You’re going to love the wedding trends I’m sharing today as I'm unveiling the best in creative weddings from 2016.

But, first - let me say a few things for those of you that are returning in the new year or who are coming here for the first time . . .

I want to take a moment to say Happy New Year to . . .
~ all the brides returning to my blog this year
~ all the newly engaged couples finding my site for the first time
~ all the creative wedding pros looking for the best way to market their business in this ever changing industry where social media continues to play a big part in being seen and found by brides

I’m a firm believer that 2017 is the year of Instagram. At the end of last year, so many new features were added that have made this social media platform the best it has ever been.

I am so excited for 2017 and to continue expanding on the amazing connections I’ve made thru Instagram. I can’t wait to grow and make more connections to keep building an amazing community of creative business owners and brides looking to plan their creative wedding.

Instagram is one of the most powerful social media platforms {along with Pinterest, but I’ll save that for another day}. Today, it’s all about Instagram - a terrific platform for growing your brand and reaching opportunities you never knew existed. I'm now ready to share my most liked Top Nine Instagram Posts from 2016 with you. I love how the posts that made the final cut match so well together and while I personally thought brighter colors would have been the winner - I can definitely see what my audience is loving the most with these choices. Are you ready for the results? . . .

What’s Hot from Creative Weddings in 2016 to give an insight into the trends for 2017

Natural Elements with Brown and Green

Maybe it was a sign that Pantone would choose Greenery for the color of the year?

Lace on wedding gowns + table linens

Glitzy rose gold topped wedding cake

Pretty Sparkling Bridal Headpieces ~ with an adorable dog as a model

Great Ring Shots

Speaking of Ring Shots . . . Did you know that Week 1 of the 52 Weeks of Wedding Photos Challenge for Wedding Pros is all about Ring Shots? 

Glitter on Wedding Shoes

Fun Wedding Drinks with fancy drink stirrers

And, of course, each post in the Top Nine features what I LOVE blogging about . . . fresh ideas for creative weddings - like the table number on a marble slab - isn’t this a great idea?

Now, it’s your turn. Please leave me a comment and let me know what element you love the best from my Top Nine most liked Instagram Posts from 2016? What are you excited to see more of in 2017?

With St. Patrick's Day tomorrow and spring arriving on Friday, today's styled wedding shoot couldn't be more perfect. It's a Spring Equinox Vintage Inspired Wedding in verdant green and there's even a super adorable baby goat {the bride model was such a lucky lady as she got to hold the sweet goat and it even kissed her}. Corey Tucker of Corey Lynn Tucker Photography writes . . .

babies are being born and the birds are calling an
end to our long New England winter. Who wouldn't
crave the fresh green burst of verdant green ferns.

The venue for today's styled shoot was South Farms and this third generation barn was just recently converted into a wedding and events venue to preserve the historic beauty for everyone to enjoy. The sweet baby goat {named Willy Nelson} not only stole the hearts of all involved in the shoot, he added a tender touch of new birth and the hope of Spring.

Wedding Vendors Credits:
Photographer: Corey Lynn Tucker Photography
Equipment Rentals: Tents Unlimited
Photo Booth Equipment: 179 Pictures
Bakery: Amanda Bakes LLC
Jewelry:Barbaret Jewelers
Event Planner: Borrowed, A Vintage Inspired Company
Hair Stylist: Faye Liseo
Dress Store: Julie Allen Bridals
Floral Designer: Sarah Worden Natural Design
Heirlooms and extras: Sassafras Vintage Rentals
Event Venue: South Farms
Paper Props: The Nice Paper Co.
Makeup Artist: Wedding Make Up By Candee Caldwell

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

For those that might be planning either a wedding or bridal shower inspired by St. Patrick's Day, I wanted to share a past inspiration board I've created that was inspired by the luck of the shamrock. Consider tucking this little good luck token into your bouquet and your guests place settings. Don't you love those cute green glittered clothespins? They could be used to attach the menu to the folded napkin, attaching the place card to the menu, securing the table number to a potted plant centerpiece or even to hold a paper banner up. Adding little clovers to your bouquet and even attaching one to the napkin is a perfect way to bring the holiday into the wedding in a more subtle way. For dessert, a green velvet wedding cake would be perfect.

Image and Shopping Credits:
bouquet with plaid ribbon, rice krispie treat shamrocks, chocolate mousse parfait, napkin tied with a shamrock, favor boxes, green velvet cake, green glittered clothespins, placesetting with shamrocks

Happy St. Patrick's Day. I couldn't let today go by without creating a brand new "green" inspiration board to celebrate. Today's board started when my mom spied some green items with bling on them online. From there I searched around for items that had a little bit or a lot of bling on them {like the hand-embellished green high heels}. Do you have a favorite item in this inspiration board? Hoping everyone has a great day full of sparkles {or sprinkles on your dessert}.

View fullsize

Images Credits and Shopping Resources: emerald green beaded dress | green brooch bouquet | rhinestone border monogram labels | green ombré cake slice with sparkly sprinkles on top | glittery green earrings | Adele suite glitter letterpress wedding invitations | sparkly green pew bow | emerald green sparkly rosette fascinator

PS: Package Perfect Bows is a member of the Wedding Vendors I ♥™ Guide

With St. Patrick's Day a week from today, I thought it would be fun to share with you one of my favorite inspiration boards from last year that I had created to celebrate this day. There are so many great ideas in this one and I even found a brand new addition that you can see after the inspiration board. It ties into the ombré wedding cake with the large succulent perfectly.

View fullsize

Here are all the fun details from the first time this inspiration board was shared . . . {please note: the rope necklace is now a bit of a different shade of green, see here . . . and the mini crocheted purse is no longer listed on her site, but you might be able to request a custom order}.

I just love the oversized faux boxwood monogram as a backdrop for the couple saying their vows. The green tulip and white anemone bouquet with the striped ribbon pairs perfectly with the green and white ombré wedding cake featuring an oversized succulent flower. I always love the layered look on a bride, so this green cardigan with the detailed lace collar is perfect. And, for a cute little extra touch, the bride and/or her bridesmaids could carry this mini crocheted purse. The rope necklace would be a wonderful gift for the bridesmaids and it's something they can definitely wear again after the big day. And, of course, a green and white wedding wouldn't be complete without a bride in green wedding shoes. I also find green for weddings at this time of year is the perfect way to usher in spring - it's so fresh and means wonderful beauty is ahead, just like a new marriage.

And, now for the perfect addition to this inspiration board - potted succulents with hand painted shamrocks and trim on the pots. This "lucky succulents" can be seen here and are a DIY created by A Night Owl Blog.

Potted "Lucky Succulents" created by A Night Owl Blog {www.anightowlblog.com} for Snap Creativity {www.snapcreativity.com}

here's two more St. Patrick's Day green wedding inspiration boards from previous years . . .
1. a wedding celebration o' green inspiration board
2. green wedding inspiration

Find even more St. Patrick's Day Inspiration in my pinterest board