding she's after!

sources: Green Wedding Shoes, Vintage Glam Blog, With This Ring (x2), The Knot, Snippet and Ink, Elizabeth Anne Designs, The Haystack Needle

Also wanted to include these cute invitations that didn't make the board and the full version of the save-the-date that I edited to fit the board:

source

source

Theme Thursday #12- Earth Friendly Farmer's Market Wedding

I know I haven't really been posting my daily features but I promise they will be back! I've been super busy trying to catch up on all my requests and I'm trying to get them done as quickly as possible. If you requested one, don't worry! It's on the way :]

This board doesn't have a specific color scheme, but it certainly has a theme! I'm calling it Farmer's Market Chic. There's lots of fresh herbs (as favors, escort cards and even a wreath!), fruit and vegetables incorporated into the centerpieces and farmers market (or in the case of the bouquet used in the board, supermarket) bouquets transformed into beautifully chic wedding party bouquets. There is a great photo set on how to change supermarket bouquets into wedding day bouquets on Real Simple.

sources: Edyta Szyszlo Photography, The Party Dress, Intimate Weddings, Ritzy Bee, Decor Village, Real Simple, The Insider, Brides, Once Wed

Inspiration #83- Chocolate and Gerberas!

I absolutely love Gerbera Daisies! They are so pretty and visually interesting. The bride who requested this board wanted to use chocolate brown and a mixture of different pink Gerbera Daisies. Sounds lovely!

sources: Seattle Flowers, Garlands Florist, VI Bride, My Cleveland Wedding, Etsy, Hibiscus Florals, Rajee Sood, DIY Wedding Details

Inspiration #82- Lemon, Apple and Chocolate

The bride who requested this board wanted to use a lemon, pale apple green and chocolate color palette. She also wants her wedding to have a simple garden feel to it. Enjoy the board!

sources: The Knot (x2), Stylish Events, Once Wed (x2), Brides, Cheri Pearl, Simply Stated, Real Simple

Inspiration #81- Royal Raspberry

This board is for a bride getting married at Moon Dance Cliffs in Negril, Jamaica. She was having a little trouble picking a color scheme that was fun and worked in the Caribbean setting but wasn't TOO bright. She mentioned that she liked pink, orange, purple, blue and green. I decided to darken the colors just a bit but still keep them vibrant and fun. The final color scheme I came up with is raspberry pink and royal purple with accents of royal/cobalt blue. Hope you like it!

sources: Jamaican Treasures, Kerry Morgan (x2), Brides (x2, x3), B Wedding Magazine, Wendy Myers

Inspiration #80- Slate and Champagne

This board was requested by a bride who plans to use slate and champagne as her main colors with burnt orange accents. I think it's a lovely color combo! The gray balls in the bouquet in the third row are especially fun.

sources: Flights of Fancy, Elizabeth Anne Designs (x2), The Perfect Palette, Southern Weddings, I Do, The Knot

Inspiration #79- Lovely Origami

This requested board is for a self proclaimed untraditional bride. At her wedding they are going to have all origami flowers, no wedding party and cupcakes instead of a traditional wedding cake. She sent me an example of the bouquet she is making and her wedding dress, her color scheme is clover, lavender, cotton candy and Caribbean blue.

sources: DC Nearlyweds, Flickr via Offbeat Bride, Bliss Tree, Snippet and Ink, Lazy Bride, Martha Stewart Weddings, Kaboodle, Best Destination Weddings

Inspiration #78- Some Purple Love for Navy

The bride who asked for this board wants to have a royal purple (yea I made it up) and navy color scheme for an indoor wedding in San Francisco in February. I really love the bright pop of the purple against the subdued but interesting navy. I especially like the thought of a navy suit (its a bit hard to tell but the suit with the purple bow tie in this board is navy).

sources: Nordstrom, Rock n' Roll Bride (x2), The Knot, Brides (x2), Etsy, Sheri Giblin, Southern Weddings, Punam Bean

Inspiration #77- Gray and Lime

Two of the hottest wedding colors this year and they definitely work well together too! I especially love the gray patterned bridesmaids dresses with the lime belt.

sources: Style Me Pretty (x2), Chennergy, Brooklyn Bride, Etsy (x2), Martha Stewart, Flickr, Polka Dot Bride

I really love... and a giveaway!

I really really LOVE this bride's flower sash. I would totally wear it!

found on Duston Todd's blog

I also wanted to announce that I'm going to be having a giveaway to celebrate my 100th board! Not exactly sure of all the details yet but I will be posting more information so stay tuned :]

Inspiration #76- Eggplant and Lime

A requested board filled with eggplant and lime! This board was really fun to make, the lime definitely pops against the rich eggplant purple. I really like the Kermit Mum centerpieces in this board. The bride who requested this board wanted to see a bride in purple shoes too, as you probably can tell I love a bride in colored shoes!

sources: Elizabeth Anne Designs, Blog Dig, Pegeen, The Knot (x2), Rock n' Roll Bride, Five Spice Duck, Whitney and Bryce Wedding, Southern Weddings

Inspiration #75- Talavera Pottery Inspired

This board was inspired by talavera pottery. The bride and groom plan to use the pattern of the pottery throughout different elements of their wedding. I was glad to find a talavera inspired wedding cake!

sources: Lemon Lime Studios, One Wed, The Knot (x2), Brides, Flights of Fancy, David's Bridal, Talavera Ceramics, Forbes Traveler, Southern Weddings

Inspiration #74- Vineyard Chic Mustard & Burgundy Wedding

This board is for a fall bride who wants to use mustard yellow along with a vineyard inspired color scheme of burgundy, gold, ivory and mahogany brown. The colors were chosen to go with her slightly rustic vineyard chic reception venue. I think these colors will work beautifully!

sources: The Knot, Southern Weddings (x2), Brides (x2, x3), Rebecca Thuss, Style Me Pretty, Wedding Bee

Inspiration #73- A Pink Bride turned Green

This board was requested by a bride who was originally in love with pink but decided to go with green instead. Her sole bridesmaid will wear a grass green dress and she plans to include succulents (love them!) and creamy flowers. For a few pink accents, I went with a pink flower girl dress (the brides request) and a pink hair flower and sash for the bride. I hope you like what I came up with! Oh yea, the cake has pink flowers too :]

sources: D Magazine, Green Wedding Shoes, Dessy, Brides, Geoff White, Etsy, Latter Day Bride, Martha Stewart Weddings