Ooooh, sounds cool.

Don't worry too much about real Italian, go with your gut. An Italian fusion (Italy fused with other bits of your imagination) inspired by the fountain will be easier to pull off.

I'd choose white rather than lavender for the tablecloths. White is more in keeping with her desire for lace. And keeps things from getting too girly.

My mind says piller candles will go better with centerpieces that include produce. Tapers with peaches and grapes just don't seem right in my book.

When designing the centerpieces, be sure guests will be able to easily chat around them. A big centerpiece that is hard to converse across is one of my pet peaves.

Good point made about the pillar candles vs candelabras.
Unless the candelabras are casual which will be hard to find.

I'm having a hard time with white linens. I'm going to have to really think about this.

Tia,
I am also busy planning my daughter's wedding for next June. Congratulations to you!
Our venue will not allow an open flame, so we cannot have candelabras with tapers. You may want to double check with your venue. As far as the linens go, white can be harsh with your other colors, so how about a soft ivory or cream and maybe use an overlay or runner in the peach, pinks or lavenders? There are some beautiful ones out there.
It all sounds amazing! I may be back to pick your brains as we progress along here: )

Robin

Hi Robin: Congratulations to you too. I think GW needs a wedding forum for those of us without wedding planners.

I'd be happy to bounce things back and forth. I don't recall if this site allows PM's but if so feel free to PM with any questions.

I like the idea of an overlay linen in a color over the white. There are some great linen rental companies out there. I've even thought about making runners myself. We decided to incorporate a number of banquet tables as opposed to round that works well with runners.

Do you think those almond candies I mentioned above work with the theme or are they a little too old fashioned or more for a shower?

I'm still feeling like I need that one special element to add to the table that reads "Italian" and don't want it to be corny or too costly.

What about antique architectural elements of some kind?
Or maybe find some classic Italian artwork to use as table numbers? I know Martha S. would know what to do.

Well, when I find just that right thing I'll post and hopefully someone will help me know for sure.

Tia

I think the candies are beautiful. They will look lovely with the napkins.
I love the idea of antique architectural elements, even to just to use them on the guest book table etc. will help set the tone. You can look in craft stores, such as Michaels. If you go to their web site, you can sign up to get coupons for 50%off emailed to you each week. That is what we have been doing. Also, I was going to make the runners, but then I found this site, http://www.tableclothsfactory.com/default.asp The satin runners are only $2.99! You cant make them for that!
Funny you mentioned Martha. That is what my friends call me : ), so I am feeling a lot of pressure to get everything just right with this wedding.
It is hard because my daughter has her ideas and it is her wedding. I am being the good mom, supporting what is in the budget and what I think will work and waiting her out on things I don't. (I bet she is telling her friends the same thing.)
Have you been to the Martha Stuart wedding web site? It has plenty of ideas and photos.

Robin

Here is a link that might be useful: Martha Stuart weddings

TiaMaria, I don't have any ideas for you...yours sound wonderful, but there is a wedding forum here on Gardenweb. When DH and I married several years ago, I got a lot of good ideas from that group.

Here is a link that might be useful: live link

How did I miss the wedding forum. Well I'm glad you brought that to my attention. Thanks JB

Robin, I have to laugh. It's a fine line when making suggestions. I think she wants to feel she has contributed to the final product so I'm careful about how I present my thoughts. Thankfully we are very much on the same page and we are learning to trust each other's opinions.

I don't go to Martha Stuart because it runs slowly on my computer. I wish it didn't because she's my idol.

Thanks for the hint about Michael's. I'm going to sign up.

I'm so glad someone likes the candies. They're so typical but presented in a pretty way. I think MS would approve.
They are pretty expensive though. I might have to come up with something else.

Tia