Did you mention chosen colors or a theme? Nature inspired actually covers a lot of ground. Budget will play a huge role... sometimes, do-it-yourself weddings end up nickel and diming you to death... if you do it right, though, you can save a small fortune! My advice would be start making lists. Get all your important ducks in a row first. When, where, how many guests, colors, theme... You'll need to book a minister, invitations, music/entertainment, food, cake, bar/drinks, photography... you'll need alternate arrangements in case of rain or bad weather... you'll need to think about parking for guests, powder rooms (bathroom facilities) for guests... And remember, you're the bride... so you won't have time to do anything on the day of the wedding, except get ready... you'll need lots of help. And you'll need good rest the night before. You'll need seating for the guests during the wedding... then there's the reception... tables and seating. Are you doing buffet? Or large sit down catering? Dance floor? The wedding will be outdoors by the lake, and will the reception be indoors, or outdoors? Timing... you want everything timed so it all goes well, and there are no large gaps where guests don't quite know what to do. Just a few questions to ask yourself, and keep in mind... weddings are often hectic, and the better you can plan ahead, the better prepared you'll be in case something comes up you weren't expecting. You'll sort of want the theme to carry through... from the bouquets and boutonnieres, to the table decorations and any hall decorations... bridal table, cake table, gift table, card box, etc... a word of caution - gift table and card box should be near the bridal table or where there will always be someone to keep an eye on it - as far from an exit as possible. You mentioned dish strainers above... and I just recalled seeing small pasta sieves at a large store in really nifty colors... those could be lined with moss and planted with succulents or annuals... then the guests could take them home. The ideas are so endless that when I did my own wedding, I hardly knew where to begin! I began using Google, and using key words that helped me locate pictures of what I sort of hand in mind... I ended up at a second hand store buying about 50 coffee cup saucers, spray painted them white, sprinkled on glitter while still wet, and I found a sale at Hobby Lobby on tall white scented candles at 50 cents each. I hot-glued a ring of matching flowers to each saucer, and it turned out fabulous. It was a November wedding with white and burgundy as colors, all silk flowers for ease of prepping ahead, mostly roses. Everyone has contributed such nice ideas... and if you spend a few days going through wedding how-to books, magazines, the internet and its many wedding sites and blogs, craft magazines... you'll have so many ideas, I know you'll find the right one for your wedding. I think key for you will be keeping lists... keeping a budget... and checking things off your list as they are accomplished. In fact, I know some of the wedding sites have lists you can print to help you out a bit. Candy bars are really popular right now, but if it will a summer wedding, that might not work out. Photo booths are also popular... where you hire a photographer, and they set up a booth like you see at malls, and you get to take 4 snap shots, then they go right into a wedding album, and the guests can write a personal message. My son and daugther-in-law just did that and it was so much fun! Centerpieces... depending on when the wedding is, there should be plenty of flowers available in a rainbow of colors... once you've chosen your main colors, you shouldn't have any problems matching up potted centerpieces in any container type you like... baskets, shells, boxes, colored plastic flower pots, clay pots, anything can be a container as long as it holds some soil. And don't forget keeping a list for gifts, and sending thank you cards... it's the personal touches that mean the most. :-) I wish you the best! Here is a link that might be useful: One Link of Many...

Tiger lilies are a great color, but mine do not bloom until July 20, and I am in hot Southern California. Zinnias will not yet be in bloom, nor will my first thought, Lion's Tail (leonotis leonurus). Dang. I looked through my garden photos for that week and this is what I recommend: ASIATIC BULB LILIES. Lots of them. They are in full bloom from the beginning to the end of June, and they come in the colors you want: burnt orange, dark red, bright red, yellow, creamy white, and all kinds of blends. Check out Van Engelen or John Scheepers- it's time to order them pronto. YARROW. Get a few big one gallon plants of Moonshine (or is it Moonbeam? Moonglow?) and you will have a huge show for the wedding. It's bright yellow. NASTURTIUMS. Come in all of your colors and are at their peak in June. Very cheap- plant the seeds any time between now and January for June bloom. These are Apricot Trifle and Creamsicle, with Bronze Star Rose, orange annual cosmos from seed, and feverfew from seed. Then there are a few other cheap plants that you may be able to find in the colors you want that bloom in June: Icelandic Poppies- buy six packs now until December for June bloom. Pansies- there's a burnt orange/gold viola that looks fabulous en masse and these should be planted from pony packs sometime soon, between now and December. And then there are more pricey items that you may want to purchase at the time of the wedding to make sure they are in full bloom: Irises: Cajun Rhythm is a burnt orange I grow. Blooms in June. Daylilies: Many many varieties in your colors, and the mid- and late-blooming varieties would be just on time. Roses: Plenty of choices in red and yellow, a few in the burnt orange range including Pat Austin. If you want white as well, the choices expand a whole lot. Have a wonderful time planning and planting for the wedding! Renee

I believe she was just trying to be helpful to those out there that are planning their weddings. I seriously doubt she was advertising in the way I think you're implying.

You all have to keep focused on what's really important -- the impending marriage - and not the wedding. Accept the return of the money graciously, and let him know that you want his marriage to succeed. It is not a good sign if he is embarrassed of his family, but so be it. In any case, the couple should have the kind of wedding that they want but also that they can afford. Let it be a pot luck picnic for 150 or an elopement. But remind your son not to take his eye off the prize -- the marriage ahead- and that you won't either. Good luck! Oh - you could ask if you could host an engagement party or party after the wedding to introduce the bride to your family and friends.