Wedding Times

You may think that just because it’s a wedding reception, you’re limited to simply placing votives on the tables or sprinkling them with flower petals. But there are so many things to take into consideration when planning your wedding table decorations besides what you actually place on the tables that it’s easy to want to throw up your hands at the very idea of it all. Find out here what tables you might need to decorate, and how to do it!

Tables to Consider

There are many different tables that you will need to think about decorating so that your cake doesn’t end up on a revealed piece of plywood and your guests aren’t signing the guest book on a metal folding table (or at least that they can see!) The tables that you will need to decorate, should you have them at your reception, are: the head table, the cake table, the buffet table, the guests’ tables, the signing table, the DJ booth, and the gift table.

Shape and Arrangement

Before you begin to think about decorating your wedding tables, you need to consider what shape and size you will be using as well as how you will be arranging them. This has a huge impact with how you actually end up decorating them. Small round tables look more elegant than long rectangular tables and they are more encouraging of mingling. Get creative with buffet tables and consider having them in a U-shape or other creative arrangement.

Linens

Before you place any decorations on your tables, you will need to cover them with tablecloths. White is generally the standard at weddings but if you think that’s too boring, consider getting tablecloths in large checkered patterns with bold colors or use your wedding colors and mix them up, using one color for one table and the other color for the next. This can have a very dramatic effect! Also consider covering your chairs in the same linen you use for your tablecloths. This always brings a touch of class and sophistication.

Wedding Table Decoration Ideas

Wedding table decorations can be broken down into two categories: the centerpiece and the other small embellishments. For instance, you may have a centerpiece of tapered candles with silver hearts sprinkled on the tabletop or a large fruit basket with small bundles of fruit candy at each place setting.

Try to extend your imagination beyond the typical candles or flowers scattered throughout the table for decorations. If you’re having a themed wedding it’s certainly very easy to incorporate the theme into your decorations by placing sand and seashells in tiny pails and placing the pails on the table. If you’re not having a themed wedding it’s still easy to create wonderful table decorations by getting creative with your wedding colors and the formality of your reception.

The centerpiece will be given the most thought when it comes to wedding table decorations. This is another area where you are only limited by your imagination and you should really try to go beyond candles and flowers! Place a horn o’ plenty on each table for a wedding held in the fall or simply place miniature heart-shaped ice sculptures for something that guests will be talking about for years to come!