Our Ceremony Concerns

Our Ceremony Concerns

November 19th, 2008 @ 4:31 pm by Mrs. Martini

Mr. Martini and I chose not to get married in a church, simply because we preferred not to change between two locations, not because of any religious reasons. There were slight objections from our Christian families who preferred us to get married in a church, but we were able to negotiate having a religious wedding at our venue location.

Our venue, The Venetian, is great in every single way, except for the ceremony room, which I feel is just too small.

This is a picture of the ceremony room (from my previous entry):

From the back

From the front

The room is super long and narrow and there are 200 seats currently placed in there. We hope to have about 200 guests but we know it’s inevitable that there will be more. If we have more, we will have to add seats to the back of the room. Also, guests will have to walk down the aisle in order to get to their seat because there isn’t much room against the walls.

Another concern of mine is that I feel the ceremony room is a little plain. I love the linens on the chairs, but that is really the only thing that stands out about this room. I tried to brainstorm ways to dress it up, but I’m at a loss! I’m hoping you guys can help me—I get so much great advice here and I find myself running to Weddingbee with every tiny issue I have. laughin03

For instance, I really liked the idea of using petal cones filled with rose petals for the guests to toss at Mr. Martini and me on our way out of the ceremony room. The petal cones would also serve as really cute decorations to spruce up the aisle. But since the backs of the chairs are rounded, there is nowhere to hang the petal cones! Using bubbles could be an option, but we really prefer using petals. Any suggestions?

I tried to think of other ways to dress up the aisle. I saw this picture in the magazine Inside Weddings and it caught my attention:

This is what our centerpieces will probably resemble, only the orchids will be white. I was a little sad that we couldn’t use the Phalaenopsis orchids, but I’m over it now and content with using the more cost efficient Dendrobium orchids. When I saw this picture I thought it might be a great idea to use and reuse; we’d line the aisles with the water-filled cylinders, then move them into the reception hall later to be used as centerpieces on the tables. Our florist (Yes! we decided on a florist!) has worked at our venue many times and thought it would be a disaster waiting to happen. Anything water filled has the risk of tipping over, and a guest that isn’t too careful could easily knock them over. Even worse, I am the clumsiest person ever. What if I knock one over while walking down the aisle? Disaster! She suggested removing a chair in each row, then closing off the aisle with rope so that guests are forced to go around to sit.

It’s a great idea, except for the fact that the ceremony room is so small that we can’t risk losing two seats (one on each side) for every row. We can add them to the back of the room of course, but there really isn’t much room to begin with, and if anything, we actually need that space for our 200+ guests. What do you think of using our centerpiece cylinders as aisle decorations during the ceremony? Also, just how many cylinders would we use? Our florist suggested using four on each side. Is that too many? Not enough?

Now for the front of the ceremony room, where Mr. Martini and I will get married, alongside our 12 friends who have been asked to be part of our wedding party. My concern is that the room is just not wide enough to accommodate us, along with six extra friends on each side. If you’ll notice, there are only five chairs placed on each side, per row, totaling 10 seats. We’re going to be 14 people wide! As for decorations, we are going to have two pieces, consisting of Dendrobium orchids and white roses, one for each side.

I also love this idea—Dendrobium orchids hanging from the ceiling. Alas, it will be literally impossible to do, and I’m not even sure if it will look good in our indoor room as opposed to in a gorgeous tent ceremony.

(source)

Any suggestions for our ceremony room are totally welcome! heart204

Tags: decor, flowers, new-jersey |

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21 Responses to “Our Ceremony Concerns”

Member

Miss OceanBeach SF (message) 145 posts, Blushing bee

I was at a wedding about a year ago in a very similar kind of room, and their wedding party was even larger than yours (I think they had 8-10 on each side). They formed two rows, with the taller wedding party members in the back.

Also, depending on how dark the room is during your ceremony time, you could dress the room up with some colored uplights.

