Help! Wedding reception decor?

Question

I'm getting married on October 18th. I'm so stressed out that I end up in tears almost daily. There are so many things that are not finished. I haven't picked out a cake and I don't know what to do about reception decor or even ceremony decorations. My parents are paying, but I really don't want to go overboard price-wise, even though they say to just get what I want. I know that they can't just afford anything, but I do want it to look nice.

Here's what I'm working with:

My colors are black white and red. For the ceremony, I'm doing red dresses for the girls, red ties and flowers for the guys, mostly white flowers for the girls and red flowers for me. The reception will be kind of the opposite, with black and white everywhere and red accents.

I've looked at so many pictures of cakes and centerpieces..and nothing seems right. I know that decoration isn't what a wedding is all about, but...I was always told that my parents wouldn't be able to give me a "dream" wedding, and now that has changed. I want it to be beautiful. This will be the first event that is about me (and my husband of course), including birthdays. Long story. I just want it to be gorgeous. I want to find decorations that are "me." I want to love my cake. Please help! Pictures would be greatly helpful.

Answer 1

Hi.  Settle down!!  You have lots done.

Cake:  First of all, have you not gone to a bakery yet?  You should.  Most bakeries will let you come in for a tasting.  See what they have, what you like, what they can do for you, and what will work for your budget!  It's really that easy.  Here are some pictures of black and white wedding cakes.  But, again, it's really up to the bakery.  Also, any reputable bakery will have lots and lots of pictures of wedding cakes that they have done.  You are NOT the first one to want black and white....I'm sure they will have a picture for you.

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=...

For your decor:  First of all, I love the color combinations that you are going with.  I love the red dresses with white flowers and then you (in white I presume), with red flowers.  That will look really nice.  Here are some ideas, but you said, you want decorations that "are me", but none of us know you so we don't know what you want or don't want....you don't say!  But, anyway, here are a few ideas.

For the ceremony decor:  Is this in a church?  If so, just get some vases and put some red roses (or whatever red flowers you are using) on each side of the altar.  Something really simple but elegant.  Leave it at that.  There is no need for anything more.

For the reception decor:  Well, this is a little harder, because again, I don't know if you want flowers or candles or a combination and I don't know what your budget is.

Look at these images.  Again, there is soooo much to choose from:

http://images.google.com/images?gbv=2&nd...

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Hey listen, you need to calm down.  I'm getting married next week and i'm not flipping out at all.  Just choose what you like, we cannot tell you what you like.  My colors are very similar to yours.  My cake is all white with a heart design, 4 tiers.  My dresses are Red and so is my bouquet.  The center pieces I made myself.  I got glass bowls and floating candles and rose pedals to spread on all the tables.  You are letting this get the best of you.  All that really matters is that by the end of the day you are married with the man you love.  Dont stress over every little detail.  Just enjoy this time.  Its supposed to be fun.

Answer 3

Anything can be done with imagination and resourcefulness. You can have a gorgeous wedding without breaking your parents' bank.  Red, black and white can be very elegant, but I can understand getting overwhelmed.  When 'nothing seems right,' I'm sure there's that fine line in deciding what might be a little too dark or just doesn't look appropriate.

I found a pretty nice blog that has a lot of photos of black/red/white themes for weddings.  Maybe it will help! Good luck!

Answer 4

Congratulations!!! Don't get stressed out. Do you know that men don't even care about all this decor? You could skip it all and take the guy and go to Hawaii and get married on the beach, just the 2 of you. Or do a wedding in your back yard. You can order the cake at any bakery. All supermarkets have a bakery these days. Go to COSTCO or VONS and they have experts who know exactly how to make it. At COSTCO you get the cake for less than $20. Since you like red, choose one with red roses on it. In the meanwhile just save money to buy a house, furniture, go on vacation with your guy. Don't waste it on a big, expensive wedding. Your guy wants to see you calm and s**y.  

Answer 5

(I'm sorry that I don't have any links to give you, but I just wanted to say congratulations and don't worry! Things always work out in the end, take a day off from all this stress and just spend it however you want! It sounds like you really just need to take a breather. Imagine, once the wedding is over, you never have to worry about it again!

The other posters are right, take a look at their links, I hope you find what you are looking for. Congratulations again!)

Answer 6

For your centerpieces, just get tall vases and fill with water, then put some beaded garland into the water and let some of the beaded garland spill out over the top and sides of the vase.  You would not believe how beautiful, easy and inexpensive this is!

For your cake, think about using a rhinestone cake crown topper,  They come in different styles and are very unique and elegant.

Now, you can relax and enjoy your wedding.

Answer 7

Hi! I know how you feel! Although I don't have the "dream wedding" budget, but I have more than enough to be set. Personally, I wanted a simple cake. My colors are just various shades of pink and opted for a cream cake with pink bands around the layers (sort of like a ribbon) accented with what looks like little pearls and then a crystal monogram on the top. Candlelight is always a very classy and beautiful addition. You can use various sized ones on the tables in glass holders. I don't know if there is a Hobby Lobby in your area, but they have great stuff and sales (not your typical sales all their regular items go on sale 50% off from week to week. They just alternate departments) Anyway, you can get great stuff there when it is 50% off and not put a huge strain on your parents. I know people are more than likely telling you that "in the end it doesn't matter." But it took me a bit to realize that for myself too. I was in 4 weddings this year as a bridesmaid and I can't even remember all the decorations or what the cakes looked like. Focus on everyone having a good time, including you and your FH. Good Luck and Congratulations!

