Dressing Inanimate Objects

What inanimate objects get dressed up for a wedding? Tables and chairs, of course!

                                                       Naked                                                                   Fully Clothed

                              image via jumpandparty.net                                                  image via 88 Events Company     

And in true Ms. Ferris Wheel fashion, I have decided to make this infinitely more difficult for myself. Would you believe me if I told you that white or ivory floor-length tablecloths AND chair covers are INCLUDED in our wedding package?! Of course you'd believe me. Why would I lie to you about something like that? I wouldn't.

So now I know you'll also believe me when I say that I (oh, I of the "anything to make my life more complicated" mentality) will not be utilizing white or ivory floor-length tablecloths OR chair covers for our wedding reception. And why is that? Well, basically because I'm a moron with a sadistic streak. That, or I've fallen victim to the gorgeousness that is images like this.

image collage via Green Wedding Shoes; top photos by Aaron Delesie via Style Me Pretty;

bottom photos by Jose Villa

image via Green Wedding Shoes; photos by Lisa Lefkowitz

photo by Geoff White

image via Weddingbee Classifieds

The ribbons say "fun" and "handmade" and "unique," while the gray tablecloths say "different" and "modern" and "I coordinate with your wedding colors." I am a sucker for ribbons and for all things gray, so why not give them both a starring role at our wedding reception? Besides, we're just not fans of white chair covers and white table linens. For one, it's a little bright given that we're aiming for a City at Night feel. For two, it's a little Traditional Ballroom Reception for our taste. Yes, it's a little extra money for something that we otherwise wouldn't have to pay a penny for - I get that.  But I plan to go on the *cheap*cheap*cheap* with this project, which makes it much more do-able.

I'm still sourcing table linen purchase/rental options, so I'll have to get back to you about that. But we have finalized the ribbon portion of the project. A few months ago Mr. FW and I went to Michael's and went nuts in the ribbon section. I wish I had a picture of me accidentally unrolling 2 spools of ribbon all the way down-and-out the aisle while Mr. FW chased after. Alas, all I have to offer you are these pictures of our painstakingly chosen coordinating ribbons hanging off a hanger against our gray bedroom wall.    

I know, I know.  It doesn't look as fully and breezy as those ribbon images above, but we thought a more minimalist approach better fit the vibe our our wedding,  Plus, having fewer ribbons means we kept our expenses lower AND we increased the chances that whoever has to tie these ~320 knots will only want to kill us one-half or even one-third as much as they would have otherwise once we tell them this is the task we've assigned to them. Mwahahahahaaaaaa!

The black, silver and white ribbon are coming from COD Wholesale, where I paid $53 (including shipping) for 200 yards each of 7/8" double-faced satin ribbon in black and silver, and 5/8" double-faced satin in white. Then I found the black with white stitched grosgrain ribbon at papermart.com, where 125 yards of 5/8" ribbon cost $20.  Total ribbon cost: $75, or right about $1/chair. With this much ribbon I'm ensuring that we have more than enough for the chairs plus plenty of leftovers for other crafts potentially needing a ribbony touch. Now that all of the ribbon has been cut, ironed, "collated," and is hanging and ready to go in our basement, we're pretty darn pleased with ourselves.   

Is there anything you could have gotten for free, but you decided to spend extra money anyway? Please tell me I'm not the only one...