Choosing Wedding Colors

Some brides know exactly what colors they want for their wedding - sometimes even before they have the ring!

I was not one of those brides.

When it came to colors, I was all across the board. I liked the combination of greens and pinks for a garden wedding in May.

I loved the bright, fun summer hues like raspberry and tangerine with tropical flowers, perfect for a waterfront, beach themed wedding.

I wanted warm hues that screamed romance, champagnes and blushes. Roses everywhere.

I  loved the colors of autumn and the changing leaves. 














Most of all, I wanted colors that were classic and elegant, that I (hopefully) wouldn't look back on in ten or twenty years and cringe!

When my fiance and I finally narrowed down the season for the wedding- our favorite season, fall - I was excited to choose from a palette of autumn colors. But I got hung up on the idea that I needed a two-color scheme: one main color and a complementary color. Everyone I knew seemed to have two colors: My parents, who just celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary, had two colors: pink and gray. Fast forward 25 years and the tradition still held, my best friend whom I grew up with also had two colors in her wedding: navy blue and silver.

Even theknot.com wanted me to select two colors on my wedding page. I just couldn't narrow it down to two!

I fell in love with plum for the bridesmaids dresses. It's a beautiful fall color, elegant, and one that my fiance could agree on. I couldn't narrow it down to just one complementary color - so I didn't.

Plum is our main wedding color, the complimentary colors are the colors of fall: rustic red, sunflower yellow, burnt orange.

A color scheme doesn't have to be limited to two colors - use three, four or five - just don't overdo it. If you choose bold bright colors (like the aforementioned raspberry and tangerine) offset them with a cooler, neutral color like cream.

For me, the most important thing I did was pick colors that I like. I know that sounds obvious, but I'm surprised at how many brides choose colors based on the bridesmaids' preferences or their mothers' tastes. It's important to consider the opinions of those who are a part of your big day (including your future husband!) but don't let them bully you into choosing colors that just aren't you.

Now every time I see anything in plum - dresses, jewelry, clothing (and even things non-wedding related!) I get excited. And that's how I know I made a good decision. Ask me again in ten or twenty years and I hope I'll still feel the same!

It's all in the Details!

To tie in our rustic/fall theme, I've been collecting bottles, corks, and mason jars among other things that I plan to use at the reception. I hope these little details help pull the look together.

 This is a very simple look. I found glass milk bottles from a local dairy farm that I think are just right. Even beer bottles could be used for this effect.

 I picked up coppery colored mini watering cans and pitchers from a local craft store on the cheap!

 I've fallen in love with mason jars! I'd like to have mason jars for the bridesmaids to put their bouquets in - a nice way to dress up the head table!

 A shepherd's hook, some ribbon, flowers, and a mason jar. Great idea for aisle runners for an outdoor ceremony. Our ceremony is indoors, but this might make a nice path into the reception!

 Mason jars as candle holders. Fill with rocks, sand, moss... the options are limitless!

 A unique overhead display with an old wooden ladder.

I found this idea (on Pinterest of course) for breaking wine bottles to use as vases. If I'm feeling crafty (and perhaps a bit daring!) I may give this a try.

I'm excited to find uses for all the items I've been collecting!

It's all coming Together

One thing that overwhelmed me at the beginning of the wedding planning process was all the decor details. As I browsed theknot.com and Google image searched, I was overwhelmed by photos of real weddings that were full of little details that brought themes together.

I put much thought into a theme and how to make one happen. And slowly, over time, I've been finding ideas I love that fit our theme of rustic elegance.

With the wedding growing nearer, I feel that all those little details are finally coming together:

 Lighted tree branches in rustic containers,

Centerpieces of copper-colored lanterns with a candle surrounded by moss,

Mason jars with candles,

Escort cards displayed using twine and old wooden ladders decorated with flowers and candles ,

A cake stand made of a slab of wood,

Chalkboards as signage,

Mismatched wooden picture frames to display photos of us around the reception.


As it turns out, we don't have to have an outdoor ceremony or a barn reception to have a rustic wedding. It really is in the details.

More Rustic Reception Decor

Just wanted to share some more fun reception decor ideas I found on theknot.com!

 Love the rustic look of these table numbers, which were done with burnt-edge cards numbered in cranberry ink and placed in pieces of wood that were cut from fallen trees.

I like the color scheme here. I wonder if I can incorporate moss in my lantern centerpieces....

 Again with the colors and the moss...

 This guest book display table has such a warm candlelit look. I love the branches!

I absolutely LOVE this escort card display. The wooden ladders with candles and flowers are functional but also fit the rustic theme. I may use this idea for a photo display!

Wedding Favors

I've been stuck on an idea for wedding favors. Often, wedding favors are impractical and get left behind by guests. My fiance and I agree we'd like favors that are useful or that our guests will be able to enjoy.

I finally found a great idea that both my fiance and I love and I think our guests will love too - personalized pints of apple cider as wedding favors!

My fiance and I love fall, and one of our favorite things about this time of year is fresh apple cider. It's delicious both cold and hot! What better way to share this with our guests than to give out cider as our favors?

We can make our own labels to personalize them. I've already talked to a local farm market about ordering them for the wedding.

Not only will our guests enjoy them, this fits perfectly with our rustic, fall wedding!

Lantern Centerpieces

It seems every other wedding-related decision I make, I second guess myself. I thought I had decided on the submerged flower with a floating candle centerpieces. But I couldn't stop thinking about these beautiful lanterns I found in the seasonal section of a local store.

I love the brownish/copper color. These are perfect for fall. At about 13 inches tall, they're just the right height for the center of the table without interfering with guests line of vision while seated.

I found some pictures of beautiful lantern centerpieces:

I think the lanterns give a nice rustic, fall feeling and with candles inside the lanterns and votive candles on the tables I can still create a romantic look. We can dress it up with some flowers and/or fall leaves.

The lanterns also come in a larger (19 inch) and smaller (9 inch) sizes that we can use in other areas of the reception hall. Here is a picture of the larger lantern with three candles:

Lantern centerpieces are more in line with the look I am trying to achieve. Now I can incorporate the rustic theme with more fall decorations (more on that to come!)