Here are so many decisions to make when planning a wedding reception! Things are not as easy and simple as they may look at a first glance. There are many factors to consider when making the decision on the best venue, formality, season and setting. The arrangement of the tables and chairs is never easy either. Besides this, there is a lot of thinking to do when it comes to selecting the tables. Have you ever imagined that there will be so many aspects to take into consideration for a wedding reception? If you are planning an open field wedding or an outdoors reception you have the opportunity to select the shape and style of the tables.
This sounds like a very fun idea. It is fun, but also overwhelming because all the options are unique and worth-considering. The two main choices are these: long and round tables. In most cases, the couple gets to select an indoors venue with the tables offered by the location. But when planning an original alfresco wedding, things are a bit different. You can hire, rent or make your own tables, if the reception is going to be a truly unique event. Go personalized and plan a fabulous wedding seating that carries your mark.
Wedding Reception Long Tables Vs Round (Photo by: Regan Walsh)
Determining the location for the reception is a long process that implies thinking of the type of décor, food, refreshments and arrangements that you want for the site. This should help you choose the best space and then select the size and shape of the tables. There are many dilemmas when it comes to choosing between round and long reception tables. Making the final choice is not entirely a personal thing because you must keep in mind the activities and needs you’ve planned for the reception. The advantages of choosing long tables are many. First of all, they can serve for the gifts received by the bride and groom. Then they work for a large number o guests.
Long tables are great for those who want to sit together in large families or simply enjoy a buffet-type of food display. Long wooden tables are ideal for forest and countryside weddings. The disadvantage of arranging long tables in rows is that the guests won’t be able to move freely. You need space between the tables for the invitees to travel forth and back and a lot of room between the chairs. Round tables are more popular and more elegant. They provide with more space than long tables and allow people to mill around their seats. It’s easier to sit in groups and chat at a round table. Arrange the tables around the dance floor to allow everyone to see and enjoy the dances.
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The most anticipated part of the wedding is the reception party. Not all guests decide to participate at the religious ceremony. This is why they are even more excited to see the bride and the groom at the party. There is a lot of thought and money invested in making the party a fun and enjoyable experience for the guests. This is why is so important to make the wisest choices in everything you purchase. The wedding reception must be diverting and relaxing in the same time, unique and memorable for the newlyweds and for the other participants.
From the seating cards and flowers to the cake, the entire event must be based on relevant items and cute details. But the beauty or uniqueness of the event is in the accessories you’re using, and you know that. You should make an effort to create a fabulous ambiance for the attendants. This means that besides the traditional details you should incorporate a few personal accents. You can do this by utilizing special lights. The lighting is very important in a wedding party because it can add more drama, vitality, energy or romance and intimacy to the setting.
Wedding Reception Lights (Photo by: Wendy Harman)
The type of lights you choose must suit the formality and specific of the venue. The lights should be able to enhance the beauty of the locale and add more visual dynamism to the event. The idea of using accent lighting to draw the attention to a certain item or object of the wedding is brilliant. Many designers like to focus on this style. There must be an area or a space of the party that you would like to accent. You can do that by using unique lighting. It’s easy to create a beautiful highlight by utilizing different techniques, like up-light or a background of colored lights. You can enhance with lights the entryway, the centerpieces and the draperies or fabric curtains.
The colors you choose must play into the color-scheme of the entire event. Deciding on the ideal places to utilize the lights is a tough task, but you can leave it to a specialist in field if you can’t figure it out on your own. Custom lighting is very trendy in wedding receptions. Many couples feel flattered by the idea of using their initials and other romantic shapes and messages accented by lights. Monogram lighting used for the dance floor and around the room is a nice trend to adopt. Your wedding date or heart-shaped lights are also cute ways to add a more atmospheric vibe to the event. Use gradual change lighting to make the reception more impressive. Spot lighting is for a certain area of the venue. Use it for the wedding cake, for your first dance and speeches.
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There are so many ways to transform a simple standard wedding into an unforgettable event for you and your guests! All you need is a drop of imagination! Going personal and original is not as expensive as you may think. The contrary, DIY wedding projects are always more affordable than traditional weddings. Besides this, they are easier to plan and experience.
Now, choosing the right style for your wedding depends entirely on your vision of the ideal D-day, and on your budget, no doubt about it. If you are short on money, you can always improvise and go crafty or homemade. The organic style is very trendy, so it won’t be a bad idea to bring in homemade food, desserts and drinks. Besides this, you can make the centerpieces yourself. Use mason jars, birdcages, wine bottles, jam jars, birch, wooden boxes, baskets and other inedited recipients for the flowers. These elements are easy to procure, design or purchase. Besides this, they are very original alternatives to fancy formal flower vases.
