French Inspired Wedding Table and Decor

Walking into the Conservatory following cocktail hour was one of several moments in my wedding that took my breath away.   I literally shed a tear as I stood at the head of the table with John and scanned the length of the table filled with roses and twinkling with creamy candlelight.  

It was the moment when my vision for my wedding became real.  From the start of our planning, I wanted our wedding meal to be the highlight, an intimate and formal dinner party with French inspired decor filled with romance, fabulous food and our closest family.  

Image by Visio Photography

One of the reasons we chose the Conservatory at the Biltmore in Asheville as our wedding reception venue was the simple gorgeousness of the greenhouse.   The backdrop of the lush greenery provided just the right amount of natural elegance for our wedding dinner.

Image by Visio Photography

Our wedding colors were champagne, blush, ivory and gold.    Hundreds of roses in muted shades in square vases ran down the length of the central table draped with with champagne and ivory linens and set with gold rimmed place settings.  We chose simple ivory candles intermingled among the roses.  Menus and place cards in the same soft color scheme.   (If you are in North Carolina, both Salutations and Laura at Yellow House Calligraphy were a dream to work with.  All flowers by Blossoms at Biltmore Park.)

Everyone says that your wedding day goes by so fast.   They are right, of course.   So you try and take moments to breathe it all in and mentally capture images to carry with you after it is all over.     Looking around at my new husband and family laughing and having fun in this gorgeous setting is a memory I will have for a lifetime.  

Image by Visio Photography

I'd love to hear about your wedding and from those of you that may be in the midst of planning now.   What moments in your wedding took your breath away?    What was or is your vision of your wedding day?

Wedding Thoughts Returning

Taking a break from my regularly scheduled travel updates to jump in with a wedding related topic.  I did just get engaged almost two months ago and I haven't written about it once. 

I have been so busy being on my trip that I've had little time to think about a wedding.  I never thought I'd say that out loud.   But, yes, I've been more focused on my own survival than dreaming about dresses and flowers.     Besides the fact that I know I want something very simple.   That's helped me to put off thinking about it over the last couple of weeks.   

Now that I have just about two weeks left, it is starting to creep up again.   I'm actually getting a little excited to start planning.    This is all so completely overwhelming though.  I have no idea where to begin.  I feel like I am back at work.

Thank goodness I have an excellent internet connection here or I think I'd go crazy.   I do have a little case of google ADD.    I've been spending various random hours in the morning and late at night quickly flipping from looking at dresses to venues to planners.  I have so many ideas but haven't figured out a good way to organize my thoughts and pull it all together.  I had a minor breakdown on the phone with John this morning as he was arriving in the office at 6am.  I am sure this is exactly what he felt like dealing with first thing.   

I think I have calmed down again and in my perusal of wedding sites this afternoon I came across the wedding inspiration board concept.    This is so up my alley.   I can't wait to start working on these and getting my various visions all in one spot.    Then, the fun part of narrowing the many visions down to one.   At that point, I'd be more than happy to turn the winning concept over to an expert to execute the whole thing.     I know myself pretty well.   I'm good at the ideas but will seriously need help when it comes to the details.     

So, speaking of ideas, this one is not mine.   This is just a random one I ran across today that I thought was pretty.   I'm thinking shades of champagne would be nice for an italian wedding.     Ahhhhhh...... getting stressed again.