Are you planning a rustic or romantic wedding? Are you looking for simple and chic decorating tips for this special occasion? Would you like a decor that is both trendy and budget-friendly for your tables?
I will help you.
As a wedding florist, I constantly need to come up with new decorations for the couples I’m helping to plan their special day.
In this first article of a series on wedding decor, I’m sharing my tips for creating beautiful table settings for this special occasion.
Before you start thinking about your table settings, first plan the arrangement of your centerpieces and the appearance of any place cards. This will help you create table decorations that match these elements in terms of the plants and accessories used as well as the colors. Also, consider making a decor that won’t interfere with the service staff’s work or disrupt your guests during the meal. Finally, allow enough time before the ceremony to set up your decorations with those who will assist you in preparing for the wedding.
Want to learn more? Keep reading to discover:
- How to Decorate Your Wedding Table
- The mistakes to avoid for a successful table setting
- Plants you can use for this project
- Creative ideas to surprise your guests
What decorative elements should you consider for your wedding table?
Whether you’re just starting to plan the decor for your venue or you’re finalizing the last details, this article will help you figure out how to decorate your tables to create a space that truly represents you for this special occasion and also delights your guests!
A Floral Centerpiece or a Table Runner
This is the essential element to consider. Used on all the tables, this decorative feature will bring cohesion to your entire reception venue.
For the head table, which is where you will dine with your loved ones, you can choose a more lavish and detailed decoration. However, it should still maintain a harmonious connection with the other tables.
But how do you choose between a centerpiece and a table runner? It’s quite simple! Here are some tips that will help you decide what works best:
➡️ The round centerpiece is especially suitable for square or round tables. It leaves space for your guests’ utensils and allows for additional decorations.
➡️ The table runner, whether made solely of greenery or with flowers, is similar to a long centerpiece. It works well on oval or rectangular tables. Depending on the size of this floral arrangement, you will have more or less space to add other items to the table.
Place Cards: Helping Your Guests Find Their Seats
Whether it’s personalized guest gifts 🎁, small wooden easels, or unique little items, place cards will help your guests find their seats at the table and settle in quickly.
Additionally, it’s very likely that your guests will keep them afterward as a memento of that day! That’s why I recommend putting in a little effort for this small detail that will make a difference.
Plate Decoration: Elevate Your Table Setting
Finally, and this is the main focus of this article, to complete your decor, you can decorate your plates. This is usually a subtle embellishment that serves as a reminder of the rest of your floral decoration.
Since this is something simple and quick to set up, you can easily do it yourself or ask your friends and family for help to save some money and customize your arrangement.
👉 To ensure everyone is on the same page, feel free to test your decorations at home first to avoid any surprises. During this trial, take some photographs 📷 that will serve as a reference for those who will help you set up the room for the big day.
You need to plan for as many place settings as there are guests, except for children, who would rather have candy than flowers. I even recommend that, if possible, you prepare a few extra just in case.
What are the criteria to follow for creating your own floral plate decor?
Creating your own plant-based plate decorations is usually quite simple and accessible to everyone.
However, before you dive into this project, you’ll find some professional tips in the following lines that will help ensure your decor is a complete success!
Prioritize Simplicity and Readability
The decorations you create will complement your centerpieces, as well as the other decorative elements you’ve placed in the venue where your wedding meal will take place.
To avoid making everything look too cluttered, I recommend not overloading your plate decorations:
✔️ Make sure that the menu and the place cards are always easy for your guests to read.
✔️ If you opt for a statement flower to place on your plate (like a peony, for example), avoid pairing it with other flowers. Often, a simple branch of greenery will create a stunning effect on its own, without needing anything else to establish an elegant decor for the whole table.
Making Work Easier for Service Staff
Whatever solution you choose, I recommend discussing it with your caterer and the service staff to ensure that your decorations will be compatible with the space taken up by the plates, glasses, and utensils.
It’s also important to ask them what time they plan to set up the tables so that you have enough time to decorate before the ceremony, without feeling rushed or stressed.
Creating Decor That Matches Your Wedding Style
Finally, even if you didn’t create the other floral decorations, I recommend keeping harmony with what has been done for the rest, whether it’s your reception hall, your ceremony venue, or the floral accessories and jewelry that have been made for you.
To do this, choose a flower or foliage that you already have in your other decorations, in the same color tones. This will help create a sense of unity throughout your space, ensuring that your DIY décor blends seamlessly with the rest and actually enhances it!
👍 One last tip? Make sure to choose flowers that match the color of your napkins, as you’ll usually place them on top of the napkins, on the plate. If you’d like, you can create a special fold for the napkin, or simply place it diagonally, or even wrap it around the utensils.
Some Ideas for Creating Your Own Flower Plate Decor
To wrap up this article, here are some ideas that I encourage you to personalize and adapt to your tastes, so you can create a decor that you love and that reflects your personality.
Olive Branch for a Bohemian Wedding
In the decoration of this type of wedding, greenery 🌿 plays a very important role. Indeed, it is the greenery that will provide a natural and rustic tone to your decor. It adds volume and a sense of freedom to the overall design without overwhelming the spaces.
If your wedding follows this trend, I recommend placing a napkin accompanied by a simple sprig of Olive or Eucalyptus on each plate.
👉 The olive tree has the advantage of being less fragrant than eucalyptus, which is why I encourage you to choose this plant if it’s part of your overall floral arrangement.
Lisianthus for a Romantic Wedding
Often mistaken for small roses, the Lisianthus is an elegant and delicate flower that comes in shades ranging from white to purple, including light pink and fuchsia. If you want to place a sprig of Lisianthus on your plates, be sure to remove the large leaves first to maintain a refined appearance.
👉 If you choose this option, there’s no need to order as many stems of Lisianthus as there are guests. Each stem will typically split to give you 3 to 5 smaller sprigs that you can arrange on your plates.
Warm Calla Lilies for a Vintage Wedding Vibe
Are you planning a vintage wedding? If so, I recommend using calla lilies for your decorations to add the elegance that suits your style.
When choosing a color, select it based on the rest of your decor to ensure everything looks cohesive. If you gently warm the stem with your hands, you can slightly bend it to fit the shape of the plate.
👉 Unlike the previously mentioned Lisianthus, plan to order as many stems as there are guests, plus a few extras just in case.
A Mini Bell of Everlasting Roses 🌹
Finally, here’s a unique idea that will surprise your guests and can also serve as a keepsake for them to take home.
In addition to their symbolic value related to the eternity of feelings, these flowers have the undeniable advantage of being able to be ordered in advance, as they do not wilt and maintain their color.
There’s nothing better for staying calm on your wedding day!
👉 If you have a lot of guests, you can reserve this special gift for those seated at the head table. 😉
Does this idea pique your interest? I invite you to visit our online store, where you can explore our mini cloches with eternal roses and many other floral decor ideas for your ceremony!
Now you have all the information and tips you need to decorate your own plates for the ceremony day.
As for me, I’ll be meeting you very soon on the Fleur Union blog for new wedding DIY decor articles!