Planning A Fall Wedding Dinner

Hello, sweet friends. I have not been as active on Decor To Adore for the past few months. Some of it was due to work travel, but I have also been knee-deep in planning A Fall Wedding Dinner. 

Planning A Fall Wedding Dinner

As many of you know, our dear son, Sweet Guy, is soon to wed his Sweet Gal in just eight short weeks. 

We recently learned that their destination wedding venue had been sold. The new owners decided not to honor existing contracts. So we basically had to start the preparation and planning all over again. But I am here to tell you that it can be done. 

Here Are Some Tips

• Select a venue
• Select a theme
• Select a color palette
• Collect inspirational ideas
• Source your supplies

Because our bride and groom were open to getting married on a Thursday, we were able to source another wedding venue and wedding dinner venue fairly quickly, thank goodness. 

The wedding dinner will be held inside this charming turn of the century farmhouse. 

Often times the location of the venue will play a large role in what the theme will be. For instance a really modern or edgy theme would not really work in this setting. 

The bride and groom both love thrift stores and estate sales. So they dreamed of a vintage vibe. 

With the venue and theme in place it was time to select a color palette. As this is a fall wedding lovely autumnal colors were chosen. 

Inspiratational Ideas

With the theme and color palette in mind we then turned to Pinterest for inspirational ideas. 

It became clear fairly quickly the overall look that the couple was drawn to. 

Vintage colored glassware and china kept showing up in almost every image.  

Pretty bouquets were also at the forefront. I also noticed that most of the images were pumpkin free. 

This is a good reminder that even if you have a wedding in the fall you don’t have to include elements that are often associated with the season. 

Source Your Supplies

The guests of honor loved the idea of having a variety of vintage glassware on their wedding dinner table. 

While reproduction glassware is available in home stores and online, the couple desired to source true vintage glassware which is both an economical and ecological choice.

Vintage glassware does indeed have a certain sparkle and deep color tone that is just not replicated in new glassware. 

There is also the deep joy of hand selecting each piece. Wonderful memories were created while searching for the glassware.

On one occasion the bride and I had a lucky find of 20 green vintage Libbey goblets for an incredible price. This was due to just randomly deciding to pop into a particular thrift shop on a whim. 

The groom found an amazing vintage shop that was located across the street from a business meeting that he had. 

There can also be happiness found in looking to family members to contribute. All of the amber colored glassware came from the groom’s grandmothers collection. 

There are elements to be used for the table decor that the easy button was hit. All of the tablecloths, napkins and candles were found on Amazon. A follow up post will be shared after the big event and the direct links will be provided. But for now, the final look will be kept as a suprise. 

Table Centerpieces

We’re also collecting various ideas on what the table centerpieces will look like.

It is interesting that the vast majority of wedding reception and dinners today feature long farmhouse-styled tables. 

This image is so fun, happy and colorful! But it does not provide the intimate and cozy feel that the bride and groom were searching for their guests.

For this reason we have selected round tables as they encourage conversation between everyone. 

Two depression era glass cookies jars, without their lids, were found by the groom and I for a song. We will use them as lovely vases. 

While we won’t be using any pumpkins in the decor, perhaps the addtion of berries, persimmons or other fall fruits might make their way into the arrangments. 

Wedding Drink Station

We’re also currently researching various ways to decorate a wedding drink station.

The wedding dinner will host 30-35 people. As the grooms mother, I would like to enjoy it and not be hopping up and down from my seat to refill the guests glasses.  

There are two buffets/sideboards in the large room at the venue where the dinner will be held. Using one as a drink station will be a good solution. 

We plan to serve water and a seasonal fall punch. 

Pie The Knot

The second sideboard/buffet in the room will serve as the dessert station. 

The groom, since the time he was little, has not been a big fan of cake. 

When our wonderful friends and caterers, Bruce and Bennett, mentioned serving pie at the wedding dinner Sweet Guy’s face lit up and he exclaimed, “We can do that?!?”

So we’re having pie. Everyone is really excited about it!

This is a good reminder that elements of the day should be comprised of what the couple truly loves. 

Tradition is nice, but personalizing the details makes it all the more special. 

I’d love to hear your out of the box wedding ideas in the comment section below.

Laura

Happy Birthday Sweet Guy

Happy 24th birthday to Sweet Guy who is so excited to be having pie tonight and at his wedding dinner. 

This past weekend he volunteered for Heroes On The Water. This organization provides recreational wellness experiences to veterans, first responders, and their families. The tagline is Paddle. Fish. Heal. 

Volunteers are always needed to assist individuals who may have limited mobility. 

My buttons are bursting with pride that my son possesses such a kind and giving spirit. He truly has a heart for volunteering. 

For those of you who have been on this online journey with me for many years it is hard to believe that this young man is the same sweet boy who once had a Pirate Party way back in 2008. You can read that long ago post HERE.