I Heart Costco?

I was about 12 before I figured out why both sides of my family (and I mean both, including random uncles) had pineapples everywhere. It is a traditional New England sign of hospitality and welcome. In fact, I once read at the DAR museum in Washington that colonialists would rent pineapples for their parties. Obviously, the fruit was exotic and expensive, so whatever pineapples made it to the colonies moved from house to house in a bit of a cost-sharing measure.

The Blog Sidekick probably remembers the pineapple hook I proudly bought for our first apartment. Seriously, my Dad's family came over on the Mayflower (and as he discovered on Wikipedia recently, this makes us related to Marilyn Monroe and the Bushes...!), so as soon as I had my first place I wanted in on the tradition. I like pineapples as a fruit - I'm seriously considering making this pineapple buttermilk meringue pie next week - and I thought incorporating them into the wedding would be such a neat (and subtle) way to tie my family traditions into the party. But maybe it's too subtle, so I nixed them as a design element. (Also, pineapples in New York in the Fall. Seriously?)

Well, Internet, I think great minds think alike because dwarf ornamental pineapples are a new big thing. (Seriously, dwarf ornamental pineapples.) And as all good things begin and end with Martha, I was excited when I spied this idea in the Fall 2007 MS Weddings. Since I cannot find the image from that issue, here's a similar picture from Wedding Style Guide via Perfect Bound:


I've kind of looked for these pineapples in fits and starts...and lo and behold! Wouldn't you know Costco is selling them? Seriously? Seriously. About $160 for 20. Seriously out of my budget, but sweet nonetheless.

A few different wedding sites sell silver pineapple escort card holders, and I like this (more affordable) set from Beau-coup the best. But nothing beats the real thing.