Spectacular Stripes

Is there anything more stylishly simple than a black and white stripe? Other patterns tend to fall in and out of fashion pretty quickly, but the sassy stripe remains a long term favourite. Easy to incorporate into various elements of your wedding day, this bold stripe stands out from the crowd and instantly lifts a simple ceremony into a stunning soiree.

IMAGE CREDITS: Table Setting, via Martha Stewart, Bow-tie, via The Knot, Straws, via Bella Cupcake, Dress with Sash, via Erin Hearts Court, Letterpress Invitations, via Smock Paper, Cake, via Splendid Affairs, Bridesmaids, via Style Me Pretty, Room Decoration, via Once Wed, Couple, via Erin Hearts Court, Peonies, via Elegant Weddings.

Alternative wedding bouquets

Like most things at weddings, carrying a bouquet of flowers down the aisle, only to offload them to our bridesmaid at the end, is so steeped in tradition that to not do it would be kind of strange. Even though nobody really knows why we do it to begin with, we all follow the same unquestioned custom. Which is why I love some of the alternatives out there that inject a bit of your personality into an otherwise odd ritual. Pinwheels, buttons and lollypops are just a few of the ways you can be daringly different while still keeping the traditionalists happy.

IMAGE CREDITS: Button Bouquet, via Wedding Bee, Giant Paper Flowers, via Green Wedding Shoes, Pinwheel, via One Wed, Fabric Bouquet, via Wedding Bells, Butterflies, via This Is Glamorous, Artichoke, via My Wedding, Lollypops, via Wild Rose, Brooch Bouquet, via One Wed, Felt Flowers, via Wedding Window, Vintage Map Bouquet, via First Come Flowers.

Oh so pretty Ombré

Ombré is the fancy-pants term for a graduating shade of colour from light to dark. Brides are getting inspired and are ombréising everything from invites to cake to flowers to create a dream like, romantically whimsical feel to their day. Fifty shades of grey was so 2012, it's now all about the shades of pink/green/blue/yellow/aqua/purple/orange...

IMAGE CREDITS: Tulle Dress, via Monumental Wedding, Chevron Invitation Suite, via Etsy, Bridesmaid Dresses, via Wed Bits, Cake Pops, via The Rose Wedding, Bouquet, via Style Me Pretty, Rose Petal Aisle, via Occasions Bridal,  Rose Swirl Cake, via Glorious Treats, Beatles Love Poster, via Etsy, Wedding Favours, via Belle Magazine.

Unique Wedding Favours

Thankfully we have moved well past the traditional bonbonniere of the tooth-breaking sugared almonds and chocolate hearts combo, with couples choosing favours that will actually be used by their guests. Mini jars of your grandmother's homemade jam, a custom tea blend or a medley of your favourite flower seeds are a only a few of the cute keepsakes that are both personal and memorable.

IMAGE CREDITS: Tea Infusing Kits, via Kootation, Succulents, via Ruffled, Gumball Machine, via It's a Bride's Life, Wildflower Seeds, via Emmaline Bride, Bird Seed Hearts, via Green Wedding Slices, Pencils, via Etsy, Honey Pots, via Gracious Bridal, Jam Jars, via My Eco Wedding, Cake In A Jar, via It's a Bride's Life

Cherry Red and Aqua Blue

There are a few colour combinations that just make me smile when I think of them. Bold red with sweet aqua is definitely one of those combinations. Happy, bright and a little bit cheeky, this delightful duo is the epitome of fun and merriment.

IMAGE CREDITS: Aqua Tie, via Project Wedding, Paper Straws, via Etsy, Cake, via Studio Two Twenty Two, Wedding Invitations, via Loverly, Layer Cake, via Krissy's Creations, Cute Couple, via Lovely Wedding Day, Letterpress Wedding Invitations, via Studio On Fire, Crystal Bouquets, via Luulla, Bridesmaids, via Engaged and Inspired, Red Shoes, via United With Love.