Enchanted Forest Wedding

There is something mesmerizing about the innate beauty of nature. If you are a bride who is energized by every breath of fresh air and loves the warm feel of sunshine reflecting softly off your skin, I have an idea for you. Have your wedding in a beautiful clearing in the midst of an enchanting forest with trees lightly scattered about. This lush scenery provides you with vibrant greens and yellows with fresh inspiration at every angle. The sunlight hugging each tree will give you lighting you could never dream of having in the tight constraints of a typical venue.
The ceremony would be centered in front of the glowing sunset with guests seated on simple white chairs. Create an isle with lose ribbons, rose petals, or even leaving the ground alone when the beautiful autumn leaves have carpeted your surroundings. After the ceremony, when the sun has set your celebration can commence. Have beautiful lighting by traditional or paper lanterns and floral arrangements hanging from the trees. Why not make a small chandelier of orchids floating above the sweetheart table like the one to the left designed by Le Vie en Rose. Take my acorn escort card idea for the fall to guide your guests to their seats. If it is spring or summer and there are no acorns available, use a succulent as an alternative. The chavari chairs should be covered in an extremely sheer white chair cover (like the picture on the right) to soften the over all look. On the tables a natural colored linen can hug the table while bright colors are used elsewhere. Use vibrant colors on the napkins, ribbons, table numbers and floral arrangements. Rich greens, ambers, and browns will always create a more organic feel. If you want something more chic go for a bright accent color like red, amethyst, or teal. The ideas for a forest themed wedding are endless!

Make your wedding as organic and real as the relationship you share with the person you marry. Enjoy the first day of a new journey.

Picture by Morgan Lynn

Always Inspired,

Vanessa Sinatora
Associate Planner

Fun Reception Ideas....Series #1

In my experience, the best approach to any reception is to ensure the guests are fully engaged throughout the entire evening. To accomplish this, when planning any reception, I like to focus on something entertaining to happen every 30 minutes. This will ensure the guests have a little time to eat and mingle, but are being engaged. I like to mix the evening up a bit such as, have the Father of the Bride open the reception by introducing his daughter and new son-in-law and have them start their first dance. In between courses, have the guests get up and dance a few songs, bring in a special performer or have the Maid of Honor and Best Man give a toast. The last thing any Bride wants is for her guests to walk away from the reception remembering how boring it was or worst, for the guests to leave early.

Over the next few days, I will share with you some options for keeping your reception engaging, memorable and moving.

Idea #1

One of my favorite venues in Houston is the Houston Aquarium. This is a venue that is alive with sensory experiences as it is a joyous place for kids and adults alike. From the colorful fish to carnival rides and amazing views of downtown Houston. One of the most fun and unique ideas about hosting a wedding reception at the Aquarium for a couple’s guests would be the carnival rides they could take part in. As a favor to the guest, the Bride and Groom could place ride tickets inside of each of the guest’s seating card. This would allow them something fun and spontaneous to do during the cocktail hour and possibly when dancing started.

At this particular venue, the ballroom has floor to ceiling windows and a wrap-around balcony which overlooks the carnival rides. To enhance the guests' experience, it would be ideal to have the photographer bring a third shooter to take pictures of the guests as they are enjoying the rides. Once the guests are back upstairs in the ballroom, the photographer can upload the pictures to a slide show for guests to view throughout the evening.

During dinner, the Bride and Groom may want to find a way to entertain their "younger" guests by hiring a clown to make balloon animals. This could be a station set up in the corner of the room or even in the foyer (this can be useful as children have a tendency to get restless during meals).

As a last detail, the couple may serve fresh cotton candy as a mid-reception sweet or have decorative bags available for guests to take home with them.

The amount of details that can be Incorporated is endless based on the couple's taste.

(Photo Credit: Clint Shuttlesworth)