80 of the Best Wedding Reception Essentials!
Feeling a little overwhelmed by wedding planning? You’re not alone! That’s why we’re here to help you break down the big decisions into much smaller, less scary steps. Today, we’re talking all things wedding reception, from decor to table plans, to help you work out what you need (and want!). Here goes!
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Table plan
Because let’s face it, if it takes that many hours to organise, it has to be essential.
2. Place cards
Having taken the time to get your seating plan just so, make sure your guests know exactly where they should be.
3. Table numbers
You could name your tables, but choosing numbers makes it super simple to signpost. Browse a pretty range of table numbers and holders to suit your theme here.
4. Flavoured favours
Whether you’re creating a candy bar or gifting traditional sugared almonds, edible favours are always a winner.
5. Menus
Get guests talking and their mouths watering with the delicious dinner to come.
6. Table runners
Why not colour and fabric coordinate them with your theme? Try hessian for rustic wedding, rose gold for a trendy take and lace for timeless reception style.
7. Table linens and cloths
A staple at every reception, your venue will often include table cloths in your package, and if you’re looking for something to tie in with a theme, Wedding Ideas offer a sparkly selection here!
8. Vases
Another regular at receptions, vases are essential for displaying your fabulous flowers. You could opt for glass hurricane vases, mercury glass vases or even elegant urns.
theweddingofmydreams.co.uk
9. Candelabra
Nothing evokes romance like softly flickering candlelight…
10. Log slices
Can you really have a rustic wedding without one? Find budget-friendly log slices here.
jenniferjanephotography.co.uk
11. Mirror plates
Perfect for giving your reception a touch of glam. Choose the right size and style mirror plate for your big day here.
foxleyphotography.com
12. Centrepieces
Whether it comes in the form of flowers, a tree or even a stack of old books, every reception table deserves a centrepiece. This is the perfect opportunity to enhance your theme, too!
13. Table confetti
A flurry of table confetti makes for a pretty finishing touch.
14. Candles
One of the most popular of all reception essentials, be sure to double check that your venue allows naked flame candles or invest in battery-operated candles for a similar glowing effect.
Want to take your candles to the next level? Invest in scented candles to fill your venue with a romantic scent that will forever remind you of your dream day. We recommend Victoria Cator’s exquisitely fragranced candles – try Casablanca for an irresistibly sweet lily scent!
lindseyocker.com
15. Lanterns
Present your candles in lanterns for a fairytale feel.
16. Sparklers
katehopewellsmith.com
17. Manzanita trees
You probably didn’t know the name for these before you got engaged, but now manzanita trees are racing up your reception wishlist for affordable centrepieces.
18. Crystal candleholders
A no-brainer for bling-loving brides.
19. Flowers
Cascading down your cake, climbing around your candelabra or creating a dreamy top table backdrop, flowers are a must! On a budget? Silk flowers are the way to go and we’ve got a gorgeous range to show you.
20. Chiavari Chairs
The perfect seating choice for a romantic or rustic wedding, go for stained wood for real romantic warmth or limewash for a feel of fairytale and whimsy.
21. Chair decorations
Those adorable Mr & Mrs signs have to go somewhere, right?
22. Bunting
Brilliant for barns, marquees and village hall weddings.
23. Honeycombs
Intermingle hanging honeycombs with strings of fairy lights for Pinterest-worthy effects.
24. Pom poms
Get the same effect as honeycombs, but with a more delicate, peony-like ruffled style (these pink pom poms are winners with us!).
25. Ribbon garlands
String one up as a skirt for your sweets table, or hang up ribbon garlands for a fun photobooth backdrop.
26. Welcome sign
murrayclarke.co.uk
Cute and, if you’re crafty, pretty easy to DIY too!
27. Show stopping Cake Design
facebook.com/alisarobertsphotography
Coordinate your cake with your theme and it can be an edible centrepiece in its own right!
28. Photobooth props
Giant glasses, moustaches and top hats at the ready!
29. Candy bar
Pretty up your pick and mix by presenting the sweets in decorative glassware and jars.
30. Instagram sign
Create a live feed of photos from your day!
31. Drinks station
Try pimp your Prosecco, gin bar goodness or couple’s cocktails for themes.
32. Faux Grass Table Runner
julietlemon.com
This will bring a rustic vibe to any venue!
33. Balloons
Go for a confetti-filled version for twice the wedding fun!
34. Postbox
Practical and a pretty cool keepsake after the big day…
35. Cards basket
Ideal if you’re channeling a travel or vintage theme.
36. Frame heart Guest Book
A little bit of interactive fun, this guestbook gets everyone involved.
37. Table trivia
Take the pressure off your seating plan and add ice breakers to the tables, your family and friends will be socialising in no time.
38. Chalkboard
Ask your bridesmaid with the prettiest handwriting or learn calligraphy to DIY the dreamiest of chalkboard designs.
39. Calligraphy Signs
Calligraphy adds a romantic, classic element to every wedding.
