Always a Blogsmaid

Just Dessert!

The Q:  Any ideas/advice/wediquette on dessert receptions? We’re thinking it’s all sweets, all the time for our party, with some gourmet coffee and salty Chex Mix thrown in for good measure.

The A:  I Love the concept of a Dessert Reception.  In fact, I think it's the perfect way to do something elegant, for less money, but still capture the festive tone of the day.  I think that the critical thing for making this work is to create a focal point.  So, have a full table display of various desserts presented on different levels, etc.  The other thing I would suggest is to go with a bold color pallet.  Not necessarily so strong or vibrant, but something where you are making a color statement, because the one thing you need to do is create atmosphere since you don't have the centerpieces to deal with, or the escort cards, etc.    In terms of the menu, if you have the money for staffing, include some passed mini bites, to create a dessert cocktail hour before you "open up your buffet" and in terms of the savories, I think you might want to consider some baked goods that have a bit of a salty edge to them, not just the chex mix.  Consider some baby-quiches, as a for instance.   

The one critical thing to remember is timing of day- try and not have it be a real meal time- and to call it a dessert reception on your invitation, so that people don't arrive overly hungry!

I'm attaching photos of a photo shoot designed by David Reinhardt Events a few years ago of a GORGEOUS dessert reception. I think it captures all of my suggestions above and more!

Arabian Nights!

Mayra went pretty nuts for these unbelievable Moroccan theme tents available for rent by Saint Tropez boutique. The company not only rents these tents and linings (which basically ARE your decor) but they also loan out Moroccan lanterns, Moroccan ottomans, Moroccan tables, Moroccan rugs, Moroccan tea pots, Moroccan tea glasses, Moroccan couches or Moroccan lounge seats and much more to create an amazing & memorable 1001 Arabian nights theme party.

They are genuine Moroccan and are handmade in Morocco by skilled artisans exclusively for Saint Tropez Boutique.

While I think these photos are a little TOO theme, the tents themselves are amazing and I think a sit down dinner with an amazing themed buffet a red or gold pin tuck linen on your tables and nothing but lanterns and mirrors would be out of this world for a formal, ethnic outdoor wedding.

Or imagine your themed, tented afterparty!!??

To Menu or Not to Menu?

The Q: Are menu cards necessary? I am feeling stressed out by the details of the day and I'm not sure I want to bother? What do you think?

The A: Well, except for a future spouse and a legal ceremony, what of anything is really necessary, right? But then I wouldn't have much to talk about :-) Menu cards are like a cool belt. Not always necessary, but they add a certain something. But, in truth, they do serve a certain function: it lets people see what their options are if they have any and it allows you to inform people of ingredients that they might be allergic too, like nuts.

However, generally speaking, that can all be done without menu cards as well (verbally), but the menu cards adds an opportunity to both "accessorize" and personalize your day. If you are stressed out, then simplify and just don't do it. But if you want to have some fun with it and have some time in the weeks prior to your day, think outside of the box.

For instance, if you spent time working with your caterer to design your menu, perhaps you include info on why you selected your dishes. It's a way for your guests to get to know a bit about you: mini-burgers were what you ate on your first date or the wine you are serving is what you had on the night he proposed. Details like that make your guests pause for a moment and appreciate both their meal and the occasion a bit more. We had one client who did a blind wine tasting and included a score card on their menus!

The other element is design and personalization. I loved these menu cards that Mrs. Emerald did that were on Wedding Bee a year ago.

Sometimes they can simply be used to enhance a decorative scheme! Here, the green and white color scheme that this couple used was offset by navy blue napkins and ink on their menu cards!

And at this cocktail style wedding that was a bbq theme buffet, we let guests know what to expect, mainly so they could pace themselves, with a hand stamped menu card based on a design that we used on their invitation. This was a casual wedding, so the menu cards were spread around the room, vs. at each guests' place setting.

Political Favors

Floral Deals and Steals

NY Ladies, I wanted to make you all aware of a great floral deal out there for you brides who are still hunting for a florist. 

Surroundings Flowers & Events  is currently offering wholesale based pricing to bride's in New York City. Brides can save 25% with Surroundings versus using another, local, high end florist. Currently, Steven Buckwald, the owner of Surrounding Flowers will take your proposal from a competitive florist and beat the price by 15-25%.   Take the challenge and see a savings of $50 on a $200 arrangement at another florist . . . with Surroundings you would only be paying $150...

