Regardless of your budget, when planning your wedding reception decor, keep in mind that your guests’ attention will lie in what is at eye level. Yes, they will take note at the overall decor but that which they see first and will continue to notice throughout the event is mainly what is directly in front of them. For this reason, you should give a little extra though to your table decor, especially your centrepieces.
The centrepiece will be the main focus of each table. It can be grand and elaborate like silver candle obras with flowing floral displays on them or they can be simple, like a series of candles arranged in the centre of the table over a small mirror. Today we will focus on the less expensive options for decorating your tables’ centres whithout comprimising your style.
- Edible arrangements – This is a great money saving idea! Use your dessert as a centrepiece. You can have a fruit bouquet, with some fruit pieces dipped in chocolate, to not only adorn each table but to also feed your guests after dinner! No need for a fruit table. You can take this same idea but replace the fruit with either chocolate, candy, or cupcakes assembled on the table in the form of a bouquet that your guests can enjoy throughout the night or save to take home later. This one saves you from having to buy separate favours and centrepieces plus it eliminates the necessity of a dessert table. Love it!!!!
photo 1: (www.ediblearrangements.com)
photo 2: ( http://www.bakeshoppejonesboro.com/images/dsc_0079_edited.jpg) 
- Bowls of stuff – This idea has been floating around for a long time but it is extremely effective and low cost. Buy (at the local dollar store) a series of clear bowls and vases in varying shapes and sizes and fill them with a fruit that represents either the season in which you are getting married or the colour on which your decor is based. This is cheap, easy and very stylish. Plus, the different sized bowls or vases will add a depth and dimension to the overall look.
http://weddingjunkie.com/images/lemon2.jpg
For winter weddings, you can do the exact same thing with the clear bowls but fill them with christmas tree ornaments in the colour of your choice. This again will be very inexpensive yet oh so elegant. http://z.about.com/d/entertaining/1/0/X/F/blueornaments.jpg
- Favour double duty – As I mentioned earlier, one of the best ways to cut costs at your reception is to combine must have items, like favours and centrepieces. Since you will be giving your guests a little something to take home with them, adorn the favours enough so that if they are assembled in the middle of the table, they will make an attractive centrepiece on their own. Make sure they are sitting atop a small mirror so that its reflective traits will add extra dimension to your favour centrepiece. Try to get favours that are stackable in an attractive manner so that they do become the table’s focus. Make sure the guests are aware that they can indeed disassemble your creation at the end of the night to take their favour home.
- Potted plants – If you would like to have flowers as your centrepiece but cannot afford a florist, consider buying small potted plants for each table. Buy the potted plant of your choice, place it in a pretty container (again, a dollar store item) and just put it on your table with a few candles around it for effect. {At the end of the night, one lucky guest per table can take it home with them. It can even become part of your evening’s fun. Perhaps one guest per table will have a sticker on the bottom of his/her coffee cup to determine who gets the plant? Or, have a contest hosted by the MC during dessert?}
I really love this idea because it’s not only thrifty but also very green. How chic!!!!
Photo: © Netherlands Flower Bulb Information Center
The bottom line is that with a little creativity and inspiration, you can create a beautiful look for your table without putting a dent in your budget. Plus, you’ll have lots of fun doing it and you’ll create something unique to your wedding! Enjoy.
Very clever and practical ideas.