Wedding update...

[gigiG]

Just a recap...Wedding here on our property in exactly two months from yestersday :eek:...and the bride has chosen Calla lillies as her main flower. The colors of the wedding party is brown, & pale yellow. The bride will wear white, flower girls in pale yellow, bridemaids in brown. The bridesmaids will carry yellow Calla lillies. The groomsmen will wear brown suits, and the groom (my son) will be wearing a chamange color suit...

They will be getting married on our front porch gazebo, which I hope to decorate like a garden... any thoughts????? I have purchased lots of white tulle to line the porch---silk pale yellow Calla lillies to use here & there.

I will post some before & after pics of what we have been doing to get the house ready.... Okay--it's mostly at the BEFORE stage---but I have two months, right :D;)...

Also, can anyone suggest any outdoor activities for an outdoor wedding? It will be somewhat casual---since it will be outside

And did I mention---the bride is wearing flip flops.....;):)

[ChapterTwo]

Gigi, I'd be lying if I said I knew anything at all about decorating any part of a home for a wedding. So I found two websites that have some suggestions.

Wedding Crafts Page (http://www.wedcraft.com/)

Decorating a Bridal Arch from The Garden Wedding (http://www.save-on-crafts.com/decbridar.html)

I give you SO much credit for this undertaking. If I were you, I'd be trembling from nerves already!

I'm sorry I'm not more help...and best of luck! :)

[neverfinished]

I was wondering if you could throw in some nice green plants...ferns maybe? what about a bit of white and yellow daisies? You can probably find loads of different flowers in those colors at the garden stores soon. cally lilies are so pretty!

And flip flops! What a wonderful idea! :o

Good luck !! I can't wait to see some pictures!!!!

[Lisa S]

Hey Gigi, did I share this site with you already?
www.hostessblog.com
or this one...
www.socialcouture.com
If you can get your hands on MaryJane Butter's book, you can see some beautiful pictures of her daughter's wedding on the farm. Your house and property looks similar with your rolling hills and sweet carriage house.

If it were me...
I would swing open the carriage house doors and have a drink/appetizer station there. Hang pretty lights in all the trees and along the edges of the carriage house and gazabo. Make really huge wreaths for all of the outdoor structures and pretty flowers in cone shaped paper vases tied to railings and chairs. Can you have music? You could have dancing... Lots of umbrellas or canopies for little old aunties and grandmas.

If you have a tractor or riding lawn mower, you could drape it in flower garlands or a wreath and let kids climb all over it ~ easy entertainment.

It's going to be beautiful. You have the touch for pulling it off!

[gigiG]

Chaptertwo, neverfinished, & Lisa---You are wonderful! Yes, great ideas and links.....ferns, daisies--all the above. Gosh sometimes I am blind so you suggesting something really REALLY helps.

Lisa- Bump me on the head--your suggestion of serving drinks & appetizers in the carriage house is perfect!!!! For those who don't know our carriage house--- the bottom is my soap kitchen, but next to that is a two carriage house doors that open to a large wood workshop--that could be cleaned up for drink serving, etc...

Yes--there will be dancing---haven't figured that one yet, as to where.

Anything else??

Lisa- I'm interested in hearing more about the paper cone flower holders....and I'm off to look at Mary Jane's book....

[Lisa S]

I'm getting excited for you! It's going to be so beautiful.

What about having dancing by the carriage house too?


Flowers and cones:
http://www.flowerpossibilities.com
http://www.bhg.com/bhg/story

[WannaBHomemaker]

I got married last year in my parents front yard! So my parents know exactly what you're going through! We had several white tents (just 10x10) put up over the cakes and we had hors d'ouvres set up on the back porch. There was a wood mulch walkway up the "aisle". Lining the walkway up to the chairs were hanging plants (in coordinating colors, but just ferns and ivys would be pretty too!) hung from the shepherd hooks you put in the ground. To help corral the guests, Mom put large potted plants (I think they were silk) around the perimeter of the yard - reception area - and the ceremony area. We married under a white metal garden arch with rose garlands lining it. It was beautiful! I loved it! I'll try to PM you with some pictures!

