Wedding Table Decorations Guide

Transcription

Wedding Table Decorations Guide
Inspiration and top tips for creating beautiful tables
Wedding table decorations
how to get them just right
Planning a wedding reception can be a daunting experience - an awful lot of attention and detail is
required to ensure this event is the best it possibly can be. So it's not surprising many brides don't
know where to start.
This guide is intended to be just that – a guide designed to help, inspire and give you the confidence
to create breathtaking, truly memorable tables with real wow factor.
Your wedding day is an opportunity to have a day all about you. It’s a chance for you to be truly
personal and share with your guests who you really are. Your individual personalities and styles can
be reflected throughout your whole day - everything from what you wear to the type of ceremony
you have, to the food choices you make and the decorations on your table top – so it’s time to get
excited and be inspired!
In this guide we concentrate on table decorations, giving you ideas, inspiration and top tips on how
to create beautiful settings, whatever your theme or colour scheme. But remember, although we're
here to advise and inspire, it’s essential that you put your own personal stamp on things to make
your day as individual as you are.
It’s time to get excited
and be inspired about your
table decorations
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www.thelastdetail.co.uk
e: customerservice@thelastdetail.co.uk
t: 08456 804084
A note from the Author
Kaley Gardiner
I started The Last Detail in 2002, after a highly frustrating six months planning my own
wedding and struggling to find anyone who stocked table decorations, party products and
favours that didn't look cheap! I also couldn't get everything I needed from the same place
and as I was working full time I just didn't have the time to shop around. For more than a
decade now, my team and I have worked with brides, wedding planners, venues and florists
to help with, advise and inspire all aspects of table decoration.
I really hope you love this guide
As those of you who follow our blog will know, we have been delighted to welcome a
dedicated stylist to our team, Emma Jalali. She shares my passion for style and getting the
detail right, so we have created this guide with you in mind and hope you find it a source of
ideas, inspiration and advice as you plan your own wedding day.
and find it a great help!
Kaley V Gardiner
Founder of The Last Detail
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Contents
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Why do I need to decorate my tables?
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When should I start to think about wedding table decorations?
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8
13
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Factors that influence your table decorations;
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How to create your wedding tables – a step-by-step guide;
Venue
Personality and taste
Budget
Table centrepieces
Colour scheme or theme
Table space
Your fiancé’s views!
Tables
Table linen
Centrepiece
Place setting
The last details
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Contents continued
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How to create a theme for your tables;
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Planning tips and making it happen – a step-by-step guide
Do you need a theme?
Colour theme
Motif theme
Seasonal themes - Spring
Seasonal themes - Summer
Seasonal themes - Autumn
Seasonal themes - WInter
Hobbies
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Give guests something
Wow factor
to talk about
Why do I need to decorate my tables?
Image courtesy of Looking Glass Photography
When you and your guests walk into your wedding
reception (before the party antics are under way!) you
want the look and theme running across your tables to
give an instant wow factor and create a lasting memory
from the day. Your wedding tables are where your guests
will spend a large portion of their time eating, socialising
and relaxing on your big day. A well-planned, welcoming
and inviting table reflects the importance of the occasion,
while making people feel they're included and a special
part of the day.
Decorating your tables allows you to put your individual
stamp on the day and can really set it apart from other
weddings, as well as being a great way of continuing a
theme or colour scheme. A well-planned table also
provides your guests with a talking point, which acts as
a great conversation starter between guests who don’t
know one another.
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A perfect
opportunity to
add your personal
stamp to the day
When should you start
to think about table decorations?
Whilst it might not be top of your to do list initially, planning your wedding table decorations
can take longer than you might think, so it’s important to allow yourself plenty of time to
achieve the look you want. It's worth considering that your table decorations are likely to be
influenced by a number of factors (such as colour scheme, venue or even your own dress) so
prioritise these decisions first, remembering ideas evolve over time and may end up being
quite different from where they began.
With the huge selection of table decorations
and inspiration now available, and a bit of time
and careful planning, it should be relatively
straightforward to achieve the look you want.
Plan your table decorations
alongside other major
decisions
Venue 3
Bridesmaid dresses 3
Colour scheme / theme 3
Table centrepieces 3
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Marquees are
a perfect blank canvas
What factors influence your choice of
table decorations?
