Going in a different decor direction, therefore need inspiration! (Moroccan theme)

[musey]

Scroll down to the "short version" if you don't feel like wading through my big intro

So we are approximately 1 year out. The wedding is on 10/04 of next year, so we visited the venue 10/06 (saturday).

Main reason was that when we were booking, I asked the coordinator multiple times whether they got fall color (and at what time it peaks). I've always always wanted an autumn wedding, with the trees covered in browns/yellows/oranges/reds. Always. The coordinator said definitely, lots of it, and it peaks in late sept./early oct.

I was surprised and thrilled because I didn't think I'd be able to find that in SoCal!


This was back in May, fast forward to this weekend and our visit... green, green, green.

Not a speck of fall color even beginning on the grounds. The only hint of autumn is some purple trees they have scattered by the ceremony area, but they're obviously year-round purple (so don't hint at autumn). I was immediately bummed, especially since being promised by the coordinator prior to signing our contract with them. I felt a little lied to. I know that one can never predict something like this, but still... not even a speck.

Okay so here's the point of the post (the short version)

I've decided to mostly (if not completely) scrap my autumn theme. I could force it on the venue, or I could work with what's there. I'm afraid that if I try to stick with my autumn plan, it will look contrived and out of place.

SO, since our original idea was "Autumn with moroccan elements," we're gonna switch to "moroccan with autumn elements." I'm thinking iron lanterns with orange/red paneling, moroccan cushions by the dance floor, deep reds and oranges infused in the wedding attire. The autumn elements will be more flavor- and scent-inspired... cider, sage, spiced/cinnamon cake, pumpkin candies and cupcakes, etc.


Any inspiration someone would like to offer? Or "grr for them telling you autumn would work!" comments?

 

[musey]

Here are some pics of the ceremony area that we took on saturday... you can see the purple trees:

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Hey, Musey,

Just wanted to say a couple of things: 1.) great idea to go to the venue exactly a year from the date, I''m so glad you were able to find out now that it''s not quite what you were expecting (unfortunately) and 2.) I can definitely relate. I planned my wedding for the last week of September thinking the trees in New England would be filled with golds, oranges and reds. I got green, too, because it''s been such a warm, warm fall.

The trees are fickle. I got married just over a week ago and it was green. Today? Beautiful fall colors on the trees. Honestly, you never know what you can get, it just depends on the season. Also, the fall tones still looked fabulous--dark reds, oranges, golds and browns are great for making everything feel warm and rich.

I can completely understand why you feel deceived--is it SUPPOSED to be fallish right now or was she just telling you that to sell the site? In any case, the Moraccan colors will still give you the effect you were looking for with the fall colors. What do you think you''ll have to change? Are you keeping the same flowers? Will it change the invites? Do you think you''ll have to redo the plans you''ve already created?

 

[musey]

The eating area of the venue, a big deck overlooking the ceremony space

 

[musey]

A crappy screen shot of the indoor dance floor/cocktail area.

Very lodgey overall, so I''m a bit worried about making morroccan elements work. We''re gonna try it out though!

 

[Stephanie]

Musey - The fall color issue is exactly why we postponed our 10/18 wedding until 11/01. There is just no color until late October/Early November. I think that your plan sounds wonderful. Even if the trees aren''t going to cooperate, the colors will look fantastic!

 

[musey]

Thanks for posting, NEL!!

What we were thinking before was orange, orange, orange. The flower girls were going to wear fairy wings covered in fall leaves, I was going to wear tiny leaves in my hair, we were gonna put pumpkins all over the ceremony area, etc.

So now I''m thinking dark red, orange (still), and maybe yellow (?). Still in the autumn vein, but easier to tie in to the Moroccan ideas.

I was already planning to do a cluster of Moroccan lanterns on the tables for centerpieces, so that won''t need to change. We weren''t planning to do flowers much at all, except for the bouquet(s). I don''t know if we''ll change that plan. I''m not all that into flowers

As for whether or not she was just trying to sell the venue... I''m kind of thinking she might have been. The ranch is in Malibu Canyon, so I was surprised and skeptical in the first place when she said they get fall color there. I''ve seen very little overall in SoCal.


Do you think I should just go autumn anyway, and let the fact that it''s October be the tie-in element? Do you think in that space (with the pictures), fall would work? Or Moroccan, even?

 

[musey]

Date: 10/8/2007 3:33:25 PM
Author: Stephanie
Musey - The fall color issue is exactly why we postponed our 10/18 wedding until 11/01. There is just no color until late October/Early November. I think that your plan sounds wonderful. Even if the trees aren't going to cooperate, the colors will look fantastic!

Thanks, Stephanie. I think that would've been the safer bet for us, too. When we went to book our first choice, 10/18, was already taken. Honestly, the only reason I let them talk us into 10/04 is that she told us that, without question, we'd have lots of fall color. Maybe it's a weird year. There's color where I grew up, but certainly not in Malibu!

In the end, I still LOVE our date and it's the better choice for us (later would have been too close to other events... my birthday on 11/01, then thanksgiving, then the holidays) and I've always wanted October. So it's okay.

