Setting the table

It makes sense when putting together the elements of an event like a wedding that you want your guests to be comfortable because comfortable guests are happy guests, and happy guests don't leave right after dinner. I don't care if I flub my vows or lose my footing going down the aisle. I could even stand to dribble wine on my beloved dress (note to self: white wine only!), but I would be heartbroken if, after all these months of planning and organizing, everyone left early.
So following the logic that happy guests are also comfortable, we have made sure that the drinks will be flowing and the dinner will be delicious. Moreover, the room won't be too crowded and the chairs provided are remarkably comfortable. So what else is there to consider when making 100 or so people feel comfortable for an evening?
When I think of the last 4 weddings I have attended, one of the yet unmentioned things that always stick with me is the tables. As a guest you spend most of your time there or on the dance floor. Even if you get up and mingle, you inevitably end up pulling up a chair to a table even if it is not the one you were assigned to.
In this way, it makes sense to invest some time and thought into the aesthetics of the tables. Not only will they help carry through your colour scheme or theme, but they make pretty backdrops, and provide opportunities to be creative with decorating.
Here are some looks I'm liking that would look great in our black and white (with red) scheme:

Sweet Libations

We are in the process of organizing the bar for the wedding. Our fantastic friend and Day-Of Coordinator, Reesa has recommended a bartender to us, and although we have accomplished many emails, we have yet to find a mutually conducive time to meet and discuss details. Not because we are all a bunch of boozers, but because a party means some drinking, and for some more than others.

Since our reception space is "self-catered" meaning we have to bring in everything we had many choices from full bar to limited, cash or open. We decided that even though the bar is a pretty hefty cost, because we will be purchasing the liquor, wine and beer ourselves and only otherwise paying for a bartender's time and skills, that we would give our guests as much as we can, with an open bar full of all the basics for cocktails and highballs, as well as beer, and wine on every table. This is the advantage of NOT having a wedding in a restaurant or hotel (though they can be beautiful and have many perks too) there is not a cost per drink being recorded as every guest requests their favourite beverage, and then a humongous bill at the end of the night. I would be very uneasy about that ... consumption bars are scary!

One thing that all the wedding magazines, books and websites talk about as a cost cutter/"original" touch for weddings is a signature cocktail. The idea is that this drink has some special meaning to you, suits your colour scheme, and can be made in batches for quick pouring.

(it's also a nice opportunity to have a cute "something blue")