Think Spring

Ohmygosh. It's wicked cold outside. I stayed inside, cranked up the heat, wore flip flops and played Bob Marley all day 'cause I'm thinking spring.


I've also been daydreaming about the Pantone Color of the Year:

Which is about as spring as you can get. And could be quite perfect for a spring or summer Cape Cod wedding.

Executed to perfection in this bouquet:

{ via Wild Bunch Studio }

Pair it with navy:

{ Nancy Gould }

 Or with green:

{ The Knot }

Pantone says Honeysuckle is courageous and confident, and a 'brave new color for a brave new world.'  That's kind of a nice sentiment for a wedding. Or for a new season.

Think spring. It has to be here soon.

P.S.

Do you ever think Style Me Pretty is reading your mind?

Just last night I stayed up way too late thinking about burlap, and pale orange, gray and white as a color palette, and using dusty miller in bouquets and centerpieces, and how does all that look?

And today, what do my wondering eyes should appear, but a Style Me Pretty day filled with just those things.

See them here, here and here.

And you know what, it looks good.

{ Aregrayline Photography via Style Me Pretty }

Inspiration: Mad for Plaid

I've gone a little mad for plaid.

Not in a plaid wedding dress kind of way:

{ via Style Me Pretty }

But in a Charlotte Marries Trey in a Wedding Infused with Subtle Tartan Details way, a la Carrie's maid of honor dress with a little tartan ribbon at the waist.

{ It is embarrassing how I got this photo. Let's not talk about it, OK? }

Think white rose bouquets tied with plaid ribbon, little flower girls in tartan dresses, groomsmen in navy suits with plaid ties.  A groom in a kilt is not required... but if you're a girl who loves a man in a skirt, be my guest.

What a lovely way to inject some holiday color without being overtly red & green. And a nice way to honor the family if you happen to be a MacSomething, Campbell or Stewart (like me!).
 

 { Top: Have one of these guys outside the church; Flower girls could carry evergreen kissing balls; Centerpieces in silver trophies tied with plaid ribbon;

Middle: Bouquet with amaryllis; Plaid takes the cake; Sweet little flower girl dress; 

Bottom: Red-domed centerpieces and hints of gold; Kilt hits the beach via Raw Photo }

Still Falling for Nautical

I know the calendar says fall isn't officially over until December 21st but, in my mind, autumn doesn't last a day past November.

So I'm squeezing in this one last series* of fall wedding photos, courtesy of Style Me Pretty. And it's preppy-nautical to boot!:

 { Who knew blue and white stripes went so well with pumpkins? 

I'm inspired. Truly inspired. }

{ Pearls, ruffled navy dresses, orange pashminas, ga-ga-gorgeous flowers and more blue-and-white striped grosgrain ribbon. Could there be anything more perfect for a fall Shoreside bride? }

 { Classic. }

*Who am I kidding? I love fall. This won't be the last. But I'm full-to-the-brim of sparkling holiday ideas to share.

Slipping into September

The Cape is slowly slipping into September, this most beautiful month that bridges summer into fall.  Sometimes we have a day warm enough to enjoy the beach, but evening falls most noticeably earlier and the air is most decidedly crisp. 

The purple hydrangea is the quintessential flower of this time & place. The vibrant bloom synonymous with summer colored a deeper shade for fall.

  { Jamie Delaine via Ruffled }

Are you enjoying Cape Cod in September? I am.

A Little Something for the Boys

Love this nautical-inspired boutonniere.
Love the blue & white striped bow tie.
Will now be spending hours looking up suiting ideas for the boys. Back soon to share!

{ Photo by emilie inc., spotted on Love & Lobster... a new must-read. 

I'm thinkin' lots of Maine ideas will be heading south to Cape Cod. } 

Summer Cool

Blue and green is my favorite summer color combo. It's like diving into the ocean - a refreshing bit of Summer Cool.

This little kermit mum and blue Mason jar centerpiece is epitome of good summer things. 

{ via House of Turquoise }

Just One More

Just one more accessory... headbands for the flower girls. This Hydrangea-themed wedding that exists in my head is really taking shape! (And I can spend hours looking through Etsy.)

{ Etsy seller PetitCalla }

Thursday Purseday?

I got to thinkin'. (This is often dangerous and typically expensive.) But don't the blue shoes for the Hydrangea-themed wedding that exists in my head need a fabulous purse accompaniment? 

So today is Thursday Purseday around the Shoreside. Perhaps this is the start of a new trend?

