Posted by Penny on July 21, 2011
Your table centerpieces are a key aspect of your wedding reception decorating and because you typically have to cater for a number of tables, pulling them together can cost quite a bit. There is a way to make your decorating budget go a long way and to still end up with all the elements you want.
If you have see the movie Love Actually you might remember a scene where Rowan Atkinson plays an assistant at a jewelry counter. His customer, in a hurry to complete the purchase, is frustrated when Atkinson’s assistant insists on adding even more elaborate wrapping to the small gift. First the necklace goes into a beautiful box tied with a ribbon, then the box is put in a bag and sealed, then that bag is put into another clear bag and a measure of potpourri is tipped in. The final touch is a stick of cinnamon and another ribbon to finish it off. The final straw for the customer is when another large box is produced – he gives up and stalks away. (Okay to the movie purists, it has been a while and this might not be absolutely accurate, but you get the idea!) The point of the whole exercise is that even the most valuable object can be made more special by the way it is wrapped up, and this is the principle you can use to give your centerpieces an air of opulence, even when there are few intrinsically expensive pieces.
An easy way to do this is to use large glass vases to ‘wrap’ feature pieces. Perfect flowers can be expensive, and to make a full floral centerpiece takes a lot of time, expertise and flowers, and whether you do them yourself or have a professional do them, this is expensive. Consider using a single bloom for each centerpiece, placing it in a bud vase and then sitting flower and vase in a larger vase which provides a frame. Add some candles and scatters inside the large vase to reflect the light, and you have a centerpiece that is simple to prepare and beautiful to look at.
If you love crystal or silver and don’t have the budget to use them extensively, use the same method. One small crystal vase or candlestick would get lost on a table by itself, but when placed inside a larger vase it provides a focus for your arrangement.
Of course any item can be displayed in the same way. In this arrangement the carved wooden apple reflects the candlelight and the shape and color provide a striking contrast to the square vase and white rocks.
Technorati Tags: centerpiece ideas, Wedding reception centerpieces, wedding reception decorations, wedding table decorations
Posted by Penny on July 10, 2011
Crepe flowers by www.hellolucky.com
Thought about making your own paper flowers for your wedding venue or reception decorations? Visit www.hellolucky.com and you can download instructions on how to make the sweet little posy in this picture. These would be perfect attached to the ends of pews or at intervals along a bridge railing or pathway. You could adapt the bunch to add to the backs of chairs at your reception, or even use them as table centerpieces.
If the idea of making lots of crepe paper flowers is a bit overwhelming, why not turn your kitchen tea into a craft afternoon. Not only is it great fun to take on a project like this with lots of friends and family, but they will also get the pleasure of contributing to your wedding reception decorating. And the best thing about this kind of decorating is that it can be done well in advance, leaving you with less stress and more time to enjoy the day.
Technorati Tags: Church wedding decorations, wedding reception decorating ideas, Wedding reception decorations
Posted by Penny on October 12, 2010
Don’t forget what balloons can do for you when you are planning your wedding reception decorating!
Balloons make a big impact for little cost, and can be ethereal and elegant or cheerful and celebratory. It can also be really easy to get a great result quickly with balloons.
Simple helium filled balloons add interest to this drinks table.
Loose balloons are a fun way to decorate the floor!
Individual balloons scattered about the dance floor are a fun way to add interest to the room before the dancing begins, and your first dance as a couple would be even more magical performed in a sea of balloons. Another way single balloons shine is as a floating ceiling – in a low ceilinged room fill balloons with helium, attach curly ribbon ties and let them float above the guest’s heads.
Lavish bunches of balloons create an elegant backdrop.
A plain wall is dressed up with gold and white balloons.
If loose balloons won’t work, experiment with tying bunches together, either air or helium filled, and hang them from the walls or ceilings, attach them to the back of chairs or to table centerpieces or anchor them to the floor with decorated sand bags to mark aisles or the edge of the room.
If you want to create a more elaborate balloon effect, there are plenty of professionals who will be able to produce an arch, entwined hearts, columns or balloon garlands. You may be able to make some of these fancier designs yourself – have a look at Balloon Decor Secrets to see if you want to to have a go!
