Stuck Like a Bird in a Cage

Stuck Like a Bird in a Cage

August 6th, 2009 @ 3:09 pm by Mrs. Lightning
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So, a few months into wedding planning, Mr. Lightning and I had this elaborate bird theme for our wedding. We were quite convinced that this was a great, innovative idea that we could tie into all the decorative elements. We were so convinced that we purchased 10 birdcages that happened to be on sale, an indicator to us that this was meant to be.

Fast forward a few weeks, and we were quite sure this was a huge mistake.

While I am a fan of both birds and cages, particularly in a graphic form (I even have 3 swallows tattooed on my body in different places), the bird theme didn’t really seem as a appealing to us as it had before. It was just a little too grown up for us, and a little too twee. We wanted something more innovative, funky and youthful.

And so now we were stuck with 10 birdcages. After numerous discussions, we decided to keep them close as we would still use them when we moved into a larger home in the future; perhaps placed at varying heights from a patio ceiling, etc. We felt better about the decision and decided to take the loss in the budget as a lesson learned.

OK, now fast-forward to present day. With our ever changing minds (well, perhaps with MY ever changing mind), we may just use the birdcages after all. With their similar lantern shape, we might be using the cages on tables as previously planned, filled simply with a candle and adorned with some ribbon. The cages are currently a natural birch.

It’s a cheaper alternative to elaborate floral centerpieces all ’round. That’s if my mother will let me get away without flowers at the reception… apparently this is sacrilege.

If we must however, there are many floral options, as well.

Image courtesy of Mint Design.

Stuck Like a Bird in a Cage : wedding decor reception 728 41

What are some non conventional ways to dress up a birdcage?

Tags: decor, reception |

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24 Responses to “Stuck Like a Bird in a Cage”

1 2 Last

Bee

Miss Bruschetta (message) 5,565 posts, Bee Keeper

Love those last two pictures!

Are you a Libra? My mister is and he’s often very indecisive!

8/6/09 @ 3:15 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Moonbeam (message) 1,732 posts, Bumble bee

Maybe instead of cut flowers it can be a little woodsy vignette, like terrariums, but with birdcages, though I’m not sure how that fits with your venue. If I remember correctly it was beachy, but modern and elegant, right?

8/6/09 @ 3:20 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Mary Jane (message) 1,970 posts, Buzzing bee

OMG, i love those with flowers in them!!

8/6/09 @ 3:24 pm (reply)

Member

nybride09 (message) 890 posts, Busy bee

i think the 2 pix you have are great but if not floral, how about baby cacti in it? those could double up as favors too. or a plant with long tendrils, like a potus (sp?) alternatively you could put 2 little fake birds in there - the sort that i’m seeing in some headpieces these days.

8/6/09 @ 3:24 pm (reply)

Member

Laylabelle (message) 3,378 posts, Sugar bee

You could definitely dress up the birdcages without making them look too cutesy. I would spray paint them a glossy white, fill with candles of varying heights (like the first picture), skip the ribbon, and add some crystals - maybe hanging from the inside. Or go for a vintage look and paint them white or black and antique them, and fill with candles and brooches and have antique things surrounding them on the table - old books, letters, postcards, a magnifying glass, etc.

8/6/09 @ 3:34 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Labrador (message) 1,805 posts, Buzzing bee

Never heard of the word “twee” before now. Learn something new everyday.

If you lived in the states, I’d totally ask to buy one of your birdcages! Too cute!

8/6/09 @ 3:45 pm (reply)

Guest

mander411

love those pics!! My centerpieces are similar, but the cage is in a pumpkin shape for our Fall wedding. We are using a candle inside with leaves surrounding the candle. We are using the birds for other elements such as the bird cage card holder, “love birds” cake topper and on invitations and such. And we aren’t old! lol
For sure helps out on the florist budget! Main reason I am doing it, but it is also different and creative.

8/6/09 @ 3:46 pm (reply)

Member

SarahEm (message) 49 posts, Newbee

Another way you could sneak in a floral feel is with moss on the bottom of the cage, under the candle. I’ve found its the easiest material to work with of all time, though maybe just a little messy during construction And maybe some cute little mushroom birds and dried lavendar?

8/6/09 @ 3:48 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Poodle (message) 3,387 posts, Sugar bee

I loved how they look with the flowers!!

Well we are not having natural flowers at all, so that was pretty non conventional to Mr. Poodle, but he loved the paper and clay flower I’m working on

8/6/09 @ 3:52 pm (reply)

10.

Member

evelinej (message) 370 posts, Helper bee

You can always alternate with candles and flowers. They both look good!

8/6/09 @ 4:20 pm (reply)

11.

Member

Bridebella (message) 368 posts, Helper bee

I absolutely love that picture with candles in it. And if you want to make it more funky, you can totally mix up the colors of the candles and/or ribbon, table runners, etc.

8/6/09 @ 5:27 pm (reply)

12.

Member

browneyes (message) 87 posts, Worker bee

Here are some ideas:

1) Playing off of Laylabelle’s idea, inside the cage, you can put candles in a bed of crystals.

2) You can put the cage itself on a bed of crystals or colorful rocks surrounded by votives. And inside the cage, you can put candy, chocolates, or petite fours/anything cake-like (playing off of your love for cake).

3) Or you can stack some shallow or tall wide vases and put the birdcage on top. Add some LED lights, crystals, rocks, silk rose petals, etc. in the vases and decorate the birdcage with flowers or candles.

4) How about decorating the birdcage with birds of paradise flowers? Can you get those flowers at a good price in South Africa? It’s a twist to your original bird theme yet it adds color and some innovative design.

8/6/09 @ 5:31 pm (reply)

13.

Member

browneyes (message) 87 posts, Worker bee

You can also decorate with fruit.

8/6/09 @ 5:33 pm (reply)

14.

Bee

Miss French Bulldog (message) 7,730 posts, Bee Keeper

I am in love with the picture w/ the candles in the birdcage, perhaps you could play on that and add some flowers to make Mama Lightning happy
@Miss Labrador: I’ve also never heard twee! I must find a way to use it!

8/6/09 @ 7:05 pm (reply)

15.

Guest

LPC

Twee is my English professor father’s favorite word. Or one of them at least…

8/6/09 @ 9:23 pm (reply)

16.

Bee

Mrs. Perfume (message) 2,253 posts, Buzzing bee

Love the idea! And thank you so much for edumacating me on Twee!!!

8/6/09 @ 11:00 pm (reply)

17.

Bee

Miss Mouse (message) 5,844 posts, Bee Keeper

I like both ideas: a simple candle would reflect your lantern theme well. But the inspiration pics with flowers are gorgeous! You’ve got options, it seems.

8/7/09 @ 3:50 am (reply)

18.