| Okay, I always tell my budget conscious brides | | | | décor of a wedding whether we notice it |
| that most of your wedding budget should go | | | | or not. I remember being at my cousins wedding |
| towards your wedding reception, because this is | | | | and noticing how the overlays stood out and |
| where most of your guest will be spending most | | | | really enhanced the reception look. Although I was |
| of their time. Whereas the ceremony may last an | | | | more intrigued by the couple and their happiness, I |
| hour, the reception can run the span of several | | | | also loved that the reception reflected the |
| hours. Because this is where you and your guest | | | | wedding colors. That is the same thing that brides |
| will be spending most of the day, most brides | | | | want the guest to think, and this may not be |
| want the reception site to look breathtaking. I | | | | achieved with white linens. When white was the |
| know I want my guest to be amazed by the | | | | supreme color of the wedding, white linens had it |
| way the room looks. | | | | good. Many reception areas provided them, and |
| Decorations are extremely important to me | | | | many brides used them. All of a sudden, brides did |
| because I truly believe they help set the overall | | | | not want the plain white linens anymore and the |
| mood of the events. Believe it or not, guests do | | | | demand for color was in. Even with white linens, |
| take behavioral cues based on how the room | | | | brides are trying their best to find ways to |
| looks. Sounds silly doesn't it? But, think about | | | | incorporate color. Your table cloths are a great |
| when something is decorated for kids; It's usually | | | | way to incorporate your wedding colors. |
| in bright, playful and vibrant colors that make you | | | | Now, tablecloths not only bring color, but texture |
| feel young again. Now imagine being in a room | | | | as well. Tablecloths are made from many |
| that is decorated for a formal event. Sitting at a | | | | different materials besides cotton and satin. You |
| table where there are three forks, three knives, | | | | have the heavier, more formal damask materials |
| and three spoons in front of you, doesn't make | | | | with beautiful patterns or stripes. This is usually |
| you feel like turning cartwheels. You will probably | | | | made in silk, lace, or synthetic fibers. I think this is |
| feel more appropriate sipping on some champagne | | | | for more formal affairs & not, necessary for |
| and chatting with friends. So, reception | | | | your outdoor, casual reception. There are even |
| decorations set the mood for all of your guests. | | | | the overlays that are affected by the colors |
| But with so much to plan, where should you | | | | around it. These are usually sheer and when |
| start? | | | | placed over a tablecloth or next to a particular |
| You should always know what you want before | | | | color; it changes in color as well. Linens can |
| buying or renting anything for your space. That | | | | accentuate your wedding reception and bring it to |
| doesn't mean that you must know every detail, | | | | life. Because of all the choices, it is paramount to |
| but there should be certain buzz words in your | | | | make sure that your linens reflect your look. |
| head. Are you looking for simple elegance or | | | | Heavier fabrics go better with formal indoor |
| over-the-top fabulousness? Are you going with a | | | | receptions while lighter fabrics work well for |
| particular theme? Or do you have a motif that | | | | outdoor or more casual affairs. |
| you want to use throughout the day? These are | | | | Don't forget your napkins! The napkins can be |
| important questions to ponder in order to get | | | | white or match the colors of the wedding. When |
| great wedding reception ideas. It is also important | | | | put on the table, they add a nice touch to the |
| to understand that your wedding reception | | | | overall reception decorations. |
| décor should reflect your personality and | | | | You don't just have to use fabric on tables. |
| the level of formality that you are looking for. So | | | | Hanging fabric is also an inexpensive way to |
| think about your buzz words, because they should | | | | decorate at your reception. Fabric swags from |
| sound off, in your head, whenever you look at | | | | the ceiling add beautiful drama to a plain room. |
| any décor elements. For example, I am | | | | Also, fabric hung from the walls can also add to |
| truly simple when it comes to decorating. I don't | | | | the décor. |
| like things to be over-the-top, so simplicity is a | | | | One major impact on the wedding reception is |
| really big buzzword for me. Although I want things | | | | lighting. Lighting can create a great a great |
| simple, that does not mean I want a picnic in the | | | | atmosphere to get guests in the mood for a |
| park for my wedding day. I think more about a | | | | wonderful party. Of course, there are a number |
| simple, sophisticated style because I think it | | | | of ways to use lighting to help spice up the |
| reflects my personality. Thank goodness that my | | | | wedding reception. |
| fiancé is the same way. Anyway, your | | | | Candles, candles, and more candles! Not only are |
| buzzwords will help give great wedding reception | | | | they inexpensive, but they also create a |
| ideas. | | | | wonderful glow that can warm an entire room. |
| Now, I know that no one has to tell overly | | | | Candles can go with any type of centerpiece. |
| excited brides this, but you also need to flip | | | | They are great for low, high, traditional, or more |
| through wedding books and magazines to figure | | | | modern. Candles don't only have to be at the |
| out the look that you want. One of my favorite | | | | tables, but they can decorate other reception |
| wedding pastimes is to go to the bookstore, get | | | | areas such as the bar, cake table, and seating |
| a stack of magazines, find a corner, and dream. | | | | cards. |
| Look at the décor elements featured in | | | | Spotlights. Lighting companies can do great things |
| the magazine. Notice the tablecloths that are being | | | | with lights that can boost the reception feel. |
| used on the tables as well as the shapes of the | | | | Spotlights can be focused on the sweetheart |
| tables. Think about the elements that you like and | | | | table or on the walls to add extra color. Maybe no |
| how you would want it to look differently. Pay | | | | one will come to the wedding and say great |
