1. Make your favors a work of art by perching a fabric butterfly (available at most craft stores) atop silk flowers and a bright little box tied up with a colorful satin ribbon. Fill them with candy or other small goodies, but these look so pretty on their own, your guests won’t even care what’s inside! Photo from Advantage Bridal.

2. Embrace the butterfly theme from your head to your feet – literally – with these gorgeous sandals from Hen UK. The pearlescent ivory or white leather coordinates with almost any wedding ensemble, and the organza and pearl butterfly embellishment makes these shoes unique. Another thing that makes this pair special – they are handmade to order in London by skilled craftsmen using traditional techniques.

3. Spice up your ceremony or reception location with some colorful butterfly garlands. For an outdoor wedding, these would look amazing intertwined with white lights and strung up among the tree branches. Indoors, they would look just as great draped across a cake or gift table. Get creative – the possibilities are endless! Each garland is over 15 feet long, and at around $5, they are sure to fit any bridal budget! From Funky Moose (actual prices are in British pounds).

4. It’s the extra touches and unique details that guests will remember most about your wedding. While being seated for a hot summer wedding or during cocktail hour, treat your guests to ice cold drinks served with pretty paper butterflies hovering on the straw. Photo and craft project from Martha Stewart.

5. These bridal shower invitations are so cute! Set the tone for your big day by using the same motif for any wedding-related correspondence. The brightly colored, mixed pattern butterfly silhouettes on these invites by Vanilla Ink give them a fun, playful look that is perfect for summer.

6. Get creative with your place settings and use this colorful printed tea towel from Anthropologie as a table runner. You can also search local thrift and antique shops for vintage scarves, cloth napkins, and other linens that match your color scheme and motif. Use a different one on every table for an eclectic, mix-and-match look. Top with a simple arrangement of butterfly garden flowers to complete the look!

7. For the truly daring bride, eschew tradition and wear a gorgeous gown festooned with butterflies in every color of the rainbow! With a dress like this, you can be certain your guests (and your groom!) will never forget the way you looked on your big day. Photo from Monterey Wedding.

8. A simple tiered wedding cake comes to life with multi-colored, lifelike fabric butterflies. The lack of fussy piped decorations means your baker won’t have to spend hours and hours making your cake – which could potentially save you a ton of cash. With its minimal base and inexpensive decorations, this is an affordable – yet stunning – option for almost any couple. Photo from Martha Stewart Weddings.

1. Great invitations can set the scene for your whole wedding and create a buzz months before the event.  I love how these handmade invites mix modern and vintage motifs.  Matching save the dates, RSVP cards, and direction cards are also available, all from Bloom Invitations.

2. Don’t be afraid to mix contrasting colors.  Your bridal party will thank you for not making them spend money on dyed-to-match shoes they’ll never wear again!  This flower girl looks absolutely adorable in her yellow and white sundress with silver-grey ballerina flats.  Photo from Martha Stewart Weddings.

3. Pay attention to the details to make it a memorable day.  This tiny handmade jewelry box covered in Japanese patterned paper is the perfect alternative to the traditional ring bearer pillow.  Available in several different patterns and colors at Windy Weather Bindery.

4. Lighten the mood with a cute, kitschy cake topper.  This little bird couple is so sweet, and best of all, they can be customized to look like the bride and groom!  Handmade by Jennifer Murphy; check her website for more examples.

5. During your cocktail hour, serve your guests a signature drink that matches your color scheme!  I found the recipe for this sunny Bronx cocktail on Brides.com.  Also check The Knot for tons of great custom cocktail ideas and photos.

6. For an outdoor wedding, embrace your natural surroundings and even a simple setting can become spectacular.  Here, a plain stone walkway is brought to life with contrasting yellow rose petals.  Photo from alannapage223 via Flickr.

7. Let your bridesmaids express their personalities by wearing mismatched dresses, all within in the same color palette.  This vintage-inspired frock would definitely make your maid of honor stand out in the crowd!  Rose Festival dress by Anna Sui, available at Anthropologie.

8. Mix-and-match wedding stationery sets the tone for a playful, lighthearted day.  This folk and floral inspired set was custom designed by Erica Miller for a wedding in Jamaica.  For more photos and information, visit Erica’s website, Thoughtful Day.

If you’re looking for a fresh, modern color scheme for your wedding, look no further!  The contrast of bright, vibrant red against crisp, cool aqua has a unique, contemporary feel that is sure to make your wedding unforgettable.  Plus, this color combination is so versatile that it can work for any season and any style – from traditional summer nuptials to an eclectic winter wedding.

1. Go for bold, graphic stationery like these save the date cards to really highlight your color choices.  Shake up the minimal style by varying the fonts and sizes.  The resulting look is contemporary and eye-catching.  Cards by Pink Lily Press, $2.00 each.

2. A red sash really pops on a simple aqua bridesmaid dress.  This one was custom designed on the Olivia Luca Design Studio website, where you can choose from tons of different styles and fabrics.  Try outfitting the maid of honor in contrasting a red dress with an aqua sash so she stands out.  The design studio is a great tool – play around with it until you find the combination you like best!

3. Make sure your groomsmen match the color scheme with these awesome hand printed ties from Cyberoptix TieLab.  The small, independent company has tons of great designs and tie fabrics to choose from, so you can totally customize the look.  These ties have a subtle floral pattern, and are $81 for a set of three.

4. Make your table settings unforgettable by choosing eclectic, worldly accents and bold splashes of color.  I just love the look of this table’s vintage-look china, bright turquoise table runner, and unique centerpieces.  Shop antique stores and flea markets for a truly inspired look – old tea tins, paper fans, and bright spray-painted birdcages would all make fantastic conversation pieces.  Photo courtesy of The Perfect Palette.