Surrounding Flowers has a 7,000 square foot building in Harlem as well as 2 satellite shops in Manhattan.

Check out their website, and see some of their work below! They were even mentioned on Daily Candy!

Decorating a Tea Garden

The Q: Hi there.  I’m from New Zealand and getting married in 13 weeks (eek)  Trouble is I’m not sure how to dress our venue which is called the Tea Gardens.  A picture is attached.  We want to keep within the theme of the venue but still keep it very formal.  Do you have any suggestions for the table / room décor?

The A:  Hi.  First, it's a lovely venue.  I'm attaching the photos here.
My first instinct is to tell you to go with whites and greens, such as a sage, which I think will look very nice in the room. Perhaps with a navy accent.  I think that color palate will keep it looking formal, but still fitting inside of the room.  I would also suggest using calligraphied accents on your menu cards or for your table signs as a way of formalizing the look but keeping it garden.

In terms of centerpieces: Consider something like potted floral plant like Hyancinth or Hydrangea in a ceramic pot placed on a mirror and surrounded by  candles as something garden like, but made more formal.  Here are some images of that kind of look. Overall, my sense is to enrich you pallete with colors other than just white, but to keep your floral pieces light and airy.

I would move the trees out of the venue and if you want to REALLY liven it up at night, consider a rose or pale amber uplight for your walls and columns.

Here are some more inspiration photos.

Just a Snippet

I am so excited that I've found this wonderful blog!  Our FABULOUS calligrapher (she does all of our clients' work) Laura Hooper has been penning the GORGEOUS Snippet and Ink and I am in love.  Laura is one of the greatest calligraphers I've met and she is so organized and courteous, it's a real pleasure to work with her, even from across the country!  I'm posting some of Laura's work here for you guys to see!

Spanish Rose

The Q: "Can you give me some suggestions for making a beautifully Spanish inspired wedding reception. I know wrought iron candle holders and using dark reds can be part of the decor. Any other suggestions?
Thanks!"- September Bride

The A:  I think that this is just a great, and underused thematic inspiration!  I think the wrought iron candle holders is a great start as are the reds, but I want to warn you against going tooo "flamenco" and thinking more Mediterranean.  So, for instance, instead of just the red and the black of the iron, consider adding in some saffron, or more rust colored accents. 

Additionally, I think that there is nothing more Spanish than lace!  Especially at a wedding when it reminds me so very much of a mantilla!  perhaps a lace runner in a deep ivory to offset the iron! Or for a more subtle touch, what about  a lace napkin treatment?  Perhaps a  lace ribbon tied around each napkin in a contrast color?

In terms of flowers, I would suggest that you look no further than the ROSE.   People often shun the rose as too "obvious" for a wedding, but, frankly, there is nothing more 'Spanish" than the red rose.  I think incorporating red and rust colored roses on the candelbras or in small silver containers could be amazing.

Spanish lace fans, in this case, like flamenco, would be awesome favors, escort cards or even table numbers, depending on how you use them!

Remember, with any theme, it's more of an homage, and not an imitation!  That's what separates weddings from other kinds of parties with themes!  If you think it's too much, it probably is.  Remember the words of Coco Chanel- "Elegance is Refusal."

 

Everything is Beach, Part 2

The Q:"I am having a destination beach wedding and I am following your advice of "Lights and Whites" I have a tent structure, there will be ticki torches on the outside of the tent and on the inside soft yellow ambience lights to give the tent a glow, I am having all white/cream linens and white chairs. Now my question is can you give some advice on what to do about centerpieces. Since the tent is open and it will be beachside I have been told by my wedding coordinator that everything has to be wind-proof. I don't know what to do . Please help"

The A: Readers, in case you're wondering what we're referring to, I gave a heads up to our Beachy Bride a while ago about working with her tent wedding. So, I'm flattered that you took my advice last time and thanks so much for coming back for more!

I really like simple, if you haven't figured that out, so I will make some suggestions that are probably going to be possibly simpler than what you have. Having done both beach side weddings and just general outdoor weddings, TRUST ME the wind proof thing is something you learn the hard way! (Think me, Jamaica, a ladder and tears of fear)

If you want to do floral, I would say to go submerged. If you have the opportunity to do submerged and composite (meaning more than one container) I would suggest that you do so, because the one container looks a little flat, depending on size. Tropically speaking, you could do something like this with 2 containers, one with submerged orchids and the other with even a submerged bird of paradise or anthurium. Then, around it you could put 3 or 4 Smaller cylinders with pillar candles (that are shorter than the cylinder, because that's what protects them from the wind.

