Weddingbee Blog

Mid-summer has arrived, and that means it’s time to start working with my FMIL to plan the get-together Mr. Mary Jane’s parents are hosting a few days after our wedding! I’ve been wondering when the time would come, but have kept my mouth shut for the most part because this is their party - we’re just the guests of honor. If my FMIL wanted to plan it herself without any input from us, we’d be respectful of that (even though I am going through serious DIY withdrawals over here!). Thankfully, that’s not the case! I received an email from my FMIL yesterday, and she wants to meet with me this week to discuss/plan lighting, decor, and paper products for the party.

Sweet! To be honest, I hadn’t thought much about things like reception decor. What I’d pictured for this event was more of a low key, casual family get-together, but Mr. MJ and I are both humbled and flattered to find that his mom is seriously going above and beyond!

I decided that since we’re meeting this week, I ought to have a few ideas for my FMIL to work with - at least to see if she likes them. As you peruse our ideas, remember that we’re most likely serving barbecue (a la carte/buffet style), and (pending good weather) the majority of the festivities will take place outdoors.

I’m thinking thrifty and re-usable here. For lighting, I have always loved paper lanterns, so why not them? They’re relatively inexpensive, available in bulk at party stores, and reusable for future parties or in a dark space (such as a basement). They can be lit with regular light-strings, or some will function with tea-lights!

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I’m also open to the whimsical stringing of Christmas lights. Added bonus: we already own them!

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Another idea I love is mismatched candles, but I’m not really sure that’s feasible with a semi-outdoor display (unless we make sure they’re all in deep holders). It tends to get quite windy in our region on a regular basis.

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I also love these banners. Our food will probably be offered under the cover of a garage, and that’d be the perfect place to hang one. This is a project I’ll probably DIY, if my FMIL loves it as much as I do.

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Then there’s table decor. My FMIL specifically mentioned centerpieces for the various food tables and such. Since it’s an outdoor, rural affair, I think flowers would be great! Not necessarily matchy-match flowers; wildflowers or mismatched bouquets are more our style. If I’ve got anything in bloom in my own yard by then, I’d love to donate some to the cause.

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Another reason the mixed glass jars are an attractive prospect for me? Free!* We found a handful of big mason jars in our basement after we bought our house. I have a few glass milk jars and other jars of my own, and I see them all the time at our local thrift stores for under a buck each. If we need more, I’m sure Mr. MJ’s grandma and other relatives have a few lying around as well. Securing enough for a smattering of flowers would be a cinch.

Of course, I hope that my FMIL will have ideas of her own. Even if she doesn’t share any of my preliminary “visions” above, I’m sure we’ll come up with a beautiful decor vision that reflects both of our tastes. Stay tuned to find out what we come up with!

My FMIL is an awesome woman. It floored me to learn that she’s even planted flowers around her home (where the event will be located) that she hopes will mesh with our wedding colors (which are pretty relaxed/mismatched)! Wow. From what I read in the boards, I know a lot of you aren’t so lucky to have great in-law relationships. But do you have someone in your close family or friends who’s totally supportive and helpful when it comes to wedding planning?

*This part of our wedding celebration is not a part of our original $1000 budget; it’s a gift from Mr. MJ’s parents. I will talk about this in detail in my budget recaps after the “big days”! But just because someone else is paying doesn’t mean I’ll abandon my good-deal-finding ways. Knowing that someone else’s hard-earned money is being spent on us makes me even more budget-conscious than I otherwise am.