Thank you so much for all of your support for Something Pretty Online Wedding Design! I was so tickled pink reading your sweet comments yesterday, and if you missed the announcement, you can find it here. :)

Today’s inspiration board is a test board that I made as an example of what a bride asking for an inspiration board from Something Pretty Online Wedding Design could expect to receive. Inspiration boards are so pretty and fun to make, but I also try to make them practical and intentional too. A bride should be able to take away ideas from every single picture. So, along with the board and sources, I would include an extensive “behind the board” note, to explain why I chose everything and what she can use from it. So, here’s what this bride-to-be asked for:

“I definitely don’t want anything vintage or rustic at all, so nothing outdoors, no barns, no mason jars, etcetera. Something different but still girly and soft. Some things I love that I want to be inspired by are a pink watercolor painting, Kate Middleton’s periwinkle dress (here), Dylan’s Candy Bar, and 500 Days of Summer. Oh, and I really want a big tulle ballgown!”

{Modern Romance}

{Art gallery venue: Elizabeth in Love via Style Me Pretty| Pancake bar: Sarah Yates Photography via Green Wedding Shoes| Cake pops display: Jennifer Morrow Photography via Style Me Pretty| Amsale Calista gown: Tanja Lippert via Style Me Pretty| Sparkly squirrel figurine: Alison Conklin via Something Pretty| S’mores bar: Laura Jane Photography via Style Me Pretty| Bar cart with pink drinks: via Snippet and Ink| Bridesmaids: Carrie Patterson Photography via Style Me Pretty}

Behind the board: As much as I love a pretty vintage wedding, I can’t get enough of the modern elegance that’s sure to be big in 2012. Modern doesn’t have to mean bold or graphic, and this bride’s ideas were perfect for demonstrating a modern but very feminine design. An art gallery is the perfect venue–unique space, clean palette, and most importantly, no ugly carpets or lighting that are all too common in hotel ballrooms. A big tulle gown fulfills this bride’s tulle dreams, and the clean lines of Amsale Calista complement this space. The bridesmaids and florals are the perfect places to bring out the soft, romantic color palette of periwinkle, soft pink, and lavender, all found in the painting she mentioned. I would suggest flowy chiffon bridesmaid dresses, and big, lush flowers–hydrangea would be perfect, and comes in all the right colors. Since this bride has a sweet tooth, lots of the details come in the form of treats! A chic, streamlined s’mores bar is a great addition to a cocktail hour, since guests can mingle while toasting their marshmallows. Once inside the reception, a breakfast-for-dinner pancake buffet would be so unexpected and fun…not to mention, budget friendly! Colorful cake pops make adorable displays and desserts–lots of them grouped together would make such an impact, but they would also be great scattered on tables. For other decor, feminine and quirky is the way to go, such as sparkly figurines, colorful candles, and a bar cart stocked with all-pink drinks.

Love,

Lisa