Easy & Economic Wedding Decor

No one need spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on decorations that will last at the max 6 hours. It's your special day, so you want everything just so. But, wouldn't things be more intimate, more personal, and express your love more if your family, friends, and yourself, made your wedding decor? I did for my wedding and it came out beautifully.

Step 1: Colors
The first question you need to discuss with your fiance' should be what colors will be the wedding's primary colors. These colors would then become the bridesmaids dresses, or the main color of the flowers, etc. Then you must decide what would compliment those primary colors?

Here's a hint when choosing colors: If you look at an artists or painters color wheel, and find your bridesmaids dress colors, use a ruler to go to directly the opposite side of the wheel. These are the colors that would best compliment your intended color. Does this mean you should not use the main colors in the decor? Definitely not, but you also don't want to give the guest periwinkle nightmares by inundating them with all the same shades of a single color. The colors on the opposite side of the color wheel, will not clash, they will help the primary color stand out in a professional fashion. For instance, in my wedding, the primary color was cornflower blue ( a light blue). The colors to complement were yellow and white. So we decided to make our primary decor flower daisy's and sunflowers. (I was married in August, so the colors & flowers were appropriate.) The various shades of yellow, spanning from an almost white to an almost orange, made the soft blue of the dresses and the sprigs of cornflowers in the decor soften and bring such mundane flowers a level of sophistication.
Once you have the color scheme in mind (the primary and complementary colors, it's time to move onto the 2nd step).

Step 2: Theme
Take a deep breath. I think this is the hardest of the steps. What 'feel' would you like your wedding to have? Well, a lot will depend on the time of your reception. A morning wedding should have brighter themes, like a summer garden party. They tend to have more of brunch foods, and therefore, the length of the table cloths, and the formality is a little less than an evening wedding. An evening wedding gives you a few more choices. You can still have a more relaxed feel (like an evening cookout with more formality), or your can get much more formal and romantic. Lighting can be soft with gauzy draping to achieve that polished romance, or they can be bright and colorful for more of a fun party theme. Much of this will depend on your personalities and how you want people to experience your wedding...do you want them to dance till their feet break? Drink and become rowdy? Then the more colorful fun these might work. If you want the feel to be softer, full of whispered declarations of affection, waltzes and foxtrots, then the more formal themes would be best.

Step 3: Time & Budget
The more money you spend usually can indicate the less time you will have to devote to making the decor. But, Realistically, for a reception with 25 tables you should conceive of spending 10 full days on the decor. This is to make everything from the tablecloths to the centerpieces to the favors. Again cost will depend on your theme and how much time you would like to spend on locating deals. I suggest looking for fabrics in the clearance isle. As pretty as wedding fabrics are, table cloths are not the focus of the even and therefore, pretty is just as good as gorgeous.

You should also find out who will be of the best help. This is a great way to bond with your future in-laws. A time to reminisce with friends. Having your bridal party help is a given, but you can make it into a party for your fiance's and your own friends to hang out while making the decor.

Step 4: Location
Where you choose to hold your reception will also determine the moon and the type of decor you can use. For instance, if you're using a conference center that hosts many weddings, they will probably have their own table cloths. You may want to take a look at what they have to ensure they don't clash with your decor, or you can make small drapes to drape over their main cloths. Also, some locations won't give you much time before the reception to come in an d decorate, which will again limit the type of decorations you will want to use. It would be a shame to have a friend or family member miss the wedding in order to set up the hall. To prevent this, as I knew I'd be making all the decorations, my reception was help in a family members garden. We rented a yellow and white stripped tent. The day before the wedding my bridesmaids and I set out the majority of the decorations, only holding back those that could be damaged in the night.

Decoration Instructions:

Table cloths -
No matter if the tables are round or rectangular. Small Bistro style, or long buffet. The procedure is exceedingly easy to make a no sew cloth.
1. Determine how much drape you would like - do you want the cloth to reach the floor? Use a tape measure to measure from the top edge of the table
down to where you want the draping to reach. Write that number down.
2. Using the tape measure measure the length and width of the table. For a round table you can just measure diagonally or across for only 1 reading; for a
rectangular table I would suggest measuring 2 of the sides to get the idea of how long and wide the table is. Write these measurements down.
3.To each of your length measurements (the long number for the table dimension, and the drape length) you want to add about 1/4 of an inch, this will be for
for your hem.
4.Add the width of the table (the shorter side in a rectangular table) and the draping inches together. This and the length are the two numbers you will need
most when you reach the fabric store.

