Abby of Style Me Pretty is one of those designers-at-heart who gleans inspiration from everything around her. Who better to get us rolling with the Handmade Wedding Series? Abby started in the wedding industry when she launched her line of engraved wedding invitations called Abby Jean. She says, "Although I did find success with my company, more importantly, I fell in love with weddings over and over again,"  and even after selling her company last year, she wanted to stay immersed in the wedding industry. And so she launched her blog, Style Me Pretty, and fashioned her very own dream job. She's got a talent for pulling together elements in "Inspiration Boards" and making everything convey a complete, compelling look. 

Whether you have buckets of cash to throw around or are working on a teeny tiny budget, the most beautiful and memorable weddings are those that are truly inspired. Those infused with handmade touches, with lovely but oh-so-imperfect details, with chic and yet approachable décor.

And yes, as cliché as it might sound, wedding inspiration is all around you. From that beat up Victorian sofa in your grandmother’s house to that gleaming new diamond gracing your left hand. Inspiration is in the crown molding of your new home, the great clutch that you found right here on Etsy, the perfect letterpressed invitation. Inspiration is found in what you love. What you crave. What you consider beautiful.

With that said, when it comes to your wedding, it is often incredibly difficult to hone your many loves — your many inspirations — into one cohesive look. That is where the inspiration board comes in. Creating an inspiration board is the easiest way to design a wedding style that is natural and consistant, in color and in style. Using fabric swatches and magazine tear-outs, you can easily create a physical inspiration board. E-boards (a Photoshop version of the inspiration board) are just as simple, plus you have a ton of gorgeous images from sites like Etsy and Style Me Pretty to help inspire you and to focus your vision. A completed inspiration board is such an invaluable tool in the wedding planning process, as it will really articulate your unique vision to all of your vendors. They are a great way to ensure that everyone working with you is on the same page.

For me, an inspiration board begins simply, with one inspiring image. Once you’ve found that one element to inspire, you are ready to start envisioning your picture perfect (or imperfect, if you prefer) wedding style. Take for example this charcoal grey table runner that I found in yorktownroad’s lovely shop. To me, the texture and the color are perfectly paired with the softness of simple white tulips and a bright, cheerful accent color like yellow….


From Top Left:  Grey Table Runner by Yorktown Road,  Yellow Ring Pillow by Kate Headley Designs,  Letterpressed Coasters by 12 Fifteen,  Yellow Yarn by Yarn Chef,  Yellow Ceramic Bowl by Blue Sky Pottery,  Letterpress Notecards by 12Fifteen


I used Etsy’s Color tool to find canary hued inspirations, starting with those amazing yellow and white coasters featured in 12Fifteen’s oh-so-chic shop, perfect for adding a pop of color to your cocktail area. On the cocktail tables, yellow yarn could be used to fully wrap various sized tin cans filled with white tulips, for a splash of color and an unexpected touch that your guests will appreciate. The great ceramic yellow bowl filled with floating candles and cabbage rose buds would make perfect centerpieces. You could also forgo a traditional guestbook, having guests instead write well wishes on cute letterpressed note cards, then drop them into a large tin bucket.

By using Etsy’s Color tool, I was able to really play with color palettes and see how various shades could inspire completely different wedding styles. Swapping out the yellow with an avocado green gave way to an earthy, elegant look that would be perfect for a late Summer or early Fall wedding…

 
From Top Left: Grey Table Runner by Yorktown Road, Silk Ribbon by Jamn Glass, Ceramic Ring Bowl by Paloma’s Nest,  Green Swirled Notecard by Pistachio Press, Green Ceramic Bowls by JD Wolf Pottery, Green Clutch by Yorktown Road

This particular palette was inspired by that incredible silk ribbon that I found in JamnGlass' shop. The color was so rich and when I pulled a white in, the palette just made sense. The ribbon could be used to tie around white linen napkins for a lovely table setting. The tiny ceramic bowls that I discovered in jdwolfPottery's shop (an amazing find, by the way) would be lovely with tiny tea lights inside, scattered around your tables. Bridesmaids would look gorgeous is charcoal dresses, carrying white tulips and the incredibly chic green bag featured in YorktownRoad’s shop.

Once you’ve found that one great inspiration piece, play around with various colors until you build a palette. If whites and neutrals inspire you, think in layers. Layer great textures, pretty neutral hues and interesting fabrics and you will create a depth and dimension to your palette that guests will love. A “white on white” wedding can be stunning when you include great handmade pieces that add charm and personality all on their own…
 

From Top Left:  Linen & lace by namolio, Poppy Flower by Foundling, Knit Vases by Alyssa Ettinger Designs, Gold Poppy Note Cards by Ignafruit, Knit Coasters by Alyssa Ettinger Designs

The most thoughtful wedding style always begins simply…with an inspired vision. It’s by building upon that vision, through color, textures and perfect details that you can really give life to your inspiration and create a style that you will always love.
   
[...and of course, Abby's own dress was gorgeous!]

Further Resources:
Style Me Pretty
Rebecca Thuss
Junebug Weddings
Portovert 

Wedding Gift Guide | Wedding Category | Wedding Showcase | Handmade Wedding Series

Check out the items below for Abby's neutral themed ideas...If you have suggestions for creating Inspiration Boards, share your ideas in the comments below!