If you want to go further with CANDLES (my suggestion), here are a couple of ideas:

First, what if you had 3 or 5 cylinders with pillar candles in each and the bottom of the cylinder filled with petals. Actually, we had a wedding on a roof recently, and it was such a windy day we literally invented this centerpiece because the square votives we planned on using wouldn't remain lit. The bride liked it more than the original idea!!!

You can also consider using hurricane glass holders of 2 or 3 different heights and varying the size of the pillars inside. You can even consider a colored pillar to bring a pop to the table. This was a variation on that look that we did for a wedding at TW this summer. It's not so windy there so we were able to use tapers, also, but I think that we could easily have gone further with more hurricane glass.

These next too examples are of candles that are in oversize candle holder to block the wind. The other thought is to use LED lights, which here in NY you can purchase at B & J floral supply on 28th Street.
These images are by Karen Bussen, and you can see how she used sea glass to bring in some color.

But I think, with the rest of the look, if your florist there can provide it, you should consider setting up mirrors on the tables. I personally think that in this photo, they must have used LED candles because it just seems like there isn't enough wind protection.

I hope this helps!!

In the Mood For Love

A while back, one of our clients told em to watch a movie that was the inspiration for what she wanted the design of her wedding to look like.  The movie was "In the Mood For Love"  and ultimately, it inspired the overall mood we wanted to create for this wedding at Studio 450 last weekend.  The always wonderful Dante Williams came by to take some shots of our decor (seen here), but the photographer for the main event was West Coast based Kurty Wong- who was amazing!  I got some of his shots yesterday and they were just outstanding.  Kurty travels, so I encourage you all to check him out!  I know we are looking forward to working with him in the future- he is soo wonderfully sweet to work with as well!

The Cake is by the wonderful Cheryl Kleinman- and it's tons of fun and the floral and decor courtesy Always a Bridesmaid.  Ceremony, Cocktails and Dinner were all at 450.

Gone to the Dogs

The Q: "I love your blog.  I'm getting married to my dogs' vet in June.  We met 3 years ago when I took my dog to him at the clinic. His 3 dogs and my dog make a perfect family.

We are getting married at my family's Inn overlooking the water on cape cod.  Teal Blue is my main color and thinking of using bright hot pink flowers (fusia color) as accents.

Question 1:  I love how you tied in the NY program and taxi cabs in your wedding.  Do you have any cool ideas to tie in our love of our dog family without being tacky or cheesy. I had hand painted invitation made that incorpated our fury friends and I was thinking of using their small dog figurines on top of the wedding cake instead of a bride and groom.  One of the well behaved dogs might be in the ceremony. Maybe that's enough...but if you have any cool ideas please let me know....."

The A: Your story made me SOOO happy when I read it, I had to post on your first question right away!  Your meeting is like an awesome romantic comedy.  It combines two things that I love: romantic meetings and dogs!!!!

So, you don't want to go toooo overboard on the dog stuff, but I think you have room for a couple more things without it getting crazy.  I think your current touches are very sweet and appropriate: personal details without become distracting.  So, here are some more ideas along those lines:

If you haven't mailed your invites, consider photo stamping your furry family for postage- either on the outgoing or for the RSVP card.  We did this with Chelsea, the adorable poodle mix for one of our clients last year.  I love photo stamps as a way of generally cheering up postage.  I'm also personally offended by the current wedding stamps. they are sooooo boring.  (BRING BACK THE KISSING BLUEBIRDS!!!!)

Another thought is for your favors.  I don't know what you were thinking, but as well documented here, I LOVE edible favors.  How about biscuit shaped cookies???  Or Doggie Silhouettes? Or, these amazing treats from Rolling Pin Productions! They are a little pricey, depending on budget, but these are pet works of art!  A variation on this is offered by Cutie Pie Cookies, where she can print images or photos onto a great sugar cookie!

I LOVE adding personal photos at weddings and I think it's a great thing to consider doing for cocktail hour, or around your guestbook table. The frames can be tied to your theme or look and they help create a homey atmosphere. 

