Translating Styled Photo Shoots into a Real Wedding Part II

As a bride to be, the first thing you may do is hit the Internet.  You start surfing wedding blogs like The Knot, Style Me Pretty, Wedding Chicks, Ruffled and then you discover Pinterest (if you haven't already).  Then, you are bombarded with the most gorgeous styled photo shoots, glam weddings and luxury like you have never seen before!  It can be overwhelming, especially when you start trying to describe "the look" that you want to vendors, florists, or even your fiance.  You may get "that look" from him, the look that says....are you crazy? 

Well, you're not crazy!  And neither am I.  I loooooove the luxury look, but realism soon takes over, and putting the luxe look together becomes a bit harder than imagined.  So, what I do is break down the elements, the unique elements that really get noticed.  The elements that take up the most real estate in the room on the table and in pictures.

So, here we go.  Remember our LUXE wedding from my last post?

Let's start with the flowers.  Anemones and roses, gorgeous!  These, of course are huge arrangements, which could be scaled down, or even include more greenery and less flowers, or maybe include less expensive flowers like white tulips, hydrangeas and white stock.  If you really love her bouquet (who doesn't) then splurge for yourself, and make the other arrangements smaller and with more economical flowers.

 Another beautiful and economical flower to add?  Daisies, same colors, still gorgeous.

 Next up...the table.  This Luxury look owes it's beauty to simple layering of crisp linen and of course, that beautiful chair treatment.

For the floor length linen on the table, use your venue's white standard linen, or if you're all DIY, rent solid white polyester linens to the floor.  Then top it with a LINEN overlay. 

I found one at La Tavola Linens , this is their Tuscany white Linen and a hemstitched napkin.

The charger is a pretty standard silver beaded charger, a more economical choice is a simple clear glass, a silver coated plastic charger (Cost Plus World Market is one source for these), or no charger, just the gorgeous napkin and a beautiful sprig of greenery or white flowers tied with natural string or white ribbon.

 Images via Pinterest

On to the gorgeous chair treatment.  The flowing chiffon chair cover is topped with vines and puddles on the floor for that luxurious feeling.  This look can be achieved in several ways, depending on your budget, and craftiness.  Chiffon fabric can be purchased locally (here in Phoenix) for $3.00 to $5.00 per square yard, and a standard chivari chair would take about two yards to drape over and secure the vines on top with ribbon or natural string.  Not complicated, I will be posting a tutorial next week to show you how!

I found two very pretty covers at Classic Party Rentals...not as ethereal, but many venues offer white chair covers as part of their standard decor package.

Remove the sash and add the vines, or leave the sash on and tuck in greenery and a flower.  Don't want to spend the money on this chair treatment for every guest chair?  How about this treatment on the head table only, or even better, splurge on your SWEETHEART TABLE. One of my favorite options for couples, a sweet spot to be together after your vows are done and the party begins.

This simple elegant table, loaded with flowers, silver vases and candles, puts you and your groom front and center of all the attention.  Need more?

Have a great weekend, and come back next week for more...vases, urns and that glorious backdrop for the ceremony.  Can't wait!