By Bridget Mora

As beautiful as fresh flowers are to decorate a wedding, they do not fit in with everybody’s taste or budget. There are many elegant and beautiful ways to dress up your reception venue without using cut flowers. These are some wonderful choices for non-floral decorations for wedding receptions.

Candles: The flickering glow of candlelight will add romance to any style of wedding. They are generally quite affordable when compared to flowers, which makes candles an excellent option for the bride on a budget. When decorating with candles, the key is to use them in large numbers to really make a statement. While a couple of votive candles in the middle of a table for ten will not look very impressive, a collection of ten candles in different heights will look marvelous. You can also use one large pillar candle and display it in an interesting holder like a lantern or a hurricane to give it style and size. Candles can be used to decorate entryways, the bar, the cake table, and pretty much any part of the reception, so they are supremely versatile for any wedding.

Balloons: This type of non-floral reception decoration is a bit more controversial. Some people feel that balloons are a fantastic way to add color and fill up a large reception space in a festive way. Others believe that balloons are either too casual or too juvenile for an event where the bride is wearing an elegant bridal gown with gorgeous wedding jewelry. As a rule of thumb, balloons work best for informal or whimsical receptions. They will look more sophisticated if you use chic color palettes such as gray and yellow or jewel tones, rather than primary colors that will call to mind a child’s birthday party. Take a look at Martha Stewart’s website for some ideas on how to use balloons in a wedding-appropriate fashion.

Props: There is a big trend these days of using unique props for wedding decorations. They are fun because they are so different than the standard floral centerpiece. In addition, carefully selecting the props you use will allow you to express your personality and give your reception character. Ideas for cool props include stacks of vintage books, old birdcages, funky little sculptures, and large wicker balls. For areas other than the tabletops, consider bringing in a collection of old mirrors, colorful bunting, or even patterned fabric in cool picture frames. Use props that enhance the overall theme of your wedding, whether your style is a Roaring ’20s bridal gown with vintage wedding jewelry or an ultra modern loft wedding.

Fabric: Gorgeous fabrics can be used to truly transform your wedding venue without flowers. Fabrics are not generally used for centerpieces, so this idea will work best in combination with one of the other non-floral decor ideas. But you can do amazing things with fabrics around the reception site. Drape the ceiling in pink organza to cast a flattering romantic glow over the entire space. Hide ugly columns with elegant curtains. Decorate the front of the bar with a swag of material in your wedding colors. Because fabric effects are done on a large dramatic scale, you will only need a minimum of additional decorations to complete your reception decor.

Flowers certainly have their place in a wedding, but by no means should a bride feel like they are her only option. Non-floral decorations can be every bit as beautiful, and they can also be less expensive and more creative. Ultimately, the choice is yours.

Ask Bridget for advice in areas of wedding jewelry or wedding planning. She writes numerous articles providing information for the customers of http://silverlandjewelry.com/. Sign up for our free newsletter to see more of Bridget’s articles about weddings, get special offers for subscribers, and much more!

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