Wedding Decorations Guide

Brides are all different and have different tastes. No bride wants to have the exact same wedding as every other bride. This is why rented wedding decorations are so hard to deal with; every rental place rents the same equipment to every bride. And, finding your perfect reception decorations shouldn't be based solely on what is popular and expensive. Take a look at your budget, your venue and the time of year you plan to marry. You don't need to spend your whole wedding budget on your decorations; you should save some for your dress, cake and food!

Seasonal weddings

Adding personal touches to your reception will go a long way in impressing your guests and displaying personality and taste.

Spring weddings

Spring weddings seem to have the most versatility when it comes to adding personal touches to your reception decorations.

• Play up spring colors with nature: Choose a main color theme to have throughout your reception. To add your touch to your rented items, purchase tablecloths in bright spring colors and accent them with nature: twig and flower centerpieces, planted tulips in pots or bowls, vases filled with fruit tree blossoms or growing grass.
• Skip the heavy things: Embellish areas with light flowing fabrics and ribbons. Breezy fabrics, like organza and tulle, make elegant bows and swags and are ideal for church aisles, stair rails and decorating chairs.
• Lighten up: Paper lanterns and twinkle lights have a soft look to transition from evening to night. Paper lanterns come in many colors and designs and are very inexpensive. Twinkle lights can be strung in trees or with delicate organza swags to create a dramatic and elegant look, indoors and out.
• Embrace nature: Have your reception outdoors. You'll save on decorations and flowers since you'll be surrounded with natural beauty. Add an arch with spring flowers and ribbons in your colors for a simple and elegant look. For a rustic look, set your arch right up against trees or tie ribbons from branches and form your own arch.
• Decorate with food: Tie in your wedding colors with your food. Buffet tables will need less decoration when you choose yellow and serve pineapple kabobs, yellow tomato salad and lemonade. Edible flowers also make a special treat when adorning your wedding cake or desserts.
• Garden parties flourish: Rented tents are less expensive than reception halls and dressing up your tents with flowers is even more affordable when you set your tent up in a flower garden. Add garden lanterns hung on shepherds' hooks and you'll have an inviting party sure to win guests over.

Summer Weddings

Summer is all about the sun and warmth. Bright yellows, greens, reds, blues or pinks can make your summer wedding reception decorations pop!

• Sun and surf: Summer is the season for beaches. Bring your summer adventures to life with a beach wedding theme. Bowls with sand or seashells will bring those rented tables new life. Find bright tablecloths in orange or pink to match the goldfish swimming in bowls as your centerpieces.
• Relief from the heat: Outdoor weddings are gorgeous in the summer, but keep your guests cool with refreshing water features, like Zen fountains on each table. Water features add elegance as well as relief from heat.
• Cook out: It is barbeque season at last! Even if you don't serve sauce-smothered ribs at your reception, a few strategically placed fire pits add warmth as the temperature drops, and they'll add light as the sun sets.
• A cool retreat: Whether you chose to marry outside or have your reception in the middle of the day, make sure you provide shelter for your guests. Give them shade with tents or sun shades.
• Keep a fresh look: People aren't the only ones that will wilt in the heat. To decorate your hot summer wedding, use silk flowers; they won't melt and they will look fantastic.
• Decorate with fruit: Fill clear glass urns with lemons, oranges or bright green limes. Colors will pop and the arrangements are affordable. You can also use tiered cake plates or trifle dishes to display flowers and fruits.

Autumn weddings

The autumn brings warm, rich colors and arrangements. Browns, golds and a range of reds: you'll find many reasons to celebrate your new life together in the fall.

• Dark and glowing: Dark wrought iron and colored glass will cast a sensual glow at your reception. Subdued lighting lends itself to romantic themed wedding receptions. Add an eastern flair with rich colors on the walls and floors with Persian rugs. Area rugs can also cover unattractive floors in that hall you rented.
• Monochromatic: Select one color and saturate your wedding decorations with it. Deep gold, red or bronze tablecloths, napkins, plates, glasses and flowers covering every table will be absolutely stunning. Pick a deep color to match the season.
• Bounty: You're choosing to marry during the harvest; what better decorations than flowers and fruits? A cornucopia doesn't need to look old fashioned; update it with an overflow of more than produce--use rich roses and crystal beads and catch the light with a bounty of glittering color.
• Separate festivities: Add privacy screens and create individual spaces for each part of your reception. Curtains in dark colors or bright designs can greet guests and designate your cocktail lounge from your dance floor. You will help the flow of your reception and provide intimate places for guests to mingle and wish you well.

Winter weddings

'Tis the season for spectacular weddings! White is predominant, but your reception will be anything but dull with these ideas.

• Evergreen love: The evergreen tree isn't only a symbol of Christmas. This tree stays forever green, no mater the season or weather. Use beautiful boughs of evergreen to symbolize your love for each other--and as a backdrop for silky white roses and jasmine.
• Silver and gold: Traditional for weddings and the holidays: silver and gold add glitz to an otherwise white-themed day. Gold accent plates or silver candle holders will be a sparkling reflection at your reception.
• Winter wonderland: Snow is falling outside, but you can bring some inside with snowflake ornaments in glass, crystal and ceramic. You can even make your own snowflakes with a few craft supplies and paper. String snowflakes from the ceiling, if possible, or add guests' names and use as place cards.
• White, white, white: White isn't boring, especially when you combine different shades of white. For a unique twist, use your varying shades of white as accent colors to each other. Throw in different textures and your white wedding will be an opulent affair to remember.

Budget saving tips

Whichever season you choose for your day, remember to make it spectacular and affordable. Try a few of these ideas to shave the cost:

• Have a green wedding: Ask bridesmaids to purchase vintage or second-hand dresses in your color. The shades will be different and beautiful.
• Make favors yourself: Wedding favors can cost up to $10 each or more, and that can really add up.
• Keep it simple: Just a few well chosen reception decorations can have just as much or more impact on guests as a room full of decorations.
• Use alternatives: If you're dying to have the perfect centerpieces but your budget doesn't allow, find an alternative. Short drinking glasses make excellent vases, as do tall pilsner glasses. You can also use flower pots or sand pails.
• Plant your favors: Plant flowers in inexpensive nursery 6-8 pot flower starter pots and use as centerpieces. When the time comes for guests to leave, let them take one home. They can plant it and you won't need to clean up.