Answer 8

I was going to get married outdoors in October and was going to have pumpkins for decorations. Small pumpkins with a flower arrangement set inside were going to be the centerpieces I think (my birthday is Halloween and got on of those for my birthday...really cute!). Also, having pumpkins outside and hay bales (I'm from TN, so yeah) :) You might even think about have artificial leaves on the tables or even have leaves for the theme of your cake, maybe a deep red color.

Answer 9

Hi! I'm getting married Oct 18 too, congrats!

First you need to calm down. It helps me when I remember that even if everything went wrong and I didn't get every little detail finished and perfect, the day will go on and at the end of it, I'll be married to my wonderful husband! Keep in mind that most of the things you stress about (especially decor-wise) aren't really remembered by the guests. They'll think back on the colors and overall picture, but that's pretty much it. So please calm down. :)

Next, stop thinking about those millions of pictures you've looked at in magazines and online....think about what YOU want. What represents you and your fiance? Fancy, romantic, laid back, modern, traditional....whatever. Then go from there. Keep it simple when it comes to decor. Too much can be distracting, you just want to enhance your reception. I read that for the ceremony you should focus mostly on the decor at the front where he guests are facing. It makes the most impact. Then for the reception, focus on centerpieces and any decorations at the center of the room. Anything along the edges of the room will get lost.

Next, ask for help. If you're unsure about what cake design to choose, I'm sure your fiance could lend a hand in that department. And for centerpieces, ask your Maid of Honor for her opinion, or your mother, or even your florist.

If you feel you are getting behind in planning, I find it helpful to make a list every week (and then every day as it gets closer) of what needs to be done THAT day/week. When you have a plan, it makes things far less stressful. Best wishes :)

theknot.com has picture galleries that I found helpful, you can search by categories, here is one for Red:

http://weddings.theknot.com/ODB/themes/r...

Black:

http://weddings.theknot.com/ODB/themes/r...

Here is one for centerpieces:

http://weddings.theknot.com/ODB/themes/r...

Ceremony decor:

http://weddings.theknot.com/ODB/themes/r...

Reception decor: http://weddings.theknot.com/ODB/themes/r...

**Don't worry about finding the "perfect" everything, if you see something you like, go for it. Trust your instincts! It will turn out beautiful and cause you less stress. Your guests won't know about the other centerpiece ideas you were torn about, so just make a decision and stick with it.

Answer 10

Gosh I know, wedding planning is soo stressful! I've been through all that myself... totally know what you're going through.

Here are some suggestions i have:

-keep it simple... simple can be very elegant and it is a lot less expensive!

- for tables, try having white table cloths with shorter square black ones draped on top (have it be a shiny material). for the centerpiece try a clear curvy vase with fresh red roses (or a cheaper flower) and then have those small battery-powered candles and stick them in small round vases --- nobody really notices they aren't real candles. Or you could have a clear bowl with water and have floating red candles & a red flower floating in the middle.

-try having the reception outside in a beautiful location. find a friend with a lovely backyard (no cost!) or just find a place you consider beautiful--- its already pretty much decorated!

If it is too cold, you could do it inside...  choose a nice looking place... it can be pretty much anywhere. Search out local places and see what you can find... look for something that has meaning to you. Try to minimize the decor by having it in a gorgeous looking place that has similar colors to your wedding colors.

-drape white veil-like material around the room... it always makes a place look so elegant. at each point you could put red flowers w/ ribbon.

-get one of those arches and string red ribbon around them and decorate with lights

-borrow, borrow, borrow! there are a lot of people who have left over wedding decor. seek out friends who've recently been married and ask if they have anything to spare.

-put pics of you and your spouse in black & white frames on the sign-in table

-for the cake, do it white with black ribbon around each tier  

Answer 11

There are lots of things that you can do for a black, white and red wedding. Don't worry - I can't tell you how many pictures I looked at for centerpieces and the wedding cake. You will find that one picture...and if it's not perfect, don't worry about it to much. I stressed about the centerpieces a lot...when my husband and I were coming home from the reception I turned to him and said, "Oh my gosh! What did the centerpieces look like?" LOL

For the centerpieces you could look into using the black baccara roses. Those are lovely flowers and would look great with the decor. This is what they look like:

http://www.gbpetalpusher.com/flowers/flo...

Here are some ideas for centerpieces:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2041/2202...

http://terrismithphotoblog.com/wp-conten...

http://www.galliettdesignrentals.net/ima...

http://www.galliettdesignrentals.net/ima...

http://www.simplyelegantwed.com/images/D...

http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/blog/ima...

http://www.nycityweddings.com/chat/p/586...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3055/2522...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3243/2522...

Here are a few ideas for the wedding cake:

http://www.debbiebone.co.uk/black%20and%...

http://www.behindthebride.com/wp-content...

http://budgetdreamweddings.com/weddingpl...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2155/1815...

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/178/46922...

http://www.realbuttercream.com/images/ca...

http://www.ouroneheart.com/wp-content/up...

http://www.myrajeanscakes.com/cake%20pic...

http://www.myrajeanscakes.com/redribbonw...

http://www.cateritsimple.com/db1/00085/c...

I hope that this helps! Don't worry - everything will turn out beautiful! Good luck and congrats!

Answer 12

we found that flowers are nice, but they're too costly. we opted for balloons instead. we're having a canopy over the dance floor and centerpieces that only came to $10 per table. our canopy is tulle and with lights will light the dance floor. it was the best money saving thing i did.

Answer 13

Ohh Honey - take a gander at these!

Here is the most beautiful cake - the person who made it tried their best.

http://lemontartlet.files.wordpress.com/...

http://otherbrooksbrother.files.wordpres...

http://www.calgarysun.com/photos/145434....

Answer 14

Oh congratulations, but I was not going to read all of that!