How To Use Pantone 2021 Colours Of The Year In Your Wedding

02/01/202117/01/2021

Pantone, the authority on colour, have selected not just one colour for their 2021 colour of the year but two: Pantone Ultimate Grey and Pantone Illuminating yellow.

According to Pantone, this combination of a soft grey and a bold and bright yellow is a pairing of colours which convey a message of strength and hopefulness. By choosing two standalone shades Pantone aims to highlight how different elements come together to support one another.

“As people look for ways to fortify themselves with energy, clarity, and hope to overcome the continuing uncertainty, spirited and emboldening shades satisfy our quest for vitality. Illuminating is a bright and cheerful yellow sparkling with vivacity, a warming yellow shade imbued with solar power. Ultimate Gray is emblematic of solid and dependable elements which are everlasting and provide a firm foundation. The colours of pebbles on the beach and natural elements whose weathered appearance highlights an ability to stand the test of time, Ultimate Grey quietly assures, encouraging feelings of composure, steadiness and resilience.”

How I suggest to add these Pantone Colours 2021 to your wedding in Greece

This combination of two shades makes for a true standout palette for your wedding day. We love the idea of using these colours against the crisp white background of the table linen or your bridal gown. Use the grey as your anchor shade then accent with pops of yellow in your florals and stationery to bring energy and fun to your celebration because that’s absolutely what 2021 needs!

Ultimate grey is a flattering choice for your bridesmaid dresses and suits many skin tones. As the bride, you can add a whisp of grey in several ways for instance:

The gorgeous organza skirt on this Raincloud gown by Leanne Marshal
Elegant vintage-inspired Mybella suede heels
Pop this feathery bübish topper over your gown for a cool weather ceremony or whimsical reception look.

Pantone gray bridal gown, suede heels and ostrich bolero

How we styled our table

We had great fun one afternoon creating this beautiful table for our festive celebration in Lefkada. We used decor items from our own collection and a crisp white tablecloth as the base. Then we added Ultimate grey notes with pewter candelabra decorated with local foliage, a fabric runner and opaque grey glassware. For a pop of Illuminating yellow, we used pieces of solidago flower and incorporated yellow details on our table stationery.

Table decor with Pantone grey and yellow colors of the year 2021

Wedding stationery menu with Pantone grey and yellow colors of the year 2021

Table Styled for Lefkas Weddings by Claire Salisbury and Jane Flinders.

Enchanting Jewel Tones Botanical Wedding Inspiration

02/05/202029/12/2021

Bridal details flatlay with velvet heels, blue ink stationery and delphium flowers

Welcome to May! Let’s brighten up lockdown with our Botanical Beauty wedding inspiration with an enchanted big-day vibe combining leafy forest touches with rich jewel tones. See this styled shoot in print, in the Spring 2020 issue of Wedding Ideas, one of the UK’s leading bridal magazines!

Wedding Couple on leather sofa in front of large gold mirror at The Oathill Leicestershire

It Started With A Swan…

Inspired by a swan vase found in a bric-a-brac shop, the shoot came to life as I envisioned it sprayed, antique gold and forming the centrepiece for a wedding table. Swans are nature’s symbol of monogamy and loyalty, they fill our fairy stories with graceful beauty and elements of enchantment. I knew I had the right shoot location when I visited the venue and spied a regal, gold pheasant sitting on the sideboard in the conservatory – it was a match! The light, open space provided the ideal setting, furthermore, the feature print wallpaper brought the outside inside for our woodland theme, so we began to put the rest of the elements together.

Bronx and Banco tiered wedding dress with wedding stationery

Jewel tones set the mood of the day for this botanical wedding inspiration. I used rich velvet fabric on the dinner table and the Groom’s tuxedo jacket; lined with bird pattern fabric, it added a hint of fun to the outfit and a nod to our theme. The tiered bridal gown from Australian designer, Bronx & Banco, added a romantic, vintage mood paired with velvet Ted Baker heels.

