Reception flowers

There are flowers to suit every taste and every reception venue; you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to colours and fragrances. Whatever mood you want to create, there is a bloom for you.

What you need

If you want to play by the rules, you will need these floral arrangements:

• At the entrance of the venue
• On the head table
• On guest tables
• On the cake table
• On buffet tables

Anything more is your call; you can choose to brighten up corner stands, marquee poles and walls, and the back of chairs as well. Bouquets can also hide unattractive areas and block unused doorways.

Tips for making the most of your reception flowers

Add colour

A great way to add colour to your table decorations is to group your guests according to flower type and colour. For example, you might decide that table number one is the yellow tulip table, where the table arrangement is a box of yellow tulips and the napkins, serviette rings and chair flowers are in matching hues. Similarly, table number two could be the lavender table, table three could be the pink gerbera table, table four could be the red rose table and so on – you get the idea.

Add some light

Candelabras are a wonderful way to adorn your reception tables and achieve a soft ambience. Tall, ornate candelabras look superb when draped with flowers and foliage. Wrought iron candelabras look pretty with flowers wound around the stem and base. If you’re using thick candles, you might like to consider wrapping small floral garlands around the base of the candle.

Beautify your seating

A great way to decorate your venue is to personalise every chair back with a floral arrangement. This works particularly well if you are hiring chairs with fabric covers that tie at the back, leaving the perfect space to place a small spray of flowers. Just make sure these embellishments are comfortable to sit on and won’t catch your dress or poke into your back.

Flowers are a great gift

There are many great flower bombonniere ideas that will impress your guests. Tiny terracotta pots with a single flower are always a good idea – they look great on reception tables plus they are very popular with guests. Or you might like to consider putting a small posy of natural stemmed flowers into each guest’s napkin ring. Your imagination is the limit!

Recycle your ceremony flowers

If you have freestanding arrangements at your ceremony, don’t forget to take them to your reception venue so they can be admired twice over. Your reception arrangements can also double as gifts; wrap them up after the reception and offer them to those special guests who are close to your heart. It’s a great way to thank a helpful mum or the bridesmaids, for instance.

One last note - Keep size in mind

Tall table arrangements might look spectacular in your grand reception hall, but there are a few things to keep in mind when deciding on the height of your blooms. Remember that table flowers should not stop your Grandpa James from chatting away with his neighbours – to keep the table laughing, make sure the blooms stand above heads or low enough for guests to see over them.
Short table centres may get lost in a grand reception venue so discuss with your florist the layout of the venue and even take them for a visit, so they can advise what is best.