NOTE: Most fabric comes in 48' width. If this is wide enough for the width of your table, including the draping, then you only need the length to determine the number of yards you will need to purchase.( or vice versa - if the 48' is enough for the length than you only need the combined width and draping).--Don't forget to multiply your final numbers by the number of tables you need coverings for that are the same size (for multiple sizes just add them together). -- To convert this total inches into yards of fabric, divide the total number of inches by 36 (the number of inches in a yard). So if you have a width (inc draping) of 14 inches, and a length of 24 inches, and 13 tables. I'll multiply the 14 and 24 by 13 each to make = 182 by 312; now I'll divide these numbers by 36 = 5.06 and 8.67 yards of fabric in total. This is the number to take to the fabric store. As the 14 inches is less than 1/2 the 48 inch width of my fabric choice, that means for every yard I can make 2 cloths. So I would need to divider the 8.67 yards in half. --I know it sounds a little confusing but if you just bring all your measurements to the store with you and the employee will be able to help.

Hot Tip - No Sew!
Just because you don't know how to sew, or don't own a sewing machine doesn't mean you have to spend a fortune on pre-made table cloths or draping. You can purchase a No Sew binding agent. It is a small strip of adhesive, you pin it in place in your hemming or seam then iron over it. Wah-Lah - a no sew hem.

Table Cloth Patterns:
1. Staggered Squares: The largest square of fabric is your under cloth, it measures the total width and length of your table plus the draping. The next smaller square is just about the size of the tables width and length, it doesn't drape over the sides much at all, it's in a complimentary color to the main cloth color. You set this cloth at an angle so it lays more like a diamond. Then you can even make a much smaller square of another complimentary cloth (or make this one a patterned cloth) for laying just in the center.
2. Swags: You can get long thin lengths (about 18 inches wide and about double the length of the table). Secure one end of the fabric to the edge of the table. Every 8 - 12 inches secure the fabric to the edge of the table creating a swag that drapes over the edge of the table. You can also take little sprigs of silk flowers that complement the brides flowers and hot glue them to the plastic secures of the draping. Don't make them too big or they'll be bulky and make eating at the table difficult. I generally use a sheer fabric or netting for a swag. You can duplicate the swag throughout the room on the walls, windows, whatever.

Centerpieces & Decorations -

Think small - People will be eating at the table, and conversing with each other, if the centerpiece is too tall or wide, it will make it impossible for a conversation to carry around the table.
Think Staggered - The most beautifully presented centerpieces are not all a uniform height, they use heights to make a presentation.
Think Mood - The centerpiece will dictate the mood of the entire event. If too gaudy, it will make all the other decorations look cheap and home made. We want everything to be professional and elegant.

For the Morning Garden Theme - Remember this theme is about freshness and light - both in weight and color.

Single exotic potted plant: A true garden theme is all about the flowers and the outdoors.
Supplies: A single small-medium sized Terra cotta pot, potting soil, fresh Irish or Spanish moss, a spattering of Fresh potted exotic blooming flowers )that compliment the colors of the themes). Acrylic or Terra-cotta paints in Dark Forest green, medium green, light green and burnished gold. A multitudes of clean and lightly polished stones (you could even use filler stones found in a garden center). Fine tipped permanent markers. A 1/4 inch width ribbon in a complementary color to the flower. a Sea sponge. 4 Tea lights.
1. Paint the terra-cotta pot the dark forest green. Once it is dry, use the sea sponge to sponge on the other 2 greens and the gold. This gives the pot an old world garden feel. (option) tie the ribbon around the top lip of the pot)
2. Fill the dry pot with the potting soil, and transfer one of the single exotic blooms to the terra-cotta pot.
3. Gently, pat the moss over the top of the soil.
4. Taking the marker and the garden stones, write a single love word on each stone.
5. Using the Staggered Squares table cloths (from above), place the Flower in the center of the smallest square.
6. Scatter the Love Stones, around on the smallest square.
7. Place a tea light at the corners of the small square cloth.

Garden Chair Swags: This takes the simple back of the chairs and turns them into a fairy tale dream.
Supplies: 4' silk ivy strand, One spool paddle wire, 2 to 2 1/2" wide wire lined ribbon, Assorted silk flowers with stems(tat compliment the centerpiece, or are the same flowers as the bouquet), One bunch dried white baby's breath, Glue gun with glue sticks, Wire-cutters
1. Cut a long length of the ribbon. about 18 inches long.
2. Tape the center point of the ribbon onto a table to make it easier to manipulate the ribbon.
3. Take one end of the ribbon and make a loop about 2 inches long, hold the center piece with your finger as you loop the end of the ribbon up, making
another 2 inch loop.
4. Do the same with the other end, until you have 4 loops. Use a bit of the floral wire to secure the center. I cut a 1.5 inch piece of ribbon to loop around the center point of the bow to hide the wire, hot gluing it in the back.
5. Fold the ivy strand in half this makes it more full, carefully glue the sprigs of baby's breath and silk flowers to fill in any gaps in the ivy.
6. Secure each end to the corners of the top of the chair back using lengths of the ribbon.
7. Using more floral wire, carefully affix a bow to each end of the swag. .

