People often overlook the power of event decor – we don’t get it at all! Creating an absolutely wonderful space with atmosphere to spare can contribute to the overall feeling of joy and happiness at a reception. It is definitely one of the things that most people remember when they remember a wedding!
Especially when it comes to planning luxury events, you want to spend time on decor. However, don’t approach this task on purpose. Every choice has to make sense in the big picture. The individual dangling paper lanterns, tea lights and bundles of baby’s breath that decorate the perimeter of the venue are all nice and neat. But when piled high with a pop-of-color from a few romantic roses, the centerpiece gives purpose to the rest of the decor. Centerpieces can really pull everything together.
There is nothing worse than walking into a reception space that feels empty or under-decorated. Mixing short and tall centerpieces helps make a space feel alive and full.
For tall centerpieces, the extra height helps make the room more elegant and the ceiling looks higher. Just be sure to use them correctly – you don’t want to block your guests’ line of sight! To combat this, place tall centerpieces on tables with less traffic such as a gift or buffet table. Conversely, short centerpieces are great for accommodating conversation between guests.
Some customers are hesitant to use tall centerpieces. If your client decides to remove the long ones, you will need to adjust your decor accordingly. You don’t want the space to feel dull! Instead, you could switch to hanging some of the interior. Think chandeliers, draped bedding or maybe even twinkling lights!
DON’T: Forget the shape of the table
Knowing that the shape of a table is everything is what separates you from the amateurs! You may have remembered learning all about the pros and cons of different table shapes in your event and wedding planning courses. If you don’t, well, you might want to pay extra attention to what we’re about to say!
When designing centerpieces, consider the shape of the tables in the venue. The most common shapes you will come across are round, square and rectangular. Each form will have its own considerations:
Round: This table fits a single centerpiece. You can definitely use tall centerpieces as the circular shape makes it easier for the other guests to see around.
Square: Square tables have more space in the middle than other shapes. Design a more substantial arrangement to fill this space and keep the center of the table from looking sparse.
Rectangular: A single centerpiece on a rectangular table can look quite lonely. Aim for multiple centerpieces (ie, larger centerpiece with smaller arrangements at each end). Keep them narrow to avoid crowding the table. You must leave space for location settings!