Wedding Inspiration Board | Aqua and Egyptian Sapphire

When you think of the middle East or northern Africa, what are the first few things that come to mind?  For me, it’s images of deserts, sundials, souks, spices, fabrics and ancient ruins.  I’ve noticed that water is hardly ever included in that initial list, for obvious reasons.  But what if you’re of Egyptian descent and have absolutely no desire to have an arid desert event.  That was the case for Halimah, who’s submission for a dream palette wedding board piqued my interest.

Bride’s Request: Halimah, a 28-year old med student in Jordan will be getting married in Egypt next year to her Welsh fiancee.  Although the wedding will be in northern Africa, Halimah wants “nothing to do with tents, camels and anything desert or nomadic.”  After talking a bit more, I found out that Halimah is deeply spiritual and very into astrology.  She would like to celebrate the fact that both her and her fiancee are Pisces (water zodiac signs).  “As far as location goes, the reception will be in a lounge in Egypt,” Says Halimah, “So I’d rather not compete with the decor that’s innately there”

Bride’s Colors: Blue and Gold.

Inspiration: Aqua and Egyptian Sapphire

(Above: Top photo by Sara Wall Photography; Bottom photo by Supreme Management via here)

Dream Palette #60: GOLDEN LAGOON

Colors: Teal, Sapphire, Ocean Blue and Amber

(Above: Pool interior via Palais Rhoul & Spa; Model in jewels via Padma Lakshmi; Dessert photo by Ulrika Ekblom; Floating bride by Sara Wall via Project Wedding; Gold & Sapphire pocket watch by 19 Moons; Earrings by Bumbershoot Designs; Bridal gown photo by Agnes Lopez; Amber Cake photo by Gia Canali; Shoes; Mask photo by Imagine Studio; Model in pool via here [Photo by David Mushegain]; Pool interior via Palais Rhoul & Spa; Hookah; Floating lanterns)

Challenge: How do you plan an atypical Middle Eastern-style wedding? One that’s not strictly nomadic and mythic in design, but romantic, modern and cool?

How you do it: 1. Pick cool colors as your main colors such as Green, Purple or Blue.  2. Don’t fight against your setting.  Embrace the location realistically by using water elements such as an oasis, spa, lagoon…all plausible scenarios in a desert.  3. Focus on particularly elements that speak to you personally.  In this case, the bride expressed her love for desserts, fairy tales, masked balls, etc.  4. You can accomplish the same effects in the heart of an urban metropolis, by finding a location such as bar or restaurant with a lounge space or pool area that can easily be transformed by ambient lighting and floating lanterns.  5. Go with a make-up palette that’s glossy and sensual to evoke the spirit of water and glowing skin.  6. Details such as Hookahs, belly dancers and ottomans would make for appropriate accents.  7. Less electricity (except in the pool or fountain) and more candles.

Spicyhugs,

Fri