Wedding Blog
Our wedding is in March, and it’s a beautiful time of year in Vegas. It’s typically about 65 degrees, a bit breezy, and nearly every day is sunny. Vegas is known for its sunshine and lack of rain. Seriously, I think I’ve seen rain only a handful of times this year! So, needless to say, the weather will be delightful on our big day (knock on wood).
However, since our wedding is towards the end of March, it falls right in the middle of Lent. Lent is the 40 days before Easter (not counting Sundays), beginning on Ash Wednesday. It’s a time for fasting for some, and giving up a “vice” for others. If you want to learn more, you can read about Lent here. Because of Lent, we can’t have any flowers decorating the church. According to the church, flowers are a sign of celebration, and having them would not be appropriate. From what I’ve read on the Internet, all parishes are different. But, ours told us that we’re not allowed to have any floral decorations besides our bouquets (Phew! That would have been tough!). We will, of course, respect their policies. As a side note, Mr. Dumpling is Catholic, and I’m in the process of converting.
For now, I will just dream of these altar decorations:
From The Singing Rabbi
The church is beautiful all by itself, but we still want to decorate it for our wedding. We’re thinking about getting an aisle runner from The Original Runner Company or Event Bella Designs, or maybe even creating our own. I think they are so unique and add a great, personalized touch.
Image from Event Bella Designs
What kind of non-floral decorations have you seen used? Can you help us think of some alternative church decor?
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Share this post: Figuring out the Decorations
What about candles?
First off, ask your priest if anything else is allowed.
Second, I don’t remember when exactly the church covers ALL crucifixes, some protraits and some saints…as in…throwing a purple cloth over everything.
I can’t remember if it’s at the beginning or end of lent.
Candles sound like a great idea tho.
This might sound crazy, but I didn’t even want floral decorations at the alter. We are having candles line the aisle and a chuppah made of willow/branches. Granted, you won’t have a chuppah, but sometimes I just really think simple decoration can look very dramatic with the right lighting (if you can control the lighting at all), and candles can really add to that.
My church, during Lent, uses beautiful bundles of branches to break up the white and pink interior, and complement the dark wood pews.
What about ribbons as pew decorations and perhaps fabric/ribbon draping at the front of the church?
What about live non-flowering plants? Like palms?
Ours has the same rule, only we’re getting married during Advent. Seriously, it’s like the day after we get married that the greenery goes up! What’s their thoughts on non-floral wreaths and garlands? Ours said we could do that as an option, and I love the look of eucalyptus garlands- they smell great too! We’re actually not decorating our church at all… I had never really wanted to, and love it as it is!
I love your idea of an isle runner, maybe you can make one yourself using a fabric complimentary to your theme. I would also recommend candles, and I’ve seen some gorgeous bouquets/arrangements made of everything from herbs to fabric to ribbon. I would check out etsy and read some posts on floral alternatives from past bees. Does your church allow greenery, or does that count as flowers?
We did candle stands lining the aisle with fabric draped between them up the aisle. It looked great and was cheaper than flowers.
@V: Catholic churches cover up the crucifixes/portraits/religious decorations only on Good Friday, and none would ever let you get married on that day anyway, so the dumplings won’t have to worry about that!
I bet they’ll go for greens. Bunches of curly willow in vases is another option you can ask about. Regardless of which, I would do TONS of different height candles too. If they don’t let you put them on the very top of the altar maybe you can do the sides of the step(s). SO romantic!
Be sure you let us know the final outcome and good luck!
OFF TOPIC: As a catholic girl, marrying a jewish boy I thought I should throw it out there that the church doesn’t require the non-catholic to convert in order to have a catholic service.
You do have to take the pre-marital classes though.
Can you use soft wispy feathers? I just recently did a beautiful wedding where we used peacock feathers down the aisles tied with gorgeous satin ribbon. It was very whimsical and romantic. Maybe you could try clusters of ostrich feathers??
Loose flowing satin material from each aisle? (down not across)
Luminaries lining the aisle with your monogram on the bag?
Mini hanging chandeliers with battery operated tealights?
{Just thinking out loud here}
We’re not doing any decorations at the church. We could, but I can’t seem to wrap my head around the idea for decorations when we’ll only be there for an hour or so. I’m thinking of possibly having a remembrance vase of flowers (I know that won’t work for you) at the front of the church for our loved ones that will be looking down at as that day.
I was just reading Mrs. Lolllipop’s post from yesterday about her wedding, and it prompted me to look back at her earlier posts. Her html] setting the scene [/html] post had a close-up of her metal lanterns with candles hanging from ribbons at the end of the pews; I thought it looked pretty cool. Just a thought!