11/19/08 @ 4:37 pm (reply)

Member

MsUsUk (message) 108 posts, Blushing bee

i like the colored lights! can you also get fabric to drape from the ceiling (not too low of course!

I also think you could certainly still have petal cones, your ribbons would just need to be long enough to hit a mid point in the chair. Then you could have the cone stationed at the back of the chair or on the side to for decoration.

11/19/08 @ 4:47 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Meatball (message) 612 posts, Busy bee

I recently saw a photo from a wedding that had individual rose petals strung on fishing line, hanging down along the wall like that orchid curtain above. It was absolutely gorgeous, and way more cost efficient. You could hang them from those 3M removeable hooks on the wall, which come off without damaging the surface, but hold very well….

11/19/08 @ 4:49 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Deviled Egg (message) 858 posts, Busy bee

Ditto Miss Fondue on the colored lights. Up-lighting can do wonders!

As for attaching your petal cones, could you pin them to the chair covers? Or tie the chair sash to the side and tie the ribbon used to hang the petal cones into the chair sash?

11/19/08 @ 4:52 pm (reply)

Guest

Vic004

Your ceremony room looks like a it would look great with a monogramed aisle runner. Maybe you could put petal cones on the seats of the aisle chairs so you could still get the petal throwing action in the pictures as you walk down the aisle, even though it wouldn’t do much for adding to the decor?

11/19/08 @ 4:58 pm (reply)

Guest

katie

i’d definitely put an aisle runner, preferably in white, in the ceremony room. the carpet looks fine but putting a white aisle runner can really add an “oomph” to a room. you can add rose petals and candles all along the aisle runner too. just having that alone can easily create a beautiful and romantic mood to the ceremony.

11/19/08 @ 4:59 pm (reply)

Guest

Ali

I can’t remember off the top of my head what your wedding colors are, but you could do a really pretty/brightly colored runner that goes all the way down the aisle. Or maybe going off the lights idea, you could put Christmas tree lights running along the aisle so your path is illuminated?

11/19/08 @ 5:00 pm (reply)

Member

Emilie (message) 95 posts, Worker bee

hi! I definitely second the idea of candles of rose petals. All that room needs is a little bit of romantic lighting. Maybe even some uplighting at the very front? If you do two floral pieces around you for the ceremony, you can uplight those with white light, which will just draw everyone’s attention forward.
Here’s a pic of my wedding with candles and roses in the aisle.
http://images45.fotki.com/v1237/photos/2/249187/6455635/aisle-vi.png

11/19/08 @ 5:31 pm (reply)

Member

Bridediy (message) 75 posts, Worker bee

Ok some thoughts:
1) Before you plan on the flower cones - definitly check with your venu to make sure they are ok with flower petals inside since they can stain the carpet when people walk on them.

2) I would agree with the florist in that narrow of a room water arrangements on the floor + lots of people + carpet = a disaster waiting to happen HOWEVER I did find this picture of an option that might work better if you had them at say the entrance to the aisle and then just 2 or 3 of them down the aisle instead of one at every row. By putting them up on the pedastal you have a better chance of them not getting knocked over. http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://lh3.ggpht.com/_7JFtfkMTLrc/SFYMBkYKyGI/AAAAAAAADzc/llobytEtD0g/IMG_0241.JPG&imgrefurl=http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pVrLZHmZB73Oaw8oftcS0w&usg=__GUfVICpsBiYk9eAoKnh7DtjByzM=&h=1600&w=1200&sz=16&hl=en&start=97&um=1&tbnid=rVbnRhYkuiLnBM:&tbnh=150&tbnw=113&prev=/images%3Fq%3Daisle%2Bdecorations%26start%3D80%26ndsp%3D20%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4SUNA_enUS292US292%26sa%3DN

3) I think a nice brightly colored aisle runner could add a lot, no white though since that room is already pretty full of white and beige. I also agree that colored up lights or just uplights in general could really add a lot of drama to the space.

Ok now for some options on decor:

You could add chair sashes in one of your wedding colors to bring some more color into the room, or use colored chair covers.

