Proud to Plan: holiday inspiration for weddings

With a name like Caitlin Maloney, it's obvious that I have a strong Irish heritage, and with that comes my love of everything green and shamrocks. So it's safe to say that the idea of having an Irish or St. Patrick's Day inspired wedding has come into my head once, twice, or maybe three times. So if you're planning your wedding around St. Patrick's Day, or if you're actually Irish all year long and want to bring your heritage into your big day, here are some ideas on how you can add an Irish touch to your wedding.

The Color

Green, green, and more green. There's no better year to have a green wedding than 2013, since Emerald is officially the Pantone color of the year.

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The Invites

Incorporating Irish Celtic knots and shamrocks into your invitation and paper for the day is an easy way to carry out the theme.

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The Flowers

Anything green will work and whether or not you want to throw real shamrocks into the mix is up to you.

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The Rings

A traditional Irish Claddagh ring can make a perfect wedding band for you and a ring with Celtic knots is a great choice for him.

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The Outfits

Irish lace is what traditional Irish wedding gowns are made of, but even if you can't find the real thing, sticking to a lace gown would fit well with your Irish inspired wedding. Add in green heels and you're all set. For the men, a kilt would be tradition, but we all know many men wouldn't be caught dead in one. Instead opt for green shoes as well and either traditional plaid ties or variations of greens. Add in these shamrock cuff links for another great touch.

The Food

Though corned beef and cabbage might not be your typical wedding meal option, it can bring something different to the table for your guests. When done right, corned beef and cabbage paired with other items can make for a perfect feast.

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The Cake

The traditional Irish wedding cake is a fruitcake, but let's face it, those things are never really that good. Creating a dessert station with a cake and candy buffet in green is a way to add your pop of color. This cake with the pattern changed to Celtic knots can be a great subtle way to include your Irish inspiration.

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The Alcohol

Make sure your bar is stocked with Jamison, Guinness, Magner's, Ireland's token hard apple cider, and of course Irish coffee paired with dessert. You might also want to include mead, or honey wine, along with your main course. This honey flavored wine was also given to new couples for a month or full moon cycle to drink so that they could have happiness and fertility. And thus derived the word "honeymoon".

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The Table

Burlap and lace are great additions to your table settings that fit well with the Irish theme. In this case, adding the small shamrock made for a themed yet sophisticated look.

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The Music

It's not an Irish event without bagpipers. Though they can be used for any type of wedding, bagpipers are the perfect addition to an Irish themed event. The sound alone sets the mood for the whole evening. If you're afraid of a whole band of bagpipers, we often have clients use them to usher guests in and out of the wedding so it isn't overkill.

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The Signage

These Lucky in Love and Thank You signs are another great way to add to the theme.

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The Honeymoon

Where else then off to beautiful Ireland! Make sure you pack your umbrella.

May the luck of the Irish be with you!

-Caitlin

February 14th is just around the corner and I, for one, can't wait! While some people think Valentine's Day is cheesy or too commercial, I think it's a great backdrop for celebrations, including weddings. The beauty of this particular holiday is that it can inspire such a wide variety of unique touches ranging from subtle and romantic to bold and fun.

One way to really make a Valentine's Day wedding your own is through your color palette. Red and pink are obvious choices and while both look lovely paired with black and white, you don't have to limit yourself. Try adding warm shades such as gold or beige or cool tones like blue and grey to create a unique look.

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Set the tone for your big day with Save the Dates that capture your favorite aspects of the holiday.

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For a cohesive look, continue the theme with all of your paper products including invitations, programs, place cards and menus.

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Depending on where you live, your Valentine's Day nuptials may fall in the middle of frosty February, but don't rule out shorter dresses entirely. There's just something so fitting about the full skirts and flirty details of tea-length dresses like the ones below.

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Plus, a shorter dress will give you the opportunity to show off some amazing shoes! With accents like delicate ruffles, glamorous sparkles or whimsical hearts, there are plenty of options for every Valentine's Day style.

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When it comes to accessorizing, shoes are just the beginning. Clutches and jewelry are a great way to make a statement and carry out your theme without going overboard. This patterned clutch and delicate "Love" necklaces from Etsy would both make lovely additions to your wedding ensemble or perfect gifts for your bridal party.

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And don't forget about the guys. Coordinating converse or colorful socks are a great idea. You can also add a little of the holiday spirit to their look with love themed pieces like a simple heart boutonniere or "XO" cufflinks.

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Dressing up your venue is just as important as dressing up your wedding party. Florals are often a key element of wedding decor. Choose from seasonal blooms such as Ranunculus, Chrysanthemums or Anemones. Whatever you decide, remember, the vases or vessels you select can make as much of an impact as the flowers themselves. They can take your look from one end of the spectrum to the other. Blue mason jars add an overwhelming sense of romance, especially when paired with white or pink blooms. Milk glass is a great option whether you're going for a classic vibe or something more sleek and modern. Valentine's Day weddings are the perfect time to make decor choices that are a little unconventional. Try arranging flowers on top of beautifully wrapped gift boxes of varying sizes for a unique touch.

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Details really are essential to creating the right atmosphere on your wedding day. From the stationery to the decor, they make your event standout and your theme come to life. For Valentine's Day, I love the look of lace. It complements just about any color scheme and can be paired easily with elements that are rustic and casual or formal and elegant. Incorporate it into your invitations or wrap your bouquet in it. Add texture to your table with a lace runner or napkins. Or, create a truly romantic mood by covering your votive candles with lace.

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If you're looking to show off the more playful side of Valentine's Day, another great detail is the heart. As you've already seen, hearts can be included in so many aspects of your wedding. I love the idea of featuring hearts in garland or bunting. It can be used to line the aisle at your ceremony or embellish tables at your reception. Drape it across the back of your chairs at the sweetheart table or hang it vertically in rows to create a photo backdrop.

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Once your decor is set, it's time to focus on the celebration. Signature cocktails are the perfect way to get any party started. Try something fruity in pink or red or opt for a decadent chocolate flavor.

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No Valentine's Day inspired celebration would be complete without a little sugar. Wedding cakes can serve not only as dessert, but as beautifully decorative pieces for your reception. They are as customizable as can be. Whether you're after tall ruffled tiers or even a tower of delicate cupcakes, you're certain to find it.

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And the sweets don't have to end with cake. There are so many other options to consider from cookies to Whoopie Pies to Macarons- all of which can be made in coordinating colors or shaped like a heart to add to the overall look of the day. They can be served to your guests or wrapped as favors to take home.