1
Venue
Your wedding venue will inevitably influence the feel of
your wedding theme and subsequently your table
decorations – a wedding in a castle will have a very
different atmosphere to a wedding on a beach. It's
important that you choose your decorations to enhance
and complement your venue choice, working with, rather
than against, your surroundings.
Here are some ideas and top tips for decorating venues of
all shapes, sizes and colours.
Make sure your table decorations
complement your venue choice
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Contemporary venues
often dictate an
uncluttered look with
stand out features
Contemporary venue
Relaxed traditions means you can get married in most places these days, opening up a world
of possibilities for your choice of wedding venue. More contemporary options could be an art
gallery, a converted warehouse or a stylish modern restaurant.
If you are in a contemporary venue, reflect your surroundings across your table decorations.
Create striking, minimalist floral centrepieces by having a few simple large flowers, such as
white amaryllis, arranged in tall glass vases and complete the look with interesting foliage, such
as bamboo. Think uncluttered tables with standout features. Coloured tableware or linen will
add contrast and drama. Add extra sparkle and elegance to a minimalist scheme by scattering
clear sparkling table crystals around the centre of your tables or using sparkling charger plates.
Striking floral centrepieces
create a modern statement
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Elaborate venue
You may be holding your wedding reception in a stately home or country house. The
architectural splendour and often stunning interior features of these properties make them a
natural choice for a special occasion.
A soft ivory or white colour palette is often a great place to start and allows you to subtly
introduce some of the bolder colours found in the room decor, onto your tables. These
colours are often rich, dark and opulent – such as burgundy, gold and red. Enjoy the
splendor of the colour by using different tones; varying shades can add an extra dimension
to the look of the table. Using ornate picture frames for each table name or number, gold
place cards and ribbons tied around elegantly folded napkins will all help to add to the
splendour of the room. Often these venues have high ceilings, so choosing tall centrepieces
helps to fill the space between the tables and ceiling.
With an elaborate and stunning venue,
let your surroundings do the talking
and make your table decorations work
in harmony with them
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Attention to detail with little finishing
touches make a big difference
Simple venue
There are many venues available for wedding receptions
that are very simply decorated, such as marquees, with
no overpowering colour schemes or features. These
provide the perfect blank canvas when thinking about
how you wish to decorate.
There's a lot you can do, even on a modest budget, to
have your venue looking stunning and party-ready in no
time. There are no major rules when decorating this
type of venue but, before getting started, consider the
atmosphere you wish to create. Is it whimsical?
Romantic? Bright? Then think about the theme or
colours you'd like to use, gradually building up the look
incorporating all aspects of your venue.
A simple venue is great for
decorating in any way you want
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Let your theme shine with colours,
textures and flowers
If you're having your wedding in a marquee, utilise the space on the walls and ceilings. Hanging
bunting or coloured paper lanterns at varying lengths uses up no valuable floor space and looks great.
Hang photos or pretty signs and pictures from the marquee walls.
Tall centrepieces in marquees create
Dress structural poles by wrapping fabric, ribbons, a length of ivy or a string of fairy lights around
them. Give female guests somewhere to hang their hats and fascinators by making a ‘hat line’ using
ribbon and lots of wooden pegs. Let your tables do the talking! Tall centrepieces will add beautiful
visual height to a marquee. Consider using coloured table linen or runners across your tables, finished
off with a scattering of confetti. Think about your place settings; finishing touches such as pretty
favour boxes and ribbons tied around napkins or chair backs all add to the overall effect of the room.
a a great focal point
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table decorations?
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Personality and taste
Decorating your reception venue is an opportunity to let your imagination, personal taste and
creativity run wild! There are many ways of personalising your day. We look at these more
closely in the section ‘Creating a theme’. The traditional wedding is much more relaxed in its
style and formalities compared to days gone by, so pretty much anything goes. Remember, this
is where you get the chance to put your own individual stamp on the day to make it a truly
memorable one. If you’ve got a theme, table decoration is where you can get creative.
Unique items can
really give your table the ‘you’ factor
Top
tip
Make it personal
Think about what you love, or what people associate you with
– fabulous shoes, having a sweet tooth, a love of travel to far off lands
or perhaps even a hobby such as knitting. All of these things can be
translated into decorations and finishing
touches for your wedding venue and tables.
Hobbies and interests
are a great way to
create a theme
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Use table confetti, crystals or
delicate rose petals scattered
across table tops
table decorations?