Notice how hard I'm trying to talk myself out of being upset?

It's really not a big deal and things will still look great, I just have to keep telling myself that!

 

[musey]

For reference, here's my older overview of ideas:

 

[Mrs DMcD]

Musey - I too am having an Oct. 2008 wedding, and I also LOVE the fall! I am hoping next fall is not as warm as this one and we have the beautiful fall colors the east coast is famous for - but you never can tell. I like the Moroccan idea, since it''s along the same color lines, but personally think that sticking with a fall theme overall would still work just because of the date. There are pumpkin patches all over right now, regardless of the weather (which would make great decorating ideas, a few pumpkins on hay bales... especially in the feel of your reception site, with the wooded and outdoors feel) If you decide to go more Moroccan, I still think it would look great - but I don''t think you have to abandon your original ideas only because the trees aren''t cooperating haha. Again, this is coming from someone who loves the fall!!

PS - Nice job on being so organized and so many ideas, looks like I better get a move on!

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Musey,

I LOVE what you''ve put together, the orange is amazing! And that venue??? Incredible. I definitely think you can incorporate the elements you have without changing too much. I still think you should stick with orange, mainly. Then again, I''m a huge fan of orange--you can even see the bright orange tie my husband wore on our wedding day in the tiny avatar pic I have.

What I love about the bouquets is how they incorporated green with the orange, it really pops, doesn''t it? I had red and terra cotta roses with mango calla lillies in my bouquet and it was really, really pretty but that green is amazing.

While I understand you wanting to take out some of the pumpkin and fall leave elements, I would still keep all of the orange elements you can. There are so many gorgeous orange flowers. And those orange moroccan lamps are amazing.

Though we are on opposite coasts, we both planned outdoor autumn weddings with an autumn color theme, we both have asscher cut rings (though I am head over heels in love with yours--I drool over your avatar every time I see it) AND I find out that you are expecting your rolling ring the same day I order mine?? I think we may be twins!

 

[Pandora II]

I don''t think it will be a problem using those colours anyway. They tie in so well with the Moroccan theme. Re the pumpkins, why don''t you mix them up with some gourds so you''ve got a mix of colours and slightly less Halloween?


I have a very similar colour scheme to yours, but my wedding is the end of July!

It will only look really fall if you have fake leaves sprinkled everywhere!

The purple trees are nice and could be a good colour to bring in in a small way.

I had a great article on a Moroccan themed wedding in a uk bridal **** magazine a few months ago - sadly I chopped it all up and chucked the rest away or I would have scanned it for you.

 

[musey]

Date: 10/8/2007 4:52:28 PM
Author: NewEnglandLady

Though we are on opposite coasts, we both planned outdoor autumn weddings with an autumn color theme, we both have asscher cut rings (though I am head over heels in love with yours--I drool over your avatar every time I see it) AND I find out that you are expecting your rolling ring the same day I order mine?? I think we may be twins!

That''s so funny!! I hadn''t thought about that. What is it about asscher gals that makes them tend to go for the same things (I posted recently about how a lot of us tend to have cushions as our "second favorite")? hmmm...

Anyway, thank you all for posting. You''re making me feel a lot better about keeping some of the same elements. I was always planning to keep the all the orange (I just can''t NOT have it!), just get rid of the more "HEY, IT''S FALL!" elements

I think the biggest thing I''ll have to nix is the fairy wings on the flower girls (the ones covered in leaves) and having the flower girls toss dried autumn leaves instead of petals. So maybe if I keep all the plans the same, but replace the leaves with flowers/petals, it will work well.

Lots of ideas stirring in my little BIW brain...

 

[BlueKeet]

Musey I would go with the orange color scheme and fall theme anyway. You love orange, geesh I love orange and all of your details are lovely. I have been to a wedding at your venue and it was wonderful. It is so peaceful, rustic and well just beautiful. However, it never looks like fall in the Santa Monica Mountains. If you used your assortment of oranges, reds and yellows you would make it look like fall and it will be great. On a positive note, the past few weeks I have been all smiles because it FEELS like fall. The air is just right so odds are it will feel like fall in SoCal next year and look as much as it can like fall. Even at 85 degrees today it feels like fall - a clear sky and super dry air.

We went to Vermont last year to see "FALL" - it is by far my favorite season. Sadly, we just don't have the same type of trees out here. Ok, a few people plant them in their yards, but that is about it.

 

[musey]

Date: 10/8/2007 5:41:16 PM
Author: BlueKeet
Musey I would go with the orange color scheme and fall theme anyway. You love orange, geesh I love orange and all of your details are lovely. I have been to a wedding at your venue and it was wonderful. It is so peaceful, rustic and well just beautiful. However, it never looks like fall in the Santa Monica Mountains.

That''s what I thought, too! I should''ve just trusted my gut, instead of taking her word for it. Honestly, though, we probably wouldn''t have ended up choosing anything that would have fall colors, since we were pretty set on staying local.

Anyway, yeah, I can''t abandon my orange!