This is what I have in mind:

{ Etsy seller Ma Belle Cherie }

Inspiration: Hydrangeas

To inspire your own Cape Cod wedding full of hydrangeas, a visual representation of the Hydrangea-themed wedding that exists in my head:

{ Top: Hydrangeas down the center by Mimmo + Naz via Style Me Pretty; 

Can I have the wedding here? The Hydrangea House on Shore Street in Chatham

Middle: A cartful from Porchlight Interiors; 

Perfectly simple centerpieces by Natalie McComas via 100 Layer Cake

Bottom: Bridal bouquet via 100 Layer Cake; Lining the aisle from frolic!; 

Petals to toss via 100 Layer Cake }

A Week-ness for Hydrangeas

Is there anything more synonymous with a Cape Cod wedding than blue hydrangeas? Like many Shoreside brides, I have a particular weakness for these exuberant mop-headed flowers, which are blooming the most glorious blue this summer.

I'm going to share the hydrangea-themed wedding that exists in my head with you this week, starting with invitations from Parrott Design Studio, because I am fairly certain the hydrangea-themed wedding that exists in my head started with these:

 

{ See more here of the invitation suite here. }

From the kraft paper envelopes, to the baker's twine, to the little shorebird on the RSVP card, these are a such a fresh and pretty update of traditional Cape Cod styling. 

Here's to a great week! (And someone please tell me you, too, have weddings that exist in your head.)

1-2-3-4

Spotted on The Wild Bunch Studio's blog:

1)Table numbers created with tiny seashells. Another DIY idea to add to the file.


2) Terrariums. Seriously. Terrariums. Brilliant.

3) Black, white & coral color scheme.

4) See even more pictures of this thoroughly creative wedding by florist Katie McConnell

here.

Inspiration: In Love with Lavender

Did you know there's a lavender farm in Harwich? Cape Cod Lavender Farm is one of the largest on the East Coast and hosts more than 10,000 visitors annually. It's on my List of Things to Do in the next few weeks because the lavender is in bloom right now.

Also right now, a lavender-themed inspiration board.

{ Top: Lavender-infused Champagne from Real Simple; Rings via Postcards & Pretties; Placesetting via Style Me Pretty;

Middle: Boutonnieres via Postcards & Pretties, Dark Cocoa Cupcakes with Lavender Whipped Cream - yum - via Fresh New England

Bottom: Lavender whips in Mint Julep Cups via Style Me Pretty; Lavender chair decor via Postcards & Pretties; Bouquet with fresh Lavender from Flower Design }

Inspiration: Pretty Pink Peonies

Is there anything more unabashedly romantic or exuberantly feminine than a pink peony? This flower of "riches and honor" is said to have mischievous nymphs living amongst its petals. Peonies, and their heavenly scent, are really only available for May and June, so let's celebrate them now, shall we?

{ Top: Southern Living Lemonade; Peony dress via Style Me Pretty; Bouquet

Middle: Flower girl via Classic Bride; A Cape Cod Delicious Dessert; 

Chatham wedding by the Casual Gourmet for Style Me Pretty; 

Bottom: Boutonniere via Snippet & Ink; Things are Better with a Parrot Invitation; Country Living Placesetting }

The Ikea Wedding

Brides on a budget, rejoice.
Chic centerpieces from IKEA:

{ IKEA Sweden via The Sweetest Occasion }

{ Above two from The Knot }

{ These are all from And Unlimited Photography. The whole wedding is wicked awesome. 

It's my nautical wedding heaven. }

Those little white buggers are only $1.99. Can you hear my joy?

A Bouquet for Today

I was just outside working in the garden, where I am so happy to see my beloved hosta plants are really starting to come in. (Beloved because they were given to me by a dear friend, whose mother grew them in her garden. And they were the first thing I planted at my new house.)

Then I came inside to find this bouquet. Made, I think, from hosta leaves?

{ Meg Smith via Snippet & Ink }

Inspiration: In Bloom

"Ten thousand I saw at a glance," wrote William Wordsworth after coming upon a field of daffodils.

Maybe he was here. Cape Cod is a riot right now of yellow and white, so much so that we even throw celebrations in honor of this delightfully happy flower. You can check out the annual Brewster in Bloom parade May 2nd or the three million daffodils that decorate Nantucket's Daffodil Days on April 23-25th.

And what better than a daffodil to inspire your springtime Cape Cod wedding:

{ top: Amanda Archer dress, yellow wedding cake, dessert table

middle: daffodil invitation suite, ceremony programs, bouquet

bottom: lemonade jar, gingham, daffodil car, pretty painting }