Hi All! I’ve been reminiscing about the beginning of Mantel and Table lately for some reason. Probably because my sons and I thought it up when my youngest son was at hospice, and he would have celebrated his birthday this week so I’m thinking about him a lot.
What follows is the actual first decorating post I ever did – on a free blog site – with practically no experience whatsoever. Way before I had ever seen a “real” decorating blog or known anything about this whole genre! It was never published, and was just sitting out there in blog-post limbo. Until now!
So in the spirit of authenticity, I’m not going to correct the formatting or add more pictures or anything. This is just exactly the way I wrote it – with my sons’ encouragement – on Halloween 2017. Get ready for a short fast ride!
Mantel For A Wedding
When my husband and I finally got married last November after 19 years together, the flowers were the second most important part of the ceremony! Cream, white, silver, and gold are my favorite colors, and I was really excited to use them for the wedding decorations.
I ordered up a huge box of white and cream roses, white carnations, tulips, lilies, and gardenias from my local Fred Meyer. They have a great floral department, and really helped me get just exactly what I was looking for. My older son and my dear friend came into town to help me get ready for the wedding, and we spent several fun hours decorating the mantel. The base is evergreen and camillia boughs from my yard, then we wove in some silver and cream ribbon, and arranged my favorite silver candlesticks among the greenery before adding the flowers. I used a water tube for each stem to keep them fresh.
I really wanted a big ornate mirror at the back, but after having slightly exceeded my budget on flowers, I had to make do with what I already owned, so used my smaller gold-edged mirror. It reflected the lights we’d hung from the ceiling, and looked pretty. The crystal garlands and icicles are some I’ve had for years and use every holiday season.
The final touches were the family heirloom crystal vases for the flowers on the floor, and large candlesticks on the hearth.
We had flowers all over the house, but the mantel was my favorite – exactly what I wanted for our perfect wedding.
What a wonderful post! Isn’t it fun to see the journey that your blog has been on!
Happy day friend!
karianne
Thank you KariAnne! 💗 It is a journey – a fun one for sure! Thanks so much for all your encouragement so far! I can’t wait to meet you next month!
How truly precious.
Thank you for sharing something so very special with all of us.
Your flowers were wow – and worth blowing your budget on – just gorgeous!!!!
Ha! Yes, if I had to blow my budget on something, I’m glad it was the flowers! 🙂 I’m so happy you like them too! Thanks so much for being here, and Happy Thursday! 💗
So beautiful to see this. I am thinking of you my friend – it is a sad time; I hear you. Love and light!
Joanne
I know you know how it is and I’m so grateful for your friendship! 💗 I’m glad you were there for this mantel and that you still like it! 😉 See you soon my friend!
It was a day of celebration for to remember. I am so glad you posted this! The mantle was amazing and definitely showed your talent. It brings such a joy to remember the day.
It really was a day to remember!! 💗 I’m so glad you were there to make it even better! Do you know we’ve been friends for over 10 years now!?!? Thanks for EVERYTHING!! (And don’t you look beautiful in that picture?!)
I absolutely love this post Barbara! The mantel is beyond beautiful and I’m so happy you had such a beautiful wedding day. I hope the lovely memories of days like that help ease your heartache. Sending hugs and prayers your way.
I’m so glad you love it Denise, I had such a wonderful time making it! 💗 Too bad I didn’t know you then – it was a great party! 🙂 Thanks for the hugs and for always being so sweet!
Barbara thanks for taking us down memory lane! I actually like this post. 😊 And the mantle looks gorgeous! But my heart goes out to you regarding the loss of your son. How we ever get through losses that big is beyond me. But here you are, and what a wonderful blogger you have become. I’m sure both of your sons are delighted!
Cheers to many more beautiful posts!
Terri you are the sweetest! I guess this time of year will always be a little sad. But wonderful friends like you always help! 💗 I’m so glad you like the post too! 😁 Happy Wednesday and thanks so much for being here!