One way a bride can really get creative and add a small touch of personality to her reception decor is through table numbers. These numbers don’t have to be the dry, run-of-the-mill ways to merely get your guests to their table destination. Use your imagination, the sky is the limit in utilizing a number of objects and ideas to tie in your wedding theme in a unique way. We’ve collected a few of our favorites below to get your imagination flowing!
A return to formal is something the wedding industry has seen come back full force in 2012 and it seems to be staying strong in 2013. From chandeliers to plated dinners, brides are bringing back formality and pomp to their celebrations. One aspect of this comeback I am swooning over is how brides are incorporating formal chinaware. Whether their grandmother’s vintage set or mismatched cups and plates as centerpieces, we’re seeing these adorable and beautiful pieces being utilized in such creative ways! We’ve collected a few pieces below for inspiration:
Last six images: Style Me Pretty
What are some ways you would incorporate chinaware into your celebration? Would you be a stickler for matching or crave mismatching sets? Would you utilize it as centerpiece inspiration only?
Where would you go hunting for pieces, do you have a favorite antique store?
Investing effort into designing place settings is something a lot of people don’t think to do or don’t find important because they use the rentals that come included with their venue or caterer. While it isn’t necessary to choose uniquely designed place settings, they can really bring a lot to the table, literally. The table is often the place the majority of guests spend the most of their time during the reception, so if you have the option to dress it up a little, it’s a good investment.
1: Photo by Jill Thomas, via Inspired by This 2: Photo by Trent Bailey, designed by Desiree Spinner, stationery by Cherish Paperie via Inspired by This 3: Photo by Sarah Yates, design by Sitting In a Tree 4: Photo by: Jillian Rose Photography via A Charming Occasion 5: Photo by Kim Le Photography via SMP 6: Jose Villa via Design Sponge 7: Photo by Swoon Over It Photography, design, styling and stationary by Momental Designs via GWS 8: Photo by Jeanna Hayes, design by: Amy Atlas Designs via The Sweetest Occasion 9: Photo by: Daniel Mast, design by: Events by Sarah Elizabeth via Wedding Chicks 10: Photo by: Marisa Holmes Photography via Canvas & Canopy Events
Although it’s still in the 100′s around here, the passing of Labor Day and the reappearance of Pumpkin Spice lattes have autumn sneaking up on us. Warm color palettes and cozy details like these are making me excited for it to actually get here!
Top: Maine Seasons Events, photo by Michelle Turner via Grey Likes Weddings, Middle Left: Charlotte Geary Photography, Middle Right: Widdis Photography via SMP, Bottom Left: Our Best Bites, Bottom Right: Martha Stewart Weddings
Top Left: Becky Hill via Elizabeth Anne Designs, Top Right: Kristyn Hogan via SMP, Middle, Bottom: Andrena Photography via Maharani Weddings
Are you excited for fall, or still holding onto summer?
I love the little touches here and there that make the bride and groom feel special on their day. One of these touches that I adore are chair signs at the reception that designate the seats for the bride and groom, but not just any chair signs. I like it when there is something a little different about them, whether they’re connecting the two chairs (what perfect symbolism!) or say things more personal to the couple than just “bride” and “groom”. I especially like those pictured last, which are childhood photos of the bride and groom!
Top: SMS Photography via SMP Middle Left: Kelly Hornberger Photography via Rustic Wedding Chic Middle Right: Simply Bloom Photography via Every Last Detail Bottom Left: Abby Jiu Photography Bottom Right: one love photography via Style Unveiled
Top: Oh Happy Day Middle: Carla Ten Eyck via SMP Bottom: Tyler Branch Photo via Green Wedding Shoes
Top: Juliet Elizabeth Photography via SMP Middle Left: Purple Peony Couture Middle Right 1: Brent Van Auken Photography via Ruffled Middle Right 2: Martha Stewart Weddings Bottom: Justin DeMutiis Photography via Grey Likes Weddings
Sparkling, intricate chandeliers, whether hung in a grand ballroom, a barn, or from trees can be gorgeous focal points in ceremony or reception decor. I find, however, that chandeliers constructed unconventionally, can be more eye-catching and add a level of uniqueness to decor, whereas a traditional chandelier may just blend in with all the other lovely elements going on around it. I am really loving a-typical ones that include flowers/foliage, and a few that are more architectural-looking.
Lemon Lime Photography via Green Wedding Shoes
Ali Harper Photography via Southern Weddings
Vanessa Pleasants of Vintage Whites Weddings, Jeremy and Alicia Brown Photography via Ruffled
Pure 7 Studios via SMP
Have you seen any other types a-typical chandeliers that you love?
Typically, I cringe at the idea of painting flowers for any reason, but when my boss came back from Engage 12 with photos of this:
Bob Gail, Scott Clark Photo, Ready Luck
my mind opened up a little. It looks like a succulent statue! So many brides are in love with succulents for their rustic feel, and some choose them because they love their earthy colors. I personally like them for their texture, and so using them as a blank canvas for color intrigues me. There are so many possibilities!
Bornay, a florist hailing from Barcelona, has been making true art out of succulents for a long while now. Literally, he takes pieces of art, usually paintings, and recreates them using flowers of all kinds, but his succulent creations are my favorite.
Top Left, Top Right, Bottom Left, Bottom Right
He also created these amazing boutonnieres.
Carissa of JL Designs used succulents to create a silver pop in her tablescape. This is a perfect idea to incorporate a metallic if there is one present in your color palette.
I’m dying to see this done with a mix of greens, bronzes and golds, neon pops, or black and white.
We’ve all seen the standard round reception table. And, the occasional square table. But if you are looking for a way to really transform a space easily – go for long banquet-style tables. It can make an otherwise large reception feel more intimate, and help to re-shape the space.
The World’s Fair Pavilion is a great space in St. Louis. And, more often than not, receptions use the round tables time after time. With a little switch of the table shape, the Pavilion was transformed into a different space, with a more dramatic effect.
Photos courtesy of Megan Thiele Studios
Sometimes the smallest of change can make the biggest impact.
Not a fan of card boxes? Me either.
Get creative by using old vintage suitcases, or bird cages. It’s best to find a container that fits with your look and feel.
Even if you aren’t going for that “candy shoppe” feel for your wedding, you can incorporate the fun candy throughout your day in subtle ways.
Fill trays with gumballs to hold up escort cards.
Or, place them in the bottom of vases and hurricanes as a base for pillar candles.
Images courtesy of Jennifer Daigle Photography via Style Me Pretty
