We've all seen it: the television shows featuring sky-high arrangements, vintage silver, and hundreds of candles, all chosen by a wealthy bride. The wedding receptions are truly spectacular, often costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. Many of us sit and watch, thinking that we will never have something so great for our next event. However, with a little cash and a lot of creativity, you can bring high-end design to the centers of your tables!

The best place to focus when designing a reception or party are the tables where your guest will be sitting. Any table decorations you have will have the most impact because of their proximity. A little effort will goes a long way when it comes to table runners. This is the perfect place to establish a "mood" with lighting, decorations, or a chosen theme. Your wedding or party planner will have an arsenal of wonderful tips and tricks on hand to keep you below budget, but if you're going at it on your own here are a few ideas to try when decorating your tables:

Monochromatic Colors are Anything but Boring

Unless you're going for a bohemian or eclectic theme, sticking to a monochromatic color scheme will create a unified look from table to table and make your decor look chic, no matter what you use. Go to your local flea market, dollar store, or craft store and stock up on same or similarly colored candles, decorative balls, and other odds and ends. Having different shapes and textures intertwined will provide visual interest, while the monochromatic look unifies the decor.

A Little Sparkle Goes a Long Way

A little twinkle adds a much needed dose of whimsy to any table. On long, straight tables, pick up a few yards of stringed beads to run through the center. Ask your local florist to attach gems to the arrangements or sprinkle beads throughout the center. Use vintage brooches from a flea market to catch the light on napkin rings. Christmas ornaments with the hooks detached can complete a tablescape. Sparkle keeps guests' eyes busy and adds a touch of something special to your centerpieces.

Never Underestimate the Power of a Tea Candle

These little guys pack quite a punch when  gathered together on a table. These little lights add depth and dimension to your arrangements and provide ambiance to your tables. Run them down the center, circle them around floral arrangements, or float them in water.  Lighting is a huge part of any party decor. Mix in larger and smaller candles to make sure there is ample light and variety.

Go Big or Go Home

Every table needs a focal piece. A large floral arrangement or a large container is a way to add drama without breaking the bank. Fill glass cylinders with fruit, water, or beads and top them off with flowers. Get creative with containers; use barrels, tea pots–whatever you can find that fits the theme and your budget. Hire a professional florist to create simple, yet beautiful, arrangements.  This is probably one area that is best left to professionals. It is important that your flowers look neat, not sloppy. Save money in other areas, but leave the flowers to the pros.

Get Creative!

As always, using your imagination is the best way to save money while hosting an event. Dig through your closets, contact your local florist or wedding and party planner, and stick to your vision. Keep it simple, and keep it special by following these tips!

Recently, I heard of an elementary school teacher who was getting married and invited her class of first graders to the wedding. She not only invited them, but she made sure they would enjoy the wedding reception, too.

She went all out on a special food table filled with some really creative foods that kids enjoy. There were heart-shaped peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, fruit roll-ups lined up like soldiers on a silver platter, a fruit centerpiece filled with fun-shaped melons, apple and orange slices, strawberries and grape kebabs. There were also kid-friendly chicken nuggets with a variety of dipping sauces, and ants on a log (celery sticks smeared with peanut butter with raisins on top). A local bakery had made schoolhouse shaped cookies decorated with icing for a sweet treat. She even had small cartons of milk on ice in a silver punch bowl.

But she didn’t stop there. There were tables specifically for the students and their parents to sit, decorated with their school colors—green and gold. Wedding favors were at each place and included pencils, crayons, notepads and other school supplies wrapped up in cellophane bags tied with green and gold ribbons.

It struck me how much this teacher had really thought of her students and wanted them to have fun and feel welcome on her most special day. I’m sure each of those children will never forget that teacher or her wedding day.

Wedding Receptions: The First Party Of Your Married Life

Your first party together as husband and wife – the wedding reception – is a celebration of your love and commitment, a truly momentous event that should be glorified as such. Family and friends will come from near and far to help mark this important milestone in your new life together. And you will have the time of your life. Great wedding receptions are talked about and remembered fondly by guests and wedding party members alike for years and years.

Just think of all the great memories you will make together as husband and wife surrounded by the most important people in your life.  What a great way to start your journey together.

However, before you put on your dancing shoes and let your hair down, there is a lot of planning that goes into making your wedding reception perfect. While there are many aspects of the wedding reception to consider, if you take care of the core five ingredients (food, music, decorations, location and photographers/videographers), it will come together beautifully.

Food: Success Begins With Great Taste

Just imagine, as your guests enter the reception hall they are greeted by a stunningly beautiful ice sculpture that sparkles and glistens in the warm candlelight. Near the buffet table a chocolate fountain gurgles a cascading sheet of rich milk chocolate and nearby an elegant champagne fountain bubbles out the sweet lavish liquid. The aroma of a delicious meal fills the air, leaving your guests with a feeling of excitement for the festivities to come.

Feeding your guests a great meal may just be one of the most important aspects of your reception. A caterer can take the worry and hassle out of feeding a large crowd. A professional wedding caterer can help you plan the menu and tailor it to the desired atmosphere of your wedding reception.  He or she can help you add those special touches like a delicious chocolate fountain, an elegant ice sculpture, or maybe even that bubbling champagne fountain.

