1. Rather than using expensive cut flowers, use candles and intersperse a few fully blown blooms in between.2. Consider incorporating fresh fruit and vegetables into your arrangements.
3. Use smaller tables to seat your guests. I like to have 8-10 guests at a 54″ round, and 10-12 guests at a 60″ round. Avoid tables larger than 60″ rounds; it’s difficult to make conversation and you’ll spend a fortune on your centerpieces just to fill the empty space in the middle of your table.
4. Serve dinner family style so food becomes the centerpiece. A platter of grilled chicken, a plate of crispy potatoes and small bowls of fresh green beans placed on the center of your table will look visually appealing and inviting.
4. Serve dinner family style so food becomes the centerpiece. A platter of grilled chicken, a plate of crispy potatoes and small bowls of fresh green beans placed on the center of your table will look visually appealing and inviting.
5. Select inexpensive materials and use them in mass. Bunches of carnations, Baby’s Breath, Gerber Daisies or even Spider Mums will look rich and lush. The key is to keep them on their own and not mix them with other materials. No filler and no greens.
6. For a country look, instead of buying vases or renting them from your florist, use coffee pot creamers and sugar holders found at your local flea market. When stuffed with herbs and a few blooms, you’ll achieve a stunning country look without spending a fortune.
7. Use pots of planted flowers and herbs instead of costly arranged flowers.
8. Stay away from vases with large openings. Instead, select small vases that can be packed tightly with a few blossoms. Have a few on each table interspersed with candles to provide a rich look without the cost.
9. Instead of renting containers from your florist, use fabric remnants to cover inexpensive cardboard boxes.
10. Use floating candles in vases that have been filled with colored water. Select vases of different heights and size to achieve a dramatic look.
(images via Colin Cowie)
"chloe & reese, the ready-to-wear collection, today launched Ardour, an exclusive new bridal-inspired collection under the popular brand. The Ardour Collection was created for brides and bridal parties, in response to their request for modern and sophisticated party dresses that offer versatility in dressing for any wedding occasion. The thousands of customized dress selections can take the bride or her attendants from the engagement party or rehearsal dinner to the wedding.The Ardour Collection features a range of party frocks, full-length dresses and high-waisted skirts. With a variety of stylish and chic silhouettes; from a flirty one-shoulder silk faille party frock, to elegant floor-length taffeta gowns, sweet silk dresses trimmed in feminine ruffles, to classic strapless sheaths, Ardour’s customization will offer something special for every bride, and every budget. Produced in New York City’s Garment District, Ardour is available through the company’s Manhattan showroom at 888.317.1695." -- chole & reese press release
Stop in from 12 to 3 pm to have a sample and meet Rhienn! We know you will love the LOOK of these cupcakes.
Groomsmen 
Last Friday, I dropped by Bear Creek Golf and Country Club in Woodinville, WA to say hello to the staff. We are their preferred Planner/Wedding Coordinators and I live right up the street from them, so its always nice to swing by and say hello to everyone. 
The deck connects to the main ballroom which has a built-in dance floor too. I stopped by while they were setting up for a luncheon inside. 
If you are having your ceremony out on the lawn, this is a great space because the lawn is pretty big, right next to the water, and they have a very nice tent to go with it (usually the supports are covered in nice white drapes). 
Above is about half of the room, empty. You can see how it can really transform to anything you want it to be. Tables, chairs, decor, drapes, and lighting can all be set-up however you want.
This is the main room you walk into from the front entrance. The bar in the middle is for wine tastings and you can sit and enjoy the wine you buy at the tables. They can also clear off the tables and install a dance floor in this area, which is right outside of the indoor event area below.
This is the indoor event space. You can hang anything you like from the ceiling beams, so it makes for great atmosphere. This room seats 100 people in rounds and the kitchen is on the far back wall.
They have 3 of the huge barrel rooms side-by-side. The can transform the space for events with carpeting, soft furniture, tables, lighting and music.
This is an amazing room, located downstairs. The table is one HUGE piece of wood (I imagine it cost a fortune!) Along the baseboards, on the perimeter, are LED lights that can be changed to any color you like. It looks amazing with the blue, doesn't it? This room can seat about 30 people at the table.
This is one of the outdoor spaces used for wedding ceremonies. It is directly in front of the main entrance. Between the row of trees is the isle and folding chairs can be placed on either side for seating. At the end is a beautiful, tall, red fence. Its a lovely backdrop for the alter. Along with the isle space, you get the patio in front as well. 
It was a really sunny day, so I didn't get the best picture, but this is the second event space, taken from outside of the indoor event space, looking down to the red fence (above).
