Monday, February 8, 2010

An Interior Designer's Outdoor Wedding

I know that the average person would have very high expectations for a designer's wedding. They would expect that every detail would be meticulously planned and all of the decor, food and favors would be exquisite and unique. However, this designer has been so busy with her clients and business ventures, that her wedding reception is now only three months away and nothing other than the location and photographer, have been attended to!
When Eric and I became engaged last spring and began discussing our wedding, I told him that I had always wanted a fall, outdoor wedding. I grew up on a farm and my family ran a horseback riding stable for the Bedford Springs Resort in PA. I love country living and knew that my dream wedding would be in a sweet little country setting. Well it just so happens that Eric's parents own a beautiful, 300 acre mountain lodge that could host the most beautiful of weddings and we were both certain that we wanted to exchange vows there. However, there was one problem. The lodge was used for about 2 months each fall for the hunters in the family. We knew we wanted to get my boys settled into their new school that fall and couldn't put the wedding off until the following spring and be "living in sin" for all those months in between! So we decided to exchange vows in October, in our own home and have a small ceremony and reception including our brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and our best of friends- at the lodge in the spring. A bit unconventional, but it worked for our purposes. We were able to get the boys established in their new schools and be legitimately married in the fall. Now that spring is nearing, I find myself overwhelmed with family and work and with a big lack of time for the planning! I spent a bit of time yesterday trying to gather ideas and came up with a few, however I would absolutely love your input on these ideas and any suggestions otherwise!
 
This is Breeze Mountain Lodge- owned by Eric's parents

There is a pond just below the house, but after the water disaster I showed you in my last post, I think I'll be steering clear of the pond! This is actually much prettier in the spring and summer with the trees in full bloom!





 
Isn't this little sign cute? Coutesy of Country Living


Courtesy of Style Me Pretty  


I know I want a sweet little arch...must be made of wood and be very organic. Nothing overdone!


Needs a little greenery on the arch, but the shape and material is a good start! Hoping my wedding morning isn't foggy like this...and definitely not raining. We would have to cram 50 people inside the lodge in that case!


Isn't this sweet for the seating? Although our vows will be very short so we might have folks stand around us for the five minutes that might involve.


Simple elegance


Isn't this sweet? I'd be afraid my guest might not like the straw bale seating, but I love the table settings. What are your thoughts on the straw bales? 


I kind of like the idea of a picnic theme, but maybe with pretty green linens that dress it up a bit.
It will be difficult to get a caterer to come out to the location, so we might be making the food ourselves. Picnic style might be perfect. What do you think?


Oh! I love this table setting...and look at those pretty pies! Style Me Pretty 


I would love to serve pretty little cupcakes like these! 


Lemonade and tea served in old fashioned style! Country Living  

 
A simple bouquet- Country Living 


Green Wedding has these sweet favors! I love the idea of a green wedding!

 
Potted herbs would be a nice favor. Or even this sweet little decoupaged box with some soaps or mints inside. Courtesy of Country Living

Please, please, please! Share your thoughts on these ideas- be honest! And send some additional ideas my way. I have three months to go, two businesses to run, four kids and we're still building our house. I can use all of the help that I can get! I'm a pretty laid back, country girl at heart and can roll with the punches and laugh at myself...so I'm open to all ideas. I just want this reception to be a relaxed, pretty and romantic way for our families and friends to celebrate our love and get to know one another better. The simpler, the better!
What have you got?

7 comments:

Farmgirl Paints said...

Love it all! Especially the old truck with the picnic in the truck bed! Oh how I dream of having me an old pick up someday. Great images:)

Melissa Miller said...

~WOW! Sherri the wedding is simply stunning! Love the arched gazebo and the beautiful tables. Everything is so pretty and detailed.

I hope all is going well with you sweet friend. *Smiles*

~Blessings to you. ~Melissa :)

FrenchGardenHouse said...

I love the whole idea. It's going to be beautiful, no matter what you do! There are so many great blogs with wedding ideas, this is one of my favorites:
http://heavenlybloomsflorist.blogspot.com/

and my personal fav wedding ever:

http://littlefrenchgardenhouse.blogspot.com/2009/08/parisian-wedding-bliss.html

good luck!! xo Lidy

The Stylish House said...

Sherri,
I adore the arbor, and actually wouldn't mind fog. It feels romantic and dreamy! I have a friend getting married this summer in the woods, and we are brainstorming for similar ideas. I lean towards chairs rather then straw, because it might be a bit pokey. Perhaps you can use the straw in a different way instead. The fact you are getting married in such a beautiful setting will carry you far. Whatever you do just do well, like a beautiful bride’s bouquet and good food. I’m so happy for you and wish you a lifetime of love and happiness!
Cathy

Aurora said...

Thank you so much for the pingback to my own blog! :)

I just wanted to say that I love the idea's and the brainstorming that you are doing for your own wedding!

The cup cake idea worked out perfectly for us! Everyone got one, it was easy for them to carry around and mingle with (or leave with) and the kids loved it! Plus, Bear and I had the Bride and Groom cake at the top that we could cut into. It was so simple and inexpensive! And I was able to do two different flavors and colors!

My suggestion on the seating would be careful on the hay bales, they look great but unless you have some padding between them and the cover it can be "ouch" time for anyone in lighter clothing. Also, hard for the older guests to sit on for any length of time. Maybe use bales of hay covered in your cloth choice and ribbon as decor? Or since you said it was such a quick wedding service, use those for quick seating during your ceremony. :)

Good luck and I'll keep checking back to see your progress! Love the horse pic btw! ;)

Clipclop said...

I love love love the straw seats. How did you make the cushions?

sowandsow said...

I was searching for images on straw bale seats to show someone who just didn't get the concept. We're in England and planning a country fete style reception and I thought they'd be perfect for a chill out area. Have been somewhere they've been used before and they are really comfy if they are closely tied bales (hay bales are softer but more expensive) and so I was thinking of putting pretty vintage rugs and eiderdowns over them to cushion a bit and add some colour. Anyhow, not sure if that helps but think your ideas are lovely, just wish we could depend on the weather over here! Good luck x

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