Whether fresh flowers are out of your budget or you’re a DIY diva, alternative centerpieces and bouquets can really make an impression at a wedding.  From bundled wheat to a bouquet of brooches, there’s a non-floral option for every bride’s style. Here are some of Kate Aspen’s favorites for the table and for the bride:

Remember, favors for your guests can be used as décor on the tables too!

Pictured “For The Table”: Kate Aspen “love songs” birdcage tea light/place card holder, Kate Aspen “fleur de lis” vellum shades, Kate Aspen “fleur de lis” frosted glass tea light holder, Paper Flower Centerpiece (Groom Sold Separately), Bird Cage Centerpiece (Meg Hamilton & Emily Herzing via Style Me Pretty), Rustic Candle Centerpiece (Oncewed ), Wheat Bundles Centerpiece (Social Couture via Elements of Style ), Ornament Centerpiece (via The Meadowbrook Blog )

Pictured “For The Bride”: Wheat & Lavender (Austin Gros via Inspiring  Brides), Paper Flower Bouquet (Katherine O’Brien and Danamazing via Rock N’ Roll Bride), Brooch Bouquet (Tiffany Rebecca via Style Me Pretty), Giant Paper Flower (Studio Castillero via Green Wedding Shoes)

Happy planning!

“One exquisite, carefully chosen favor, perfectly packaged, center-plate…”

You know how it works – but you’ve also heard us mention that it might just be a good idea to purchase a few extras and use them on the tables, right?  Judy McManus of PWG Portland provides the perfect example of how nicely Kate Aspen favors multi-task – as a memorable way to show your gratitude, and as table decor!

This fall wedding tablescape is so inviting, isn’t it?  Judy infuses the autumn colors throughout the table scheme by using our Kate Aspen Imperial Tea Light Holder and our Classic Maple Leaf Place Card Holder.  Like to mix and match it up a bit?  Add the “Fall in Love” soaps or our “Lucky Elephant” bookmark (with that awesomely clever tassel-tail!)  So many possibilities!

We like this take on “vintage,” too!  A little retro, a little frilly, and a little sassy (and you know we like sassy!)

If you look closely, you’ll see our “Love Birds In The Window” Ceramic Salt and Pepper Shakers making themselves useful, alongside our “For the Love Birds” Elegant Icon Favor Boxes.  “Sweetwater Park” Birdbath Place Card Holders would fit right in here, don’t you think? Or – look closely now …

Why there’s our “White Baroque” Place Card Holder and Frame with a picture of the happy couple!  Great job, Judy!

By the way, Portland area brides-to-be – you can get more fabulous ideas for wedding tablescapes at The Perfect Wedding Guide’s Portland Bridal Show in November!  Tell Judy we said hello   And take a minute to check out Mosca Photo’s beautiful work – they did all the photography work you see here.

Happy planning!

We get asked time and time again, “Help me make up my mind!“  And while we know that planning a wedding can put your normally brilliant brain into a tizzy spin, we’re also pretty confident that you know just what you want – you simply need a little inspiration.  So here goes – see if you see yourself in here somewhere!

Here a deep, rich turquoise combines with a yummy chocolate brown to make quite the table statement!  Looks good for a reception or maybe an after rehearsal celebration, doesn’t it?  Convey your gratitude in soft, complementary colors with the cherry blossom soap favor, the cleverly coined “Owl Always Love You” soap favor, or tuck a delicious truffle into the chocolate and turquoise damask “Make It Yours” favor box.

Ahh, an alfresco event in a vineyard, perhaps?  Consider the terribly clever “Maison du Vin” place card holders, the “Vineyard Select” wine stopper (crafted in solid chrome), or add a special “vino” ambiance with the lovely Cherry Blossom shades that turn an ordinary wine glass into an elegant table lamp!

Oh the luciousness of this earth-inspired tablescape!  For you DIY-ers, a little green moss, some lovely yucca spines, and glass beads to catch the echos from the light is all you need.  Enhance with eco-concious favors then light and lead the way with Victorian-inspired tea light and place card holders, you clever girl!

It’s easy to bring beach breezes indoors!

A little driftwood set about, a tiny shell that acts as a natural knife rest, scattered beach glass for the color of the sea – all the little details right there at your fingertips.  And your guests will carry the ambiance home with them maybe in a delightful gel candle, in a beach-inspired photo album with your special engagement photos, or with the nautically inspired light house lanterns that do double duty as table decor!

So did you see yourself?  If not, leave a comment and let us know what you’re looking for, and we’ll be happy to oblige with a few more suggestions! 

You’ve chosen the venue, you’ve decided on your colors and your flowers, you’ve found the perfect menu – good for you!

Thought about your tablescapes?  Just the way great landscaping sets off a house , tablescaping is a veritable eye-feast for your guests as they walk through the door to your post-ceremony fete.

Today let’s look at an Asian/Japanese theme – and whoa what an impact!  Featuring Bento boxes, chopsticks and lucky bamboo on an elegant red Chinese brocade, it’s purely sumptuous, isn’t it?

But maybe it’s a bit much for your taste.  No problem. You can still snag some great ideas from this elaborate design.

Alternate Idea #1

• Red brocade table runner down center of table
• Red rose buds gathered in a clear glass vase
• Simple white votives in clear glass containers circling the vase
• Accent with red-themed asian wedding favors, center plate, at each place setting

Like the Asian theme, but there’s a bit too much red here for you?  Try this!

Alternate Idea #2

• Sage green brocade table runner
• Tall, full red roses in clear glass vase
• Bird cage tealight holder table decor surrounding vase
• Asian favor boxes at each place setting
• Love Dove chrome bottle stoppers interspersed throughout

Presto-change-o!  Make it yours!  And stay tuned for more wedding tablescape ideas coming soon!

Happy planning!