There are many details to plan and coordinate when it comes to your big day, especially your wedding reception. After the ceremony, your wedding reception is a time to eat, party, and bond with your family and friends. An essential part of your celebration is your reception tablescape and décor.

Since there are so many wedding table decoration ideas available, you may not be sure where to start. As you plan your big day, let this guide help provide some creative table-setting ideas for your reception.

TIPS FOR TERRIFIC TABLESCAPES

Before choosing designs to incorporate into your wedding reception, it helps to keep both your style and budget in mind. Below are helpful and budget-friendly tips for selecting pieces to make your reception décor shine on your big day.

1. Make use of what you have at home

Take a look around your home - it can be a great resource to find elements to incorporate into your reception. You can repurpose home decorations for your wedding tables, from major to minor accents. You just need to be creative. 

Look around and see what pieces match your theme and represent you as a couple. Are you into essential oils? Then you can use pretty bottles of these oils as favors, which you can place along each place setting. Doing this takes a bit of effort, but it can be a great way to save on costs.

2. DIY your décor

A great way to truly express your style is to get crafty! DIY wedding décor is a fun way to involve your loved ones in a cost-efficient project. They can help you create beautiful decorative pieces for your wedding tables. Check out some tips on incorporating DIY into your big day here. 

3. Reuse ceremony décor at the reception

Wedding ceremonies usually occur first, with cocktail hour and the reception following. This period will allow you to move and reuse your ceremony décor for your reception.

As you and your loved ones prepare for the reception, you can have your coordinator move certain décor items from the ceremony site to the reception area. Doing this is a great way to save on costs by letting your décor do double duty. 

Set the Stage: Tablescape Inspiration

The endless number of wedding table decoration ideas may challenge your creative juices. To help you decide, here's a list of wedding reception table ideas to check out.

1. Incorporate flowers and greenery

Going for a romantic look means incorporating plenty of flowers and greenery. These designs are sure to wow you and your guests. You can use flowers with tall branches, short arrangements, and garlands. See if flowers like cherry blossoms, hydrangeas, and baby breath match your chosen style. 

Greenery is a great way to incorporate a more natural feel into your wedding tablescapes. You can use mini topiaries and succulents or display lush palm leaves in tall clear vases. 

2. Don't be afraid of contrast

You may be a little nervous about using bright contrasting colors; however, using contrasting and bold colors is to be embraced! You will have plenty of options because there are lots of color combinations to choose from. Stunning centerpieces don't have to shy away from colorful contrasts.

For example, you can try combining bold colors like red and yellow. You can research the color wheel if you're looking for other color pairings. The color wheel lets you know what colors complement each other. That way, you'll learn what color schemes will work well together and add some dimension to your wedding tablescape.

3. Go minimal YET bold

Make a bold statement by going minimal. Combine minimalist pieces and accents that can add elegance to your wedding tables.

A monochromatic color scheme is a great way to add a clean minimal look. A minimal color scheme, such as black and white with pops of greenery, can bring a sense of calmness to your wedding tables and the whole reception. 

4. Use wooden accents

Looking for something rustic? Try incorporating wooden accents. Rustic weddings are inspired by nature, making this style a fantastic option if you and your partner love nature and the great outdoors.

You can make your outdoor wedding reception warm, cozy, and laid-back with wooden accents. For example, use wooden elements like wood slices, tree stumps, and wooden crates.  

5. Be eco-friendly with paper designs

Something as simple as paper can transform your wedding reception tablescapes. Apart from being affordable, they come in plenty of different colors to play with. They can be designed, shaped, and cut into any object you like. You're also helping preserve the environment because they are eco-friendly.

Paper designs can be more cost-efficient, as they are typically less expensive than metals, ceramics, and glass, which is ideal when you're on a budget. That way, you can allot more of your budget to the essentials, such as food and beverage or photography. 

The most common design you can do with paper is origami. Origami is the universal art of folding papers that originated in Japan. It transforms a flat piece of paper into something artsy, like flowers, hearts, and other designs that tie in your wedding theme. 

6. Keep it intimate with mood lighting

Lighting makes a huge impact when it comes to setting a romantic ambiance. Adding lighting to your reception tables is a great way to create a warm and welcoming environment for you and your guests.

Some examples of fantastic mood lighting you can incorporate are fairy lights, candles, and lanterns.

With so many options, it can feel overwhelming to choose wedding table décor. The most important thing is to select pieces representing your and your partner's style. After all, your wedding celebration is about you, so decorate your reception to make you beam with joy.

GUEST POST CONTRIBUTOR: IVAN SERRANO