Candles

Candles can create a romantic mood for a wedding. 

a display consisting of bowls of floating candles (either small plain votives, colorful flower shapes, or other novelty shaped) is a great way to create a quick-and-easy centerpiece that will compliment your theme or tastes. Adding colored petals, small flowers or confetti shapes to the water or table would help add some interest to the centerpiece. a unique candelabra or a set of interesting candlesticks would be a great way to display any shape/size candle.  Decorative candelabras can almost be a decoration on their own - giving you freedom to use votives, tapers, or small floral arrangements.  A collection of pillars/column candles and taper candlesticks on candleholders made from the same color (ie, all black) or same material (ie, all pewter finish) will create a very elegant centerpiece. candles can be used on their own, en masse, or in combination with other decorative materials.  Using a mirror tile under the candle will give an optical illusion of more candles.  A popular garden idea - the 'gazing ball' - surrounded by tiny votives will also give an irresistible feel to the centerpiece.  Floral candle rings, glass marbles/pebbles, other decorative items, all can help showcase the candle, and it's inviting warmth and light.  to decorate your head table or cake table, move your unity candle to the reception site.

Floral Centerpieces

Flowers play a huge role when it comes to a wedding and what better way to dress up you wedding table than with a beautiful floral centerpiece. 

Choose flowers that will compliment or match your wedding bouquets and arrangements, or that will fit in with your own style and preferences -- if you are known to be a "tulip and satin ribbon" kind of girl and are getting married in the early springtime, yet your centerpieces are harvest vegetable cornucopias, then you and your guests will be a little confused once they enter the reception area.
Whether your wedding table is long, short, large or small flowers can be custom made to fit around your whole theme including the size of the tables they will be placed on. 

If you have a rectangular table: a low, long, oval centerpiece arrangement in the center of the table (if you have a short rectangular table) or several low oval centerpiece arrangements if it is a long rectangular table.  You can use small heads of flowers, or petals, sprinkled along the centerline of the table, to help balance the table. a small arrangement (round mound of flowers, square modern presentation, etc) in the center of two opposite facing guests (if your table sits 6 on each long side, place 6 small arrangements along the table)  -  or  -  in the center of a group of four guests (if you table sits 8 on each side, you would need 3 centerpieces).  Again, use small flowers, petals, confetti, votive candles, etc, to help create a more fluid design, connecting each arrangement. a garland could be a great way to decorate a rectangular table.  Simply place it lengthwise down the center of the table, adding in some gentle curves if desired.  Add some votive candles, or other decorative accents if desired. short, tall, short ... patterned placement will add excitement and dimension to any style tables in a reception hall.  Use a small floral arrangement at each end of the rectangular table, and a tall topiary or tall vase arrangement in the center of the table.

If you have round or oval tables: a round arrangement, in proportion with the table size will always be a winner!  Compliment your wedding theme, colors, or even your own personal style and tastes in your flower choices. a small wreath (laid flat, like a candle ring) or large candle ring would be another option to decorate the center of a round table.  You can place other decorative objects in the center of the wreath/candle ring - such as: candles, framed photographs of the happy couple, another smaller flower arrangement (gives the illusion of one very big arrangement, without the price tag!), or even a fishbowl!! smaller candle rings, or small vases with a few flowers can decorate the center of the table.  Be sure to place the same number of arrangements, as there are guests, on the table, to keep it "looking even" and even so they could take them home as favors/gifts.

 

Make it Personal!!!

Adding your personal touch to your reception table centerpieces will never be a bad idea! 

Add your own personal touch by:

making centerpieces from framed photographs of you as a couple, and each of you growing up.  Add a few votives or small flowers/petals to help accent the photographs. display a small photo book with some favorite photos of you both.  Don't forget to include the stories about each photo! print up a small booklet with the story of how you met, the proposal, and a few funny wedding preparation stories, for your friends and family to read while they are waiting for you to arrive at the reception.  Including a short paragraph about each bridesmaid and groomsmen will help those "from the other side of the family" get to know them, and how important they are to you! game on!!  These days you can make photograph puzzles for little-to-nothing and finding a free and easy program to help make a word-find or crossword puzzle using commonly known facts about the happy couple.  Don't forget to award prizes!  These are a fun idea while your guests are waiting, or for young children at the reception.  Your friends and family might even learn something new about you! do you have a trademark hobby, skill or talent?  Is he a Harley Davidson fanatic? Does everyone know about your collection of exotic flavored teas?  Incorporate these aspects of your individual lives into your wedding, the celebration of your life together!   Are you both gifted musically?  If so, centerpieces with sheet music and musical instruments may express your personality and fit with your wedding theme perfectly!

Chocolate

Really, does chocolate need any more explaining other than the terrible embarrassment suffered by all when Aunt Jill and Cousin Anna turn on the DJ's karaoke machine and start singing "Nobody knows the truffles I've seen!"
 

Great chocolate ideas:

individual chocolate dipping sauce for each table - include a plate of dippables.  Chocolate fountains may be a little too expensive for each table, not to mention a little noisy.  You could consider fondue sets - but what reception site had power outlets under each table?  Look at these great tea light candle chocolate fondue sets. a chocolate mountain - individually bag little chocolates and/or other sweets and arrange into a mountainous centerpiece.  Guaranteed to keep your guests happy while they wait! you can easily print your own candy wrappers to fit standard chocolate bars. leading candy companies are now offering customized options - m&m-s with your names, wedding date, or short message! don't forget about chocolate alternatives for those guests who may be allergic, intolerant, or choose to stick with their diet!  Lifesavers with personalized wrappers, conversation heart mints, wedding fortune cookies!

Let them eat Cake!

A great idea that is starting to gain popularity.

A good idea because:

you don't have to juggle two plates (main course, and dessert) on your way back from the buffet line your guests avoid this scenario: after finishing the first course, you weave your way through the seats to the dessert buffet (you had your hands full the first time: chicken kiev and small glass of wedding punch), only to see Aunt Marcie snatch the last apple pie a la mode and prance (yes, prance) back to her table, grinning like the cat that ate the cream. You just *know* it is her second helping.  Too bad for you, you have to take some fruit cocktail, and those orange slices look pretty sad. once the bride and groom have made their first slice in their wedding cake, they can come around to each individual table, visit with the guests, and make the first slice in each of those cakes!  save on table decorations!  You were going to have to order that much cake regardless!

Other wedding table ideas

• Confetti - available in all kinds of shapes, sizes and colors
• Personalized coasters, magnets, coffee mugs, etc
• Wedding cameras,  providing each table with a throw away camera to capture the day
• Personalized flowers or rose petals sprinkled all around the tables

The list just goes on, all you have to remember that the best reception table ideas and centerpieces are the ones that are complimentary to your personal style and to your wedding theme.