Wed recap: Red is so *not* my color...

...but for some reason, I totally wanted it all over my wedding.  So not like me.  It has never been a favorite color of mine at all.  In fact, I don't think I even own one solid red piece of clothing really other than maybe a t-shirt or two.  Actually, I do have a pair of super cute red velvety type pants.  I only wear them at Christmas though. 

Whenever I saw red at weddings I've been to in the past, I would totally think "Um, very original.  Really?  The best you could come up with was the color of love and Valentine's day?  Wow, lots of thought went into this one."  Isn't that horrible to be so judgmental?  But I was.

So what made me suddenly decide to incorporate red in my own wedding so much so that it is seen in everything from the flowers to the bridesmaid dresses to the favor boxes to the groomsmen vests to the favors to the votives and the linens?  I guess because it really is a deep, rich, romantic color.  That and the fact that it is always cheaper easy to find flowers in that color. 

I tried to offset this 'red' infusion by leaning towards more of a cranberry/burgundy red and not a bright traditional red.  I think I did a good job.  I loved the color.  I guess some colors are just classic and cannot lead you wrong.  Anyway, the reason I share all of this is to preface all these pics from my photog, Robert Mullins of the red details, touches, attire and decor of our wedding.  Here ya go!

Our sweetheart table.  We needed to keep it simple because we had them 'tear it down' as soon as we were finished eating to make room on the dance floor.

One of the tall centerpieces.  I loved these.  They were inspired by a much more simple version of white tulips sprayed out of a tall vase and we added more green to bring in more of the spring appeal.

A table with the low version of the centerpieces before the tables were completely set up.  I like this shot because it focuses on all the touches of cranberry red - the satin linen napkins, the votive candles, the chinese takeout favor boxes and the circus box kid's favor boxes as well as the burgundy colored dahlias sitting in the tiny little votive vases.

A closer up shot of the low centerpiece which displays all of the elements above

after the guests had invaded the tables!

I took a wicker basket from Michael's that was on sale for 40% off and bought some red silk fabric.  My mom wrapped it around the wicker basket and sewed it up to create our flip flop basket.  We now use the basket for laundry after the wedding :)

Of course, I *had* to incorporate the red throughout the stationery and favor items.  These were the little tissue packs we created as an afterthought after seeing them on several blog sites.

We were even able to have the photobooth company incorporate red as the backdrop for our pictures (favors) for the guests and guestbook!

Though not completely assembled yet, this picture shows the red elements at the ceremony area:  Tulips submerged in the vase that the larger sprays sat on top of, the red boxes that the floral arrangements sat on and the red gerbera daisies at the end of each aisle.

Again, I incorporated the red on the stationery items...like these signs we put at the end of the first five rows saving the seats for family members.  (Courtesy of Serendipity Designs)

Here's a shot of the ceremony area once the guests were seated showing the aisle adorned with deep red petals and the cranberry linen cloth on the communion and unity cross table.

Of course there were my fabulous red shoes that I so adore!!!

And the beautiful bouquet from Allison of Flower Allie that was filled with different shades of deep reds.

I was totally in love with the bridesmaid dresses (Jasmine B2) and their bouquets.

Here's the entire wedding party showing the red ties/vests, gowns and florals all together.

Just love it in this setting at the venue!

I even custom designed (with the help of my wonderful jewelery designer/maker, Jeanette Readinger) gifts for my bridesmaids that were necklaces incorporating the colors of the cranberry red and turquoise gems.

So let's hear it, ladies?  Was there something you just fell in love with regarding your wedding that you never thought you would want or use or incorporate or maybe wasn't part of your normal style?

PS:  I will go into more detail about the florals and other items I mentioned here in future recaps more specific to those items :)