I just don''t know whether it''ll be orange in the context of fall, or orange in the context of Moroccan decor.


On the upside, my mother has suggested throwing a "1st anniversary" bash in my hometown, that DOES get tons of beautiful fall color. So, maybe that can be my consolation prize

 

[Pandora II]

Only thing I can add here is that I was in the Berkshires 2 weeks ago and was blown away by the colours of the leaves - although they are probably way better this week, they were still pretty amazing for a first time viewer.

In the UK we don''t get anything like that in the autumn, yet lots of girls do autumnal colour schemes - you will just be adding to/enhancing nature!

I saw some gorgeous fairy wings without leaves on a us website - I can find the link if you like.

 

[sera]

I think either color schemes would look gorgeous... that venue is amazing, love it!

Maybe the trees are still green because our weather has been sooooo hot the last few months. Even today was 86. Most of the trees here are evergreens, but where there are trees that turn autumn colors, wouldn''t our high temps of around 90 this late effect it? Don''t the maples etc change when we start getting the cool weather? I think the oranges on my trees are going to be ripe early too. So, next year you may have the colors at this time or may not... but I really think either would look great- go with whatever you want.

 

[luckystar112]

Musey, just out of curiosity how did you make a layout like that? On microsoft paint?

 

[musey]

Sera, thank you for the compliment on my venue! There are 5 or 6 different wedding sites on their grounds, so any SoCal PSer has probably been there at some point--lol!

Luckystar, I used adobe photoshop CS3. Though you wouldn't guess it from that simple layout, freelance graphic designer is one of my many "day jobs"

You can do something really similar in MS Word or Pages, I've never really used paint though so I couldn't say about that one!

Date: 10/8/2007 7:34:28 PM
Author: Pandora II

I saw some gorgeous fairy wings without leaves on a us website - I can find the link if you like.

That would be great, Pandora! We were planning to buy or make plain ones, and then attach flowers or leaves.

 

[qtiekiki]

You definitely don''t have to get rid of the orange color scheme and fall theme. I mean SoCal never really have a lot of red & orange fall leaves anyways, so you just have to do more to get the autumn theme. You can line the aisle with fall leaves, do the altar arrangements in the fall colors, use pumpkins and other squashes (for more colors and textures) to decorate, use fall scented candles, and etc. I think it will be very pretty.

I got married 11/5/05, and it''s still very green in L.A. I didn''t have an autumn theme (or any theme, for that matter), but my BMs wore orange dresses. The dresses still looked very nice with the green.

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

Morrocan brides usually have henna on their hands and feet. Maybe you could get a henna artist to work at the reception?
I love your ideas and I think you could have some fall and some morroco. Maybe have the wedding party throw dried autumn leaves at you instead of bubles or rice? I think it would be a bit strange to have a "fall" wedding when there is no fall, so combining the twoseems like a really good way of handling it.
As soon as you mentioned your ideas, I thought of this cake:

 

[sera]

Date: 10/8/2007 8:32:48 PM
Author: brazen_irish_hussy
Morrocan brides usually have henna on their hands and feet. Maybe you could get a henna artist to work at the reception?

I love your ideas and I think you could have some fall and some morroco. Maybe have the wedding party throw dried autumn leaves at you instead of bubles or rice? I think it would be a bit strange to have a ''fall'' wedding when there is no fall, so combining the twoseems like a really good way of handling it.

As soon as you mentioned your ideas, I thought of this cake:

Beautiful cake and brazen, the henna idea is great. Henna is so fun and EASY it would be neat for a reception or shower!

Keep in mind, in order for it to stain the skin the henna paste needs to stay on the skin for a while. If you wanted to do it at a shower/bachelorette party... or just for a day you do it for just for fun, it''s easy to mix and being artistic, it should come easy for you- you and some friends could learn. Do NOT buy premixed stuff... it''s old and won''t stain for long if at all. Henna stains orangy-browns, reddish, burgundy, etc. But if it is "BLACK HENNA" used as black hair dye with the chemical PPD (para-phenylenediamine) it is DANGEROUS... it can blister and leave permanent scars. Make sure you know what you are getting.

 

[Hera]

Well I just love the autumn theme actually. I think you would be forcing a Moroccan feeling into the area more than a fall theme. I actually saw a show where they took fake leaves and branches and integrated them into the trees. Maybe you could do that. I bet people would probably not even tell the difference. also, with all of those beautiful trees, I would want to hang lanterns hanging from them (which would be nice with either theme).

 

[BlueKeet]

Hey Musey, I thought of you on my bike ride today. I was out in the Santa Monicas and two yellow leaves blew off a tree and brushed my arm. I started to look around and many young maple trees have red, orange and yellow leaves right now. Ok, all of these trees were planted in someone''s yard, but at least you know you''ll most likely have a free source of leaves if you want to use them. Again, my compliments on your venue - the wedding will be great. It has so much charm you could get away with minimal decorations. There are several venues I didn''t look at because I am inviting people who were married at them. Fond memories of your venue are making me wish I had not made this rule.