Decorations

August 16th - My mom and I finalized the design for our at-home reception centerpieces. We're going to do be putting them together ourselves, so we spent a few hours finding a place to buy the pieces and getting great ideas on how to put them together. Tim and I decided we liked the "curly branch look" and thought it would fit great with not only our Nightmare Before Christmas theme but will have a nice winter touch that will be great two days after Christmas. Plus, Sig (the club's banquet manager) said we could have the option of using some of their holiday decorations (like the elegant white lit Christmas tree in the lobby) - at the time, I said we could leave them - I think they will give a great holiday touch (which excellently ALSO falls into the Nightmare Before Christmas feel). Sig promised they were very tasteful and when we went for a tasting party they had for newlywed hopefuls they had them set up (it was around the holidays last year).

Anyway, here are some of the examples of
branches we will be using:

The primary component will be
curly willow branches

Cane Cones and Cane Circles

And Cedar Roses to either decorate on branches or cover the base (covering the plaster). We're going to give it more thought once the branches come in, but these were way too cool to pass up!

At 12:30am my mom came up with a fantastic idea (we were struggling on what to use for the base) to use sliced wood like in one of my inspiration pictures (see below). She thinks we can drill a center out and use this website to put together a solid base support with plaster. We found that on this great website that has a lot of DIY manzanita branch projects.

Oh plus, Laura awesomely pointed out an ebay auction that as soon as I saw I knew we had to have. I won this:

------OLDER POSTS - HOW WE GOT THERE------

My mom and I just started talking at-home reception decor. Tim and I wanted to keep in the spirit of Disney, so we originally were talking a disney couples theme... I bought a whole bunch of pvc disney toys and we were going to think of centerpieces later -- well, it's later and that stuff just will NOT work. lol.

So, back to the drawing board, my mom found these centerpieces...and suggested a project. :)

This first one was her first idea - I like it. We'd put together a flower arrangement on top and then figure out what to do with some sweet purple tea lights...

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Here are some other ideas -- please feel free to comment on your favorite!

Maybe these with the pumpkin carving of the disney couple -- or maybe the couple painted on the pumpkins. I know our reception is in December, but I thought maybe since the wedding was in October, it might be a nice little tribute -- especially with the light Nightmare before Christmas theme... maybe pumpkins with frosted pinecones?

These are kind of neat too:

This is my favorite at the moment (thanks Carol!): It's got a great Nightmare Before Christmas feel with a christmasy look as well. I also like the idea of branches -- like maybe curly willow branches or something...



My friend Toni found this great website called blooms and branches, and I like some of their ideas too.