Monthly Archives: May 2009

Market California state parks as wedding venues, don’t close them

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I’ve been reading with dismay about the imminent closure of more than 200 state parks and beaches in California because of our budget crisis. Below is a picture of Cabrillo State Beach, which is on the list.

The move may result in savings as much as $70 million, according to an LA Times blog post. I keep wondering where all that federal stimulus money went. Anyway, California is rich in beautiful parks and beaches, and to shut them down seems like a sinful waste. Here’s an idea — why don’t we keep them open and maybe work a little harder to promote them to the people and, oh, how about marketing them as wedding venues?

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Get fruity with your centerpieces

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Reception centerpieces are so much more complicated now. Back in the day, you had one vase. Then there was topiaries. Then came the multi-level centerpieces, then the candles, then the mirrors, then the combination of vases. Now you have to worry about being green too! And try to keep your costs and maybe do it yourself! to boot. Well, here’s an idea that may combine at least a few of those last ideas.

Flickr photo by valdea

Put some fruits in your arrangements. My mom loved putting fruit in her arrangements — it really gave a flair of creativity. This arrangement is maybe not one she would like, but its a good example. One of the reasons why arrangments get expensive is trying to fill out with flowers. For example, those roses are kind of small, so the apples and lemons help fill it out nicely.

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Have a candy bar at your wedding, not an open bar

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One of the more expensive aspects of a wedding reception can be whether you decide shell out for an open bar. For some couples, this is a must have. For others, alcohol is not important at all — and this includes my husband and I. However, I have an idea for you — how about drowning your wedding guests in sugar, instead of alcohol?

I took this photo at a bridal show last year. This used to be the only way you’d see candy at a wedding reception — in small, bite-sized servings as a fancy giveaway. No, no, no. I’m talking about major servings of chocolate and candy. And really — who doesn’t love candy?

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DIY’ers in need of help

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I’ve had a slew of comments and emails recently asking all sorts of questions and advice. Whew! It really does go against my instincts to basically give away secrets for nothing, but I figure, I’m feeling magnanimous. What the heck!

Joy from North Carolina recently wrote me:

I am interested in getting into wedding decorating. While doing research on the internet I came across your wedding decorator blog site.

I was hoping that you would be willing to provide tips and/or techniques you have learned. My biggest fear as it relates to wedding decorating is TABLE DRAPING. No matter how much I practice, I never seem to get it just right. Do you have any tips on this? Which is better to use: safety pins, corsage pins…something completely different…

I will be highly appreciative and most grateful for any and all information you are willing to share with a newbie.

Thank you so much!

P.S. Your blog site is GREAT!

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Balloons instead of flowers for your wedding reception

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Weddings probably seem like a constant business — after all, people are always getting married — but those close to it know better. Every year, there is always downtime — usually Christmas until February. And the recession isn’t helping matters either — spending on wedding reception flowers is down to an average of $369 in 2009 from $385 in 2008, according to the Wedding Report.

Flickr photo by onedeuxthree

But unlike the wedding industry, which I’m sure is going to try and figure out ways to make brides come back to vendors, I’m going to suggest another way to save money on decorating your reception. How about balloons?

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Decorate a gazebo for your wedding

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Springtime always makes me think of outdoor weddings and ceremonies. I don’t know about the rest of the country, but except for last Saturday, the weather in Southern California has been absolutely gorgeous and temperate. So if you’re taking advantage of a picturesque gazebo, like this one at Almansor Court in Alhambra, you should definitely take heed of a few tips I have to offer for decorating it.

Tip #1: Use a really bright color. Most gazebos are painted white (although there is the odd brown one), so just about any color will pop against a gazebo.  Of course, I’m very partial to fabric as decoration, and on a gazebo its especially nice, because then things are all floaty and blow a little bit in the wind. Don’t give too much loop to the fabric, though, or it could catch something.

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