How to Decorate Reception Tables for a Wedding

While an elegant or unique ceremony is often the most memorable part of any wedding, the reception is your chance to truly celebrate your day with close family and friends. To ensure your reception is as beautiful and perfect as the ceremony, you must carefully plan your decorations. But don't let the planning stress you; instead have fun creating the look, mood and tone you desire within the confined space of your reception venue. Your options are nearly unlimited.

Things You'll Need

• Tables
• Tablecloths
• Centerpieces
• Cloth napkins
• Place settings
• Chair covers
• Organza or satin ribbon
• Favors
• Placecards

Instructions

1. Choose a table shape and size, then select a tablecloth that will work with the table. Coordinate the tablecloth color with the overall color scheme of the wedding, keeping in mind that colored tablecloths are better at creating a dramatic backdrop for your other decorations, while patterned tablecloths create texture and hide stains or spills better. Iron the tablecloth, and lay it over the table; you can hang it over the edge freely, if you like, or tie it to the legs of the table to create a defined shape.

2. Choose and create your centerpieces: A mirror with candles on it, bouquets of flowers, topiaries, vases filled with floating fruit or candles, or edible arrangements are all popular choices. Make a practice centerpiece to get your design down, and make adjustments as needed before you start to make them all. Set the finished centerpiece in the center of the table.

3. Arrange the place settings: Choose colored cloth napkins that coordinate with the colors of the wedding and tablecloths. Set out the plates, utensils and drinking glasses at each guest's place. Make sure everyone has room to move and that there is still extra space on the table.

4. Place chair covers on all the chairs: Tie a large satin or organza bow around each chair.

5. Set a favor and placecard at each seat. Create your seating chart ahead of time so the placecards can be set in the correct positions at the right tables.

6. Add a little extra something to each table: sprinkle flower petals, glitter or confetti on the table in between place settings and the centerpiece for that little something extra.

Tips & Warnings

• Find photos in magazines and online of designs and layouts you'd like to recreate or use as a starting base for your tables.

• Don't try to wing it. Careful planning is needed to ensure the tables don't look thrown together.

References

• Table Decorating Ideas