That’s right, it’s Monday…and not just any Monday.  Today is the beginning of Valentine’s Week filled with uniquely gorgeous dream palettes for your inspirational pleasure.  I’ve got several boards in store this week, brought to you by cupid’s bow and with a sprinkle of sinful indulgence.  Today’s vice? CHOCOLATE!

Doing anything fabulously crazy this Valentine’s day?  You might want to confirm your weather forecast before trying on one of these chocolate….YES, Chocolate runway gowns from Cadbury Chocolates.

Venturing into the Willie Wonka of delicious couture, conjured up lots of inspiration for me.  It’s Valentine’s day, it’s your dream wedding…and it’s definitely 100% enriched cacao.

Inspiration: Chocolate Couture & Romance

(Above: All chocolate dresses by Cadbury via here and here)

Dream Palette # 63: LOVE ME IN CHOCOLATE

Colors: Rich Chocolate, Strawberry Red, Soft Pink

(Above: Feather hat by Ooh la Latex; Pink Trees; Chocolate hands and cake photo by ©  Laurie Frankel; Chocolate dress by Christian V Siriano; Invitation by Rifle Paper Co.; Sofa by Miles Redd; Perfume photo by © Lisa Cohen; Shoes and Dessert by Vogue Korea via Lushlee; Godiva Candles via Hollywood Candles; Lips and fingernails by Toxic Dolly; Bride gown by Oscar De La Renta; Cake by Ganache Patisserie via WedLuxe)

All this talk of desserts is making me hungry.  I can’t wait to show you more valentine’s day – inspired dream palettes this week.  Not to mention the real fusion weddings in store  This is a week you won’t want to miss:-)

Tuesday is all about lemon drops, cool grey suits, modern romance and a celebration of the color Yellow – the shade of happiness, joy and hope.  In Japan, yellow represents courage and in India, prosperity (don’t try this hue at home in Egypt though, as yellow is the color of mourning).

Other than my deep obsession with all things colorful and festive, my inspiration for today’s dream palette unfolded when I stumbled upon Jen and Floris’ absolute “fun-in-a-box” wedding, taken by Daniel Kiyoi.  The caress  of Daniel’s subtle and tender snapshots against such bold and vibrant colors, is what gorgeous photojournalism is all about.

Inspiration: Daniel Kiyoi Photography

To view the full wedding portfolio, filled with more charming and candid moments from their yellow and grey event, visit Daniel’s blog.

Dream Palette #62: SUNSHINE IN SPRING

Colors: Lemon Yellow, Grey and White.

(Above: Bride photo by Chenin Boutwell; Yellow Dresser via Fun on the Floor; Invitations; Earrings by KModine; Table Setting via Weddings on the French Riviera; Ring favor photo by Daniel Kiyoi; Yellow Bridesmaids photo by Vrai; Male Suit photo by Brett Ludeke; Yellow Chair & White dining room by David Jimenez; Cake by My Sweet & Saucy [photo by Stephanie Williams]; Bouquet by La Partie Events)

All this talk of yellow, has me excited to share some bright colored garments from different continents…coming up later.

Here’s a Thursday nod to springtime green.

Green, the color of nature, environment, fertility and rebirth, is the focus of today’s DCDC feature (Dream in color, Dream in Culture).

Inspiration: Springtime Garden Mystique

(Above: Source)

Inspired by the arrival of spring, garden diaspora and the fashion of saying “I do” in the charming outdoors, surrounded by flora, fauna and merry weather :-)

Dream Palette # 61: SPRING FLORA

Colors: Moss Green, Pear Green and White

(Above: Tablescape via Luphia Loves; Bride photo by Nate Welton; Plate setting and Pear  via Luphia Loves; Seating Cards & Bouquet via Better Homes & Garden; Shoes via Bridal Buds; Garden pillow by Poppytalk; Matcha Roll Desert via here; Parasol by Fox and Prince;  Asparagus and Salmon via The Daily Green; Invitation by Oblation papers via InStyle Weddings; Green Candle holders by Southern Fete; Mirror and sink via Dress, Design & Decor; Woman in Green via Captivate Moi [Photo by Mario Sierra])

Coming up later today, traditional bridal couture ideas that evoke the spirit of spring green.

Spicyhugs,

Fri

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

If you’re like me, then you’re Goo Goo-Lady Gaga for Indian Weddings.  From the range of colors, textures, spices and traditions, there’s always something new to learn. Prompted by the spring 2010 collection from Indian designer Manish Arora as well as a new board request from bride-to-be, Lakshmi, today’s dream palette evokes India’s wonderland

Lakshmi is a 24 year old Indian Canadian bride-to-be.  She will be marrying her Canadian fiancee in the summer of 2011 in Quebec.  Both are die-hard fans of bohemian culture, travel, flea markets and the circus.  As a matter of fact, Lakshmi’s fiance works for Cirque du Soleil, the focus of our palette.

Inspiration: Cirque du Soleil and Indian Whimsy.

(Above: Cirque de Soleil- Dralion; Giant mushrooms by Philip Straub; Saree Cake by LPK’s Cullinary Groove via here; Invitation)

Bride’s Request: “We don’t really have any colors just yet.  The brighter and more playful, the better.  I’m thinking about an outdoor circus tent event, but I’d like to find a way to make my traditional parents happy, by incorporating traditional Indian practices.”

Dream Palette #59: CIRQUE DE SAREE

Colors: Circus Blue, Candy-Coated Purple, Hot Pink and Orange

(Above: La Nouba Tent via here; Pillows; Model in Saree photo by Ruven Afanador via here; Candle holders; Elephant Centerpiece by HWTM via Baby Lifestyles; Acrobats; Cake by Very Different Cakes; Elephant Foot; Balloon Reception; Bride in Veil;  Woman in Pink/Orange Saree and Bangle/Flower photo by Tec Petaja; Bebe Illustration; Circus Ring by Old Gold Boutique via Our Papermoon; Invitation)

You might be asking yourself: Indian weddings are already so colorful, why add another “theme” to it?  I say why not?  Adding a theme like Cirque du Soleil,  just gives what would normally be just a normal Indian wedding: focus, a story, and character.

Cirque du Soleil transcends the circus in a magical and visual way that I feel Indian weddings do compared to most weddings.  By finding elements from both that you connect to, you get a memorable and uniquely festive event that’s never been done before.

(Above: Dralion – Cirque de Soleil via here)

Dream in Color, Dream in Culture.

Spicyhugs,

Fri