What a fun morning! I’m so excited to be a part of Today Throws a Martha Stewart Wedding! Did you vote for your favorite couple yet? I did! As I said this morning though, any couple can have the wedding of their dreams with a little planning. I think it’s so important to get organized right away. I recommend using a ringed binder with lots of pockets and pages; then you’ll have a place to stash stuff so it doesn’t all wind up in the bottom of your bag. In case you missed the show, you can watch the clip online. I’m also posting pictures below of the tables we showed this morning. I think each is beautiful in its own special way; it’s up to you to choose the one that suits you best.
Assistant Editor Anthony Luscia, center, spent some time with the final four couples. From left, Will and Beth, Tom and Nicole, Jessica and Cody, Jason and Alisa. All of the couples have loads of personality, and sweet how-we-met stories.
Stylist Kristi Blunt helps put the finishing touches on the set just before we start shooting. The hanging pom-pom flowers are so pretty, and so easy to make.
You don’t need fresh flowers on every table. Here, we wrapped tissue paper around glass hurricanes to add splashes of color. Make favors that do double duty as place cards. Fill cellophane bags with bulk candy, and add hand-labeled tags. Ask a friend with nice handwriting to make your tags for an extra-personal touch. If you’re renting glassware, don’t order red and white wineglasses. Instead, opt for all-purpose pieces, which you can use to serve either. Look for inexpensive crafts supplies you can use to make charming accents, such as the big, fluffy tissue paper flowers we hung over this table.
If your wedding won’t be too formal, pick a whimsical motif (such as a simple daisy in spring, or pumpkins in fall) and all of your details will come together. The colors and shapes of daisies on this table—right down to the daisy-shaped pats of butter and the sugar flowers on the cake—unite the scene. (Just make sure you specify that your butter should be shipped with dry ice, especially if it will arrive on a hot summer day! I know from personal experience the melted mess you’ll get if you forget!) Potted plants (I chose daisies again) make inexpensive, unfussy centerpieces that guests can take home and enjoy. Rather than have professionally made place cards, print them yourself on your home computer. We added a fabric daisy to each of ours with self-adhesive dots.
A formal wedding is a little more elegant than a casual one. Invitations are engraved, and the reception is usually a sit-down meal with assigned seating. Plan your tables, alternating male and female guests, and don’t sit couples next to each other. When you’re setting your tables, look for gold-rimmed plates and crystal glassware. Each place will also need a full set of silverware, as formal dinners can have five or more courses. Set a printed menu card at each place, as well.
Tune in to the Today Show next Wednesday, when we discuss registry items.
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