5 Global Celebrations for Wedding Color Inspiration

The World of Color

If you are looking for color inspiration - the best place to start your wedding planning- sometimes you need to look no further than global festivals and traditions for ideas. We know which colors we like, we know what colors can say about us, and we know sometimes colors also have specific traditional meanings. So how about TWO cross-offs in one on your wedding list: COLOR and CULTURE. Here are some great examples of color at traditional global celebrations:

Holi, Hindu festival of spring and colors - Hindus greet the turn of winter into spring with a splash of color. The large festival has roots to many Hindu legends associated with the triumph of good over evil. The colors are vivid and stunning and can be inspiration for a bold bride with bold hues and a bold statement on her mind!

Photo Credit: Anoop Negi

Throwing powdered paint in a joyous display of springtime celebration....well, sounds really fun! The color mixings create some gorgeous combinations.

Photo Credit: Kaylin Fitzpatrick

Photo Credit: Boston.com

Cinco de Mayo - Probably the most famous of all celebrations from our southern neighbor, Cinco de Mayo (May 5th) commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces in 1862. Filled with Mexican heritage and pride, this celebration offers an amazing spectrum of vivid and vibrant hues. In fact, I would dare say I chose MY wedding palette by looking at these kinds of celebrations and how they used color to represent excitement, enjoyment and energy.  Having a Mexican themed wedding? Here are some easy ways to incorporate Mexican wedding traditions into your big day.

Photo Credit: SFGate

Just look at this purple, orange, yellow...gorgeous color combo! A little red and blue thrown in there and you have a lovely Mexican palette. Check out this color combo board over at Pinterest!

Photo Credit: Oregon Live

This shot was too beautiful to pass up!

Photo Credit About.com

From the gorgeous continent of Asia, Chinese New Year celebrations are just ripe with colors - red and gold - that stand for luck and love. Red is also known for being fiery and passionate, making it ideal color for weddings in my book. Use with moderation and to add a punch to a neutral background. 

Photo Credit: Chinese New Year, Thailand

Photo Credit SMH.com

Photo Credit: Third Age

Lest we forget: Brazilian Carnival; every color possible can be found here. I had the chance to witness the spectacle that is Carnival this last year and it is inspiring in every way - the music, dance, costumes, the whole of a country celebrating with joy and fervor.

Photo Credit: TVNewsRadio

Photo Credit: Kaylin Fitzpatrick

St. Patrick's Day - the giver of green, perfect for a Spring wedding! Irish/Celtic wedding themes are becoming more and more popular as couples begin incorporating cultural traditions into their marriage celebrations. Here are some simple ways to add a touch of the Emerald Aisle to your wedding.

Photo Credit: York Weekend

Photo Credit: CBS News

These are just a few examples of how festivals and traditional celebrations can help you choose colors that add a touch of culture to your wedding.  The world is full of amazing days of joy and festivity!

Find what works for you and go for it! Come back and let us know what you choose; leave us a message on FACEBOOK or send us a tweet on TWITTER!

Have a deLicious Day and go with the good stuff!

{Color Inspiration} Looking for some? World celebrations can help.

If you are looking for wedding color inspiration - the best place to start your planning, sometimes you need to look no further than worldly festival for ideas. We know which colors we like, we know what colors can say about us, and we know sometimes colors also have specific traditional meanings, which would be the perfect opportunity to get TWO cross-offs on your wedding list: COLOR and CULTURE.

Here are some great examples of color at some traditional festivals:

Holi, Hindu festival of spring and colors - Hindus greet the turn of winter into spring with a splash of color. The large festival has roots to many Hindu legends associated with the triumph of good over evil.

Photo Credit: Boston.com

Cinco de Mayo - This celebration of Mexican heritage and pride, commemorating the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces in 1862, offers an amazing spectrum of vivid and vibrant hues. In fact, I would dare say I chose MY wedding palette by looking at these kinds of celebrations and how they used color to represent excitement, enjoyment and energy.

Photo Credit: SFGate

Just look at this purple, orange, yellow...gorgeous color combo! A little red and blue thrown in there and you have a lovely Mexican palette.

Photo Credit: Oregon Live

Red, the color of love; feisty and passionate, a great color for weddings.

This shot was too beautiful to pass up!

From the gorgeous continent of Asia, Chinese New Year celebrations are just ripe with colors that stand for luck and love.

Photo Credit: Chinese New Year, Thailand

Photo Credit: CAPA

Chinese Lantern Festival

Photo Credit: China Tour

Lest we forget: Brazilian Carnaval; every color possible can be found here.

Photo Credit: TVNewsRadio

Or St. Patrick's Day - the giver of green, perfect for a Spring wedding!

Photo Credit: CBS News

These are just a few examples of how festivals and traditional celebrations can help you choose colors that add a touch of culture to your wedding.  The world is full of amazing days of joy and festivity!

Find what works for you and go for it!

Have a deLicious Day and go with the good stuff!

Exquisite Tea Favors in Gorgeous Paper Packages

I found this super fun DIY favor project over at The Paper Place...it is a steal worthy idea and so I'm sharing it here with you. This is a perfect project for couples looking to add a little elegance, spunk, and beautiful paper, which I always say is ALSO a great way to infuse a hint of culture, to their wedding favors.

So have at it! A big thank you to the folks over at The Paper Place. This is their project, I simply added a few extra pieces.

How-To: Exquisite Tea Favors in Gorgeous Paper Packages!!