Wedding Reception Decoration Ideas (Photo by: warrenski)
Instead of using expensive lavish flowers, we suggest you consider seasonal blooms, like lilacs, cherry blossoms, hyacinths, lilies of the valley, freesias, Billy Balls. Succulents are also trendy and they can replace the traditional flower centerpiece in your wedding. Add in a few ferns, moss, branches, pine cones, leaves or other natural decorations to make the arrangements more authentic and unique. Your centerpieces can feature different designs, shapes and sizes. Don’t be afraid to adopt the mismatched style for each table in part. This will surely add more diversity and originality to the reception. Besides this, your guests will like the idea of having a special table planned just for them. Use high-low centerpieces and various colors and flowers. This type of decoration is personalized and it will surely flatter your attendants.
For the tables you can use hand-sewn tablecloths and doilies instead of expensive napkins. These items are inexpensive and very chic. It’s also trendy to use a few fabric decorations for the upper part of your wedding. If you’re inside, choose drapes and curtains for the ceiling. And if you’re outdoors, hang paper lanterns, colored festive garlands, sparkling strings and other unique hanging items on tree branches. Don’t forget to incorporate lights for a more intimate, romantic and inviting atmosphere. Use fruits instead of flowers if you are going seasonal. Those who are having a fall wedding should definitely use the harvest theme for the reception décor. If you’re at the beach, focus on sea creatures and specific items of décor, like seashells, corals, pearls, nautical flags and anchors, parasols, sunglasses, corals, starfishes, etc. If you’re going rustic, use lace, ropes, burlap and wooden elements in the décor.
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Planning a green wedding is undoubtedly a very exciting thing, especially for those who love the nature and want to have a responsible wedding. This style is not for everybody. Not all couples think of nature when planning their wedding. It’s natural to have other things on your mind when getting married, but fortunately, there are many people who think that it’s essential today to be an ecological couple, at least in thinking. There are many themes to choose from even at this chapter. And we think that even those who are not necessarily fans of this style can fall in love with one and choose it for their wedding. Playing ecologically or eco-friendly actually means saving the nature.
There are many implications here that concern the environment, although they are not directly visible or tangible. If you want to pay a tribute to the Mother Nature you can play by her rules. Chances are you will obtain a pretty spectacular wedding for your and your guests. This is the biggest day of your life but it doesn’t mean that it has to be full of useless or irrelevant things. This is not an opportunity to play kitschy and irresponsible. This is a fabulous occasion to show everybody your love and passion for the environment. The best way to start planning a green wedding is with the invitations and the wedding stationery.
Eco Friendly Wedding Reception (Photo by: Nishanth Jois)
Send out eco friendly cards to your guests and set the tone of your wedding. You can be sure that your friends will be flattered to receive recycled paper cards based on flower seeds or other natural fibers. This is definitely something inedited that can attract even more followers. Anything that seems innovative or new and trendy can captivate the attention of the invitees. We love earthy friendly themed weddings because they are both responsible and unique. The originality of a green theme is the key element that should be exploited, giving the fact that this is a formal elegant event. You can apply the same rule for every single wedding item.
For instance, buy wedding rings made from recycled precious metals and stones. Those of you who love vintage jewelry can choose to transform an old-fashion piece of jewelry into a classic recycled item. There are plenty possibilities at this point. Instead of purchasing exotic flowers from outer regions we suggest you work with locally grown blooms. There are many environmentally friendly options for those who want to go more organic with the centerpieces and bouquets. Another way to save on environment is to minimize the amount of driving for your guests. Or, you can use a horse carriage to make things even more magical and fairy-tale like.
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The reality is that more and more brides and grooms choose to plan a wedding that is less traditional. This fact is very important to our subject because casual affairs in general require a special type of etiquette. Due to the fact that the majority of couples decide on a less formal wedding, knowing the etiquette for different reception aspects is crucial. Nevertheless, we know that many of those who choose a casual reception over a traditional elaborated party don’t even want to follow any specific rules.
But the truth is that the etiquette for an informal wedding is not a set of rules to obey to, but a sum of trends and tendencies that can help you plan a successful modern wedding. If you are a traditional couple who wants to switch the mode to a more contemporary wedding style need a little bit of guidance in this regard. You need to do this carefully and properly. There is a specific type of protocol even for casual wedding receptions, although it may seem awkward to be this way. There are many questions related to this subject. Assuming that you are not a frequent wedding attendant, you may be curious or interested to know how to plan a wedding reception without mistakes or hurt feelings.