Top Save money by
tip growing your own
Why not grow your own plants up from
smaller (less expensive) plants in
terracotta pots? They're very
inexpensive and look great. The pots
can be painted very easily to tie in with
any colour scheme you may have and,
not only do they make great table
decorations, they’re also lovely as
take-home favours for guests.
Just remember to
allow yourself sufficient
growing time!
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Budget
Another reason for leaving your table decorations until
later down the planning line is that it allows you to
reflect on what budget you have left. As with most things
décor-related, the more you spend the more you can
achieve although you really don’t have to spend a lot of
money to achieve wow-factor tables - something as
simple as a scattering of table crystals or rose petals
can work wonders in lifting the look of a table. We’re
very happy to give you ideas that allow
you to work within a budget you’re
comfortable with and help you
prioritise what you want.
Need a little help and inspiration?
Any of the team at The Last Detail
will happily advise you
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table decorations?
The proportions of your room, size of
table and shape of your centrepiece
are all things to consider
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Table centrepieces
A table centrepiece gives your wedding tables a central focal point. They also create that first
visual impact when you look across a wedding reception. Traditionally floral arrangements,
centrepieces are another opportunity for you to reflect your taste, style and personality in
your tables.
One of the most important considerations with your table centrepiece is its height and size.
Consider the height of the ceilings in your venue. Taller centrepieces are great in high-ceilinged
rooms, but beware as they can be overbearing in rooms where ceilings are lower. Likewise, small
centrepieces can become lost in larger rooms with high ceilings. Also, be mindful of your guests
- ensure the centrepiece doesn't obstruct any potential cross-table socialising.
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Make a
statement
Anything goes as far as table centrepieces are concerned. They don’t have to be floral. Tall,
elegant candelabras, hurricane lamps with pillar candles and rose petals, or even a cake
stand filled with fun treats for guests all offer wonderful alternatives to floral displays – get
that imagination whirring!
If you're using flowers on your tables, be conscious of which flowers are in season when
you're getting married as they'll be more cost-effective and easier to source than out of
season blooms. You also don’t need lots of different types of flower to make an impact; one
or two varieties en-masse can look stunning.
Remember that your centrepieces don’t have to be identical for each table – alternating
candelabras with floral displays works beautifully. Or, for summery vintage centrepieces,
different wild summer flowers in mismatching glassware also looks great.
Top
tip
Alternate your centrepieces
for a vintage, eclectic feel
Why not collect twigs
and spray them in
silver or gold?
You could even
attach inexpensive
glitter butterflies to
create a stunning
centrepiece without
breaking the bank.
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On a budget?
t: 08456 804084
Use two
contrasting colours for impact
table decorations?
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Colour scheme or theme
We'll touch on this only briefly here, as we focus more on using colour and creating a
theme for your table in the next section. Colour is important and will contribute to the
theme and atmosphere of your wedding. Choosing your wedding colour scheme can be
a tricky task – if you let it be! The most important thing to remember is that it is highly
unlikely you are going to be able to get every single item matching perfectly in colour,
so aim for things that tone if a perfect match isn’t an option.
You can use as much or as little
of your colour as a theme
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You may have an early idea of the the colours you'd like to use in your
wedding. If you're struggling, there are simple ways to become inspired by
colour. Look at your venue. Are there obvious colour choices that emerge
from the furnishings? How about your favourite flower or choice of bloom
for your bouquet - are there obvious colour choices there? Mother-nature
is always a great source of inspiration. Let your colour scheme reflect the
season in which you are getting married; pretty pastels for Spring, bold
bright colours for Summer, Autumnal auburns, browns and oranges, or, for
Winter, Christmassy reds and greens or metallic shades of gold and silver.
Your chosen colour scheme should be reflected in your bridesmaid
dresses, menswear and table decorations for maximum consistency and
impact. The good news is that table decorations are available in a myriad
of colours and designs, enabling you to enhance the overall look of
your wedding.
Using the seasons as a colour
theme works well and
Top
tip
is good for the budget
Simple colour
If you just want to add a hint of colour to your tables, you
could consider using a coloured napkin instead of a plain white one or,
when writing out name tags, you could use coloured ink.
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Small pretty finishing touches
make the day even more memorable
Little boxes of table trivia are a
great icebreaker to get
guests talking
table decorations?
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Table space
Once all of the essential items such as centrepiece, place settings and glassware have been
placed, the space remaining is what you have left to bring your tables to life. This is the fun part,
placing all of the additional extras that will personalise your wedding and make it truly individual.
