Pleasantville -by Shari

This palette is inspired by the movie Pleasantville.  While the film is a huge social commentary, the wedding style would take more of a cue from its rich and emerging colours.

Tables would be set with taupe linens and grey plates.  Each table would feature a small cluster of pansies planted in pewter bowls, and each cluster would be a bright, primary colour. Across the head table would be placed thin champagne flutes each containing rose petals, colours corresponding with one of the tables.

While the bride and bridesmaids would carry white roses, the bridesmaids would each wear shoes corresponding to one of the pansy colours (all shoes would preferably be strappy sandals, unlike the shoes shown here).  The groom and groomsmen would wear black tuxes, black vests and black ties, with a white pocket square for the groom and grey for the groomsmen.

The bride and bridesmaids would wear 50's inspired dresses with boat necks and swing skirts, and the men would wear 50's inspired tuxes with narrow lapels.  All hairstyles would be kept simple and modern so as to avoid the costume look that can turn a theme sour.

According to my husband, for a Pleasantville themed wedding it would be essential to bring back classic 50's-style recipes, like devilled eggs, jello molds and milkshakes.  "Or," says Chris, "you could give the dishes a modern twist.  For example, as the entree you could serve personal meatloaves made with Kobe beef."

As was traditional in the 1950's, the cake would be a fruitcake, a part of which was expected to last all the way through the first year of marriage right up until the christening of the first child.  (Fun fact: when I learned of this tradition from my mother-in-law, I said, "that cake's going to be in our freezer for a LONG time.")

Back to Pleasantville.  As a reception treat for the guests, the photographer would set up a photo booth area, and all photos would be developed as black and white with primary colours shining through.

If the couple wanted to go all the way with the theme, a swing band would play throughout the night, and a professional swing couple would be on hand to demonstrate and teach the moves.

This theme and colour palette could easily be set against the backdrop of most venues.