We did not have a rehearsal dinner (the kids just got everyone out of town to descend on a local brew pub and have a good time on the bride and groom’s tab).
For the small garden tables at the wedding, I used simple vases I got from Michael’s for 99 cents apiece and put some leftover flowers. Our flowers came from TJ and Costco, but the formal bridal party bouquets I ordered from a fancy grocery store florist.
Here is my flower “looot” (got them in the morning on the day before the wedding):
Mason jars make excellent vases and can be purchased inexpensively in bulk
My only advice is to keep it very low in height. I haven’t been to a dinner yet when the table guests didn’t move the decorations/table cards etc. if at all possible to the floor so we could see one another across the table.
I don’t think this would work for a rehearsal dinner. But for a small church women’s breakfast it was lovely to have large tall glass vases and flowers above the conversations. One of the organizer owns these, perhaps left over after a wedding.
Where did you get those gold wrap things around the vases?
Such great suggestions!
I’m just here to say how much I’m enjoying this thread, and especially the pictures! 
Re: bouquet heights. One rule of thumb for bouquets when you don’t want them in the way of people facing each other is the total bouquet height should be less than the distance of elbow to wrist if you put your elbow on the table and your forearm towards the sky or ceiling (vertical). I usually make them shorter, especially if the table is not a big one.
I have several pretty 4-inch high vases I fill with flowers and then use either in a line or in a “round” bunch of 3 or 4 of them together. I doubt anyone would feel they need to move them, but I don’t recall anyone ever removing a vase at meals anywhere. I love fresh flowers and just about always have them in the house.
I love that idea with the photos of the bride/groom’s grandparents! However my MIL has been married 4 times! She’d probably have a cow with a photo of her and DH’s Dad’s wedding photo. Lol.
I love all the colors of your vases, that’s gorgeous! I’m going to check out Trader’s Joes and maybe join Costco. Did I read that you can order the flowers you want?
So DH and I went to GW yesterday. Like I said we have 8 booths. I found a set of 8 square heavy clear glass vases, about 6”-7” height each so bought those. I also like lower height arrangements to be able to talk over.
For the 3 main tables, I found 3 of the below (sorry for the messy table). I’ll put those on the center and would like either another lower shape on each side. I think a colored vase would be nice, but doubt I’d find 6 of them. DH wants to do symmetrical, so that’s fine.
I like the idea of the square vases on the round booths and the rounded vases on the rectangular tables.
I just need to decide how to do the arrangements. I think I’d need to do them the morning of the dinner, don’t you? They’ll live all day, right?
I found 3 12”
I just looked at the Costco website. You may want to do some more investigating before you join if this is a main or only reason to join. They currently don’t seem to have the big multipack of flowers. I don’t know if they discontinued it or if it is seasonal. There are some premade bouquets to order which are very reasonable, single color or variety choices. - you could use the flowers and your own vases. You can check online without being a member. I’ve also found them to be helpful on a phone call.
Two separate women’s groups to which I belong had a bouquet making party. Most of the flowers were from Trader Joe’s, and some from Sam’s Club and Costco store- a selection of sleeves which then we all mixed and matched to make our arrangements. One was arrangements in clear vases, another was composed arrangements in containers with wet floral foam. Worked very well!
I would fill the vases with flowers the day before the event, if you have time. They likely will open up some. Less stress day of time-wise and less worry that they will look great. Which they will! They should last at least 5 days!
I agree that you should be able to definitely put them together the day before. As I mentioned we did ours Thursday evening for Friday night rehearsal and Saturday evening wedding. We only filled the vases with enough water to cover the stems about an inch and then corralled them in cardboard/plastic boxes/bins putting some "cushion around them so they didn’t clang (use leftover plastic grocery bags or bubble wrap or any thing to cushion a bit!
Trader Joes always seems to have such a great selection and great quantity. For a wedding we were able to arrange some special orders/first choices but just arrive early - like when the store opens and you’ll have plenty to choose from.
I second what @abasket said about arriving early to get first dibs on the best selection. TJ also has a good selection of greenery to add to the flower arrangements (I also snipped some in my yard 
).
I also went to our local grocery store and picked through the “day old” discounted flowers. Since I was not giving these to anyone as gifts, I did not care that the flowers might not last as long as the fresh ones. I read somewhere that florists like to use “day old” roses in their flower arrangements because the roses are fully opened and look beautiful. Longevity of the arrangement is not the first priority. 
I do like the idea of doing them the day before. DH and son can help, they are more artistic.
Here is one side of the restaurant. 4 booths on each side. The tables will be turned so there will be 3 seating 10 people instead of this long table. Since these are the colors, very dark, I’m thinking of doing bright flowers, don’t you think?
I’d like greenery instead of a runner mixed in with candles. I think I can get back with some nice fake ones from Michael’s, don’t you?
Any other suggestions?
Looks like a very nice place - like, a little upscale in a nice way!
Have you asked if candles are ok? Or if they need to be votives or something? That was a rule at our venue.
Because this venue looks sort of monochromatic (neutral, similar color-ish) I kind of picture something a little simple in color. like greenery with flowers in shades of pink/white (a pale pink, a peach, white, ivory, mid-pink) instead of multicolor flowers.
Sort of like this with whatever greenery you want for the table (since you mentioned it)
Looks great! I’d say no to mishmash vases or mason jars! They would look out of place in this formal setting. And I would not use too many different colors in the flower arrangements.
Those chairs are sort of mustard brown, I’m
Not sure I’m going to like pink with them. Do t you think that clashes? I agree about color vases, I’m Going to stay with clear.
The wedding Venus itself is light bright, white Perfect accent for the pastel colors.
These colors e is a bit harder. What’s nice about this is at has its own bar and Seat area right outside where the tables are.
Or a deeper peach color - btw, ranunculus (pictured below) is very popular these days especially with the younger crowd! TJ’s often carries them and they give a rose vibe without being a rose.
I think whatever “color” you choose I would stick in one color family. Besides the greenery. Classy place, classy flowers. 
But also do what will make you happy! And that you and your H feel represents the feeling you want to give! Flowers should = HAPPY.