Technorati Tags: decorating with balloons, ideas for wedding reception decorating, wedding reception decorating ideas, wedding reception decorations
Posted by Penny on September 29, 2010
It’s easy to make your own fall wedding centerpieces, and because this design uses silk flowers, it can be made in advance – no fresh flowers to worry about.
Full step by step instructions are available on our How to page – Fall Topiary Centerpiece.
This centerpiece is based on really simple idea and could be adapted for any style of wedding and any budget. Have a look at how the base is made, and then use your imagination to create your own design. We will be adding to our library of topiary style centerpieces, so watch out for new versions for different themes and colour schemes.
Posted by Penny on July 29, 2010
Shades of pink and red are a romantic classic, but not often used together.
Don’t forget to visit our wedding colour schemes pages for great ideas on choosing your colour scheme and how to use it.
Wedding Colour Schemes gives you an overview on what different colours mean to people and the moods they inspire.
How to Choose Your Wedding Colour Scheme is the place to go if you have no idea about what colours you want, or if you are trying to build a group of colours to use for your wedding reception decorating.
If you are looking for extra ideas for your wedding colour scheme, try Inspiration from Nature and we are gradually building a library of design hints for a range of wedding colour schemes, starting with pink.
Posted by Penny on July 13, 2010
Flowers waiting to be turned into wedding reception decorations
New at WeddingReceptionDecorating.net is our ‘how to’ page.
As we come across great ideas for things you can do yourself in your wedding reception decorating, we will add these to our how to page. If you have any requests for ideas of ‘how to’ do it yourself, please leave a comment, and we will put our creative minds to it.
Don’t forget to read our regular posts for updates, and use the categories menu to the right to find information specifically about fall wedding decorations, outdoor wedding ideas, church wedding decorations, bridal shower decorations and wedding table centrepieces as well.
Posted by Penny on July 12, 2010
Black table linen is sophisticated and makes an impact.
Table linen is one area of your wedding reception decorating where bold choices can really make an impact on the overall look. But how do you know what the final effect is going to be? I found a great site where you can mix and match all kinds of table linen, napkins, chair covers and sashes, and even add your choice of china, to get an idea of what your final look will be. Visit www.weddinglinens.com and go to their design centre to play with different looks – who knows, you might even finalise your wedding colour scheme choice!
Don’t forget though, that a rock star look will come with a rock star price tag. If you must have a sumptuous linen look, why not consider alternating tables – pattern with plain table linen. The tables with plain linen could have more elaborate centrepieces to compensate. This way you can make the most of both worlds – a rich, textured look with gorgeous centrepieces that won’t break the budget.
Technorati Tags: Wedding reception centerpieces, wedding reception decorating ideas, Wedding reception decorations, wedding table, wedding table decorations
Posted by Penny on May 19, 2010
When you are planning your wedding reception decorating it is a great time to think about what you can do to decorate the church, and particularly whether you can use the same decorations in both the church and the reception venue. Having a strong theme for your wedding reception decorations can help to give you some idea about what direction you want to go in decorating the church – to end up with a unified look that will give your guests a real sense of the feel you are aiming to achieve and also to provide a coordinated effect.
Your church wedding decorations need some specific thought though, as there are things to consider that are particular to a church.
First of all you will want to know if there are any restrictions on what the minister in charge of the church will allow. A church is a spiritual home for many people and so you need to be sensitive to having appropriate decorations. There may also be practical considerations which the church caretaker or minister can advise you about. The final advantage in consulting someone who knows the church well is that they may have many good ideas about what works well in that space, and they will no doubt have seen many weddings conducted there.
Church wedding decorations – ideas for where to put them
A good way to approach decorating a church for a wedding is to start outside and consider all of the places you could add decorations. Here is a list, but you may see other opportunities.
Steps leading to church:- You could place potted plants on each of the steps at the sides (make sure that your decorations don’t get in the way of anyone who might need to rely on the hand rail to get up the steps).
Handrail :- a ribbon or garland of flowers or leaves could be wrapped around the handrail, or a bow tied at the top and bottom
Decorations that are placed on the stairs can easily be transferred to the reception following the ceremony.
Door:- a wreath of flowers or a bow could greet guests.
Foyer:- you may want to leave copies of the order of service in decorated baskets here, or have a guest book on a decorated stand. The doors to the church may provide another opportunity for a bow or wreath, or consider hanging a garland of flowers over the door.
