#149: Pared Back Luxury

Written by: louise

Pared back luxury - one of 2014′s biggest trends - is a move away from lots of hand-crafted, personalised details and towards a few beautiful, luxurious ones with just as much sentiment. We saw a touch of this last week in the Frambroise et Menthe board I created for bride-to-be Stephanie, and in Chenel & Pieter's deconstructed-elegance wedding. It's based on one of my favourite principles 'less is more', so while there may be less details it's even more important that every single one is perfect.

A powder blue and nude palette is soft, romantic and timeless, so a great choice for this look. It suits a rustic, organic style venue, perhaps a barn, or even a beautiful covered terrace with uncovered wooden tables and chairs, a simple lace or linen runner and a selection of carefully placed loose and organic table arrangements. Flowers should be delicate and pale in colour - barely there in fact - with soft silvery trailing foliage adding to the rustic effect. Add a touch of luxury with elegant drapes, at windows, as a backdrop to your head table (or sweetheart table!), or gently draped along a terrace to frame a wonderful view. Stationery should be beautifully simple; calligraphy is perfect, with touches of kraft and powder blue papers tied with the softest silk ribbons or raw edged cotton. Bridal styling is soft and loose, you can still go for a big gown if you like with bouncy layers of tulle, perhaps in a subtle shade of nude or silvery blue, but definitely keep the rest of your look simple with an elegant slightly undone up-do, minimal jewellery and a beautiful but simple hand tied bouquet.

***

Credits: