Wedding Ideas - A Personal Example

Having two sons and only one daughter, I figured that once my daughter was married, there would not be another chance to create ideas for another wedding.  In October of 2006, my oldest son was married.  My very lovely daughter-in-law asked me for help in planning several things for their wedding.  So for this post, of sharing ideas for weddings, I chose to show actual projects that I designed and helped with, to create the atmosphere that the couple wanted for their special day.

Long before they met, both Kevin & Ali have vacationed in Door County, Wisconsin with other friends.  Though after meeting, the avid campers they are, they had camped out at the State Park on this very famous peninsula.  It was easy to see why this was their choice for the location of their wedding.

They had no desire to have the traditional white engraved invitations, so I worked up several styles for them before making a final choice.  Taking into consideration the time of the year, the location, the color of dresses and the couples passion for camping and the outdoors, all the elements fell into place.

The invites were made using a duo-tone paper similar in color to the bridesmaid dresses.  A white mailing envelope with muted, colored specs along with matching card stock and reply size envelope, completed all the invitations.  All printing was done by me and my Mac.  Printing was done using a dark green color ink for all the invitation correspondence.

I colored a natural piece of card stock with inks and Perfect Pearls to replicate the coloring of fall leaves.  A leaf shape was punched and attached with a small paper brad for a closure.  A beautiful crinkled ribbon, from May Arts in a matching color, completed the wrapped closure.

A leaf image was stamped onto the inside of each tri-folded invite, using three colors of ink.  The actual wording for the invitation was printed onto vellum so the stamped leaves would show through.  A silk, leaf shaped ribbon from May Arts, secured the vellum sheet to the card stock.  The front edges were cut with deckle patterned decorative scissors.

Programs to be handed out for the ceremony at church, were printed on a green cardstock with a colored ink to match the ribbon accent.  A corner punch was used to add interest to the program.

The setting for the reception was on a golf course that was surrounded by trees that had already turned every imaginable hue of russets, gold, reds and yellows.  Seasonal and color theme was continued for the reception and the table decorations.  Squares of fringed, natural burlap were placed at the center of the tables.  Pots of fall mums were wrapped with twisted lengths of white tulle.  A collection of gourds, mini pumpkins, apples and amber candle holders were placed around the flowers.

A twist on table numbers was devised for the seating arrangement of the guests.  As mentioned earlier, Kevin & Ali are into the "outdoors".  Between them, they have visited almost every U.S. National Park around the country, either together or on their own with family or friends.  For each table, a oversized postcard was created with a photo of a National Park.  On the backside, a message was printed about the park and when it was visited and by who.

These large leaves were die-cut in coordinating colors for the dinner selection of each guest. 

So I hope you enjoy seeing these ideas.  No longer is summer the only season for weddings and though my ideas specifically were designed to incorporate the fall, any of these can be changed to fit another season or color palette or setting.  Traditional and formal ideas can make for a spectacular wedding but I like how little "out of the box" ideas can make it so much more personal and enjoyable for all.
(NOTE: Instead of a small favor for the wedding guests, Kevin & Ali chose to tell the guests that they made a donation to the National Parks Service and a environmental organization.)