Decorating for a Wedding Reception

Of course it’s important that where the wedding is held be beautiful, but how the reception area looks may be just as (or more!) essential. After all, the wedding is over and done with in a matter of minutes (or at most, an hour), while the wedding reception can go on for hours and hours – and this is where those near and dear to you spend lots of time talking, laughing, dancing, eating…well, enjoying themselves. To make the most of your wedding reception, here are some tips on decorating that will go the distance toward creating the environment you want for that once-in-a-lifetime event.

Choosing Your Venue

Although the chapel of the church where you’ll be married may be absolutely gorgeous, its reception hall may be hideous. If you’ve planned your wedding during seasonally dry weather, consider holding an outdoor reception – somewhere that the inimitable beauty of nature doesn’t even need that much more added! Nothing beats memories of gently billowing tent-covered areas in a beautiful garden during ideal weather.

Tables – More Than the Cloths That Cover Them

Undoubtedly you’ll want the nicest tablecloths possible covering guests’ tables at your wedding reception event. Traditionally, crisp, starched white turns almost any table into an inviting oasis. But other colors – as long as they’re light – can work as well: Try peach, lime, blue, or ivory. But just as important as the color of the tablecloths is what shape of tables you use and how they are arranged. Long banquet-style tables may look quite elegant, but for people to converse with one another, they’re a disaster.

Unless they lean back and across one another, talk is limited to those next to them or directly across them. Instead, use groups of circular tables and place them no farther than three feet from each other. That way, not only can everyone talk to each other at their own table, it’s not impossible to communicate with people at tables near them.

Consider Burning Time When Selecting Candles

Candles are almost a given at any nice wedding reception. The ambience of gently flickering candles just can’t be duplicated, so of course you’ll no doubt want to include them in your wedding reception décor. But make sure you take into consideration how long they will burn before going out.

Tea lights floating in bowls looks lovely, but for receptions lasting longer than about an hour, you’ll want to plan on some other candle-themed centerpiece idea. Think non-drip tapers and pillars instead – perhaps placing pillars in groups of three or five on elegant platters. Candelabras for tapers can be found in glass (not as expensive as silverplate!) or ceramic that do any reception table justice!

These few thoughts on wedding reception decorations don’t take much more than a little forethought. Thinking ahead and considering details far advance will ensure everything goes smoothly and looks beautiful so that you can enjoy this very special occasion to the utmost.