There's an old rhyme that says, "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue." Now a trend is coming that fulfills this charming phrase with a blue wedding. For many years, blue has been left out in the cold, even though a great percentage of people will tell you that it is their favorite color! A flattering shade of blue exists for every complexion, and there is something so fresh about blue in the spring and summer.
Famous designers are creating wedding dresses in shades of blue, ranging from the recognizable aqua known forever as Tiffany blue to the dusty midtone that we're calling Wedgewood blue. It won't take long for these same colors to show up in wedding shops. It could be a touch of blue at the sash or a head-to-toe vision in blue tulle. With the continued popularity of pastels for weddings, blue has become feminine without being cloying. Every year, the designers at Pantone choose the colors that will be popular to use in everything from house paint to bridesmaid's shoes. For this season, they chose blue for three shades out of ten!
We've seen so many exciting ideas on Pinterest! As a great start to wedding planning, take a moment and look at our Something Blue board to inspire you. The paper lantern trend is playful and colorful, and so is the garland idea. Garlands can be created from hearts punched out of paint sample chips, yarn pom poms, tissue paper flowers, pieces of fabric, ribbon or paper pennants. Any one of these options looks festive en masse. It's a perfect project to do with the children in the family! For another decoration, try stringing LED lights with bits of tulle and lace gathered into a puff around the bulbs. Later, these lights can decorate the newlywed's first Christmas tree.
Discover more DIY inspiration on our 'Something Blue' Pinterest board here.
Want to know a trick that you can borrow from the pros? For an indoor space with plain walls, use a slide projector showing a simple black and white image of tree silhouettes or fern fronds. This will decorate a large space with dramatic results and little effort or cost. Candles on the tables add romance and soft light. For a festive statement outdoors, line the walk with luminaries—white paper bags that hold a tea light and some sand for stability.
Spring and summer make it easier to find elusive blue flowers. By using flowers that are in season and grown locally, you can be "green" and blue! Forgo white flowers to save money. They are delicate and bruise easily, so florists charge more. Several types of Iris come in true blue shades, including the early spring bulb iris and the Dutch iris, which blooms in May. The do-it-herself gal can plant seeds for bachelor buttons. These flowers come in lovely shades of blue and hold up well when cut. More and more, we see hydrangea being used as wedding flowers with bright blue inflorescence. One stem could be a bouquet! Felicia daisies are a true blue with a cheerful yellow center. If you expand your palette to include purple shades, there are many more blooms to choose from. French beaded flowers are fun to make and faster to make with a Bead Spinner. The perfect shade of blue can be created, if you do it yourself.
An obvious way to bring blue into your wedding color scheme is to put it on the table. For centuries, blue porcelain has been treasured. If you're lucky, someone in your family will loan you their china for the centerpieces. If you're not in line to inherit Grandmother's Blue Willow china, check antique shops or flea markets for the pretty blue that you have in mind. Maybe your style includes clear blue Mason jars filled with field flowers and placed on a checked cloth for the table. Even if you are renting white service ware, you can still accent your reception with blue table runners, candles or ribbons.
Wedding jewelry is an important and highly personal touch. Many cameras will be focusing on the bride, looking lovelier than ever. That sparkle at the throat will make for a classic image of beauty. Pearl drop earrings and a statement pearl bracelet complete the picture. If the bride wants an up-do, a decorated comb or bobby pins will make it extra special. One of the prettiest ideas on the runway is a headband with tulle netting and crystals tucked into cascading curls. We like to accessorize this look with the new Swarovski Gem Colors for that bit of blue. Many of the dress styles that we're seeing include a defined waist with an embellished sash or belt. The third finger on the left hand shouldn't be the only sparkle on this big day, the bride's day to shine!
