and seating chart inspiration...

table numbers...

This idea is stolen from another bride, but i love it! the table numbers are simple wood blocks with vintage house numbers.

two tone blue...

I'm hoping to do something similar to the two-tone blue color scheme like the photo above.  The nieces will be wearing teal and hopefully the bridesmaids a lighter complementary blue.  whoop!

because i love plants!

So it's been decided (by me!) that the centerpieces for this shindig will not be cut flowers; instead, we're talking vibrant, fresh green potted plants. And not just because I think it looks cool. Potted plant centerpieces can double as favors for the guests, easily be grown at home, and are often times more eco-friendly than cut flowers. Also, my favorite flowers are spring flowers anyway so I wasn't attached to any specific July flower.

What kind of plotted plants is still up for discussion. My research on native species isn't coming up with any spectacular choices. Sister Amy suggested the ornamental sweet potato vine and I love it. I was just hesitant to use an exotic. This species is fine in containers, but as soon as the plants are planted outside, there is potential for them to go crazy--multiplying vegetatively through super effective rhizomes. If guests took them home, there's no guarantee they wouldn't end up outside. I'm getting over that concern a bit, thinking a cute "care card" in each pot could explain proper care and the need to keep this beautiful plant contained!

Also, grandma started several variegated devil's back bone for me--a great, easy to care for house plant. So currently thinking about using both...

But this post is really to show you the wooden planters I bought from a former bride. She used them in her wedding to hold her flower centerpieces.  Here they are in action...

 

And here is a photo of planters as they come from Ikea.  The ones I purchased  have been stained a darker color.

So I've decided to abandon my wooden plank runner idea (see previous post).  Wooden planters are more versatile I think, but I am sad to say goodbye...

pretty green--post from amy lou!

For weeks (ok, months!) now we've been having giggly girl conversations about the Tom/Tommy/Thomas and Sarah jo wedding extravaganza. As has been true so many times in our lives, great minds think alike! Our sister Carrie asked me not long ago, "Is there anyone in the whole wide world who deserves to have her outdoor dream wedding more than our Sarah?" The answer: nope. The actual ceremony may be under a roof and between four walls, little sister. But you'll get your outdoor celebration. We promise!

Sarah Jo - here's a few pics of the sweet potato vine I mentioned to you. It would be beautiful on a smaller scale potted for center pieces and then we could maybe plant it down by the lake for ground cover after the wedding. Or we could do bigger pots to create areas or mark off the reception site if you wanted. It's such a gorgeous color! Thoughts?

rustic elegance?

i'm a haller so of course i love ball jars. but i've been thinking of flowers that bloom in july/august (a potential timeline for this wedding!). the result? they really aren't my favorite and that's cramping the ball jar vase idea.

so i'm thinking of potted plants as centerpieces. with potential incorporation of the ball jars elsewhere.  I've seen them used a photo holders, lanterns, candle holders...

i adore this look!

but i also have a thing for buttons.  don't have a clue exactly how to incorporate buttons, but they are just a really good time.  maybe in napkin rings?

the nieces dresses have been ordered!

here is the dress the nieces will be wearing except their dresses will be teal with tourquoise stitching for contrast for the sash and ruffle.  i love these!!!!!

as to what their specific roles will be, that has yet to be determined.  i told them they could be whatever they wished, but carrie added the caveat that they couldn't be the groom:)  so between the 3 of them, i think we'll get a flowergirl, maybe a ring bearer, and who knows?

fabric banners by amy lou

Sarah, you posted something similar already. But I LOVE this idea. Definitely a way to add a little something to your lake side reception space. And then they can be used for subsequent outdoor parties down the road . . .

FAAAANtastic becomes wedding central...

So I decided to take my abandoned blog and turn it into the site for all things wedding. That means all my ideas/thoughts and the ideas/thoughts of my wonderful planning support team will be found here.

A date has been set. The tommy and sarah jo blog is now devoted to important wedding information for guests.