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As we step onto the grounds of the winery, we’re swept into another place and time by its rustic charm. The pungent smell of fermenting grapes spills out of the reception area into the courtyard. The lush greens and rich purples of the surrounding landscape and vineyard are framed perfectly by the grayed and rough timbers of the winery door, nearby barn and an aging swing hanging from a giant oak tree.
While a favorite color often dictates the palette a bride and groom choose for their wedding, our setting – wine country – is the theme and the foundation for everything we did to create a marvelous reception and rehearsal dinner for the wedding party and guests, including our color choices.
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THE RECEPTION
Everything about our reception says "rustic sophistication" – from the full-bodied colors of the table linens to the textures and character of the tableware and the centerpiece.
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Table linens
Our table looks as if it sprouted from the earth. Alive with hues of olive, sage, thyme, eggplant and plum, it’s irresistibly regal. The 8-foot banquet table is draped to the ground with an olive crushed fabric that adds texture and interest with a touch of iridescent eggplant. The sheer organza overlay – in eggplant – adds a depth of color that provides the perfect backdrop for our tableware. Napkins with a bold and lively pattern create the appropriate stir and keep the mood lively.
More ideas
- Alter the linen colors – pick a more vibrant shade of green or purple – and you change the feel.
- Choose polyester linen with a smoother finish and you “dress down” the table.
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Centerpiece
Created from alternating layers of lemon leaves, statice, hydrangeas, grapes, miniature mums and Granny Smith apples built on a well-saturated Oasis cone, our centerpiece adds fresh sophistication to the table as well as much-needed height. Again, the colors are pulled from the vineyard – and the use of fruit continues the winery theme.
More ideas
- Casually run grapevine down the center of the table leading up to and away from the centerpiece. Nestle plain tea lights, grapes and leaves in the vine.
- Space three shorter wine bottles in purple or green hues with personalized labels along a grapevine running the length of the table. Use them as vases for simple wildflowers keeping in the color scheme of purple and green. Tie a simple knot of ribbon (purple and green combined) around the necks and let them trail onto the table.
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Place settings
Plates and glassware
Colored glassware – in this case, our purple goblets – make the table setting pop. The sturdiness of the goblets compared to the tall and sleek champagne flutes and low, round, stemless glassware give the setting dimension and eye appeal.
The thyme-colored dinner plates are a wonderful contrast to the wicker chargers – smooth vs. textured, color vs. neutral – dishing out genteel country charm.
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Napkin rings
Our novel napkin rings are a natural – wine bottle corks with ribbon running through them. The thyme-colored grosgrain with a small white stitch is tied on the side after being wrapped around the napkin. |
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Place cards
Moss Leaf Tags perched on corks turned on end make ideal place cards for this lavish table. We whittled a groove in the end of the corks with a sharp knife. (You may need to add a dot of glue inside the slit to hold the leaf in place.) Another option: Tuck the leaf in a cluster of grapes and grape leaves on the salad plate. Fun! |
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Menu cards
These captivating menu cards were mounted onto our sturdy Dreaming Up Designs TM scrapbook paper. Corks are then glued to either side of the bottom help them stand upright. |
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Votives
Accentuated by grapevine and fresh grape leaves, our flared candle holders extend the interest of the centerpiece to the end of each table. The colored candles are unscented – perfect for any food setting.
But why stop there with these versatile candle holders? Supported by a plant stake (yes, a plant stake!) and decorated with a flourish of ribbon, they serve as understated torches at the corners of the table, or filled with hydrangeas or other flowers, make a wonderful floral accent.
More ideas
- A great multi-tasker, this stylish glass is the perfect serving dish for fresh fruit or snacks.
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Hanging Votives
These hanging votive holders add a romantic touch to this outdoor reception. Held aloft by grape and orchid ribbon, the holders are tied randomly to the branches of our big oak. They’re also the perfect way to lead guests to your party – hang them from shepherds’ hooks or plant stakes.
More ideas
- Hang them from a trellis or an arbor.
- Use battery-operated tea lights instead of real candles.
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Favors
Our favors – wine Swarovski crystal stoppers – are a fun but practical surprise in these sheer white organza favor bags. Thyme-colored ribbon adds a dash of color. |
Wine and cheese station
Sometimes the perfect table isn’t really…a table. It’s a barrel! A nice assortment of cheeses, crackers and wine are a welcome sight for hungry and thirsty guests. And isn’t that the flared votive candle holder again – showing off as an olive serving dish? Choose an elegant cheese spreader and stylish napkins personalized with the bride and groom’s names and you have a distinctive and inviting display. |
Chair adornments
It’s their day, so set apart the bride and groom’s chairs with grapevine wreath adorned with clusters of grapes and wide grosgrain ribbon in orchid and sage. Simply wire the grapes to the wreath and tie on the ribbon. Charming. Countrified. And classy! |
Invitations
Our invitation, response card and envelopes are ripe with the colors of the vineyard. Grape, olive and orchid collaborate in a sleek and sophisticated look. The stylized leaf design printed on the invitation continues our theme. |
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