How to Decorate a Reception Hall

A wedding is one of the most awaited days in a person's life. Once the date of the ceremony is fixed, the couple starts with the frantic preparations for the wedding. And one of the most important elements of wedding planning is the wedding reception. It's common knowledge that a wedding reception is only as good as two things: its food and its decor. In this article, we'll give you some wonderful ideas for decorating your wedding reception hall.

Inexpensive Ideas for Reception Hall Decoration

Ideas for decorating a reception hall may vary according to the location of the hall and also the weather at the time of the party. Nonetheless, there are ample ideas to choose from, to render a cheerful atmosphere, color and festivity to the occasion. These ideas may range from homely and earthy to glitzy and classy. While selecting decoration ideas, some factors such as the wedding theme, the number of people attending and the couple's budget need to be taken into consideration. Given below are some ideas that will not only look appealing, but will also be easy on your pocket.

Paper Decorations
If you want to try something unique, you can use origami patterns to decorate the venue. Have pretty flowers and lanterns in colorful paper made, and you can hang them using translucent nylon string. The decorations will be seen, but not the strings. You can also use shiny streamers in different colors to add festivity to the celebration. Some couples prefer to decorate the place with their photographs. So, you can gather pictures of the two of you including prom shots, baby pictures, pictures of beloved pets, engagement photographs, etc., and have them displayed at various spots at the venue.

Natural Decorations
Using nature to decorate the reception hall is another fabulous idea. Use bonsai trees or shrubs adorned with string lights to refresh the atmosphere. Another sure-shot winner as a venue decoration is flowers! Pick out inexpensive flowers according to the theme that you have decided and have beautiful arrangements, centerpieces and even a floral arch at the front of entrance of the hall. What better way to welcome your guests than with the sweet fragrance of Mother Nature!

Something Different
If you're game, you can use some truly out-of-the-box ideas like the ones mentioned here, to decorate your reception venue. You can use various antique pieces, like vases, trunks, mirrors, chests, etc. by placing them strategically. They'll make for a very tasteful (and slightly expensive) decoration idea. Candles are also among the most popular decoration ideas for a reception hall. You can place them all around the venue in pretty candelabras or small floating ones in tea light holders in stone basins of colored water. Be very careful while using candles. Ensure that there is enough fire safety equipment at the venue.

Ceiling Decorations
Decorating the ceiling can render a fairytale appeal to your reception party. You can adorn the ceiling with curly glossy ribbons and bows. Colorful balloons hung from the ceiling can fill the atmosphere at the reception with a mood of fun and frivolity.

Lighting Adjustments
You can get the lighting of the reception hall to be arranged in such ways as to set a particular ambiance and influence the mood of the entire venue according to a specific theme. Wire wreaths with tiny bulbs can also be mounted on walls and pillars to add a festive feel to the entire occasion. Trees on the grounds and ornamental plants inside the hall can also be decked up with tiny, multicolored bulbs that go off and on alternately.

Table Decorations
Main Table
The wedding cake is the main attraction of a reception party. So, it's only natural that this table be decorated carefully and tastefully. Use flowers that match the color scheme of your wedding to decorate the table that will hold the cake, to give it an elegant look. You may also want to experiment a bit and use some lights along with the flowers to embellish this table. Don't go over the top though. Keep it simple, yet graceful.

Guest Tables
The other tables at the reception hall can be decorated with miniature versions of the floral arrangement used on the main table to maintain uniformity and grace. Another unique idea to decorate tables at a wedding, is filling small vases with silk or real flowers. Or you can also place candles in holders and place these on flat mirrors. The light of the candles will get reflected in the mirrors and give a surreal look to the tables. You can spread some flower petals around the mirrors if you wish.

Decorating the venue perfectly is one of the most challenging tasks in wedding planning, but only until you don't have ideas for it. Now that you have ideas, just go ahead and plan your dream wedding reception!