26 Creative Lighting Ideas for Your Wedding Reception

Draped Barn Lights

Although it is one of the most important details, lighting is frequently overlooked when planning a wedding. Often we focus on the decorations to cover the tables, walls and everywhere in between, but a big influence on the atmosphere of your wedding reception will actually be how the space is lit. In the past, we have been fairly limited on inspiration for beautiful event lighting, but more recently couples have begun incorporating many different lighting options to add to their wedding decor and set the mood for their guests. This post is packed full of stunningly creative ways to illuminate your reception, so be prepared to get inspired!

Candles

Floating Candles / Crystal Candelabras / Candles in Hanging Glass Globes / Candles Clustered on Wooden Stumps / Hanging Tealights and Candlelit Tables / Hanging Mason Jars with Battery-Powered Tealights

Chandeliers

Single Small Chandelier / Barn Chandeliers / Round Rustic Chandeliers / Elegant Chandeliers at Tented Reception

Edison Light Bulbs

Edison Bulbs Above and Down Center of Tables / Light Bulb String Down Center of Table / Light Bulbs Hanging in Straight Line / Light Bulb Chandelier

Lanterns

Hanging Lanterns / Lanterns Lighting Pathway / Hanging Paper Lanterns with Candles on Tables / Paper Lanterns in Barn / Paper Lanterns Above Dance Floor

String Lights

Tree Wrapped in String Lights / Zig-Zag String Lighting / Wall of String Lights / Cascade of Lights Above Tables / Outdoor String and Bulb Lighting / Barn with Draped String Lights  / Tented String Lights with Tulle

10 Country Chic & Rustic Wedding Tablescapes

  Weston Neuschafer Photography

Around here we love country weddings.  Can't get enough of them!  They conjure that feeling of a simpler time full of family and fresh outdoor country air.  And whether you like them or hate them, country weddings are here to stay.  They are DIY friendly and cost effective while still managing to be elegant and beautiful.  Now there really are hundreds of ways to put together a gorgeous country chic or rustic wedding table.  To narrow it down, we chose some of our favorites including some traditional staples like mason jars and burlap to some unexpected additions like printed tablecloths and antlers.

Mismatched Table Chairs and China

Indulgy

Embroidered Lace and Doily Table Runners

Style Me Pretty

Picnic Tables or Bench Seating

The Bride Link

Wooden Crates as Centerpieces

Style Me Pretty

Wildflowers and Vines

Style Me Pretty

Patterned Tablecloths

Wedding Chicks

Antler Decorations

Wedding Sparrow

Mason Jars and Antique Pitchers (We love milk glass!)

onewed

Wooden Table Decorations

Style Me Pretty

Last (but of course not least)...Burlap

Wedding Chicks

Flaunt Your Wedding Fur

Wearing fur, whether faux or real, is sweeping the fashion world.  No longer seen on just winter brides, fur is being donned by vintage brides and by those simply looking to add a lux feel to their bridal attire.

How you wear your fur on your wedding day is a direct reflection of your style, the time of year, and the theme of your wedding.  Are you getting married in the winter?  Then you may want to opt for a warm fur bolero or coat.  Both which have sleeves to keep your arms toasty in the weather.   For a more vintage look, choose shorter wraps, collars, or capes. On the flip side you can also go big with a vintage theme and don one of your grandma's mink coats.  Don't forget color! Stay classic with white or ivory colored fur or go natural by showcasing more browns and tans.  For the fashion forward bride, choose a faux-fur that has been died a vibrant color to complement the theme of your wedding.

Whatever your style, this trend is just making me giddy with delight.  I love the expensive look that a fur accessory brings to an outfit.  I for one think this trend should be here to stay.

 

 

Image Credits: Camel fur coat, Tan fur bolero, White fur bolero, Gray fur collar, Fur vest, Brown fur coat, Wedding party in fur, Eggplant fur scarf, Gray fur wrap, Natural fur cape, Fur bolero in fall, Fox fur wrap, Cream wrap, White fur cape

 

 

 

A web designer, photographer, mother, wife, lover of the outdoors and all things crafty, Allison is the marketing director for and regular contributor to My Wedding Reception Ideas where you can find more helpful wedding tips, advice and ideas from Allison and other wedding experts.

