You’ve heard the phrase: Go Big or Go Home!  Well I certainly subscribe to that doctrine.  That’s not to say that nuances of subtlety and simplicity aren’t just as striking.

(Above: source)

I just believe that when it comes to making a style mark, whether it’s design, fashion, music or even your wedding…often times, it takes celebrating bolder choices to really appreciate the minimalist approach.  When a dam breaks, the water gushes before it trickles, right?  Okay, enough with the metaphors.

GOLD RUSH & GODDESS

(Above: Gold plate via Ecclectic Jewelry & Fashion; Middle by Kenneth Jay Lane via here; Right photo by Christina Esteban Photography)

Here are some more equally sexy choices that are able to make a bold statement, without competing with the main prize: your face.  Like everything else when it comes to style, it’s about the overall package.  Take a look:

HEAVY METAL & MAIDEN

(Above: Top Left- Marie Claire Magazine via here; Top Right – Photo by Bruce Cassanova of OPMB; Bottom Left – Fiona Paxton, Bottom Right – Marie Claire Magazine via here)

You can’t talk weddings without paying homage to the classic look of pearls and diamonds.  The necklaces below the take simple elegance of traditional bridal  jewelry and turn it up a shimmery notch.

DIAMONDS ARE A PEARL’S BEST FRIEND

(Above: Top – Ranjana Khan; Middle – Tom Binns Designs; Bottom – Haute Bride via Maria Chang [photo by Jennifer Skog])

…And then of course: color, color, COLOR!  Nothing like a vibrant piece to add a little color to the traditional white look.  Not to mention a point source for your dream palette or color cues.

GEM & THE COLOR ROCKERS

(Above: Top four – Chunkers via NYMag; Bottom left - Sevan Bicakci; Bottom Right - Ranjana Khan via Splendicity)

And there you have it.  I trust this wasn’t too bold for you?  You can handle it!

As you know, February is not only the month of valentines, but a celebration of styles that I heart.  What better way to bring the week to a close, than by sharing some eye-catching wedding “bling” with a global twist?

For the bride who opts out of the western veil over which she might trip or get an eyelash caught in, here are some sexy fusion alternatives:

From African and Middle Eastern Glam…

(Above:- L to R: Top – Wedding Album Magazine, Luki Images via Design Scene; Middle – Culture Bridal Couture, House of Harlow 1960 via here; Bottom – Wedding Album Magazine, Joe Photo via Wedding By Color)

...to unleashing your inner Grecian goddess or muse.

(Above:- Left; Maria Elena Piece from Kleinfeld Bridal [photo by Carlos Andres Varela])

For a cute alternative to the birdcage veil, below are examples of  two lace and jewel inspired “cages” that can really make a statement.  Not only do they frame your face for the perfect portrait, they are also super stylish and chic.

(Above: Marian Hardwick via Ghana Bride; Bridal Styles Boutique)

As we head east, don’t you just love these jeweled pieces with a hint of eastern Europe and Asia? It’s all about the tear drop pearl, dazzling stones and beaded details.

(Above:- Top Left – The Wedding Album Magazine; Bottom Left – Photo via Rangoli; Top Right – Kyles Collection; Middle Right – Style Hive; Bottom Right – Wedding Inspirasi)

And finally, a celebration of western European folklore and fantasy.

(Above:- Top Row – Vogue UK via Fashion Box; Middle & Bottom Row – Vogue Italia via Dustjacket)

YAY, it’s Fri-Style Friday…which means I get to break any rules, themes, or patterns and share whatever I want.  It’s sort of like my weekly Show-And-Tell.

When I find something that takes standards and turns up the volume ten fold, you know Wedding Nouveau will be all over it.  I’ve featured his work before in previous inspiration boards, but Indian photographer Suresh Natarajan truly composes the perfect waltz between iconic beauty and cinematic photography.  Not to mention, the endless possibilities of fashion, beauty and hair styles for the bride who wants to turn heads with envy.

Whether you’re planning a fusion Indian wedding, or just in the spirit of shaking things up, get inspired by these lovely images:

Inspiration: Beauty is in the eyes of the Photographer.

(Above: All Images by © Suresh Natarajan; Jewelry by Tanishq Aarka)

Here are some of the Indian wedding inspiration boards featured previously on Wedding Nouveau, in case you missed.

(Click on image to read more.)

FROM BOUDOIR….

…TO BAVARIAN BOLLYWOOD.

Dream in Color, Dream in Culture.

Spicyhugs,

Fri

A savory sneak peak at tomorrow’s Henna-tastic & Kilt-ilicious Wedding Event.

See you Tuesday.