I’m not sure my link will work right, so if not, it was Mrs. Lollipop’s “Part 5 — Setting the Scene” post from May 27.
Ok, Let me tell you, since I do floral for a lot of weddings, that most traditional churches do not allow a lot.. they are very limiting in what you can do and frankly most of the time when I deal with them they are not really nice about anything that is being brought. So best is not to have your heart set on anything.
On the other hand if you have as an option an outdoor ceremony, sky is the limit.
Personally I don’t think it’s necessary to spend a lot of money on ceremony pieces - churches are usually already rich and very decorative.. and outdoor if you pick right location is beautiful on it’s own. I would rather spend money on the reception because that’s where decoration is usually really needed.
I am getting married during Lent season, but my church allows us to use flowers. We will have the purple cloth draping the cross at the altar. I would suggest branches (if this is something they will allow). I love the look of branches because it is rustic. I don’t know if the church will let you have open flames, but if they do it would look great. My church does not allow aisle runners because lots of people trip on them in the past.
Can you use greens and branches? Boxwood wreaths and garlands with ribbons in your wedding colors would look great. interspersed with a million candles (the church should have no problem with candles as they are lit daily for the departed or those that are in need). Willow wreathes can also add texture and with little glitter or spray paint can really add color.
You could also bring in urns with plants, ivys, succulents, trees, etc. all of these can provide a lot of color without beign flowers.
Would paper pompoms look too much like flowers? Here’s an example:
http://www.marthastewart.com/article/pom-poms-and-luminarias?autonomy_kw=paper%20pompoms&rsc=header_8
That or I would definitely say that swags of fabric in your wedding colors could be wonderful.
Before working on any projects for the church decor, make sure it’s OK by them–for example, our church does not allow an aisle runner, and you can only have two arrangements on the altar and some pew decorations. And honestly, while it looks nice, runners are a bit of a pain–I was in a wedding this past weekend and we were petrified that we’d trip on it the entire walk down (my grim face on the way down is evidence of that!) and we constantly had to re-adjust it.
@Natalie: Oh, i like that idea! What is a candle stand?@Mrs. Kim: I never even thought of feathers! OOhh…im gonna be Google Searching all night now. THanks!
@dmdwed: I like the pom poms, and I wanted to do the kind Penguin had at her ceremony, but I think it might be above my level of craftiness. =)
What about different types of clothe in your wedding colors, or in colors that match the church decor. You could braid or twist the clothe around the end of each pew (I’m not sure how this would be accomplished, but I’m sure some bees could have some grand schemes).
Let me give you an upside! I’m orthodox and we’re not even allowed to have any weddings during Lent. The alter is closed and no ceremonies are performed.
Plus you get to save so much on not having floral decorations at the ceremony! That is going to be a huge chunk of my budget!!
I’m pretty sure candles would be allowed, and they would look gorgeous!!
I just thought of another thing you can use, palm branches and olive branches, it’s all about Easter and Lent with those two!
I think it’s wonderful that you are converting before getting married. My husband did the same thing.
In our church they only really do that during lent though. When will you be baptized and confirmed?
@Candi1024: Im already baptized in the Luthern church and confirmed as a Methodist. Did your husband have to go through the RCIA? Im not sure if its standard to do that or just in my parish.
@Mariam: There are so many rules, arent there? I asked about the candles and they said no. I guess they heard about how clumsy I am.
@Miss Dumpling: RCIA is for adults looking to learn more about the catholic faith. The classes prepare you for baptism & first communion (I’m pretty sure both have to be done in order to marry in the church).
You can also take RCIA classes for your confirmation. I know for sure you don’t have to be confirmed in order to marry though.
So what about flameless candles or LED lights in luminaries?
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Mrs. Dumpling, Las Vegas
Age and Occupation: 27, Finance
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 34, Real Estate
Engagement Date: March, 2008
Wedding Date: March, 2009
Blogging Since: August 26, 2008
Venue: Catholic church ceremony & golf course reception
About Me: I grew up in the Deep South, and while most people say I have a thick southern accent, I tend to think it only comes out when I need to use it. Living in Las Vegas has definitely been an adventure and Mr. Dumpling and I are loving every minute of it! We are planning a traditional Catholic wedding ceremony and a reception with lots of DIY! We might even get Elvis to show up! I'm a HUGE Beatles fan, love The Office and can't wait to become a Mrs.!
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