Inspirations

We recently went to a wedding in SC. It was an Eastern Orthodox ceremony, which was very interesting. While it was nice to see the lucky couple, this is the third wedding I’ve been to since July, and I’ve really loved getting ideas from the weddings. Here’s what I really love…
Wedding of HE&TH: 1) The reception was at the bride’s parents’ house. It was lovely as well as special because that was where she grew up and where the couple would be living one day. 2) They had a slideshow playing on the roof of the tent at one point; very cool.
Wedding of MD&SB: 1) The reception was at a Chunky’s theater (they have a dinner and movie screen in one room) so they had trivia and pictures playing the whole time. It really set the mood as fun and relaxing. 2) The couple didn’t dance. Now, RoyBoy and I will be dancing, but it’s refreshing to know that people aren’t pressing it if they don’t want to. 3) The bride and groom gave each their mothers a gift, to say thank you for the way they had raised them. It was very touching.
Wedding of EC&TC: 1) They had an outdoor reception and ceremony in the same way RoyBoy and I will: ceremony in the front, reception in the back! Great! They had a tent over the ceremony, though, and I just want one for the reception. Their tent didn’t have sides, and I really like that. It was breezy, casual, and easy access. 2) They had the walkway defined by mason jars hung from stakes used for plant holders. In the jars were flowers or candles. It was very sweet, autumnal, and rustic, which was what they were going for. 3) They didn’t have a lot of tables or chairs, which was what RoyBoy and I plan as well, and people were just fine. They walked, they mingled- just what RoyBoy and I want. 4) They made little sofas out of hay bales, covered with a sheet and pillows. This was SUCH a good idea. It made great seating that was perfect for the outdoors. They also had special, cushioned chairs for the grandparents, which was very kind and thoughtful. 5) They had a total of four different cakes, two pies, and a plum tart. This was a great variety, and they got them done from a local bakery. Again, very rustic, very simple, very country. (The cake they ate from was a sweet potato cake- yum! They also didn’t feed each other, which I thought was interesting.)

What I’m incorporating:
-Dancing. RoyRoy and I will dance, and I will dance with my dad. RoyBoy and FMIL (future mom-in-law) will dance if they want- there is no way I am choosing that one haha. We may or may not have a part that is all about everyone dancing (Macarena, Electric Slide, etc.). I kind of really want to, so that people will have something to do… Oh, to heck with it! We’re dancing! I love talking myself into these things… :)
-The hay bale sofas. Ok, we won’t use hay bales, but I love the idea. Also, the comfy chairs for older family- when you’re that old, you deserve a great seat!
-The different desserts, maybe. RoyBoy really liked that. We are definitely doing something different. RoyBoy doesn’t like cake, so one interesting alternative that we both like is a small cheesecake just for us.
-I liked the candles and flowers lining the way. I will be walking down a driveway to the ceremony site, and I think it would look nice to have something like that.
-A new idea I got was using potted flowers. Easily movable from one place to the other and also simple and cute.