This was an intimate wedding reception and the couple wanted it to be Tuscany-themed. They also love coffee (which is why you will see coffee beans on the tables). This was also done on a very tight budget, and my philosophy is, work with what you've got - or at least what you can make work for your budget!
The bride wanted to be able to give a handful of special guests a unique gift, so instead of the just having the traditional candles and flowers, I wanted to take it a step further by including centerpieces that would not only be unique and fit within the theme, but would make for a very personal and memorable gift for each recipient.
Using large gift baskets, I included Tuscan cookbooks, pasta, sauce, Italian candies, wine, olive oil and a small Rosemary plant that could be planted. We used luggage tags for the recipient's names.Each table also had coffee beans and grapes scattered throughout. Made for a wonderfully fragrant table setting!
Additionally, everything you see in the photos I personally took care of myself, down to the beautifully folded napkins with a Dahlia for the center of each place setting (the fold is the rose pattern that I ironed and folded myself!), as well as arranged all flower arrangements. The amber candle holders and matching vase fit in perfectly, and were my gift the couple.
The bride wanted a burgundy-colored flower to contrast the sunflowers, so I chose these gorgeous Dahlias.
For the place settings, I created individual names on gold paper, cut out in the shape of a leaf, and pinned to the golden pears using an amber-colored bead and straight-pin. The bride loved it.