How to Choose Your Wedding Colors

One of the biggest decisions you will make when planning your wedding is picking the color scheme. The dresses and tuxes, decorations, flowers, and sometimes even the venue depend on the colors you choose.

Follow these easy steps to make the best decision concerning the colors for your wedding:

1. Use your favorite shade. Start with a color you absolutely love, and then find accent colors that complement it well.  Choose either tonal shades or a contrasting pop of color.
2. Consider the setting. What does your venue look like? What color are the floor, walls, curtains, and other decorations? If there is already a strong color scheme, you should consider working with those colors. If you’re set on a particular color, look for a venue with a more neutral color scheme.
• Tip: Older historical buildings tend to have strong patterns that may clash with your own colors, so make sure you pay attention to those factors.
3. Prepare for multiple color schemes. Sometimes the location of the ceremony and the location of the reception have very different colors or tones. You may need to have two color schemes for decorations or two major colors with accent colors that connect the two locations.
   
4. Pick colors based on your favorite flower or bouquet. If you don’t have a favorite color, but do have a favorite flower, use the flower to decide on a color scheme. Pick the color of the bloom that you like best and then choose accent colors to match.
5. Choose colors bases on your style. Are you a vintage bride?  Vintage color schemes tend to be more muted or rustic.  Modern aesthetic?  Modern weddings infuse bright pops of colors and bold patterns.  Romantic? Choose colors that are soft and feminine.
6. Consider the season or time of year. Similar to number four, look at the colors in nature at the time of your wedding and pick a color scheme that complements what you see outside.
• Tip: You’ll have to plan in advance for this one!
• Tip: Pastels and bright colors look best during the spring and summer while variations of one particular shade are better for fall or winter weddings.
7. How many colors should you have? Up to five colors is fairly normal for weddings. However, multiple color schemes take careful planning and you need to make sure you aren’t overwhelming your wedding with too many colors. Two shades of one color and one complementary color tend to be the best option if you want multiple colors.
8. Remember the clothes. Some colors just don’t look good on anyone. When you are picking a color scheme, remember you will have to pick dresses for the wedding party in at least one of those colors.

If you want your color scheme to match your personality, consider these descriptions of colors:

• Red: passionate, loyal, impulsive, luxurious, dramatic
• Orange: spicy, zesty, fun-loving, spontaneous, boisterous, trendy
• Yellow: spiritual, cheerful, sweet, outdoorsy
• Green: wise, balanced, harmonized, affectionate, refined
• Blue: tranquil, patient, wise, balanced, lovable
• Introspective: royal or pale blue
• Extroverted: turquoise or aqua
• Purple: outgoing, tolerant, witty, charming, sweet, passionate
• Pink: compassionate, sweet, feminine, demure, romantic
• Black: elegant, classic, mysterious, dignified, sexy, sophisticated
• Rainbow: trendy, unconventional, fun, playful

If you’re having a seasonal or holiday-themed wedding, you might want to stick to theses tried and true seasonal color schemes.

• Spring: pale, not much contrast: think of the first blooms of the year
• Shades of purple, pink, or green
• Use soft palettes of watercolors and pastels
• Summer: hot or bright pops of color: think of your favorite parts of summer, such as swimming, fireworks, and popsicles
• Avoid all-over neon which can overwhelm the senses
• Use paler colors with bright accents instead
• Autumn: earthy tones: think of falling leaves, bare trees
• Persimmon, dark mossy green, deep marigold
• Neutrals with chocolate browns
• Winter: rich tones to contrast the bareness of winter: think of the holidays – Christmas, New Year’s, Valentine’s Day
• Rich shades of red, blue, or purple
• Metallics

Lastly, don't forget to check out wedding inspiration boards on our blog here or at places like Pinterest.  You can also consider using a website like Design Seeds which automatically puts together pretty palettes for ideas and inspiration.  Whatever color scheme you choose, make sure it’s one you love. Don’t just pick the colors that are forecasted to be hot or popular this year. Remember, it’s your wedding and you get to make all the decisions.

Image Credits: Hanging bridesmaids dresses, Fuchsia and orange bouquet, Tonal bridesmaids dresses, Rustic barn venue, New Year sparkle palette

Elizabeth is an undergraduate at Ohio Northern University with a double major in professional writing and creative writing and a minor in psychology. Liz writes for My Wedding Reception Ideas as well as creates multi-modal writing projects for Re:Media, an Ohio Northern University online publication.

