Deciding the décor for your wedding is such an exciting process since the options are limitless — but that can quickly become frustrating, too. Some brides-to-be are very decisive, having known since childhood that their bridal bouquet would be filled with flowers in shades of lavender and ivory, while others (myself included) can become overwhelmed by the various ideas that are floating around in their heads.
Although you may feel as if you will never be able to decide on your color scheme, centerpieces and bridesmaid dresses, don’t fret! I've got great advice to help organize your thoughts and create your own wedding-day style.
1. Choose an Inspiration Piece
Find one item that truly inspires you. Whether you love its color, shape, or details, use this piece to guide your planning. For me, inspiration came in the form of my engagement ring. Michael had my ring custom made and the jeweler hand carved the leaf detail on my setting (pictured below). This small detail had a huge impact on my planning.
I found myself searching for more items that fit into this foliage theme, leading me to purchase the Kate Spade Gardner Street Collection Toasting Flutes ($60, macys.com), as well as the Cake Knife and Server (($60, macys.com) from this collection. In addition to the two aforementioned items, this detail can be found in three other aspects of my wedding (sorry, but I need to keep it under wraps in case any of my guests are reading!).
Etsy is a fantastic place to search for your pièce de résistance; it's filled with one-of-a-kind, handcrafted items that were made to inspire. To get the ball rolling, check out some of my picks below:
Laurel Wedding Ring Pillow ($47, etsy.com/shop/woomi); Peacock Card Box ($99, etsy.com/shop/LaceyClaireDesigns); Custom Wedding Cake Topper ($145, etsy.com/shop/RedLightStudio).
2. Start Your Own Bridal Journal
Like most BG brides, after I got engaged, I became obsessed with bridal magazines. To prevent them from taking over my desk, I decided to invest in a journal. After reading each magazine, I would revisit the pages I marked, cut out the items I loved—smart day-of-tips, stunning accessories, noteworthy dresses—and glue them into my journal.
Throughout planning, I consulted my journal and ultimately noticed that one color dominated the majority of my clippings. Without my journal as a resource, it probably would have taken me much longer to decide on my color scheme and centerpieces. In addition to helping with planning, the journal is a wonderful keepsake to share with your future children and grandchildren.
In search of a journal? I personally love this Dreams Really Do Come True moleskine notebook ($10.95, etsy.com/shop/modernSCRAPYARD).
3. Visit the Bridal Guide "Planning" Channel
I’m sure that you too spend several hours on BridalGuide.com throughout the week. I highly recommend visiting the Planning tab, located on the top left. This section is full of wonderful ideas that will make deciding on your décor a piece of cake! One of my favorite features is “15 Fun Wedding Reception Ideas." I personally love number one, "Walk Down Memory Lane," and I hope that Mike and I will be able to create a gallery of meaningful photos at the reception for our guests’ enjoyment.
Crista asks: What has been a source of inspiration for your wedding décor?
—Crista Camerlengo
Crista Camerlengo is a real bride and the co-founder of Style She Wrote, who will tie the knot in July 2012 with Michael, her fiancé of six years. This chic NYC couple describes their wedding style as “modern romance"—fitting for a pair who had their first date at a quaint seaport and became engaged in the same spot, overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge. This fashion-forward blogger loves to infuse her traditional taste with unexpected contemporary accents.