Final thought, I know the idea of personalized cocktail napkins seems a little dated, BUUUUT, I think they can be revived in unexpected ways: cocktail napkin with paw print OR with something unexpected like WHOOF! could be soo cute and humorous and a change from your names and wedding date.

Decorating, Mexican Style

The Q: "I'm getting married in january 2009 and I want to have a mexican themed wedding. Do you have any ideas as far as how to decorate the tables and chairs?? I have been researching on the internet but cant seem to find anything."

The A:: Oh, you lucky bride! You are taking one of the best thematic looks at a time when one of the GREATEST flowers is in season! PLEASE THINK AMARYLLIS! They are amazing, giant flowers with a very Mexican history and they are available in a variety of colors, though the RED are the most stunning.
If I were you and you wanted to do something a little bit more elegant, consider silver containers filled with amaryllis, set on top of traditional mexican tin mirrors and punched out Mexican style luminaries. For something even more glamourous, consider using round, or oblong punched tin mirrors as charger plates!

In terms of your chairs, I don't know what you are working with, but if I could pick ANY chair, I would select either a dark wood ballroom chair or a red painted ballroom chair, treated with a white cotton lace tie back that you could make yourself with extra wide (7") lace. This would be romantic, but whimsical and fun. If you are using chair covers in a ballroom or a hotel, consider using a matte (not satin) chair cover in white or ivory and using the same idea in an array of multi colors ranging from red, to orange to pink and yellow. The key with a Mexican style wedding is that it is elegant, but it's also colorful. Don't be afraid of color!!!

My First Florist

The Q: " I am about to go for my first florist visit, and I don't know a lot about flowers. What should I be asking for and how can I tell how much better one florist is than another?"

The A: This is a great question! When looking at florists, you should consider two kinds of things: aesthetics and logistics. Also, your first visit to the florist will require some preparation, so get ready.

Before you go, you should consider the work on their website, or the event that you may have seen their work in. What did you like about it? Was it unique, or full and lush, or modern and clean? You should pick up a couple of magazine's and pull out tear sheets of colors and floral arrangements and even invitations that you see that you like. I LOVE the idea of making an inspiration board a la Style me Pretty. It's important for you to be able to showcase what you LIKE so that you can judge this florists ability to reflect ideas that are appropriate to your vision. You should contact your venue and find out how much time they have to set up floral- this will effect your estimate. Finally, you should consider your approximate budget based on the number of estimated tables (at 10 guests per, generally) and adding in personal flowers, cocktail arrangements, escort card pieces and any ceremony decoration you might want.

Once you are there you should review their portfolio work: are they looks that appeal to you or are they all sort of a different style than what you would like. Ideally, there is a variety of looks for you to consider. When you talk about your ideas/ color scheme/ inspiration photos, note how the florist responds. A bad sign is when they tell you to select from one of 5 centerpieces that you see in a book. A good sign is when they reference images of things they have done or have seen that they could use for inspiration for your wedding.

If you are working with a florist whose work you simply saw around and really liked, you should ask some technical questions: do they have refrigeration? have they worked in your venue or venues like it? are they fully insured?

From my experience, a lot of people select a florist based on recommendations: from your venue, from a friend who had a great time working with a florist, etc. If that's the case when visiting this person, you should be more concerned about aesthetics than you are about the technicalities of this florists' operation.

Nice Ice

The Q: "We are getting a package through our reception site where there is an ice sculpture included. I'm not too crazy about ice sculpture and have seen maybe one that I've liked.  Can you recommend any ice sculptors with classy and sophisticated examples that I can use for inspiration?" - Marissa

The A:  Ice sculptures often conjure up images of kissing swans and hearts, but in actuality, they can be real showstoppers.  I'm sort of a fan of Ice, particularly some of the cooler, simpler things that can be done with it.  I love working with Ice Fantasies here in New York- Joe, who owns the place, is really inventive about what kinds of cool stuff can be done.  All of the images on the site here were done by Joe and his team over in DUMBO.

For a situation like what yours, where you get one sculpture, consider using it at a centerpiece of your cocktail room or entry way.  They make great focal points for escort card tables. Ice Vases can be used to make a simple floral arrangement REALLY stand out.

If you have a more modern aesthetic, you should see if they can SUBMERGE items inside BLOCKS of ice.  That effect is cool for your guests, simple and quite chic.  I like graphic flowers such as callas or tulips, but Roses work for a more romantic aesthetic too.

