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Ideas For Planning A Garden Wedding

A garden-themed wedding can be the perfect option for brides who are planning to have their reception and ceremony in the spring or the early summer. This is a time when the flowers are in full bloom, when butterflies, bunnies, and all sorts of animals come out into the world again, and when the weather is lovely and the sun shines down. Whether you are choosing to have your wedding actually outside in a garden atmosphere or you are trying to create a garden feel inside, there are numerous options to make it a truly memorable occasion.

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Rustic Woodland Garden Party Decor

This garden party was a pre-party to the wedding celebration. The couple is very organic, outdoorsy, and environmentally friendly and they wanted the event to reflect that.

The groom’s parents have a huge rolling lawn that backs up onto a private lake, which was the perfect backdrop to this evening. The color palette was green, khaki and ivory which are very earthy tones, and they were used in the vignettes of coffee tables, sofas, and wooden elements. Amazing appetizers from Tres LA were passed around during the cocktail hour, and the groom is a big cigar fan so we created a separate cigar and cognac lounge that guests could hang out in towards the end of the night.

There were food stations in hand-made cabanas draped with moss and burlap and the lighting was perfect with big globes hanging from the trees. The flowers were mostly succulents placed in various pieces of drift wood and birch, and the gift giveaways were pine tree saplings wrapped in burlap that could be taken home and planted in each guest’s garden.

Source: Junebugweddings.com, Floral design and decor by Exquisite Events, Images by John Solano Photography

Butterfly Appliques add Chic Touch to Garden Weddings

Hi there. This is Jacqueline Weppner from Merci New York, a Manhattan-based blog and bridal styling service that provides “chic and stylish inspiration to the busy city bride.” I’m thrilled for the opportunity to guest blog on StrictlyWeddings.com.

Part of my job as a stylist is to bring insider experience from the fashion industry directly to my brides. Often such inspiration comes from a recent showroom appointment, trunk show, or even people watching along the streets of Manhattan… but with all the fabulous fashion shows that have graced the worldwide stage these past few months, my mind has recently been on the runway.

While runway style is often extremely editorial, Valentino’s Fall 2010 RTW at Paris Fashion Week has some darling details that transcend perfectly into bridal. My absolute favorite were these gorgeous butterfly appliques… Either softly woven or ornately bejeweled, I adore their delicate perch on the collarbone or hip… They add a decidedly chic, of-the-moment touch to any garden-inspired wedding. Enjoy!

Fashionista fun fact: The Valentino butterflies are said to be inspired by the early works of Damien Hirst. In his controversial first exhibit, “In and Out of Love,” Hirst filled the Woodstock Street Gallery with hundreds of live tropical butterflies. As visitors admired the art, some butterflies even hatched from the monochrome canvases that hung on the walls.

For more information on Merci New York and Jacqueline’s services, please visit www.mercinewyork.blogspot.com.

Photos via ImaxTree