| Have you ever been to a wedding that you | | | | interest to your reception room, however make |
| thought was a bit ... Tacky? I'm sure that Bride | | | | sure you can't tell they are false (unless you |
| had the best intentions for the Decorating of her | | | | touch them). If you can't afford flowers as your |
| big day; nobody intentionally makes a wedding | | | | centerpiece it's probably best to just not use |
| tacky (not that I know of!) So read on to ensure | | | | them rather than use silk or plastic (please - do |
| you do not make the mistakes that could make | | | | not use plastic). Some centerpiece ideas for |
| your wedding "one of those" weddings. | | | | weddings are; |
| Mistake 1 - Too Much ColorA wedding is supposed | | | | - Candles are fantastic & relatively cheap |
| to be an elegant, sophisticated, "grown-up" affair | | | | from thrift or 2 dollar stores. Buy enough for 3, |
| and while a touch of color here and there adds | | | | each of different heights for each table. Then buy |
| interest & ties all elements together, too | | | | a pretty plate (from a second hand store) or |
| much color or trying to "match" everything will | | | | piece of mirror or glass for them all to sit on and |
| make your wedding look more like a teenage girls | | | | there you have it, a pretty, cheap centerpiece. |
| birthday party then a sophisticated wedding. | | | | - Feathers can be a great addition to a |
| Remember the saying "Less is more". Try to | | | | centerpiece. Depending on your color scheme, you |
| remember this when brainstorming for wedding | | | | can use peacock feathers or you can buy large |
| decorating ideas. Keep to natural colors and just | | | | feathers which have been died to just about any |
| use brighter colors very sparingly as accents here | | | | color from most craft stores. |
| & there. | | | | - Or you can make your own floral centerpieces |
| Mistake 2 - Trying To Match Everything | | | | instead of using a florist. Buy enough tall vases for |
| You don't always have to match the color of the | | | | 1 per table. (you can hire them but it can |
| bridesmaid's dresses with the groomsman's ties, | | | | sometimes be cheaper to buy them from thrift |
| or with the table cloths etc. If you have a bright | | | | or 2 dollar stores) Then get your most trusted |
| color for your bridesmaids, try to use a more | | | | aunt or friend who is not in the bridal party to go |
| subtle shade of it if you really must "match". | | | | to a florist on the morning of your wedding and |
| I find it's best to stick natural colors like whites, | | | | buy some long white Lily's or any other large tall |
| creams, silvers, golds, browns, greens (natural | | | | white strong stemmed flower. Get enough for 3 |
| greens) and black. Choose 1 or 2 of these as | | | | per table (do not tell the florist they are for a |
| your main colors for decorating with and use small | | | | wedding because they will double or triple the |
| accents of your bridesmaids color. For example; | | | | price!) use these Lily's with one or 2 long colored |
| - Cream napkins with a cream table cloth with a | | | | feathers and some tall wicker (wicker can be |
| black or gold table runner. Then use your theme | | | | bought from craft stores or florists). Then wrap a |
| color in ribbons as napkin holders at each place, or | | | | wide Black, White or Cream ribbon around the top |
| as colored card for the place cards, | | | | of the vase for a decorative yet inexpensive |
| - A Centerpiece idea is to use mostly cream | | | | centerpiece. |
| flowers and greenery with one or 2 of your | | | | - Tip - prepare the wicker, feather and ribbons in |
| theme colored flowers. | | | | the vase in advance, then all your friend has to |
| - Use all white linen with a green table runner and | | | | do is transport them and carry them into the |
| if you have purple bridesmaids a peacock feather | | | | reception room then place the flowers in with |
| or other purple flower as the centerpiece (purple | | | | water. Organize this in advance with the reception |
| & green are great together) | | | | center so they are aware. |
| - Use all white linen with a Black Table runner and | | | | You can make your own floral centerpieces using |
| Mirrors on the table with a vase sitting on it with | | | | just about anything but the key to keeping it |
| white flowers and black feathers - very | | | | inexpensive is to use more of other elements and |
| Hollywood glamor and will go with any bridesmaid | | | | only a few flowers, it is also cheaper to do most |
| color | | | | of the work/research/set up etc yourself in |
| If you must use a bright color and match it - try | | | | advance with a friend or aunt setting up on the |
| to make white or cream the main color and the | | | | day for you (make sure you buy them a thank |
| bright color just a touch here and there will look | | | | you gift for their trouble). |
| very elegant. | | | | I hope these wedding decorating ideas have given |
| However, if you have a very large, empty or | | | | you something to think about. As long as you |
| bland room as your reception room then you can | | | | remember these 3 things; 1. Keep it Simple 2. |
| get away with a little more color. A tip is to stand | | | | Keep it Natural and 3. Get an outsiders opinion if in |
| in the room without decorations and decide if it is | | | | doubt, then your wedding will be a beautiful, |
| boring, busy, or average. If it's boring - turn up | | | | elegant & tasteful affair. |
| the decorations to add interest. If its busy, use all | | | | In the end, your wedding is a personal expression |
| white or all cream with only one light brown or | | | | of you and your fiance's love of each other so |
| light gold color sparingly to tone down the room | | | | the wedding decorating ideas have to be yours, |
| and if its average, then follow my above advice. | | | | so try not to stress about them but if you follow |
| Feel free to let me know if you have any | | | | my advice you will have friends and family |
| questions about your ideas, I'd be happy to give | | | | complimenting your wedding decorating ideas and |
| you my opinion! | | | | perhaps even stealing some of them for their |
| Mistake 3 - Too Many False ElementsSilk flowers | | | | own future weddings! |
| and fake plants are an inexpensive way to add | | | | |