I also thought that this was cool, and definitely not what's expected when you hear ice sculpture.

If you want to do something more ornate, try and have it replicate something that is of meaning to you guys, instead of just something that comes with a package.  At our wedding we had a Brooklyn Bridge made out of ice and then we used mini taxi cabs that were placed around it as our escort cards.  It was the talk of the wedding.

Everything is Beachy!

The Q: "I am having a destination wedding in a Caribbean resort..our ceremony will be in a lovely garden and our cocktail hour in a plaza in the resort...however our evening reception will be on the beach, since the venue we wanted is already booked..can you please give some ideas/tips on having a really hot (no pun intended) beach reception." - P

The A: Beach Weddings are so fantastic!  One of the main questions that I would have for you is whether the  area is tented or not?  Since I don't know, I'll make a few suggestions that would work either way.  Remember ladies, when working destination, you're limited to what items are on site- and not everything that you see at weddings stateside will be commonplace on the island or at the venue where your reception is.  These suggestions are generally things that can easily be flat packed by you and brought down OR that your local florist/ venue would probably have.

First things first, think LIGHTS and WHITES.  As your guests make their way from the cocktails to the reception location, don't just have them walk over, illuminate the path with luminaries- they are really easy to make- especially using LED lights and they add a very romantic element to the venue without racking up a lot of expenses.  It will help set a mood. 

You should also think about ILLUMINATING the perimeter of your reception area- since it is open air.  If you don't have a tent structure, consider bordering the area with torches that can be dropped into the sand.  You'll create a sort of "ring of light" around your guests.  Pick this theme up with centerpieces of candles in hurricane vases or glass cylinders of varying heights .  The look is modern and clean, but the cluster of glass and candlelight is surprisingly sheek.  Just remember, you have to protect all of your candle flames from wind!

If you have a tent structure, EVEN Better!  Consider using JUST the structure and wrapping the frame  of the tent with  what's called "Fairy Lights" or our Christmas lights. It's an amazing effect that paired with clean white linens is simply chic and breathtaking.

For something more romantic, though, more labor intensive.  Consider these Roly Poly chandeliers.  Essentially, it's a votive holder with a ribbon "hot glued" to the bottom  This is something we've used at several client weddings where we've had a hanging point in an entry way or over a dancefloor and it ALWAYS gets ooohs and aaahs.  Recently, I came across this photo of the same concept, but in  a Clear top Tent and I think it's just lovely.

I think the main thing, when going beachy, is to actually go simple.  It is far more elegant to play with candlelights and whites than to do something more apropos of a ballroom in the open air.  That look too often goes flat.

Rentals Away!

The Q:   A number of things happened as we were planning our wedding and the date needed to be changd and the venue switched from a very blank slate where we were going to bring in our own everything to a more generic catering facility.  I'm not trying to complain, because I'm happy about getting married, but I didn't want to have a wedding that feels like anyone else's, and I don't know how to make this look different.

The A:     As any of our clients know, I'm a RENTAL FIEND!!!!  I love the idea of personalizing your wedding through everything at an event- from food and music to your glass selection and your china pattern- they are all opportunities to say something different about your style and your tastes as a couple.    So, if you have the money in your budget, I would say that it would be great to consider changing the chairs, or bringing in a great charger plate!

One of my favorite places to go here in the city is Classic Party Rental (formerly Tri-Serve) because they have a FANTASTIC selection of everything from china patterns to cool chairs to tinted flutes.  How cool would it look to add a colored glass to your table top that brings out your color scheme???? At 1.50 a person- it's the PERFECT way to add something subtle and different!   Even if your venue has ballroom chairs, maybe you can swap out the cushions for the night (at around a $1 a piece) to brighten the room and make your wedding style more cohesive!  Classic is actually nationwide on the East and West coasts, so lots of your girls can consider that.    Even a colored napkin can make such a large difference!!!

For a more bold way to make a venue look less cookie cutter, considering BOLD color upwashes along the walls and pin spots on your flowers. Lighting can transform a venue, and it's no truer than for ballrooms and reception spaces. You can literally make it your own, just remember not to choose colors like GREEN that will make your guests look that same way!

Weaving Cultures

The Q: "My wedding is only six months away . . .in Guatemala . . . and  I am drowing in "what ifs" and "what's the custom?"  How can I incorporate our cultures (Caucasian from Minnesota and my  Mayan roots) in the wedding?"

