Though Emily’s Southern Gothic inspiration board was made in honor of Halloween, its dark and muted color palette and slightly eerie quality are the perfect inspiration for adding a bit of drama to the everyday. I couldn’t get the image of old plantation homes and Spanish moss out of my mind as I hunted down these color palette finds. Each reminds me of Edgar Allen Poe and William Faulkner in its own way and has made me love the South even more for it’s dark corners and history.

A. Correspondence looks lovely with the addition of a custom wax seal and builds suspense for the receiver who can’t wait to see what’s inside.

B. Familiar patterns in luxurious colors and textures, like this pillow, remind me of antique settees found in a plantation house’s sitting room.

C. Rustic bird napkin rings will make you want to picnic outside under the Spanish moss.

D. I can’t get over how this BHLDN dress magically combines a dreamy texture with a design that’s reminiscent of the eerie old South.

E. Even a dark stone can brighten up your finger with paired with sterling silver and pave diamonds.

F. Wouldn’t these booties be darling paired with a cape and your handsome fiance? I see engagement session potential!

G. Set your table with some drama. Forgo the china for your housewarming and use these black and gold dinner plates instead.

H. A spindly hall tree makes it easy for you to be hostess in your new place.

I. Like the best decor in old Southern homes, this rug acts as a lush covering for creaky floor boards.

What do you think of our color palette finds?

Like this? Here are more Color Palette Finds for your viewing pleasure!
Merlot + Champagne Vineyard
Soft Peach and Blue
Tex Mex Fiesta
Lemonade Summer
Steel Gray + Green + Ivory

Y’all have been such a hoot to get to know with our Sit a Spell Series! We’d love to bond a little more, so over the next few weeks, each of us will be giving you a look into our dream wedding — what our inspiration is, what we’d want to wear, and the great Southern traditions we’d love to include. Next up? Sierra’s Southern wedding!

It’s started: My friends are already asking me what type of wedding I want to have. And man, that is a good question! I feel like working for a wedding magazine and blog, you start to like many different things — things you would never have considered before. You’re exposed to so much that you could really go in a few different directions for your own wedding. Oh yes, and those friends? They’ve also begun teasing that they’re not inviting me to their weddings because they won’t be as nice as those featured on SW (I’m sure they’re only joking about the invite!)

When putting together these boards, I told Emily that I wish I could wait until after the V4 real wedding posts went out on the blog, because they were ALL I could think about for my inspiration! (I particularly loved Katie + Max, Camille + Mark and Jodi + Kurt’s!).

Now I just need to find a dapper Southern gentleman! Any suggestions?

Image credit from left to right and top to bottom: Braedon Flynn, Clary Photo, Jill Thomas, Vue Photography, Spindle Photography, Leila Peterson via Wedding Chicks, 1313 Photography

Tell us the basics. Where do you want to get married and when? How many people would you invite? I would like to get married near the beach but not on the beach (that way, family and friends could head over and have some fun during the wedding weekend – no sunburns, please). Current possibilities are Charleston, Savannah or Wilmington. I would guess 100-150 people and in the spring or early summer.

What’s your design inspiration and color palette? I based my color palette off a combo I saw somewhere that included tan, a soft yellow, peach, coral and light blue. My dream wedding would be light, fun and crafty. In the office a year or so ago, we went around and defined what we thought each person’s wedding style would be for a branding exercise. The girls said they pictured something natural for me, and I agree. I don’t want anything too over the top.

What details and traditions would you include in your ceremony? Ideally, I would love for my wedding ceremony to be in a church or on the grounds of a plantation with a beautiful altar setup. The men would certainly be wearing bow ties. There would be a bluegrass band, Southern-inspired programs, and I just loved the monogrammed handkerchief idea in V4!

What dress would you wear? I am completely devastated that Priscilla of Boston is closing because I wanted to wear a Priscilla of Boston gown. They seem to be perfect for Southern brides — not too crazy and very classic. Would it be absurd for me to buy one about three years in advance? Generally, I like dresses with a little bit of lace and/or beading, but with an overall elegant aesthetic. I don’t want to have a dress that wears me, you know?

Image credit from left to right and top to bottom: Jessica Lorren, Jose Villa, from Martha Stewart, Jen Huang via Style Unveiled, dress by Ivy & Aster, Jenna Walker via Style Me Pretty, Our Labor of Love

What would your flowers look like? My current favorites include: gardenias, tree peonies, clematis, hellebores, tree peonies, tulips and billy balls. The bouquet could be something simple, like fluffy, white peonies or a yellow and pink combo like Jen Huang’s photo above. For the table setting, I would like colorful arrangements similar to those in Katie + Max or Camille + Mark’s wedding.