Wedding Reception Etiquette (Photo by: Howie Le)
First of all, we must consider the venue. If your wedding reception takes place in a ballroom, the etiquette is based on luxury, understated elegance and extravagance. On the other hand, if the party occurs in your own backyard, then you must consider homemade things, crafty decorations and organic elements inspired or taken directly from nature. The most exciting thing about modern weddings is that the couple benefits of more freedom when it comes to selecting the venue, the theme and the décor. Your wedding reception should be relaxing and relaxed.
One of the most popular questions regarding the etiquette for modern wedding reception is whether you should invite children or not. The truth is that there are no firm rules against inviting kids at a wedding. But if you don’t want any kids in your wedding, make sure that you are polite in the invitations. Don’t write “No children allowed”, but something less offensive, like “Adult reception to follow”. Another dilemma that concerns the reception etiquette is whether to have a receiving line or not. If you don’t have a receiving line, you need to communicate more with your guests and spend more time at their tables. Otherwise you will appear simply rude. Don’t use assigned seats for the guests, but only for your parents and godparents. It’s also a good choice to open presents in front of your guests. Guests should pay for extra refreshments at the reception.
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The part of planning the floral arrangements and items for the wedding décor is by far one of the most the exciting, especially for the bride. She is usually in charge of planning the centerpieces for the ceremony and reception. If the religious ceremony is for you as a couple, the reception is for the guests. This is why the process of planning the reception setting should be focused on the invitees and their comfort. There are thousands of themes and ways to make a wedding reception look and feel unique and inviting.
The important thing is to choose a style that represents you and your interests. If you two have different personalities and visions, make sure you find the best compromise between your preferences. Or, you can incorporate two styles in your wedding. We’ve seen many designers doing this in their wedding projects and we admit that the results were fabulous! The rustic and glamorous styles blend very well for instance and many other contrasting themes.
Wedding Reception Centerpieces (Photo by: Jose and Roxanne)
Make sure that the centerpieces follow the same overall rule and styling. If you have more themes you would like to incorporate or work with, choose the mismatched style. This approach is not only trendy and fashionable but also very efficient. The mismatched style is versatile and very fun to work with. You can create different centerpieces for each table in par. Can you imagine how fabulous the effect will be and how delighted your guests will be? It can be very flattering for a wedding attendant to assist at a wedding of this nature. The setting will be vibrant, dynamic and very cheerful. After all, aren’t wedding about joyfulness and energy? The couple’s happiness should be transmitted to the invitees and they can do that by adopting the mismatched theme. To make sure the wedding ceremony features the same style, we suggest you choose different dresses for the bridesmaids.
Those who are gifted with more than four bridesmaids can choose gowns in different colors, lengths, fabrics, necklines or skirts. Your guests will be able to intuit the thematic of the reception but they will never guess that your party will be so wild and funky! You can do the same thing for the food. Ask your guests to bring a dish of their favorite meal at your wedding and have a potluck. This practice is popular in rural side weddings and it is very efficient. Those who are on a budget can make this proposal to their guests and ask them kindly to do this instead of a wedding gift. Mix the dishes and make sure everybody gets something different from what they’ve originally cooked! This is a fabulous way to keep the wedding costs down and enjoy more diversity!
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No one can deny that alfresco weddings are the most enjoyable. Everybody admits that an outdoors wedding setting is always easier to handle, assume and share with the invitees. The more casual the reception is the better your guests will feel at your wedding. No one really likes stiff formal weddings, no matter how much we are trying to keep the pace with the traditional wedding etiquette.
Outdoors weddings are founded on more authenticity and comfort and these two qualities are very motivating for your newlyweds. Outdoors wedding receptions are very common and they are still growing in popularity. These types of events allow the couple to host a more relaxed and simplistic wedding, based on truly essential things. It doesn’t matter who you are and how big your budget is. The important thing is to keep things close to your individual style and vision. There is a flattering intimate feel of outdoors weddings that many of us like, especially the attendants. A fun and cozy wedding is everything we want for ourselves and for our friends and family.
Ideas For Outdoor Wedding Reception (Photo by: Lee Haywood)
This doesn’t mean though that we should sacrifice the elegance factor. No one said that outdoors wedding receptions are less stylish and dainty, anyway. So why would you think that? It’s obvious that the setting won’t be as glamorous and fancy as of an indoors wedding, but no one can prevent you from transforming a natural space into a spectacular location for a wedding. There are many venues out there that can provide a wedding with a magical set, like a botanical garden or a courtyard. Not all outdoors wedding sites call for a simple casual party. You are free to choose the venue according to your budget and preferences. In most situations, outdoors nuptials are more personalized and based on fewer guests than in traditional wedding cases.