Kick off your marriage with a sports-themed wedding

Stereo-typically, guys are the ones who love sports, but there’s no rule that says a girl has to be all dresses and lace.  Girls can love sports just as much! If you and your partner are sports fanatics, consider having a sports-themed wedding! There are many great ways to incorporate sports into your reception and plenty of ways to keep your guests entertained with this theme. You can choose almost any season, depending on which sport you pick, of course!

Color Palette

It’s easy to pick a color scheme for a sports themed wedding.  Simply pull from your favorite college or pro team! And since most teams’ colors don’t clash, you won’t have to worry about overwhelming your guests’ senses with color.  Be sure to stick to two main colors and limit your accents colors to ensure your palette is cohesive throughout your wedding.

Favors & Decor

You have tons of options here: sport-shaped cookies, baseball cards, peanuts and cracker jacks, or even hacky-sacks as a nod to college. Homemade treats like chocolate buckeyes are a great way to tie in the name of a sports team such as the Ohio State Buckeyes.  Don't forget the decorations.  Try to incorporate as many team related details as possible.  The cake, banners, streamers, tablecloths, flowers, and napkins all come together to tell a story.  For a unique twist, items like personalized cups and team pennant banners double as both decoration and guest favors.

Invitations

Start out by ensuring your guests are prepared for a sports theme: design invitations or save-the-dates to look like tickets to a sporting event or baseball cards.

Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties

Make team jerseys with names like bride, groom, maid-of-honor, and best man.  Have both parties go to a game together and then split up for the after party.

The Guest Book

Instead of having your guests sign a traditional book, have them sign a football/basketball/soccer ball, jersey, or helmet. This will look great displayed on a mantel after the wedding!

Location

Consider having your wedding and/or reception in a stadium. Imagine getting married on the 50 yard line or on home plate. You won’t have to worry about decorating, the menu (most stadiums require you to use their own caterers), or having enough space for everyone. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to reserve the stadium at least a year in advance.

Reception

Have plenty of games for your guests to play – backyard football, cornhole/bags, and Frisbee are all great games your guests can enjoy.

If you’re getting married on a game day, consider having a TV in the reception hall so you can all cheer on your team. You’ll have to schedule your first dance, cutting the cake, and other traditions for the commercials, though, so make sure your DJ plans for this.

Image Credits: Redskins Jersey, Football Cups, Bachelorette Jerseys, Baseball Wedding

Elizabeth is an undergraduate at Ohio Northern University with a double major in professional writing and creative writing and a minor in psychology. Liz writes for My Wedding Reception Ideas as well as creates multi-modal writing projects for Re:Media, an Ohio Northern University online publication.

A Great Gatsby Themed Wedding: The Party of the Year

One of this summer’s most anticipated movies was The Great Gatsby. Whether you loved reading the novel, parties, the 1920s, or any of the cast members, this movie appealed to almost everyone.
Although the movie failed in the eyes of those who read the book, there is still a lot to be said for certain aspects: the parties, the dancing, and the music. It was a movie that appealed to the senses, and it exceeded expectations in that regard.

So whether you prefer Jay or Nick, Daisy or Jordan, here’s how to throw a roarin’ 20s wedding that would make Jay Gatsby’s parties look like a backyard barbecue:

The Venue and Decorations

Pick a location that is open and has plenty of space for dancing. Choose big, fancy lighting and decorations in elegant colors: think white, black, and gold.

A venue that has both indoor and outdoor seating is ideal for a summer wedding. Use lanterns for lights outside, and trail ivy around the furniture or any railings or fences.

Inside, choose tall, leafy plants, so the centerpieces on the table are big, but the blooms are high enough that your guests can see the people they are seated with.

F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote many beautiful sayings about love. Use these quotes as part of your centerpieces.

The Dress

Dress to the nines for this glamorous occasion. You can choose to completely embrace the theme and dress like they did in the 1920s, in dresses with dropped waistlines and single-breasted suits.

Ladies, wear lots of long strands of pearls, gloves, and feathers or a headband in your hair. Remember, the more sequins, the better! Gentlemen, top hats, bowties, and pocket squares are encouraged.