Think about your theme and the decorations you wish to use and how best to use them.
Not everything has to be put straight on the table; layering works well. A simply folded napkin
on a plate with a favour box placed on top, which is tied with a personalised place card,
doesn’t take up much space and allows you to have what you want on your tables.
Use your space
well
Don’t forget to allow space for other essentials, such as wine (very essential!) and condiments.
As well as individual decorations, many brides like to include some fun items on their tables,
such as disposable cameras for guests to capture those spontaneous moments of the day and
icebreakers such as mini boxes of trivia questions to get your guests talking.
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table decorations?
77 Your fiancé’s views!
Grooms have a cheeky habit of claiming they're not bothered about what’s on the table, the
decorations or how the favours look, and then getting involved right at the last minute - usually
when the decorations and wedding favours have already been ordered by the bride! We come
across this so frequently our suggestion is to get him involved early on, whether he likes it or
not. The day is about you both, as a couple, so enjoy making choices together. Order samples,
set up a table at home, play around with ideas and check he’s happy with what you’re planning
and how much it costs. It’ll save stress and frustration further down the line.
Try to plan your big day
together, discuss options
and ask for opinions
Joint planning
makes your wedding
even more special
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Don’t forget tables for the
cake and wedding gifts
How to create your wedding tables –
a step-by-step guide
To get you started, this next section is a step-by-step guide to
address questions and considerations that need to be made in order
to help you achieve wonderful tables.
1
Ask to see the tables
in position at
your venue
Tables
Are the tables supplied by your venue? Do you have a choice in the
style of table available? A 5-foot round table typically seats 10 guests,
whilst a 6-foot round table typically seats 12 guests. Round tables
often have a more intimate feel and can make it easier for guests to
talk across the table. Your venue coordinators will suggest the best
layout to optimise room space. Remember to allow space for extras
such as your cake table.
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Table Linen
Is table linen supplied by your venue? Often, venues provide plain white table linen. If you were
hoping to use coloured linen you may have to source it from elsewhere. Ensure your table linen
is floor-length as this gives the finished tables a more formal, polished look.
If you're having a specific colour or theme, consider reflecting this in a table runner – they're a
great way of adding extra texture and depth to your finished tables. Examples include a lace
overlay for a vintage theme, an organza runner for a soft, romantic theme or a dark runner to
give tables an opulent feel.
Table runners are an easy way
to bring in your colour theme
Also enquire about napkins with your venue or supplier. We'll discuss more about their place on
a wedding table further on.
Lace fabric on your
tables is perfect for
a vintage feel
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Depending on your table shape
use one striking display,
or a row of decorations
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If height isn’t an issue,
tall centrepieces look
stunning
Centrepiece
The main consideration regarding your table centrepieces, from a practical perspective, is
the height and how much space they take up. Round mirrors placed centrally underneath
centrepieces provide a great way of reflecting light, candles and the centrepiece itself.
Create an atmospheric feel by having either candles or smaller (often singular) flower
arrangements surrounding your centrepiece. If you have round tables, use odd numbers of
surrounding decorations (either 3 or 5) as this enhances the circular shape.
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Hire your crockery if you
want to make your
place settings ‘extra’ special
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Place setting
Once the main table arena is decided, it’s time to think
about individual place settings. Again, your choices and
style will reflect the tone and atmosphere you wish to
create. Essentials for each place setting are:
To make your plates
and cutlery stand out,
use colour in your
table cloths and decorations
Plates
Cutlery
Glassware
Napkins
Name cards
Many of these items will be supplied by your venue or
caterer, but it's always worth checking the options on
different styles that they may have available. For example,
charger plates can bring extravagance to a table, fine
bone china gives dining an extra special feel and
mismatched floral china gives a vintage feel. The same
applies to your cutlery. Also, think about how you'd like
it to be set. For a more informal feel, you could have
cutlery rolled in napkins. Or you may wish to have a
sparkler placed amongst the setting or a favour box
displayed on each dessert spoon.
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There will often be three or more glasses per setting
at a formal meal (wines and water). Think about
how you can incorporate the glassware into your
table design and theme. For example, you could
have place cards attached to wine glasses. Or for
romantic tables, place a single feather in each glass
so they're then scattered across the tables when
the meal begins. Or pop some mini bubbles into
each glass – they look great in photographs!