40. Craft beer cart
Move over bath tub of beer, we’re getting sophisticated!
41. Fairy lights
theweddingcut.com
Canopies of fairy lights can be a cost effective way to add the wow-factor in a flash.
42. Up-lighting
da-photo.co.uk
Be sure to coordinate the lighting to match or complement your core colour scheme.
43. Oversized letter lights
Use giant letters to zone areas and pretty up empty spaces, be that your dance floor or bar.
44. Illuminated dance floor
For a party that really pops!
45. Pimp your Prosecco stand
The garnishes may change, but our passion for Prosecco is here to stay!
46. Cookie bar
Guests of every age are going to love this affordable but delicious treat.
47. Blossom trees
jessicaraphaelphotography.com
These decorations are great for adding height (read: wow-factor) and can easily be repositioned from your ceremony to your reception.
48. Disposible cameras
Let your guests get snap happy, then enjoy the hoard of happy photos after the day.
49. Lego favour boxes
Indulge your nostalgia with this quirky favour idea.
50. Martini glass flower arrangements
Tall and elegant, your florist or venue might have a stash of these iconic vases available to hire.
51. Just Married Sign
Today’s the only day you can use it, so why not?!
52. Floral chandeliers
junejoubert.co.za
Architectural flower installations have taken the wedding scene by storm, adding bags of romance to rustic barns and modern marquees alike.
53. Decorative ladder
Fill it with your favourite trinkets or family photographs from weddings.
54. Confetti basket
This is best positioned by the exit to your ceremony room, so family and friends can collect confetti in perfect time for your iconic confetti photo.
55. Ceremony signs
Want your guests to pick a seat and not a side? Or maybe you’re going unplugged for the ceremony and want a fun but informal way to let people know? Simply read the signs!
56. Order of the day
da-photo.co.uk
Happy guests are those who know when they’re going to eat, drink and dance next.
57. Photo wall
This can be as simple as pegging up some Polaroid pictures, sharing your memories and love story with family and friends.
58. Flower wall
Think these have to cost the world? Think again – just check out these faux flower wall panels and you’ll have a floral backdrop before you know it!
59. Garden games
Giant Jenga, croquet, chess… great fun for all ages and gentle on your budget, too.
60. Flower garlands
Tie them to the back of ceremony seats, suspend them from beams, entwine them around staircases…
61. Jigsaw Guestbook
Another fun touch to get your guests involved.
62. Wooden Crates
jessicaraphaelphotography.com
Wooden crates make beautiful rustic replacements for vases, with the benefit of being portable so they can move from ceremony to reception as you do.
63. Floral Canopy
claretamim.co.uk
Combine fairy lights, flowers and foliage for breathtakingly beautiful results.
64. Beaded Chargers
colinnichollsphotography.com
Okay, so people will keep telling you not to obsess about the tiny details, but…
65. Dance floor Rules
There’s no excuse not to be up and dancing with a dance floor sign.
66. Wellington Boot Vases
andyhook.com
Easy for your florist to fill and perfect for a country theme.
67. Balloon Letters
documentyourdream.com
A budget-friendly backdrop can be all you need to transform your cake table into a decoration in its own right.
68. Origami backdrop
Pretty paper cranes, whether all white or multicoloured, make for a dreamy decoration. Enlist your craftiest bridesmaids to help with all the folding involved!
69. Advice Coasters
What nuggets of wisdom will your family and friends share?
70. Festoon Lighting
Strung up inside or out, there’s a nostalgic, funfair feel whenever festoon lighting is around.
71. Window Sill Pot Plants
georgiaclaireweddings.co.uk and velveteenphotography.co.uk
Quirky and super cute, there’s no last minute flower arranging required when you use blooms that are still growing!
72. Wishing Tree
Ask each guest to tie a thought or good wish to the tree, then read them and reminisce the next morning with your new spouse.
73. Creative Cake Toppers
Look for laser-cut designs that can be personalised, then get creative!
74. Giant Balloon
linaandtom.com
Whimsical props to make your couple’s portraits ultra pretty.
75. Building Blocks Guest book
Why not use your guest book as a way to surprise your guests? We’re pretty sure a building block book won’t be what they expect!
76. Wooden Name Initial Letters
claretamim.co.uk
You could buy plain letters and decorate with glitter, paper flowers or even chalkboard paint!
77. Mr & Mrs Game
alipaul.com
No one will ever call speeches boring again when a game of Mr & Mrs is on the cards!
78. Test Tube flowers
claretamim.co.uk
This trend might be tiny in scale, but it’s having a big impact on the wedding scene. If you want your big day to be trendy and a touch on the quirky side, you’ll love this way to present your flowers.
79. Confetti Cones
Worried your guests won’t remember to throw the confetti up and not at you? Confetti cones make nailing your confetti shot a breeze.
80. Flip flops basket
Everyone will be happy to rest their tired feet, so have flip flops ready to slip on and the party doesn’t have to stop.