You could look into renting lanterns like these to line the aisles, but obviously they would need to be enclosed so you or your guests dont catch on fire :). http://www.weddingbycolor.com/nickandtrina/milestones/27255

Sorry I looked but that is all I could think of.

11/19/08 @ 5:57 pm (reply)

10.

Guest

Ashley

I am currently tackling the same issue. What we have decided to do was use the aisle runner, candles, and flower petals. It is very simple but sometimes that is best. At our site we have higher windows on both side so we will be putting candles on the window ledges. Maybe try something on the outside of the room with the windows. Good luck!

11/19/08 @ 6:03 pm (reply)

11.

Guest

BeachBrideT

I agree with some of the other comments…

The first thing I thought of when I saw that picture when you posted it the other day is how much better it would look with an aisle runner and rose petals scattered along each side. I’ve seen a few pictures of that and I was shocked at how much it changed the church or room & how “romantic” it looked. I think with all of that white, you should do a colored rose petal– maybe a soft pink, or something that might match your BM dresses? I’m sure your florist can do both an aisle runner and petals, but if you’re looking to save money, you can definitely DIY. There are tons of posts on here about aisle runners, and I’m pretty sure that you can purchase big quantities of petals– maybe even check costco or something.

I also agree with the uplighting– that will make SO MUCH of a difference.

And last, your attendants can definitely stand in two rows. I was just in a wedding with 7 BM and 7 GM, plus the bride and groom and a flower girl. We definitely didn’t all fit across the front of the church, so we had four taller girls in the back, and three in the front- staggered. Everyone could be seen, and it looked much more organized. Plus, its easier for 4 (or 3) people to stay in a straight line. When you have bigger lines, they tend to be curved or wobbly because everyone in the line wants to see the bride and groom.

I’m sure with a few touches, it will look great! Plus, the room might look a little bare now, but it will be filled with people & the front of the room will be filled with all of your attendants, so it will look just fine!

11/19/08 @ 6:36 pm (reply)

12.

Member

cannotwait (message) 900 posts, Busy bee

can you use the “fake water” used for silk arrangements?

11/19/08 @ 7:51 pm (reply)

13.

Guest

princesspupule

Do you need to put water in the vases with orchids? Alternatively, I like the petal cone idea (though can they throw them if you’re inside? See the issue with petals staining carpet). Or, I don’t know if you’ve seen those tissue paper pomanders, you could hang those on each row. I think a runner would also help.

And I agree with the staggering of the wedding party. It will look nice and help everyone fit in a tight space (even if you don’t align by height it might still be ok).

11/19/08 @ 8:31 pm (reply)

14.

Guest

Sandra

i think a runner will be nice with some rose petals with your colors. also maybe hang something from one wall to the other. perhaps lights or fabric. I also saw a picture of lights set up close to the walls and they were reflected off the walls with different colors. maybe that can make the room look larger with more lights.

11/20/08 @ 10:00 am (reply)

15.

Guest

Mariann

When I used to assist at weddings at a large hotel the easiest way to dress up a room for a ceremony site is the following:

1. pillar candles in large vases - large enough to have about 3inches from where the flame ends and the vases ends

2. an arch from Michael s with some fresh flowers and then some fake flowers.

I would like to point out, the ceremony will be short… so dont spend so much money on the ceremony where you can really wow people in the reception sight.

11/20/08 @ 10:51 am (reply)

16.

Hostess

rosychicklet (message) 2,179 posts, Buzzing bee

I scanned the previous posts and didn’t see any mention of this- I don’t know if it will work if the room is really super narrow, but…

Did you consider rotating the chairs 90 degrees to either make the “altar” the side of the room with the windows or the side of the room with the long wall?

You could then have the chairs arranged in a semi-circle arcing around the “altar”.

The pros- the guests wouldn’t have to sit far away in the back of the room, (if you face the windows) the windows and drapes might make for a nice backdrop and facilitate your hanging orchids, (if you face the wall and depending on the time of day) might improve the angle of the natural light (coming from the back instead of from the side).

