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How Do I Create A Ceiling Canopy For My Wedding? – Ask The Wedding Expert Answer

July 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Question from Michelle:

What fabric would you recommend that I use to decorate the ceiling to make a canopy decor and a backdrop for my reception hall?  The hall doesn’t have any chandeliers, so I need to try to lift it up with the draperies, but unsure what fabrics to use or how to do it at all.  Please help with any ideas. Thank you.

Answer from Wedding Expert Angela:

Hi Michelle, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding.  The most common fabrics for draping at weddings are sinamay mesh, or tulle.  Both have a nice stiffness that lets you shape it, yet it drapes well.  Because they are net-like, you can have light garlands mixed in with it to create a fairytale effect with the lights.  If you use soft, silky fabric, it will just slide where gravity takes it (unless you want to staple it in place).

First, check with your reception hall to see what they have available in terms of backdrops.  Often, they have things available, or have sources for you to rent some.  There are many props that you can rent quite inexpensively, so I suggest you check the yellow pages in the nearest city and see what is available to you before you start building something.  Also check with them to see if you can use tape or staples on the walls or ceilings.   Many halls have rules about those things, so you need to see what you can actually do.

As for the ceiling, depending upon the lighting in the room, and how many windows it has (or doesn’t have) the ceiling might disappear in the low light.  Visit the site in the evening with the lights set like it would be for your wedding.  When you see it in that lighting, you might decide not to bother with the ceiling at all.

Another thing that you can do with lighting is to use “up lights”.  They cost approximately $10 each and can be used to accent the cake table, or light up the underside of the head table.  There are many options, and your reception site should have suggestions as they have seen many functions in their facility.

Another option is to hire a wedding planner or interior designer for the day to decorate for you.  If you consider the cost of purchasing things, and then the work of building what you want, it might be more cost effective to hire someone and rent what you need.  Phone around and get some prices.  You might be surprised.

Good luck, and if you have further questions, feel free to ask.

Angela Fiebelkorn, The Wedding Expert

Filed Under: Ask The Expert, Decorations, planning, Reception Tagged With: , , ,

What Wedding Colours Should I Choose? – Ask The Wedding Expert Answer

July 23, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Question from Tracia:

Hi, I would like to know what kind of color combinations can go nicely with a gold/yellowish ballroom background? I am planning to have a 2 color combination.  The colors of chair & table covers are very limited, I think only white, red, and cream colors are available.  My wedding will be at Christmas time but I do not like the color combination of red and green, I prefer more soft colors.  I am wondering if silver and cream color would blend well into the gold/yellowish background?  Or do you have any other ideas?   Many thanks!

Answer from Bridal Expert Angela:

Hi Tracia, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding.  Neutral colours will go with any other colour.  Neutrals are whites (stark white to soft, creamy whites), black (stark black to soft pale grey), and browns (deep, rich brown to soft pale beige).  Most of your metallic colours are also neutral (copper is in the brown family, for example) and silver is like white—neutral.

I think you are worrying too much about your background colours of gold/yellowish.  It sounds pretty neutral to me, and once you have the low lighting which is directed lighting, you will not even notice the walls.  I have a few recommendations:  1)  ask you reception site what colours are available, and  2) ask to see what the room looks like with the lights low, and decorated for a function or event.  That will give you the information you need to move forward.

I am certain that the facility has more colours of linen than just white, red, and cream—that is a very limited selection.  Ask if they (or you) can bring in other colour linens.  You don’t have to, but it is nice to know what your options are.

Then, the next step is to choose your colours.  This video on choosing your wedding colours will be helpful.

Since you are having a winter wedding, the classic colours are white, blue and silver.  What about Hunter Green and Burgundy?  How about Purple and Peach?  Since you like the soft colours, how about browns and beiges?  They are very elegant, and neutral, so any colour would go well with it if you wanted a splash of colour.

You suggest silver and cream, and they go very well together, but you need some colour, or it will be too washed out looking.  When you have a large room, you need a focal point, and use of a colour or two will provide that.

I suggest you look in bridal magazines, and bridal books (your local library is a great source) and see what colour combinations you like.  Looking through interior decorating magazines or books will also give you ideas for table centrepieces, and colour combinations.

Good luck, and if you have further questions, feel free to ask.

Angela Fiebelkorn, Ask The Wedding Expert

Filed Under: Ask The Expert, Colours, Decorations, Wedding Ideas, Winter Tagged With: , , , , , ,

How Do I Do An Emerald City Theme? – Ask The Wedding Expert Answer

July 20, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Question from Margaret:

Help…. I have only 31/2 months to get a party together for my parents I want to use a emerald city theme and can not find or think of any ideas…..

Answer from Bridal Expert Angela:

Hi Margaret.  I assume by Emerald City, you are referring to the Wizard of Oz?  Well, it seems simple enough—go green, or more specifically emerald in your decorations.  It need not be “over the top” but subtle–green napkins, green candles, flowers with lots of greenery or even green flower decorations with no other colours—just many shades and textures of green.

