Ceremony
Decor
We'll be having an outdoor ceremony in the garden of the Centurion Palace. I've never really liked flowers all that much. They just die... So I didn't feel the need to spend lots and lots of money on them. So, off to find new ways to spruce up the ceremony a bit.
(first photo from Marcela Ellis Photography to show the garden chairs, others from theknot.com decor gallery for inspiration)
My original idea for decor was something I'd never seen before in person. I saw a picture of it when i was looking at the venue House Plantation, and from that moment, decided no matter where i booked, i wanted white garden chairs so i could do this. I wanted to tie a ribbon on every chair. I cant explain how through words here, but id never seen it before. Upon booking Centurion Palace, i decided that it was going to be very time consuming to do, and said well, i guess ill figure out something else similar. As i said above, I didnt want flowers. I'm not THAT crafty, so pomanders and such were out as well. Lucky for me, my bestie and bridemaid works at Aztec Events & Tent Rental, and I was able to go see my idea in person. The aisle chairs, and only the aisle chairs, will have sashes on them in alternating colors. Black, Silver, Pink, Silver, Black, Silver, etc... I thought it'd be a nice way to bring more pink into the ceremony, since mostly everything is black and silver.
I won't be filling the aisle with rose petals, as i would think they'd get caught in my dress, and the wind would blow them everywhere? But my 2 flower girls will be dropping dark pink and silver silk rose petals.
photo below to show what i think im going to do down the aisle chairs, tho i wish i could find a different shade of pink. i may just cut out of of the colors and do pink and black or black and silver. who knows, maybe last minute ill scrap it all and figure out something to do with the ribbons again like that reserved tag up there! After talking with my best friend/linen rentals, i'm going to look at satin ones. i just really really hate this shade of pink!
ya so update 5/14/09 - i went with satin ribbon instead. the pink is MUCH prettier
Flowers
As soon as i saw this photo, i knew i had to have solid dark pink bouquets for my bridesmaids. Originally I wanted their dresses to look like this too, but there's more about that on the fashion page. (photo by Jeff Toogood w/ Toogood Studios)
Solid dark pink, is solid dark pink. Period. That's all i asked of my florist and sent her this photo. I think it'll actually be very similar to this one tho. But it will be wrapped in black and silver ribbon.
(photo from theknot.com bouquet gallery)
My bouquet was going to be a little more interesting with my instructions to the florist. I had a difficult time finding pictures i liked, even tho black and white are becoming more popular for wedding colors. I pretty much just googled black flowers or black and white flowers. I think i found the most luck on the Martha Stewart website. I wanted mostly solid white, but with black accents, and some crystals of sorts. I have full faith that my florist, who is also my cousin, will do a fantastic job with my bouquet. I will post pictures of it after the wedding. Until then, here's my inspiration behind it!
Ring Bearer & Flower Girl
The 2 flower girls will be carrying little white satin baskets that i got from party city for like $7. They'll be dropping raspberry and silver flower petals that i purchased from petalgarden.com. I got the ring bearer's pillow from orientaltrading.com for $10. It's white with a black sash of sorts.
Programs
I haven't entirely decided what im going to do program wise. I was thinking maybe fans, since it will be outside. Regardless, it will be simple. We arent having any readings or sand ceremonies or unity candle lightings, so the ceremony will be short and there wont be much to explain in a program. But, here are some photos I yanked from the knot paper gallery that i will use to make up my mind.
