If you fell in love with the look of Natalia + Levi’s wedding, I’m sure it was the delicate and romantic elements paired with rustic and Southern details that grabbed your attention. The couple was inspired by the idea of a Parisian flea market meeting a Southern cotton plantation and the end result was a beautiful Georgia wedding with tons of inspiration to draw. Check out their wedding here and here and read on to see how you can achieve the same look!

A. We loved how Natalia’s bridesmaids were able to incorporate some glitz and glam into their dresses. We love this Modcloth frock for the same reasons — a neutral color becomes a hit with some metallic thread.

B. Natalia’s updo was topped off with a clay anemone hair pin. We love its slight pink tone and delicate look.

C. Set the romantic tone with pretty pink invitations. We love how the Lettered Olive makes some of the collections ready to order.

D. Signature cocktails just look sweeter in mason jars, don’t they? You can find handled versions on sites like Amazon.com

E. Put a little pep in your step! We love these blush shoes with its chiffon petals.

F. For another romantic touch, try having a calligrapher write your table numbers on vintage china. We found this plate on Etsy, but you can also search local flea markets and antique stores.

G. Grab a cotton boll and tie it up sweetly nestled in with these blue napkins. The table is set and Southern!

H. The gorgeous moss monogram hanging from the fence at N + L’s ceremony was one of my favorite details. You can have your florist make one for you, buy one (we like these from Pottery Barn), or make your own with this DIY!

I. The pitcher at Natalia + Levi’s altar pulled our heart strings! We love this one from Anthropologie. Put it on display, stick sparklers in it, or fill it with flowers. Any way you do it, we’ll probably still love it.

J. The table runners Natalia + Levi used at their reception exuded Southern charm. They screen printed some of them. Others were made from lace doilies. Check out this DIY to easily make your own.

K. Make your altar feel like a cozy home to say your vows in! Some rugs can get expensive, so we suggest scouring flea markets and online sites for a good deal — especially if you’re using it outside. We found this rug on Overstock.com

L. The shabby chic frames used in Natalia + Levi’s wedding were used as chalkboards. We love how a pretty item can become practical! You can buy a frame and paint over the glass with chalkboard paint, or you can buy them already made.

What do you think of our picks? Would you try this look?

A bright and shining winter beach wedding like Emily envisioned was just the ticket to start off the New Year! I love the idea of pairing glitzy items like gold foil cards and metallic jewelry with organic material like linen and kraft to play off the beach tones and sparkly waters. If you’re picturing a relaxed but elegant beach wedding brightened up with dozens of tea lights after dark, then these picks are for you!

A. Bright winter wedding loveliness doesn’t have to stop at “I do.” Bring the style into your home with this striped bedding.

B. Send guests off with a little goodie! Pack them in these kraft bags, slap a custom sticker or stamp on the front and you have an adorable thank you present!

C. Just like blue skies make your heart happy, this blue bow tie will make your beau look positively dapper.

D. Whether you’re donning it for the rehearsal dinner or dressing your ‘maids, this one-shoulder frock is affordable and just darling.

E. Make your wrists sparkly and bright with this gold chain bracelet.

F. A thank you note goes even further when it’s gold foil and striped!

G. We’re a huge fan of sparkly heels in the office, but you don’t want to sink in the sand in them! Try these adorable flats, instead.

H. Give the beach coolness a touch of warmth. We’re always fans of clusters of votives, especially when they’re as pretty as these mercury glass ones.

I. Beach weddings also mean beach lounging right? Make things a little more formal with a wooden bench — but be sure to keep some throws nearby in case the winter beach breeze comes through, especially at night.

J. We love this natural canvas tote with it’s leather handles. Stuff it with gift for your bridesmaids or with a change of clothes for post-wedding beach frolicking!

K. These alphabet trays mimic the colors of the ocean. Keep them handy on your dressing table for trinkets and small jewelry.

L. We love a little sparkle in unexpected places. Wrap up invitations, programs or favors with this white and gold twine.

Did you plan a winter beach wedding? What items do you think are must-haves?

Past Color Palette Finds:
Southern Gothic
Merlot + Champagne Vineyard
Soft Peach and Blue
Tex Mex Fiesta
Lemonade Summer

Now that Emily has started us off with some winter wedding inspiration and Marissa has given us the run-down of practical but pretty Southern style, I’ve rounded up some finds to turn these ideas into a reality.

Madi said she envisioned a Southern barn wedding with “mason jars, cowboy boots, great food and beautiful floral arrangements.” Though a summer wedding may not be in the cards, there’s still a way to incorporate all of those elements! Southern hospitality never fails, even when the weather is unforgiving. Play up the rustic details, which are as beautiful as ever in the winter and keep your guests’ best interests in mind by providing a warm atmosphere (candles and string lights are a favorite in my book) and comfy details like blankets and warm drinks. They’ll feel right at home and ready to celebrate!

A. Warmth is a priority when you’re wearing a dress! Keep a (faux) fur stole, jacket or wrap close by. If fur isn’t your style, try a warm wool cardigan or a sleek white blazer.

B. Want some jewelry that looks lovely in winter weather without reminding you of sparkly (and cold!) snow? How about these pearl Kate Spade earrings?

C. Keep makeup essentials and a hanky handy in this geometric clutch from Oatmeal Lace. Bonus? It’s just casual enough to be used after the wedding!

D. Dress up those comfy cowboy boots with some warm lace mohair socks! The little side buttons are adorable!

E. Crocheted netted wrist gloves will keep your fingers warm without being bulky. We love this pair from BHLDN. Want something a little warmer? We love these, too.

