On this Color Monday, we’re being inspired by all the gray and yellow we’ve been seeing. Oh so beautiful, sophisticated and clean, this color combination is perfect for the modern bride!

So now we’re off to personalizing wedding invitations in these fashionable hues. Anything but boring, these wedding invitations are enlivened with gray and yellow.

The freshness of yellow gives these designs a punch of energy. A color like yellow is hard to ignore! Representing the sun, yellow bursts with life and happiness. It pops off the page and demands your attention!

On the other side of the coin, gray tempers yellow’s enthusiasm. Gray is the a soft touch on yellow’s arm–and reminds us that this is a formal affair, no matter how much fun we’re going to have. It adds that touch of decorum without stifling the energy of yellow.

In combination, the two colors are a wonderful message to your guests that your wedding will be fun and fresh. Gray and yellow are so pretty together–that they make the perfect couple to include at your wedding.

Would you like more Gray & Yellow? Check out this zesty and fun Lemon Drop Inspiration Board!

If you really want to be surprised, check out what these invitations originally looked like. Not only can you use gray & yellow, but you can choose ANY color combination for your wedding invitation!

East Coast Breeze Square Invitation
Floral Ornament Square Invitation
Paris Appeal Tea-length Invitation
Romantic Ruche Tea-length Invitation

What do you think about Gray & Yellow weddings? Refreshing? Boring? Lovely? Fun?

Happy Friday! How’s the weather where you are? For us, the temperatures have plummeted to single digits, the snow has paraded on in…

Yet, despite the arctic chill, I keep thinking of the beauty and charm of winter:  horse-drawn sleigh rides, sipping hot cocoa by the fireplace…winter is a wonderful season to do many activities–including getting married!

Winter has its charms and benefits, so if you haven’t set the date yet for your wedding, don’t rule out December, January, and February! Even if you don’t consider yourself a “snow bunny” (or bride), you might want to read our Five Cool Benefits of a Winter Wedding below.

#1 — Less Competition

Have your heart set on a particular reception hall or photographer? Winter weddings are far less common, which means you’ll probably be able to snag that highly coveted venue or wedding vendor that you’ve been dreaming of. And since their schedule is likely to be pretty open, you won’t have to settle for a less-than-ideal wedding date (such as a Friday, which can be hard for guests that work). Less competition, more freedom of choice — it’s a winter win-win!

#2 — Lower Prices

Are you a bride on a budget? A white winter wedding can save you lots of green. Because December through February is such a slow season for wedding vendors, many of them offer discounts or are willing to negotiate prices. You can save a lot of cash once you add up your savings on a DJ, florist, bakery, dress shop, etc. You can then either pocket those savings, or re-invest them into other wedding items, like decor, apparel, and accessories. Spend less, get more…another win-win for the winter bride!

#3 — Fun Decor & Accessories

Winter has so many themes and motifs that you can weave into your wedding day. You can go quirky and cute with some fun penguin cake toppers (see above) and a hot cocoa/cider station at the reception. Or, you could create sophisticated romance with a bold palette of scarlet red roses and evergreen centerpieces.

To stay cozy and warm, you can drape yourself in elegant cover-ups and accessories. Stay fashionably warm with some faux fur ear muffs and hand warmers–or accessorize you and your bridesmaids’ dresses with a chic stole, shrug, or wrap (see below). Or, how about wrapping a cashmere scarf over each of the groomsmen? Very handsome and chic!

#4 – Beautiful Photo Ops 

For unique wedding photos, just step outdoors! Winter is such a beautiful, romantic, and unique time of year. From snow dancing down to the the ground and blanketing the landscape, to frost dusted over tree branches, winter offers plenty of opportunities for stunning wedding photography. An added bonus? No fears of looking sweaty or having your makeup melt under the hot summer sun! And if your cheeks get a little rosy…well, that will just add to the adorable beauty and romance of your wedding photos.

#5 – Unique & Memorable Experience for You AND for Guests

Because winter weddings are far less common, simply having your wedding in the winter will make it very unique and memorable. You and your wedding guests attend so many weddings throughout your lives, so having a winter wedding will be something fun and different for everyone involved.

Read how our intern Kathryn describes one adorable and memorable winter wedding she attended:

“My favorite winter wedding was in the month of February. It was my cousin’s wedding, and although they were on a very tight budget, everything was perfect! Her bridesmaids wore navy dresses with one or two little snowflake clips in their hairdo’s (too cute!). The backdrop behind the head table was full of white string lights with a sheer white fabric hanging over them to create a soft glow. Her snowflake theme wasn’t too over the top, but you could see how everything connected.”