Music: To My Ear and Theirs

Think about how much fun you'll have twirling around the dance floor to your favorite song. Or maybe your entire wedding party will wow the crowd with your own choreographed version of  "Thriller" which could make your party one of the most unique receptions your guests have ever attended. Just think how much fun you and your wedding party will have, not only learning the dance but showing off your new smooth moves as well. A professional choreographer can help you create that special dance.

Music sets the mood for dancing and fun and is a vital part of a good reception. A professional DJ can help keep things lively and get everybody out on the dance floor. You'll be surprised to see your aunt kick off her shoes and get down to "She's a Brick House," but a good dj can make even the most prim and proper guests want to get out there and shake it. Plus think about all the good memories you'll have of dancing and being silly with your friends and family.

Decorations: A Feast For The Eyes

Imagine your guests entering the reception hall. On a table strewn with bright rose petals, photos of the bride and groom greet them at the door.  Bunches of sweet red roses surrounded by the soft glow of romantic candlelight grace round tables draped with rich cream colored linens. The shimmering candlelight along with soft music create a picturesque atmosphere for your wedding reception.

Or maybe picnic tables and buckets full of drinks for guests, lanterns strung through the trees above the tables and whimsical palm tree centerpieces with Jimmy Buffet playing in the background is more your style. Whatever your style may be, there are wedding decorations to make your reception the ideal one for you.

Decorations can make any reception location look amazing and are a must for a great reception. When selecting your reception decorations look for items that match the look and feel of your wedding. If you have a very formal wedding, a formal reception hall would be appropriate. If you have a laid back beach wedding, a more casual laid back reception would match the wedding and your attire.

Location: The Best Place To Celebrate

A church hall, a hotel banquet room, or a garden party all make great places to hold your dream wedding reception. When selecting your reception location consider:

• the number of guests
• whether an indoor or outdoor location
• proximity to the ceremony
• nearby accommodations for out-of-town guests
• availability on the date you have selected

When booking your reception location it is important to do so well in advance to secure the date you need. When it comes to places to hold your reception, the sky is the limit. If you can dream it you can probably do it. Just make up your mind and make it happen and you are sure to end up with the reception location of your dreams.

Photographers and Videographers: Capturing A Moment In Time

There will be so many moments you'll want to capture and preserve forever : like cutting the cake, your maid of honor's heartfelt and teary toast, your first dance, the daddy-daughter dance and all the other great moments at your reception. What better way than with photos and videos that will last a lifetime? A professional photographer can capture great candid shots of those special moments and the special people at your reception. Those creative toasts can be relived again and again on video. A professional videographer can help you preserve those precious words and wishes.

When your grandchildren ask about your wedding you will be able to show them the video of your first dance or the cake cutting. You will also have keepsake photos of you looking gorgeous in your beautiful wedding dress that you can pass on through the generations. That is why selecting a wedding photographer and or videographer is so important. You and your spouse will enjoy looking back at all the wedding reception photos and video and remember the beginning of your great journey together.

A special thanks goes to:

Mendon Massachusetts photographer, Blueberry Photo for the use of their bride and groom photo.

Bentonville Arkansas Caterer, Catering Concepts for the use of their fruit platter photo.

Uniontown Ohio Photographer, Curtis Photography-Videography for the use of their wedding reception dance photo.

Tulsa Oklahoma Wedding Florist, Perfect Presentations for the use of their wedding reception decorations photo.

I recently attended a family member’s wedding and reception whose theme colors were black, white and fuchsia. She decorated the reception tables using lovely black-and-white scroll patterned fabric with fuchsia accents dotted around the reception hall. She also used a variety of decorative pieces—candelabras, statues, and the like—as centerpieces. It had a very Parisian feel to it and I thought how creative it would be to have a Parisian themed wedding reception. Whether you’re having your wedding reception indoors or al fresco, I think it would be a romantic way to celebrate your wedding ceremony.

The wedding reception decorations could include wire Eiffel Tower decorative pieces for table centerpieces. You could even attach photos of the bride and groom to each tower for a personal touch. And since Paris is the City of Lights, you could tastefully string white mini lights across the ceiling covered by a sheer black or navy fabric for a starry night effect.

Whether serving a sit-down meal or a buffet, you could incorporate some classic French foods into your meal like filet mignon, chicken cordon bleu, baguettes and eclairs. In fact, you could create a tiered wedding cake out of classic French pastries for an alternative to a traditional wedding cake. These pastries would be perfect served with—what else?—champagne fountain for the wedding toast.

Try the Parisian theme for your wedding reception. I'm sure you'll love the classic elegance.

I love citrus! Lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruit, tangerines—they all say warm breezes, freshness and a fun way to decorate your wedding reception. Whether your reception is elegant and elaborate with large, lavish floral centerpieces or simple and modern with small, compact floral arrangements, this is a great idea to incorporate. Using one or several varieties of citrus—let’s say oranges and tangerines—place whole or sliced fruit in your centerpiece containers, depending on the size of the containers. Fill with water, then place your flowers, ribbon and other embellishments in the vases. The look is stunning!