Aisle :- stands with flower arrangements at either side of the aisle can frame the view to the front of the church nicely, especially if there is a matching pair of arrangements at the front pew. You could also consider strewing flower petals along the aisle.
Pillars:- If the church has pillars these can look spectacular with garlands of flowers or fabric wrapped around them, or some churches will have places for candles and flower arrangements to be attached to the pillars.
Fresh flowers make a beautiful pew decoration and their scent will please the guests too.
Pew ends:- the pew ends are a favourite place for church wedding decorations. Figure out how you are going to attach the decorations to the pew ends and then create something for them. If your resources are limited you only need to decorate the ends of the front few pews – the guests sitting further back will enjoy them.
The furniture at the front of the church provides an excellent opportunity for decorating the church. The altar (communion or high table), lectern (where people stand to do readings) and pulpit (where the preacher stands), can all be decorated. You can also use stands for flower arrangements, or put large vases of flowers directly on the floor, especially on the top level of the front of the church. If the church has a communion rail this is also a good place to wrap fabric or flowers, and can be used to anchor balloons if you are using them.
As with your wedding reception decorating, you will get the best result in your church wedding decorations if you plan carefully beforehand and use your theme as much as you can.
Technorati Tags: church wedding, Church wedding decorations, wedding decorations, Wedding reception decorations, wedding reception decorations
Posted by Penny on April 28, 2010
So you got picked to be a chief bridesmaid and the next job on your list is to organise the bridal shower. There are invitations to make up and send out, catering to plan, games to organise and you’d like to have some bridal shower decorations.
Bridal shower decorating is when you can fully indulge in everything girly – you don’t have to tone things down to cater for the groom’s desires and sensibilities. It is also yours and the other bridesmaids’ opportunity to choose the decorations – just explain to the bride that you don’t want her to have that extra thing to worry about, or that you want it to be a surprise.
Use the same principles for wedding reception decorating to plan you bridal shower decorations. It can help to have a theme, and here you can indulge in a bit more fancy dress that the wedding itself – you could have a sleepover theme and ask the guests to come in their nightwear for popcorn and pillow fights. Or go for a 1950’s kitchen tea theme and decorate with gelato colours and pretty florals. If you want to go over the top (and you are happy to do the cleaning up) a bridal shower at someone’s home gives you the chance to go wild with confetti. Another decorating idea is to use feathers, flowers or lace extravagantly – visit your local discount store
to see what they have.
Your bridal shower decorations could be part of the guests’ activity. Why not raid your memory for school craft ideas that could translate to become instant decorations – tissue paper flowers are a great example, and when the shower is over the guests can take their art work home. For fun and instant (but short-lived) effect, don’t forget bubbles and sparklers – make sure someone has a camera to catch the moment.
The final place to add impact in your bridal shower decorations is in the food – pick a colour and try to match your menu to the colour. Judicious use of food colouring will add to the effect and fun.
Don’t forget when planning the bridal shower that this is an opportunity for your bride to catch up with friends and have fun with them, while also giving them a chance to make a special contribution to the bride’s new home. Make sure that there is plenty of time for chat and fun, and then whatever other elements of the bridal shower you introduce will just be a bonus.
Technorati Tags: bridal shower, bridal shower decoration, Bridal shower decorations, bridal shower ideas, bridal shower invitations, bridal shower party, bridal shower themes, wedding bridal shower
Making the most of your centerpiece budget
Your table centerpieces are a key aspect of your wedding reception decorating and because you typically have to cater for a number of tables, pulling them together can cost quite a bit. There is a way to make your decorating budget go a long way and to still end up with all the elements you want.
An easy way to do this is to use large glass vases to ‘wrap’ feature pieces. Perfect flowers can be expensive, and to make a full floral centerpiece takes a lot of time, expertise and flowers, and whether you do them yourself or have a professional do them, this is expensive. Consider using a single bloom for each centerpiece, placing it in a bud vase and then sitting flower and vase in a larger vase which provides a frame. Add some candles and scatters inside the large vase to reflect the light, and you have a centerpiece that is simple to prepare and beautiful to look at.
Of course any item can be displayed in the same way. In this arrangement the carved wooden apple reflects the candlelight and the shape and color provide a striking contrast to the square vase and white rocks.
