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wedding blog + planning guide for creative weddings | inspiration for DIY Brides

Brenda's Wedding Blog is your online resource for planning your dream elegant wedding. Helping you find the "wow" in weddings.

Posts tagged purple
5 Essential Wedding Day Accessories for a Peacock Wedding {inspiration board}

If you follow me on Facebook, you likely remember seeing the brand new weekly feature which features a wedding theme and each night, a new wedding day essential is revealed. Last week was all about Peacock Wedding Theme Inspiration. Get ready to be inspired.

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The Shopping Details for a Peacock Themed Wedding:

Peacock Wedding Invitation | featuring a gorgeous illustration of the peacock feather

Victorian Peacock Wedding Necklace | a stunning necklace with Swarovski crystals in beautiful peacock blue hues with antique silver filigree

Peacock Feather High Heel | a pretty teal + purple peacock feather print on faux leather with a teal heel

WTOO Tulle Halter Neck Gown | gorgeous bridesmaids dress in teal

Jeweled Peacock Kraft Favor Boxes | adorned with purple and teal rhinestones + a teal ribbon pull{comes as a set of 24}

Inspired by the Dyson DC59 Motorhead : a Modern Pink & Purple Wedding with Silver Accents

Today's wedding color palette was inspired by the all new and super powerful cordless Dyson DC59 Motorhead vacuum. Their latest vacuum is sure to be one that every couple will want to add to their wedding registry wish list. This cordless vacuum is lightweight, slim and beyond versatile. Just think, you can now vacuum your hardwood, linoleum, carpets, baseboards, every nook and cranny - all without the hassle of a cord. I was recently able to take the latest in vacuum technology from Dyson for a test run and I was in complete awe. From the color combo which actually had me written all over it {fuchsia pink, purple and silver} to the impressive power of the cordless Dyson. I have never known a cordless vacuum that could have so much power. For new couples moving into their first starter home or apartment, this Dyson DC59 Motorhead could easily serve as the primary vacuum. It's an upright and handheld canister in-one. Since I've received this vacuum, I can honestly say, there hasn't been a day when it hasn't been used :)

To read a bit more about the Dyson DC59 Motorhead including the nitty gritty yet fascinating facts on this amazing vacuum {along with seeing the image credits for the inspiration board above}  . . . please continue reading

• Powerful carpet pick up is no longer reserved for big, bulky cleaners. The only cordless vacuum with a direct-drive motor inside the cleaner head; Dyson Digital Slim™ DC59 Motorhead has no cord, yet out-cleans most full-size vacuums across hard floors and carpets*.

And with 24 minutes of fade-free cleaning time, it is quick and easy to maneuver between high, low and hard to reach spaces. No more fiddling with plugs or bulky machines, period.

• James Dyson said,Existing cordless machines simply do not deliver on carpets. By putting a motor directly in the brush bar, we’re able to push bristles deeper into carpets for superior performance, while maintaining the versatility of a handheld machine.”

 • 75% more brush power: A newly configured cleaner head with a direct-drive motor creates 75% more brush bar power than DC59 Animal to better agitate carpet pile and tackle ground-in spills and stains.

 • All floor performance: While nylon bristles dig into carpets, carbon fiber filaments reduce the build-up of static charge, aiding in the capture of fine dust on hard floors.

 • Integrated motor technology: 1.5 times more powerful than its predecessor, the Dyson digital motor V6 draws power more efficiently from the battery. Nothing wasted.  

 • 2 Tier Radial™ cyclones: 15 cyclones work in parallel across two tiers to increase airflow to capture fine dust.

• Light, versatile and easy to store: A small, light motor in the hand, instead of at the floor, makes it easy to clean up top, down low and in between spaces. The lightweight aluminum wand can be detached for stairs, upholstery, cars and other compact spaces. And storage is hassle free with a wall mounted docking station.

• Clean time: 24 minutes
• Hygienic bin emptying: Just push the button to release the dirt directly into the bin.
• Weight: 4.96 lbs.
• Guarantee: The machine comes with a 2 year parts and labor warranty.
• Price: $549.99


While I was gifted a Dyson DC59 Motorhead to review,
the opinions & thoughts in this post are all my own.

Turn your Valentine’s Day from Ordinary into Extraordinary : menu + decor tips from Great Performances’ Josh Tierney
Happy Valentine's Day Eve - I'm thrilled to welcome Great Performances {one of NYC’s premier event production companies} to the blog today. They are here to share their tips for turning an ordinary Valentine's Day celebration into an extraordinary one! First up is the menu . . .

Menu Planning

Valentine's Day Aphrodisiac Menu to set the mood for your romantic evening - from Great Performances in NYC
1. Focus on aphrodisiac menu items such as oysters, dark chocolate, truffles, red wine and ginger to set the mood for your romantic evening.