Evening Party Theme - this is all about the fun and color.

Fishbowl Wishes: This is a fun and yet somewhat glamorous centerpiece. It's supremely easy to accomplish.
Supplies: A large fishbowl or if you can find a large brandy glass that has a bowl measuring about 4 inches or more. 4 Cordial glasses, clear tea lights, or clear wax and a wick and weight. Small glass marbles (I like the opaque ones for this but you can use multi-colored if it matches your theme). Beveled mirror about 12 inch square, a glass etching kit.
1. Heat the clear wax in a pot over medium heat. While melting the wax, set the weight and a wick in each cordial glass.
2. Carefully pour the clear wax into each cordial glass. Set aside to harden.
3. Using the glass etching kit, etch the Bride & Grooms names as well as the wedding date onto the large bowl.
4. Pour the marbles into the large bowl.
5. Set the mirror on the center of the table.
6. Set the cordial glass candles, next tot he long sides of the mirror.
7. Set the large bowl in the center of the mirror.
8. Light the candles. (The mirror and the marbles will reflect the light like an elegant disco ball)

Evening Romance Theme: this is probably the more difficult theme to accomplish, as it takes a bit more skill and creativity. It's also east to move past elegance into the gaudy, so remember this theme is all about the clean, soft lines.

Elegant Paper Champagne Candle in Petals.
Supplies: beveled glass mirror (can be oval or square), pearls, Silk flower petals in primary wedding colors (or you can use cream or white), Champagne flute, sand & tea light or clear wax with wick & weight, homemade paper shade, Ribbon to match petals, hot glue gun & glue
1. Make the homemade paper: toss creme and pink copy paper into a blender(you can add 1/2 a sheet of purple and light blue as well), pour in enough water to make it all wet. Blend well. Pour through a fine mesh strainer. Lay out as thin and flat as possible. Leave to dry completely.
2. Measure the diameter of the mouth of the champagne glass. Cut the homemade paper so that one end matches the diameter of the glass and the other is twice as wide.
3. Glue the shade into a cone shape.
4. Gently glue the white ribbon around the top and bottom edges of the shade.
5. If using a tea light, fill 1/4 inch of the glass with sand top prevent tipping or heating of the glass. If making your own candle. Gently melt wax over med-med high heat. Set the weight and wick in the glass. Pour the wax over the weight and wick to fill glass. Set aside to harden. (*Note: to prevent the glass from breaking from the temp change, I set the glasses in a warm oven to gently warm them).
6. Glue the pearls around the edge of the beveled mirror.
7. Scatter the petals on the mirror. Using a dab of the glue to affix each one.
8. Use a dab of glue to glue the champagne flute to the center of the mirror.

Chair Train: This is an elegant version of the chair swag,
Supplies: Bulk Tulle, or lace (about 3 yards for each chair), 1 large silk blossom complementing the colors in the theme, 1 large safety pin, Floral wire, wire cutters
1. Tie the tulle/lace around the top of the chair back (about 2 or 3 inches from the top), just tie a knot, the flower will hide the knot anyway .
2. I like to feed a bit of the floral wire through the knot to be sure it won't untie during dinner.
3. Carefully find the top of the tulle/lace on the chair back. Pull it over the top of the chair, tucking it in behind the knot, (this drapes the top edge of the chair in a
single layer of the tulle/lace).
4. Secure the tulle/lace behind the knot with a bit of floral wire.
5. Using wire cutters, cut the stem of the bloom about 4 inches from the base of the bloom. (leaves and such can be trimmed off as well
6. Tuck the stem behind the knot, if you can fit it through your earlier knots of floral wire that's fine, otherwise use a bit more to secure the flower in place.

Favors:
One of the hardest choices for couples is the favor. Many end up in the trash without being opened, but couple would wish to give thanks for sharing their special day with them.
- I like to take mini brushed silver picture holders and place black and white pictures of the couple taken throughout their courtship. You can place 3 or 4 on each table, it's ok to have multiples, but they make a great conversation piece. You can even place a poem in one of the frames. These brushed silver frames would blend in nicely with any of the above centerpieces and they make great favors. You can even have each table have a raffle to select who gets the centerpiece and the rest split the frames.
- Selecting seeds or a bulb is also an elegant gift, wrap the bulb in several colors of lace or tulle, secure with a string, attach a sweat poem, and wah-lah,
wedding favor.