Decorations crafted from natural elements enhance a woodland wedding.
Having your wedding in the great outdoors under a canopy of rustling trees, accompanied by birdsong and the beauty and scent of wildflowers, is a casual way to celebrate the big day. So look to nature for inspiration. Design your decorations to enhance the natural decor provided by Mother Nature rather than overwhelm it. Weave in elements native to the woodland setting to create a beautiful, unpretentious and earth-friendly design.
Instructions
1. Create a focal point with an arch under which the bride and groom will stand to say their vows. Craft the arch from twigs and grapevines wrapped around a curved wood or wire base. Decorate it with live, dried or silk flowers. Give it a sophisticated touch by adding tulle.
2. Set the scene. Weave strands of twinkle lights into grapevine swags and hang between trees along the path the guests and bridal party will walk. Line it with luminaries or votive candles placed in pint canning jars tied with twine. Opt for paper lanterns hung from tree branches for a more colorful display.
3. Arrange tables for the reception in a clearing in the woods. Make it casual and organic with rustic wooden farm tables. Surround them with mismatched wooden kitchen chairs, wooden benches or vintage church pews.
4. Center the tables with bunches of natural grains like wheat, grasses and wildflowers placed in small galvanized pails or vintage watering cans. Keep it simple and place a single white hydrangea bloom in a pottery vase or float one in a china bowl. Create a casual bouquet of sunflowers placed in terra-cotta pots. Hollow out pumpkins and fill them with a mixture of mums and roses.
5. Set the tables with cloths fashioned from burlap or unbleached cotton. Opt for plates with patterns featuring natural elements like flowers, birds and fruit. Fashion napkin rings from grapevines twisted together to form small circles, or scraps of burlap wrapped around the napkin and secured with raffia. Add elegance to the simple place settings with crystal champagne flutes.
6. Top the cake with flowers rather than the traditional bride and groom figures. Match them to the bride's bouquet. Scatter some blooms over the cake table. Choose a unique cake made to look like a vintage birdcage and topped with edible birds.
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