Chic for Cheap??

There is no technical "theme" to our wedding. Our colors are purple and silver, but I'm basically just going off of purple. I like the very rich deep purple I think it will be awesome for fall. Of course money is always an issue. So we will be doing a lot of DIY stuff. Wedding stuff is out of control expensive. Flowers if one of the big things right now that i've been trying to get ideas and figure out what I'm going to do. Our reception venue is very simple and I think we're going to need a lot of flowers and candles (etc...) to dress it up. Just looking at some florists online we realized that there was no way we were going to get the look we wanted for the price we wanted. So we've decided to do the flowers ourselves. Which is going to be quite a task. But I know with all of the help from the wedding party and family it will be great. I have 3 different ideas for centerpieces and I think we will be doing about 4 of each. The first is a Topiary. I know these pictures aren't all in purple, but the centerpieces will all be in a purple scheme. These are just some ideas for basic shapes that I like. I think with the topiary I will probably will just use silk flowers that way I can get them done a few months before the wedding, and save some money rather than using real. Another Idea is A tall cylinder vase filled with water with flowers submerged. I've been thinking purple tulips. I may be able to use silk flowers for this one also again to save money. The last one which I like the most is just low round centerpieces with lots of flowers. I've done my research on the flowers I like and the flowers that come in purple. I don't know if anyone knows this but purple is not the easiest color to find for weddings it seems. I really like hydrangea that is one of my favorites so that will be in coporated. Also carnations are very cheap and come in a range of purples and are good for the "roundness" that I like.

The girls will be carrying mini calla lillies in a deep purple. Ihave not decided what I want for my bouquet. I want a big round bouquet, I'm just not sure if that is something that I will be able to do myself. We will have to figure it out though because I will not pay $200 for ONE bouquet! So those are my ideas for flowers. I also want lots of candles, that is a cheap way to add "warmth" to the room and kind of set the romantic mood. I also like the paper lanterns for lighting, even though we will be inside. I think they would be cute over the dance floor

to highlight it. So those are my ideas for decorations. Hopefully it will turn out how we invision it. We are ordering flowers through a wholesaler online. It is much cheaper that way, and has good reviews. The flowers will arrive the thursday before the wedding and will soak all day, and then friday we will have to bust it to get everything together. I know we will have a lot of help, we have a great bridal party and family that have all offered to assist. I know we couldn't do it by ourselves. So it is deeply appreciated. Once it gets closer I'm sure more will come together. It still seems unreal and so far away right now. But the months go faster and faster. The wedding is 9 months from today! Here are a few more pictures of stuff that I like...To be Continued....