design inspiration • pink polka dots meet lime & chocolate

i am in loooove with this look — a polka dot wedding in the fresh, unexpected color palette of pink, lime green and chocolate. so modern!

the combo of hues, textures and colors keep this look from seeming too precious. on the contrary, the deep pinks and chocolates mixed with vibrant lime is wholly refined, yet whimsical. in fact, our new whimsy letterpress invitation was our inspiration for this collage.

i love the idea of varying hues, like the mix of baby pink and strawberry dots in a ring pillow hand-sewn by the bride. this would look fabulous against the deep pink linens by party mosaic, which are softened by a unique moss tablescape and more whimsical dot runners.

on that same note, i love that the cake here is chocolate brown, only accented with pink roses and green cymbidium orchids. it's sophisticated, coordinating rather than matching. so chic.

photo and design credits
first row — ring pillow • 'jennie' via flickr; polka dot wedding cake • perfect wedding day; second row — custom wedding invitations • paper olive; bottom row — tablescape linens • party mosaic.

image of the week • beachy, breezy tablescape

i came across this image while working on another post, and it literally stopped me in my tracks. immediately i wanted to hop a flight to fiji or costa rica and order ceviche and a cocktail.

i mean, it's breathless. my favorite things about it are the simple but colorful linens and the soft, tropical, remarkably original horizontal centerpiece. never seen anything like it.

orchids. tied to bamboo. so unique. can't you just see this as the fresh, intimate sweetheart table for the bride and groom at an elegant beach wedding?

love the view, love the vibe, love the whole thing. had to share.

photo and linens courtesy of bbj linen.

real weddings • tara and stephen • a wine country escape

the rustic, casual elegance of this paso robles wedding is a favorite for two reasons — one, i was matron of honor, and two, i designed the custom wedding invitations. they were mini-photo album keepsakes that evoked an escape to tuscany, actually including a travel itinerary, local activities, and photos from the couple's first trip to the area.

when tara and stephen chose to set their relaxed weekend event in california wine country, all rejoiced. from the breathtaking backdrop, to the organic accents, to the bride's blue dress and ed hardy sneaks, this couple truly knows how to have fun with originality...and personality.

photos by cameron ingalls. invitations by paper olive. venue: villa toscana in paso robles, california.

chic & simple wedding extras from for your party

this is one of my favorite tips to give clients — in fact, i just gave it out today, sparking the idea for this post.

chic little accents that coordinate with your motif can go a long way towards making your event look uniquely polished without spending a ton of money. for example? personalized cocktail napkins like those from for your party are not only useful, elegant and modern, but affordable.

this photo is actually from my own wedding, and i have to tell you, nearly half of my guests stopped me to mention how clever they found the idea of whimsical tangerine bar napkins coordinated to my "summer citrus" color palette. it was a simple but big hit.

also available from for your party are stylish coasters, match books, stir sticks and a bunch of other fun items. 250 custom napkins cost me around $75 or so. you gotta love it, right?

photo by ben james.

exceptional photography • cameron ingalls

my best friend, an avid photographer and lover of vintage cameras, was recently married in paso robles, california. naturally, her choice of photographer was a critical decision for her wedding.

as with all things creative, she impressed me with her keen eye and her brilliant selection of cameron ingalls — one of the most talented and original photographers i've ever worked with. what's more? he's fun, flexible, and up for anything.

cameron's eye for color, light, detail, and for capturing genuine moments is just stunning. i love that his canvas for each wedding includes artfully posed photos mixed with whimsical candids, as well as beautifully fresh, abstract, even off-the-wall shots.

browse through his slide show and you will be summarily impressed and surprised. cameron is available in california, and for travel throughout the globe.

signature cocktails • signature colors

i love putting chic idea tapestries together, but for this post, i couldn't decide between sharing my latest color inspirations or one of my favorite wedding elements: the signature cocktail.

so, i figured, why not both? after all, shouldn't your signature drink be a reflection of your motif?