Global Vintage Inspiration #2 - Hanging in my home is an amazing piece of art called “The Sisters“.  I thought it’d be fun to drum up a dream palette around this hypnotic illustration. It’s a profile depiction of two beautiful African sisters, adorned in antique jewelry.  Because the artist remains unknown, it’s only fitting that our dream palette for today cover a wide mosaic of African styles, as opposed to one particula region.  After all, Africa is a large continent that’s about as dynamic as our human genome.

The Journey continues, covering Ethiopia, Nigeria, Uganda & South Africa:

Global Vintage Dream Palette #2 – L’ANTIQUE D’AFRIQUE

Inspiration: An Illustration of two African Sisters

Colors: Clay, Bronze and Antique Gold

(ABOVE: Illustration of two sisters from here; Profile Jewelry photo by Lili Rose of Bezemymailan; Reception Banquet table photo by Vintage Destinations; Vintage Nigerian coin from here; Gold Fabric from Shuttleworth Weaving; Shoes by 25Park; Images of Wooden bowl/ Ring and Stacked fabric by Sang An [Designed by Colin Cowie]; Bridal gown by Jennifer Salzman [Photo by Tat Leong])

Here’s to Dreaming outside the Box

Spicyhugs,

Fri

I call this series of images: Federico Garcia Lorca’s Ode to Christian Dior, with a splash of Sangria.  Or instead of Dior, how about focusing the light on some other designers braising the fashion world with their seductive and fierce new looks?  Mantillas are all the rage, but there’s so much more juice in today’s pomegranate.

What better place to search than at Barcelona’s Bridal Week 2009, that showcased the who’s who of  Bridal Fashion.  For the sake of today’s article, I focused on Latin/ Spanish Designers.  The format will be to show the gown, and then the supporting inspirational ideas for that gown.

Each gown get’s it’s on dream palette focused either on emotion, color, or whatever you feel like, really.

BRIDE LOOK #1 – ROMANCE

(ABOVE: Photo By Paloma Blanca)

This romantic look whispers feminine secrets such as rose pink and vintage bronze, while evoking a nostalgic feeling of outdoor Spanish poetry..

(ABOVE: Top Left – Design By Lunn Antiques; Top Right- Necklace by  St Luke; Bottom- Courtyard from LA Times)

BRIDE LOOK#2 – DRAMA

(ABOVE: Design By Gaudi Novias)

Executing modern shapes using soft fabrics, always gives a little edge.

Don’t hate me, but how can you not love flowers in ponytails?  For the looks shown above, it’s go big or go home.  Bold Color, Diamonds and lots and lots of fabric.

(ABOVE: Top- Reception Photo By Erick Pozos; Bottom- Lace & Jewelry Photos by Cheyenne Schultz)

BRIDE LOOK #3 -RUFFLED n’ TUMBLED

(ABOVE: Dress By Jesus Peiro, Photo By Victor Puig)

This look is for a bride is isn’t afraid to let her hair down, show some skin (moisturized of course) and shake her hips to the rhythms of an infectious beat.

She’s wild, she confident, she’s Ruffled n’ Tumbled.

The look inspires music, colorful fabrics, ruffles, heirloom combs that she’s not afraid to take out and just let loose.

(ABOVE: Santana Row photo by Vincent R; Dancing Mariachi Bride photo by Brides UK [Dress By Donna Salado]; Flamenco photo of Belen Maya by Gilles Larain;  Red/Gold Blowing Fabric photo by Barbara Stumm; Laughing Bride Photo by Brides UK [Dress by Ian Stuart]; Gold Senorita earrings by Chrys Designs Jewelry; Bridal Hairpiece by Lo Boheme [Photography By Brandy]

I just can’t get enough of India this week, can I?  Maybe it’s the fact that every wedding is yet another unique and surprising masquerade of vibrant colors and seductive hues.  I promise, I’ll get it out of my system….after i share a Sanskrit inspired Dream Palette:-)

On a totally separate note, a mid afternoon search for funky zen jewelry, brought me to Susie and her dog at MoonDog Treasures.  Her selection of colorful beads, soldered pendants would make great bridesmaid’s gifts.  Take a Look.

BELOW: Double-sided glass soldered pendant made from designer paper with an antique look of painted crackled wood.

ABOVE: Double stranded bracelet that features lapis lazuli chips with two silver pieces in the center (LIFE, written in English and Chinese).

ABOVE: Made with beads of soft whites, pale golds, swarovski crystals, freshwater pearls, glass, and silver. Features a sparkling centerpiece of rhinestone diamonds.

Her Om Shanti Necklace (Below, Background), struck me as a perfect gift for a soon-to-be-bride.  After all, she’ll need all the “Peace” she can get, right?

Susie’s worldly sensibility translates into her use of simple yet sophisticated materials as well as her ability to reduce each piece to it’s essence.   Now, if only life were that easy.