5. On your wedding day, no detail should be overlooked – that includes your guest book!  Instead of the traditional white book, opt for an heirloom-quality journal covered in rich, beautiful fabric or patterned paper to match your color scheme.  It will be a cherished keepsake for years to come.  Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings.

6. Take your place cards from ordinary to extraordinary with a few brightly colored lengths of ribbon.  Here, beautiful calligraphy name cards are perched on ribbons of varying widths, colors, and patterns.  Go to your local craft store and pick out as many fun aqua and red ribbons as you can find – the more, the better!  Photo courtesy of Brides.com.

7. For a traditional wedding with a modern twist, I just love the look of these elegant aqua dresses paired with understated, monochromatic bouquets of red flowers.  Without any fussy details to worry about, the color scheme (and of course, the beauty of the bride and bridesmaids) becomes the focus.  Photo courtesy of Project Wedding.

Mindy is the modest but still stylish bride who clings to a very traditional style. Let’s examine her piece by piece.

Her dress is very modest and would be suitable for a ceremony in most any temple. Although the dress has a boatneck and short sleeves, you’d hardly be able to call it prudish. A fancy little belt draws the attention to her waist. With a slim structure and luxurious fabric, no guest would leave the wedding chiding the bride for what she chose to keep covered.

Mindy’s bouquet is made of the most traditional flower known to man: roses. While red is popular, it’s a little too bold, so, instead she opts for soft pink and white shades. It’s still simple enough though, that she could create it on her own if she wanted to.

The table settings for Mindy’s wedding are very traditional and have a Victorian feel. Again, in the soft pink palate, the tables have a little color but are not very bold, just like Mindy would be.

Because, as we all know, opposites attract, Mindy’s man is not quite as modest and he opts for the white tie tux with tails. It doesn’t overpower Mindy though, but instead acts as a perfect complement.

Mindy’s necklace, like the rest of her ensemble is conservative elegance. A simple pearl choker dresses are up without competing with her dress. This could either be her borrowed item, or if she bought the necklace herself, it’s a piece she’ll have for many years to come.

Of course no dress would be complete without a pair of elbow length gloves. Nothing too embellished. Just a simple understated ivory pair that will no doubt add a touch of elegance. Sure, she could’ve gone with a lace, beaded or fingerless pair, but those wouldn’t be modest and they wouldn’t be Mindy.

The cakes at Mindy’s wedding are not very ornate and do not contain multiple tiers. Because this is Modest Mindy we’re talking about, a few 9″ rounds do the job just fine.

Mindy’s bridesmaids are just as modest as she is and their dresses mirror hers. The more relaxed structure on the bridesmaid dresses help keep the attention right on Mindy.

Who needs a big, gaudy showpiece of a ring when you’re as modest as Mindy. A solitaire engagement ring does the job. It let’s everyone know she’s taken without giving anyone the idea she’s less than modest.

The milk glass vases are a classic touch because everyone’s grandmother had at least one. It’s definitely a nod to Mindy’s more vintage side, but they suit her modesty because they’re glass without being transparent, giving them their own little bit of modesty.

Modest Mindy’s m.o. is all about being conservative and traditional without giving the impression that she’s prudish and doesn’t know how to have fun. Every choice for the wedding is very deliberate and thought out to make sure her personality comes through.

1. This stunning champagne colored silk “Valerie” dress is by UK based bridal designer Sarah Arnett, who creates custom, made-to-order gowns.  The front features intricate beading and embroidery at the drop waist, and the plunging, ruched back is worthy of any A-list Hollywood starlet.

2. Treat your guests to sumptuous favors of decadent chocolates packaged in gilded boxes tied with white satin ribbons.  Two piece chocolate wedding favors by Godiva; photograph by Brian Adams PhotoGraphics, courtesy of The Knot.

3. This gorgeous veil is dramatic and demure at the same time.  The French netting, ivory feather flower, and a cluster of fresh water pearls make it oh so glamorous.  Handmade by Brenda’s Bridal Veils, available on eBay.

4. What could be more Hollywood than a luxurious, plush fur stole?  Don’t worry, no animals were harmed to make you look fabulous on your big day – this one’s faux, but it looks just as amazing as the real thing.  Throw it over your shoulders for instant superstar allure.  Available at Nordstrom.

5. Finish the look with an incredible cascading bouquet made of blooms in shades of gold and bronze, including mini phalaenopsis orchids, roses, peonies, and velvet millinery flowers, all tied up with a gold satin ribbon.  Such a distinctive and beautiful bouquet!  Photograph courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings.

6. This gorgeous crystal drop necklace is so rich looking and elegant, and the warm hues will flatter any blushing bride.  Made from sparkly champagne-colored Swarovski crystal drops and ivory Swarovski pearls suspended from a delicate gold-filled chain.  Handmade by Ophelia’s Jewels, available on Etsy – matching earrings and bracelets are also available.

7. Your bridesmaids will win accolades for best supporting role in these beautifully draped one-shoulder gowns from David’s Bridal.  The bodice is made from luminous silk charmeuse, with a flowing cascade of slinky matte jersey for the skirt.

8. You will feel as sexy and confident as any leading lady when you wear these sparkly metallic lace top thigh high stockings under your wedding gown.  Lurex threads are woven into 100% nylon fabric to give the hosiery an ethereal shimmer, and French lace tops off the look.  Available in a wide variety of colors and sizes from Stockin Girl.