Wednesday Wedding Inspiration! The Italian Job

Posted on: 22/08/2012

Brides Up North reader Cher contacted me via the Brides Up North Facebook page (have you liked the page yet? It’s brimming with ideas, notice of discounts and giveaways and inspiration – go see!) and wrote:

Hi Julia,

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I would love your help. My partner and I were engaged in Italy near the Amalfi coast and would love to incorporate that in our wedding. The obvious choice is by using the Italian Job movie – we have thought of having mini coopers (toys) as wedding favours – any thoughts on decorations, invites or how we can bring a touch of Italy to our big day?

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Thanks,

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Cher.

Cher, get ready for la dolce vita!

Italian Wedding Inspiration

1. Mint Green Vespa Cards 2. Luella Gown 3. Garden Wedding Table 4. Coral Lace Dress 5. Italy Heart Print 6. Italian ‘I Love You’ Bunting 7. Lemon Vase Centrepiece 8. Italian Stamped Candles 9. Rifle Paper ‘Love’ Cards 10. Gold Mini Cooper Toy

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After receiving some gorgeous pictures of one of my real brides’ wedding in Italy, I got an email from Julia sharing a wedding inspiration board request from the lovely Cher. Cher and her fiancé were engaged near the Amalfi Coast and were looking for ideas to incorporate the Italian theme into their big day. Avoiding obvious colour palettes of red, white and green I chose beautifully bold coral bridesmaids and teamed it with muted green shades with hints of yellow and gold in the decor.

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Cher had the great idea of using The Italian Job as inspiration and having toy Mini Coopers as favours doubling as name places. To keep them all tied in with the theme and colour, spray paint them all gold to add shimmer to your table decor. Use colourful flower arrangements to reflect the bridesmaids dresses – you could dot Mini Coopers amongst them too.

Limoncello is an Italian lemon liqueur mainly produced in Southern Italy – why not treat your guests to a citrus cocktail on arrival. You and your groom could perfect a recipe and serve your own personal cocktail! I also thought using lemon slices as vase decor would be a great way to tie this into your wedding.

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If going all out Italian with your wedding menu is too much – how about having gelato for dessert? There are a few ice cream carts available for wedding hire - I am sure they will be able to help out tailoring flavours to suit you and your groom!

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I came across the beautiful image of the homemade ‘Ti Amo’ bunting and thought it was a perfect prop for Cher’s big day. It would look fabulous hanging from the bride & groom’s chairs, around the wedding cake and used in the photography. It could even be included in the stationery – there are plenty of wedding stationery designers able to incorporate your own ideas into their designs. I love the idea of using hand drawn images such as the Vespa card set or the Italy print in your stationery too – if not in the invitations then maybe in the seating chart or table names. You can also buy vintage Italian vehicle postcard sets from RE in Corbridge to tie in with your Mini Cooper idea.

CLOSING THIS WEEK: Katy is holding a giveaway over on her blog and she would like to invite Brides Up North readers to enter too. For the chance to win a bespoke headpiece from What Katy Did Next to the value of £150 you just have to email info@what-katy-did-next.co.uk with your details or comment on Katy’s blog post (say hello from Brides Up North too!). The competition closes on 27th August 2012.

Remember: the plan is to share a new inspiration board in this time slot every week, either compiled by myself, regular guest blogger Katy or YOU: get in touch with your own ideas and inspiration boards! We’ll be discussing our inspirations behind the images too so it’s simply going to be a whole load of lovely.

If you are a little less arty but in need of inspiration and still want to play along, we will also be taking requests for colour schemes and themes and making bespoke boards for my readers. Please contact me to suggest a theme or colour scheme.

Click here to see previous Wednesday Wed-spiration Mood Boards