I love weddings and have had the pleasure of attending many weddings and receptions in my fifty-nine years. Those invitations provided me a view of the glitz and the gaud when it comes to center pieces at wedding receptions. I must admit attempting not to sit in judgment of why a bride and groom would choose a certain theme for their wedding reception was at times a bit difficult. I kept my mouth shut and smiled, partly in humor and partly out of curtsey. Keeping in mind that old saying "to each his own".
A wedding I attended in September of 1996 left me in awe at the center pieces on the tables at the reception. The theme followed the wedding attire of the bride and groom. The brides was dressed in a long traditional gown embellish in sequins and the groom wore the traditional black hat, tails and tie. The bridesmaids wore long deep burgundy gowns and the groomsmen were attired like the groom.
The theme for the reception followed the beautiful traditional wedding of this lovely couple, my oldest daughter and new son-in-law. Although I helped set up the reception tables; the entire creation was my daughter's idea. Like so many other young girls, she planned exactly how her wedding and reception would be down to the last detail. The last detail was the color and style of her mothers dress.
The wedding ceremony was held at their church and the reception was held a lovely lodge with a huge stone fireplace in the center of room. The fireplace served as a perfect separation of the reception tables and the ballroom to dance in.
For the reception twenty twelve foot tables were covered with beautiful white linen table cloths. At the center of each table a black top hat was placed upside down on a square mirror. Shimmering little iridescent streamers were carefully stuffed in the hat while allowing some to hang down the sides. Two hearts peeked out of the hat to represent the bride and groom. Hundreds of sequins were methodically spread on and around the mirror and continued down center of each table. Four small square crystal candle holders with deep burgundy tea light candles were placed evenly down the tables. Next to each candle was a small disposal camera tied in a burgundy bow. A subtle request that the guests to take snapshots of this special day. Cloth bows in burgundy adorned the end of each reception table.
Entering the reception room with the chandeliers turned down low truly took my breath away. The candles lit on each table complimented the shimmering streamers and sequins. The room softly twinkled as if filled with a million tiny diamonds as music softly played the newly weds favorite songs. The room eluded class and grace. The beautifully decorated tables were extremely inviting to the wedding guests. It was a magical place to be.