{escort card display} in bed with carnations

If you've been around here long enough, you know that I show love for carnations now & then.  Carnations are pretty, simple & inexpensive- what's not to love?  Just look at those sweet carnations bordering classic roses in the bridal bouquet above!  & yet.  Carnations are often unloved & forgotten in the wedding world.  However, I am noticing them a bit more in weddings (three cheers!) & one little carnation trend is catching my eye & heart: escort cards nestled in a bed of carnations.  Take a look:

I adore the bed of carnations for escort cards, especially since it's a big impact without a big price tag.  From the romantic look of the pink carnations to the modern look of the yellow carnations, this trend fits any wedding style.  Looks & sounds like a winner to me!  

Photo 1: Caitlin Cathey Photography via; Photo 2: Josh Elliott Photography via; Photo 3: Monika Broz via; Photo 4: Christine Arnold via; Photo 5: via 

for the love of carnations

Since I started this blog, I've dedicated a few posts to showing some love for the mostly unloved, unappreciated carnations.  They may not be flashy or exotic like some of their flower friends but carnations are pretty & affordable.  I used carnations for our wedding because I stuck to a very strict, tight flower budget.  It seems I'm not the only one as I'm seeing carnations used stylishly & beautifully in weddings more & more.  Keep an open mind & take a look!

Carnation heads strung on invisible wire make for a stunning pink ombre ceremony backdrop!  It would be just as pretty in any color, indoors or out:

Carnation pomadors hanging from lovely ribbons are the perfect touch for another outdoor ceremony.  The poms would be just as pretty decorating the aisle of a church:

Small & simple, this darling carnation centerpiece is well-sized for a cocktail table.  Just make it a little larger if you have bigger tables:

A creative, overflowing centerpiece of carnations in shades of peaches & pinks:

I saved the very, very best for last.  How much do you love this modern, purple ombre carnation centerpiece?

Budget-friendly Brides, you can see it's easy to make inexpensive carnations into great wedding looks.  Give carnations a chance!

Photo 1: Elyse Hall Photography via  /  Photo 2: Sylvie Gil Photography via  /  Photo 3 & 4: Katie Osgood Photography via  /  Photo 5: Stephanice Yonce Photography via

Desert Delight

We're experiencing such a heatwave on the East Coast that I feel like we just might be living in the desert!  I'm not complaining as I love summer.  However, the desert-like condition does explain why this original cactus centerpiece caught my eye:

So colorful, striking & different!  The cactus are very cool but the colorful tins really make this centerpiece.  Add the papel picado & a good margarita to achieve perfection!

Bonus: if you're looking for an easy, budget-friendly centerpiece, you've found it!  For a different look, you could collect vintage tins or for a varied look, collect tins of different colors & sizes.  Get creative! 

Now excuse me as I daydream sipping a cocktail on the shores of Cabo San Lucas . . . 


Photo Sarah Yates via





 

Rainbow Connection

Mere days ago, I mentioned if I was forced to name one thing I would change about our wedding, I would change the matching bridesmaid dresses (you can catch a glimpse of them HERE) to mismatched bridesmaid dresses.  I was thinking something along the lines of this or this, only in purple.  Guess what?

I spied this rainbow delight & I've already changed my mind:

Mismatched black dresses with matching shoes in rainbow hues!  Brilliant, absolutely brilliant.  Your bridesmaids could choose any black dress, chances are they already own one, & you could choose a cute shoe available in a rainbow of colors.  So simple, so stylish, so budget-friendly.

If this were my wedding, I would have let my bridesmaids choose any black dress & any purple shoe.  I bet the shades of purple & styles of shoes chosen would have made for a fun, original bridal party!

Clearly, if I have already changed my mind about this in the span of a few days, it's probably best that I went with a traditional, matching bridal party.  

Let's discuss!  Do you like matching or mismatched bridesmaids?  & what about this clever shoe idea?

Photo Picotte Weddings via