My absolute, hands-down favorite thing about fall has always been how blue the sky looks. It seems like every one I know just loves the colors of the trees and the crunch of leaves underfoot, but I just like looking at the richness of the sky.

So, I got to thinking, why is it that the sky is so blue to me during this season? The answer is, of course, that the auburn colors that show up as the trees change are the exact compliment of blue on the color wheel and therefore they are super vibrant together.

I was scheduled to collaborate with the lovely and talented Catherine of My Life Photo and Elisha Sewell for a fall inspired photo shoot this season and pulling from this inspiration just seemed perfect! Elisha created the adorable dress and jewelry and Catherine captured everything beautifully. I hope you find the colors as “delish” as I do and maybe get inspired for your next Autumn event!

Just wanted to brag a bit about my sweet bride, Jenny, and her groom, Jordan, who are getting married October 30th. Jenny isn’t afraid of color and a girl who embraces the full spectrum is an immediate friend of mine! She sent me these from her engagement shoot with The Reason Photography and I absolutely love their pictures!

Sometimes it’s nice to just see the couple and not all the gimmicks (although I generally do really love the gimmicks too!) They are the perfect intro to their fun, totally-them, football-watching, vintage -themed, color-filled wedding. (that’s right, I said “football” – check back here in the next few months for actual wedding pictures.)

Aren’t they just cute as a button?!

(Ha!)   

This May wedding was warm, casual, and (in my humble opinion) perfection. It was one of those rare romantic and family-friendly celebrations that makes me want to eat every meal at a crisp white linen tablecloth, outside, while sipping on a “splurge” bottle of wine. The whole event took place in the Bride’s aunt and uncle’s Buckhead home. The entire family had an input in the design process and made our consultations a blast!

It was the joining of two families into one – complete with a kid-table and an adult table. It was precious, intimate, and fun. (Can ya tell I liked it?!)

(Oh, and the gorgeous photographs were taken by the spunky and talented Nancy Jo of N.J.M. Photography.)

    

This shot cracks me up (and definitely “screams” the essence of this carefree and beautiful day) – had to put it in!

 

Hi. My name is Juli and I’m a shoe-aholic. 

It’s true. I love them. They’re my therapy. At times when I can’t find any shoes that I “can’t live without” I call friends and tell them that I need therapy for my therapy. I’m inspired by shoes – and, seeing as this is my inspiration/wedding blog I thought I would give my wedding shoes Do’s and Don’ts.

It seems only right that I should include one of my favorite daily inspiration blogs: Green Wedding Shoes. Go there – it’s fabulous!

Let me start off by saying if you don’t think your wedding shoes are important, consider this: try standing up, walking around and dancing for 5+ hours with the equivalent of a belted blanket wrapped around your waist wearing your pinchy-est shoes and try to be at-your-best-charming. Capisce?

DON’T’s

1. Don’t wear tennis shoes at your reception. (Really? You can dance better in tennis shoes?!) And yes, they were adorable in Father of the Bride – her daddy made them.

2. Don’t wear strappy sandals with hose. (No, they don’t look like you have tan legs – they look like you have a strange worm (i.e., the seam) squirming horizontally across your little french-pedicured toes.)

3. Don’t wait to wear them on your wedding day. (Break them in around the house  and while you’re addressing 50 bazillion envelopes.)

4. Don’t even consider buying your shoes and dying them (This should be a given, but I’m still surprised at how often I see the 80’s trying to rear it’s ugly head of wedding tradition.)

5. Don’t buy them after you’ve had your dress altered. Buy them before and take them with you. (This does not apply if you have a short dress, obviously)

6. Don’t make your bridesmaids all wear the same shoe style.  (Feet are like people – different shapes. Shoes should be viewed the same and should match their owner’s personality. (Toes and Bridesmaids will thank you, trust me!)

7. Don’t make your bridesmaids wear shoes the EXACT color of their dress. (Tell me, when was the last time you wore a solid colored dress and shoes that were the exact same shade in public – Easter in 3rd grade maybe? – that’s what I thought.)

8.  Don’t wear flip-flops unless you are getting married in the sand or within walking distance of sand. (Because that lovely flip-flop sound on carpet screams “Bridal”.)

9. Don’t force your feet to wear something they wouldn’t normally. If you wear sky-high heels on a normal basis, wear them on your wedding day. However, if you don’t normally, the last thing you want is a twisted ankle -  Limping: not pretty.

10.  Don’t wear anything that pinches. I love a good “pinchy” shoe – for a short span of time -  because sometimes hotness hurts, but anything uncomfortable on your wedding day should be avoided. The “pinch” in your toes will show up on your face and in your pictures.

DO’s

 

1. Do get your Bridesmaids to sign your soles (one of my favorite new trends)

2. Do Splurge (What better time to use the excuse?)

3. Do match your shoes to your flowers! (Of course I love this! Flowers+Shoes=Love)

4. Do buy shoes that make your legs look like they just grew out of your armpits. (This does not mean you have to wear 5-inch heels. When I buy shoes, I look at how they make my leg look as well as my foot – Your feet are attached to your legs, if you haven’t noticed, and if your legs look chunky in your shoe you will too.)

5. Do pick shoes that match your lingerie for the evening!

6. Do put your own personal touch on them. (This could be as simple as putting a heart sticker on the inside of the shoe, gluing a blue ribbon on them, or making a fabric flower to attach.)

7. Do wear Cowboy Boots or Converse (I don’t consider Converse to be tennis shoes – they’re for fashion, not exercise.)

8. RETRO is always a do. (Whether you got them on e-bay or you’re channeling your 40’s pin-up vampy side – rob your grandmother’s closet or attic if you have to –  do retro.)

9. Do select shoes that you can wear with other special occasion outfits – you can wear them for every anniversary. (Your toes will remember dancing the night away and be inspirational for years to come. )

10. Do Be inspired by Dorothy.