The A: Hi!  I know it can seem daunting!  It's challenging, because I'm certain that in having a destination wedding in your own cultural backyard, you can probably think of a MILLION ways to acknowledge your Mayan cultures, but it's probably almost as much a matter of leaving room for his cultural background.  So, my suggestion to you would be to focus on one or two areas where you are certain that he and his family are totally comfortable and feel good about what you have going on. For instance, I think it's simple and easy to have Traditional Mayan flute music during cocktails (and perhaps ceremony), but perhaps you consider a DJ who can play more traditional American style music as well as Latin for the reception itself.  I also think that perhaps when it comes to cuisine, depending on where you are having the reception, in addition to traditional local foods, you can perhaps have some typical "american" style appetizers.  Even if it comes down to you mailing down some pre-prepareds from Costco, it might help your guests feel a little more at home to see a favorite cocktail bite make it's way past them.  And perhaps, as incongruous as it can seem, perhaps when thinking about decor and details you and your fiancee may decide to name some tables for some favorite Minnesota items, and others for places or things from Guatemala. 

Ultimately, a destination wedding is about creating a festive, comfortable atmosphere for your guests, and in insuring that you are doing that by creating familiar touch points for your fiance's family, I think you'll find it goes a long way!

Making Special Memories for A Bride

The Q: " i am interested in putting together special memories for my daughter prior to her wedding . regarding her life and things like reciepes. or thoughts or suggestions.  any ideas?" - Petra

The A: Petra, this is a great question!! I have a couple of ideas and how to showcase them.  Recently, one of our bride's sisters made her the MOST amazing scrapbook as a shower present.  However, rather than just chronicle their memories together as sisters, she created a book that showed her and her fiance's lives in parallel to one another.  On the left her SheRa Birthday party, on the Right he and his He Man cake.  On the left her Bat Mitzvah montage, on the right, his Bar Mitzvah photos.   It was funny and humorful and hugely time consuming and AMAZINGLY cherished.  We set up a table for the guestbook and for guests to take turns looking at the scrapbook and ultimately, it proved much more popular than the guestbook! What made it special was that her sister didn't just make it about the Bride, but that it was about them both and it was something that they equally valued.  I thought the symbolism was really nice.

Something that my own mother did for me when I got engaged was to create a recipe book for me of things that we eat in our family.  She actually hand wrote it (because she isn't much of  typer) but what she did was remind me of when we would cook this kind of thing or what my Grandmother would do to make it a little different or even warnings of things that tended to trip her or my grandmother up about it.  I thought this was fantastic, because it enabled me to carry into our married home the traditions that I grew up with. I love that book.  There are probably other more artistic ways to create something similar- incorporating family photos, etc.  But I think the key is to present it when others can appreciate it as well... Perhaps at the shower???

The truth is these personal gifts are the things that we always cherish.  They don't come on registries and you can't point a zap gun at them, so they are infinitely more interesting!

Charging the Buffet!

The Q:  "If you are having a buffet at your reception, can you still have the table
set with charger plates?" - Suzanne

The A:  ABSOLUTELY!  In fact, I think it's a splurge that really dresses up the buffet experience and makes the entire event feel more formal and makes your table look more polished.  It helps to mark each person's spot in away that feels more permanent than just a napkin fold, and it also acts as an anchor for you to lay out your flatware.  Here are some photos of chargers at buffet or station weddings that we've done, so give you an example.  FYI: Even Menu cards can be helpful, as it lets people know what to look for once they are AT the buffet!

Alternative Pretty: Working without Flowers

The Q:  "I am incredibly broke...so i am trying to cut out as much as possible. What are some cool, chic alternatives to flowers? specifically bridesmaid bouquets and centerpieces.

can my bridesmaids not carry flowers? i'm contemplating little purses or something else instead...is this lame? (does anyone still use this word but me?) is it crazy to not have anything in their hands at all? if i were to do that, how should they position their hands as they walk down the aisle: hands clasped in front, by their sides???  Thank u so much in advance! love, love your blog!" -tasha

The A:  Tasha, what a great question!  First, I want to say that everyone should carry SOMETHING in their hands.  Depending on the time, of year though, there are so many options!  In fall and winter, consider having your bridesmaids carry a taper candle and dimming the lights in the ceremony site.  In Spring, consider one single full bloom with a dangling ribbon hanging from it- a single peony stem or a sunflower (about $5 per stem). 

