2 of my best friends are getting married this summer and preparations are now in full swing. As a bridesmaid for each of them, I’m finding myself having many flashbacks to my own planning process a year ago. While that was really really fun and exciting, helping my friends through it is even better. Because I don’t have to be stressed about it. I don’t have to be the bride to whom everyone runs for answers. I don’t have to be the decision maker. And as fun as being engaged was, being married is WAY better. So this spring I plan on fully enjoying all of the wedding excitement without all of the pressure. And blogging about the shower, wedding, and reception ideas that I used for my wedding and am coming up with for my friends this year.
Invitations, centerpieces, decorations, bridesmaid dresses, etc.
Here are a few flashbacks from my wedding! (11 months ago!) Disclaimer- our wedding was colorful. I am not a “pink and white” person. My bridesmaids all look best in bright/bold colors so I chose to put them all in a deep, wine red colored dress.
I also knew that since we would be married outside and that I wanted a very festive, fun, and laid back atmosphere for the reception that I could get away with more color!
On a trip to Archiver’s to plan my save the dates, I found the perfect striped paper and everything then stemmed from that piece of paper. I’d scan it and post it, but they don’t sell it anymore and I’m too lazy to do it right now! Anyway, I ended up with red, orange, and yellow with a few teal accents and the natural green of my flowers and the backyard in which we were married.
I’ll start with the last detail that I decided on- centerpieces for our reception hall.
Our centerpieces were VERY simple. I wanted a lot of color on the white tables and searched for months to find table runners or fabric that I could afford to lay on each table. I ended up buying several yards of the colors pictured here from Hobby Lobby. It’s a simple cotton broadcloth… and my mom and I ironed it and cut it into squares. Then we just laid them on top of each other to create the multi-colored, layered look here. And each table had a different pattern!
The terra cotta pots are also from Hobby Lobby and they are filled with mixed nuts and colorful m&m’s for people to snack on. The center one is a potted flower- in red, orange and yellow. We put out a couple of votives and added the table numbers (also handmade… a piece of 8.5×11 cardstock in red, yellow, or orange folded in thirds so that it stands as a triangle and wrapped with strips of a striped paper that I used on all of my wedding stationery. Then I just printed the numbers in the same font that I used for everything, mounted them on green or teal cardstock and glued them to each side of the triangle!).
And, voila!
Colorful, simple, and CHEAP. (Which is important when you have so many tables to decorate and little to no money!)
Here are some other beautiful centerpiece ideas that I’ve seen at weddings we’ve attended in the last few months (I probably like them a little better than mine but they were also professionally done so, more expensive I’m sure!)
At Z’s cousins’ Christmas wedding, ornaments at each place were the favors.
The water carafe was even beautiful with basil, lime, and cranberries floating in it!
Check out that professional flower arrangement!
This centerpiece was from a friend’s June wedding. I love lilies and would’ve covered my reception hall with them if they were more affordable! Instead, I bought 5 large orange ones and had them in my bouquet!
(Notice how her table numbers are very similar to what I did… they’re so easy, cheap and look really nice!)
Next post will probably be full of dresses and flowers- my favorite details by far!
~E
