Ahhh, the outdoors!

What a beautiful thought… looking into the eyes of your beloved with the sunset as your backdrop, a soft breeze against your blushing cheeks, and perhaps the sound of the waves in the distance. Many of us have dreamt of these perfect images and imagine making them a reality as the background for our big day.

The truth is, while Mother Nature provides us with so many picturesque settings to choose from, she also likes to stir things up a bit from time to time. Did your dreams ever include cold snaps, rain, heat, soggy grounds, or pesky mosquitoes? Probably not.
The key to keeping your dream alive is to think ahead. Make sure your vendors have what you need to be prepared for any surprises. Have a back-up plan in place with your venue should your event need to be moved indoors. As the saying goes, “hope for the best, plan for the worst.” With good planning and organization, that day you’ve been envisioning will look just as spectacular played out… no matter what happens (and no one will ever know with the exception of you and your vendors).

Fall 2009 Color Palette

Still unsure about what colors to use for your fall wedding? This year's fall pallette is all about the warm EARTHY hues for a sense of comfort (think wet sandy beaches and lattes), as well as contrasting colors that pop! Want to go bold???? Try a deep, mid-night blue or a rich shade of purple. These intense colors are excellent choices in setting the stage for formal affairs. Don’t feel intimidated by the idea of using these deep shades ... done properly, a purple tablescape can be absolutely stunning! Flowers come in all shades of purples and violets; use a variety of them to add depth to your arrangements.

Did you have something more subtle in mind? Try using a palette of soft nude tones combined with a blush or a burnt sienna for a more romantic feel.... perfect for any wedding.

For the contemporary couple, consider a slate gray with a splash of yellow–green. The splash of green introduces a fresh element to a potentially understated color.

There you have them, the 10 "official" shades of Fall '09. Use them for inspiration but decide on the colors that match your personality best for a true, perfect match.