What theme?

It's amazing how your wedding choices can change in an instant. Even after you've chosen something and thought "That's it. No more." But then on a whim, you find something else you like better. I hate when that happens.

I thought I was all set on a theme, well at least a color scheme. Although a color scheme will not necessarily change a theme, but may adjust it. From an earlier post, I was all over modern chinoiserie, which I still am, but I also thought I had my color scheme all figured out. Wrong.

Initially, I wanted to start with a detail from my dress: the gold sash and then work from the bridesmaid colors (since they would be in about a bajillion photos with me on the day). I had originally wanted a poppy red or pink, but then thought that six girls in bright pink or red would be too much. I saw an awesome photo of a bride and bridesmaids in a champagne/mocha color and that exuded classic elegance so I started my quest down that route.

But recently, after going to the Jenny Yoo showroom and not finding a nice neutral champagne color, instead I found a this pinkish-red that threw me off the color scheme wagon.

Martine Dress from Jenny Yoo on MOH

The Sorbet fabric swatches. Top: with flash, Bottom: no flash

At first I was very firm about not changing anything, but then I realized, I don't even really have a color scheme in place! I just know that I'm wearing an ivory dress with a gold sash and gold shoes... so essentially the only color I've committed to so far is GOLD! I also wanted to incorporate some red or shades of red into the wedding to highlight Chinese culture since I'm not plastering the double-happiness symbol everywhere. So a pink/red would definitely facilitate this.

And the final part that made me sleepless was the dilemma of the groomsmen. If the bridesmaids, wear pink/red, then the groomsmen will have to wear pink/red ties... I knew that was not going to fly with Mr. C. Then the moment of truth: this is not prom, not everything has to match, how about some complementary colors, Miss Former Art History Student! Instead of fretting, I started to get excited. I could have all the bridesmaids carry light yellow (for the gold) flowers and the guys can wear formal tuxes with a gold or black tie and have light pink boutonnières. Then, I can have bright pink flowers (which I've always wanted!) and Mr. C can wear a light yellow boutonnière. And the rest of the scheme (invitations, decor, cake, favors) could all work in the same alternates.

I created this board to help hone it down and get a general feel and I LOVED it. I loved the punch that the bright pink added without making it seem like a bad 80s movie and the gold complemented the pink very well.

In my frenzy to create this, I forgot to note a lot of the sources, so here's what I have thus far... please let me know if you can cite any of the ones I'm missing!

{Top (left to right): MS Weddings, MS Weddings, Red and white lanterns from Mary Mix Events, MS Weddings, Nancy Liu Chin bouquet, Second Row: MS Weddings, Coren Moore bridesmaid dress, Amsale wedding gown, MS tea and cookie favors, Erlikh Vogue print, Third Row: Scattered Ribbons, Gucci sandals, MS Weddings stationery, MS DIY bird place cards, Nancy Liu Chin centerpiece, Scarf from Indigo Handloom}

And the rest of blogland was also pushing me in that direction, because just that day, I signed into my Google reader and found at least two posts about using hot pink at a wedding!

Here's the one from Style Me Pretty:

Image from Style Me Pretty

Pink and Purple from Perfect Bound:

Image from Perfect Bound

So what do you think of Sorbet & Gold? After this, I will select the bridesmaids dresses and the color scheme saga will finally be over. :)