orange + teal = a fresh modern wedding palette

you probably know by now that i am in love with the color orange. one of my favorite things about it is its flawless ability to pair beautifully with almost any other color — rich chocolate brown, crisp lime green, and of course, moody teal blue.

while i adore orange and aquamarine (that's worthy of another post), there is something almost magical about pairing vibrant orange with this deeper, darker teal.

these vanda orchids absolutely pop against crisp white containers and a base of dark blue linens. i just love it.

these colors, in fact, were a major inspiration for the custom invitations featured here, which paired bright tangerine with an elegant, almost inky teal. they're modern and sophisticated, like the overall palette. the overall effect is unique — and doesn't every bride want to stand out from the crowd?

design & photo credits

first row — {custom wedding invitations} • paper olive; {clementine dessert favors} • photo by rodney bailey photography, flowers by enchanted florist, place settings & linens by dc rental

second row — {cocktails} • photo by rodney bailey photography, flowers by enchanted florist, place settings & linens by dc rental; {boutonniere & tie} • photo by amanda herzberger, suit by men's wearhouse, via the knot

third row — {orchid tablescape} • jules bianchi photography; {satin shoes} • photo by hillary mayberry, via the knot

black damask & plum silk box wedding invitation

we just had to share one of our latest wedding invite designs — a glorious silk box invitation that mixes classic with modern, and lush with super luxe.

a rich black damask pattern is given a contemporary twist with the addition of lively plum purple. we love the mix. coordinating rsvp and directions cards continue the look, neatly tucked into their own individual pockets.

then, a smooth ivory silk box with a dramatic gatefold is paired with gorgeously tactile black dupioni silk ribbon, which finishes the gift-like package with whimsical elegance. the look is clean, upscale, luxurious, and still very simple. our favorite kind of design.

this look could be mixed with a dozen other color palettes — black with pink or lime green, or perhaps even a blue or plum box with coordinating ribbon and inks. the possibilities are endless. what would you choose?

favorite floral trend — king protea

i gravitate towards the unusual, the unexpected and the unique. so naturally, my list of personal favorites tends to include some uncommon choices.

this definitely applies to one of my favorite flowers — the king protea, south africa's national bloom. the juxtaposition of its delicate pink color mixed with its spiky, almost cactus-like leaves makes the king protea a dramatic choice for a bridal bouquet. carry this down the aisle and everyone will be talking.

these are just two of examples of how to soften and highlight this magnificent flower. it pairs with bright and soft palates, blends beautifully with rustic twigs or sophisticated roses.

can you not also imagine it in cascading centerpieces on tables and ledges all throughout an event? spectacular.

photo credits

top photo, christine meintjes. bottom photo, kent meireis.

laura mercier on gilt groupe

for all my gilt groupe members out there, you'll love this. renowed make-up powerhouse laura mercier is going to available beginning this thursday, june 10, at noon (eastern time, that is).

for those who may not know, gilt groupe (www.gilt.com) is a by-invitation-only luxury retailer, offering access to fashion and luxury brands at prices up to 70% off retail. each sale lasts 36 hours and features hand selected styles from a single designer. in other words, it's fabulous.

two of my favorite offerings? the spring blooms lip & cheek brush kit — i'm nuts about the case, and the colors. also, the body & bath duo crème brulee. crème brulee and beauty products? brilliant combo. and the fact the this creamy set is applied with a honey stirrer promises an even more luxurious experience.

see you thursday? :o)

starfish beach wedding invitations

we're delighted to share some updated color palettes for one of our favorite designs — our starfish beach wedding invitation.

our original starfish design featured a creamy palette of sunny orange and warm chocolate brown, a truly beloved color combo. but possibly even more delightful are our combos in sage & aqua, and aqua & chocolate.

this oceanic blue is always a perfect match for chocolate brown, while the light, crisp sage green adds an ethereal touch that is just delightfully cheerful. both are beachy in a totally unique way.

another new touch? silk dupioni ribbon in place of hand-dyed silk in the original. the textured fabric adds an incredible tactile quality. we love the new options, and hope you'll agree!