Weddingbee boards

I need to know if this idea would strike you as that dreaded T word!

So, I'm an avid gardener. I have over 200 plants, big and small, from all over the world. We're getting married 2 years from now, but I've been thinking about ways to infuse some of our personal touches to the wedding.

How would you feel as a guest if you came into the reception area and saw my mature, potted plants instead of bunches of flowers?

Ugh, sorry. So huge. These are my Hoyas. I'd of course use cache pots and bunch them together for effect. These are my "sparse" plants because these plants take a while to bloom, and even then they may not bloom in April like I'd want.

We're hoping to get married outdoors and have a really relaxed, fun atmosphere. We're not super fancy and plants are a huge part of my life. I was thinking maybe I could name the tables after one family of plant each (Jasmine, Hoya, etc.) and have the escort cards explain a little about the plants and where they originate.

T-word? Not t-word?

Another pic of the plants I could use. I'd take the stakes out and get them cute pots for the big day.

I'd love it!  Knowing that you are an avid gardener it would add a personal touch!  I say definitely go for it!

@sealevels:  I've seen potted plants as center peices. My sorority often uses african violets

@maya2008:  I realize that my Hoyas (without bloom) are sparse! That's what I was worried about.

I'm not a big fan of cut flowers...why cut them when you can grow them, you know? I was hoping for a greener version of the plants people use for wedding everyday!

@CherryWaves:  Aw, thanks! It's mostly just family and friends who know I'm the crazy plant lady...so they're not really going to be surprised. I just kind of know people expect flowers at a reception.

In general: I do have more full plants! The Hoya pics are just a few I have of plants together. They're usually all over the place.

Oh, and they wouldn't just be plopped in the middle of the table! I would have other things to spruce it up. I love DIY projects and they won't look like that on my tables. :)

Just wanted to know the general thoughts of walking in and not being bombarded by bunches of flowers.

@maya2008:  You got it. I know it would definitely be tacky if I used them like they are now. :)

@NAvery:  Cache pots like this:

I would be DIYing floating candle centerpieces to accent the plant. Maybe put them on a platform above the candles.

These plants have honestly been very reliable, but you're right. Who knows what will happen in 2 years? They would be HUGE by then.

This is just something I'm throwing around to save money. They're lying around, I fuss over them, they're plants, why not? I'm having a smaller wedding of 70 so I won't have to be lugging around too much. I'm just worried about those that expect cut flowers at receptions (my family can be snobby). I'll definitely post something tomorrow when I have time!

 @JoolyBee:  You make a great point. They will be much more mature in 2 years, and may be blooming like crazy! Those Hoyas are less than a year old. They can get to look like this very, very quickly:

@Olive12:  I would just get regular flowers, LOL. This is my cheap *** self trying to connect the dots. I would repot in containers

@michiru4ever:  has the right idea! :)

I have dozens of succulents I can do this to.

I could do all of this to any plant. Anything that needs a trellis can be changed out for a nicer one that is wedding colored.

@JoolyBee:  Thanks for the positivity! :)

I think using plants is an absolutely wonderful idea. You can display them so many ways. I love the ones in wooden planter boxes!

I think it's a great idea! I'm just not a flower person, so there were no flowers at my reception, but your actual connection to your plants makes for an awesome tale. I'd like to learn more about them on escort cards-- I think that's a great idea.

thanks guys! i tend to be really laid back so i never know wtf is appropriate.

@jenilynevette:  er, well they do need those hoops...and a greenhouse isnt really glamorous. i have no intention of keeping them in those pots or trellises. like i said, there are some idea i have posted. pp had some great insiration photos, too. :) 

thats a small fraction of plants i have. those happened to be outside so they

 look healthiest. i have dozens of potted succulents and trees! the hoyas just happen to be my babies. theyre new and just filling out.

oh, ladies! i have a few really big potted plants too. 

I love gardening too and think this would be gorgeous! It's not like you're just going to take a young straggly plant in a plastic pot and plop it on the table. I was think a floating candle in a tall thin glass hurricane vase with three pot plants of various sizes around...tuck in some green and Spanish moss and it would be beautiful!

Or how about terrariums? They are selling large ones with multiple tropical plants in them at the local grocery store right now...something I must have! They would look awesome as well!

ET fix spelling errors...hate the autocorrect on this site!

haha, sorry about the awful grammar. my phone is awful to post from. 

i'll have to post more of what i have. maybe the hoyas werent great to start with! when i get home, i'll try to post a pic of my hanging plants and the plants that stay inside. theyre not trellised and are slightly more colorful. more full, too. 

i should have realized not everyone would be able to visualize it!

@Luayne:  *high five* thanks, exactly what i was going to say! hai gais, here's my potted plant in a plain pot and trellis. enjoy looking at that! LOL im  not that bad.

@Caroheart:  very true. hardware stores sell them by the flat and then i wont have to strangle people because they want to take home the plants ive had for years. erm, im pretty territorial over my plants. ::blush::

I think its a great idea and will look amazing! I love personal touches like this at weddings :)

Thanks for all of the input - positive or otherwise. :)

BTW, I realize not many of you guys are active in gardening or think about plants on a semi-often basis. Plants do grow fast, some fast than others. For instance, this is one of my plants in May:

And a few months ago in October:

One summer's growth! I have two years to fill these babies out and it'll look much better.

Of course, I'm not going to put them on the table in their original pots. I'll be using the same theme of cache pots. Some centerpieces will be one plant (either raised and cascading for a hanging plant), or bunched together for the smaller ones. I'll be using candles and glass vases next to the plants.

And yes, gardening is a huge part of my life. We want the reception indoors but next to our ceremony space. Bringing the garden inside! Besides, it's close family and friends and they all know I have crazy amounts of plants. It would be my biggest personal touch.

@LaughLines:  Something a little more elaborate. Maybe putting like pots on "blocks", if you will, of differing heights for some interest. I'd weave the plants that grow upward in with fabric or something to bring the eye up.

Also, some more of my plants that I can group up.