<p>You can use black AND teal organza ribbons. The fact that it is sheer softens the colors.</p>
<p>CountingDown, I actually have an order in with them right now, and have been wondering when the heck I am going to get it!</p>
<p>I have had some problems with them delivering late in the past, but they eventually come through. I just make sure to order WELL in advance! Their selection and prices are unmatched, AFAIK, which is why I keep going back.</p>
<p>Yeah, I was liking their prices, but was bummed to read about the problems. They have a reply on BBB now which indicates they are trying to work through their issues.</p>
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<p>Sorry, off-topic but did this is exactly what they did for a barbeque themed funeral on TLC’s Best Funeral Ever. Even had a barbeque sauce fountain and live hogs running around. </p>
<p>Back to the topic, I’m not a fan of black linens unless you are going with dramatic and probably expensive table dressing and lighting. Personally, I think your fine to skip the appetizers and I love the sustainable partyware.</p>
<p>Wow! The Natural History Museum setting, with the party under a whale skeleton is going to be absolutely stunning. That will be the focus of the decor – it is not going to matter what you do. It’s fabulous. And perfect with the bamboo plates.</p>
<p>Given the setting, I would definitely use white linens. You don’t want to compete with the rest of the room. The Trader Joe orchids would be great as centerpieces, since they are sort of prehistoric looking, but I’m afraid they might look puny in the middle of big round tables. Because of the scale of the whale skeleton, you are not going to want anything too fussy. One plant as a centerpiece will be great. Or maybe the museum has fossil or shell specimens you could borrow to use as centerpieces. But seriously, it is not going to matter what you do because the setting is so stunning.</p>
<p>I’ve been to parties at the Natural History Museum in LA and they have been some of the best parties I’ve ever been to.</p>
<p>I’d run with the natural history theme. For example, if you are having programs, you could make covers by getting the Albertus Seba book from the library and making color copies of an image you like (maybe of coral or something), and then having it sized and copied onto heavy card stock to use as the as the program covers.</p>
<p>Don’t worry about incorporating black into the decor. Black dresses are classic and go with everything. When it comes to dresses, black is a neutral. Black in the decor in combination with the natural plates will look harsh. Given the setting, I don’t think you need the ribbons. </p>
<p>Sounds like you are going to have a wonderful event!</p>
<p>I didn’t realize til later you were talking about a natural history museum. In that case, I’d run more with trying to coordinate with the look of the room than the food. I was envisioning a plainer room as a blank canvas for the event, but with what you’re describing -if the room is that dramatic - I’d go with the room theme over the food theme, and let the barbecue be the “incidental” versus the focus.</p>
<p>I also think you’re overthinking about incorporating black into the decor if the girls’ dresses are black.</p>
<p>You’re probably right overall that I don’t have to freak out too much about decorating at the venue. It’s also really cool because the exhibits are all kept operational so they can tour the museum and enjoy the exhibits during downtime between wedding events. It’s not a large or grandiose museum, but they’ve got some cool stuff. </p>
<p>And Pizzagirl, you’re probably right. Unfortunately I’ve been spending too much on a wedding forum and I’m positive it is leading me to overthink every little detail. General modern wedding planning is very matchy-matchy in nature, it seems. </p>
<p>Yay or nay - I thought about using trilobites and other fossils as a potential motif. Would it be cute or cheesy to use something like a trilobite stamp or stencil to add design to the centerpieces to go with the natural museum theme?</p>
<p>I like the idea of fossils as a motif. Instead of trying to incorporate the images into the centerpieces, which might be difficult, you could use the stamped trilobite (or other fossil images) on placecards. You could get some nice heavy cardstock in 4" X 6" size or so (depending on the size of your stamp) and leave enough of a bottom margin to have the guest’s name written in nice handwriting or calligraphy. The paper can be larger and trimmed down. Ideally, you’d have four or five different images so that there would be variation in the the placecards around the table. But stamping these individually would be quite labor intensive. It would be much easier to xerox the images on the cardstock, once you got a perfect stamped image. Or you could just find a jpeg of great images on the internet. There are zillions of image libraries with public domain images of natural history illustrations from the 18th century. A copy place like Kinkos can make the copies and trim to the proper size, but you should make sure they are using nice paper/ card stock. I’ve made placecards like this with interesting images for parties and people have absolutely loved them.</p>