[Memmey]

Gigi now I'm getting wedding fever!!! I've been away working in my yard every spare minute and I haven't been here for a while.
I'm back and I'm really interested in the wedding. The weather is gonna be so nice there by then.
Lisa has really good ideas. The cones with flowers-excellent! Lots of white lights.
I'm going to a wedding at an old plantation this week end, My friend lives in a run-down but shabby- elegant family home. It's gonna be sorta hippie????casual???? Real laid back and old south. There will be a cajun band. Some girls are going around and cutting flowers from everyones yard on Saturday morning.
I think there will 200 people there. I'll take pictures if I don't forget Maria's camera.
I missed ya'll but I'm back. 30 bags of leaves( all by myself) and tons and tons of raking and mowing. I was too tired to read or type.

Gigi your gonna have the prettiest event I just know it.:D

[Lisa S]

Hey Memmy ~ I've been working in my yard too. I can't believe how much work I do in late fall and how much is needed in the spring. I worked a full eight hours and got a tiny amount done compared to what's left. I need to invest in a hammock! It feels good though, huh?

Gigi ~ It's amazing how women in pretty dresses, men that smell like aftershave and kids in their Sunday best add to the beauty of the day. That and a well placed bar. Seriously. :)

WannaB ~ Congratulations! You're a newlywed. It sounds like your wedding was beautiful. How lovely for your parents to have you get married at their home. I hope my kids decide to do that too. What an honor.

[gigiG]

Autumn--Thank you for sending me the pictures---oh my gosh if I could have it just as you have shown--I would be sooooo happy. Lovely, beautiful, just perfect!!!!!

I got married last year in my parents front yard! So my parents know exactly what you're going through! We had several white tents (just 10x10) put up over the cakes and we had hors d'ouvres set up on the back porch. There was a wood mulch walkway up the "aisle". Lining the walkway up to the chairs were hanging plants (in coordinating colors, but just ferns and ivys would be pretty too!) hung from the shepherd hooks you put in the ground. To help corral the guests, Mom put large potted plants (I think they were silk) around the perimeter of the yard - reception area - and the ceremony area. We married under a white metal garden arch with rose garlands lining it. It was beautiful! I loved it! I'll try to PM you with some pictures!

[gigiG]

Lisa- I am really re-thinking to use the carriage house more in the event. As it stands now the rehearsal dinner will be hosted there...but really I could open it up for wedding too..... I am sooooo glad I have asked you all for ideas--it is helping tremendously!!!! :D

Memmey~ Gosh I hope you are able to take some pics...I would like to see this planation wedding--- sounds so wonderful. 200 people! Wow.

[Lisa S]

Autumn, Would you consider posting your pictures on the forum? I'm dying to see!

[cheapdiva]

Hello?! Yard work? We are expecting more snow tonight and ALL day tomorrow. Can't wait to head to Las Vegas on Saturday! We aren't gamblers but going with daughter's family and oldest son on my husband's side family. Vegas was a warm spot and easy for everyone to get to (son's family is in Seattle).

I am so jealous of all of you who have warm weather - it is in the mid 40's today but obviously that is going to change.

Outdoor wedding - boy, wish we could all be there to help! Flip flops - that's my kind of wedding!!! I am certain it will be wonderful!!!

Mem - I was getting worried!!:(

[Chyna]

Maybe you could put out a volleyball net or croquet. I love croquet so I'm up for it no matter what the reason. :() For the dance floor, maybe put some sheets of particleboard down? Attach them together somehow and just let the magic happen. :)

[Memmey]

Geeg before you start visualizing "Tara"...LOL it is an old white elephant that would take thousands and thousands and I'm sure thousands more to restore. It has breathtaking old shabby antiques, some with their orginal dust on them.;)
It will be an interesting wedding with in-ter-est-ing people.....:p

[gigiG]

Chyna- Croquet-yes- I thought about that. Really it going to be a less formal wedding so, activities I know will be enjoyed.

