I went to my nieces wedding last weekend. It was on the grounds of a beautiful Inn/in the Berkshires. She carried a cluster of dark blueish purple hydrangea with the green just budding tiny clusters peeping out. Her decor was very organic and beautiful. The place cards were set on small pieces of white birch branches.

My sister used big, beautiful fresh peaches with stems still attached and little tags hanging off the peach with the names & table number. It was gorgeous.

I was assigned to set out the peaches. I didn't want to upset her but there weren't enough, or so I thought. Turns out the house where the reception was held had more than one cabinet-front style fridge. I knew about one fridge but the other blended into the cabinetry so seamlessly I didn't realize it was a 2nd fridge. While I was bracing for a meltdown, she calmly said "did you check here?". Umm, no, carry-on with getting yourself ready, I'll get them.

On each table she had galvanized french market buckets filled with fresh flowers her friend grew on her property. I don't remember specific flowers but they were lush and beautiful.

As to the original question -
It must be tough to guess the wedding market months ahead. It seems to me hydrangeas are very popular for the past few years. I think peonies would be great. I haven't seen roses much in the last few years. As you know, bouquets are almost always one flower, tightly bunched, wrapped in ribbon.

I'd do exactly the same as I did. Well, I might opt not to have the wedding on a chilly, bleak day in February and shoot for springtime instead, but I'd definitely keep it very simple. Very understated elegance, in our own home - perhaps even in the backyard (provided the mosquitos didn't carry us away). I'd have lovely fresh flowers - definitely daffodils if the season was right. I was going to say that a beach wedding would be heavenly - but I'd want my family present, and I know they wouldn't all be able to make it to a remote location, so home it is.

I would never go in for an over-the-top, expensive wedding. I don't buy into the hype that the wedding day is the most important day in a woman's life. The day/ceremony was by no means the most important event of my life. What has transpired in my day-to-day living with DH has been far more valuable to me than the one day that simply legally linked us. :-)

The main thing I would change is the bridal party. I was 29 when I got married and the novelty of standing up in a wedding had worn off. I think my close friends would have preferred to just come as a guest (and save the expense of a dress they'll never wear again). I'd keep my maid-of honor and the best man, but that's it.

I wouldn't change a thing! Being married is more important than getting married, in my view. I'm just not into weddings!

Having said that, I can enjoy others enjoying elaborate festivities with all the trimmings! I by no means expect others to do as I would do! I have been quite supportive of friends and loved ones who executed grand wedding celebrations.

Like most things in life, there's no one size fits all wedding, that's for sure!

I don't think I would change mine very much. Ours was an evening candlelight ceremony in an old Catholic church. It was in later December so it was done in a Christmasy way, but not over the top.

I would have the weather be a little better, though! This was in Nebraska and of course it was FREEZING!

I've been thinking of another wedding to celebrate our 25 years...inside joke, but it'd be called the contract renewal ceremony. I would like to do it on our back yard in the little gazebo we have set up. Music is important and a huge key to the party. It would be very informal, and simple...just close friends and family with a bbq afterward.

I love the decor my DD used in her wedding, moss and farmers bouquet of flowers. Lots of wood and browns, greens and pinks, think forest like. For my flowers, I'd probably just pick something that smelled good...I love carnations, or maybe just a big sprig of lavender tied with some butchers string.

Lots of candles and music and microbrews. That's what I want!

Pesky, your DD's wedding sounds very "Oregon". (That is where you live, isn't it?) I was just there this past week and was amazed by how beautiful it is! The trees, flowers, mountains, rivers, waterfalls, Wow!

Anyway, I love your ceremony idea!

Nancy, in spite of the freezing Nebraska temperatures, that sounds so magical and beautiful! As I said, I'm not "into" weddings, but I know I would have loved being in that old church, candlelight glowing!

An evening wedding sounds especially nice. I'm drawn to quiet, understated, tranquil settings and I love old churches, especially Catholic or Anglican ones.

You made me realize that there is a more traditional sort of wedding that I could very much enjoy having myself! Yours!(but with my dh...ykwim!)

I'd get married in NYC City Hall, in a great suit, and go out for a lavish lunch. I can't believe that we got all frilled up to eat finger sandwiches in 1984. We drove from LA back to NYC, because my husband was in grad school at UCLA, and all our family and friends were on the east coast. I'd still go back, but I sure wouldn't go the whole white foofy dress thing. What was I thinking?!

