Wedding Blog
As I’ve mentioned before, this was my original inspiration for our altar (still can’t remember where I found this picture, sorry). It turns out that none of the men in my life are interested in building me anything out of sticks. Their logic was somewhat reasonable…it would mostly have to be constructed on site, there would be several steps involved in making sure it wouldn’t blow over, etc. In other words, they’re not doing it.
I really do love that we’ll have the lake as our backdrop and I wanted minimal ceremony decorations for that reason alone, so it was decided that we’ll still use the above picture for inspiration but just go with the buckets of flowers instead. There will be a bench too, for the sand ceremony vases, but we’ll just stand between the two buckets. Not exactly my ideal situation but it’s a good compromise. We found these buckets at Lowes:
They’re just the right size and can easily be spray painted:
It’s hard to tell, but the paint is actually a textured finish. It looks kind of old and rustic, and almost like it has little bubbles in it.
It was hard to get a good picture because they’re shiny, but you can get the idea. We’re going to turn the handles to the back and fill both buckets with white flowers (not sure which kind yet).
Our florist quoted us $250/bucket for hydrangeas, so I think we’re going to go another route. My Mom is going to check out some local nurseries and possibly just pot the flowers a few days in advance and transport them up to Wisconsin. If we can’t find anything that way we’re thinking about ordering them from an online wholesaler…it’s one of those things that will just have to wait until we get closer to the wedding. All things that can’t be done in advance tend to stress me out a little, but I am working on it 
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Your mom may actualy be able to find hydrangea plants in bloom for you. many of them are later bloomers for the late summer/early fall. Instead of potting them in the bucket you could set them pot and all directly in and then plant them in your garden so that you have something from your wedding. It also may be worth it to ask someone at the nursery of they can order two that will be in bloom at that time or maybe for delivery a week or two earlier so that they have time to open up. The blooms last for a while on the plant if you keep them watered and the leaves are lovely and big.
Your mom may actualy be able to find hydrangea plants in bloom for you. many of them are later bloomers for the late summer/early fall. Instead of potting them in the bucket you could set them pot and all directly in and then plant them in your garden so that you have something from your wedding. It also may be worth it to ask someone at the nursery of they can order two that will be in bloom at that time or maybe for delivery a week or two earlier so that they have time to open up. The blooms last for a while on the plant if you keep them watered and the leaves are lovely and big.
Kinda made me giggle when you said none of the men in your life were interested in building you a stick arch! I think it made me laugh because I can totally picture that conversation! Men seem to be super visual so they are probably confused as to why you want sticks to make an arch! LOL!
Although I totally get the concept and really like the pix!
I hope your idea works out!!!
Pardon the interuption BUT I just realized you were getting married by Lake Geneva! I live probably 15-20 min away. The Abbey Resort is beautiful! Is that on the Fontana side? (I’m feeling super stalkerish about this post :)!)
But I wanted to do potted plants too, but didn’t want to wait, so I bought fake for the decor and am using real for everything else. It’s worked great and I can fuss with them until they’re just right!
I love the look!
You can actually get hydrangea plants at lowe’s or home depot, or I’m sure even at nurseries for a ton less. I saw this done recently on a wedding on stylemepretty.com and it was really pretty!
karieck - You’re exactly right, the conversation was something! They think I am out of my mind for wanting the “stick arch.” Men!
‘zilla - The Abbey is on the Fontana side! Don’t feel stalkerish, I get excited at any mention of the area 
What if instead you did a bunch of baby’s breath. I know baby’s breath is kind of a yuck normally, but seriously in a bunch looks really beautiful, plus it is amazingly cheap!
This one they use it for the pew cones:
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g221/linzrene/pewcones.jpg
I will keep looking for more pictures!
If you still wanted to go with the stick idea, you could pot sticks into concrete into your great buckets. That would give you some height, but eliminate the problem of having to build an arch the day of. I saw it on a recent knottie bio that was featured, sorry, can’t remember which one now. Essentially they used the tall stick bundles you can get at Ikea or other home decorating stores, put them in the pot, poured in quick drying cement/concrete, and then covered the top with moss to conceal the ugly.
http://www.tandmpics.com/280/2/2093.jpg
So my thought is that you buy or rent two pillars then put the pots of baby’s breath on top to give you the frame you desire. Just an idea.
My mom and I actually did floral arangements in pumpkins that had curly willow branches, peacock feathers and branches with fall leaves on them. It worked really well!
Like thistleorchid said, if you want to get some height, you could put some branches in your buckets with concrete, maybe incorporate some small hydrangea blossoms in there and then cover the bottom with moss. Maybe get two potted hydrangea bushes to put at the start of your ceremony space and the two branches to show where it ends (so you, Mr. Sundae and officiant are standing inside of the square?)
Miss Sundae - I much rather enjoy the Fontana side than actual Lake Geneva. It’s much more toned down but still gorgeous! I’m jealous about your location but then also curse the lake traffic on Friday’s during the Summer months
I vote for growing your own or going fake (gasp!), but I like that control over the details. I was going to grow but couldn’t do it!
Just in case you do consider the Internet route: I’ll post about this soon, once the honeymoon’s over (literally, not figuratively!) and our photos are in order … but we ordered roses and lilies from an Internet wholesaler (FiftyFlowers.com) and had a very positive experience. They were beautiful and lasted days longer than I expected (about a week in all).
check out my link. I used buckets of dry hydrangeas which my mum and I cut on the Tuesday before the Wedding- we hung those on trees and used potted mums to mark the aisle and alter. Maybe it will help you get some ideas.
what about daisies? they’re inexpensive, and the effect would be beautiful.
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Mrs. Sundae, Chicago/Lake Geneva, WI
Age and Occupation: 28, Knowledge Manager
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Investment Advisor
Engagement Date: July 20, 2007
Wedding Date: September 2008
Blogging Since: February 5, 2008
Venue: The Abbey Resort
About Me: It’s hard to believe that by the time Mr. Sundae and I get married we will have been together for almost ten years. When we first met in college we split dollar pitchers and now we share the mortgage payments. Despite our love for the city we are looking forward to tying the knot in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
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