Memmey- That's my kind of wedding-interesting, entertaining! :D

[Ladybug]

I saw a wedding once in a bridal magazine that I fell in love with. It was an outdoor "family" wedding, so everyone was involved. They used dining room tables of all shapes and sizes around the yard for people to sit at to eat. There were lanterns hanging around, too. Those paper lanterns are very pretty and inexpensive. You could hang those from the trees. OR I've seen mason jars hanging from various things by wire with a tiny tealight in them. So pretty!

I have lots of pics in my wedding files, I'll see if I can find anything that matches what you're going for.

[gigiG]

Ladybug- Yes! Love to see some pics. Also, Chaptertwo gave a great website that has the paper lantern (battery operated) for the trees. I plan on putting in an order soon.

Thanks for your advice. ;)

[ChapterTwo]

>>Also, Chaptertwo gave a great website that has the paper lantern (battery operated) for the trees.<<

I thought you might like that! But there were so many nice ideas/items and so I didn't want to keep saying, "Look at THIS! Look at THAT!" :lol:

[Karinbob]

Gigi,
My daughter got married last summer and originally we had thought about having the wedding outdoors but it was too hot so we brought the indoors in. Take a look at our website under wedding receptions www.thestylesisters.net (http://http://thestylesisters.net/wedding.html)there are lots of pictures and we used the white paper lanterns.

We started with inspiration pages from magazines.
Also on Martha Stewart (http://http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.0e0eb51a2e6b5ad593598e10d37 3a0a0/?vgnextoid=d346330b00a22110VgnVCM100 0003d370a0aRCRD&autonomy_kw=paper%20lantern&rsc=image_7)there is a great white paper lantern with butterflies on it that is absolutely darling.

Hope this gives you some fun ideas

[gigiG]

Karinbob-Thank you so much for your input! I love your site, and the pictures of the wedding are just beautiful! Yes!!! I am now going to do the paper lanterns...I will hang them in the trees, etc... We have a large Willow tree, a small orchard, and a cluster of dogwoods I am thinking can be adorned with these...

At the end of May (24th) the weather should be good, BUT we need to have an indoor backup plan. Luckily our wrap around porch will be able to hold chairs IF it rains. We have a Victorian farmhouse, with a gazebo attached to the front. Right now the chairs will be on the front lawn, if weather permits....:eek:

I also love the table on your site with all the cheeses, etc... Ms. Lisa from this board suggested we serve drinks, appetizers in our carriage house. The plan is:
Wedding at house front, move the guests to the carriage house (bottom of property) while pics are taken.

Maybe this weekend I can take a full pic of our property so everyone can have a "visual" of our property lay-out.

Keep those ideas coming....I am using them!!!!!!!

Hugs

[Ladybug]

Here are a few pics I had. I will email you more, as I'm having trouble uploading for some reason.

[gigiG]

April- I received your email--love, love, LOVE some of the ideas. I never thought to decorate the barn/carriage house entrance before--when the carriage house doors are open.

Okay--- you girls need to stop all that you are doing--make plans to come to Maryland in May---- :o:D, I need you!!!!

Come the week before the wedding- we can shop, decorate, lots of wine......only I wish! :o;)

[WannaBHomemaker]

for Lisa ;)

[gigiG]

Just put those pics right in a wedding magazine!!!! So beautiful.:)

[WannaBHomemaker]

it was breezy that morning, so all our tablecloths had to be pinned down - lol, but other than that it was a grand day!

Gigi I'd love to come help you decorate for the wedding! Buy my plane ticket and I'll be there - haha! :lol:

[gigiG]

Autumn--- I want that car here & you too--- so I have an idea--- just drive that car to Maryland!!!!!! :D

What a super, super idea for an old car to take pics with.

