All the Bling without the Sting

How to get a million dollar look without the cost.

Don’t be disheartened by having to choose “good value” wedding decorations.  Half of the fun of getting married is planning the wedding and it should be fun, without stressing about your depleting bank account balance!  Just about every couple would love an extravagant wedding with all of the trimmings but only a lucky few can plan their special day where money is no object.

If you’re looking to cut costs on your wedding without cutting out the glitz and glamour, you can start by using inexpensive, yet classy, wedding decorations.  All you need is a little creativity and imagination.  Be prepared to get involved, and if needed seek the help of friends and family.  A Wedding Décor Specialist can assist you with some guidance and inspiration to kickstart your decoration planning…

Room Arrangement
The shape and arrangement of your tables can really make or break a rooms overall ambience and is a powerful decorative tool.  Round or oval tables are more elegant than rectangular tables and encourage conversation and mingling. 
Adding a backdrop behind the head table or cake table, embellishing with fairy lights, organza and tulle can also accentuate your decorations and create a picture perfect setting.
Cocktail tables are also proving very popular for less formal finger food functions or  for pre-dinner canapes.  These can be easily hired and decorated at reasonable prices.

Covers
Some simple cost-effective ideas can add flair and distinction to your table décor:
• Add a vibrantly coloured satin overlay, or table runner over the top of a white tablecover for greater visual impact, white can be so predictable.
• Linen napkins come in many colours and these can be hired and dressed with crystal beads, decorative ribbon, or silk flowers to match your scheme and add some pizzaz.
• Don’t skimp by dismissing chaircovers and/or sashes – they are the one ingredient that truly dresses your room and makes it magical!  You can hire chaircovers that have their own sash and for extra savings, maybe arrange for friends and/or family to fit them for you.

Centrepieces
Gone are the days when just a traditional floral arrangement is enough.  I would suggest that you collect lots of images from magazines of event styles that you love.  Take these ideas to a professional wedding decor specialist and they will help you to source items and recreate a piece that compliments your personality, theme, colours and budget.
A popular centerpiece solution (an option that looks expensive but doesn’t come with an expensive price tag, and one that creates a very romantic atmosphere), are the gorgeous tile mirror and candles.  Your tile mirrors should be teamed with lots of candlelight, displayed in either a vase, or with separate candle votives (all of which can be hired to save more money).  To create a truly original design you can add glass beads, silk flowers, petals, rocks, fairy lights or shells - the list is endless!
Putting some height into your centrepiece can help to make a large room or hall look fuller.  This can be especially effective when you choose to incorporate wedding themed helium balloons on the tables and over the dance floor.

Scatterfetti
Adding a touch of ‘flutter’ is a fast and inexpensive way to dress your reception tables.  Sprinkles and scatters can be combined with centrepieces or used on their own to compliment your décor.  Popular items to scatter include:-
• Foil scatterfetti to compliment your wedding colours (available in a variety of shapes including heart, star, champagne glass and words)
• Silk rose petals or other flower petals.
• Glass beads or rocks.
• Faux diamantés, available in mixed sizes and other colours.
• A creative mix of different shaped and coloured shells and starfish etc.
• Silver coated edible heart chocolates.

Lighting
Well thought out lighting can greatly enhance your table décor and many effective table decorating ideas incorporate a mix of light sources:-
• Candle centrepieces, candelabras, or votive tealights.
• Candles on mirrors to reflect light and create a romantic warm ambience (see pic).
• Twinkle fairy lights (battery operated versions can be hired), strung along the sides of the table, twisted in tulle or organza.

Place Settings
Table decoration should not stop with your centrepiece.  To create something truly beautiful you need to extend to the edge of the table.
• Use elaborately folded napkins to accentuate individual plate settings.
• Paper-craft place cards can be subtly decorated to add a formal flair.
• Introduce beautifully decorated bonbonniere boxes or bags to compliment the colour scheme.

Try to Avoid
A simple approach is elegant and beautiful, as well as friendly to the purse strings! Try not to go overboard with the table decorations.  Busy place settings can be a pain for guests and can distract from the proceedings and enjoyment of the meal.  Also, centrepieces that are too big can block guests view and restrict conversation.
With a little thought and planning, it’s easy to design a table decorating theme for your wedding that is truly stunning and financially friendly!

To ensure that you’re confident with your setting decisions and that your chosen styling is exactly what you want, ask your Wedding Décor Specialist for a preview.  Weddings by the Bay in Cleveland, offers a complimentary table design and preview setup to help you to visualise your overall look and feel. 
For more information about cost effective event styling, please contact Belinda on 3821 2839.