Friday, November 2, 2018

10 (Easy!) Ways to Decorate Your Wedding Reception

Style your soirée with these fresh ideas.

by wshhfght

Depending on your venue contract, there might be a few restrictions when it comes to the type of décor you can bring in or alterations you can make to the space. For example, a museum or historic wedding venueprobably won't be okay with altering or damaging their walls in any way (think: using nails to hang signage).

Or maybe minimalism is your style and you're just not into the idea of a ton of décor, but you still want to personalize the celebration. Here are a few wedding decorations that are totally low maintenance, but beautiful and impactful.

(Psst—still trying to figure out what your wedding style actually is? Not to toot our own horn or anything, but The Knot All-In-One Wedding Planner app includes a Style Quiz that's not only fun, but refreshingly accurate. And it does way more than discover your wedding vision—it keeps track of everything from vendor contacts to day-of to-dos, all in one place.)

1. Drape the Ceilings

ONELOVE PHOTOGRAPHY

It's amazing what a little fabric can do. Keep it formal and elegant with white fabric, or if you're after a fun vibe, opt for a bright color like yellow. Bonus: Take this approach and you can go light on the table décor and still get the same decked-out reception look.
2. Pick Up Patterned Pillows

MEG SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY

If you have a lounge area in your reception space (or made one with some rental furniture), get yourself to a housewares department for some pillows. Find them on sale (IKEA-style) and cover them with your favorite patterned fabric for a few low maintenance pops of festive color and pattern.
3. Create an Escort Card Display

MEAGHAN ELLIOTT PHOTOGRAPHY

Instead of having an escort card table, create a bulletin board of seating assignments and display it near the entrance of the reception space. Bonus: You won't have guests squinting at tiny tented cards, trying to decipher their table number.

From: A Kate Spade–Inspired Beachside Wedding at Sanderling Resort in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina
4. Hang Your Flowers

REBEKAH MURRAY PHOTOGRAPHY

Think flowers are just for your tables? Think again. Suspending lush arrangements a few feet above your guests' dinner plates is a fun way to create a more intimate space. (This tip is especially handy if you're not so fond of your venue's carpeting—just keep people looking up!)
5. Make Chalkboard Signage

HARWELL PHOTOGRAPHY

Chalkboards are a great way to decorate an entrance or jazz up the cocktail bar. Personalize it by thrifting an old frame and spray-painting it to match the rest of your décor. Drape with greenery or a flower garland and chalk away!
6. Use Table Lamps

IRA LIPPKE STUDIOS

Create height on your reception tables using table lamps. Tip: You can skip flowers altogether if you want, but surrounding the lamps with flowers or greenery is an easy way to hide cords.
7. Add a Sprig of Herbs

TROY GROVER PHOTOGRAPHERS

Just because you're having a formal wedding doesn't mean you can't have a little fun with your décor. Add herbs like rosemary or lavender for a fragrant touch on the place settings.
8. Rent Colored Glassware

ANNA KUPERBERG

Instead of pouring your entire reception décor budget into the centerpieces, consider using part of that budget to rent extras like colored glassware—it'll make your tables pop in an instant.
9. Order Calligraphed Menus

NED JACKSON PHOTOGRAPHY

Rather than printing out your escort cards and menus, take the design one step further with calligraphy. There are different scripts for every type of affair, like traditional copperplate for black tie formal or something more free-hand for farm-to-table chic. If your budget doesn't allow for 200 professionally calligraphed place cards, invest in young talent—post the job in your local college's art department and test out a few students for the job.
10. Use a Table Runner That Pops

HUDSON NICHOLS PHOTOGRAPHY

Look for modern table décor inspiration, like this patterned table runner. Rather than having several big floral centerpieces, space them out in smaller bud vases to span the length of the runner (and show off the pattern). This colorful detail will make your rental china pop.