In terms of centerpieces, what about an array of candles.  If you add ribbons to the bases or the tops, you can color coordinate a cluster of pillars, purchased wholesale online.  Another option is something like oversize paper flowers, like the ones available at Paper Source.  http://paper-source.com/cgi-bin/paper/40712941.html?cm_id=2950.070
One of my very favorite clips from a magazine is the photo below.  I think it's elegant, and yet affordable.  Finally, I'd like to suggest speaking with your florist about oversize fish bowls with floating candles and a couple of rose heads in them.   This is a reasonably priced alternative with just a hint of flowers.

Martha Madness: It's a Colorful World

I don't know if you've all seen this, but there is a special issue of Martha Stewart out there that is pretty fantastic. It's a special color issue that helps bride's find the color pallette of their dreams and maybe inspire you to take some chances that aren't as obvious. Color is sometimes hard since a lot of us are afraid of it, or don't do a ton of it in our everyday wardrobes, and I think this issue is a must read for brides starting to tackle the design issue. Color is the basis for the most magical looking weddings- but remember- read with caution- nothing is worse than a color pallette that doesn't "go" with your reception venue or ceremony site.
For a smaller scale tutorial on the same topic, you can also check out the last issue of Bride's.

Claret Red and Chocolate Brown: Delicious!

The Q: "Chocolate brown is the main color of my November wedding. It seems the popular thing to do is to pair it with a pale pink, blue, or green, but I'm envisioning claret red. I want to do claret linens with a chocolate brown overlay topped with gold chargers. Does this work?" - Krista

The A: Krista! I think you have a RICH and WINNING combination! This is a gorgeous combination and I think you'll find that it comes across in a lovely way with your Bridesmaids dresses and flowers as well! (Amaryllis with a brown velvet ribbon??)

In terms of your linens, I do want to caution you about a couple of things. I'm assuming when you speak of an overlay and an undercloth you are speaking of an overlay that doesn't go all the way to the floor and is solid? Be sure that you consider your napkin in this. Sometimes one thing that we will do is to simply use a very RICH cloth- such as this amazing chocolate brown pintuck cloth that I love at www.clothconnection.com and then we will do beautiful napkins in claret. I'd suggest a linen hemstitch or something like a Silk Shantung for the season. We will often place the napkin UNDER the charger plate (see photo) so that rather than have the accent color LIVE along the floor of the room and behind the chairs, it actually creates a bit of action on the table top. It's also graceful and a bit more unique.

Of course, you can always use the napkins as the accent on top of the charger with a menu card, which is clean and classsic- but you are TOTALLY in the right direction! Love the gold and love the brown and claret!

Mellow Yellow

The Q:"OMG, they just emailed me from my destination wedding location and my block isn't full enough for the reception area I wanted. I've dreamed of getting married on the beach, which is great, but now my TEAL blue wedding is going to take place in the MOST YELLOW room you've ever seen!!! What can we do??? Everything was going to be teal- Teal sea glass, Teal Votives, Blue lighting. And my bridesmaids are all in teal. Please let me know how I can not lose my wedding color but not make this look awful! Any ideas are welcome. I'm attaching a photo." - Anita in Brooklyn

The A:Wow! That REALLY is a yellow room! I don't know if you remember those old ziplock ads- about Yellow and Blue making green- it's unfortunately true!!! SOOO here is what I am going to suggest to you- it sounds as though you are still getting married on the beach. I'm assuming that you are not in this room for the ceremony. Take the supplies that have already been purchased- the seaglass and the votives and let's try and repurpose them at the ceremony. Maybe you can use them to create a border around your aisle runner. If you have your guests walking from there to the reception, maybe you can use the teal votives to line the walkway? In terms of your tables, unfortunately, I'm going to have to agree with you- the blue and the yellow are TOO much. But it sounds like the ultimate goal was to have it seem cool and oceanic. I think that even in this tiny photo of the space, you can achieve that by simply moving your formerly blue items and using clear items. This will still give the impression of sea glass and romantic candle light. Perhaps you can incorporate scattered shells onto your table tops???

The important thing is to not feel as though your wedding vision is ruined. It just might need to be mildly reinvented. We usually hope that everything wedding related gets set up and then goes off exactly as planned, but sometimes we have to be open to change and mild re-programming. In a short while, when you and your guests are sitting on the beach, you'll totally laugh about this snafu!