There are so many threads that come together to create the perfect event experience – from the venue, caterer, planning team, sign art, lighting, and of course florals! With years of event experience, the design team at Leigh Florist has created a helpful guide for planning your perfect reception. Remember, the reception is where your guests gather and celebrate, so let’s make the most of it!

It’s all about creating a welcoming atmosphere and visual flow for the ultimate guest experience. Elevate the entrance or room focal areas with fresh florals, and details to soften your space. Consider the scale of the space and being mindful of how you fill it will make a huge difference.

Make a Statement

Signage that welcomes your loved ones into the reception area does not have to be boring – dress up your welcome statement with flowers. Most signs are made of hard materials like wood, metal, or plexiglass, and adding a simple touch of greenery and flowers to a sign can be just enough to create a finished detail.

Accent your guest book table with a simple bud vase, naturally trailing greenery on a seating chart, a lush vase for an escort card table, or flowers to highlight your cocktail menu. Every table, from the escort card table to the bar to the buffet, is an opportunity for some beautiful details and decor.

Centerpieces

The table top centerpiece design is an important feature in the guest experience, and the possibilities are endless for creative styling. Whether you are opting for elegant, tall, low lush arrangements, or a collection of candles. Once you choose your style and materials you can mix and match designs to add dimension, fresh texture, and illumination to the event experience.

Ask the design team for suggestions that are in alignment with your event style, venue, and overall vision. Vessels and candle holders further help layer and style, bringing your tablescape to life.

Highlighting your venue

It’s about creating the “Moments”, highlighting key areas, and creating photo opportunities. Think back drops, lounge areas, hanging arrangements, making a statement wall, and more! 

Layered flowers, draping greenery, and decorative garlands make your venue’s staircase even grander. Adding illumination, ethereal mantles, or focal installations create a wow factor in the reception space.

Illuminate with candles

Illumination is an easily overlooked but invaluable aspect to create a mood for the event. These days there are endless options for illumination to fit within your style – tall candelabras, mini votives, floating, or pillar candles, lanterns, delicate fairy lights, and even flameless LED candles. There are lots of ways to add a romantic glow to your reception space.  

Table Details

Styling is about adding layers. Adding varied candles can help provide balance to the tablescape. Decide if traditional clean lines, vintage, or an eclectic mix is best for your style. From metallic, clay, geodes, vintage, books, or geometric accents to your reception tables, the opportunities for creating your unique style are endless.

Napkin Treatment

Welcome guests to their seats with special details, like a fragrant herb, a wildflower, a shell, a sweet sprig of rosemary, or greenery makes for an honored experience.

Linens and textiles

Don’t be afraid to choose texture or color when it comes to linens. You’d be surprised just how the simple choice of linens can add depth, create a mood, and elevate a space – with little to no effort. Dark navy linens, for example, look amazing with white or colorful floral accents to provide a pop of color. If you’re going for classic white, consider bringing the table to life with a complimentary-colored napkin. While runners for long tables add drape, texture, and interest to the tablescape.

Sweetheart table

The first meal together as a married couple is a special moment, and it is one of the essentials of the reception where a romantic, soft tablescape is important. You can place a lush arrangement to frame and drape, have delicate greenery garlands styled with loose blooms for a simple look, frame the table with floor arrangements and illumination, or even repurpose the ceremony florals to style the table.

If you are looking for design suggestions, consider looking at our Pinterest for more inspiration

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