Sports Fanatic Elegance

Traditionally when weddings are planned they usually focus the vision of the bride and have nothing to do with the groom. A lot of the time, you hardly see anything the represents him aside from a possible groom's cake or a garter that is specially made. What if you were able to change that? We all know grooms rarely care for the details with the exception of what they're going to eat, and what they're going to wear. There is a way you can show how important your mate is in the planning and show an extension of what he likes and 9 times out of 10, it's sports. By letting his favorite sports team have a presence in your wedding you will truly show that it is about the both of you. Now before you get all skeptical and close off the idea, let me reassure you, there will be no footballs everywhere or basketball centerpieces - no terrible towels or cheese head wedges will be a part of the decor.

Once you've picked the date and time, one of the next things you decide on is the color scheme. These combination of colors can come from a lot of different inspirations that a woman might see. Whether it's the Tiffany blue boxes with a rich chocolate brown, or maybe a tropical feel is more your speed with bright colors and accents. There is a way you can incorporate your love for your mate and his love for the game. Whether it's his favorite football team (Go Chiefs!) or his old college alma mater, you can make the craziest color combinations translate into a very elegant setting to exchange vows and party the night away. The below examples will hopefully give you an idea on how you can merge sports and its colors into one magnificent display.

The Kansas City Chiefs
Of course we have to represent for the home team first. Now, this team is the owner of Red and Gold. This combination actually isn't that hard to translate considering around the Christmas season you see these two colors together quite a bit.

The Green Bay Packers

This color combination could pose somewhat of a challenge with its Green, Gold and White, but you could actually pull off something great. If you pick a main focus color that is more traditional, you can use the other as accents through out.

The New York Knicks

For the New Yorkers, your die hard Knicks fan would appreciate you taking their blue and orange color scheme and incorporating them into your day. It actually can be done very tastefully while at the same time offering a unique color pairing.

The Florida Marlins

I picked this team because of the combination of the teal with the black and gray. This is not so much a different combination, but it's one that you don't see a lot. These together can translate into a Spring like backdrop. Especially if you make teal the focus or main color element and accent with the gray over the black.



Wichita State Shockers

Rounding out the inspiration is this university which represents with its yellow and black. This color combo could be quite bright (Steelers fans could agree also) However, you can add the elegance to this one by the use of a damask or floral print. This will bring an element of softness to your overall look. Using this against crisp white linen will also help provide a very elegant element to your space.

As you can see, there are ways you can incorporate your mate's love into your big day. Whether he shows it or not, he will be extremely pleased with your color choices and thinking of him.

I'm Engaged! Now What?

So the love of your life asked you to marry him (Congratulations!) As you're getting used to your new status all sorts of things will be going on in your head. You have to tell your family and show off that beautiful piece of jewelry that will forever be worn. Once you've gotten through that and you're sitting down thinking "I have to plan a wedding! What do I do?" First things first, pick up the phone and call us (no, seriously).  Before that happens though, there are a few things that you need to decide on. The below list will help give you a starting point to begin planning the day of your dreams.

When and Where 

These two W's are about the most important thing to figure out. This is where you and your honey sit down and pick your date. Do you want a Fall or Summer wedding? Do you want an evening or a brunch affair? Will it be a Friday or even a Sunday? One tip would be to try and avoid major holidays if you can. That could inflate your costs and significantly reduce your guest list (which actually might not be a bad thing). After you decide on the date, the next important step is location. will you get married on the beaches of Jamaica or in the church you grew up in? Do you want to have both the ceremony and reception in the same venue?

How Much

This question is actually way more important than the other to. This is where you set your budget. Both of you have to realistically think how much you want to spend. Will the both of you being paying for every solely on your own or will you be asking your parents/family to contribute? One thing to mention about that is if you decide to ask family, be prepared to also accept their suggestions as well as their money. Budgeting is so very important throughout this process, make sure you allow enough for a wedding planner (yes, I said it again). Whatever company you hire, it is the job of the planners, consultants, etc. to keep you on budget. With that, you have to be willing to let them do that. Trust when I tell you, you don't want to be trying to pay off items for your wedding and you've been married for a couple of years.

Use Your Imagination 

This where the fun begins! This is where you start thinking about the look and feel of your wedding. Start thinking about what colors would look great together. How many people do you want standing next to you on the alter. What event space captures your vision? Do you want roses or daisies? Start looking in magazines or in this age of social media Pinterest to grab ideas. Start a wedding board a pin your little heart out.

If you start with those things, then when you decide to bring in your planner, you will have a lot of the "pre-work" done already. You're life is going to get crazy very quickly and depending upon how long you and your mate are giving yourself between the engagement and the wedding, things may go very quickly. Make sure you prioritize and seek help when you ready.

Oh, the last thing....ENJOY IT! You're engaged, take time to really let that settle in. think about and cherish that moment before diving right in.

Pantone Color for 2019

Have you seen the choice Pantone made for 2019?! Living Coral is described as "An animating and life-affirming coral hue with a golden undertone that energizes and enlivens with a softer edge."

With this color I think it is safe to say that the this year's wedding inspiration will be vibrant and bold with soft muted accents. This color would shine with a backdrop of a simple metallic like a rose gold or a pastel like a tiffany blue. This color can be very versatile and cant wait to see what comes of it.

Let There Be Ultra Violet

Pantone just released their color for 2018. First, I have to say - it's about to be 2018! The days and months have gone by in such a whirlwind trying to keep up is something else. Our poor little blog shows it too. I digress...

Back to the subject at hand, Pantone has chosen 18-3838. To those of us who don't have any idea what that means, that translates to the color Ultra Violet.

According to Pantone, this color is "A dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade..." This is a blue-based purple and is already creating some inspirational buzz. Below is just some of the things we have found.

It's still very early on since the announcement and we cannot wait to see what others will come up with to display this beautiful and rich purple hue.

Let us know, now that it's out, will this become a part of your wedding color palette?

What Is That, Velvet?

In the last blog post, we looked at a trend of using plaid as a part of your wedding. Today, I thought I would take a look at another fabric that you real don't hear too often being used either - velvet. This material can be used in the same manner as we suggested for the plaid.

Below are some pictures of ways that it can be used. Take a look and see which ones might be interested in trying out.

Pantone's Color of the Year

So, if you're like us, you wait in anticipation of what new color Pantone is going to drop for the new year (well, maybe it's just us). For the year 2015, Pantone decided to go with a darker hue that is a contrast from the Radiant Orchid they chose for 2014. The new color Marsala has been described as "A naturally robust red wine..." on the Pantone website. According to Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, she describes is this way - “Marsala is a subtly seductive shade, one that draws us in to its embracing warmth."

I can definitely see where she is coming from. Marsala is a rich color that can provide a warm accent to even the most pastel palette. Although I could see this shade being used more in the fall and winter months, I think the color is fitting for whatever season. This color can add texture to any type of decor you want to incorporate and it's a color that men could really get behind when picking their tuxedo accessories.

I did a little Google search just to see how this red wine (my favorite) color can be used. The inspiration boards are and photos are amazing. When you're color at the color palette for your wedding or special event, give Marsala a thought. It could be the missing element for you.

To learn more about this fabulous color click HERE to see what they say about it.