Venetian Wedding/Event Theme Part Two

In order to set the stage for your Venetian wedding or event, you might consider renting props, such as life-sized gondolas, that make your venue truly resemble Venice. Here are some resources for Venetian gondola and props:
http://www.propsunlimited.com/catalog.asp?search2=venice&show=search&searchtype=phrase
http://www.gondolacompany.com/special.html

Drape tables and other areas with luxurious fabrics, such as this one that features cloud-like swirls on a sky blue backdrop:
http://www.italyfabric.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage-ask.tpl&category_id=8&product_id=1009&Itemid=9

Top tables with colorful Venetian glass vases:
http://www.venetianglassart.com/

Decorate surroundings with festive Venetian Carnival Masks:
http://www.romegiftshop.com/mask3.html

Make your cake very Venetian:
http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1022623&cid=TPV-Googlebase
http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1818965
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1528347
http://www.glasscaketops.com/ships/gondola2.htm
http://www.sculpturedglass.com/gallery/wctgondola.htm

Here are some ideas for a Venetian menu:
Appetizers: seafood platter, shrimp cocktail, Venetian canapés, artichokes, polenta bites;
Main course: shrimp scampi, mixed seafood (shrimp, crab, scallops, mussels) over pasta or risotto, asparagus, eggplant
Desserts: in addition to cake, serve Tiramisu

Signature cocktail: Bellini (2/3 Prosecco sparkling wine, 1/3 white peach juice and a splash of raspberry liqueur)
You can also purchase bottled Bellini:
http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1022623&cid=TPV-Googlebase

For wedding/party favors, indulge guests with these Bellini jelly beans:
http://www.cocoabon.com/prod_jb_bellini.php

Here are some other resources for Venetian touches, including charms and beads (i.e. for decorating invitations, favor boxes, arrangements, etc.):

Gondola Charms:
http://www.loveknot.us/ch_LP2728_Sterling_Silver_Gondola_Charms_loveknot.htm
http://www.fusionbeads.com/shop/product/6313/
http://www.jmckinley.com/wedding-cake-charms/sterling-silver/223-gondola-charms.htm

Venetian Beads:
http://www.venetianbeadshop.com/

All Kinds of Gondola Themed Items:
http://www.tias.com/
(type in search word: gondola)

Here is a related post on celebrating Venetian Carnival (many of these ideas can be implemented into your Venetian wedding or event):
http://tastylittlemorsels.wordpress.com/2010/02/16/venetian-carnival-food-and-drinks/

Plan a Wedding or Party with a Venetian Theme, Part One

One of my favorite themes for a wedding or other special event (from a dinner party, to an engagement party to a gala extravaganza) is one inspired by the romantic city Venice, Italy. The home of canals, gondolas, bridges, darling colorful homes and shops with shutters and planter boxes, the world-famous Carnivale, breathtaking architecture and monuments, the Bellini cocktail, tiramisu, and beautiful Venetian glass can serve as inspiration for a spectacular event.

You can use any color scheme for this theme. For a very Venetian feel, you may want to use vivid jewel tones – any combination of red, hot pink, orange, yellow, green and of course an array of blues (royal, aqua, and sea foam). Colorful flowers and vines arranged in Venetian glass vases make great centerpieces. Or, you can find gondola pottery (I’ve seen several on Ebay) as bases for your arrangements – on guest tables, banquet tables and throughout your venue.

For a really dramatic effect, you can rent actual gondolas from various companies to use as props at your event. Other design elements might include striped dock poles; water features; ornate sculptures, urns, fountains and columns; wrought iron; patterns, designs or scenery based on Piazza San Marco, St. Mark’s Basilica, or Doge’s Palace; gothic elements; angels, lions, crosses, leaves, swirls, etc.

You can find several vendors online who sell Venetian themed invitations and save-the-date notices. One that I especially love is the one pictured above called “Gondola Newlyweds” by Mari Versailles; while it seems to no longer be available, it serves for inspiration. You can also make your own invitation using design paper with a Venetian motif, some velum on which to print your wedding information, and some ribbon and a gondola or Venetian glass charm or bead.

Part two in this series will be posted soon. It will feature several more ideas for a Venetian Theme/Motif (including menu ideas, favors, and more) as well as related resources and links.