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In honor of the upcoming ball drop, I wanted to put together a sweet and oh-so-chic board. This New Year’s Eve wedding starts at 8pm. Guests kick up their heels swing dancing to a big band and feast on petite frosted donuts and monochromatic martini crudite. Blush, gold, black, and white are the colors of the evening. The bride and groom leave in a vintage getaway car at midnight after running through a sea of sparklers. The champagne flows freely {naturally}.

The Details
First row, left to right:
The Art Deco circles on the bottom of this invitation from {Hello!Lucky} kick off a night filled with bubbly {bubbly–bubbles–circles.. get it?}; your ladies will look lovely in a shimmery jacquard dress {Brides.com}; apply gold balls liberally to a staircase for a mesmerizing display (but only if no one will be walking down it!) {via The City Sage}

Second row, left to right:
Serve petite donuts and mini meringue puffs late night for a sweet end to the festivities {Brides.com}; silver flatware and gold glitter complement this board’s palette {Country Living}; a tie and bout in the faintest shade of blush looks elegant on the groom {The Knot}

Third row, left to right:
Pillar candles have become a somewhat standard non-floral centerpiece option, but slender tapers grouped together are unexpected {Brides.com}; rent or borrow a vintage Chrysler for some “something old” transportation {photo by Justin Marantz}; a shiny stack of champagne makes for an elegant, if somewhat precarious, display {Brides.com};

Fourth row, left to right:
Menu scrolls add chic-on-the-cheap color to reception tables {Ceci NY via Southern Weddings}; add a sparkly rhinestone brooch to dress up plain ballet flats {photo by Jose Villa}; serve winter white crudite (cauliflower, endive, white asparagus) in martini glasses at the cocktail hour {Brides.com}

What are you doing for New Year’s Eve? I’ll be in NYC celebrating a friend’s birthday {but NOT in Time’s Square!}.

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With only three days to go until Christmas, I was inspired to create this red, white, gray – and yes, green – inspiration board. I tried to keep the green to foliage and filler, which helped to alleviate my worries about it feeling too cliched. I’m really happy this board is able to feel both fun – what with the button bout, checked tie, and peppermint eggnog – and classy (calligraphy, cake). What do you think? Too Christmas-y for a wedding? Or could it work?

One more thing: this board was originally inspired by last week’s Table Trends post on Once Wed. This series has been brilliant – if you haven’t yet, definitely check it out! And once this board started coming together, I couldn’t resist including a photo Kathryn used in a fabulous board a week or so ago; it was just too perfect. Both of these ladies and their lovely work are so inspiring to me – you must add their blogs to your list of daily must-reads!

The Details
First row, left to right:
A button boutonniere adds an offbeat note to even the most formal wedding (Once Wed); make sure your photographer grabs a fabulous ring shot (this one by James Christianson); evergreen-filled window boxes look darling from the outside of your venue – or bring them inside as centerpieces perfect for long tables (Martha Stewart via Snippet & Ink)

Second row, left to right:
Peppermint eggnog is a delicious and seasonal cocktail hour offering (Martha Stewart Kids); red shoes add a pop of color to a wedding day ensemble – if you’re not comfortable flashing them at the ceremony, change into a pair just for the reception (by Orchard Cove Photography via the Style Me Pretty Little Black Book Blog); shapely curves and sugar twigs set off this otherwise classic white cake (Brides.com)

Third row, left to right:
Poinsettias in simple pails would also make lovely centerpieces, especially at smaller cocktail hour tables (Jupiter Images); you may miss the warmth of a summer wedding in December, but falling snow makes its own brand of magic (photo by James Christianson via the Little Black Book Blog); a checked tie in cheery colors is the perfect complement to a gray suit (The Knot)

Fourth row, left to right:
Your bridesmaids will almost certainly rewear a kicky red-and-white-striped cocktail number (via Snippet & Ink); oversized white roses and red berries mingle happily in another option for centerpieces (Once Wed); red-on-white calligraphy sets a festive tone from the start (Laura Hooper)

Catch up on the first three holiday-themed installments here:
Pinecones & Chocolate
Blue Christmas
Elegant Evergreens

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Welcome back to the third week of our holiday-inspired boards! To me, this deep, mossy green is perfect for an elegant December party – or wedding! Mix in shades of cream and white, layer on textures in a knitted ring pillow, satin beribboned favors, and velvety poinsettia leaf place setttings, and you’re ready to throw a swanky soiree.

The Details
First row, left to right:
The tree is the perfect focal point for our color palette: evergreen branches hung with creamy stars and balls (Better Homes & Gardens); serve individual coconut souffles for dessert (Martha Stewart Weddings); a bay leaf garland makes for a fragment aisle decoration (via Southern Weddings)

Second row, left to right:
Shortbread cookies punched with stars and piled on a generous serving platter make a perfect late-night snack (Country Living); a cream satin clutch is a generous and thoughtful gift for your maids (Brides.com); dendrobium orchids and white lisianthus give this bouquet plenty of oomph (Brides.com)

Third row, left to right:
I think the moss wreath in this front door display is so fresh – and easily adaptable to a church or reception location (Martha Stewart Living); I love this short, cream dress on a daring bride (Martha via Snippet & Ink); oversize poinsettia blooms make for chic napkin rings (Better Homes & Gardens)

Fourth row, left to right:
A knit ring pillow is a relatively easy DIY project (juicyyumberger’s Flickr stream via Snippet & Ink); wrap up favors in green paper and satin ribbons for a shot of color on tables (Jupiter Image); mix in multiple tones with fir and green apple centerpieces (Better Homes & Gardens)

For more, check out the first two installments here:
Blue Christmas
Pinecones and Chocolate

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So sorry for the scant posting, and for getting this board up a day later than promised! Exams have taken and will take precedence over blogging this week {as I suppose they should}. Anyway, this board has me singing a little Elvis: it’s elegant and sleek, but not too cool to make time for some playful portraits in the snow!

The Details
First row, left to right:
Jordan almonds look new packaged in fun netting (Martha Stewart Weddings); a cardigan is a smart (and smart looking!) way to stay warm at the ceremony or reception (photo by Ann Hamilton via The Bride’s Cafe); a coconut-dusted cake calls to mind snow falling outside (Rebecca Thuss)

Second row, left to right:
Silver dresses serve as moving decor {is is bad to think of them in that way?!} and add shine to the festivities (J. Crew); a twilight ceremony is a lovely and atmospheric way to begin the evening (photo by Jef Maion via Snippet & Ink); give guests a jingle bell to ring on your way back down the aisle or out the church doors (Martha Stewart Weddings)

Third row, left to right:
Icy blue letterpress delivers a crisp first impression (by Lilah Paper via Style Me Pretty); lilacs, usually associated with spring, make for a frothy, winter white bouquet (Martha Stewart Weddings); mini tart pans filled with cookies are delicious favors and add to a beautiful tablescape (Martha Stewart Weddings)

Fourth row, left to right:
A columned atrium makes for a grand reception location (The Knot); set aside ample time for playful portraits {and making snow angels!} (Anne Ruthman via Weddingbee PRO); a wedding dress with a silver sash picks up the hue of the maids’ dresses perfectly (photo by Jonathan Canlas)