<p>I use gettyimages for work and recommend them. It’s free to sign up for an account.</p>
<p>Black is considered a neutral color in decor and dressing so no need to go out of your way to incorporate it. Depending on the centerpiece, though, you could use glass vases filled with black stones and then the plant or flowers in that.</p>
<p>My nephew had his wedding in an aquarium! It was very unique and fun!</p>
<p>Pizzagirl, nottelling - Thanks for the tips. I will definitely peruse the site. I’ve been waffling on doing placecards but I might decide to because our tables are going to be relatively empty. </p>
<p>EPTR - I would’ve totally done an aquarium if I could! My fiance is really into aquariums. He grew up in Maryland and spent a lot of time at the Baltimore aquarium as a kid. He wanted to be a marine biologist. </p>
<p>It was actually his choice to do the museum, as well. I showed him a couple venues online I thought were pretty cool and he got really stuck on the idea. There were two things with this wedding he has been adamant about. It had to be at the museum, and one of the sides offered has to be potato salad.</p>
<p>Going with the orchid idea, what about black river rock pebbles strewn along the center of the table, one big potted orchid in the center, and teal and pale green tulle ribbons winding around and under the rocks? Maybe teal on some tables, green on others? Brown fossil images on place cards backed in black. Not matched to ribbons or anything else…
I wish we could all be flies on the wall for your fun party!</p>
<p>Do people think that teal and pale green can both be used together? Pale green was another big contender on the color list. Really the thing that knocked it off was that my cousin was married this summer and her color was clover. I don’t want any comparisons drawn to that wedding.</p>
<p>hyperJulie, congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Enjoy the process - it’s a very exciting time.</p>
<p>My daughter got married a few years ago (wow, the time’s gone fast!) and she picked teal and purple as her colors. Sounds crazy, doesn’t it? But it was beautiful. Hydrangeas were her flowers on the tables.</p>
<p>I think teal and a pale green would be beautiful together, and the green would tie in the natural theme. Funny that dragonmom suggested the black river rocks, because the same thought occurred to me, but I would stay fairly subtle on the tables.</p>
<p>There are wedding color wheels online and I imagine on Pinterest that you could create a board with the colors and ideas you’re considering.</p>
<p>It’s fun hearing your ideas. The museum sounds like a great venue.</p>
<p>Tiredofsnow - I looked into the color wheel thing and apparently light teal and pale green are adjacent to each other. According to the attached explanation that means they should go good together. So hurrah.</p>
<p>Good deal, Julie! I think it sounds beautiful. Maybe you could go to a fabric or craft store and narrow down the perfect shades (or on Consolation’s ribbon site).</p>
<p>So much fun! I’m living vicariously as a hopeful future mother of the bride.</p>
<p>Hyperjulie -</p>
<p>First of all, one of my favorite weddings was one where they had it catered by a barbeque service - and DH is a vegetarian and I am vege/pescatarian. The setting was at a restored farmhouse and it was just lovely. What made it so special is that it seemed less like a show and more like we were invited to rejoice with them as they took their vows. </p>
<p>Your setting and your ideas are much the same. As you make your plans, don’t let the details intrude on this feeling. Your wedding is going to be very special. </p>
<p>My stepdaughter used a book theme for her centerpiece and she just had a small stack of older books, artistically stacked and ribboned in some way. Instead of favors, she placed a bookmark at everyone’s plate with message that a donation had been made in guests name to the DC public library.</p>
<p>Hyper Julie - I did my kids’ 16th bday party with a theme of teal, light green and brown.</p>
<p>I’m seeing a very sophisticated picture in my mind—black river rock juxtaposed by the delicacies of a potted orchid and tulle ribbon. Lovely! Also like the idea of mixing brown and black on the table card…Makes me want to have a party!!</p>