600 Guest Wedding to decorate

@ Celia, it's been gone over ad nauseam already that the OP is planning on touching base with everyone, that the reception itself is running 7 hours, and that this is as much a wedding celebration as is it a cultural/family event where she is from.

I don't understand what people aren't getting about that. Nothing about what OP has said = poor hosting. People need to stop hunting for things to critique.

I agree w/ PP: I'd be hiring someone to both do this and set it up. That's a lot of work for you, OP! If you're looking at a florist, maybe consider something really simple but elegant, like a slim glass vase with just a touch of greenery and two or three simple flowers? Roses tend to be expensive, but a good florist could give you a list of very pretty but less expensive flowers.

ETA: Unawarepandabear, you da (wo)man. Took the words right out my mouth.

Nonna, I was kidnapped by aliens.

Excuse me for not reading the other 80 comments.

"Touching base with everyone". That's networking. Not a wedding.

Honestly, why even bother to invite the other 500 guests you can't even chat with?

Come on Celia.

You are well aware of the social implications of a wedding in lots of cultures.

A lot of these guests expect an invitation. It is a form of respect and inclusion. For the parents who often pay for these large affairs, it is a matter of pride to be able to share this occasion with their friends and family.

Let her have her guest list if she can feed, water and seat them. Every one of them will kiss her on both cheeks (or pinch one--not the culo), hand her a busta with cashimoto in it, wish the couple health, happiness and many children, then make their way to the bar.

I would do something nonfloral like lanterns. IKEA has large white lanterns for $7 so $7 x75= 525. Plus the costs of the candles or whatever to put in them. That's probably your cheapest option

I think I'm thinking being banned was a better option.

Kristin, congrats on the win!!!!

Celia, no one is forcing you to be here. Why can't we "discutere?"

I missed you if it matters even a smidge

Excuse me, but I need to settle this sudden stroke of anxiety at thought of having 600 people at my wedding. I don't even want to think about your catering bill

I missed you too, lots of you.

And now it's back to the cave. Need help in NJ? I'll weigh in.

O&S, wonder if we have ever been to the same weddings?

If not, maybe we will some day! xox

@Sara&L- there are several types of by's breath, They don't all have that smell of cat pee. Any florist who sells that for decor should lose their green thumb

If you want floral, for that many tables it's going to be VERY expensive. Look into silk flowers or sola flowers. You could do very elaborate candle-centric centerpieces also - candelabras, candle vases or varying heights.

I made our 12 centerpieces, which were relatively simple (lantern, candles, moss, fairy lights) and the venue provided a mirror and votives for each table. With only doing 12, I wanted to rip my hair out. I agree with PP who suggested hiring someone for setup at the very least, but preferably for all of it.

@Nonna T... Grazie... I will need a little vino!!!! I guess that's just the Italian culture where our families are from since this seems foreign to a lot of people. Where our families are from in Italy they invite everyone in the town and it is a huge celebration filled with good food and of course vino. Our families have still kind of kept that concept. Our city has a huge Italian culture and most of the families kept a good relationship with each other. When most Italians came to America they needed sponsors and had to rely heavily on each other. Most had to learn english while here so Italians stuck together. Most of these said families have not left the town that I live. People get more offended if they do not receive an invite that if I didnt sit at their table and chat with them for a while. I already know that I will be able to thank everyone for coming and thats the most important thing to me. I have time at the ceremony as well as the reception to do this so its more than enough time. We also have a lot of guests traveling from Italy and we will get to spend a couple weeks with them and I have a lot help with this weeding so its not like I just see these people for a few hours in one night. I appreciate a lot of the helpful feedback I am getting which is the reason I posted this. I like a lot of the ideas you all have had especially maybe doing flower arrangements on every other table.

I haven't read all the comments, but did anyone bring up the amount of thank you cards OP and her FH will have to write? LOL Woof - good luck!

Also, can I come? What's 1 more?

@KRM actually our catering isn't that bad. It is going to be around $10.00 a person...... and that's for a full Italian meal.

Astalina, O&S and I will be there! I can bring home made vino

Do look in to that company (I think it is local to you).

I didn't think of Italians in Colorado. But a guy I worked for said "We're like tomatoes, we grow everywhere."

Thanks for explaining the ways that brought us all so close to friends and neighbors.

ps Gymmie, all aboard the Nonna-mobile heading west xox

Jesus Christ on a cracker. Your wedding will have four times the amount of guests I had, and my catering (Italian venue) was twenty-five times more than your catering budget. Sweet baby Jesus. I did it WRONG. Le sigh

You did it RIGHT Gymmie. Totally.

But your area of the country is way expensive.

I am sure you did things very differently as well.

But it was spectacular and not a penny was wasted.

Nonna T This is true Italians are like tomatoes.... but yes Pueblo Co, Walsenberg, and Trinidad CO have a huge Italian population. Pueblo has a huge steel mill so a lot of Italians migrated here because it employed a lot of people and was a good pay job at the time. There are many family who came here and planted their roots. Our families came from smaller towns around Palermo and we still have quite a bit of family who has stayed in Italy. I will definitely look into that company though. It seems like its a good one! And come on down you would fit right in!

@Nonna - that's settled then. I'm riding with you! lol