What’s Your vibe?

With so many different wedding styles and trends, sometimes it can be overwhelming to narrow down a stylistic direction. I’ve compiled several varying categories of weddings with concise visuals and sensible details that are consistent with each idea. Having a specific style will make the planning and communication with your vendors so much easier because you’ll be able to have a clear visual for them to seek after when helping you make your vision come to life.

Kirsten-Smith-Photography-Cait-and-Zach-Wedding-0426.jpg

highlight your venue

Your color scheme will be threaded throughout each element of the wedding. Take your venue into consideration, since this is the most impactual “story-telling” element of your wedding day, and you want to choose a palette that will highlight and work with the details and overall feel of the space. If you’re getting married on a beautiful private estate, soft romantic neutrals and muted tones would work nicely, complimenting the space and highlighting its historic charm. A bold color scheme would be fun to design with in a black or white industrial space, where the colors would shine without competing with or taking away from the venue’s details. And if you’re going for a look that is classic and chic, cream, ivory, and greenery is always in style…

complimentary colors

Pick 2-3 base colors along with 1-2 contrasting/accent color and 1-2 softening/highlighting tones or textural finishes for your accented pieces. For example, an early October wedding on an old family farm would be beautifully embellished with a deep rust and mustard yellow, accented with emerald green, with wood and hammered gold tones with which to highlight. A late summer Eastern Shore palette could consist of an olive green and sage palette, with lavender accents and white-washed wood accents. Play around with the colors and see what looks right to you, with a true reflection of your style and preference. It’s ultimately all about your day and your vision. :)

descriptivE “buzz” words + details

How do you want the wedding to feel for yourselves and your guests? Choose 3-4 words for both your ceremony and reception, and even the wedding day as a whole, that you and your vendors can refer to while planning the details of your location, décor, and overall vision. Be sure to do this early on in your planning process, and give your vendors a list like this that pin-points your style after you’ve taken some time to really curate it. Include some items and pieces that you’d really like to see highlighted throughout the décor to tie everything together. If you’re stumped, I’m happy to help you do this if you’d like! It’s one of my favorite things to do… :)

Ceremony - sweet, intimate, meaningful
Reception - fun, urban, clean, minimalistic
Day - easygoing, simplistic, happy

Style - Chic, Classic, Timeless Southern
Color Palette - Black, Emerald, Mustard, hints of wood and gold for warmth
Accents - black candles, warm lighting, lots of greenery

color palette inspiration

Curate an Inspirational Reference Board

Create a Pinterest board that reflects your wedding style. Try to be decisive as possible and only pin 2-3 images per detail category to really narrow down what you like. Having a clear vision is immensely important when communicating with your vendors, so this is a great way to give them a picture of what you’re going for. Be sure to also let your vendors have their own artistic flair and expression when creating your final product, and remember to let them know that your board is only a guideline, and that you trust them to work their magic. :)

curated wedding board sample

curated Style samples

Romantic

Calligraphy signage and invitations, a flower wall, pastel colors with soft hues and tones, lots of florals and soft lighting, flower girls with pale pink sashes and flower crowns, a live painter present, and loosely draped fabric over the tables covered with rose petals…

Inspo Board: https://www.pinterest.com/kirssmithphoto/romantic-wedding/
Color Palette: blush pink, ivory, sage
Accents: gold, mixed metals

autumn/winter

Representing the time of year with natural elements and supportive colors, for example, a winter wedding’s elements could include cream and caramel with rich colored accents like deep plum and forest green. Décor accents could include wooden elements, potted pines, lanterns with candles, and the guests could throw fake snow during the couples’ exit from the church!

Inspo Board: https://www.pinterest.com/kirssmithphoto/seasonal-wedding/
Color Palette: jewel tones, plum, forest green
Accents: walnut wood, black iron or metal

coastal chic

Sounds of the boats docked along the bayside, live music accompanying guests as they dance under twinkle lights, with some crisp white wine, a raw oyster bar, and a sunset view with sailboats on the horizon…

Inspo Board: https://www.pinterest.com/kirstensmithphotography/eastern-shore-wedding/
Color Palette: off-white, dusty blue, grey, sea glass
Accents: white-washed wood, blue and white stripes

Garden Party

Potted lavender, oregano, and chamomile flowers with tiny vintage vases and glassware, lemonade and tea for refreshment, lawn games, seed packets to go, and a gorgeous naked cake covered in fruit and fresh blossoms… Swoon!

Inspo Board: https://www.pinterest.com/kirssmithphoto/garden-party-wedding/
Color Palette: lavender purple, mustard yellow, burnt orange
Accents: daisies, tin, vintage glass, potted herbs and flowers

Bohemian

Free and flowy fabrics, baskets, greenery, plants, unconventional and with a touch of the 70’s… Bright colors, wildflowers, cool rugs and textures, baskets, macramé, ribbons, and hanging lanterns.

Inspo Board: https://www.pinterest.com/kirssmithphoto/bohemian-wedding/
Color Palette: brown, rusty red, mustard yellow
Accents: candles, warm string lights, vintage picture frames

island

Brighter bold colors like hot pink, teal, orange, and fuchsia, done well and complimented nicely with opposing tones to soften their boldness. Hibiscus flowers, palm leaves, sand and shells, coconut drinks and island vibes…

Inspo Board: https://www.pinterest.com/kirssmithphoto/beachy-wedding/
Color Palette: kelly green, fuchsia, yellow, orange
Accents: palm leaves, green candles, pineapples

Backyard

Outdoor wedding ceremony, barn or backyard tent reception, twinkle lights, wooden folding chairs, fireflies, a bluegrass band, and family recipes all around…

Inspo Board: https://www.pinterest.com/kirssmithphoto/backyard-wedding/
Color Palette: cream, navy blue, a touch of dusty purple
Accents: wooden candle sticks, tin, string lights, potted flowers

Mid-Century Modern

Bold bright colors like mustard, orange and brown, wood and white, apple green, and bold blue, with wooden accents, vintage pieces, dresses that stop just-below-the-knee, a little soda pop, a few carnations, and just all around FUN. Anything inspired from the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s counts!

Inspo Board: https://www.pinterest.com/kirssmithphoto/mid-century-modern-wedding/
Color Palette: white, yellow, green
Accents: wood, vintage glass, colored and floral-printed doilies