I am so excited....all the ideas!!!!!!!

[Karinbob]

Here are a few pics I had. I will email you more, as I'm having trouble uploading for some reason.

Just love your photos!! The little metal pails with flowers in them are just too precious.

[Karinbob]

Here are some photos from my daughters wedding last August. We did it indoors because it was just way too hot!! We used the white paper lanterns hung on white lights. WE also used beautiful silk hydrangeas and pink peonies in tall clear glass vases filled with dark smooth rocks on the center of each table.
For the food we were very lucky to use tons of grapes from my mother's backyard, green apples from mother's backyard, other fruit from the grocery store in big bowls and baskets. 3 different kinds of hard cheeses sliced, 1 soft brie cheese heated until melted with maple syrup and roasted pecans!! Served in a silver heated dish. To Die for Deeeeelish!!!!
My mom made tons of brownies and froze them into bite size pieces (they were perfect!) She also made tons and tons of mexican wedding cake cookies also known as snowballs and froze them too! Dipped strawberries that my sister-in-law made for us. Other small truffles that my mom made.
Different kinds of crackers with a yummy chicken salad spread that we made. Tons of bottled waters in cute urns all around the outside of the reception hall and a nice punch.

We had 500 to 600 people come!! It was a little overwhelming and the place was really too small so we had people everywhere inside and out!!

Take a look at my website for more photos...www.thestylesisters.net or our blog at www.thestylesisters.blogspot.com

[gigiG]

Say what?????? 500-600 people????? We are planning on 175-200. I love the lanterns, and the flowers on the table--okay I love everything!!!!! I looked at your site yesterday, but am going back to look again.

It's funny but each time I look I SEE something else.

500-600 people---- oh my GOSH

[WannaBHomemaker]

Autumn--- I want that car here & you too--- so I have an idea--- just drive that car to Maryland!!!!!! :D

What a super, super idea for an old car to take pics with.

I am so excited....all the ideas!!!!!!!

Wow, that would work out great, being summertime and all... now if I could just get it to run! :lol:

[gigiG]

Here is the front of our property--about 5 acres in all. It's in shameful form right now, as spring is just starting....

On the top left is our main house, the carriage house is on the bottom right. See the Willow tree is just budding....;)

The wedding is in the front yard, and will be under the gazebo you see on the end of the house. I want it to look like a garden wedding, so I have lots of tulle, etc...The bride will get ready in the carriage house, and walk up....
Top picture is in the summer, middle now (shameful!), bottom view of carriage house in summer...

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[gigiG]

Isn't there something we could just pour in the ole' engine, and give it a good crank to start up :D:p
Wow, that would work out great, being summertime and all... now if I could just get it to run! :lol:

[Karinbob]

Gigi,
Wow this is going to be a beautiful setting for the wedding!! You must take lots of pictures so we can see the end result!! It is not shameful it is pituresque!! Truly it will be perfect.

Luckily for you the size of your wedding will be quite manageable!! Ours was crazy. My daughter married the son of a doctor and so they invited the world!

Here is the front of our property--about 5 acres in all. It's in shameful form right now, as spring is just starting....

On the top left is our main house, the carriage house is on the bottom right. See the Willow tree is just budding....;)

The wedding is in the front yard, and will be under the gazebo you see on the end of the house. I want it to look like a garden wedding, so I have lots of tulle, etc...The bride will get ready in the carriage house, and walk up....
Top picture is in the summer, middle now (shameful!), bottom view of carriage house in summer...

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[CohenCottage]

I love the idea of having a portion of the activities in the carriage house. It could make a great rain option too. We looked at having our wedding at my parent's house in the garden, but tents were waaay expensive.

There is an old Martha Stewart weddings article with a great outdoor wedding that had burlap and linen table cloths. They tied up a piece of fabric between two trees and had that be the background for a lot of the family photos. There is another article I've seen that has lanterns up in the rafters of a barn...so beautiful! I'll try to find the article and post a link or something.