I recently used this idea for a bridal shower where the young bride’s main wedding colors were tangerine and turquoise. I used small clear vases, added orange slices, orange Gerbera daisies, and turquoise ribbon. They looked fresh and youthful on the white tablecloths, and the votive candles on each side added a beautiful elegance to the arrangements. They also added a pleasant orange fragrance to the air.

This idea works well no matter what your color choices. The natural, organic beauty of the citrus fruit adds a unique twist to the floral arrangements that can be carried into the food trays, as well. Adding a slice or wedge of citrus on each tray, and adding slices of citrus to crystal pitchers of ice water helps to carry through the citrus theme at your wedding reception.

Citrus Floral Arrangement by Inspired Floral Design

A special thanks to Inspired Floral Design, a Bradford RI florist and Carolina MediaStar Photography, a Fayetteville NC photographer for sharing this wonderful example of a citrus floral arrangement.

You might not think "rustic" and "wedding reception" go together, but getting back to nature is especially trendy—and beautiful—when it comes to wedding reception decorations and venues. Whether you live in Boston, Seattle or Dallas, having your wedding reception outdoors in a rustic barn, pavilion or just a spacious backyard can be an especially festive setting.

Functional Outdoor Wedding Reception Decorations

Bring out the galvanized steel tubs to use for everything from iced-down beverages to party favors. Tin buckets and planters look revived as centerpiece containers with fresh cut flowers from the garden. Checkered and vintage tablecloths and napkins set a beautiful table and lend an air of casual elegance to the reception. Old, weathered pieces of wood can be used as signage to direct guests, while outdoor string lights and mismatched candleholders light their way. Decorating can be as simple as draping sheer white fabric along the walls and ceiling and accenting with dried grapevine for a lovely, rustic touch.

Rustic Reception Food With Elegance
Just because your reception may be outdoors doesn’t mean you have to fire up the grill and serve burgers and hot dogs. Beef tenderloin, in-season roasted garden vegetables and a spring mix salad with nuts, fresh fruit and a fresh herb vinaigrette served on mismatched china only reinforces the feel of casual elegance. You can also serve locally made wine with the meal. Use your imagination to transform any rustic outdoor setting into an elegant reception venue that you’ll always remember.

Having guests sign a guest book upon arriving at your ceremony or reception is a traditional way of recording who attended your wedding. But even the best tradition deserves some updating. Consider these ideas for a fresh way to record who attends your wedding while making it part of your wedding decorations:

Purchase a picture frame mat and several good quality black ink pens. A 16’ x 20’ mat is a good size and will hold an 11’ x 14’ photograph. Consider using an engagement photo or any photo of the bride and groom. Display the matted photo on an easel with a sign directing guests to sign their names and include a brief note, if they wish. Using the picture mat as a wedding decoration that welcomes your guests and as a guest book is a great way to set the tone for your wedding.

Purchase or make 3’ x 5’ cards on white or colored cardstock. Lay stacks of cards out on a table, along with an empty container that coordinates with your wedding decorations—a basket, a crystal bowl, etc.—along with good quality black ink pens. Have your guest table attendant (or a simple sign) encourage guests to write a brief wish and sign their names to a piece of cardstock. When they finish, they drop the card in the empty container. You can decorate the table along the theme of your wedding for a cohesive wedding decoration. You can arrange these cards in your wedding album as special reminders of those who attended and their well wishes.

I love outdoor weddings. There’s just something about the natural beauty of the greenery that makes them so fabulous. Outdoor wedding reception decorations and table centerpieces can be somewhat tricky though, because you don’t want to take away from the natural scenery. The new overall wedding decoration idea trend is "earthy glamorous" and this theme is even more beautiful outdoors.

This can be done using twigs, leaves, containers of grass, and several other resources. Table decorations and centerpiece options are endless with this theme. Long low containers of grass with a Continue reading "Take Advantage of Natural Beauty… Outdoor Wedding Table Decorations" »

I have always loved intimate weddings and wedding receptions, especially those where candles are used in the wedding and table decorations. Candles are very simple and inexpensive decorations which create, not only beautiful décor, but generate an atmosphere that no other resource can – the glow of romance. Magnificent wedding decorations can be effortlessly achieved by candles and flowers alone. There is nothing more beautiful than simplicity in my book and the combination of flowers and candles captures it perfectly.

Creating Simplistic Wedding Decorations With Flowers and Candles
Fresh greenery and candles create a natural air of romance ideal for wedding ceremonies and Continue reading "Glowing Wedding Decoration Ideas" »

If you’re planning a wedding, especially in the winter months, why not decorate your wedding reception with a chocolate theme? Brown is the new black these days and chocolate brown is showing up everywhere: paired with pink and blue for babies, in leather furniture, handbags, even make-up. You could use chocolate satin fabric to drape windows, stages, round tables and chairs.

Because brown coordinates so perfectly with many colors—pink, turquoise, melon, lavender—it’s a great color to Continue reading "A Chocolate Theme Wedding Reception–Sweet!" »