I’m a big fan of using retro and vintage inspiration for event design (plus you can find a lot of decor at flea markets or eBay for very reasonable prices).

I love the simple tile runner of this table with bowls of floating flowers. It looks so effortlessly chic.

I love the 60’s style of this bride.

I love these bridesmaids dresses– slightly 60’s and very practical. I’d wear this dress again!

A polka-dot tea length dress? Too cute.

I love how the bright 60’s colored flowers pop against the color of the bike.

Images: 1. Artfool 2. John Dolan 3 & 5. Vallentyne Photography 4. Jeff Newsom

It finally feels like fall in Santa Barbara…

Photo by Jeff Newsom.

Green is my favorite color and poped aganist a white background, the effect is just so pretty and modern.

I love the texture and layering of this all green centerpiece.

I love this organic arrangement of the moss and succulents. This would be so pretty down an aisle or around the base of the wedding cake especially if candles were tucked in to the moss.

Images: 1. Wendell T. Webber 2&3. The Velvet Garden

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I love subtle themes that can be used in a couple different ways and flags are another way to add style to your wedding without breaking the bank.

For a destination wedding, using country flags for seating cards would be so cute.

Or overhead, to add color and movement to your wedding design.

These little flags could be used to garnish your signature drink. Too cute!

Images: 1. Styling by Amy Altas, photo by Gemma Comas 2. Rebecca Thuss 3. Sophie Cuvelier 4. Sweet Paul

From cake stands, to tissues, to platters, French Bull’s products are a jolt of color that would be perfect to add to a vintage themed wedding. How freaking cute are the individual tissues?

Purple is the new “it” color. I love this photo’s retro style and simple purple flower.

I love the garden-y, shabby chic sensibility of this shot.

I love this cute little bubble skirt dress. It would be the most adorable bridesmaid’s dress.

Subtle purple roses paired with feathers are so glamorous.

Pink orchids, purple flowers and a tarnished silver container are just so elegant.

And last, but not least, these amazing shoes by Oscar de la Renta.

Images: 1. Thayer Allison Gowdy 2. via Sweet Paul Blog 3. via This is Glamorous 4. Artfool 5. Michelle Rago 5. via This is Glamorous

Lanterns are some of my favorite ways to add drama to any event design.

I love the way driftwood branches form a psuedo-tree on which the lanterns hang. How pretty would this be as a backdrop for a beach ceremony?

White accodrian lanterns strung in between palm trees; so simple and pretty.

The spiky shape of these star lanterns are so fun and funky. Paired with tons of candles you’ll have instant dramatic lighting for your wedding.

I like when lanterns are different sizes and shapes but still have the same look.

Two Morrocan lanterns paired with a modern and clean white table. So chic.

Images: 1. Chris Everard 2-3. Leigh Miller 4-5. Ben Dearnley

Since I think everyone could use something pretty on a Friday, here at Santa Barbara Wedding Chic, I’ll be featuring some of my favorite ring shots. And to start this series off is this shot from Jeff Newsom.

Coffee and diamonds? Sounds like two of my favorite things.

I love the idea of the couple including their dog as party of their wedding celebration.

Whether acting as ring bearer or just apart of photos, it can be an easy personalizing touch to any wedding.

When planning to include your dog in your wedding day make sure somebody is in charge of taking care of your dog and you have an exit plan for when they’ll need to go home or to the kennel. And keep in mind, if you’re dog doesn’t do well around crowds, then including them in your day may not be such a good idea.

In which case, an m&m portrait might be a good solution (I was a little weirded out when the face m&ms came out, but here it is used in a cute, non-creepy way).

Images: 1. Katie Moos 2. Jose Villa 3. Jeff Newsom

I’m a big fan of using interesting and unique ways to display seating cards and table numbers. Table numbers in particular are one detail that I think really needs to be thought through. There is no easier way to detract from a beautiful table than using a utilitarian and boring table number holder.

Wine bottle numbers are both pretty and practical. I love details that do double duty.

The seating cards don’t have to be individualized per guest, instead you could use a rustic chart. It’s a great way to save paper, time, and it can be an easy way to add a dash of style as your guests enter the reception.

If you do prefer the individual seating cards, I like to use calligraphy envelopes with the guest name on it and then I tuck the table number inside. This way, last minute seating changes can be accommodated with ease. Tucked onto a flat of grass, this presentation is perfect for a spring wedding.

Its not always necessary to have a place card (must couples just assign their guests per table) but in certain cases, particularly a formal event or if you’re seating guests at one long table of 20, than I highly recommend place cards. I love the simplicity of this option.

For a fall wedding this would be such a cute detail.

Feathers, rocks and sea shells are other great objects that can really bring together your whole wedding design.

Images: 1. Via Snippet & Ink, Cheri Pearl photo by 2. Via Snippet & Ink, photo by Red Photo Co. 3. Snippet & Ink photo by Myrtle & Majoram 4, 5, 6 Gemma Comas

There is nothing more classic than a pure white palette for a wedding. I’m a big fan of playing with proportion and textures in order to make a classic white wedding more contemporary.

A bunch of white hydrangea is always pretty and timeless.

Images: 1. Mark Lund 2. Lisa Lefkowitz

I love when a bride and groom have fun posing with their getaway transporation. Here again, is another place to add a personal touch to your wedding day…

Hot vintage sportscar and a hot couple, need I say more?

Baby blue bike and a just married sign, such a lovely detail.

Fun couple + Vespa = one of a kind photo

A tandem bike? Even better!

1. Halberg Photographers 2. Elizabeth Messina 3. Red Photo Co. via Snippet & Ink 4. Jose Villa

I love the deep jewel tones of peacock feathers. And used in a subtle way, it could be the perfect element to bring your wedding’s design together.

I love how this hair piece uses the peacock feathers with a tiny cluster of crystals at the base.

For bridesmaid’s dresses you could use aqua and deep blue colors from the peacock feather.

For a clutch, this peacock print bag is perfect.

Images: 1. Photo by Arrowood Photography, tabletop design by Camilla Svensson Burns 2. Sweets n Lo 3. Left, Monique Lhuillier, Right Jcrew 4. Red Ruby Rose

What’s better than one pair of hot shoes? How about 5 pairs?

Photo by Melissa Musgrove.

Pink flowers are so soft and romantic, and are the perfect accent to a garden wedding.

I love this bouquet with three different types of roses.

For this poesy, the florist wired together pink cymbidium petals to create a large “flower” called a composite.

I love the simple footed white vase against the different shades of pink flowers.

This arrangement features only one large pink dahlia, but the crocheted cozy around the simple glass vase creates such an interesting and pretty texture.

I love the subtle contrast of the pink cymbiums of this bouquet paired with deeper jewel tones and the subtle purple accents.

Images: 1. Sandra Lane 2. Once Wed 3. The Green Vase 4. Jo Tyler 5. Rose and Radish 6. Camilla Svensson Burns Couture Floral & Event Design