What details and traditions would you include in your reception? There would certainly be a live band and dancing. I love the custom bottle labels in V4′s Southern Meets Nantucket shoot by Trent Bailey. I would also include a fun groom’s cake!

What food would you serve? Like Marissa, I’m a big fan of Southern comfort food. There would be chicken, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, pinto beans and most importantly, a blackberry cobbler from the Dutch oven. I also loved the chicken and waffles from V4! We tried to put lots of Southern food into the issue.

Where would you honeymoon? We would honeymoon in the Caribbean, somewhere tropical and warm. I am literally envisioning scenes from The Bachelor. Does anyone else watch that show?! Emily and I are super fans.

What’s most important to you about weddings? The celebration of love. It’s possibly the only time in your life that you will have all of your friends and family together in one spot to just let loose and celebrate well, you!

What do you think, ladies?

P.S. Want to check out our past dream weddings?
Marissa
Nicole

In honor of Halloween, we have a slightly-eery, Southern Gothic inspiration board for you today!

Credits, clockwise from top left:

Wedding dress with black sash photo by Julie Lim via Southern Weddings; black and white striped bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings; key ring shot by Erin Hearts Court; “Gloria” dress from Vera Wang Fall 2011; jeweled hairpiece by Elsa Corsi via Style Me Pretty; Spanish moss; candelabra centerpiece photo by Bryan Johnson via Southern Weddings; paper suite by Martha Stewart Weddings via Ritzy Bee

P.S. Last year’s Halloween board

Hey, y’all!

Emily’s merlot + champagne vineyard inspiration board from last week had me really excited to pull some fun finds that correspond to the rich color palette. I was filled with visions of fall in the North Carolina vineyards, cozy sweaters and scarves, wood accents and, of course, popping open a nice bottle of wine. Whether you’re planning a vineyard wedding, traveling through wine country for your honeymoon or just in love with these colors, these picks will have you dreaming in merlot + champagne.

A. The bold stripe of color in this China set will dress up any table and will look fabulous on display in your china cabinet.

B. Nothing makes me feel cozy the way a scarf does. I love this one from Madewell. With it’s rich colors and type, it’s reminiscent of rustic wine crates and cotton labels.

C. These bottles and wood stoppers bring some of the rustic elements of the vineyard to your bar and table. The best part is that they can be customized with a monogram!

D. I love the many used of these authentic wine crates. Guests can toss cards in them at the wedding and after, you can use them as containers or planters.

E. Finish off the ensemble with these beautiful suede boots from Tory Burch. With no heel and a rich chocolate-y color, they’re a wardrobe staple.

F. We know you’re the ever-prepared hostess. This vintage wood cheese board is just the ticket to making your guests feel welcome.

G. Jet off to your honeymoon in vineyard-inspired fashion. Kate Spade’s patent leather passport holder is both pretty and practical.

H. Show your family and friends how much you love them with some chocolate-dipped madeleines. We won’t tell if you get a few for yourself, too.

I. Keep track of your travels through wine country with these notebooks made from historical maps.

J. If our merlot and champagne colors don’t make you feel decadent, then this red wine chocolate cake recipe from Smitten Kitchen surely will.

What do you think of our color palette finds? Any color palette suggestions? Let us know in the comments below!

Happy Monday, ladies! We’re back with another inspiration board, and this one is actually a reader request! Christina asked to see ideas for a merlot, blush, and champagne vineyard wedding on our last inspiration board post, and I was happy to oblige! I think this combination is stunning and elegant, while still being relaxed and easy. And I love that the wine cork accents are subtle and sophisticated — perfect for a grown-up vineyard wedding! I could see this event coming to life at Montaluce Winery in Georgia or Raffaldini in North Carolina… what do you think?

Credits:

First row: Vineyard table settings from Napa Valley Celebrations (photo by Meg Smith), wine bottles photo by Kate Kelly via Style Me Pretty
Second row: Bouquet-ed groom photo by Carla Ten Eyck via Elizabeth Anne Designs (florals by Just For You), table setting photo by Karen Wise beribboned wine corks photo by Adam Barnes via Southern Weddings
Third row: Merlot bridesmaid dresses photo by Landon Jacob via Southern Weddings, wine cork heart by Lovely Morning
Fourth row: Wine barrel arrangement by Vibrant Table (photo by Kate Kelly, via Style Me Pretty), chocolate drip cake by Nine Cakes (photo by Karen Wise), calligraphy place card photo by Carla Ten Eyck (calligraphy by Elizabeth Porcher Jones and styling by Jubilee Events, via Elizabeth Anne Designs)

Be sure to check back next week for Nicole’s color palette finds based off of this board, and don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments if you have a board in mind you’d love to see come to life!