Depending upon your plans, you might need an aisle runner.  You can create a “yellow brick road” on an aisle runner if it would suit your overall style.  Get the sound track from The Wiz, and see if there is any music in there that you can use in the celebration you are planning.

When doing speeches, you can incorporate little “Oz” humour, like referring to one of them being a wizard for remaining married so long, and so forth.  Use your imagination and enjoy!

Angela Fiebelkorn, Ask The Wedding Expert

Filed Under: Anniversary, Ask The Expert, Colours, Decorations, Wedding Themes Tagged With: ,

How Do I Create A Walkway At An Outdoor Wedding? – Ask The Wedding Expert Answer

July 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Question from Debra:

My wedding ceremony is outside under a large willow tree at my mother’s house.  The willow tree happens to be near the end of her very long driveway.  My plan is to get ready inside the house(at the top of the driveway) and my issue is….  where do I walk from?

Is it ok to begin at the house and walk down the drive?  It would take about 3 min to get from the house to the beginning of the “ceremony site”.

Answer from Bridal Expert Angela:

Hi Debra, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding.  I see your dilemma.  I suggest that you create some type of barrier part way down the driveway that could be the starting point for the processional.  Of course you want it to be beautiful, here are some suggestions.

If you have folding screens, they can be placed on either side of the driveway, leaving an opening for you to walk through.  If it is windy, having it stabilized by a table or some other object would be a good thing.  If you have tall plants in pots that are movable, they can act as a screen.

If you have someone who is handy, visit a garden centre with them, and see if you can find some trellis or lattice that can be made into a screen.  For the same cost, you can probably rent items to act as a screen from a wedding supplier or a banquet or catering supply place, so check out that option.  They can be decorated with tulle or mesh with some great ‘dollar store’ flowers to dress them up.

If you don’t like the screen idea, then you need to find some way to make the length you walk down significant in some way.  Patio torches or similar items to create a sense of drama is what you would need. Another idea is that you can “rope off” the official walkway with stakes hammered into the ground, and draped with fabric (mesh or tulle).  It makes the beginning of your walk official and clear to everyone, and you don’t need to start at the ‘far end’ of the driveway.  Another idea, is to use one of the many aisle runners available at the above link to designate the official walkway for yourself.

I hope that gives you some ideas.   Good luck, and congratulations on  your wedding.

Angela Fiebelkorn, Ask The Expert

Filed Under: Ask The Expert, Ceremony, Decorations, planning, Wedding Ideas Tagged With:

What Are Some Wedding Table Centrepiece Ideas For a Fall Wedding? – Ask The Wedding Expert Answer

July 11, 2009 By

Question from Amanda:

We are going to be having a fall wedding and have no idea what to do for centerpieces! Neither myself nor my fiance can agree on any ideas the other
puts forth.

Our colours are chocolate brown, rose red, and burnt red.  We are using white to add a dramatic effect to the colours and to tone down the overall richness of the colours.  We are hoping for a dramatic centerpiece that is not too over the top at the same time.

Otherwise, we have no idea what we want. The location has hanging chandeliers which is creating a very romantic setting and we want to keep with that as well. Any suggestions at this point would be greatly appreciated! Hopefully we can agree on something sooner or later.

Thank you for your time!

Answer from Wedding Expert Angela:

Hi Amanda, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding.  My first thought was that white and red flowers would be very beautiful.  Or, imagine 3 or 4 white calla lilies in a tall vase with some greenery.

The usual things used for centrepieces are flowers, candles, lights, water, sand, rocks, or food (fruit, desserts).  This video on Wedding Reception Centrepiece Ideas will give you a fresh perspective.  Candles are a classic, not very expensive, and is always beautiful on a table.  Imagine a square mirror tile in the centre of the table with 3 or 5 pillar candles of different heights on it.  It reflects the light and is a classic dining room centrepiece.

Food is becoming more and more popular as a centrepiece.  A vase of fruit, for example, can be quite stunning.  Choosing a fruit like a pomegranite would work with your colours really well.  Desserts, say fudge, arranged in a pyramid or other shape around a small vase with a flower in it can look quite lovely.  You wouldn’t see the vase, only the flower with your chosen dessert surrounding it.

Water also makes a great centrepiece.  There are great water activated lights that can dress up a basic vase with flowers to give it added sparkle.  Just follow Reception Decorations to find the water activated lights.

This video at the end of the post also has some great ideas for wedding table centrepieces.  Good luck and I hope you find something you both like.

Angela Fiebelkorn, The Wedding Expert

Filed Under: Ask The Expert, Decorations, Reception Tagged With: ,

How Do I Use Turquoise and Pink In My Wedding Decorations? – Ask The Wedding Expert Answer

July 9, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Question from Larissa:

Hi! I`ve picked turquoise and pink, fuschia really as my two wedding colors, but I`m having a hard time deciding on how to combine them: on tables, wedding party attire, etc. I really want to incorporate touches of both but achieving a classy look. Thanks!

Answer from Wedding Expert Angela:

Hi Larissa, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding.  Turquoise sounds like a great colour to incorporate into your wedding party attire.  Turquoise dresses for the ladies, and the men can have accents of turquoise with their suits (tie, pocket napkin, cumberbund).  Add the pink through your flowers (bouquets and boutonnieres) to keep the look sophisticated.