Take a little time to think about how you'd like your
napkins displayed. It all adds to the overall effect
and design of your tables. Will you go for an
extravagant explosion of napkin in a wine glass?
Or perhaps a more formal pocket fold napkin with a
name card tucked in the pocket? Or a slightly more
informal rolled napkin?
You can be really creative when it comes to your
name cards and although they're a small (yet very
essential) part of the table decoration, they're a
great way of incorporating your chosen theme
onto your tables.
Name cards are often
taken home by guests as a keepsake!
Test out your place setting
at home first
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55 The Last Details
These are the fun extras and include any finishing touches and decorations that will enhance
the look and theme of your tables and make them feel that extra bit special and part of the
occasion. Details such as a scattering of rose petals will add a hint of colour to tables. Crystals
for some extra sparkle always look beautifully stylish. It's these finishing touches that will help
personalise your day and set it apart from other weddings.
You can get so many
gorgeous ‘finishing touches’
Table crystals are beautiful scattered
across tables and they’re
available in lots of colours
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Choosing a theme can really
help if you’re feeling
overwhelmed by choices
How to create a theme for your tables
Top
tip
Top trend
Vintage-themed
weddings continue to be a popular
choice amongst brides.
Hiring old vintage crockery is a great
option. But if this is too costly, consider
having just an old teapot with flowers
in it as your centrepiece or a cup and
saucer setting for after-dinner coffees.
Mismatching glassware is also great
for a vintage theme. Collect old jars on
the run-up to your big day and fill them
with candles and tea-lights and scatter
them across your tables.
Do you need a theme?
Open up any bridal magazine these days and it seems everyone has some
theme or other. From butterflies to country garden, casino to circus everyone's at it. First of all, don't be scared by the word 'theme'. It doesn't mean
you have to go for full-blown costumes and scene settings! Secondly, there's no
need to conform to typical wedding reception themes - you can choose to add
or remove any elements, challenge the venue norms, or simply include a
memorable and unique idea in the form of music, food or entertainment.
Take inspiration from an idea or concept, then develop and personalise it.
Don't feel pressure to give in to the latest trends. Everybody has a different
interpretation of any idea or concept. Couples are getting more and more
creative and feel they have more freedom to break from tradition and make
unique choices. What's important is that whatever theme you go for, if any, it
naturally reflects the personalities of both yourself and your husband to be.
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Simple vibrant napkins
can make such an impact
1
Top
tip
White Wedding
If you’re having an all white wedding,
try mixing different shades of white,
cream, ivory and eggshell tones – it can
really add warmth to the look.
Colour theme
One of the easiest ways to introduce a theme to your
wedding is to base it around colour. Colour choices
reflect individual personalities and help create a mood
and ambience to set the tone of your day. For example,
for a more traditional, formal wedding you may opt for
an all white or ivory colour palette. Or if you want a
bohemian summer wedding, a bright, mixed colour
palette is more likely to be on the agenda.
Colour can be added to tables in a huge variety of
ways; centrepieces, table linen, chair sashes, table
runners, table decorations and wedding favours.
Centrepieces, chair sashes, table linen
and decorations all give you
the opportunity to inject some colour!
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Colour wheels can help you choose a
contrasting or complementary scheme
If you’re thinking about using more than one key colour in your wedding, but are unsure of where
to begin, my advice would be to start with an artist’s colour wheel. It visually illustrates how to mix
colours clearly and simply. Within the wheel, complementary colours are found directly opposite
one another, such as red and green or yellow and violet. Be selective; it often works well to have
one main focus colour with one or two complementary or accent colours. Purple and gold, black
and white, ivory and gold or even hot pink and silver are all popular choices.
If you have very definite ideas on your choice of bouquet flowers, then it's likely this will also help
determine your colour schemes.
One other important consideration regarding your choice of colour scheme is your bridesmaids.
What colours suit them and work well with their skin tones? Purple suits most people or you
could try varying shades of colour for each bridesmaid.
Top
tip
Ribbons
Alternate the colour of
ribbons tied around favour boxes
or napkins at each place setting.
If you're using favour boxes, think
about buying them in two
complementary shades and
then interchanging the
colour of each box
and lid.
Carry the colour theme throughout your venue by using additional ribbon bows or swags of
coloured fabric around internal fixtures and fittings.