What you will need:
~* Waterproof Watermark tissue or any stiffish frabric-y tissue paper, see through is best
~* Decorative Papers, I personally like the papers over at Paper Source. They have a great
selection to match any wedding theme
~* Printer compatible paper for labels
~* Cutting mat and knife
~* Sewing machine or needle & thread
~* Tea, for this project the author used Sakura Cherry Rose to match the Chiyogami paper


1. Cut your tissue to the desired size; remember it has to fold over on itself to create the bag. This one is 3.5 x 8.5”

2. The next direction in the original project called for ironing the sides of this specialty paper Watermark Uzumaki, to create a sealed edge. Product description for this paper says: The backing can be folded against itself and ironed to create a sealed edge, making possible an endless variety of sealed packages, envelopes and bags. It would be similar to No Sew Hem Tape, which could be used instead. However, it you can't find the appropriate paper or the No Sew tape, run it quickly under your sewing machine. It might actually take you less time. Below is the end result.

3. Fill the bag with tea. Use 2 teaspoons per bag, which is enough for 2 cups of tea.
4. Create your label and cut them out.
5. Cut your decorative paper strips. Make it 1.5×3.5” to fold over the top.

6. Line up your label and decorative paper and run through the sewing machine, or hand sew if you do not have access to a machine.

7. Voila! Perfect little favors for a wedding, shower or give as a lovely hostess gift. The possibilities are endless…..

A spin on this idea! Perfect for a summer wedding, choose three different fruit teas (Lemon Meringue Rooibos, Wild Blueberry Rooibos and Tulsi Orange Herbal Tea) and pair them with vibrant Katazome papers. Instead of folding the paper over the top, use just a strip, modify the label layout a bit, sew across and leave the strings hanging loose! 

I love the baker's string, it adds such whimsy and total cuteness! Enjoy this unique and totally creative DIY favor project. Make sure you check out the deLovely Affair DIY Projects and Freebies page for this and other great ideas.

Holiday Wedding Additions: Cheers, favors and traditions!

In general, I am slightly opposed to celebrating two major events during any season...like birthdays and proposals...separate, or Winter holidays and weddings, is Santa walking you down the aisle?  I just feel each event is important enough to have its own special day and fabulous celebration.

But I will say, holiday weddings have the best, most tasty treats, are the easiest to decorate and people generally approve of the two for one event. So with all being said, here are a few good ideas to bring some holiday cheer into your holiday wedding without overloading on red and green and ho ho ho.
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{sourc: Frills and Thrills}

Holiday Cheer
Here is an oh so delicious Candy Cane Martini from Frills and Thrills Wedding and Event Planning that makes a great after dinner drink, perfect for toasting and warms against the winter chill!

Ingredients:

3/4oz. Vodka,
3/4oz. Peppermint Schnapps,
3/4oz. White Creme de Cacao,
1/4oz. grenadine,
half and half and soda water.

Directions: Pour Vodka, Peppermint Schnapps, White Creme de Cacao and grenadine into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well. Pour into a cocktail glass rimmed with crushed peppermint candy. Fill with half and half and top off with a splash of soda water!

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DIY Favors

Snowflakes, christmas colors, ornaments or something silver and shiny always come to mind when I think of holiday weddings favors....and for some reason scream "been there, done that!" When I think of the winter here in New England, I want something that warms my belly, melts in my mouth, tastes good on my tongue and is lovingly made

We {heart} this delish favor idea we found over at Delightfully Engaged: a sweet stack of gingerbread favors along with a favorite family recipe.

{source: delightfully engaged}

Here's what you will need: 

- Gingerbread cookies

- Fabric

- Greens

- Twine

- Scissors

- Cards+ Recipe

1. Stack the gingersnaps in piles of 4-5.
2. Cut a piece of fabric about 4 inches x 4 inches. When you cut the fabric, cut about an inch and then tear the rest; this gives the fabric a beautiful, raw and rustic edge.
3. Write out a family recipe for the cookies or another favorite and attach with twine or simply slide it underneath the entire packet.

{source: delightfully engaged}

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Draw flavor inspiration from your heritage

Mexican Hot Chocolate, a flavor made with cayenne pepper, is growing in popularity. Winter celebration ideas? Have it as a drink to warm up guests at the end of the night or as your featured cake/dessert flavor on a wedding dessert bar.

Here is a delicious, not-too-sweet recipe for Mexican hot chocolate, a mouth watering and powerful combo of cocoa and spices including whole stick cinnamon and cayenne pepper (already in the chocolate). Cinnamon stirrers come in handy, as the old-fashioned chocolate mixture settles if not stirred before drinking. The blend of cinnamon and chocolate flavors is oh so delish!

{Source: Taste of Home}

Holiday Centerpieces - Cranberries and Crystal

Flowers are expensive this time of year and Holiday accessories are overdone!  Cranberries are a beautiful and inexpensive nod to the season, especially in a color scheme incorporating shades of red. 

{source: The Gardener's Eden}

For a simple and striking centerpiece, fill a vase partway with cranberries, then add water. A floating candle can be added to the top, but be sure not to fill the vase to the brim. Either identical or unique vases can be used for each table (look at thrift stores and garage sales to find a variety of vases), or an etched glass bowl can be used. Brides using a bowl for this centrepiece may want to use several floating candles. {source: Suite 101}

These are just a few of our favorites you can add to your wedding to bring on the holiday cheer without getting too carried away. 

Happy Wedding, Happy Holidays!