The cons- the aisle will be much shorter and you’ll have to walk in from the side and then up the aisle.

Just an idea.

11/20/08 @ 11:32 am (reply)

17.

Guest

Erin

So, apparently I’m in the minority, but I think you shouldn’t worry. I think the room is lovely, very classic. I wouldn’t fret about having to do much of anything to it.

I’ve attended a wedding in a similar room, and everyone could hear and see just fine. When you think about it, the guests have to sit further back in most churches. Having the guests come to their seats through the main aisle is fine - Since there’s only 5 seats, so they won’t have to crawl over a bunch of people. Just make sure the ushers have people sit on the sides first. I think the size of the room will be intimate and comfortable, not crowded.

I agree with your florist about the tripping hazard - although those are stunning arrangements. Really, everyone’s attention will be on the front of the room (where you are!), so I don’t think you need to decorate the aisle. Instead, I would have your florist do two large arrangements (perhaps similar to what you’ll have up front) that you could place at the entry to the aisle. Since everyone will pass them, and they will be in line of sight, it will have the same effect as lining the aisle, but with less clutter. You can also focus on two amazing arrangements, which will have more impact.

Angle your wedding party (about 30 deg, forming a “V” around you, the officiant, and your FI) and everyone should fit in one “row.” But don’t stress about this - it will be quick and easy to figure out at your rehearsal.

I really think it’s a wonderful space that you don’t need to do much to. And the focus of the ceremony is you and your groom!

11/20/08 @ 1:28 pm (reply)

18.

Guest

Steph

As fas as the flower cones, if they don’t allow you to use rose petals, you could always order fake ones…

and since you can’t hang the flower cones on the chairs, you could maybe anchor those hooked staffs that they use for outdoor wedding in some kind of container? on the isle? instead of every guest getting a flower cone, just the ones on the isle. I attended a wedding that was done like this.

also rose petals down the sides would look very nice.

If you are having trouble fitting on stage, the wedding party could always form a semi circle facing the guests, with the bride and groom in the front facing the guests, and the pastor/officiant down a step with his back towards the guests. then all of the guests would be looking at your faces instead of backs…

11/20/08 @ 1:44 pm (reply)

19.

Guest

Steph

here, I found a pic of the staff things I was talking about: http://www.oncewed.com/index.cfm?postID=347&title=A_Budget_Wedding_on_a_Farm

11/20/08 @ 2:40 pm (reply)

20.

Guest

MzQueenBee

There is a million things you can do. But, I agree with the florist you don’t want any accidents. Although if you are on a budget it is an idea. But I think you should get some fabric and put it on the ceiling joining in the middle and kind of drape down in the middle, then attached to where the wall and ceiling meet. Also through some lights in the middle of each pice of fabric. If you prefer to do flowers you can have an arch at the front of the room and have it decorated with flowers and lights. Or you could add add flowers and another ribbon around each chair in the back. I don’t know your colors or flowers of choice but either way adding colors flowers and color will add pizzazz to the room.

11/24/08 @ 5:39 pm (reply)

21.

Guest

Miss. Pie

i actually am looking at nj reception venues right now and the venetian is #1 on my list! my sister got married there 5 years ago and i remember just eating to my heart’s content (amazing cocktail hour) and having a blast in their ballroom! my fiance and i are thinking about going into their new ballroom since we’re shooting for a summer 09 wedding. everything is GREAT about this venue exceptttttttt….the ceremony site! i have the same issue with you! i was wondering though, were they flexible in allowing you to use the ballroom as the ceremony site, or no?

also, my coworker told me her friend, who also married at the venetian set up the ceremony site with fake tall trees, which added an intimate, natural ambiance, with lights and stuff. she told me her coworker probably still has those fake trees in her garage! haha but that might add some more life to the room.

good luck!

11/24/08 @ 9:02 pm (reply)