Recipe Suggestions:
Mini Truffle Mushroom Pizzas
Chocolate Decadence Cake
Carrot Ginger Soup
Valentine's Day Seven Deadly Sins inspired Menu that focuses on rich and creamy items - from Great Performances in NYC
2. Create a menu inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins with rich and creamy items representing gluttony, gold leaf garnishes for greed, a spicy dish for anger or beautiful desserts for vanity.

Recipe Suggestions:
Mae Mae Café Pasta with Kale and Sausage
Spicy Vegetarian Chili
Sylvia’s Table Meringue Kisses
3. As a nod to Cupid, serve a kabob style dish skewered on Cupid’s arrows.

Recipe Suggestions:
Tequila and Lime Chicken Skewers
Turn Your Valentine's Day from Ordinary into the Extraordinary with these tips from NYC Catering Company Great Performances #ostrichfeathers #storebouquets

Decor

1. Create a dramatic and romantic atmosphere by buying inexpensive candles in bulk – with varying heights and widths – so you can fill your space with the warm glow of hundreds of flickering candles. Cover every surface with candles to make a bold and beautiful statement.

2. Stop in to your local bodega or corner market and buy several dozen of their inexpensive rose bouquets. At checkout, have the store bundle all of the bouquets together to create one huge assortment of bright red roses. By skipping the florist and taking this semi-DIY approach, you can make a giant bouquet for a small investment.

3. Rethink the usual reds and pinks and use deep purples and golds to create a more dramatic and sophisticated table. Adding in a touch of black lace ups the ante with a seductive flare.

4. Be playful with your centerpieces – a collection of ostrich feathers on the table are a light and seductive accent for the evening.

Misc.

1. Instead of simply giving a gift, design a special treasure hunt for your special someone. Incorporate each course of the meal by hiding clues under plates or with certain dishes – get creative!

2. If you don’t have time to cook a full meal, you can still make the evening special by setting a beautiful and simple table – don’t forget the candles! – and ordering in from your favorite takeout restaurant. This way you don’t have to worry about dishes and will have more time for a relaxing and romantic evening together.

About the Guest Author: Great Performances is New York City’s premier catering company spearheading the evolving “food as fashion” movement. The company is known for incorporating seasonal ingredients into its delicious, innovative and beautifully designed food presentations. Counting many of the city's most high-profile cultural institutions and landmark properties as clients, such as Sotheby's, The Plaza, Asia Society, BAM, and Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola (at the Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center), Great Performances is the only New York City caterer to own and operate its own 60-acre organic farm, Katchkie Farm, in Kinderhook, NY.

Images Credits for Decor Ideas: Purple and Gold Place Setting via fabyoubliss.com, Ostrich Feathers, Roses from Market via kimberlytaylorimages.com

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A Radiant Orchid Christmas Winter Wedding Inspiration Board

Happy Friday! Can you believe Christmas is next Wednesday? Starting this afternoon, my daughter is home from school for the next 2 weeks . . . something she is truly excited about, and I think her little sister will LOVE it too. I have another post coming up a bit later this morning and then another one on Monday and then I'll be off on Tuesday and Wednesday but back on Thursday and Friday with some fun inspiration boards for the winter season.

Since the year is nearly over, I had to put together an inspiration board with the Pantone Color of the Year for 2014. If you haven't heard, it's Radiant Orchid. I love purple for weddings, but this color is not easy to find. It's not quite a true lavender, it's not plum, violet or lilac. It's a bit of a bright purple, but still pretty. It will be interesting to see it incorporated into weddings and parties next year. And, now here is my Radiant Orchid Christmas Wedding Inspiration Board.

My favorite part of this inspiration board, besides those delicious looking gluten free sugar plums, is how the orchid on the wedding dress resembles a snowflake {perfectly tying into the Christmas/Winter theme}. What is your favorite part of this inspiration board?

Image Credits:
high heel shoes with ruffle bloom, purple winter wedding invitationssparkly sugar plums, lush orchid wedding bouquet, purple bottle brush treeswhite & orchid floral printed chiffon strapless dress, custom initial orchid and silver leaf necklacesnowflake ornament

Black & Purple Halloween Wedding Inspiration Board with a Cookie Cake

I have a fun and easy Halloween DIY coming up a bit later this morning that would be the perfect addition to this fun Halloween themed inspiration board I created. Think glittered purple and black pumpkins to line the entrance to your wedding {with a few orange ones if you wish, but certainly not necessary} , a super amazing handmade dress that actually lights up for the reception, an out-of-the-ordinary wedding cake made of oreo cookies stacked into 3-tiers, black candlesticks on all the tables and a shimmery purple chandelier for over the dance floor.

clicking on the inspiration board will bring up an enlarged version