Decorating The Reception Venue, What Do You Think (september/october Wedding)?
Tenatively we will be having our reception at a state park, where my man proposed to me. The ceremony will also be there, in mid afternoon, so the reception should a bit past sundown… Here is my idea for decoration, its an outdoor pavillion that has a stone fireplace and is made of old logs, it can hold about 100 people (my guest list is only 40 people). I’m wanting this to be formal, but not too formal. What I’m wanting to do is string white lights across the rafters and then tulle, to cover up the lights a bit and some of the new 2x4s they’ve put up because the logs are old. For the table center pieces I’m wanting to have glass vases with dark purple floating candles and a mirror underneath and ivory rose petals sprinkled around it. For the wedding party table I’m thinking of having a dark cloth table cloth, lights strung around the table and tulle over that as well. If weather permits I’d also like to light the fireplace. At the corners of the pavillion I’d like to hang some tulle and use ribbon to tie it back. The pavillion has electric but no light. My colors are eggplant and ivory. I’m trying to create a warm romantic, but not too romantic, feel for my guests, I want them to feel at home. What do you think of my ideas?
Also, they have a rule that you can’t remove the picnic tables from the pavillion, so I’d have to use them for seating, what can I do to make them not look like picnic tables? And how can I make them comfortable?
And, this pavillion has a concrete floor, any suggestions for keeping my gown clean, considering ill be dancing and all, what could I put down that is safe to walk on (slip proof)? My gown is a floor length ball gown with a corset back. Its going to be ivory with egg plant beading. Or maybe I could get the dress in eggplant and ivory beading? What do you suggest?
Related posts:
- Decorating A Party?
- Anyone Here Has An Electric Fireplace W/a Mantle? I Need Decorating Ideas For What To Put On The Mantle.?
- Need Suggestions On Decorating (color, Blinds, Etc)?
- If You Have No Fireplace/mantle, What Else Can Be The Focal Point In A Tiny Living Room? Do I Even Need One?
- Solid Fuel Gas Or Electric What Do Think?
January 12, 2010 @ 7:40 pm
Hi and congratulations!
I have seen your question for a few days and just now am answering. I will also address your other question about what to do with all the picnic tables.
You said “tentatively” so I don’t know if this venue is a “for sure” for you or not, but here are my thoughts…..
I, too, live where there is a pavilion similar to the one you are describing, although ours does not have a fireplace….it has a big outdoor BBQ in the middle! ha!
Please don’t take this the wrong way and I am TRULY wanting to help and my passion is decorating, but I think, that instead of embracing the beauty of the outdoors/pavilion, you are trying to turn it into something that it isn’t (a formal wedding venue.) I have been to two weddings at our local pavilion and they have been very, very nice!!
I would not try to string up lights and use tulle. And, are you even allowed to do that? I don’t know what to tell you about the lighting situation if you are wanting this to go past sundown. Will lighting the fireplace give you enough light? I would go that route. Does it have any kind of mantle where you could put lots of pillar candles also?
I think this type of venue would be best suited for a mid-day wedding/reception so that you don’t have to worry about lighting. Have you thought about possibly a 2 p.m. wedding and then having simple finger foods; fruits/dip; veggies/dip; cheese/crackers and cake after? Just a thought….
I really don’t think you can do anything to make picnic table not look like picnic tables. I mean, people DO understand!! What you CAN do, though, is to cover them with real tablecloths (not plastic)….and have a simple arrangement of flowers (or candles if this will be more towards night) in the middle.
Why not embrace the beauty of the surroundings? I LOVE this type of centerpiece idea using sticks:http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_STCjaK8_RYU/Sb…
OR, since this is September/October….why not a simple vase with fall colored leaves (you can buy silk leaves if you don’t want the natural ones):http://www.candlesbyconnie.com/images/sh…
I think something like the above would look sooooo nice and embrace the beauty of your outdoors surroundings instead of trying to make it too “wedding-ish” with the tulle, etc. But, that is just my opinion.
Regarding your other question about the picnic tables. I would NOT try to stack them and cover them. That will be unsightly. Just cover them nicely. Perhaps line up the ones you will not need for seating in a row or semi-circle (and also cover them) and then use 1-2 for the food; 1 for your cake table and maybe put out some flowers, etc. surrounding it so it’s not so plain. Then, why not put out some photos of you and your fiance say from infancy to now. Get cheap inexpensive frames at the Dollar Tree or a thrift store. Set them out so people can view them.
Sorry, this is so long….again, just my ideas.
January 12, 2010 @ 9:04 pm
I think it’s going to be beautiful. I’m also concern about the weather especially since depending on the location sept/oct is hurricane season, windy weather, etc. I love fall weddings personally and the colors are so pretty. yes, it’s important to make the guest comfortable. But also remember that the day is all about you so make it about you. make it romantic as possible to create the full illusion is my suggestion. They will still be comfortable and feel at home. Watch whose wedding is it anyway, I’ve seen indoor weddings with very romantic feel and the guest loves it so go for. Enjoy and congrads.
January 12, 2010 @ 10:09 pm
For the picnic tables, Use an ivory table cloth, and put cushions on the seats, either ivory or eggplant. I don’t know your price range, but i’m sure you can find something to put down on the dance floor, it just might be very expensive. Definatly stick with the ivory dress.
January 13, 2010 @ 2:52 am
it all sounds incredibly wonderful
the seats i would be getting made by someone, or you if you are handy, cushioned seat pads, it wont take much, foam in the shape of the seat, covered in suitable coloured fabric, and tie to secure to the benches, foam is uber cheap
everything else sounds beautiful
congratulations