How to Decorate Your Wedding Reception
A Beginner’s Guide to Wedding Design
BLUF: If you want us to handle this for you set a meeting to chat about all of your wedding dreams.
When we talk to clients about wedding design, we always ask for a link to their Pinterest so that we can see their inspiration. Most couples have found some amazing images and fallen in love with at least one style when we meet them. This is wonderful as we need a good place to start. However, when we ask them about their actual ideas for decorating we find a large gulf between the inspired, gorgeous images and their wedding decorating ideas.
Why is that?
What does it take to create Pinterest worthy weddings?
Where do you even get the ideas and supplies?
As usual, we’ve got you covered!
First, let me just dispel some of the myths about Pinterest. Most of those images are styled shoots, not real weddings. Read some of the descriptions and you will see what I mean. They are meant to display what those amazing wedding vendors can do and may not accurately represent best practices. Take the image below for instance. Gorgeous right? However, those open flames on a wooden table are not allowed at many venues. The damage risk to tables and/or linen is not something venues are willing to risk. But after looking at these dreamy photos many of our clients find themselves searching for a beautiful alternative.
Another point to remember about Pinterest is that most pins do not have a price tag. Vendors with the skill to bring these photos to life will charge for their services accordingly. Be sure to keep an open mind and talk to a professional about how to achieve your look on your terms. If you need a good starting point for your budget use our calculator here.
Let’s Jump Into Designing
The first thing you need to consider is your budget and your setting. If it seems like we talk about budget a bit more than other wedding blogs, that may be true. But let’s face it, the money is important. No one wants to talk about it because they are afraid they will not get what they want out of the experience. However, if you see your budget as a tool and not a limitation you are halfway there. So, head over to the calculator above or make note of your predefined budget.
Wedding Venue
Then let’s consider your setting. Have you chosen a wedding venue? Do you love how it looks or will you need to completely revamp the room? That could take a toll on your budget. If you are on a small budget, look for an aesthetic that you love in your wedding venue. Also, look for something with separate areas for the ceremony and reception in one place. If you have already booked a venue, don’t run out and cancel just yet. Keep reading and see if you can create something gorgeous with what you have. Just be aware that design budgets that must be used to hide eyesores will likely need to be larger. So, while you may save money on the venue, you will need to balance that with what you spend on decorating. Also, take note of limitations put in place by your venue. Are you allowed to hang things? How high is the ceiling? Is there adjustable lighting? Do they offer tables, chairs, or nontraditional areas that need decor? An empty patio? Make note of these things along with your budget and see if anything logically needs to be adjusted.
Color and Style
Now decide on your color palette and general style. Gather inspiration photos and look for common themes. Not sure how to narrow this down? There are plenty of resources to narrow this down out there. Feel free to use the tool listed in our color blog here. We also have a style quiz here. Take our style quiz and we will send you a free mood board to help you get started with gathering ideas and inspirational photos! This step is so important. It is often hard to express yourself to vendors and people helping with your wedding. Mood boards and pictures are fantastic ways to share ideas without words. Do not feel that you need pictures of exact ideas either! Think of how you want your wedding to feel. For my wedding, I had a photo of a couple at sunset. I wanted a warm, romantic, earthy environment. Think of words you want to describe your day, the way you want it to be remembered, and colors you love. Then put those words into Google and see what you find. Save photos that give you those same feelings. You can add the word wedding after whatever keyword you come up with for more specific direction as well.
Divide and Conquer
Now choose all elements of the room that you want to decorate. Make a list. Here is a common list:
Entryway
Ceiling
Seating Chart
Foyer
Lounge Area
Sweetheart Table or Head Table
Guest Tables
Photo Op area
Stairways
Food Area
Cake
Bar
Cocktail Hour Area
Make sure to check out your venue and make your own list. Now you can take it one piece at a time and apply all of the concepts, ideas, and decisions that we have noted in this process. If your budget is tight pick one or two of these places that you want to make a statement and start there. Design those to be as dreamy as you like and work down from there. Don’t be afraid to choose things off the beaten path! Your wedding should look, well, like you! Choose some texture, play with fabrics, hang florals from the ceilings and backdrops, whatever feels right! If you need some idea inspiration check out our freebie on Alternative Wedding Ideas. You can Google your piece section + style + wedding, i.e. ceiling decoration boho wedding, to get started. Then add your color scheme to your ideas and you are on your way.
Still feeling stuck? No problem! We offer full-service wedding design that includes set up and delivery or design consultation in which we design it and you execute set up and delivery. Either way, we’ve got your back! Contact us here and we will set aside an hour to chat about everything to do with your wedding.
Happy Designing!