Couples are becoming ever more creative with their wedding decorations in order to create a wedding reception design that is personal, unique and memorable. Before you decide on the type of decorations you would like, you will need to determine a theme or colour scheme for your wedding.
Whether you have a beach wedding, a winter wonderland theme, a vintage style reception, or a pink polka scheme, there are bound to be decorations available to complement your choice.
The extent of your wedding decorations will depend largely on what you can afford. If you are on a tight budget, it might be wise to stick to one type of decoration, such as table centrepieces, and make sure these create an impact, rather than spending money on lots of smaller decorations that might get lost in your venue.
The style of your wedding venue will also influence your decorations. If you are hiring an elaborately decorated room, you should keep your decorations simple, but if you are using a plain marquee or function room, you can afford to go overboard on the decorations.
Here are some of the elements of your wedding to incorporate into your decorative scheme:
- Wedding flowers
- Table centrepieces
- Bomboniere
- Wedding cake
- Table linen including napkins and rings
- Chair covers and sashes
- Place names and table plans
You can tie all these elements together by using a consistent colour scheme or material. A simple way to create a unified look is to use the same ribbon in all of these elements, as well as using it in the bridesmaids’ outfits and the bride’s bouquet. Beads and jewels such as crystals are becoming popular for wedding decorations, and these can also be added to table linen, bombonieres, place names and centrepieces.
Ways to use flowers
Ordering floral arrangements that you can use for the ceremony and then transfer to the reception to use as table centrepieces is a great way to use flowers, and is also cost effective.
However, there are many other ways to use flowers in your wedding decorations. Garlands of fresh flowers hanging from the ceiling, or wrapped around beams and pillars can be very dramatic, and flowered archways can add interest to your wedding venue. Try placing a fresh flower in each place setting, or scattering rose petals on the tables.
Other popular wedding decorations
Candles are a popular addition to wedding decorations, from simple tea lights to towering candelabras. They are available in a wide variety of colours and can add romantic lighting as well as subtle scents to your reception. Another way to create warm lighting is to use lanterns, either traditional metal or Chinese style paper lanterns.
Contemporary decorations include decorative birdcages, sparkling costume jewellery, metallic balloons, and bold coloured and patterned fabrics. Another trend in wedding decoration is to use topiary, or indoor trees decorated with lights or ornaments reflecting your wedding theme.
Some of the more unusual trends in wedding decoration to crop up in the last year include using outdoor furniture such as wrought iron tables and benches in an indoor venue, and having uniquely designed and frequently changing wallpaper projected onto plain walls or the inside of a marquee.