The guest list is usually composed of close friends and family only. Nothing too elaborated and impersonal! The contrary, we like it when things are kept simple, sincere and natural. The guests of a small outdoors wedding can feel like they’re part of the wedding festivities for real, more than those who attend a big pompous wedding. The venue you choose can be decorated with luxurious items or in a more affordable way, depending on your possibilities. We suggest those who are on a budget to invest more money in a unique location with a scenic view. Beaches, orchards, parks, vineyards and greenhouses are just a few examples of romantic locations with sentimental and budget significance. The décor can be kept simpler, due to the amazing landscape you can use for your backdrop. Backyard and open field weddings are less pricey and also more relaxing. They are also much easier to organize!
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Every couple wants to leave a good impression on their guests. And to do that, many of them call on unconventional methods. They like to play with bright colors, bold elements of décor and sparkling accents to captivate the attention of the invitees and steal their hearts. It’s only natural to want to make a statement on your wedding day! And modern brides know that the wedding day is more than just purchasing a couture wedding dress. As a bride, you have to be aware of the fact that you are not the only one who needs to be adorned and beautified for the wedding.
The tables and chairs and every single corner of the wedding setting must be decorated properly. If you find pleasure in working with fabrics for different typed of decorations, you will surely like the idea of coming up with inedited ideas for your wedding reception chairs. You ca go traditionally and choose conventional satin covers for the chairs or choose to dress them up in a more unique way. It doesn’t have to be a classic material that covers them entirely, but a small item that makes all the difference. This depends on the wedding theme.
Wedding Reception Chair Decor (Photo by: Parker Michael Knight)
You can always steal elements that compose your theme or a special motif that’s relevant for the type of wedding you’re planning and use it for the chair’s adornment. Let’s take for instance those who are planning a beach wedding. If you’re using seashells in your wedding reception you can surely insert a few in the chairs. Your guests will love finding a few shell charms hanging from their chair’s backrest. This is a great way of fashioning the reception and making your guests’ seating more enjoyable, special and fun. Many couples tent to overlook this aspect or completely forget about the decorations of the chairs. But with small details you can transform a simple and cheap wedding into a chic original affair that your attendants will treasure and never forget!
The chair decorations can provide cute pops of colors and add more cheerfulness and uniqueness to the ambiance and the venue. The final look needs to be cohesive and coherent, so use only the colors and motifs that are already part of the wedding. Transform plain reception chairs into more inviting places for your guests to spend their wedding time. You can create crafty items to adorn them, like paper garlands based on stars, dollies or hearts. Floral chair decorations like mini floral wreaths are also very beautiful selections. Use fabric bows and other floral poufs to add more elegance and funkiness to the chairs. Pomander balls with matching ribbons, colorful pillowcases, basket patterns and fabric drapes are other special decorations for your chairs.
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The past is always a thing to hunt us, in a good or bad way. It always seems that the past is full of beautiful things that are out of reach. Many of us like to go back in their youth time or childhood to remember some of the wonderful moments we spent as kids. The same thing happens when it comes to weddings. More and more wedding designers and planners like to go back in time in search of unique themes and styles that they can update to surprise the contemporary couple who feels nostalgic about the past.
The most amazing thing about vintage weddings is that they store all those precious things, moments and memories you never want to let go or forget. Using the old-fashion style to decorate your wedding is for certain a great way to return to innocence and to those things that you thought were lost. There are many ways to do this, but it depends on the vision you have, or more precisely on the theme you want to adopt. Every couple has their own image of the perfect vintage wedding they wish to plan, so it’s not easy to make a general definition of the ideal antique wedding.
Vintage Wedding Reception (Photo by: Hana Studio)
The myriad of themes and styles available for those who want to go old-fashion offer a lot of opportunities and alternatives in this sense. But what does the vintage style means more exactly when it comes to weddings? Well, it’s all in the details you’re using. Let’s start with the bride. Instead of wearing a modern gown with a bold cut, the bride can choose a fluid nonchalant boho-chic or antique silhouette inspired by a unique current. You can choose the Art Deco style if you prefer something dramatic and strikingly outstanding. The Victorian style is very romantic, especially if the bride opts for a hat and a pair of chic short gloves. You can add an element of old-century fashion to your attire by wearing a pair of antique shoes!
The veil or headpiece should also reflect the beauty of the antique period you chose for your wedding. The invitations should also express and mirror the original theme of the reception. Your guests can take note and adjust their own outfits or accessories to match with your wedding style. Instead of using traditional centerpieces, use more artistic elements of décor, such as urns, antique flower vases, antique photo frames, old clocks, pitchers, statues and objects or art. You can shop in thrift stores or simply take a ride at a local flea market. You should be able to find lots of antique stuff you can purchase for less for a spectacular look!
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