orange and brown are classic combinations. this board features a tequila-spiked chimayo cocktail that not only coordinates, but tastes delicious. apple cider gives it a kick and its unique color.

sandy champagnes, muted golds and a playful seaside / beach theme keep the overall palette from seeming too formal. our starfish beach wedding invitation also blends well with the theme, staying upscale in a relaxed way.

for the daring couple who wants vibrant color, aqua and cherry are exceptionally harmonious. the pop of red against a calm blue background is at once fun, eye-catching, and sophisticated.

the cherry blossom wedding cake by amber in norfolk is stunning — and, it's vegan! it is also the perfect complement to our peony wedding invitation, lined with japanese cherry blossom paper.

the cocktail here is just as bold: a boston pops martini garnished with cherry pop rocks. can you stand it? so cool! like the palette, it's a choice for the totally hip.

orange & brown image credits
• invitations – paper olive
• cocktail – myrecipes.com
• cake, dress, flowers, tablescape – the knot

aqua & cherry image credits
• invitations – paper olive
• cocktail – yumsugar.com
• cake – nicole michael
• tablescape, favors, candy bouquet – brides.com

citrus silk and lilly pulitzer • the perfect floral dress

okay, new obsession. lilly pulitzer.

i have always adored her signature one-of-a-kind handbags, but after hunting for the perfect dress for summer wedding season, i was reminded of a second reason to love this refreshingly trend-setting designer — lilly pulitzer's saemus silk beaded dress.

it's a total throwback to the classic shift dress of the 60s, but at the same time it's modern and feminine and totally playful. the caftan neckline, bishop sleeves and citrus-hued beading make this more than a simple day dress, but a retro closet must-have.

i first saw this little lovely at neiman marcus, but it is also available directly from lillypulitzer.com in sizes 0 - 14. now, i just need shoes to match. hmm...food for another blog?

paper olive featured in fifth ave magazine

we are proud to announce that paper olive has been featured in fifth ave magazine of naples, a luxury publication that caters to naples and southwest florida, and covers all topics from fashion to philanthropy with an insider's point of view.

our feathered wedding invitation is currently a feature in their may weddings issue, which is dedicated to highlighting the best in 2009 designer gowns, hot invitation trends, elegant cakes and luxe honeymoon spots. if you don't have a subscription, you should definitely have a look.

please join us in our excitement, as we love fifth ave magazine!

vera wang giveaway from weddings unveiled

weddings unveiled has partnered with vera wang to give one lucky completely unveiled blog follower a gorgeous dress from the vera wang maid to order dress collection, now available online at verawangonweddings.com. the vera wang maids collection ranges from the perfect lbd (little black dress) to lovely floor length evening gowns, all impeccably designed by vera wang.

and what's more, the winner gets to choose the dress she likes in the color she'd like. to learn more and to enter, visit the completely unveiled blog. good luck!

chic wedding cupcakes by superfine bakery

okay, my cupcake obsession just took a giant leap forward.

by now, we've all seen tiers of cute little wedding cupcakes at a wedding or two, or perhaps on some fun inspiration board. but the amazing cupcakes recently created by superfine bakery are more than cute, more than contemporary — they are like little works of art.

delicate, elegant, even upscale — and i can tell you from experience that superfine's baking is superb. these babies boast italian buttercream. not just some sugary vanilla fluff, but painstakingly crafted italian buttercream that sends you to heaven for a few minutes.

and look at them! for extra added opulence, andrea boudewijn, owner and operator of superfine, dusted her fashionable confections with edible gold. they sparkle like little gifts.

you could serve these just as easily at a sophisticated garden wedding or a chic urban soiree. people will stare, and then they will devour.

for the record, andrea is a full-time pastry student and baker for all fine events and decadent personal enjoyment. she currently operates superfine bakery out of studio city, california.

for those not living in the los angeles area, my apologies for the sugar tease. :o)