The Music

Anything you can dance to! The 1920s were a fun, fast-paced, casual age. They loved to party and dance. The most popular music during this decade was jazz, so choose music with lots of brass instruments and swinging rhythms to stay true to the theme.

The Food

In the 1920s, party hosts tended to be more concerned with appearance and drinks than the food. However, one food they did love was oysters. Their drink of choice was champagne – they were always celebrating!

Decorate your wedding cake with golden art deco, and complement it with black and white desserts.

The End

End the night with a fireworks show and drive away in a vintage car, leaving your guests happily lost in the past.

Image Credits: Quote, Staircase and Feather Centerpieces, Picture Frame and Hanging Dress, Art Deco tablesetting, Beyonce, Groomsman, Oysters, Champagne tower, Cake, Trumpet player

Elizabeth is an undergraduate at Ohio Northern University with a double major in professional writing and creative writing and a minor in psychology. Liz writes for My Wedding Reception Ideas as well as creates multi-modal writing projects for Re:Media, an Ohio Northern University online publication.

Movie-themed Party Ideas to Match Your Star-Studded Wedding

As promised, here is your key to planning the star-studded pre-wedding parties you have always dreamed of, with you as the star! From your engagement party and wedding shower to the bachelor and bachelorette parties, these fun, movie-themed party ideas are sure to be a hit.

Lead your guests from the parking lot to the entrance with a red carpet. Ask guests to dress up as their favorite movie character and give trophies to the best dressed. Give favors in popcorn boxes. Watch your favorite wedding-themed movies. There are tons of ways to make your party a box office hit!

To get started, use an "admit one" ticket format for your invitations. On the top and bottom, write the date of your party. Instead of a movie title, write "[Name] & [Name]’s Engagement Party" or "[bride’s name]'s engagement party." Have some fun and come up with a creative title for your party!

Movies to watch

Engagement Party/Wedding Shower

• The Engagement Party
• The Proposal
• Father of the Bride
• The Princess Bride
• The Philadelphia Story
• Four Weddings and a Funeral

Bachelorette Party

• Bridesmaids
• Bachelorette
• Magic Mike
• Crazy Stupid Love
• The Wedding Planner
• Dirty Dancing

Bachelor Party

• Bachelor Party
• The Hangover
• How to Murder Your Wife
• The Best Man
• Very Bad Things
• A Guy Thing

Games to Play

• Kiss the Actor/Actress (similar to Pin the Tail on the Donkey)
• Charades
• “Who Am I?” Write down the names of movie stars on note cards and have guests tape the card to       their forehead – without looking! They have to guess who they are.
• Match the quote to the movie (to make it easier, use quotes from movies you watched at your party)
• “Movie Plot Slam” Split your guests into teams of 3 or 4. Write movie titles on note cards and give a card to each group. There are a couple ways you could have them tell the plot:
    - In poem format
    - In song format
    - In a way that relates the story back to the bride and groom
• Use conversation starter drink coasters to break the ice!

Food

One of the best parts of the movie theater experience is the popcorn and candy! Satisfy every taste bud in
the room with these delicious treat ideas:

• Popcorn (of course!)
• Offer extra butter, salt, and any other topping you might want – on the side so guests can choose what they want
• Chocolate covered raisins
• Sour candy
• Don’t forget the cake! Go for a black and white movie reel cake or try the popcorn cupcakes!

Decorations

A party would not be complete without decorations of some sort, and movie theaters are usually lavishly decorated, if not overwhelmingly so.

• Put flowers in a plastic popcorn holder
• Write guests’ names on Hollywood stars for place cards at the table
• Since red, white, black, and silver are the colors that are traditionally associated with movies and the theater, use those colors for tablecloths and napkins
• Hang up movie posters or a red curtain for backdrops for pictures

Image Credits:

Invitation: Cards Direct
Party food: Dreaming In Scraps

Popcorn cupcakes: Fifties Wedding

Movie-style cakes: Fifties Wedding

Place cards: janet21.hubpages.com

Roses: janet21.hubpages.com

Elizabeth is an undergraduate at Ohio Northern University with a double major in professional writing and creative writing and a minor in psychology. Liz writes for My Wedding Reception Ideas as well as creates multi-modal writing projects for Re:Media, an Ohio Northern University online publication.