John and I made ham biscuits at our state fair last weekend (yay for October goals!), and though we didn’t have much chance to walk around, even our brief visit made me so excited for corn on a stick, ferris wheels, and cute farm animals. That, and the image of tickets in the top left corner, inspired this inspiration for a colorful wedding!

Tickets from ThriftyPyg, clematis centerpiece photo by Joann Arruda, short dress gal photo by Joey & Jessica via Southern Weddings, pink bouquet photo by Caroline Joy via Style Me Pretty, tented reception space photo by A Bryan Photo via Southern Weddings, paper pinwheels via The Sweetest Occasion, donuts via Pizzazzerie, invitation by Southern Fried Paper via Southern Weddings, ferris wheel photo by Marianne Wilson via Ruffled

I love how the tented reception space is vaguely reminiscent of a big top. And of course I love the donuts :)

Friends! So many exciting things happening these days. Have I mentioned that my sister-in-law Natalie is getting married? She and Joe were engaged over the Fourth of July, and we couldn’t be more thrilled! These two are perfect for each other; they complement one other in the most wonderful ways. However, their differences have made for an interesting planning process so far, as we try to balance what’s most important to each of them.

A July wedding in a historic ballroom on the Connecticut coast have been agreed upon, and we’re working on save the dates, a photographer, and a wedding gown as we speak! In terms of design, we’ve gotten far enough to mock up some initial inspiration boards after collecting images with Marget on a joint Pinterest board. Hints of lavender (my in-laws are growing some for the occasion!) and gold are a shoo-in, but as I look at the images, we seem to be going in two different directions for the main colors: emerald and deep teal…

Green and gold bouquet, emerald Lela Rose gown, bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings, stair garland photo by Thuss + Farrell via Snippet & Ink, striped envelope photo by Jeff Loves Jessica, gold cake, emerald place setting photo by Ali Harper via Snippet & Ink, lavender centerpiece via Style Me Pretty, French blue flats from BHLDN

…or peacock and shale.

Peacock and shale bridesmaid photo by When He Found Her, lavender centerpiece via Style Me Pretty, Connecticut couple, stair garland photo by Thuss + Farrell via Snippet & Ink, green and gold bouquet, hellebore centerpiece photo by Ciara Richardson, Percy gown from J. Crew, gold cake, garden rose bouquet photo by Rylee Hitchner

A subtle difference, to be sure, but one which we should probably reconcile at some point. Your thoughts or opinions are welcome!

Can’t wait to see how things develop!!

Friends! We are back from our honeymoon, well-rested, and missing island time just a little bit. To soften the transition back to the real world, I thought I’d cook up a Nevis-inspired wedding inspiration board. I’ll have much, more more to say about this pretty little island in the coming weeks, but today, just know I focused on its color palette: the azure blue of the ocean and sky, the bright butter yellow of the plantation houses and rum punches, and the dry grass green of the palm trees, with a little waft of British colonialism heritage thrown in for good measure.

Happy Monday, friends!

Sandals photo by Garance Dore, coconut couple photo by Wendy Laurel via Style Me Pretty, rum punch (the unofficial official drink of Nevis) photo by Meredith Perdue via Map & Menu, striped stationery via Design Work Life, soft blue and green bridesmaid dresses photo by Judy Pak via SMP, pineapple centerpiece photo by Justin & Mary, cucumber honeydew margarita popsicles from Endless Simmer, photo of Montpelier Plantation by Meredith Perdue via Map & Menu

Here it is – inspiration board no. 100! Inspired by the beginning of spring and one of my very favorite children’s novels, I decided to imagine an Anne of Green Gables wedding. I did take some modern liberties — no puffed sleeves here, I’m sure much to Anne’s dismay — but I did include several hallmarks of the beloved books.

Did you spot them? I included a redhead with upswept hair (since Anne so looked forward to putting hers up!); a bouquet overflowing with spring flowers, like one Anne might have collected from Violet Vale; and a spot that could be a modern-day White Way of Delight. There’s also a beribboned bridge gesturing toward the one where Anne and Gilbert have their moment at the end of book one; a red cocktail in honor of raspberry cordial/currant wine; books as centerpieces; a berry cake that looks like one Anne might have made Diana; and a boat for setting sail on the Lake of Shining Waters.

Do you love the Anne series, too? I’ve never seen the movie(s), but I hear some people love them as much as the books!

Redhead bride photo by Elizabeth Messina, dogwood bouquet photo by Jose Villa, wild berry arrangement photo by KT Merry via Once Wed, blooming lane, be-ribboned bridge photo by Lexia Frank via Southern Weddings, red cocktail photo by Annabella Charles via Grey Likes Weddings, strawberry cake by Chelsea Fuss via Project Wedding, book photo by KT Merry via 100 Layer Cake, and boat photo by Lisa O’Dwyer via 100 Layer Cake