Your wedding is an experience of a lifetime. When it comes to your wedding venue decorations, the details can really set the tone for your big day.
As magical as weddings can be, wedding planning comes with hundreds of decisions. From the color theme to your dress, there are countless items on your checklist.
With so many little details to think of, we’ve rounded up 10 wedding decoration ideas you won’t want to forget. From the bathrooms to the chairs, here are some reception decoration ideas to help bring your dream wedding day to life.
1. The Chairs
If your wedding venue comes with chairs, it can be easy to not give them a second thought. If you have a particular vision in mind, however, don’t overlook the chairs. There may be 200 of these in your venue, after all.
As you dive into the wedding world, you’ve probably heard about Chiavari chairs. Chiavari chairs offer a touch of romance and whimsy to any space. While some reception spaces include these, more often than not, the free options are ugly banquet chairs you’ll want to replace.
2. Flowers
The flowers are likely one of the decorations you’ve been dreaming of the most. Flowers add pops of color, a pretty aroma, and make your wedding unique. While you may be tempted to blow your entire decoration budget on Pinterest ideas you’ve seen, stay strong.
To save a little money, consider reusing bridesmaid flowers for your centerpieces, using greenery instead of bulbs, or doing your flowers yourself. You’ll be surprised how inexpensive flowers at a big box store can be.
3. Place Cards
Place cards are a fun and inexpensive way to add your personality to your wedding venue. You can make little cards at home, have them professionally printed or think outside the box. Instead of making 200 little cards, consider one large chalkboard or fun table map.
4. Menu
One of the most important parts of any wedding is the food. You’ve spent countless hours tasting menus and making sure your food is great. Show off your hard work with a creative menu display.
You can print beautiful menus for each guest, put one at each table, or make one big display. You can use an easel, a chalkboard, an LED sign, or display your menu digitally to let guests know what they are about to enjoy.
5. Welcome Sign
A nice way to bring everyone together is with a welcome sign. Not only can this tell your guests where to go and logistical information, but it will also set the tone for your ceremony or reception.
You’re excited to have your friends and family watch your big day and they are excited to be there. Welcome them properly with a fun and creative sign. Use your favorite quote, a song lyric, or something unique to you and your partner.
6. Table Linens
The table linens are a great place to add some color and personality. While tablecloths and napkins can get overlooked, when done correctly they can tie all your décor together.
Use a color that compliments your wedding theme or style. Linens can include tablecloths, napkins, runners, drapes, and chair tie backs.
7. Gift Table
Your gift table is a fun place to incorporate some more of your wedding style. You can add some pretty flowers and design elements to an otherwise drab table. Your gift table is not only the place where guests drop their gifts, but it can also be where you collect wedding cards.
Your wedding card box is a nice place to get creative. You can use something non-traditional like a wire basket, a vintage wooden box, or an old crate.
8. Dessert Table
If you’re serving a wedding cake or any kind of dessert, think about designing a sweets table. Showcase your amazing wedding cake on a circular high-top table with some uplighting.
If you’re serving more than cake, you can fill an entire table with sweet treats, your cake, and a coffee bar. Martha Stewart recommends the four bite per person rule when it comes to desserts. Your guest will love the added bonus at the end of a great night.
9. The Bar
The bar is an important element of any bash. To amplify the style on your bar, consider making a bar menu. You can show your guests the drink choices they have available and maybe even create a signature drink.
Drink dispensers filled with flavored water and lemonade are pretty additions for guests who aren’t drinking alcohol. Don’t forget to incorporate table linens and flowers to your bars as well.
10. The Bathrooms
It is to forget the bathrooms at a wedding. Your guests and bridal party will visit the bathrooms quite often, however. You can stock it with some handy essentials to show your guests they are well taken care of.
Bathroom ideas include flip flops for the ladies, mouthwash, gum, hair spray, and tissue. For your bridal party, you can stock hairpins, sewing supplies, and emergency buttons or cufflinks.
Wedding Venue Decorations You Won’t Want to Forget
When it comes to reception hall decorating, there are some details that can easily be overlooked. From bathroom accessories to a signature drink, adding a little extra something in unexpected places can make your special day stand out.
Weddings are all about the details. Wedding venue decorations should all showcase the little details that are unique to you and your partner. Personalizing things like your gift table and your sweets table will give your wedding guests a little glimpse of you.
Remember that weddings don’t need a second mortgage either. Cheap wedding reception decorations don’t require you to skimp on style.
You can re-use bridal bouquets and ceremony flowers for your reception, for example. Save upgrades for places like chairs and your food to really make your dollars count. For more great wedding and party planning ideas, check out the blog section for ideas and inspiration.