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Mix and match different
items to make the overall effect
more interesting
2 Motif theme
3
It’s symbolic
Another simple way to introduce a theme is to base your reception around a motif such as
butterflies, flowers or hearts. From invitations to favours, and decorations to place cards,
you should have no trouble sourcing products to fit in with your chosen idea. Once you've
sourced products and decorations, think outside the box on how to use them on your
wedding day. Butterflies look wonderful placed on napkins, in floral centrepieces or even
attached to the side of candles. Don’t be afraid to use products from a variety of sources
and mix different ranges - the overall variation can look sensational.
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Fresh delicate colours
suggest the season well
Seasonal themes
Another consideration is the time of year you're getting married. Basing your wedding theme around
the season in which you're marrying opens up a world of inspiration. Within your season, there may
also be a significant celebration or national holiday that could provide the theme to your wedding.
3
Spring
A glorious season where nature is coming out of hibernation and
bursting back into life! Think tulips and daffodils for colour inspiration.
Spring-themed wedding favours such as packets of seeds or delicious
chocolate eggs are a lovely touch to tables. You could name tables
after popular spring flowers or names of newly born animals (lambs,
chicks, bunnies etc).
Spring is a great season
to create a theme there’s so many options
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Put the essence of summer
on your tables!
4
Summer
Considered by many to be the perfect time of year to get married, the summer months lend
themselves to a huge range of possible themes. A traditional English country garden theme,
complete with wild flower centrepieces, floral bunting and delicate ribbon bow finishing touches –
not forgetting the strawberries and cream!
If you're getting married on, or near, a beach, then a nautical theme could be for you. A few
well-placed beach-related props, such as starfish, sand and shells, scattered around your tables
and you’re good to go. Finishing touches such as favour boxes tied in reef knots, or even flip flops
given out as favours, will bring your beach theme to life.
You don’t have to get married abroad
to have a beach themed
wedding
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Spend a day collecting
twigs, acorns, leaves...
you’ll save money too
5
Autumn
With Autumn having such
warm natural colours, make sure
your venue complements them
Awash with vibrant oranges, auburns and reds; look to natural elements to find finishing
touches to an autumnal-themed wedding. Beautiful wooden hearts as nametags, slices of
dried fruit tied around napkins with raffia string, dried leaves lining a pathway down the
aisle. Create an atmosphere in your venue with large bunches of twigs and fairy lights.
Break the ice between guests by providing conkers at each table for some nostalgic fun.
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Choose sumptuous
white linen,
simple white favour boxes
and flickering tealights
for a winter wonderland
feel
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Winter
You could go for a traditional Christmas-themed wedding, with reds and greens. Mini Christmas
trees would make great table centres and you could dress up your favour boxes as enticing
miniature Christmas presents. Tables can be named after Santa’s reindeer or the name for
Christmas in different languages. Just don’t forget the crackers!
Use greens and reds to suggest
Another winter alternative is the glamour of a sparkling winter wonderland. Think glitter, frosty
whites and greys, icy sequins and lots of sparkle. Create atmosphere with a multitude of candles
in all shapes and sizes and have romantic trailing ivy around candelabras and chair backs.
the festive season
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Use fish bowls to hold your centrepiece
and fill with sand, tropical flowers
or even create a mini ocean
7
Hobbies
Perhaps you've both got an unusual hobby. If so, you
could use this as the basis of inspiration for your theme.
Remember, the day is about reflecting you, so the more
creative the better. We’ve listed a few popular hobbies
to get you thinking:
Incorporating a hobby
adds a lot of fun to your
wedding day
Diving - Use the beach and sea as inspiration for a
nautical-themed reception. Have table names,
centrepieces and decorations inspired by tropical fish.
Football - Use your team's colours for your décor,
name your tables after favourite players, and have the
bride throw a football instead of her bouquet!
Music - Name tables after your favourite bands, give
homemade CDs of your wedding music as favours,
incorporate a band's emblem, or perhaps your own
personalised version, to decorate name tags and
favours
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Travel and holidays – Choose a favourite destination or holiday or look to famous
landmarks for inspiration
Movies – A great source of inspiration. With so many films to choose from the
possibilities are endless!
Sports – As well as naming tables after golf courses or race tracks or something relating
to your favourite sport, carry the theme through to the entertainment and offer archery,
a shooting range, a Formula 1 car simulator or a golf driving range to keep your
guests amused
Putting on entertainment
is great for guests and provides a
fab photo opportunity
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Visiting wedding fairs
will give you ideas to incorporate
Top
tip
into your own wedding
Touch & feel
We love Pinterest
and the idea of online mood boards but,
remember, there's no substitute for
seeing products and fabric or ribbon
swatches in real life.
