Color & Inspiration.

I have been telling people for years that my wedding colors were going to be peacock blue & gold. I know, it's a bit ridiculous, but I decided on this palette in college. My roommate, Holly, & I spent the better part of our free time doing one of three things: watching Gilmore Girls, drinking, and planning her wedding to her college boyfriend (who I think we will all agree we are happy she decided not to marry after all!). Not to be left out of the fun, I also started envisioning my perfect wedding, despite that at the time I didn't exactly have a groom in mind. 


One of the main sources of inspiration for this color palette was the work of art I chose to study for the semester in my junior seminar course for my art history major. I have always loved peacocks and developed a fondness for late-19th century British art, particularly Whistler, during my sophomore year. When I learned about his Peacock Room, I was enthralled, and shortly thereafter, obsessed. The Peacock Room resides today in Washington, D.C., as part of the Freer & Sackler Galleries. This work of art became near & dear to my heart (spending an entire semester studying something will either make you hate it or love it all the more deeply) and I think the combination of colors is just divine.

Southeast corner of Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room, 1876-77, by James Abbott McNeill Whistler (American, 1834-1903). Oil paint and metal leaf on leather, canvas, and wood.

Now that I am officially "allowed" to be planning a wedding, the overall feel of it from that original "vision" has changed somewhat, but the colors have not!


I've been vacillating on the accent color to my perfect shade peacock (when I find it), and lately have been of the opinion that it will just be a combination of pretty pastels and metallics. There may be some more vibrant hues (hello, it's a summer wedding) too, but overall I'd like the atmosphere to be soft & romantic, with kind of a vintage country feel. I think it fits with our personalities, our site, and of course the main inspiration - my antique engagement ring.


The reception to the color by the potential bridesmaids has been positive, although I am still considering doing more than one color for their dresses. I like the idea of either doing one color and letting them all choose their own style of dress, or, alternatively, choosing one fairly simple and (hopefully) universally flattering dress, and doing three colors, alternating down the line of girls. Since I'm thinking of incorporating quite a few different colors into flowers and reception decor, I'm not sure whether this would become overkill on color, or help it feel more unified in that there isn't just one or two signature color(s).


So there are my thoughts on color, and here are some (stolen!) inspiration boards from the Madeleine's Daughter blog, and a few bridesmaids dresses in the shades of the blue I like best. 

As far as the dresses go, I have found a TON that I like, so I will have to have my girls try some on, and I will be letting them each weigh in on their favorites and preferences. I'm not going to say any more on that for now, as I still haven't been in contact with all my friends to let them know about the bridal party & other responsibilities for the wedding. Plus, it really deserves an entire post of its own - and that I will save for another day!