Decoration Ideas for Your Wedding Reception
Major emphasis is put on the wedding ceremony, wedding flowers, bridal accessories and bridal wear. But the wedding is often over in a flash while the reception can last long into the night. Make a good first impression as they enter your reception area for the first time with gorgeous reception decorations.
Location, Location, Location
You can host your reception almost anywhere. Some of the most popular places to hold receptions are churches, halls, restaurants, gardens and mansions. Consider the unique pros and cons your reception location presents when reviewing a reception location. What existing decorations can be used? How will the space function? What will need to be rented or purchased?
By choosing a dynamic reception location, such as a botanical garden, art museum or antebellum mansion, you can reduce or eliminate much of the decorating expense. Lush foliage or architectural details can act as your decorations without another penny being spent.
Focal Points
You can invest less money into wedding decorations by focusing exclusively on focal points. Rather than adding floral swags to every chair, add one large floral arrangement to each table. Create several smaller wedding cakes to be placed at each table, instead of one large one dominating a corner of the room.
Lights, Camera, Action
You can use far fewer wedding decorations if you adequately highlight the ones you have with dramatic lighting. Colored lights or spotlights will direct your guest’s eyes to the areas you have decorated. The undecorated areas will fade into the background.
Think Thematically
Let your theme dictate your wedding decorations. If you are having a beach wedding, use natural beach items such as shells, sailboats and sandcastles to decorate your space. For a childlike feel, you can even use pool toys as wedding decorations.
If your wedding takes place in the winter, sprinkle snowflakes around the tables and drape thousands of twinkle lights from the ceiling. If your wedding is at Christmastime, you can even display decorated Christmas trees, hanging mistletoe and maybe even gingerbread houses on the tables.
Reuse, Reduce, Recycle
You don’t have to have a “green” wedding to take advantage of the advice to reuse, reduce and recycle.
Purchase wedding decorating items you can reuse again or give as gifts to your guests. This can include centerpiece accents, candle holders, champagne flutes or potted plants. After the wedding reception, reuse or re-gift the items.
To reduce on wedding decorations, you can reduce the need for elaborate decorations by choosing an ornate location. At your wedding reception, you can use larger tables, reducing the number of centerpieces and table linens needed.
Finally, recycle your wedding accessories to be used as reception accessories. For example, have your bridesmaids recycle their handheld bouquets as table decorations.
There are many ways to decorate your reception area without breaking the bank. Your goal should be to create a beautiful area for your guests to celebrate your nuptials with you and your new spouse.
About the Author
Mary works for one of the leading wedding accessories company, Marilyn's Keepsakes. http://www.marilynskeepsakes.com
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