F. Cotton bolls will last even in the dead of winter. Tie name tags to a boll for Southern escort cards (see our Fab Finds in V4!), or put a few in a mason jar for a centerpiece.

G. I love the warmth of glowing string lights. The view of your reception area flooded with yellow light will immediately let your guests know where the party’s at!

H. Keep the small details rustic, too. These monogrammed cuff links will surely look dapper on your sweetie’s sleeve.

I. Warm pie and goodies from the dessert bar will look scrumptious on these silhouette dessert plates!

J. Nothing beats warming your hands by the fire. A round fire pit in your lounge area gives guests the opportunity to get some fresh air while staying warm.

K. Dressing up your table without the cost of out-of-season flowers is easy. These Epsom salt candles pick up the winter theme. Place them in mason jars for an added Southern flair.

L. S’mores are great favors for winter weddings, and guests can break into their supplies while they sit around the fire pit. You can put these together easily by placing a few graham crackers, chocolate pieces and marshmallows in a cellophane bag. We love packaging them inside muslin bags (we use this source and Amazon.com) that you can stamp with a custom message. Want another warm favor idea that involves less work? We think these hot chocolate stirrers will be a hit.

M. Stock your lounge area with these comfy (and affordable!) cable-knit throws from Ikea. After the wedding, you and your beau will love snuggling up with them on the couch.

N. Warm up your guests with a rich signature cocktail — milk punch!

What do you think of our winter wedding finds? Are there any ideas that you’re dying to share with us? Tell us all about it in the comments below!

Happy Thursday, friends! Today we have a fun little three-part series for you. We often get emails from readers with various questions and queries, and though we don’t have time to post about every one individually, we try to when we can. Reader Madi emailed us a few weeks ago, and this is what she said:

“I am a student at Texas Christian University, and I am a huge fan of Southern Weddings Magazine! Just two weeks ago, the sweet love of my life proposed, and since then I’ve been like a giddy girl as we’ve been exploring and contemplating the many options that come with planning our “big day.” Though I grew up in Kansas City, I’ve always been a Southern girl at heart, and even hurried South as soon as I could! I always thought I’d be married in the summertime, but our timing of things is looking more like a celebration in the winter, which could mean cold weather and possible snow fall! I always envisioned a ceremony outside of a barn and a reception with mason jars, cowboy boots, great food and beautiful floral arrangements… but winter timing may tweak all of that a bit. Is there any possible way y’all would share some ideas or do some sort of feature on how to pull off a traditional Southern wedding in a colder climate or even during the winter months? I’m looking for the warmth of Southern hospitality to surround us on that day.”

We loved the idea of dreaming up Southern ideas for a winter wedding, so today, we’re posting a three-part series for Madi. Up first is my inspiration board, then Marissa will be posting about winter fashion, and lastly Nicole will round us out with some Southern winter finds and DIY projects. If you have a brilliant winter wedding idea of your own, we’d love for you to chime in in the comments!

There’s absolutely no reason why traditional Southern style can’t be translated to the colder months, and I hope this board shows that. In fact, some Southern staples – raw cotton in particular – are more than perfect for winter. Use the fluffy bolls in bouquets, boutonnieres, and centerpieces for a lush winter look.

Madi wants to get married in a barn, which is also totally doable in the winter. Just make sure to rent heaters, as older barns can be pretty drafty!

For tablescapes, I love the idea of substituting flowers (which would be pricy, and probably not all that pretty) with low clusters of cotton in vintage silver containers surrounded by white and ivory pillar candles (probably in hurricanes, if we’re talking about a barn!). A tone-on-tone dotted linen or runner would complete the scape.

Throughout the day, concentrate on layering texture – cotton, wood, nubbly linen, luxe chiffon – over a pretty neutral palette of white, ivory, and barnwood gray.

Credits, clockwise from top left:

Cotton bouquet photo by Pasha Belman via Southern Weddings; Samuelle Couture dress photo by Eric Kelley via Grey Likes Weddings; monogrammed mason jars photo by Vue Photography via Southern Weddings; cotton boll boutonnieres photo by 13:13 Photography via Southern Weddings; dotted linen photo by Sylvie Gil via Style Me Pretty; hot cocoa from Martha Stewart Weddings; wood fireplace photo by Thayer Photo via Snippet & Ink; Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyard photo by Eric Kelley via Grey Likes Weddings

To tide you over until Marissa’s post, here are a few of my favorite winter weddings we’ve featured:
Molly + Ben’s Chapel Hill Christmas wedding (here + here)
Lizzie + Greg’s glam New Year’s Eve wedding (here + here)
Sarah + Ryan’s rustic barn winter wedding (here + here)
Ashley + Judd’s glittery ballroom winter wedding (here + here)

I couldn’t think of a better first post for the new year than this Southern inspiration board. I’m imagining a bright and shining winter beach wedding — something we’re uniquely positioned to enjoy here in the South! Fresh, simple, clean colors, a few leftover Christmas lights strung up, and a ceremony on a beach that’s sure to be deserted — it sounds so serene! Soft blues and natural colors at the reception complement a dazzlingly crisp winter sky beautifully.

Credits:

First row: Seaside chapel photo by Stephen Devries, beach portrait by Stephen Devries, hurricane centerpiece photo by Millie Holloman via Style Me Pretty

Second row: shiny packages photo by Jessica Claire via Green Wedding Shoes, kite flying photo by Millie Holloman via Style Me Pretty

Third row: casual reception set-up photo by Steve Steinhardt, sandy shoe shot by Clary Photo via Southern Weddings, unknown

P.S. A few more inspiration boards you might enjoy:
Merlot + champagne vineyard
Peach and blue
Tex Mex fiesta

Be sure to check back next week for Nicole’s color palette finds based on this board!