TUESDAY THOUGHTS #1: How a Dress Dictates a Wedding

We work with a lot of brides. A lot. And we hear a lot of the same things from brides. One of the most common things a bride says is that she doesn't know the theme of her wedding yet and so isn't ready to get her dress. But au contraire, I beg to differ. Because you know what we also hear a lot of from brides we are working with on planning their wedding? We hear that they have changed the theme or color palette because they finally found their dress. Yup. True story, I promise. The dress dictates the wedding in so many ways. You know that one time I wrote about how you should never pick the shoes first? Well, it's okay if you don't remember... but basically I wrote about how I had my wedges picked out first for my friend's wedding and then it was a major pain in the ass to find the dress. Same concept here. When you have a theme first and then force yourself to find the dress that fits that theme so perfectly it can sometimes feel like the search for a needle in a haystack. And let's be real. Wedding planning is stressful enough. So why not make things easier for yourself. Find your dress, set the mood, plan, plan, and plan. Of course there are some dresses that can really fit with any theme, but I mean there is an exception to every rule. So we will just ignore that for now and focus on some of our favorite dresses and the themes and color palettes they invoke.

1. Rebecca Schoneveld's Rosaline: This dress. Ohhh this dress. We love this dress. It is beautiful, handmade, soft, romantic, feminine, pretty. This lacy dress is made for the preppy, Southern, traditional and romantic bride. Her guests will ooh and aah at the lace illusion low-cut back and beautiful lace train on her gown while she walks down the aisle to her Southern preppy gentleman rocking an adorable bow tie. The couple will say their vows outside of a barn under a giant Oak tree as her hair billows in the wind. Her color palette is filled with navy blue, peach and coral shades. Her bouquet is perfect and classic with a touch of whimsy. Her guests will be drinking out of mason jars and Georgia peaches will serve as an extra touch of peach. Her friends and family will know they are at a wedding filled with class and elegance.

2. Sarah Seven's Blushing: Another dress we kind of are ridiculously obsessed with. Not just because it's pink, but of course even more because it's pink. This soft organza dress is made for the modern funky bride who loves being stylish in her own unique way. This bride's guests will be excited and surprised upon arrival as they see the bride in her funky attire. The ceremony will take place in a warehouse setting with lots of funky floral details. Her color palette compliments her dress without matching it and is filled with bold yellows, gold and every other color of the rainbow. Guests will enjoy a reception filled with unusual hanging installations, quirky mismatched chairs, and succulents. Her friends and family will know they are at a wedding where the unusual is to be expected.  

3. Elaya Vaughn's Maria: And yet another of our favorite dresses. This ballgown is the softest ballgown you will ever touch in your entire life and is made for the glamorous bride who loves being in the spotlight and is sometimes a little over the top. Her bridesmaids will stand next to her at the altar fashionably in black sequin gowns with flowers in hues that match the bride's lipstick shade. Her color palette will be dramatic and bold with shades of reds and gold with black. Guests will enjoy a luxurious cocktail hour among plush couches filled with sequins and pillows. Every last detail of her wedding will be exquisite and extravagant. Her family and friends will know they are at a fete that will never be forgotten. 

Which look is your favorite?

{Photo Credits} [Preppy + Navy] Rosaline dress by Rebecca Schoneveld, available at Ivory and Beau // Groom via Spotted Photography, bow tie by Starboard Clothing, Boutonniere by Bloom Box Design // Venue via Green Wedding Shoes, Photography by Josh Elliot // Bouquet via Style Me Pretty, Photography by Annabella Charles, Flowers by Haute Horticulture, Styling by Social Grace Events // Peach drinks via The Perfect Palate // Cake via Wedding Chicks, Photography by Landon Jacobs, Cake by Ally and Eloise // Bow Ties via Green Wedding Shoes, Photography by Ryan Ray, Bow Ties handmade by Palm Cottage Goods // Tablescape via  Green Wedding Shoes, Photography by Danielle Poff Photography [Funky + Yellow] Blushing Dress by Sarah Seven, available at Ivory and Beau // Invitations via Oh So Beautiful Paper, Photography by Hoopla Love, Stationary by Rolodex // Shoes via Green Wedding Shoes, Photography by Bayly and Moore, Shoes by Jeffrey Campbell // Reception via Green Wedding Shoes, Photography by Kate Ignatowski, Flowers by Mimosa Flower Design Studio // Bouquet via Ruffled, Photography by Orange Turtle, Flowers by Natural Flair  // Ceremony via Green Wedding Shoes, Photography by Phil Chester, Greenery by The Green Dandelion [Gold Glam] Ballgown by Elaya Vaughn, available at Ivory and Beau // Bridesmaid dress and ceremony via Green Wedding Shoes, Photography by Aaron Young, Florals by Inviting Occasion // Reception and Cake via Green Wedding Shoes, Photography by Aaron Young, Cake by Sweet and Saucy shop // Invitations via 100 Layer Cake, Photography by Style It Photography, Stationary by Bright Room Studio // Shoes via Floridian Weddings, Photography by Starfish Studios