Emerald velvet groom tuxedo jacket with printed birds lining

Botanical beauty jewel tone flowers bride bouquet

Wedding table viewed through Orangerie door with wooden chairs and green velvet tablecloth

Our Enchanted Delights

To complete the shoot for us, designer baker, Francis Quinn, decorated a detailed woodland theme cake complete with her signature marzipan bees. The Oathill mixologist created magic with a teacup cocktail named ‘Apothecary’s Garden’, served with woodland berries that ingeniously altered the taste of the drink when sampled together!

Wedding sideboard cake display botanical theme gold and green

Woodland wedding cake with Francis Quinn bees

Bride holding a floral teacup cocktail with pink foam and fresh fruits decor

A Jewel Toned Table with Botanical Florals

We used the rich colours of delphinium, roses, carnations and clematis flowers mixed with grey-green eucalyptus to complement the emerald, velvet fabric on the table. Cut figs placed with the gold accents and mercury glass tea lights added luxuriousness, reminiscent of a banquet.

The talented Millie of Millie Stone UK designed bespoke stationery for the shoot including vellum menus, name cards with velvet ribbon, and ink wash invites.

Gold swan vase filled with bright coloured flowers

Table decoration with figs and pink and purple flowers

Table laid with emerald velvet, green crockery, gold details and multi coloured flowers

Wedding couple with jewel tone bouquet standing on steps in gardens of The Oathill

Our models, real couple Rachel and Ashley, are marrying in a destination wedding in Greece later this year, therefore we had a serendipitous Greek connection! The shoot gave them a beautiful set of pre-wedding images to add to their wedding story.

Botanical Beauty Styled Shoot Snapshot

Are you looking for a Planner and Stylist for your wedding in the UK or your destination wedding in Greece? I’d love to hear from you, so send me a message to get in touch about your day.

Thank you to Wedding Ideas magazine and to the team of vendors who cooperated to make this shoot possible:

Perfectly Stitched Greek Wedding Favor Ideas

11/04/202004/05/2020

karsaniko lefkada embroidery blue earrings

Enjoying your coffee in leafy Karia village square, you will notice a cluster of little shops selling beautiful linens showing Karsaniko, the Lefkada embroidery style.

This unique type of stitch was created in 1885 by a local woman who suffered an accident that resulted in the loss of one hand and partial paralysis of the other. Desperate to pursue her passion for embroidery, she created the Karsaniko stitch, which entails the use of only one hand and has since become world-famous.

From traditional to on-trend…

Eletheria, the talent behind Elixriso, learned as a child and sewed with her grandmother. She wanted to preserve and keept the tradition and craft alive and reconised the need to evolve it for the modern generation.

Inspired by jewellery pieces she received as a gift, she set about adapting the size of the Karsaniko design to fit jewellery such as brooches, necklaces and earrings.

karsaniko lefkada embroidery pendant necklace and earrings

1. Boho worthy wedding accessories

Accessorise your boho bride squad with Eletheria’s cute, fringed clutch bags. Embroidered in cream and softest aqua blue they will match with every Greek island wedding palette.

karsaniko lefkada embroidery fringe clutch bag

I particularly love the cobalt blue, not only the colour of Greece but also on trend as Pantone colour of the year 2020!

2. Bride style – It’s in the bag!

You have chosen the wedding dress of your dreams and a gorgeous pair of shoes to match, but don’t forget to find the perfect clutch bag to tie your look together.

I am swooning over these silk embroidered clutches by Elixriso. It is the prettiest way to carry around your wedding day essentials and you can even use it again when you jet off on your honeymoon!

clutch bag with gold karsaniko geometric embroidery design

3. Fabulous Favors!

Having a destination wedding on a Greek island like Lefkada or Meganisi would not be complete without a favour for your guests that reminds them of Greece. Why not use the Karsaniko Lefkada embroidery charms to decorate your favors?

A traditional Greek bonboniera (favour) is a decorated pouch or box containing koufeta (sugared almonds).

wedding favor box tied with ribbon and an embroidery charm

4. Say Thank you

Give a big Efharisto! to your bridesmaids or mothers for all their wedding planning help with an exclusive piece of handmade jewellery.

