
Trend alert! After much Pinterest perusing, it’s safe to say there’s a huge push toward all things earthy-chic in the bridal world right now. Marble, cement, wood, greenery, agate and colorful geodes are some of the stylish decor choices couples are incorporating into their big day. Which vibe is best for your wedding? That’s for you to decide. But to help out, here are 29 earthy chic options that deserve to be on your Pinterest board.
1. Woodsy Cake: A deep green vine coupled with this wooden cake holder makes for a dessert display fit for a woodland princess. You’ll adore the simplicity of this textured look. (via Feather and Stone / Ruffled)
2. Photo-Worthy Tray: A marble tray is perfect for your wedding day’s detail shots. The rings, invitations and escort cards will look GORG on the classy, natural materials. (via Kristina Adams Photography / 100 Layer Cake)
3. Subtle Marble: This cake looks like it was cut from the same stone as an ancient Greek statue. But no, it’s just some (incredible) fondant art topped with colorful berries and blooms. (via Rustic White Photography / Brides)
4. Cement Candleholders: Nothing says simple and chic like these cement candleholders surrounded by lush eucalyptus. The gold-dipped wax adds a special touch of elegance. (via Kristina Adams Photography / 100 Layer Cake)
5. Geode Cake: Check out the intricate detail in this lifelike amethyst geode cake. According to the creator, Rachael Teufel, it was “made from a combination of granulated sugar and rock candy that was then crafted with multicolored modeling chocolate.” Um, yes please. (via Intricate Icings Cake Design)
6. Earthy Table Runner: Is is agate? Is it marble? Either way, you’ll love it! Swirls of pink and gray give this piece of decor a rosy, romantic look. Pair it with bright flowers to complement a textured white tablecloth. (via Pen/Carlson / Poka Dot Bride)
7. Tasteful Tiles: Classy cement decor strikes again — this time in the form of multicolored escort cards. The delicate calligraphy mixed with the industrial tiles leads to a beautiful juxtaposition. (via A Fabulous Fete)
8. Earthy Invites: If you’re seeking a bolder marble look, skip the gray hues and opt for a color like this deep blue instead. Jewel-toned color schemes are another popular trend of the season. (via Shannon Moffit Photography / The Big Fake Wedding)
9. Geode Table Numbers: If you’re into crystals and color, this rock display will be perfect for your big day! Geodes can find a place in both boho beach weddings or more formal garden parties. Add mercury glass votives and candlesticks to complete the look. (via Harwell Photography / Mon Cheri Bridals)
10. A Pop of Marble: Turn a budget-friendly decoration into something spectacular: Purchase monochromatic marbled balloons for a natural look. Bring in deep green and shiny gold hues to amplify the earthy palette. (via Brklyn View Photography / Polka Dot Bride)
11. All the Greenery: Garland is one of the most popular floral trends we’ve seen recently — and it’s easy to see why! Greenery is more affordable than large floral displays, but still makes for stunning pictures. Drape it along a beautiful wooden farm table, to play up the earthy element. (via Alea Moore Photography)
12. Terrarium Time: There are few things as elegant and on-trend as the geometric shape of this display. Large terrariums with lush flora make for great centerpieces, while smaller ones with light-weight air plants are perfect for wedding favors. (via Michelle & Logan / Ruffled)
13. BHLDN Gilded Agate Card Holder ($12): These insanely adorable holders can secure table numbers for your guests, or Polaroids for your guest book. Each little nugget is made of stone, copper, iron and brass.
14. Geometric Glass Terrariums The glass windows offer endless customizable display options, but for an earthy chic vibe, opt for moss. The dainty flowers and patch of greenery turn this vintage-inspired glass box into something out of a fairytale. (via Loft Photography / Style Me Pretty)
15. Crystal and Gemstones: Crystals bring both a pop of color and a hint of sparkle to any entrance table. They look amazing paired with elegant square and hexagonal escort cards. (via Love Is a Big Deal Photography / Buzzfeed)
16. Chic Marble Coasters: Scatter marble coasters around your cocktail party or reception area and embrace the earthy chic theme. The cool tones play well with almost any palette. (via Jen Wojcik Photography / 100 Layer Cake)
17. Cement Vase: Looking to create a focal point for your ceremony, without building an alter? A simple but elegant cement garden vase is the perfect base for a large floral arrangement. Fill two of these bad boys with flowers and place them a few feet apart. The vases also look breathtaking on worn barrels. (via Eric Kelley / Once Wed)
18. Botanic Vibes: Watercolor wedding invitations are a dreamy new trend you’ll soon be obsessing over. This particular hand-painted set creates a whimsical, woodsy tone for the ethereal bride. (via A Fabulous Fete)
19. Pretty in Pink: You don’t have to walk down the aisle of a marble church when you’ve got a colorful runner like this! It speaks volumes on its own, but feel free to add little pots of greenery to carry out the earthy chic look. (via Three Pennies / The Perfect Palette)
20. Warm Glow: Who wouldn’t love to see these candle holders on every table? They’re practical, classy and on trend. Pair with votives and a small bouquet for a completed centerpiece. (via Perry Vaile Photography / Southern Wedding)
21. On the Rocks: Boho brides, rejoice! Jewel-toned geodes with handwritten names printed on them are truly stunning — and make for a cute wedding favor. Mix a handful of bright colors, or pick just two hues to stick with a simpler palette. (via Mon Cheri Bridals)
22. Tabletop Trends: A wooden charger with mixed cement and marble decor is literally everything. You and your guests will also love how the copper silverware pairs with rose-tinted glassware and a billowing bouquet. (via Luna De Mare / MODWedding)
23. All Dressed Up: Wrap regular ol’ rocks in doilies and lace to DIY an unusual but romantic pairing. The mix of textures with additional pieces, like votives and succulents, can create a fabulous garland substitute. (via Nathan Russell of You Are My True / Ruffled)
24. Modern Appeal: Love it or hate it, you must admit: This couple created a memorable piece of art with abundant succulents, a classic cake and an industrial base. It’s super bold, and super chic. (via Aaron Young / Green Wedding Shoes)
25. Barrel Bar: New rule — every outdoor wedding needs a barrel table! They can hold pictures, guest books, flower arrangements and more. We especially love this one because it also serves as a bar. Rosé, anyone? (via Austin Wedding Day)
26. Alternative Alter: With mountain views like this, you won’t need an extravagant altar. These structures are a mod take on the swoon-worthy setting. (via Aaron Young / Green Wedding Shoes)
27. Proper Entrance: A wooden welcome sign surrounded by candlesticks and eucalyptus is the perfect way to greet guests at your earthy chic wedding. It’s simple, natural and elegant. (via Mary Claire Photography / Wedding Chicks)
Check out all things Brit + Co Weddings, and follow us on Pinterest for more trendy decor inspo.