SIMPLY BUSINESS: Introducing Alison Uzmann

Hello fellow wedding lovers!  I am Alison, an intern here at Ivory + Beau, and this is my first blog post (ever).  I want to give you all a taste of my girly wedding style.  I am a true coastal southern gal so there is nothing better to me than frills and all things nautical!  Fittingly enough I am having my own real wedding this coming spring where I get to bring this vision to life!  Think milk glass and cobalt blue vases; bridesmaids in pale pink; toile, polka dots and stripes (my fiance will be wearing seersucker, y'all!); and cotton and navy pansies in the bouquets.  So much prettiness to happen!

And if you love the gorgeous Elaya Vaughn ball gown shown below, you can see the dress in person at our shop!  You can even try it on!! Come on, you know you want to...

{Photo Credits}  Dress via Elaya Vaughn // Cake via Cake Box // Bouquet with Thistle via Santa Barbara Chic, photography by Nancy Neil // Milk Glass and Pink Flowers via Tatum Bradley Co. //  Cobalt Blue Vases with White Flowers via 100 Layer Cake, photography by Readyluck Photographers // Escort Cards with Pink Roses via A Bryan Photo // White and Blue Dress via Xenia Boutique

SIMPLY WED: Lindsey + Leigh

I'm excited to finally share Lindsey + Leigh's navy blue and pink preppy wedding from this past September!! Lindsey was referred to me by one of my other brides (her employee) actually and she was such a joy to work with! Her and Leigh are one of the very few couples who I have worked with who are Savannah locals. They are such sweethearts + it was so fun being apart of their wedding!! Hope you enjoy checking out the photos from their wedding!! 

{Vendor Credits} Photography: Memories n More // Coordination: Ivory + Beau // Ceremony Location: First Presbyterian Church // Reception Venue: Charles H Morris Center, Trustee's Garden // Flowers: Harvey Designs // Caterer: Creative Catering // DJ: First City Events // Rentals: Tent Factory // Cakes + Desserts: Delectable Designs // Reverend: Pastor Williams // Transportation: Oglethorpe Tours // Pedicabs: Savannah Pedicabs

SIMPLY INSPIRATION: Nautical Prep

I love anything nautical and preppy. And navy blue is by far one of my favorite colors. I have actually even got it all planned out for my home office to-be in our new house. One wall... vertical navy blue stripes and the rest will just be solid navy. Anyway, my love for boating comes from my childhood. I grew up spending lots of weekends on my dad's yacht, "Nicole's Rainbow." (Named after a painting I drew of a boat in the river with rainbows and fish flying in the sky... which my dad then had a professional artist recreate to have put on the side of the boat.) I can remember my favorite place on the boat was sitting above where the anchor drops and I would dangle my feet over the edge while we rode around in the Willamette River. Such great memories. :) If I had some pictures here I would share but I think they are all back in my Portland home. Hope you enjoy this nautical prep wedding inspiration! I would love to someday work a wedding on a sailboat... now that would be amazing! 

Day 10: Nautical Prep

{Photo Credits} Bride & Groom on Boat via Grey Likes Weddings, photography by Gina Meola // Ring Bearer Pillow via Style Me Pretty, photography by Shannon Lee Images // Bride with Tattoo via Grey Likes Weddings, photography by Troy and Aimee Grover // Invitations via 100 Layer Cake, photography by Jessica Antola // Bouquet via Ruffled, photography by Alea Lovely // Escort Cards via Ruffled, photography by Lev Kuperman // Nautical Napkin via Style Me Pretty, photography by Andi Mans // "Just Married" on Sailboat Sign via 100 Layer Cake, photography by Joielala // Wedding Cake via Style Me Pretty, photography by Lauren Gabrielle // Sailboat Steering Wheel via via Grey Likes Weddings, photography by Troy and Aimee Grover