Incorporating culture...

Markus is half Croatian and half German. His family is more tied to their Croatian roots, as his parents plan on returning there someday and still own a home there. I had planned on trying to incorporate some of his culture in our wedding and reception, but was not sure how. Surprisingly, Markus had a few ideas that he mentioned one day that threw me for a loop since I thought he wouldn't care about such things as wedding colors, decor, dresses, etc.

First of all, he wanted red and white to be our wedding colors. I've always been more partial to cool tones like blue and green. As a redhead I tend to avoid bright shades of red and they clash with my hair. I obviously won't be wearing red on my wedding day though. :-P Here's a picture of the Croatian coat of arms...

So his thoughts were red and white checkered table cloths and a pig roast... not exactly the elegant wedding I was thinking about. I'm willing to compromise and have maybe have red and white checkered tablecloths outside on the patio tables... or seen somewhere besides table cloths. As far as the pig roast we'll have to see. It could be kind of fun but we'd have to do it in a formal way... think that's possible? I'm up for a challenge. I guess if you have another entree for those who don't like pig (such as a roasted turkey) and avoid sides that are a little too picnic like (such as doing mashed potatoes instead of salt potatoes, or a nice green salad instead of macaroni salad) it would be good.

So now those are a few of his wedding ideas, and of course I have a few of my own. One of my favorite flowers is a green cymbidium orchid. I think they are very exotic and beautiful. As a bonus, they have red centers, which could work with the red and white. I know what you may be thinking... red, white, and green sounds like Christmas. Not if it's June and the green is a bright lime or apple green. It looks a lot better than it sounds. I don't want the typical wedding colors. This could be something very interesting and fresh reflecting summer and nature with vibrant colors. Accents could be fruit to give a summery feel... granny smith apple place card holders... sliced lime at the bottom of vases in floral arrangements... strawberries on the cake... you get the point. To reassure myself I made up an inspiration board with red, green, and white...

Pictures borrowed mostly from the Knot. Shown are a table cloth, a tin bucket that could hold supplies for guests in the bathroom, small glass vases with flower stems of orchids and roses, a floral and fruit centerpiece, apple candles, place cards, red plate chargers, red linens, bridesmaid dresses, bridal bouquet, whole fruit in glass cylinders, candles, stationary, a candy apple (favor?), a branch and floral arrangement (might be cool at a table with the place cards), hypercium berry buttoniere, personalized cocktail napkins, a table setting, a cake with fresh flowers, a picture of the dining room at Emerson Park, chinese lanterns, a candy buffet, and the red and white checkers from the Croatian coat of arms. Phew... that seems like a lot... I think it will all work wonderfully and express us.

There will be pieces of me throughout the wedding through my crafting madness and imagination... I can't wait. :-P I've got plently of time to work on things.