We're having our wedding reception in Whirlow Hall Farm's garden next year. The garden is beautiful with mature trees and landscaped areas. It's also pretty big and the idea of dressing it is scaring me a little!

I really want to incorporate Alice in Wonderland features into the reception so we're having a bit of a Mad Hatter's Tea Party with cupcakes, mismatched crockery and so on. I've got hold of some colourful paper lanterns to hang from trees, will be using giant playing cards as decorations, having 'eat me' and 'drink me' tags on food and drink, white roses (fake one) dipped in red paint, a bouncy castle and giant garden games.

I'm struggling to source all the items though. Does anyone know of a fairly local company that hires garden games? I've struggled to find any. We'll need lighting for the trees/garden too but looking at outdoor fairy lights we'd need to spend a fortune to fill the whole space. I've been looking for crockery in charity shops, car boots and ebay but haven't had as much success as I anticipated. Unfortunately, all the vintage crockery hire companies are too far away to make using them viable. Also, any tips on dressing the garden reasonably cheaply would be fantastic. I have some creative vision and know how I want the garden to look but am struggling to make it happen.

This link gives an idea of an Alice reception:

http://abbyjean.typepad.com/style_me_pretty/images/2007/08/27/stephanie.jpg

We still have a year until the wedding but I'm starting to feel stressed by the reception already!

Any suggestions most appreciated

THere is one at Eckington... YouCanHire

Wow your reception sounds amazing!
not sure where you would look though good luck :D

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3673173/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CToys+and+games%7C14417629/c_2/2%7Ccat_14417629%7COutdoor+games%7C14417853/c_3/3%7Ccat_14417853%7COther+outdoor+games%7C14417854. htm

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/0704708/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CToys+and+games%7C14417629/c_2/2%7Ccat_14417629%7COutdoor+games%7C14417853/c_3/3%7Ccat_14417853%7COther+outdoor+games%7C14417854. htm


not sure of thats the sort of games your after?

To dress the garden have you thought about bunting?

http://www.allaboutyou.com/?module=images&func=display&fileId=43936

How big do you want the playing cards to be? I can get packs of oversized playing cards but they're still only about 6"x4", you could probably use them as table coasters or thread them for bunting?

Thanks for all the replies so far.

Yes, the giant games are along the lines I was thinking but I particularly want giant chess and bigger than 1m by 1m if possible. This size seems to be all I find within budget.

The bunting is a good idea, I'm trying to find some now online or I suppose I could make my own whilst I'm feeling creative!

Rubydazzler, I've managed to find some playing cards about twice the size you mention but 6"x4" could be good for invitations. Whereabouts are cards this size available?

All your suggestions are appreciated. Please, keep them coming! :)

I have the packs of cards in stock most of the time. I'm not sure if you can get those enormous chess sets except as special orders for parks and beaches etc? I've only ever been able to get pieces about 9" to 12" high. board as you say about 1 metre. I was recently at a craft fair and someone there made the fabric bunting, but it was quite expensive ... about £15 for two metres iirc. You can get plastic bunting quite cheaply but of course it doesn't look so attractive. I'll have a look around on my travels.

Hello,

I just wanted to say your wedding ideas sound fantastic! Great venue too. I have seen some giant games in John Lewis, they may reduce them in time for winter.

As for dressing the garden, I know Jenny Beard from Hansley Beard events (banks.jenn@googlemail.com) she can help your source props and put these together for you on the day.

Anna Potter from the Little Flower Shop on Abbeydale Road has done some stunning floral designs in vintage teacups/jugs. It might be worth having a word with her too.

Oh and if you are looking for a photographer who loves this idea and indeed all things weddingy then check us out www.phweddings.co.uk (cheeky plug!)

Helen