Question from Faith:
I need ideas on my theme colours…it’s a garden wedding both ceremony and reception. My second question is- I want to use long tables for the reception instead of round any ideas?
Answer from Wedding Expert Angela:
Hi Faith, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding. I am assuming it is a summer wedding since you state it is a garden wedding. What are the predominant colours of the garden? Green is probably your answer, unless it is full of flowers and has a dominant colour. Why do I ask this question? Depending upon your answer you might choose to work with the dominant colour in the setting.
Assuming green, you could go with pale green bridesmaid dresses, accenting flowers with turquoise, or lime green. Maybe you want to add a splash of a few colours like purple and pale orange.
Or you have the choice of picking any colour you love, and ignoring the green background. Note the photo in this post—an outdoor wedding and a choice of pink and mauve (colours next to each other on the colour wheel). Watch this video on wedding colour choices to understand picking colours.
As for rectangular tables instead of round tables, they are treated the same way as round tables. Long tables do lend themselves to different choices when it comes to table centrepieces. For example, you could have a row of flower petals along the centre of the table leading to a central vase. Alternatively, you could have long rectangular containers as centrepieces, with sand and tea lights, or water with floating candles and flower blossoms.
For both you wedding colours, and your centrepieces, I recommend that you google reception decorations to see what your options are. What colour table linens do you have available to you? That might help you decide your wedding colours, too. Our free video series on wedding planning has three separate videos that address decorations—table centrepieces, and more. You might consider signing up for them after viewing the one on wedding colour choices.
If you have more specific questions, please feel free to email again.
Angela Fiebelkorn, The Wedding Expert
I would like to keep a garden wedding and i love the round tables and the overhead flowers it looks beautiful , but i just cant seam to pick a theme for the wedding can you send me some ideas and oh some bridesmaid dress styles wiht full sleves its a church wedding thanks
Hi Shelisa,
If you are having a garden wedding, well I would say that would be your theme. Flowers and more flowers will make your garden theme come alive. If you are looking for garden wedding favors to accent your theme, here are some great ideas. AND, some of them can also be used to decorate your tables to enhance that garden theme.
As for wedding dresses, there are many designers to choose from, and I really can’t think of just one or two dresses to recommend. Just google wedding dresses and you will find all kinds of options. I would like to say that you can get dresses with sleeves, but you also have the option of a sleeveless dress with a long sleeve lace or silk jacket that can be removed for the reception.
Enjoy shopping, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding.
Angela Fiebelkorn, The Wedding Expert