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Butterfly Appliques add Chic Touch to Garden Weddings

Hi there. This is Jacqueline Weppner from Merci New York, a Manhattan-based blog and bridal styling service that provides “chic and stylish inspiration to the busy city bride.” I’m thrilled for the opportunity to guest blog on StrictlyWeddings.com.

Part of my job as a stylist is to bring insider experience from the fashion industry directly to my brides. Often such inspiration comes from a recent showroom appointment, trunk show, or even people watching along the streets of Manhattan… but with all the fabulous fashion shows that have graced the worldwide stage these past few months, my mind has recently been on the runway.

While runway style is often extremely editorial, Valentino’s Fall 2010 RTW at Paris Fashion Week has some darling details that transcend perfectly into bridal. My absolute favorite were these gorgeous butterfly appliques… Either softly woven or ornately bejeweled, I adore their delicate perch on the collarbone or hip… They add a decidedly chic, of-the-moment touch to any garden-inspired wedding. Enjoy!

Fashionista fun fact: The Valentino butterflies are said to be inspired by the early works of Damien Hirst. In his controversial first exhibit, “In and Out of Love,” Hirst filled the Woodstock Street Gallery with hundreds of live tropical butterflies. As visitors admired the art, some butterflies even hatched from the monochrome canvases that hung on the walls.

For more information on Merci New York and Jacqueline’s services, please visit www.mercinewyork.blogspot.com.

Photos via ImaxTree

Here at StrictlyWeddings.Com, we are loving the Butterfly Theme for your Big Day

Who would have thought that butterflies are a hot trend for spring and summer weddings? But one of our own, Jordan Payne of Jordan Payne Events said that the trend began in 2009, but it’s “really” going to be hot for spring and summer weddings in 2010.

At getmarried.com we found this advise on the “butterfly theme.”

… keep the looks light and colorful. If you are having your wedding based on all kinds of butterflies, choose pastel or bright colors for the bridesmaid dresses. Should you prefer a certain kind of butterfly over others (like a Monarch), then choose colors based on that (shades of orange and black).

Accent colors on bridal gowns are becoming trendy. Choose one with light sparkles or a sash or ribbon to complement the wedding colors. Tiaras with rhinestone butterflies are a beautiful touch to a bridal hairstyle. Jewelry for the bride and bridesmaids easily incorporates a butterfly theme:

• Pendant necklace (James Avery has a lovely butterfly necklace in sterling and gold)
• Hair clips
• Charm bracelets
• Stud earrings or dangles with butterflies

The flower girl dress offers the most options for incorporating a butterfly theme. You may find some little girls’ dresses that have butterflies embroidered on them, or choose a simple white dress and place wings on your girls’ backs.

Men’s clothing should match the bridal party colors as well. Informal wedding attire might include a tie that features butterflies. More formal wedding attire could do traditional tuxes, but have a small cloth butterfly pinned into the boutonniere.

Ceremony Decorations

• Have the butterfly theme worked into your ceremony decorations and accessories.
• Have invitations and programs printed that incorporate butterflies on the front cover.
• Use a unity candle that has butterflies incorporated into the large middle pillar.
• Fabric butterflies can be wired into virtually any floral arrangement

Butterfly Wedding Cakes

• Using a wedding cake topper that has butterflies in it is an easy way to put butterflies on your wedding cake.
• You could also have your decorator make gumpaste or royal icing butterflies and affix them to your cake.
• Place sticks with butterflies on the top into cupcake wedding cakes.

Make a more unique centerpiece by having a butterfly net hang from the ceilings down over the tables (be sure to check with your reception site for rules regarding ceiling hangings). Have fake butterflies affixed to the sides of the netting and “hanging” in the center of the net using a wire.

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We found a few additional ideas for the Butterfly wedding theme:

Release live butterflies at your wedding - Wish Upon a Butterfly, Amazing Butterflies; Swallowtail Farms
Butterfly Wedding Accessories

And if you’d like to find examples of Butterfly Weddings just search Google! You will be amazed (or at least we were)!

This image came from WedSmack.com under Favorite Ideas