Summer is my favorite time of year for countless reason, and at the top of my list are all of the bright colors that are (finally!) in season. That’s why I love the colorblock trend, it combines multiple bright and bold colors all at once like aquamarine and citron. So, skip the lace and burlap. Colorblocked wedding details – borrowed from the fashion runways – have wedding planners (and brides!) across the country totally inspired. Steal these fresh new ideas!

1. Contrasting Linens

Photo: Simone and Martin Photography

For this intimate beachside wedding, celebrity wedding planner, Mindy Weiss, played with two equally bold colors: blue on the tabletops with pops of yellow in the centerpieces and chair covers. She topped it off with a simple white draped fabric canopy to ensure the table was the ultimate focal point.

2. Bright Ceremony Decor

Photo: Wedding Photojournalism by Ron Soliman

While a colorblock ceremony certainly isn’t for everyone it is possible to pull it off in a chic and sophisticated way. A little bit of draping goes a long way and makes the perfect unexpected ceremony backdrop.

3. A Flirty Bridesmaid Dress

ForHerAndForHim.com

Colorblocked bridesmaid dresses are the perfect way to add a pop of color to the day. Plus, it’s on-trend so there’s actually a chance they’ll wear it again!

4. A Color Blocked Wedding Cake

MySweetAndSaucy.com

The wedding cake is one of the easiest places to try out a trend and really make a statement like this one designed by Melody Brandon at Sweet and Saucy Bakery. One tip worth mentioning: Use a subtler color on the base of the cake and let the sugar flowers and accents take on the bold hues (for a more edible look!).

5. Bright Neon Cactus Centerpieces

Cory Ryan Photography

Can you believe these little guys are actually found in nature? It’s true — these desert “moon cactus” grow and blossom in neon bright yellow, fuchsia and orange. A low arrangement like this makes a striking low-key centerpiece or the perfect accent for a lounge area!

6. Half-Dipped Cupcakes

Joielala

Maybe a stretch but why not? Chocolate dipped cupcakes topped off with your favorite icing will get you a two-tone look that’s truly decadent.

7. Colorful Sugar Rimmed Glassware

Cory Ryan Photography

You don’t have to add pineapple juice to pull off a colorful cocktail. Ask your caterer about colorful rimming sugar to turn an ordinary glass into a piece of the décor.

8. Colorblock Save-the-Dates 

Minted.com

Block off (get it?!) the date for your wedding with colorblocked save-the-dates! This square shaped design from Minted.com strikes the perfect balance between and contemporary and playful.

9. Colorblock Tipped Shoes

Zara.com

For the daring bride, colorblock blue shoes (these ones are from Zara.com!) are the perfect modern way to pull in your “something blue.”

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs (24 ounces) spaghetti noodles, uncooked
• 2 lbs shredded mozzarella cheese (you could probably get away with less)
• 8 ounces ricotta cheese
• 8 ounces sour cream
• 1 1/4 cups half-and-half
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• 12 ounces ground beef or sausage
• 1/2 cup chopped white onion
• 1 (24 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cook spaghetti al dente according to package directions. Drain and place in large mixing bowl.
3. In another mixing bowl, stir together sour cream, ricotta, half-and-half, mozzarella, oregano, basil, pepper, garlic, salt, and half of the Parmesan cheese.
4. Add above cheese mixture to the spaghetti. Mix gently until spaghetti is evenly coated with mixture.
5. Spray a 9x13 glass baking dish with cooking spray.
6. Gently place spaghetti mixture into prepared dish. Top with remaining Parmesan cheese.
7. Cover dish with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees in pre-heated oven for 30 minutes.
8. Remove from oven, remove foil and place dish on cooling rack for 10 minutes.
9. While pasta is cooking, prepare the meat sauce.
10. For the meat sauce: Add ground beef or sausage to a skillet over medium heat and brown meat well. Add salt and pepper. Add the onion and cook until soft. Drain meat and set aside. Add spaghetti sauce and let simmer for about ten minutes.
11. Cut pasta into into squares and top with meat sauce.

Notes

Emma poses in the style of fashion icon Coco Chanel (sans cigarette, of course). (Jaime Moore)

Photographer Jaime Moore would like to be clear: She’s got nothing against Disney princesses. It’s just that she’d like her five-year-old daughter, Emma, to have an appreciation for real life heroines.

Emma poses as aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart (Jaime Moore)

On her official site, Moore writes that all those do-it-yourself sites that instruct parents on how to dress their daughters like princesses got her “thinking about all the REAL women for my daughter to know about and look up too, REAL women who without ever meeting Emma have changed her life for the better.”

Emma as Helen Keller (Jaime Moore)

So Moore set about photographing her daughter dressed as some of history’s ground-breaking females. Women like Coco Chanel and Susan B. Anthony and Helen Keller. Moore writes, “My daughter wasn’t born into royalty, but she was born into a country where she can now vote, become a doctor, a pilot, an astronaut, or even President if she wants and that’s what REALLY matters.”

Elect Emma in 2044 (Jaime Moore)