Enormously Hugemongous Succulents

Soooo... It's looking increasingly as if we shall be making wedding centerpieces ourselves. Hoorah. Spoke with the florists we have been dealing with today and they told us that the only way that we could afford centerpieces that would "warm up the space" appropriately was to use cut snapdragons and stock in 3 foot glass vases.

Achem... Not only does that sound cheap and tacky as heck, but it also sounds like the opposite of elegant and clean and also, why would I use a florist if all they are going to do is cut some grocery store filler flowers and shove them in a vase? So not what I asked for. Holy cow, I don't know how these people are still in business.

So anyhow, snapdragons aside, here's what we're thinking... Since we can't seem to get a florist who is willing to create a centerpiece for us, why not just use potted plants? I know it isn't sexy, and it isn't romantic but it will add something pretty to our reception, and if done right, also maybe a little drama. We aren't thinking of any old plants though. We're thinking (are you ready for this?) crazy, over the top, intense, most enormous you've ever seen succulents. Tah dah!

Remember when I said I was inspired by the Malibu Lumber Yard? I said... tah dah!!!

I mean, check these sweet pre-made centerpieces out. These babies are $45! That's not bad, right? Can you imagine if you took some of the uglier cacti out and replaced with some pretty roses, candles, snapdragons? OK, just kidding about the snapdragons...

Also found this great LA based succulent arrangement business called Living Arrangements that I will be contacting. No idea of their prices, but it appears they appreciate the beauty of recycling... that always seems to indicate decency, right? They also give each arrangement a cute name like Constance, Rue or Nina Simone. Rrrrrar.

Think we could create our own magical centerpieces with enormous succulents? Idk, but jic (that means just in case) I found this website that mail orders enorme Jumbo Sempervivium on the cheap and I also found a lot of 64 tiny 2 inch potted succulents for just $84 on the E to the Bay...

Am I freaking out over succulents?

Tonight's dreams shall tell for sure...

Succulent Floral Boxes

Someone else was Just Married at the Ace Hotel and Swim Club! Found this cute pic via Kelly of Succulent Love Florals...


Turns out Kelly took her love of succulents, cultivated during her own wedding planning, and turned them into a business called Succulent Love. She does really beautiful centerpiece boxes, I think I will contact her.

I am so torn though. We were fairly anti-succulent from the start, but then I saw these amazing floral boxes from Artisan Events that included candles and succulents and big beautiful flowers. I really fell in love. If you have time to check out that website you will see what Im all hyped about. They are romantic and deserty but they are also simple. It's so much harder to be stunningly simple, in my opinion.



Anyhow, Kelly (remember her succulent-centric wedding at the Movie Colony Hotel in PS?) did these beautiful floral boxes above and they have me convinced that this is the direction our centerpieces will go. They are just gorgeous. I am loving the dusty miller in there too, and I think the echevarria would look beautiful with some coral peonies and some white or green hydrangea and one tall candle-holder in the middle for some romance.

Loves it!

Banquet Centerpieces & Runners

Behold. The cause of my sleepless nights: our very bland and concrete reception event space.



Here is a view of the olive wood chair and canvas covered banquet table set-up. Imagine two of these end to end "banquet style" in about 5 rows surrounded by concrete floors and navy blue curtain separators. Now welcome, you have entered into my decorationally challenged personal hell. My head is swimming with way. too. many. ideas.



What to do? How to transform this mess into something that is:



1) Romantic
2) Relaxed but elegant
3) Deserty without being cactusy
4) Personal and sentimental
5) Cohesive in style


Oh internet, you are my friend! Here is what I have spied while perusing the "long banquet table decor" tab of the interwebs. From centerpieces to runners to table numbers to chargers, I am trying to piece together something unified.


I know this is not a banquet style set-up but it is pretty much perfect in my book (except maybe the candles on a cake stand, that's just weird). This is my ultimate aim, only paired down. The green baby hydrangea with pink peonies and the ivory candles not only fall into our color palette but their arrangement is so simple and effortless looking, I am truly loving this. Ok, off to a great start but still not the right type of tables!




Hello, candles!!! This is truly beautiful and simple. So far, the sum of my decoration purchases have been candle holders; LOTS and LOTS of candle holders. Anyone know a good, inexpensive wholesale candle broker?



Next, this is taking into account the "greater picture" if you will. I like all of the hangy balls, and I really like the different colored muted table runners. I am having a really hard time deciding on our runners. Part of me wants a nice soft green patterned fabric that will look nice over the canvas and part of me is thinking something with more texture like a soft green linen (or a subtle burlap?) will look more elegant and less backyard bbq.



One of my other concerns is that our food will be served family style on big platters, taking up most of the tables. Does that mean I should aim for smaller centerpieces? Or should I still decorate as I normally would and just assume they will remove the centerpieces if there isn't enough room for food?

Confused! Let's see what other people did with their runners...

These are all patterned and they look pretty nice. Our friend's Katie and Steve had the most amazing damask table runners at their wedding, they looked so chic.

These floral patterns below definitely hit on the casual side.

On to the solids. Burlap or linen... Linen is so nice with a long colorful stripe, yea? I looove the very last look, but maybe it's the contrast of linen on wood. Hmmm.... Ok, I think I definitely prefer the solids but I am still going to have to search for just the right material.

Whew! One reason that I blog is to air all of the ideas running around in my head, and this definitely got them out! I have a much better idea of what I am planning to use for table runners now and I know I want candles, candles, candles. Still working on the florals and how to incorporate palms into the mix... Stay tuned!

Table Letter Centerpieces

Remember these? I forgot to show ya'll the final product in use! I made these lovely table letters for my girl Aimee's wedding this past June and they turned out so cute! Check out the DIY tutorial here.


They look dang cute, right? She had a wine theme for her centerpieces complete with homemade wine that she and her hubby Adam made for us. Isn't that awesome?


Love the purple overlays. Each guest got a bride and groom wine stopper :)