When I was brainstorming inspiration board ideas for Halloween, I kept thinking of Pierrot and Harlequin, and was inspired to created something from that. Pierrot’s costume was the main inspiration here. His ruffled collar and cuffs inspired a dramatic ruffled wedding gown. The black-and-white palette made me think of whimsical chalkboard typography and calligraphy, but I also added some pale pink for a little romance. Pierrot’s pom poms made me think of this dark chocolate truffle-studded wedding cake, and his painted face translates to real life in the form of black wing-tip liquid eyeliner.
So what do you think? Could you pull inspiration from such an unexpected source?
It’s almost Halloween! Time for costumes and candy! Remember trading treats with your siblings? Getting my sister to take two Tootsie-Rolls and an Almond Joy in exchange for a Butterfinger was always a tough sell. But bad candy was always better than raisins – what is that about? Anyway, I’m trying to think of a clever last-minute getup – probably a fancied up mask or headband – and I’d love to hear your suggestions and costume ideas.
betty grable halloween
Betty Grable
And now, as promised, a longer-than-usual link list since there was no weekend post last Friday. Have a Happy Halloween weekend everyone!
Few things will make a bigger visual impact for your wedding than a stunning venue. The Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse on North Carolina’s Outer Banks is just such a place, and it’s where Kristen and Danny opted to tie the knot.
bridesmaid dresses black
Bridesmaids were asked to wear a little black dress of their choosing.
blue shoes with fabric flower DIY
lighthouse wedding ceremony
simple preppy wedding
bride groom in front of weathered shingles boathouse
The couple’s favorite part of the day? ”Right after the ceremony, as we walked back down the pier together,” says Kristen. “I remember looking at Danny and both of us breathing a sigh of relief and laughing together. The nerves build to such an extreme high throughout the day, and that moment of relaxing together really sealed the deal – it was finally time to party the night away, and start our new life together.”
Kristen and Danny wanted their wedding to have both a relaxed beach feel as well as a classic lounge vibe…
driftwood coral wedding decor
candle centerpieces
Kristen shared some details with us about the day…
Why did you choose this location for your wedding? We have both vacationed in the Outer Banks for years with our families, and for the last five years together as a couple – it’s our favorite place to unwind and have a good time.
What inspired you when you were planning your wedding? We wanted things to be personal and meaningful, so we were careful to spend our budget on things we cared about and cut corners on things that we felt we’d never remember years later. Mostly, we wanted people to kick off their shoes, celebrate and dance. I think we succeeded!
Do you have any budget tips for other brides? Etsy should be your best friend! And don’t be shy about asking family members and friends to pitch in their time and skills - you’ll save money and save your sanity. My grandmother made the table runners when we couldn’t find ones to rent in the right shade of blue, and she still beams from ear to ear when someone mentions how lovely they were.
Did you include any traditions in your wedding? Not so much traditions as tributes. The groom’s family has roots in Wisconsin, so to honor his late grandparents we brought in varieties of Wisconsin cheeses for one of our appetizer stations. I wore my grandmother’s vintage Mikimoto pearl necklace. My father and I danced to “You Are So Beautiful To Me” by Joe Cocker as a tribute to my late grandmother, who was known for singing this to all her children and grandchildren.
What advice do you have for other brides? It is truly just one day, so make sure you spend your time and money on things that really matter to you. Don’t be afraid to leave things out if you don’t care about them. Don’t be afraid to start your own traditions. One thing you should spend your money on? A fantastic, reputable photographer. At the end, you’ll have a new husband and hundreds of pictures that will become your memories, so choose your photographer wisely.
Every year I try to come up with a new way of imagining a Halloween wedding, and this year I was inspired by the idea of a masquerade ball (I can’t tell you how badly I want to attend a formal masquerade party!). Instead of anything overtly Halloween-y, I opted for a black and white palette and couture masks (I couldn’t resist the skull-and-crossbones bow tie). Candelabra centerpieces, gorgeous gowns, and a parade of sparkling cakes all play into the drama of an event like this. Really, there’s no reason this inspiration board has to be limited to a wedding – if anyone decides to throw a black tie masquerade ball, just say the word…
Mood: dramatic elegance
Palette: white silk, black lace
Top row from left: masquerade party from Vogue December 1997, chocolate cake with coconut cream from Woman’s Day, black lace half mask from Valentino Row 2: photo of black bow tie with skulls via Ritzy Bee, white bouquet with black ribbon from Martha Stewart Weddings Row 3: tulle gown with black opera gloves by Vera Wang via This is Glamorous, black tulle party dress by Oscar de la Renta via A White Carousel, white calligraphy on black paper by Bernard Maisner Row 4: Mia Farrow and Frank Sinatra at Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball, miniature wedding cakes with sparklers from Fete NY
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