My hubby and I had an indoor wedding, but we chose similar colors (brown and lime green). Our flowers were green cymbydium orchids that we purchased wholesale and just wrapped in ribbon. It was really not $$ and looked very elegant. Here is a link to our wedding slideshow http://lacourphoto.com/slideshows/garner-cohen/ if you'd like to see photos of the flowers, etc. Our friend that is a garden designer did the big floral displays, but everything else was really simple. We ended up having a garden arch as a chuppah at the reception (hubby is jewish). that type of structure would look lovely outside with vines or flowers! My last tip is to buy alcohol at Costco...wine and beer is really cheap by the case and they have a great selection.

Good luck!

[ChapterTwo]

I don't know if I'm not doing something right, but I can't get the link to work. I can see other wedding portfolios, but not yours. :(

[CohenCottage]

maybe this one will work? i clicked on the original one and it popped up immediately, so i'm not sure what is going on. may be a website issue? if this link doesn't work, can i email the website to you? it's a slideshow of still photos rather than a video, but the photographers put it to music, so be sure your volume is on. also, i was looking at the photos again last night after i posted it, and i completely forgot that i had calla lillies in my bouquet!

http://lacourphoto.com/slideshows/garner-cohen/

[gigiG]

cohencottage- Just STUNNING...I had goosebumps the whole time as I watched the video. What a beautiful bride, just everythng was breathtaking. Wonderful photography---really captured the moment.

[cheapdiva]

Truly these are some of the most BEAUTIFUL wedding photos I have ever seen. And oh, my, God . . . your whole wedding party is gorgeous. What a darling groom you have and he has a darling wife!!!

[CohenCottage]

Gosh, you're making me blush! Thanks so much. We had a wonderful time! DH is cute, isn't he? I was thinking about the things that people have told us made our wedding fun...here's the list:

It was mingly like a cocktail party - We had a buffet instead of sit down dinner, so people really circulated.

Mojitos!! We had a "signature" drink served and then beer and wine. Not having an open bar kept costs down and prevented guests from really drinking too much

[WannaBHomemaker]

Gigi - love your house! It's so beautiful! It looks like one of those homes you can feel right at home in! The wedding is sure to be gorgeous with such a beautiful backdrop!

[Lisa S]

Beautiful! I loved looking at the faces of your guests ~ young and old ~ everyone looked beautiful. Your photographer was amazing. How lucky you are to have a memory captured in such a perfect way.

I feel as though I just read a book and know the characters.

[SusiesQs]

Wow guys-- so impressive, I loved looking at all of your pictures. We had an outdoor wedding as well, but only had about 30 guests. Very simple. :) Weddings are so much fun aren't they?!

[rubyslippers]

Hey Gigi ... don't forget, I am in a wedding the same weekend. Also, my family owns a wedding business. (My father is a wedding photographer.) I could talk about this for hours and post way to many pictures and do some shameful advertsing; however, I won't do that in this arena. If you have any questions AT ALL, feel free to PM me. This wedding is going to be beautiful!

My only thought as I looked at your house involved hanging baskets. Have you thought of contacting a nursery to find out if they will do some of those "mixed" arrangements for you. They can wrap the bottom the same way they wrap poinsettias at Christmas in silver or sage or whatever compliments yellow and white. That way you would have more decorations than just ferns. As a reminder, you can buy wholesale "unscented" candles. You may also want to "hide" some CD players in little nooks in windows around the house with some CD's on constant repeat so people roaming about here little catches of romantic songs.

Also, do not forget the reality that you might need a little citronella. (If nothing else, be sure to have some sort of Skintastic/OFF bug stuff on hand ... this is something people forget about outdoor weddings all the time ... we actually take extra with us and people are SO thankful. If you do not need it then that is dandy, but you get the picture.)

Have fun and good luck.

Jenny

[gigiG]

Jenny~ Yes, I am PM'in' you....

Great idea about the "scentless candles, romantic music...and more..."