| close attention to how each detail sets the right | | | | lighting, but it is one of those background objects |
| mood. Browsing through these books, magazines, | | | | that add to the overall mood. A great idea is to |
| and online wedding websites helps to shape your | | | | have a light with the monogram of the couple |
| wedding reception decoration ideas. | | | | focused on the dance floor. |
| Now once you have done all of your researching | | | | String lighting and lantern lighting are also great for |
| and dreaming, you should have an idea of what | | | | décor. String lighting with swags of tulle |
| you want and you can start the decorating | | | | around it makes a soft glow over the entire |
| process. Those who are not in the wedding | | | | room. Lights intertwined with flowers attached to |
| industry probably only think about flowers and | | | | the bar or buffet table is a creative element. For |
| that's it; however, so much more goes into | | | | outdoor affairs, I love to see lanterns hanging |
| decorating your reception-linens, lighting, and even | | | | from trees or a tent. The glow is not overbearing |
| table settings; And those are just a few items. | | | | and lends to the festive feeling of the guests. |
| Let's start with the things that many people tend | | | | Here are just a few tips to make sure your |
| to overlook but is an important wedding reception | | | | wedding reception decorations are absolutely |
| element which are the tables. | | | | perfecto Don't overdo it with color. Many brides |
| Most weddings have the large round tables | | | | get stuck on their favorite color and go |
| because many venues offer this and for years, | | | | overboard with it. You know those weddings |
| this has been the standard. Rounds are great | | | | where the bride's favorite color is pink and the |
| because many venues offer these tables at no | | | | reception looks like an overspill of Pepto Bismol. |
| cost and many centerpieces are made with round | | | | Make sure you break up the color and not get so |
| tables in mind. I also think that rounds are a good | | | | focused on just one look.o You don't have to |
| choice because although many brides want | | | | have every decorating element to create your |
| something out of the box, round tables still give | | | | look. Lanterns, candles, string lighting, centerpieces, |
| that "wedding" feeling that we are looking for. | | | | spotlights, and damask linens. Beautiful elements |
| Although the round table is still a popular choice, | | | | are beautiful because they are allowed to shine, |
| some brides are looking towards square tables. | | | | but putting them all together can make for a |
| Square tables are becoming quite trendy with | | | | decoration disaster. Pick a few elements and go |
| brides and they provide more of an urban, sleek | | | | with them. Trying to fit them all in will only end in |
| and modern feel. This is quite the option for brides | | | | a tacky mess.o Remember the look you want. It |
| such as myself. However, keep in mind that many | | | | is your day and you can do whatever you please, |
| couples have to rent square tables which can be | | | | but don't let that stubborn mantra ruin the |
| an added expense to the budget. | | | | reception décor. Do you really want a rich, |
| Long, rectangular tables give a more intimate, | | | | velvet tablecloth for a summer time, outdoor, |
| family-oriented experience because the guests | | | | daytime reception? This goes for flowers as well |
| are not separated by a large table. A unique way | | | | as linens. Sunflowers are really summer-y, but do |
| to get a great experience with rectangular tables | | | | they work for a winter wedding? |
| is to set up a family-like dinner setting at each | | | | Here are a few more tips on wedding reception |
| table where guests can pass food around. They | | | | decorations that will help the budget conscious |
| will feel more like they are at a family gathering. | | | | brideo Use the tables of the venue. Sometimes, |
| Another unique way to really spice up your | | | | instead of being stuck on a particular look, you |
| reception is to use all of these shapes. Don't just | | | | should change your look to what fits your budget. |
| use the rectangle tables for the head tables and | | | | When my fiancé and I found ourselves in |
| the rounds for the guests, have a mix of round | | | | a number crunch, we decided to use the |
| tables and square tables. This can loosen things up | | | | rectangle tables provided by the location instead |
| and not make your wedding reception seem so | | | | of renting round ones.o If you have to use white |
| formal. This is definitely for the more daring bride. | | | | linens improvise with color. Sometimes, white |
| Let us not forget that with the age of the | | | | linens are hard to avoid because you have to |
| cocktail party coming back in style, a great | | | | spend money to get the colored ones. To add |
| alternative to large round tables is the more | | | | color, one idea is to use ribbons. Using thick |
| intimate cocktail tables. You can have a variety of | | | | ribbons as table runners can add color to the |
| high and low tables that can seat two or four | | | | tables. Also, try getting a nice sheet of paper, glue |
| people. This really creates an adult, chic ambiance. | | | | ribbons around it and use it as a part of the |
| This of course is best for serving hors de | | | | centerpiece-instant color.o Look for lighting |
| oeuvres as opposed to full meals. This provides | | | | alternatives. Ask the venue if there is a dimmer |
| the perfect opportunity for your guests to | | | | for the room that you are using. There usually is |
| socialize with the other guests. | | | | which lends to lighting at the venue. Another way |
| Alright, we have our table shapes picked out, so | | | | to get lighting is with the DJ. The DJ can |
| let's move on to linens. Things such as tablecloths | | | | sometimes bring lighting with them for a nominal |
| seem like no big deal to many people, but to a | | | | fee. Also, candles create light for a small price.o |
| bride, they become larger than life. Things like | | | | Always scour the dollar store for any elements |
| tablecloths, napkins, and even fabric swags can | | | | that can enhance reception décor. Bargain |
| really make your wedding reception one of a kind. | | | | finds are a great way to enhance the decorations |
| Linens lend a big hand to the reception | | | | without spending a bundle. |