By Tara L. Lazar
Planning a garden
wedding can be lots of fun. After all, a garden setting offers one of the most
romantic and sensual locations for celebrating your special day.
Just remember to keep it simple and elegant. Below, you'll find suggestions
for achieving the ultimate garden wedding of your dreams.
- Use varying shades of one color accented with white or cream
to create a very visual and striking combination.
- Use lots of delicate fabrics. Solid table linens with vintage
overlays purchased at flea markets can make an unforgettable statement.
- Small painted terracotta pots with seedlings make great favors.
- Buffet-style catering with large clear glass jugs of lemonade,
punch and sweet tea add whimsy.
- Keep the menu simple. Grilling favorites are an easy and affordable
way to go.
- Decorate tall trees with lights. Hand-write placecards, then
tie them with a ribbon and hang from the trees for the guests
to pick.
- A trellis decorated with ivy, Spanish moss and fresh flowers
is the perfect focal point for your ceremony. If possible, use
the trellis for the reception by placing the cake table underneath
it.
- Use a floral topper for the wedding cake instead of a traditional
cake topper.
- Monogrammed linens add a touch of elegance.
- Set up a birdbath. Have guests make special wishes for you and
your spouse by throwing pennies or flower petals into the birdbath.
- String white lights around trees and across from one tree to
the next.
- Using a favorite theme, give each table a name. EX: Butterfly,
Dragonfly, Lightning Bug, Lady Bug, etc...
- Use chair covers and tie with a white sash. Before the sash
is tied, place a single flower bud in each knot. Roses are a strong
flower and work well for this.
- Hire a band, not a disc jockey.
- Hire a local dance group to perform the May Day dance during
the reception.
- Serve coffee in vintage teacups and saucers from local flea
market finds. If they have chips or imperfections...perfect! Even
if the colors do not exactly match your theme, go for it!
- Keep your invitations simple. Choose hand-made paper with pressed
flower petals and a velum overlay tied with a coordinating ribbon.
It does a great job setting the tone of the wedding for guests.
- Use a rectangular table for the head table. Decorate it with
tulle and mini white lights. Use flowers on the corners and area
where the tulle is bunched up.
- Large mason jars filled with sand and tea lights make great
additions to tables or pathways. They can even be wrapped in heavy
wire and hung from trees.
- Cone shaped bags with potpourri make cute favors. Hang them
from the arms of chairs for a festive look.
