al fresco {the basics}

Al fresco season is officially here and I have been pulling out all my essentials for a lovely outdoor feast. If you are starting your al fresco arsenal from scratch here are a few basics that will surely make your party the talk of the town...and yes a conversation piece bottle opener, like this horseshoe really is essential.

(kim seybert napkin rings, burlap wrapped vases, horse shoe bottle opener, nickel lantern, round rush placements and wicker acrylic tray)

sweet tooth {zig + zag}

Just a little sweet send off to the weekend. If you love chevron I am pretty sure that your jaw will drop over this amazing wedding cake by Sweet and Saucy...

event inspiration {playful + fresh}

Today is my little brothers wedding day and I thought it only appropriate to share an event inspiration board. This particular one embraces a playful, fresh and whimsical style--perfect for a casual summer wedding!

(invitation via green wedding shoes, thread social dress, flowers by a.hana design, table via jose villa and cake via elizabeth messina)

event inspiration {simple + subdued}

Many people don't know where to start when creating a theme or palette for an event and my advice to them would be to start simple or choose one element you love--from there everything will begin to unfold. In this case, I was inspired by the muted tones of a loose floral arrangement by Saipua. I then pulled the warm and cool tones (that seems to be a theme this week) from the flowers into the other elements.

(invitation via green wedding shoes, heart pie via sweet and saucy, favor bags via 100 layer cake, napkins via elizabeth messina and dress via j. mendel)

event inspiration {bold color + romantic style}

I love the this table setting by Eddie Ross--from the lovely Quadrille fabric to its perfect blend of color and whimsy. It was my inspiration for a bold yet romantic affair...

(via eddie ross, bhldn, alison events, pistachio press, jose villa and carter and cook)

outdoor envy {wendi young}

Usually when I browse through a designers portfolio it is the interior spaces where I find inspiration. However Wendi Young's portfolio reminded me that the design of the outdoor space is just as important. I especially love the multiple outdoor spaces she designed for this Newport Beach home. They are all unique and allow the homeowners to host everything from an intimate evening of cocktails to a swanky soiree.

thanksgiving {in cranberry and pumpkin}

I have always put so much effort into coming up with a unique Thanksgiving palette but I forgot how lovely the traditional colors of the holiday can be. I am currently enamored with the combination of deep rich cranberry with golden pumpkin.

(via 100 layer cake, petrina tinsley, j. mendel, bird and banner and lonny)

event inspiration {crisp citrus}

Ok, so I am continuing on my orange kick. I just think that crisp white and bold citrus orange are such a lovely combination, especially for an early fall affair. I especially love the use of flowers in a rustic willow wreath--just lovely.

(images via once wed, roland bello, j. mendel, maggie austin cake and style me pretty)

event inspiration {cranberry bliss}

Just a little mid week wedding inspiration inspired by the upcoming season of tart cranberry concoctions.

(via 100 layer cake, chewing the cud, jose villa, marc jacobs, sunday suppers)

event inspiration {autumn affair}

I keep hearing that wedding season is now over. I have to disagree, as I adore fall weddings. There is a glamour and richness of autumn colors incorporated in to an event that no other season can compare to. I especially love the use of ocher as one of the base colors in fall event palettes.

( j. mendel, 1oo layer cake, elizabeth messina, 100 layer cake, studio choo and canelle et vanille)

event inspiration {kraft + cream}

Love is such a simple and pure emotion. It only makes sense that the celebration of it reflects that and this casual palette inspired by kraft paper isthe perfect way to do just that.

(via jose villa, 100 layer cake, sunday suppers/karen moredachi, jose villa and badgley mischka resort 2011)
Hope you all have a simple and lovely weekend!

event inspiration {hot+cold}

As many of you may have realized I love the combination of warm and cool color palettes in interiors. However, I had never applied that same look to an event board, soooo.....

(images via tec petaja, j. mendel, stephanie williams, tec pectaja and once wed)
And not surprisingly I love it! Best part, it works year round.

event inspiration {refined rustic}

Living in a mountain town I constantly find myself trying to steer clear of rustic style but to be honest when comes to events it is my favorite theme. When refined and simple it creates the perfect party atmosphere. Think horseshoes, barns and bonfires...

(via gws, southern weddings, a hana designs, erica obrien, lonny, 100 layer cake)
Sounds like a fun party, right?

event inspiration {bits of midnight blue}

If you are hosting a party this spring or summer don't be scared to incorporate dark and moody colors into the palette. Although they may seem inappropriate they are actually the perfect backdrop for the brighter colors of the seasons. My current favorite is deep midnight blue--I especially love the way that pinks and yellows pop against it.

(via dvf, jesse leake, rifle design and green wedding shoes)

event inspiration {seaglass + gold}

Sorry to pop in so briefly but it has been a very busy week! I did have just enough time to put together a board for one of my new favorite spring wedding palettes--gold and seaglass! There is such a romantic but understated quality to this combination that make it perfect for both backyard and black tie affairs.

(via canelle et vanille, elie saab, 100 layer cake, erica o'brien cake design and a hana)

event inspiration {bold in black + red}

Looking to create a moody and elegant event ? My new favorite way to create this look is with a black and red color palette softened with whimsical and playful elements.

(via jose villa, style me pretty, oh darling, style me pretty, chewing the cud, simplesong, ink wellsmartha stewart) and

event inspiration {modern whimsy}

When I think of pink and green I think of lilly pulitzer prep but when I saw this bouquet (my new favorite!) with a hint of pink on the succulents it became apparent the combination can also be modern and whimsical.

(via parrott design studio, jose villa, sweet and saucy shop, saipua and cake girls)
Looking for more wedding and event inspiration--check of my previous boards. And if you are looking for something custom please e-mail me at delightbydesign@gmail.com and I would more than happy help!

event inspiration {by room}

I spent my day off making homemade ravioli and then cleaning up all the flour I covered the kitchen in. It is about time for me to start making the brown butter sauce and play hostess but wanted to pop in real quickly. I have been completely enamored by this image from lonny and when attempting to clean up my desktop of 800 images I came across it again and decided that it was the perfect inspiration for a spring backyard affair.

Do you agree?

(via studio choo, haltson, anna kern, sunday suppers, bonnie tsang,and avie designs)
And I am off! Hope you all have a great evening.

event inspiration {bold bash}

I am a firm believer that color at an event is something that there can never be too much of! So when I saw the photo of this place card by neither snow I instantly knew it was the perfect inspiration for just such a bold palette.

(images via jose villa, sweet and saucy shop, emilio pucci, jose villa, neither snow, linda and harriet, jose villa and unknown)
And isn't that pucci dress just jaw dropping!?

event inspiration {lime+biscotti}

I know that most party hosts love throwing an unique event full of personal and unexpected elements--which can be quite the task. I think it also tends to make people ignore classic color combinations, such as lime green and creamy biscotti, but they can still create an amazing and fresh look when textures are carefully chosen and details are not ignored.

(via green wedding shoes, indigo bunting, a hana designs, once wed, elizabeth messina and sunday suppers)
After all there are a reason that these colors are classics!