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...

Wonderful, we always love inspiration pictures, I like the all white best too, but the lemon vase one is very pretty too.

I am sorry if anyone offended you. Please continue to ask for help here - people give great advice and have creative ideas! I think it would be cool if you wanted to create some real elegant centerpieces for your wedding - maybe use the flowers that you will use for your bouquets and put them in chrome urns or vases - The chrome would be a nod to the bikes and set off the flowers very nicely. I prefer simple centerpieces over ornate, but you can do what you think will compliment your theme best. I have seen people put round mirrors in the center of each table and have varying heights of flower arrangements - half tall, half short to add visual interest, and had votives and glass pebbles (like the ones they use in flower arrangements sometimes) around the base. I think if you want to stick to the chrome idea, you could find votives that are chrome and put votives in orange and black inside - I would maybe use one color per table, rather than mix the colors it might appear more busy. For your friend, I think that she would want something substantial that won't fall over if the wind picks up. Maybe some fall leave branches in copper or "antiqued" urns or vases. She can tuck flowers in with the branches, or just use the branches by themselves. I love fall leaves, and they will look very elegant. She could even spray paint the leaves and branches with metalic paint - like copper, gold, burnt orange, etc. - it would add a touch of drama and cover up any imprefections in the branches and leaves. I hope this is helpful - I am not the most creative type. I am sure that both weddings will be lovely! Good luck!

I tuck my placemats, etc., away in a drawer although in my house I do like a runner to break up the wood. But I think with your style that would not be a good thing! I think a tray would be great. Or just a really pretty vase with some flowers in it.