Planning tips and making it happen –
Got a thousand ideas? Now you just need to get them into a logical order and really narrow down on
what goes well with what. Here are some tips to help make your dream a reality.
1
Research ideas
Seek inspiration from everywhere you can; Pinterest, wedding blogs and forums, wedding magazines
and Google images.
2
Pinterest is a
great source of inspiration
Create a mood board
Once you're ready to start thinking about your table decorations, create a mood board incorporating
a photo of your wedding reception venue and a photo of your centrepiece. As you discover
inspirational ideas, attach them to the board to see how they work. Don’t be afraid to play around
with different ideas.
www.pinterest.com
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Preparation is key, setting your table up
at home makes briefing your venue
so much easier
3
Order samples
Seeing an idea on screen or in a magazine is not the same as trying it out in real life. Ordering
samples of products you like allows you to play around with different creative ideas at home.
4
Mock up a table at home
This allows you to finalise the look and feel of your table decorations and wedding favours. Invest
time at this stage rather than worrying about it the week before the wedding when you’ll have far
more important things to do.
5
Photograph your table
Once you're happy with the look and feel of the table you’ve set up at home, photograph the whole
table. If there are particular ways you want napkins, favour boxes etc to be tied, decorated, folded
or positioned on your tables, photograph these too ensuring they’re very clear.
6
Brief your venue
Prepare a brief, including the photographs taken from the table you
set up at home. Arrange a meeting at your venue and take them
through the brief. This is also a great opportunity to check that your
venue or florist are happy to do things like tie ribbons round napkins
for you or make up favour boxes – some won’t. Finding this out now
allows plenty of time to make alternative arrangements and save any
last minute panics. Establish when you can have access to the venue
if you need to decorate the tables yourselves.
Mocking up a place setting helps you
calculate how much of each decoration
you’ll need
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Don’t leave ordering your favour boxes
until the eleventh hour it adds to the stress
7
Get organised – prepare in advance
The more you can get done in advance the better. So don’t leave things until the week of your
wedding if you don’t have to - you’ll have enough to think about. If you're planning on making
your own table decorations, start early and get them done as soon as you can.
8
Order table decorations and favours in plenty of time
This may seem logical to many of you but we have an alarming number of brides who order
table decorations and favours in the week of their wedding - often two or three days before
their wedding day. Like many companies, we have an express next-day delivery service, but
ordering this late creates unnecessary stress when you already have enough to think about.
It might sound a bit official - but a ‘to-do’ list
really helps with the planning of your wedding
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Don’t underestimate how long it takes
to decorate a table
9
Allow time
Decorating tables takes a surprising amount of time, so ensure that your venue allows you access
as early as possible – preferably the day before. You can't decorate tables until they're set with all
place settings and centrepieces, so it’s critical you co-ordinate table decoration with whoever is
responsible for these.
Allow a minimum of 4 hours to decorate approximately 10 tables with simple decorations and favour
boxes that have already been made up. If you’re not hosting the reception at a venue where they do
the decorating for you, make sure you delegate this responsibility to a team of friends, bridesmaids,
ushers or key family members – this is not something you want to be doing on the morning of
your wedding.
10
After the day
Remember to delegate the responsibility of what happens to your table centrepieces and
decorations after the wedding so nothing gets thrown away that you want to keep. Venues are
notorious for throwing away decorations when they clear the room, so be sure to let them know in
advance if you want them to be saved.
Task a bridesmaid or usher with keeping your guest book safe, collecting in the disposable cameras
if you have them and handing out table centrepieces to family or friends as a thank you for their help
in preparing for the day.
Delegate tasks and make sure everyone
knows their responsibilities
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The end
Hopefully, this guide has been a source of inspiration for you and your
wedding table decorations. Just remember, your wedding day is all
about you and the person you love surrounded by friends and family.
Your table decorations should reflect your personality, loves and taste.
For personal help and advice with your table decorations,
call any of our team on 08456 804084, selecting option 2,
or book a free one-to-one telephone consultation with Kaley
by clicking here
For the latest ideas, inspiration and hints and tips, check out our blog,
sign up to our emails and follow us on Facebook and Pinterest.
Copyright 2012 The Last Detail.
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Wedding Table Decorations Guide

Transcription

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