Eleftheria uses vintage bronze frames, gold-plated brass and 925 silver througout her designs.

karsaniko lefkada embroidery pendant necklace and bracelet

karsaniko lefkada embroidery cream earrings

Thank you to Elixriso Creations and Maxeen Kim Photography

Want more inspiration…

See how we styled our Agios Nikitas beach elopement with embroidery details here

Classic Blue – Colour of the Year Wedding Inspiration

14/12/201905/03/2021

Collage of nine pictures for wedding inspiration in classic blue colour

American colour company Pantone has chosen “universal favourite” Classic Blue, or Pantone 19-4052, as its statement colour of the year for 2020. They describe it as “a reassuring presence, instilling calm, confidence and connection”.

If I were to ask you to close your eyes and picture the Greek Islands, what would you see?

White sand? Feta cheese? Olive trees?

Yes, you may see sand, cheese and olives, but to most people, the first image that will pop into their heads will be of whitewashed walls and bright blue rooftops — the classic buildings of Greece, especially the Greek Islands, and the subject of posters plastered all over the walls of travel agencies around the world.

Let’s look at how you can use some Classic Blue in your wedding inspiration…

Dresses and attire

An easy way to bring a pop of colour to your destination wedding in Greece, is with your choice of bridesmaid dress and groom and usher attire.

Bride and four bridesmaids in classic blue vera wang maxi dresses holding white and green bouquets

Lefkas Weddings bride, Jessica choose these stunning, White by Vera Wang, Classic Blue maxi dresses for her bridemaids at her June 2019 wedding in Parga. Image by Lefteris Kalampokas

Groom and bride on steps entering greek stone church with blue railings

Denise & Franz took time out from their six week cruise of the Greek islands to have a destination elopement in Meganisi. His summer tailoring in Classic Blue, was paired perfectly with tan accessories. Image by Maxeen Kim Photography

Floral accents

Floral arrangements are one of the best ways to bring your wedding colour palette to life.

At this gorgeous, spring wedding in Meganisi, bride Innes’ wanted to celebrate her Scottish heritage, by adding blue eryngium thistle to her white rose bouquet and the buttonholes. Image by Lefteris Kalampokas

bride bouquet of white roses and blue eryngium thistle with thistle buttonhole

The Classic Blue tones of delphinium and hydrangea filled these plush arrangements by my florist partners, Tasos and Christina, at this Orthodox church wedding in Lefkada.

Collage of six pictures for wedding inspiration of blue delphinium wedding flowers

Inspiration from the islands

The colours of the Ionian Islands offer so much Classic Blue wedding inspiration from the sparkling blue seas to the island architecture.

The gradient shades of blue of the Ionian sea, as it falls away from the white sand at Stravnam beach, inspired this first wedding mood board.

My Meganisi blue mood board was inspired by the white washed buildings of Vathy harbour with their Classic Blue shutters and doors.

If you would like to discover more about destination weddings in Lefkada, Meganisi and Parga you can browse my blog and galleries for inspiration!

All collage images via Pinterest, Stravnam beach image by Exclusive Meganisi

Beach Elopement Inspiration with Lefkada Embroidery

29/11/201929/11/2019

Beach wedding arch and table on the sand decorated with white and green flowers

This Lefkada beach elopement inspiration features a floral fantasy of white hydrangeas, island greenery, and endless romance!

All that was needed to add a touch of Ionian style to this elopement shoot were some unique details. Inspired by a tablecloth embroidered with the Lefkada stitch called Karsaniko, loaned to me by Christina at Gourioti Flowers, I sourced some hand-made jewellery created from peices of the same style and set to work!