So, what do you think of winter weddings? Have you attended a winter wedding, or do you plan to have one yourself? I’d love to hear your thoughts and memories!

Rachel for MagnetStreetWeddings

Photos: Penguin Toppers Photo (RedLightStudio from Etsy), Bridesmaids and Bride/Groom Photos (Brosnan Photographic)

Great question … what is love? Have you ever tried to define it yourself? We know it because we “feel” it and we can pinpoint the many ways we express it … Well, check out these expressions of what love is–based on the perspectives of children. So funny and I have to say–some of these kids are really wise! Enjoy!

A Phoenix wedding via Style Me Pretty

“When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love.” Rebecca – age 8

“When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth.” Billy – age 4

“Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.” Karl – age 5

“Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.” Chrissy – age 6

“Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.” Terri – age 4

“Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy & she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.” Danny- age 7

“Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss” Emily – age 8

“Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen,” Bobby – age 5

“If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,” Nikka – age 6

“There are two kinds of love. Our love. God’s love. But God makes both kinds of them.” Jenny – age 4

“Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it every day” Noelle – age 7

“Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.” Tommy – age 6

“During my piano recital, I was on a stage and scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn’t scared anymore,” Cindy – age 8

“My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don’t see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.” Clare – Age 5

“Love is when mommy gives daddy the best piece of chicken.” Elaine -age 5

“Love is when mommy sees daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.” Chris – age 8

“Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.” Mary Ann – age 4

“I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.” Lauren – age 4

“I let my big sister pick on me because my Mom says she only picks on me because she loves me. So I pick on my baby sister because I love her.” Bethany – age 4

“When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.” Karen – age 7

“Love is when mommy sees daddy on the toilet and she doesn’t think it’s gross.” Mark – age 6

“You really shouldn’t say ‘I love you’ unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.” Jessica – age 8

Which is your favorite?

image by Gina Meola Photography via Style Me Pretty

Gina & Brandon
September 5, 2010, on a Sunday afternoon over Labor Day Weekend

I’m thrilled to bring you Gina and Brandon’s sunny California soiree today. Gina of Pure Luxury Transportation is a long time friend of Truly Engaging and is as sweet as they come! And, what a sweet wedding they had too–intimate and outdoors–under a canopy of flowers, surrounded by wine country and in the open countryside. More than fresh air, fanciful florals, and captivating colors, Gina and Brandon’s successful wedding day formula hinged on being surrounded by the love and support of family and friends! Enjoy all the sunny details–as well as savvy planning advice from our beautiful bride!

Wedding Colors Shades of orange & blue. I just loved the way they went together and I thought they worked for a wedding in September.
Photographer Fresh Elegance Photography. The company is a duo; Gilberto Ramirez & Shae Hancock.
Ceremony & Reception Rooster Run Golf Course, Petaluma California. We did everything local.
Flowers Vanda Floral

Highlights of the day:
- Being surprised by my sister who had secretly contrived to have a limo pick up me & my bridesmaids from my house. Since we did everything local, the venue was only a couple of miles from my house. I thought my best friend was going to have her boyfriend take us to the venue. Awesome surprise!
- One of my longtime friends snuck into the changing room–I was so happy to see her I thought I would cry & ruin my makeup.
- My bridal party sneaking me out of the changing room to check out the decorations for the reception.
-The kiss … once pronounced husband & wife!
-The mariachi’s playing during the reception.

Advice I’m glad I took One of my co-workers suggested that I take 5 days off before the wedding instead of the 1 I was planning on – so glad I took that advice!

Advice I’d like to give:
- Allow time for you and your bridesmaids to hang out in the bridal changing room – even if it’s just for champagne & chocolate covered strawberries.
- Be ready for anything or everything to not go according to plan & know that it will still be a beautiful experience.
- Remember that these are your friends & family, don’t be a bridezilla. One of the things I kept hearing all day was, “You’re so calm. I don’t know how you do it!” Many things didn’t go according to plan but I remained calm. I decided the only person who could ruin our wedding day was me by getting tense, irritated, frustrated, etc. So, when things went astray I looked around & noticed that the guests had no idea. I took a deep breath, let go, & had a great time!

Best part of the whole wedding day Arriving at our hotel & enjoying a 5 star dinner & reliving the experience with my husband!

Cheers Gina & Brandon! Thanks for sharing your wedding day with all of us. We wish you continued joy and many many many years of love & happiness!

xo