Have a Garden Theme Dream Wedding

You've found the perfect venue: old oaks, a stone wall, a gazebo, acres of fragrant jasmine and honeysuckle, and even a small, clear pond. Now it's time to take the garden wedding of your dreams a little further. Let's start with invitations.

Let's start with the invitations.

Garden Theme Invitations

The right invitation says "old world" and "hand made." Artistic? Hand-paint a flower design, scan it in to your computer and fade it into the background of your invitations. Or collect and press wildflowers and violets to include.

Accent your invitations with small brass buttons or charms. Seal the envelope with sealing wax and a seal that ties into your wedding: a seashell, a flower, a swan.

Raised lettering on your vellum overlays makes for a beautiful antique look. And no, you don't have to purchase invitations to achieve it. You can do it yourself with a printer (ideally a laser printer), embossing powder and a heat gun (or hair dryer). learn more about this technique.

Garden Theme Decorations

Look for cozy round tables, and set a large outdoor umbrella over each one. Use several layers of linens; the bottom one a solid color (not necessarily ivory or white), and the top, a coordinating print reminiscent of chintz or calico.

Use unbleached muslin and tulle to set the stage, and avoid bridal white. Choose peach, sand and mushroom tones instead ? anything that complements the sepia photographs of your forebears you'll want to set on the tables. Use tea to safely dye anything you have on hand that's just too white.

For mood lighting, you'll want pillar candles, but not the ordinary sort ? the kind that's trimmed with small lampshades. Decorate the shades to suit the mood, with silk fringes and braids.

Comb thrift stores for colorful floral china (we routinely find full services there for cheap). Stack a larger, contrasting plate under a smaller. Use the most vivacious color combinations you can get away with.

Garden Theme Centerpieces

For a simple, one-minute centerpiece, gather a handful of old-fashioned spiral lollipops. Arrange loosely in mason jars.

To get a rise out of your guests, make or buy breadsticks redolent of thyme or rosemary, and display on end in a pitcher or galvanized bucket.

You'll be in good "chair" when you make these adorable centerpieces: use wrought-iron doll-sized chairs from garden stores. Lay moss or wheat grass on the seat, and twine ivy or flower garlands through the back and arms.

Great Garden Theme Eats

Concentrate on light, portable finger foods. We suggest:

Cherry, peach or lavender lemonade
Chai tea
A light, sweet wine, like Gewurstraminer

Prosciutto and melons
Deviled eggs with sundries tomatoes
Stuffed mushrooms with feta, spinach and bacon

Prosciutto/tomato panini
Curry cucumber sandwiches
Gazpacho

Strawberry cream puffs
Mini cheesecakes

Express the Inexpressible

For music at your garden wedding, almost anything goes ? as long as it's live. Call your local college for some inexpensive combos. Harps and violins or flutes and guitars ? it hardly matters, as long as your musicians can breathe and eat lunch.

About the Author

Blake Kritzberg is owner and proprieter of FavorIdeas.com. Stop by learn more about this technique. for a huge selection of learn more about this technique., Bridezilla's weekly adventures, and free resources for brides: save-the-date eCards, screensaver, wallpaper and web site templates.

For much more on planning your garden theme wedding, see: learn more about this technique.

scheduled cleaning services Northbrook ..
In The News:

Apple releases emergency patches for two zero-day vulnerabilities actively exploited in attacks. iPhone and iPad users urged to update immediately.
DoorDash launches Zesty, an AI-powered social app that recommends restaurants through conversational search, now testing in San Francisco and New York.
Cybersecurity firm Infoblox reveals that over 90 percent of parked domains now redirect visitors to scams and malware, making simple typos extremely dangerous.
The Fox News AI Newsletter covers the latest artificial intelligence technology advancements, including the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
GPT-5.2 is now live for all ChatGPT users with improved coding, writing and image interpretation, with Kurt Knutsson offering his review.
New iPhone replacement scam uses pressure tactics and fake carrier calls to steal devices from buyers. Criminals claim shipping errors and demand urgent returns.
Amazon Ring's new facial recognition feature sparks privacy controversy as Electronic Frontier Foundation critics argue the AI upgrade expands surveillance risks.
New Android banking trojan Sturnus steals credentials, reads encrypted messages and controls devices.
Denmark's 3D-printed student village proves automation builds 36 apartments faster than traditional methods. Skovsporet project shows housing future.
Discover Android's new Sound Notifications feature that alerts you to smoke alarms, doorbells, and baby cries even when wearing headphones.
New SantaStealer malware reportedly threatens holiday shoppers with password theft. This Christmas-themed info-stealer targets browsers and crypto wallets.
The Christmas season brings a surge in Netflix phishing scams targeting shoppers with fake emails. Stacey P received convincing scam but verified account first.
San Francisco Giants invite Jamie Grohsong to throw ceremonial first pitch at Oracle Park after he learned to play baseball with a bionic hand following an injury.
FBI warns cybercriminals are stealing family photos from social media to create fake proof of life images in virtual kidnapping scams targeting victims.
Instagram's new 'Your Algorithm' tool lets you control your Reels feed in real time. The app now gives you power to customize what videos you see.
Major Marquis fintech breach exposes 400,000-plus Americans' data through unpatched SonicWall vulnerability, with Texas hardest hit at 354,000 affected.
Free up iPhone storage fast by clearing large photos and videos from Messages app. Simple steps for iOS users to delete attachments without losing chats.
Scammers are flooding inboxes with fake tracking alerts that mimic real carriers, exploiting the holiday rush to steal logins and personal data.
The Fox News AI Newsletter brings you the latest news on AI technology advancements and the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Texas family reunites with missing 11-year-old cat Grayson after 103 days using Petco Love Lost's AI photo matching technology and community help.
Tired of AI customer service loops? These insider tricks help you escape "frustration AI" and get real human help when you need it most for urgent issues.
Unlock richer audio from your streaming apps with simple tweaks to volume normalization, equalizer settings, and quality preferences for cleaner sound.
Scammers are sending fake Facebook settlement payout emails that mimic legitimate notices from the privacy settlement administrator to deceive users.
Holiday shopping scams surge as fake refund emails target distracted consumers during Black Friday and holiday seasons, costing Americans billions annually.
The AI-powered IRMO M1 exoskeleton features four modes, including turbo, eco, training and rest for hiking, running, cycling and sports with eight-hour battery life.

Wedding Web Site Design - How to Design a Wedding Site That Others Will Rave About

If you are in the process of design a wedding... Read More

Expressions of Devotion: Buying Engagement Rings, Wedding Rings, and Wedding Bands Online

Ritual symbolism abounds in everything we do; this is particularly... Read More

How to Have a Sizzler of a Honeymoon! Article No.5

Every woman in the room agreed that Crichton was a... Read More

Florida Beach Weddings

There is nothing more romantic than a wedding by water... Read More

Marital Fulfillment: Tips for Intercultural Couples

Through my personal & professional coaching practice, marital issues often... Read More

Wonderful White Gold Wedding Rings

The elegant and sophisticated look of glittering, gleaming gold. There's... Read More

What You Should Know About Buying Engagement Rings Online

Buying engagement rings online doesn't have to be confusing or... Read More

10 Ideas for Perfect Wedding Gifts

Wedding ceremonies are the stuff fairy tales are made of.... Read More

Organising your Wedding Stationery

Of all the things you need to do, buy and... Read More

Wedding Colors

Is it to be a summer wedding or winter wedding?... Read More

Save Money on Your Wedding Dress

Your wedding is quite possibly the most important day of... Read More

Planning Your Wedding - How To Get Organized

You have purchased the latest bridal magazines from your local... Read More

Wedding Reception; From Trendy to Traditional

Wedding receptions are not as formal as they once were,... Read More

Get a Prenuptial Agreement before Your Next Marriage

While signing a prenuptial agreement can be one of the... Read More

Throwing a Las Vegas Garden Wedding

You may not think of Las Vegas as an area... Read More

3 Steps to Marrying the Right Person

Marrying for love, financial security and/or companionship does not guarantee... Read More

How to Choose Your Wedding Shoes

Wedding day is known as the most unforgettable day in... Read More

Wedding Planning: Tips for Choosing Online Wedding Vendors

If you're looking to the internet for help with your... Read More

Searching For An Affordable Mother Of The Bride Dress

It is absolutely possible to find a beautiful and affordable... Read More

Focus On What Is Important ? Your Wedding Disc Jockey Choice

Your true love got down on his knees and asked... Read More

Building Your Marriage: Some Thoughts From St. Paul

These verses of Scripture from St. Paul are commonly used... Read More

Current Trends in Wedding Photography

Wedding photography is an evolving field that requires artistic talent,... Read More

Indian Astrology and Marriages

Astrology is considered to be the oldest of all sciences,... Read More

Wedding Flowers -- Determining What You Need

Wedding flowers make up a large part of the wedding... Read More

To Choose a Wedding Planner or Not to Choose a Wedding Planner

When I was the owner of a major wedding facility,... Read More

efficient cleaning crew Highland Park ..