On the other hand, it was lovely. We got married at a NY State property on Long Island that had been my husband's grandfather's estate.

I wouldn't change a thing! Being married is more important than getting married, in my view.

Ditto that!

Though I do love to plan and dream about events, so I am of two minds about weddings.

It was a May wedding in my parent's backyard, in a white tent. I don't think I'd change much other than making it 10 or 15 degrees warmer - we ended up with heaters in the tent to take off the chill!

My mom planted tons of white daffodils but mostly the yard was that lush, early rich green of spring. My bouquet was pale pink ranunculus and lily of the valley, flowers at the buffet and tables were iris, pastel roses, ranunculus in many hues... basically a pastel rainbow. Only 2 attendants, maid of honor and best man, about 70 guests and family. We had a lovely heavy grazing buffet, champagne and a TDF sweet table. The wedding cake was a combination of traditional white cake with a croquenbush on top.

As for flowers I'd chose, the only thing I'd avoid now is what I avoided then - anything with a heavy perfume. The scent of lily of the valley is soft and I love it but anything near food should be fragrance free. Some of those big lilies and scented orchids make me gag.

We were planning a 10th renewal; dressed up again; but this time for family. I have gowns picked out; have not tried them on yet. We were going to do similar to what we did before; go back down to Florida; but we weren't sure where to have it since Cypress Gardens closed. The gowns I have picked out are similar to what I wore lace/beading but a different bodice. It's nothing poofy; a nice A line. My son & daughter would be involved; probably his brother. We're not speaking to his son right now; but if they patch it up; then he & his little girl who will be a tween by then lol

I love good silk flowers so that I can save them- my bouquet from 10 years ago looks great still & IMO it's not dated..

If I did it again; it would probably be real peony; roses of course; maybe lilac. I like the new style bouquets where they bunch different groups of flowers; so you have 5 peony; then a bunch of roses; then what ever else

Right now we're not in financial shape to renew; maybe next year for our 11th; or we could do 2014 when we're together 15 years. We really wanted to do it this year so that his gram could be there; it's the whole reason we'd go back to FL. She was in no shape to come to the original wedding

Thanks, SG. That is quite a compliment!

At the time, I actually felt kind of insecure about it because my sisters-in-law had all had big June weddings with several bridesmaids, "proper" white dresses with veils, etc., but now, as I said, I wouldn't change it.

I agree, old churches can be especially beautiful- the only thing more lovely to me would be an old Spanish mission!

Nancy - we were married in February - also freezing and had an evening candlelit wedding. Great minds think alike? LOL

I so agree with what you said Stinky. It is the commitment to each other and "being married" that is important. I do think a wedding can be important also. There had not been a wedding in either of our families - both sets of grandparents and parents had done simple courthouse or privately married by a minister. We had lived/gone to school/worked, etc. in our community - me all my life, hubby since grade school. We had many who wanted to celebrate our day. It was a joy to have family and friends with us.

I do think I would love a spring wedding - preferably in some type garden setting.

Love this topic and hearing about the different weddings, the preferences of each. Each has sounded special in its own way.

tina

Oh, I'm imagining all the flowers....... hydrangeas are always so beautiful. Last year I was making a delivery of peonies to a florist who needed them for a wedding. I walked into her shop and was stopped right in my tracks by buckets of tall round white hydrangeas, next to buckets of green fillers. Absolutely stunning and they hadn't even been arranged yet!

I love ranunculus and have looked into growing it, but nothing in my climate is conducive to that. And Pesky, your DD's flowers sound so unique and beautiful, I'm picturing a cool walk in the woods, soft, refreshing, organic...

Dlm, I love picturing the white daffs planted throughout in the yard. Your mom must have had good knowlege of bloom times. What a great idea!

And yes, peonies. I am obviously crazy about them and have actually come to love them more in the vase than on the bush. It is hard to make a peony look bad. The doubles are the most luscious, feminine out there blooms......totally perfect for showers and weddings!

Tina- yes, great minds think alike! Candlelit weddings are beautiful! Spring garden weddings are too, that's what my daughter had.

Barb- I love ranunculus too! Funny name for a gorgeous flower. We have farms of them around here, took a tour of one once. One thing (of several) flowers that don't grow here are two of my favorites, peonies and lilacs. What could smell better than lilacs? I miss them.