Back to Wedding Basics Blog #21: Indoor Reception Decor

We get it: you want people to walk into your wedding reception with their mouths gaping and in awe of your decor skills, that show off your impeccable style and attention to detail.  Not only that but you want to be the couple that knows all of the hottest wedding trends without breaking the budget to get it.

Fortunately, with a little know-how and planning, you don’t need to have unlimited room for spending.  Just focus on these four things and your wedding will be the template for any wedding you attend after yours.

1. Pick a Unique Theme

Don’t  go for something conventional or a theme/color palette that you’ve seen all over the internet, wedding magazines, and the last three weddings you’ve been to this year.  Go for a style that is all you and your spouse-to-be.  If you’re both into books, dig up some vintage books for centerpieces or have a “library theme” and find an old library catalog complete with drawers.  Spruce up the reception tables and walls with old Hollywood glamour if you’re both infatuated with the 20s and 30s.  Whatever you choose, keep it interesting and fun.

2. Assess Your Venue

Don’t get ahead of yourselves and start thinking about decor BEFORE you see your venue.  After you’ve booked your venue, make a point to stop by to see where you can place your guest tables, possible decor areas, and decoration tables (to put gifts, favors, place/escort cards, etc).  Once you’ve done this, keep a list of decor you would like to have and the ideal table set-up.

Tip: At this point, you should know by now if your venue has their own tables and chairs, or if you need to rent.  Once you have figured out your official guest count, determine whether or not it is necessary to get extra tables and seating.

3. Dress Up Your Tables

Guests are usually seated at wedding receptions so this means, that above everything else, the reception tables should be the most decked out because it’s in their view the entire night.

An inexpensive way for your tables to look like they have a plentiful amount of decor is to cluster small items together.  Potted plants, tall glass vases, mason jars, or any container that can be put together and filled with any item are ideal for this effect.  Add depth by mixing different heights of vases or plant pots.

With flowers, couples think that it’s necessary to go big for centerpieces or it might be too underwhelming.  A popular trend now is to get a simple and small vase/flower holder and to pair it with a dramatic flower bundle like the picture seen here.

If you still think it’s too bland for your taste, find a few affordable candle holders and buy a cheap bag of tea lights.  Whether the candles are lit or not, this centerpiece will definitely give off a romantic feel.

4. Conquer Those Walls

For one-of-a-kind decor to spruce up the walls (or even the ceiling), stick with DIY projects.  Not just any DIY projects, though.  Do your research and see which ones appeal to you the most so that you can use them at your wedding, but also post-wedding as home decor.  Many couples that do DIY projects typically don’t keep them after the wedding, thus wasting money and time.

Try this string chandelier DIY project.  You can create enough to hang it from the ceiling (if possible) or around key areas of your venue.  Take it home and hang it around your house as a nice piece of decor, but also as a lasting reminder of your wedding day.