Close up of white hydranges and roses on beach wedding arch in Lefkada

The floral arch for this beach elopement inspiration was created by my florist partners, Tasos and his mother, Christina. The base was long, feather like leaves of Greek eucalyptus studded with white hydrangeas, roses and chrysanthemums. We opted for a half moon style of wedding arch, to allow the brilliant, blue Ionian sea to be our backdrop to the initmate ceremony setting.

white and green half moon ceremony arch on the sand by the sea in Lefkas

Close up of white hydrangea and eucalyptus wedding arch flowers

Elopement ceremony table on the sand at Agios Nikitas in Lefkada

A tiny pop of yellow was added to the bouquet and table centrepeice with delicate marguerite daisies.

In the bouquet, I wanted to incorporate the silvery, green leaves of Dusty Miller. If you take a walk along the coast near Agios Nikitas, you can often find this growing wild, as it likes the west coast climate.

white yellow and green bride bouquet by greek door

white and yellow daisy buttonhole and groom holding crystal dish with sand and wedding rings inside

The tablewear had a touch of gold to bring out the colour of the Lefkada embroidery on the tablecloth. Paired with crystal flutes and candlesticks and a display of crisp, sweet merringues from the patisserie.

Landscape image of beach elopement tablescape in white and gold set for two people

Lefkada embroidery tablecloth with vase of white and green flowers

Beach elopement tablescape with white and gold flatware

Crystal candlesticks and glassware on embroidered tablecloth on beach in Lefkada

Whilst you do not need all the elements of a standard stationery set for a destination elopement, you can still have pretty details, such as an announcement note and vow cards for your ceremony.

To illustrate our stationery, the geometric design of this famous stitch was copied on to pale lemon card and paired with a grey envelope.

Close up of vow card and Lefkada Karsaniko embroidery on a white tablecloth

Flatlay of beach elopement stationery on the sand

beach elopment inspiration stationery close up

The west coast of Lefkada is perfect for a destination beach elopement. I chose Agios Nikitas, a traditional village which has a smooth, paved pedestrian street winding down to the white, stone beach. You wind your way past white-washed houses with wooden shutters and gardens bursting with flowers: all adding to the romance of the setting.

Beach wedding decoration at Agios Nikitas Lefkada

Do you love this shoot’s unique take on a beach elopement? Then keep an eye on my blog for more inspiration soon!

Thank you to everyone who helped with this beach elopement inspiration at Agios Nikitas:

Planned and styled by Claire at Lefkas Weddings
Photography: Maxeen Kim Photography
Floral design: Gourioti Flowers
Sweet Treats: Patisserie Il Sapore
Hand-made jewelley: Paradise Gifts, Lefkada

Lilac & Pink Cactus Wedding Inspiration in Parga

16/11/201830/04/2020

Cape North West is located on the sandy beach at Valtos with the Venetian castle as a back drop and the sun setting over Paxos island in the distance.

For your destination wedding in Parga, Cape North West is the perfect venue for a small, intimate celebration of barefoot luxury or a bigger celebration with all your family and friends. The relaxed atmosphere with stylish, white, minimalist decoration offers you a wonderful blank canvas to work with. The ideal starting point from which my team and I will create your wedding theme and styling.

I came up with the concept for this styled shoot with photographer, Maxeen of Maxeen Kim Photography, who mentioned she wanted to design a table setting based around her love of cacti and succulents.

We infused romance into the décor of this chic beach club with a lilac, pink and green theme, in keeping with the current trend of potted cactus wedding centrepieces. Succulents and cacti are a great option for your wedding décor because they last long after the wedding and each of your guests can take a cute mini cacti home with them as a keepsake.

The table featured natural décor elements that we chose to fit with the beautiful beach location such as hand painted terracotta pots and ecru weave table-mats. To highlight the extra special feel of the occasion we added little extra touches with pink glassware and dove-grey wedding stationery.

If you are considering your own luxury destination wedding in Parga and looking for a planner who can bring your elegant vision to life send me an email here with all the details of your day. I would love to help bring your wedding dreams to life.

Thank you to my wonderful team of suppliers who helped bring this vision to life.

Planning & Styling: Lefkas Weddings
Photography & Concept: Maxeen Kim Photography
Cacti & Succulents: Gourioti Flowers
Venue: Cape North West