The Autumn Peacock: Get ya' Stroll on!

Your peacock stroll that is! Peacock feathers inspire a very beautiful wedding palette. However, most times the blues, greens, and purples in the feathers are the main attraction. There are some more subtle colors in peacock feathers such as nutmeg/burnt orange/rust, that would make for an elegant wedding if used creatively. This is a beautiful choice for an Autumn wedding, pair it with a deep purple, and use the usual teals and/or royals to accent. You CAN teach an old peacock new tricks! Be inspired! ~Mandi

2012 Color Trend Alert: Turquoise & Oatmeal

I realize autumn is coming to an end and we are approaching winter, but Spring wedding planning for 2012 is in full swing!! TURQUOISE is going to be a hot color this upcoming bridal season. You can dress this blue-green hue up or down. Turquoise will look great this spring with colors like fuschia, lemon, black, tangerine, navy, or my pick to pair it with: OATMEAL. This combination is cool and breezy enough for a garden or beach wedding, yet elegant enough for a church. Tone this pair down by adding chocolate, or pump some life into it with magenta! Be inspired! ~Mandi

Credits: Cupcakes~Peggy's Cupcakes, Shoes~Aruna Seth, Dress~ Dalia Couture

Do it All for the "Ta-Tas"!

As I was researching colored wedding dresses that are trending right now, I ran across this pink wedding dress and I'm loving it! Yes, its Fall, and no traditionally this blush pink wouldn't be a traditional color for this time of year. But above anything I try to encourage brides to have a wedding that is a true expression of themselves regardless of the season. October is Breast Cancer Awareness this month, so raise awareness on your wedding day! Maybe you are a breast cancer survivor or you want to honor a mother, grandmother, or sister. Say YES to the pink dress and say YES to awareness! Be inspired!

Olive Juice! (I love you!)

Olive is my "go-to" color this Fall. Couple it with a fresh lilac and gold accessories and get ready to stop the show! Olive has been used as a casual neutral in fashion but you can play it up with some gold and really "rip the runway" before you walk down the aisle! This is my inspiration for a rehearsal dinner get-up. I love this birdcage veil and fascinator. After all, you are the bride! Be inspired!

Eyes -MAC Painterly Pots
Fascinator - Headfrock
Dress - BCBG
Shoes - Jimmy Choo
Earrings - Broadwater Rose Jewels
Bracelet - Unexpected Boutique

Posh Inspirations: "Bella"

This bride is not afraid of color, but she wants something more chic than playful. Her ideal venue is an art gallery or a museum, with a cocktail soiree on the roof. While yellow is often associated with spring, and summer, "mustard" is a stellar choice for fall nuptials. Pair it with chocolate and navy for a picture-perfect palette, and add a burnt orange in your florals for an extra "pop" of color. Serve your guests a decadent chocolate cake at the reception. Be inspired!

Let them eat cake...or not!

One of my brides recently asked me for some alternatives to the traditional wedding cake. She and her fiance are not huge fans of cake, so they wanted something else. This trend is becoming more and more popular. Some people want to save money, some people just want to do something different. In some cases it will save you money, in some cases it won’t, but there are a number of things you can do to be creative on your special day if you decide to pass on the cake. You can make stations out of almost anything gourmet coffees, cupcakes, cookies, even ice cream. Take you and your honey’s favorite sweets and do a dessert buffet of all of your favorite confections. It’s about you, not whether or not you have cake. S’mores stations are being seen for fall weddings, and summer weddings are trending carnival style sweets like funnel cakes, cotton candy, and crazy popcorn! Whatever you choose, think outside the box and be creative, this is a great way to TASTEFULLY personalize your reception. Be inspired!

Love, Peace, & Posh Inspiration,
Mandi

This Trash Is Treasure!

What becomes of your gown after you say, “I do?” One concept that is trending among brides is a “Trash the Dress” session. After you get dolled up to pledge your love for life, you trash your dress. You didn’t read that wrong. These photography sessions usually take place in abandoned buildings, swamps, barns, alleys…etc. basically anywhere that a beautiful, glamorous bride looks like she shouldn’t be! I hear they are a lot of fun!! It’s also a good way to get some mileage out of that dress you paid all of that money for. You will have a great memory that will last a lifetime. Go ahead! Trash the dress! Be adventurous, be spontaneous…be inspired!!!!

Posh Inspirations: "Garcelle"

I love this "concept" because it's simple yet fancy, fashion-forward yet traditional. The Southern comfort of New Orleans has always inspired me. New Orleans flair is not to be confused with any other. The bride inspired by "Garcelle" is dainty and ultra-feminine. She is also trendy, but wants to see hints and small reflections of tradition. Black is the ever so sexy, and always in season color, and pairing it with ivory is sure to be a classy showstopper! One thing you can count on is, at the moment of "I do" this bride will be eating awesome food, enjoying family and friends, and partying all night! Whether you choose to serve beignets, instead of cake, ride in a horse drawn carriage, or have a jazz band escort you in the streets from the ceremony to the reception, be inspired by "Garcelle," and as they say in "Nawlins, "Laissez les bons temps rouler!" (Let the good times roll!)

Posh Inspirations: "Scarlett"

This "posh concept" is for the modern Southern Belle. The ivory princess gown with the detailed beading exudes royalty, and is always a classic. She is timeless, and yet everything but old fashioned. Ivory, gold, and navy come together in this idea with pops of emerald green, to bring back some of the glamour and sophistication of the days of old. Be inspired!

Posh Inspirations: "Zora"

I designed this inspiration board for a beautiful bride-to-be who is also a personal friend of mine. She and her fiance's vision for their October wedding is inspired by the Harlem Renaissance, and their love for jazz music. Their palette of purple, fuchsia, and grey is a beautiful and chic choice, and will be perfect for a wedding in the Fall. I hope you enjoy this "posh concept," and as always...be inspired!

The Choco-Pink Craze!

One of the hottest color combinations today is Chocolate & Pink! Soft pink, hot pink, fuchsia, mauve...just pink! I made this "Diva's" Food Cake Cupcake (SN:Something about the name "Devil's" Food Cake bothers me.) inspired by the "Choco-Pink" Craze. It is actually Bananas Foster icing with caramel here, topped with a thin, crisp, cookie. I just colored the icing pink. Something like this would be nice for a girl's baby shower, a bridal shower, or even a wedding. This is an inspiration board created by Shauna Young at The Party Dress and my cupcake! Be inspired!

Summer Salads

I have been experimenting with salads this month. Its great because it has been so hot outside and a refreshing salad is the perfect way to eat something that tastes great, is good for you, and will cool you off at the same time. I LOVE salads because there is really no limit to what you can put in them! I tried the Chopped Citrus Salad for an upcoming rehearsal dinner. The Conch Salad was for my family. We also ate it over crackers and realized it makes a great appetizer!