How do I decorate?

prettypixelz · May 2016

I'm going for a rustic/vintage feel for my wedding, and it took me forever to choose colors because my fiancee was against "putting his hillbilly dad in girly colors" (his words, not mine, lol). I'm not "Southern" myself, unless you count "Southern California", and I was really liking bright spring and summer colors, but I had to agree that his dad wearing a coral-colored tie would be a strange sight, and the brighter colors didn't match my theme or my venue well anyway...

So finally I chose these really beautiful dusty pink and purple hues for my girls to wear. I figured I could put the dudes in jeans, a button-up shirt, and brown vests or suspenders. Then they could wear their cowboy hats and boots and it would blend in just fine and everybody would be happy. But now...I'm wondering how to translate these colors to my reception space.

My venue is made to look like an old barn, and offers ivory table linens free of charge, which is just perfect, and the flowers will be ivory and more of those dusty colors from before, but...then what? When I think of my theme from the "men's side" I picture burlap, denim, wood, mason jars, lanterns, watering cans, step ladders, and general foresty-gardening-nonsense...But from the "women's side" I picture pearls, silver, gold, teacups, bird cages, books, trunks and just old delicate things.

How do I mix the two so it doesn't look like the space has an identity crisis? What do I do for my centerpieces? How do I fill out the tables? Any random decoration ideas are appreciated!

(PS. This is a picture of my little inspiration board. The picture at the bottom is my reception space.)

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020756/uploads/editor/s8/ynt2w7fu0qma.png

CMGragain · May 2016

1. Are you wearing a formal floor length bridal gown? Are your ladies wearing cocktail style dresses? That will look odd with the jeans and suspenders or vests.
My personal preference is for traditional clothing for men - khaki's (which most guys already have) and a navy blazer worn with a button down shirt and tie. This is standard dress for informal weddings. Blazers are easily available at places like Kohl's or Penney's at reasonable prices.

http://www.jcpenney.com/stafford-travel-box-weave-sport-coat-classic-fit/prod.jump?ppId=pp5006840146&catId=cat100250022&deptId=dept20000014&N=1002280003&_dyncharset=UTF-8&colorizedImg=DP0303201617070971M.TIF

2. It is rude for men to wear their hats indoors when ladies are present. Old time cowboys knew this. Hats were for outdoors, and no man would dream of wearing jeans at a wedding. They had their "Sunday - go to meetin' clothes" for that.

3. Your FFIL can wear anything he wants. He is not a member of your wedding party. You do not tell him what color tie to wear. What does your FI want to wear? You only mention what you want.

4.There is no need for elaborate decorations. Flowers on the table are enough, Nobody cares about your centerpieces except you. You have a lovely space for your wedding. Linens included? Super!

5. Mason jars and burlap have been overdone to death. Here on the Knot posters often laugh about burlap and lace barf. I would simply decorate the space as you would for any wedding and forget the rustic. The flowers sound lovely.

6. Theme? Why? It's a wedding, not a prom.

prettypixelz · May 2016

My dress is a ballgown, and the girls will be in floor-length dresses. The only reason I mentioned my FFIL is because he'll most likely be Best Man (since my fiancee is very close to his father). My fiancee is old-fashioned and easy to please. As long as he's in a black tux, he doesn't care about the rest. I can agree that mason jars and burlap and lace might be way too overdone. And use the term "theme" loosely. :P

CMGragain · May 2016

If your groom wears a tuxedo, then all his groomsman should also wear tuxedos. I think having his Dad as Best Man is a lovely idea. I would forget about those matching vests and ties, and just have them wear standard, conservative black tie.

AddieCake · May 2016

If your groom is in a tuxedo and the other men are in jeans, brown vests, and suspenders, that's going to look like the identity crisis you're worried your reception space will have.

missfrodo · May 2016

With your beautiful venue, there's no need to go all-out on your tables, and you definitely do not need to decorate the rest of the area (unless you want flowers by the fireplace or something). If you want flowers, I think the ones on your inspiration board would make lovely centerpieces. If you want a little something extra to go along with them, I'd add a few votive candles around them.
I agree with PPs that if your groom wants a tux, the GMs will look very strange standing next to him in jeans and cowboy boots. Since you, your groom, and your BMs will be dressed more formally, I suggest a more formal look for the men as well. If your ladies are in pink and purple, I think your men could totally get away with blue or brown ties and/or vests, if they're going to be wearing them.

thisismynickname2 · May 2016

If someone is going for a look that incorporates vintage, I think you have to dress up the men more. Let's be honest- men dressed more formally in the olden days. Your venue doesn't look like the kind of place where cowboy boots and hats are appropriate anyway.
I love the color palette. Why not put your flowers in vintage watering cans and vintage bird cages and vintage vases? Mix it up a bit from table to table, but chose one thing per table so there isn't clutter.
Assuming you have additional tables for gifts, escort cards, favors or whatnot, you could put vintage lanterns on those.

I think there are really pretty items you can use to decorate and achieve a rustic and vintage look, just don't clutter them all together.

How do I decorate?

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