Need help and advice regarding decorating reception

kal25

morning guys, I not been on this board before but am sure you guys can help me Me and OH are getting married on Nov 5th we only booked it middle of september I almost everything organsied The thing I'm struggling with is how to decorate the recption tables on a budget a very tight one given the timescale....I'm not sure about balloons as by time you look at helium it quite expensive and I want something different .
I am quite creative and can do something arty...am just stuck as to what...I don't want the tables to look a mess:(
Any ideas guys would be much appreciated ( the only theme we have is purple and cream)
TIA

MaggieBaking

What's the budget for it hun? Do you have someone who can set it up for you or will the hotel?

Have you asked the venue if they have anything for you to decorate the tables with? I know more than one have mirrors and tea lights for the table, or a candelabra you could use - that might help

Zimm190

Welcome wedding twin! November 5th 2011 is the best day to get married on - one month today, eeek!

FutureCooper

My advice is keep it simple as you are time restricted. . . . There is a lot of brilliant people with great ideas on this forum but we all need a few more details! Where is the reception? Hotel, Village hall etc? Are you decorating it and if so when? Time will play a big part in what you can achieve.

My immediate thought is simple flowers for centre pieces. Large headed blooms cut short and put in jam jars, decorated tins etc sat on mirrored tiles and beads of your colour choice scattered on the tables. Maybe candles in a little tea light holders for colour. Paper pom pom hung around the room or bunting etc. Then get crafty with your name cards and seating plan. Make them a feature and then it doesn't matter who sets the room out as the all the work has been done at home. You get to be crafty, save money and have a massive sense of achievement in one hit!!

VICSH

What colours are you having? how many tables are you thinking about decorating? Also as above venue (hotel/ hall etc) would be good to know?

kal25

Hi sorry not replied sooner been at college all morning.
Right...the reception is going to be at a hall, so we will be decorating ourselves. We have invited around 100 guests so expecting at least around 70-80...so thinking maybe between 10-15 tables (though I do need to check this out). We are hoping to get it decorated the night before as it will save me panicking all morning of the wedding lol
We are just having an evening reception as wedding is at 2.30pm...and we didn't want a sit down meal (whole other dilemma lol).
Ideas I had already had were bunting (not a clue how or what to use )...candles as these could be used cheaply, but we have a few younger guests that may try to mess with them (don't want to be responsible for burning the place down :rotfl:) Flowers could be nice nice but I thght maybe expensive??
When I say a budget, I really mean as cheap as poss but nice if that makes sense as the budget for wedding has already been increased due to me getting my fab dress and buffet caters (kindly forgetting to meantion VAT on top of quote ).
Thanks guys ideas are so appreciated apart from this all sorted I think lol

kal25

Zimm190 wrote: »

Welcome wedding twin! November 5th 2011 is the best day to get married on - one month today, eeek!

I know it coming quick now....still seems sureal tbh but in a good way

LEJC

Hi ...just quickly...you mentioned candles...check with your venue that they will let you light them if thats something you are considering...lots of venues these days wont actually allow them...

Also...70 guests on 10 tables does mean that you are having quite a few tables...could you think about putting a couple of tables together so that rather than having 7 abound a table you have fewer tables just bigger...that way you could cut the number of centrepieces too

Mirror plates are really effective and scatter crystals with a vase of flowers like gerberas which are bright,robust,and good value for money... helium balloons possibly?

Or you could look at the possibility of lighting in bowls or vases...that can look lovely especially if its during the evening where you dont have the main lights of the hall on

kal25

LEJC wrote: »

Hi ...just quickly...you mentioned candles...check with your venue that they will let you light them if thats something you are considering...lots of venues these days wont actually allow them...

Also...70 guests on 10 tables does mean that you are having quite a few tables...could you think about putting a couple of tables together so that rather than having 7 abound a table you have fewer tables just bigger...that way you could cut the number of centrepieces too

Mirror plates are really effective and scatter crystals with a vase of flowers like gerberas which are bright,robust,and good value for money... helium balloons possibly?

Or you could look at the possibility of lighting in bowls or vases...that can look lovely especially if its during the evening where you dont have the main lights of the hall on

As said the candles were a thought but witht he children I figured even if the venue said it was ok I wouldn't feel relaxed with it (candles + chldren= stress :A)...However a solution to this i had seen some solar lights that are supposed to go in the garden....and am thinking maybe this might be an alternative :huh:
Had thought of mirrored tiles or alternatives maybe?? will have confetti / crystal scattered on tables as this has already been sorted by my auntie

chatnoir

have a look on marthastewartweddings.com it has lots of inspiration for DIY projects and decorations! I love making all the DIY bits for my wedding!

MaggieBaking

We used floralytes in our table decorations - you can get them in all colours, they are awesome! Happy to give more details on the centrepieces if you like