{ Ask Cynthia }: Promised Pictures

I finally found some time this afternoon to clean out my camera. But before you get all excited, remember that my calling is NOT photography! Photographers of the world are very safe from me!
The following pictures are from a wedding that we did last month in Farley, IA. Nicole was specific in what she wanted - a wedding that was unlike any other Farley wedding ever done at her particular venue. As you can see from the 2 "before" pictures, the venue is huge! How does one cozy up and make intimate a cavernous space? Bring in big-scale decor!
The orange Chinese lanterns were placed above each table. They gave off a soft, intimate "niteclub" light and really brought the ceiling down to more managable proportions.
The tables are actually 8 ft banquet tables. I love pushing two banquet tables together to form one large table. Not only does it create a large canvas to work with as far as table top decor is concerned, but it also allows for more guests (up to 12 - 14) to sit around, more conversation, more laughter, more love. They are fun to decorate and if given the opportunity, will do them every time, especially when I can mix in some round tables, too. We ended up with over 60 tables.
How do you make plain folding chairs pretty? Chair covers and ties to the rescue - all 750 of them!

We would like to say a special thank you to Joyce, the venue manager. She was wonderful to work with and let us do pretty much whatever we wanted as far as decorations and room arrangement. She will forever be listed in my beloved hall-of-fame venue managers!

All of Life's Best to a great couple!