Wedding reception at my home...?

Question

I need some unique ideas for decorations for an outdoor reception in my back yard. It will be held in the evening, and it is just a small group of people, approximately 45-50. This is for my daughters wedding.

Answer 1

I once attended an evening rehearsal dinner outside. The tent was decorated with Chinese lanterns and bamboo plants as centerpieces... it was beautiful. i'm not sure where you are, but many cities have a "china town" where you can get authentic asian decorations, such as fans, paper dragons, and lanterns.

Answer 2

Sounds like a really lovely opportunity to create a special atmosphere for your daughter and her husband-to-be. It's worthwhile to rent the tables, chairs and linens; you'll have a better opportunity to coordinate everything. If you have lots of trees in your backyard, string them full of white holiday lights. They'll look like starlight when the sun goes down. You can always get decorative lanterns in the bridal colors and hang them as accent pieces amongst the trees or as table centerpieces. Fresh flowers and tealights make a simple centerpiece that accentuate the natural surroundings. Go to a nursery and pick up some colorful annuals to put in pots or to fill your flower beds for natural decor. They're instant color, and you can pick hues that will accent the bride's colors. Depending on what the theme of the wedding is, bring indoor furniture outside to create an interesting sitting area for guests. Or decorate outdoor patio furniture with plush pillows and cushions so guests feel like they're in an outdoor lounge under the stars. You can get outdoor speakers to broadcast music from an indoor stereo, to help enhance the experience. One thing to keep in mind -- consider renting a clear tent that could cover all the guests in case of rain. Even if it's in the summer and no rain was predicted, it's worth the expense of the rental knowing you have a Plan B.

Answer 3

If you are doing it under a tent you can string lights across the top for some nice lighting. You could also do what I love and have paper lanterns hanging down in the wedding colors. You can get those pretty cheap at lunabazaar.com or just do a search.

I say keep it casual with long tables covered by a simple white or colored table cover. For your centerpieces you can do some tall and short candles down the middle. You could also rent those nice wooden chairs, with those you don't have to worry about chair covers.

Other centerpiece ideas are some old glass jars filled with flowers or be used as candle holders. You could even do some flower pots and buy some flowers to just slide into them.

Hopefully, that helps a little. I'm better when it comes to themes and color schemes apparently!

Answer 4

small twinkle lights (found in your christmas box!) look absolutely beautiful at night all tangled in the trees. Firefly jars would be a beautiful addition as well: http://www.notmartha.org/tomake/homemadesunjar and if you have enough $$ you could make enough and put a tag thanking each guest for attending and let them take it home. Having large tubs filled with ice and beverages looks really cute and is nice for thirsty guests to be able to grab during a warm evening. Having some speakers under the porch or hidden among rocks with some nice music playing really sets the mood. Another cute idea would be to have ornaments with the couples picture and love quotes and poems hanging from the trees and all around. Go outside this evening and sit down and think of all the things you could do to make it a beautiful memorable evening....I bet people will be talking about it for years to come!!

Answer 5

Great idea...buy some paper lanterns and put sand in them with candles to line up around the area...I guess this will work if its evening reception. Also on www.orientaltrading.com they have some paper lantern balls that you can purchase to hang from your trees and such to make it look awesome. If its going to be around a holiday try to throw a little theme in it. For example October...Pumpkins carved out and lit up...I would also do a search under outside wedding decorations. You will be able to find tons of ideas. An arch all lite up with white lights...have fun with it!

Answer 6

Hang white christmas lights or use alot of candles. This will be beautiful at night. Also if she is having some type of theme you can try to incorporate that into the decorations. Give out sparklers as a favor. Also very fun at night. hmm. I think that is all I got for right now. Good luck.

Answer 7

Try to get a nice gazebo from Lowes or Home Depot. Sister-in-law got married in the backyard and they got a nice one with rod iron and fabric top for $200. They used tall glass vases with long stemmed flowers to dress it up a bit since most of the yeard was brown fencing and 1/2 dead grass.

Answer 8

White lights on tree's are so simple and pretty.
Candles - lots of candles
and flowers - do wonderful center pieces -

Otherwise if you have it catered they will deal with the dishes/silver and glasses.

Bambo dinner wear is lots of fun, good for the earth and the 'new' thing at formal back yard festivities.

Answer 9

My husband and I had our reception in our back yard. If you string lights around a canopy and have floating candles on all your tables it will give enough lite but yet it will keep the atmosphere your looking for.

Answer 10

How about a Luau theme? There should be a lot of stuff out since its summer and people decorate for cookouts. Good luck & Congrats!