Eat Drink & Be Married: The Rehearsal Dinner

Just because you are decorating "on a budget" doesn't mean your party has to look like it's on a budget too. In fact, with a little creativity, there are tricks you can use to create elegance without extravagant cost.

For example, a monochromatic statement makes centerpieces dramatic and formal -  regardless of the flower you choose. Another cost-effective idea is to create a different centerpiece for each table using whatever flowers you have available to you.

So in the spirit of  budgetry and craftiness, I invite you to "relax, let us pull up a chair, as the dining room proudly presents... your dinner.*" (Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

*from Walt Disney's "Beauty & the Beast"

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WHITE CENTERPIECE IDEAS
Candles, roses, carnations, rose petals
with filler/vase covers: rose petals, white beans, ribbon
White Winter Flowers: Jasmine, tulips, amaryllis

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CANDLE CENTERPIECES

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Jasmine and Amaryllis are in bloom during January and February.

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Rose Petal Filler

White Bean Filler

Ribbon Vase Cover




Non-Floral, Nautical-Themed Centerpiece



Something Completely Different: Paper Flower Centerpiece

The End.

Showers of Flowers

BRIDAL SHOWER IDEAS

Shades of Pink and Green are ladylike and romantic, but bright and fun... like my sister-in-law, the beautiful bride-to-be. 

• Centerpieces: fun, colorful (within color scheme), but different in feel than the rehearsal dinner (more formal and with candles) or the reception (elegant, modern chic)...
• Affordable Flower Ideas: Roses, carnations, spider chrysanthemums, (gerbera daisies?)
• WINTER FLOWERS that are in season right now: Jasmine, Tulips, Amaryllis
• Filler: Limes, Ti Leaves

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This combination of roses and green carnations is simple but appropriate, with Ti leaves wrapped on the inside. (You can get cube, rectangular or cylindrical vases and use them for both the shower and rehearsal dinner.)

The lime filler is a fun idea, and lime green is perfect for the color scheme!

Tulips and Amaryllis are in season during the winter months, so they should be less than other more exotic flowers during this time.

This looks like hydrangea and carnations, but the main thing is the bear grass.

Note the spider mums... fun flowers.

Individual flowers in bud vases look pretty too...

These ideas are more "valentine-y" and cute in general, just probably not for the shower. But

aren't the red hots, word hearts and cupcake sprinkles cute fillers?

These primroses are pretty with pink ribbon... girly.

An organza overlay or runner would add a pop of color if we buy/rent white tablecloths.

I think it would hanging paper pom-pom-ish flowers from a tree or two would add a whimsical touch, but maybe that's just me. 

Candy Bar?

Emily had the fabulous idea of creating a "candy buffet" or bar for the bridal shower. I am researching actual pink & green candy, and found some cute favor "take out" boxes that are for Valentine's Day, but would work for our purposes!

Can you all let me know which one you like better? (Left or Right pic)

These are "big budget" candy buffets for your visual inspiration...

I like that the tablecloth matches the candy color...

(There are a few pink ones in the below pics)

Isn't the mushroom
so cute?! (That'd be more
"woodland fairy" theme...)

This is a nice monochromatic candy bar...

I like how they use sugar as "sand" to put the lollipops in...

Like the way the light catches clear glass...

the ribbon is a nice pop of color.

Different glass display containers...

I like the multi-shaded colors of jelly beans. Very cute!

Another packaging idea is brown paper bags

with ribbon (like the above).