As for the reception table decorations, this video might be helpful.  Consider the use of table runners, or chair covers to bring the colours into your decor.  Flowers will also accent your wedding colours.

Good luck, and if you have further questions, feel free to email again.

Angela Fiebelkorn, Ask The Wedding Expert

certified WPIC Wedding Planner

Filed Under: Ask The Expert, Colours, Decorations, Reception Tagged With: ,

What Are The Best Wedding Colours? – Ask The Wedding Expert Answer

July 3, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Question from Janet:

Which colours can be the best for my Wedding?

Answer from Wedding Expert Angela:

Hi Janet and congratulations on your upcoming wedding.  It is difficult to answer your question because you give so little information.  What colours do you love?  What time of year are you getting married?  What skin tone/colour do you and your bridal party have (the colour should suit them)?

This video on how to choose your wedding colours is very helpful in making that decision.  If you subscribe to our 20 Free Videos of the Top 20 Questions Brides Ask When Planning Their Wedding, you will also get information how to use your wedding colours in your decorations and in your wedding flowers, amongst other relevant topics.

If you are looking for help with planning your wedding, these wedding planning tools might be helpful.

Enjoy and if you have further questions, feel free to ask.

Angela Fiebelkorn, Ask The Wedding Expert

Filed Under: Ask The Expert, Colours, Decorations, planning, Wedding Ideas Tagged With: , , ,

Gift Card Holders Add To Your Wedding Decor

June 25, 2009 By Leave a Comment
reception-gift-card-holder

At every wedding, guests will bring a card to congratulate the happy couple.  These cards often have money in them, or gift certificates, and you want somewhere to put them that is safe.

Gift card holders are just the solution for holding all your wedding cards.  They come in many great shapes from a square to bird cage designs.  This particular gift card holder is made of metal and has a scrolling vine pattern, dazzling glitter, and a fun metal gift bow.  The card holder has a white cardboard insert that can be place on the bottom to prevent envelopes from falling out.

With many weddings today, cash gifts are common, and it is important to have a safe place to put all those envelopes once the guests have all arrived.  Putting the envelopes into a hotel safe, or locking it in the trunk of your car are good options.  Sometimes, a reliable person will hang on to the envelopes throughout the entire evening for the couple.

The beauty of the gift card holder will add to your wedding reception decorations, and give you a great place to keep your wedding cards.  In years to come you can use it for birthdays, and other occasions.

Filed Under: Ask The Expert, Decorations, invitations, Reception, Wedding Ideas Tagged With: , , ,

What Centerpieces Should I Use In August? – Ask The Wedding Expert Answer

May 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Question from Fran:

My wedding is August , 2009. The reception will be in the commons of my high school-really lovely setting. What should I use as centerpieces during such a hot month. Candles seem hot yet romantic. 

Answer from Wedding Expert Angela:

Hi Fran, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding.  The two most popular centrepieces are candles and flowers–alone or in combination.  This video on Wedding Reception Table Centerpieces will give you some ideas.  Candles do not give off much heat, and they are so beautiful and classic on a dinner table.  The soft candlelight is quite romantic and beautiful. 

If you wanted to do something completely different, you could use rose bowls or vases with water/goldfish in them.  A tall vase filled with lemons and limes is quite dramatic.  Pay attention to tables in magazine pictures or on tv shows.  You will be amazed at the variety of centrepieces you will suddenly notice.  Head to your local magazine store and browse through the bridal magazines.  Look at all the centrepieces to get ideas.  Your public library will also have books on decorating to give you yet more ideas.

Good luck, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding. 

Angela Fiebelkorn, The Wedding Expert

Filed Under: Ask The Expert, Decorations, Flowers, Reception Tagged With: , ,

Wedding Reception Table Centerpiece Ideas – Ask the Wedding Expert Answer

April 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Question from Shirin:

I am having a reception on the deck of a heritage home with round 6 person tables. As our dinner will be family style (one large dish per table to
share) I am having trouble with selecting a centerpiece style which will not be obtrusive or awkward at the tables. Any ides for how to make the table still look pretty.

Answer from Wedding Expert Angela:

Hi Shirin and congratulations on your upcoming wedding.  I believe you are referring to Russian or Homestyle service for your meal where dishes or bowls of each type of food served will be placed on table, and the guests serve themselves as they choose.  I don’t think it is just one large dish of food as your email suggests. 

You have two basic choices for table centrepieces–low or high.  Low can be flowers, sand with tealights or blossoms, or water with floating candles.  You might be interested in a more modern choice of a dramatic dessert plate since you have Russian service for your meal.  It would suit your meal style perfectly.  High would be the use of trumpet vases where the actual arrangement is quite high and out of table sight-lines. 

This video called Wedding Reception Table Centerpieces will give you some ideas of your choices.  Good luck, and if you have further questions, feel free to email again.

Angela Fiebelkorn, Wedding Expert

Filed Under: Ask The Expert, Decorations, Reception, Wedding Ideas Tagged With: , ,
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