Tutera's Tips: Walk Down the Aisle in Style

Post: Love the show! Any ideas on a Halloween Wedding Costume Reception party?
From: Halloween Reception on February 10, 2009 8:48 PM

This situation is the kind of thing where you have to go either all out--or not at all! But there are ways to make your party less Halloween-themed (like a regular party you could throw any year) and more unique to your wedding. Do more of a Venetian masquerade ball, or a masquerade (opposed to asking guests to come in costume). These two themes are elegant, but also Halloween friendly. Or, opt for a great castle feel with gothic or medieval inspirations; think candelabras, deep reds and jewel tones, and don't make it scary--make it pretty!

Subject: How much is too much?

Post: I'm unsure of how much to decorate my wedding reception's venue. We've chosen to do an afternoon party at a smallish historic mansion; it's definitely not the size of Oheka! Our theme is "Edwardian house party," and our colors are cream, gold and aqua with black accents. I'd love to highlight the fantasia feel of the Belle Epoque era's affinity for cascading profusions of blooms in garlands and displays similar to what appeared in the centerpieces for the Irish-themed wedding. But of course, there's that pesky budget to contend with (we're looking to spend about $1,500 on flowers and decor total, which includes renting gold chivari chairs and my bouquet). I'd also like to let the mansion's own considerable charm shine through. This celebration isn't about being showy, it's about providing our friends and family with a good time. I don't think they'll be able to do that if the rooms are crammed with stuff! I'd love ideas for ways to create an enveloping feel. Oh yes, and we're having tasting stations, a different one in each room, along with tables scattered throughout the space, instead of one big sit-down dinner, so guests won't walk into one big space; they'll explore several rooms. This whole thing is about giving a sense of abundance and fun. Ain't nothin' clean-lined or modern about it! I'm thinking about giving each room a different feel... but I'm not sure what's possible with our budget. Trees? Giant vertical centerpieces? Go with something gargantuan around the room's perimeter, and do a small bowl with floating tea lights on each table so as not to detract from the floral frenzy erupting overhead? I think I've looked at too many bridal magazines.
From: glemby on February 17, 2009 6:33pm

It's very clear you've done your homework and you know what you're talking about! Kudos to you! But my concerns for you is that your budget won't enable you to achieve your expectations that I gather from what you're explaining, so you may want to revisit either the overall wedding concept, or the budget and find places to cut. $1,500 is a good budget but with your great taste and dreams, it may not give you the money you need... If the floral design is what will truly make you happy, absolutely find short cuts other places (do you really need the most expensive gown or cake?) and put your money where your heart is.

Subject: Ivory on White

Post: Hi David: My outdoor wedding will be held under a covered patio on for August 22, 2009. My vision is an all white wedding ceremony. I plan to rent white folding garden chairs, white pipe and draping, white aisle runner, etc. but my dress is ivory and I am curious to know your opinion on the ivory dress on white decor. My flower colors are ivory, green, pink and orange so there will be some color in addition to the white ceremony. Thank you in advance!! I appreciate your help with this matter!
From: ERJC on February 17, 2009 9:37am

That's a great question. I love the fact that you're wearing ivory when everything is white. There are 200 shades of white!

You'll look beautiful in an ivory gown, floating into a space that's all white. But--against a soft version of white, the orange in your bouquet may be too harsh, so you may want to change it to peach or coral. Nice job!

Subject: My daughter's wedding is Valentine's Day 2010

Post: David, I love watching what you do to change an ordinary wedding into a one to remember. My youngest daughter and her fiancé are getting married next Valentine's Day, 2/14/2010. They are planning on paying for the bulk of the wedding themselves, but my husband and i plan on taking some of the financial burden from them. There are many ideas on the table, but we aren't sure how we can make them happen. The town that we live in is small, but relatively close-knit. Our family and our future son-in-law have been raised here. There will be some family members missing unfortunately (my father and our youngest son and daughter's fiancé's mother all are deceased). We want to remember them and make them a part of this occasion. Other than having the wedding venue and the reception venue booked, the only other things that have been decided upon are the bride's dress, the bridesmaids dresses, the tuxedos for the men and the general color scheme--our daughter and her fiancé are huge Duke University fans, hence them wanting to use Duke blue, silver and white. That's about as far as we've gotten any suggestion/comments and your help would be greatly appreciated. My husband and I want our daughter to have the wedding that she's always dreamed of, but keeping within the budget. All total, we are looking at around $5,000 as a budget. HELP!!
From: varmitlover on February 16, 2009 4:38pm

Be careful with having a Valentine's Day wedding--your costs are guaranteed to be increased with floral due to the high demand of the season and DAY, so do less floral and play up more elements of décor. Having a Valentine's Day wedding without holiday colors is great--the colors of your alma mater are actually also the colors that could be used for a great winter wonderland concept. Even though it's on Valentine's Day, it doesn't have to have that feeling, so consider going in that direction--you can also save money by using "winter wonderland-esque" branches instead (or with) floral, and linen can add color. Honoring those who have passed is a nice and thoughtful touch during a wedding--Do a great tribute of photos and frames, either on the escort card table or on a fireplace mantle.

Subject: Getting Married for the first time at 48 yr old

Post: I'm 48 yr old and getting married for the first time. Since I waited so long to get married, I will be funding the wedding. I don't have a lot of money to spend so I'm looking for ideas that will help me have a nice small ceremony (less than 75 people). I've found a venue- a church built in 1904 so it has old world charm and it wasn't overly expensive. But being a person who never dreamed of getting married or even thought about what her wedding should be, I don't know where to start. I do not have very sophisticated tastes but I would like to have something somewhat elegant. I don't have colors or any theme picked out right now. The wedding is planned for June of this year. Any ideas or help would be really appreciated. My budget is around $3K.
From: Vicki J on February 16, 2009 4:24pm

Congratulations on getting married! At 48--Good for you! And good for you for having the wedding you want.

Spring is a great time to have a wedding as you can take advantage of all the great floral available to you. Every table can feature a different flower: try tulips, hydrangea, and peonies. I love the 1904 church--your style should have turn of the century look, like beautiful lace on your tables. Because you are an older bride, your guests will be more sophisticated and will appreciate the beauty of this look.

No matter what your age is, getting married is YOUR DAY, and every piece of your wedding should be looked at just as importantly. Don't not do something because you fear you are "too old"--jump in and have your dream wedding. Enjoy!

Subject: Vegas Wedding/Color GREEN

Post: Hi David, I'm getting married at the MGM grand outside on one of the Terrace suite rooms. I know how much you love green which is going to have to be a color in my wedding because of the glow from the hotel. The ceremony will be held at 8PM with a cocktail and cake reception on the terrace for about 45 people. So Colors Green and I was thinking just keep it simple with White and Black? The Wedding is April 10th the suite is booked and I'll be going out with my mother on March 8th to get a better feel for the space, any ideas on color help at the GREEN Monster?? Oh and feel free to come help out LOL
From: melissahowetobe on February 14, 2009 2:29pm

Hi Melissa! Well, you know what my answer's going to be: No green! But it's because I disagree with you: just because the hotel is green, why does your décor have to match? These are your wedding colors, not MGM's. White, green and black are too harsh. I know and love the hotel--it's dramatic and bold, and taking your inspiration from that is hard to translate into a soft, beautiful wedding. I suggest doing orange and pink, or pink and white--and incorporate a fresh look of green into your wedding through the stems of the floral that are in whatever colors you dreamed of for your one and only wedding day that is all about not Vegas, but you. I love Vegas and think every other day could be about Vegas, but make your wedding day about you. Win big for me!