Welcome to Selfmade Finance School, our new money series with Block Advisors to help small business owners with their tax, bookkeeping, and payroll needs year-round. This week, we explore the tax implications of bringing family members into your business.
The question for today is this: Does hiring your family members make sense for your business? Let me be clear. This is not a piece about whether hiring your family members makes sense for your relationships with those family members. As someone who is part of a family business, I could fill up a lot more than 600 words on my opinions about that. For today's purposes, we focus on whether it makes sense from an overall "good business and tax implication" perspective. As it turns out, there is a decent amount of tax nuance when it comes to employing your family. Let's break it down based on relationship to the employee:
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Spouses Who Are In Business Together
Personally, if I had to be in business with my husband, it would not go well. However, many couples build viable, strong businesses together and I say, good for them! Depending on how you have your business entity structured, it will make a big difference on the tax treatment of you and your spouse working as partners. Because a business jointly owned and operated by a married couple is generally treated as a partnership for Federal tax purposes, the spouses must comply with filing and record keeping requirements imposed on partnerships and their partners. The election to file two Schedule C (Form 1040) forms, (one for each spouse) permits certain married co-owners to avoid filing partnership returns, provided that each spouse separately reports a share of all the businesses' items of income, gain, loss, deduction, and credit. Under the election, both spouses will be subject to self-employment tax and on net earnings from self-employment and receive credit for Social Security earnings.
One Spouse Employs Another
If you have a dynamic where your spouse is an employee of your business, then your spouse's wages are subject to income tax withholding, Social Security and Medicare taxes. If you are self-employed (not a corporation or a partnership), your spouse's pay does not have to be included in your federal unemployment tax account (FUTA) contributions and payments. However, if your business is a corporation or a partnership you must include that spouse's pay in your unemployment tax contribution calculation.
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You Employ Your Child
First, let's be clear. I work in my family business, but I am an adult, so I am treated just like a normal employee. However, if you, for example, run a family restaurant and want to hire your children under 18 to work for you, there are some tax benefits. But first, you should check with your state for rules on how many hours minors can work (in non-agricultural jobs) and reference the Fair Labor Standards Act for information on limitations on the kinds of work children can perform.
"This is an often overlooked or under-utilized strategy. Paying your children for true services they provide in your business can be a powerful tax-saving tool," says Cathi Reed, Block Advisors Regional Director. "If you are a sole-proprietorship or single member LLC, and the child is less than 18 years of age, the business is not required to withhold FICA or payroll taxes. The child can use his or her standard deduction against income you pay."
You Hire Your Parent
Oh dear. If you are brave enough to do this, know that you will need to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes on your parent's wages and make the appropriate withholdings, but you don't have to pay unemployment taxes. Now all you have to do is convince your parent that you are the boss. Have fun with that!
Is Hiring Family Members Worth It For The Tax Benefits?
"There are some positive tax advantages to hiring family members. It's important to treat a family member like any other employee. Hiring your children can result in substantial savings for businesses. Make sure your child has real, age-appropriate work to do and a reasonable pay rate, comparable to other employees. Consult with a Block Advisors small business certified tax pro to ensure that you are complying with all requirements," advises Reed. "Block Advisors, a team within H&R Block, is dedicated to meeting the tax, bookkeeping and payroll needs of small business owners year-round. To start working with the tax experts at Block Advisors, visit blockadvisors.com."
In my opinion, you should not hire a family member solely because of the tax benefits. You should always hire based on whether that person is right for the job and keep in mind how this hire could materially impact your relationship with that person and others in your family. Finally, as I mentioned, make sure you have a tax professional on your team when making these determinations. As you can see, things can get a little tricky!
*All details were sourced from IRS.gov and blockadvisors.com
The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect those held by Kestra Investment Services, LLC or Kestra Advisory Services, LLC. This is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual. It is suggested that you consult your financial professional, attorney, or tax advisor with regards to your individual situation. Comments concerning the past performance are not intended to be forward looking and should not be viewed as an indication of future results. Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. O'Keeffe Financial Partners and any other entity listed herein is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS Investor Disclosures: https://bit.ly/KF-Disclosures