While I was planning my daughter's wedding, I looked for ways to decorate without 'breaking the bank'. Let me just get this out of the way - I LOVE FRESH FLOWERS ! However, if you're looking to save money, 'silk' is the way to go. They can be used many times over, they aren't wilted by the end of the function so can be used as gifts to help commemorate the day. I also used potted plants as decorations and gave them to family members as remembrances.
If you're in charge of decorating for a function, having a 'stash' of silk flowers can be a real money saver. After my daughter's wedding I was asked to decorate for a banquet 'just like your daughter's reception". What a money saver it was to have most of those decorations and flowers still available to me. I only had to purchase new table coverings, candles and since this was a silver anniversary party, I purchased silver bud vases
This fall (Oct.) we had a dinner at our church. The woman in charge of decorating told me later, "I love decorations you can eat !" She used wicker baskets filled with grapes and a small round loaf of bread (Communion-like), glass lanterns with pumpkin colored votives and silk fall leaves strewn on orange table coverings. (The leaves were something we've had in our 'stash' for several years) The buffet table centerpiece was a pottery communion dish and cup set amongst silk leaves and grapes and candles. There was a large but simple grapevine fall decorated wreath on the wall. It was beautiful ! Simple, easy, gorgeous and tasty!
I've listed a few suggestions that you might find useful in your decorating adventures:
Need vases for tables but don't want to figure out what to do with 20 matching vases when the party's over?
What about using a variety of teacups and saucers filled with flowers.Need to stick to one color? How about white 'milk glass' vases of varying shapes and sizes - your local thrift store always has those!Know someone who collects bottles? Check out the 'vases' I used for my daughter's wedding - her husbands collection of blue bottles!What about using baby bottles as vases for a baby shower? Then give them to the mom-to-be. (You might want to weight them inside with something)Here are a few ideas to use to jazz up a simple votive candle holder:
Use these things to sprinkle around the candle inside a clear votive holder:Little cinnamon candliesCandy covered chocolate candies (you know the ones I'm talking about) Washed pebbles for an organic lookAcorns or little pine cones for an outdoor feel.Sea shellsButtons or colored beads - for a craft banquetNuts, bolts and wing nuts - for a men's dinnerHaving a back to nature theme? How about bird seed?Winter theme? What about artificial snow?Concentrate on quantity not quality for these - let's face it - they're going to get wax drippings on them if you light the votives - you've have to discard them.
Be creative - but remember, if there are going to be children around - safety first ! Always practice good candle safety !
Need creative table covers ? We all know about the plastic table cloths and the 'table cloths on a roll'. They're plentiful, easy to find and economical. But what about using something different?
Rolls of brown craft paper can be used for fall and autumn themes, back to school themes, western themes, etc.Bargain fabric can be used and re-used as long as stains aren't present. If they do happen to get stained, just cut the pieces up and use them as table runners or cut squares, lay them diagonally in the center of the table. Let your imagination run !Centerpieces are another area where creativity can go wild.
Use hollowed out pumpkins as vases, (keep the insides for baking!)I come from grape country where grape vines are plentiful. Lay a wreath in the middle of the table with a candle and hurricane cover in the center.'Diaper' a round bowl vase with a small disposable diaper (new please !) and fill with silk flowers for a baby shower..For a sports theme, how about taking freshly laundered canvas tennis shoes and filling with silk flowers? These are just a few suggestions - I'll add more as I think of them or as I get suggestions from you. Email me with your ideas !
