In Love with Black and White/Ivory Color Schemes

There is just something about a black and white wedding color scheme that says sophistication to me.  I love the simple elegance of it. There are multiple ways to play up this color scheme so that it still stands out and is personalized to you. 

What I love about black and white/ivory weddings:

·         It will never go out of style. People will wait to see what the trendy “in” colors of the upcoming wedding season from magazines and runways are, but with a black and white theme, your wedding will always be “in trend”.  You will look at your invite 10 years later and not think it looks dated.

·         It is so easy to add slight touches of color elsewhere, like in your flowers or centerpieces.  It helps make those colors really stand out.  The addition of a few drops of color can be a spotlight against a background of black and white/ivory without being the main focus or stealing the show.

·         Since you are limiting your color palate, you can play up different patterns and textures without taking away from the elegance of the event.  For example, using plaid or polka-dot frames for table numbers will not look out of place.

Now for some sets that in cooperate this theme:

Notice how this couple added on a simple rhinestone in their pocket invitation.  It was a simple add on, but really made it stand out.  It was an invitation that was very classic looking, but also had that “wow” factor in the simple yet stylish design.  To this day, it is one of my most asked about invitations from potential clients.  For many clients, it serves as their inspiration for their new design.

This theme was carried on throughout the wedding, as we also did the escort cards, and added rhinestones to the escort cards, and added ribbon with rhinestones to help decorate around the venue.

And just look at how great this cake looks?  Need I say more at how stylish you can make a classic black and ivory wedding look modern and stylish at the same time?  Don't worry, I will ;) Cake designed by Premier Pastry

This couple also used a classic white theme, but with an added design, it gave this invitation a fresh modern feel. Damask patterns are so on trend right now and have so many possibilities to make yours completely unique from anyone else. I get asked constantly if I am able to do damask prints and the answer is YES!

 

 Finally, this couple embraced adding a little bit of color, unlike the other two sets above.  Notice how this wedding is still mostly black and white, but has a small touch of color.  The color  really pops, but without taking away from the main color scheme of black and ivory.  I just think that the small hint of color is beautiful on the menu cards and table numbers adds to the romance of the event. 

So, as you plan for any event such as a wedding, shower, or even a birthday, do not shy away from this classic color scheme.  Weren't we always told in history class that history repeats itself? There is a reason why black and white/ivroy invitations have stood the test of time.  

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Happy wedding/life planning!

Themes, themes, and themes!

I have so many clients that come to me asking if I think their idea of a theme is cheesy for a wedding. Many worry that it takes away from the actual event, however I think it is a great way to really zone in on colors, ideas, and inspiration that a couple tends to be more creative and think outside of the box.  Helping clients with their theme wedding tends to be very fun for me creatively as often times I get free rein so to speak to help make their ideas come alive!

Peacock Theme

This theme was subtle, but by using peacocks their color scheme was already picked out in beautiful jewel tones that was incorporated into their whole wedding from invitations to favors the color scheme stayed and really looked beautiful across the room. This is a couple who was not flashy with their theme and helped guide their planning without being the focal point of the event.

Valentines Day Theme

Getting married on around valentine’s day already has a theme built in, so I had a couple that just wanted to embrace what that day and your wedding should be all about: LOVE.

 

These clients really used their wedding stationery to set the tone of love by using a heart, and the room on their wedding day was very romantic feeling due to the timing of the event, and embracing the theme.  Candles really helped set the tone in the room

Winter Wonderland Theme

Getting married in winter doesn’t have to be all dark and cold, after all you are celebrating your marriage.  Embracing what is beautiful about winter in your wedding will certainly add a fun element to your wedding.  This client really loved the idea of creating a winter wonderland that had snowflakes everywhere.  The stationery set the tone of the wedding, and looking at the silver sparkles, white, and subtle blue across the room made it very cozy and beautiful all at the same time. 

Vegas Theme

This couple got married in Vegas and embraced the theme right away.  From a box invite that incorporated their location of Caesar’s Palace to favors that included personalized chocolate poker chips, they kept the Vegas theme going in a very classy way that was fun to be creative with.

So don’t be afraid to embrace a theme if that is what you are leaning towards and if you want to brainstorm some ideas on how to make your idea for a theme a reality, I am always readily available.

Happy wedding/life planning!

Let’s talk about complementary colors

Remember being in elementary school and you had to know about primary and commentary colors?  Well, some of the best stuff we learn as children we tend to forget when it really counts, like when needed to decorate for one of the most important days of your life: Your wedding.

Being engaged is one of the most exciting times and in the very early stages of wedding planning picking out your color scheme can be very overwhelming to many couples.  Many of my clients always want to know a way to make their colors “pop.”  This can be achieved multiple ways, but one of the easiest ways is to utilize complementary colors.

Complementary colors, when used together in color schemes, are especially vibrant and pleasing to the eye at the same time.  The combinations of complementary colors are dynamic together because they play up to each other’s intensity.  Think of how a little bit of blue will really play up an orange invitation as the one below shows from a former client.

Design by Sweet Pea Print

A more expanded form of complementary color wheel here also incorporates warm and cool color ideas:

Notice how this former client utilized a more red fuchsia color to go with a mustard color below.

Design by Sweet Pea Print

Now, to really expand your thinking on the complementary colors is looking at the additive model of color: 

The complements using this wheel are green and magenta, red and cyan, and blue and yellow.  I have had many clients use colors similar to this scheme and this is also very popular for business logos--- think of IKEA using blue and yellow.  Not only does this scheme complement each other, but also draws your eye to their logo.

Notice how this client uses just a little bit of yellow to really make their pattern stand out:

Design by Sweet Pea Print
photo credit: Images Unveiled Photography http://imagesunveiled.com/

Or this one that does the exact opposite, using just a little bit of blue, to complement the yellow background and bow:

Design by Sweet Pea Print

Design by Sweet Pea Print

The possibilities are really endless when using complementary colors as different shades will complement different colors.  And just when you thought you never really used anything from elementary school ever again!

Happy wedding/life planning

Sweetpeaprint

 

Color Trends for 2011

While doing this research for 2011 trends I couldn't help but think of many fond memories of my own wedding and also some of my textile design classes I took many years ago while attending Buffalo State College. Fun! Hope you enjoy this board and it helps you in your planning. Please let me know what you think. xoxo


The 2011 year in color will have a soft vintage style that gives off a hint of fresh spring colors and will provide rich fall and winter accents.

Spring - many of the spring colors of this year include sky blue, emerald, pink, dandelion, and green.

Summer - you will notice much brighter tints like orange, yellow, orchid, cobalt blue, pink, red, green and purple.

Fall & Winter - colors will have very rich shades that include earth tones and soft vintage varieties. These shades include, dark crimson, olive green, chocolate brown, champagne,
dandelion, purple, razzel pink, orange, and blazer blue.

Look out for vintage style weddings and bright and earthy tones...2011 is sure to be unforgettable and fabulous.

Dont forgot to contact me today to work on your 100% custom designed stationary project
www.sweetpeaprint.com

xoxo
Samantha
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Sweet Pea Print
Owner/Designer