There are so many ways we can describe the dynamic color combo of pink and silver. Gorgeous and flexible … pink softens the sophisticated side of silver, keeping the look youthful, playful and sweetly romantic.

Color is such a mood enhancer–so think about the color attributes as you set the tone of your wedding. If it’s more elegance you’re after, {in this case} add silver–if you want to play down the grown up side to the silver in your palette, add pink. Here are four options to illustrate the flexibility of silver and pink.

Elegant & Playful

“Paris Appeal” wedding invitation

Delicate & Sweet

“Elegant Vines” Save the Date Magnet

Sophisticated yet Charming

Daisy Companion Save the Date Magnet

Soft & Graceful

“Majestic Connection” Wedding Invitation

Which color combination{s} would you like to see featured on Color Monday?

We’re loving black and white wedding photography, and how talented photographers are able to showcase the personalities and emotions of their couples–while bringing out the textures in the shot. And all without color. When most people think of black and white photography, they think of old-time photos with harsh grains and unclear focus, or of modern art that can be far too dramatic. But more and more each year, couples are embracing the beauty of black and white photography for their save the dates and wedding portraits!

Below are black and white photos from a few of our most recent weddings and engagements. Try lingering over each for a while … notice the richness, depth and textures within each photo–very powerful.

Marisol & Juan’s Old-Hollywood style wedding

Rebekah & Jeremiah’s gorgeous countrified proposal/e-session

Gina & Brandon’s California casual wedding

Many people want full-color photos to “capture the moment” or beauty of their wedding, the happiest day of their lives. Black and white photography gets set to the side as a change that can be made once editing is done later. But with the distraction of color eliminated in black and white photos, the true focus and personality of a photo can shine through! A simple white smile is so much more meaningful and bright with a background of muted details.

Michele & jay’s Australian Beach Wedding

Capturing the happiness of a wedding by using black and white photography can portray the true emotions of your special day. A crystal-like tear or a stunning white glare from the sun … your moments are captured with raw beauty and meaning.

By using light and perspective, simple portraits can be made into so much more. Highlighting eyes or a kiss can make the picture more revealing, interesting, and intimate. The simple details of your wedding elements (the intricate beading of your dream dress, the simple sparkle of your wedding bands) are shown much more clearly with the distraction of color taken away. Without the color, the fabric details and the unblemished textures add so much more to a composition.

What do you think of incorporating black and white photography into the wedding album and into your wedding stationery?

Lili & Davide’s Italian-Persian Wedding

Much thanks to Kathryn, our intern, for her contribution to this article.

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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

Sara & Peter
June 18, 2011

A gorgeous spring day, a beautiful bride, a handsome groom, and the loving support of family and friends are all the ingredients required for a perfect wedding day recipe! And Sara & Peter’s wedding day was just that … perfect. Timeless and traditional, yet contemporary and chic, Sara and Peter’s wedding day love story unfolds in front of our eyes. Enjoy these highlights and thoughtful reflections from Sara–as she recounts the many captivating details leading up to, and on their big day.

Photographer: Jenni Grace Photography
Stationery Suite: MagnetStreet Weddings
Ceremony Our Lady of Joy Catholic Church in Plum, Pennsylvania
Reception The LeMont Restaurant on Mt. Washington–boasting a spectacular view of my hometown city, Pittsburgh, PA

Wedding colors: Classic blue with red accents
Wedding style:  Peter and I were both looking for a classic style wedding – including the wedding ceremony with a Catholic Mass; the reception location with charming, old-fashioned décor; the bride, feeling like a princess in a strapless bridal gown with a billowing skirt; and the groom, playing the handsome prince in a classic black and gray tuxedo. In with the traditional, we threw a few twists, like a humorous caricature drawing of us on the wine bottle favors and a fancy first dance that had our guests on their feet cheering.

Best part of the whole wedding day: The whole day was amazing—literally my dream wedding—but the best part of the day was bringing our two sets of family and friends together to help us celebrate the beginning of our lives united as husband and wife.

Highlights of the day:  So many! The wonderful sermon that Fr. Michael gave during the ceremony – it was so personal and moving; the groom’s joyous tears when saying his vows; the sprinkle of rain that caused a rainbow during our pre-reception photos; the amazing views of downtown Pittsburgh from the LeMont – especially when fireworks were set off at the concert playing at Heinz field; our first dance where my husband led me around the dance floor into spins and twirls and dips and even a lift at the end; three incredible speeches – best man, maid of honor, and the bride’s daddy; the enormous cookie table (a Pittsburgh tradition) filled with cookies that many of my family and friends lovingly contributed; dancing with friends and family, old and new; closing the night out with a big group of friends at a Bar Louie in Station Square.

Sara & Peter personalized “For Your Eyes Only” Mini Save the Date Magnet, “Vision of Love” Wedding Invitation and “Blocks of Red” Thank You Note Card. Each item belonging to separate designs, Sara & Peter did an incredible job of coordinating the stationery look through color and fonts!

Advice you’re glad you took:  Someone told us to make sure we take a couple of minutes by ourselves to ‘take it all in’ and Peter and I did that.  Right after we finished our dinners we looked around at the wedding reception that held our family and friends, and then looked back at each other as if to say, “all of the effort that we put into planning our perfect day has paid off–all of these people are here to celebrate with us and everyone, including ourselves, is having a great time.”  I will have that mental picture of our perfect wedding day forever.

Advice you wished you took:  Someone told me I would be disappointed about not hiring a professional videographer and I’m afraid that I do have that regret.  I feel that as the bride you are “hidden away” and there are so many things that you miss – the pre-ceremony music while our guests were being seated, our bridal party’s procession, our moms being walked down the aisle and lighting the unity candle, our bridal party being announced at the reception, etc.  Additionally, I feel like the ceremony and early parts of the reception like our wedding dance, the cake cutting, and the speeches flew by in a bit of a blur, but if we would have had a videographer, these moments would be preserved forever.  We were very lucky that a couple of good friends took short videos throughout the wedding day, so we do have those videos to remind us of the day; but, I would certainly recommend to newly-engaged couples to seriously consider employing a professional videographer to capture all of those priceless moments.

Advice you’d like to give:  Keep to your budget – determine where you can cut back on costs by deciding upfront what is most important to you both—for us that was a fancy reception location in the downtown area of the city and a number of private dance classes at The Wedding Dance Specialists.  I knew that we would have to cut back in other areas, so we made our own ceremony programs, place cards, and table name cards and had very simple DIY centerpieces.  It’s impossible for most people to have the very best of everything, so figure out what is important and focus your finances and effort in those areas. Also, choosing a creative, talented photographer who is easy to work with is absolutely essential!

Congratulations Sara & Peter! We wish you all the best. Thanks once again for sharing your beautiful day as well as the insights and lessons learned with all of us! I’m sure your advice will help many brides-to-be!