One of the biggest problems bride’s have is how to decorate their ceremony and reception site. In this article, I am going to talk about the first step of decorating for your wedding. Step one is not really HOW to do it, but more about WHAT look you are going for and the basics of how to create it.

If you want a sophisticated, elegant look, you will mostly use neutral colours. Neutral colours are white, black and brown—all and any shades. Imagine white tablecloths, white napkins, and white chair covers. Then think black accents like a black table runner, wedding favours that are predominantly black. Bridesmaids in lovely silver grey dresses. Your flower bouquets or flower arrangements in any colour combination with black/grey ribbons. Very classy.

Don’t like black at a wedding? Replace it with brown. A deep rich chocolate brown instead of black gives a similar classic look without using black. For a soothing, beautiful look to a room, go with various shades of brown, from deep brown to beige. The secret to decorating with colours that are in the same tones, is to use texture. For example, think about white tablecloths and white chair covers. Layer a beige lace square over the tablecloths. The chairs can be accented with a strip of dark brown sheer fabric that can wrap around the chair back to create a bow at the back. Any flower colour choice would liven up the table, but the overall look is soft and subdued, calm and relaxing. You could pick any colour to go with a look like this.

If you want more of a WOW factor, the secret is contrast. For example, imagine white table cloths, white napkins, white chair covers—a classic white-on-white look. Then, think of any one colour, for example red. It would create contrast and a wow factor. The bigger the pops of red, the greater the wow factor. Small red flower centrepieces would look beautiful and create a wow due to it’s contrast. If you wanted bigger wow, you would have larger red flower centrepieces, for example, and add a similar red colour to drape and accent the head table.

If you wanted a nautical or beach flair to your decor, but still wanted that wow factor, imagine a white-on-white decor with pops of a deep, rich blue colour. Having table runners in a simple blue and white strip would immediately give that nautical beach look while still keeping that wedding look. The secret to keeping a certain look classy without looking cheap or taking away from the wedding elegance, is to use those theme elements in a subdued way. The more you use the theme elements, the more you take away from the overall classic wedding look, and move into a theme party look. If the bridesmaid dresses were in the rich blue colour, and you used just that blue colour to accent the guest book table, buffet table, etc. it would keep the stripe in proper balance. Nautical or beach wedding favors could accent the theme in a fun way without taking away from the classy decor.

Another thing to keep in mind when planning your decorations is to have a focal point. The easiest place to create a focal point is the head table. Because the table height is the same as the guest tables, you need to create more height at the head table. One simple method is to rent a backdrop. They come in many shapes and sizes to fit any size head table. Whether you choose the ‘sunlight’ backdrop that give the illusion of windows, or a lattice backdrop to accent your garden theme, these are just a few of your options. Many reception sites have these available on site, or through a local supplier. If they don’t have it available, you can check out a local wedding rental supplier in your city.

If you wanted to create more of a wow factor to your focal point, a simple solution is to use a few tall flower or plant stands with the backdrop to add a greater pop of colour with your wedding flowers. These are readily available for rent at any wedding supplier, but always check with your reception site to see what they have available. Using table skirting and draping the head table in your wedding colours are also simple methods to accent the head table without breaking the bank.

These examples are all simple ways to decorate. You can get much more elaborate if you choose, but if budget is a factor, simple elegance with pop creates a great wow factor.