Planning a Circus Themed Wedding Reception

For a couple having a circus themed wedding, the wedding reception can be the most fun part of the wedding planning because after all, who doesn't have a great time at the circus? If you decorate the venue where the ceremony takes place, carry on the theme in the reception area. A circus themed wedding reception would be great in an outdoor area under a tent or "big top" as suggested in this article on circus themed weddings. A barn or large area with plenty of room for some of the following suggestions would also be ideal if you're going all-out with the carnival theme. Hang strands of small lights, circus bunting flags, multi-colored balloons, and colored fabric in striped colors or plain red along the walls and from the ceiling over the dining area for the illusion of a big top.

Table Decoration Ideas for a Circus Themed Wedding
Decorate tables where the guests can sit and eat with red tablecloths with yellow or white runners. Because the options for color schemes with a circus wedding are so open, feel free to use bold colors such as yellow for dinnerware and napkins. Instead of floral centerpieces, have a balloon artist make centerpieces out of balloon flowers in colorful vases. If you're married to the idea of a floral centerpiece, use bold yellow, purple, or red flowers with a variety of shapes and textures.

Circus Wedding Food Ideas
Guests who know they are attending a circus themed wedding will probably know not to expect a "chicken or fish sit-down dinner." Typically at a circus people expect carnival-styled food such as hot dogs, pizza, nachos, and corn dogs, but you might want to consider serving more sophisticated appetizers at your wedding reception. When planning a menu, a good rule of thumb is the more people you are expecting, the simpler the dishes should be-especially if you are relying on friends to help you save money by preparing the food. Eliminate the need to hire servers by having the food set up buffet style. Sites like Chef Menus offer inspiration as well as tips on party planning and menus. Treat guests to tasty appetizer-styled treats like vegetable, shrimp, beef, or chicken based skewers, grilled corn on the cob, hummus and pita bread, and other finger foods.

Instead of a large traditional cake, have a smaller two-tiered cake baked by professionals and decorated in fun, circus colors and stripes. Then serve the guests cupcakes with brightly colored frosting. Candy buffet bars, or candy bars, are very popular in weddings and this provides the opportunity for guests to satiate their sweet tooths. The cupcake tree or stand can take the center stage on the candy bar and could be surrounded by trays of candy apples, bagged cotton candy, and jars containing large swirled lollipops, lemon drops, and other colorful candy. Let guests fill their own small "popcorn" boxes with candy as a favor idea.

Other ideas for a circus themed wedding reception include renting a photobooth, a "kissing booth," or cirucs style cut-outs where guests can have photos taken.