Question from Pat:
My daughter is getting married in August and although the wedding and reception are taking place indoors, she wants to have a "garden" theme. How can we decorate to make the venue look more like a garden without breaking our budget? The venue is a community hall so it’s not very fancy.
Answer from Bridal Expert Angela:
Hi Pat. A garden theme gives you many options in decorating. Think of a garden and what do you think of? I think of a trellis covered in vines and flowers , an archway covered with flowers and foliage, large pots of plants, topiary’s, watering cans, patio furniture, benches, and of course, flowers, flowers and more flowers.
Many of these items you might already have, and some you can purchase quite inexpensively. Trellis is not expensive. Fake topiary’s are available in large stores like Walmart quite inexpensively. Your local dollar store is a great source of vines and flowers for archways and trellis’s.
If you want real flowers, I suggest you enlist family and friends to provide fresh flowers from their gardens. Asking them now for their help and support allows them to plan the planting of great blooming summer flowers like: daisies, petunias, lobelia, dahlias, mini roses, turtles head, black eyed susan vine, honeysuckle vine, morning glories, and geraniums to name just a few. Of course, this depends upon where you live, so check with your local nursery. The major mail order flower catalogues will tell you the best summer blooming flowers for you area.
If you have some topiaries, for example, flanking the head table, you can accent them with "uplights" which can be purchased for around $10 each. The uplights could be placed behind them, illuminating the trees from behind. These lights can later be used in the couple’s home to accent dark corners and add ambience to a space.
Because using fresh flowers can be work intensive, I suggest you plan for three or four aunts, cousins, or friends who are not directly involved in the wedding to take over the flower decorations. I’m sure you have someone in the family group who would be perfect for the job. Make sure that there are thanks and accolates acknowledging the contribution of everyone who helps with the flowers—-growing or decorating. Small gifts of thanks would be appropriate.
I don’t know if the wedding favours have been chosen yet, but these great summer wedding favours can continue the garden theme on every table. You can get some great ideas for decorating here. The biggest decorating tip I can give you is lighting. Lighting can take a sterile room, and used right, can create drama and feeling you are looking for. Keep overhead lights low, and use accent lighting to create a statement.
If you have any other questions, or comments, please enter them below, and I will respond.
Angela Fiebelkorn, Ask the Expert
About Angela
