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DIY Table SettingsDIY Table Settings are very easy to accomplish and an effective way of reducing your wedding costs. It is an area that more and more brides-to-be are looking at to put their own creative stamp on their wedding. You do not have to be particularly artistic. If short of ideas keep on reading, or click on the following link to buy Melinda Barton’s book with a 100 ideas: 100's of ideas for table settings.
Decisions That Will Effect Your DIY Table Settings: Before getting too carried away you need to make some decisions that will effect how you proceed with the task in hand: - sit down meal, or stand up, e.g. formal with silver service, semi-formal, self-help buffet, roaming butler service with platters, etc. - type of menu, e.g. French gourmet, Chinese, Spit Roast, bring a plate - drinks that will be accompanying the meal - number of guests and age mix - colour and/or wedding theme The Ultimate DIY Table Settings: How far are you prepared to go with DIY ? Will you be hiring a marquee, tables, chairs, etc? Will you be putting down a dance floor? Will you be organizing the tables and placement settings? If so click on the following links for help: - head table seating (wedding reception seating arrangements) - table placement of cutlery, crockery, glasses (wedding table setting) - deciding upon the decorations (wedding decorations) - wedding bonbonieres (wedding favours) - selecting your flowers (wedding flowers) Always remember to clearly illuminate and keep exits clear. If having large numbers of guests erect signposting. On either side of the entrance have copies of the table settings with the tables numbered and corresponding guests names. Different DIY Table Settings: You will require a minimum of one arrangement per table, or per 6 – 8 guests. A more significant arrangement should be placed in front of the bride and groom on their table. If pruning the budget the bride may place her bouquet on the table, (providing its shape lends itself to being placed). You will then have several choices: - floral, fresh or dried (remember a single stem in a bud vase may be just as effective as a horizontal multi flowered arrangement) - floral with candles or tea lights, lanterns - themed, e.g. shells & sand (beach), pine cones & crackers (xmas), fruit & corn dollies (harvest festival), etc. - large glass vases with a single gold fish or sea horses - make place mats from laminated sheet music, a child’s drawings, a design of your own - ornaments, statues, e.g. Buddhas, animals, movie stars, figurines in native costume, cartoon characters, etc. - glitter, glass beads, sparkling shapes, perfumed flower petals - miniature flags, national cloth, e.g. Scottish tartan, national emblems, e.g. red dragon You may need some or all of the following: florists wire, flower vases or baskets (they need not be the same), wire mesh, plastic foam, moss, water-retaining materials, sand, unusual shapes of wood, bamboo, stone, river pebbles, marble, feathers, etc. Just start everyone collecting! DIY Table Settings – Main Centerpiece: Ice sculptures, chocolate fountains, large floral displays, etc. are all costly. You may have some friends in the trade who can help, loan, or guide you with the following: - Miniature water fall - Pond with gold fish and lilies - Statue - Topiary, potted palms - Seasonal fruit arrangement - If on a budget make your wedding cake the centerpiece. A cake knife and stand may be hired. Alternatively, you may wish to provide your own knife and make your own cake stand. For a basic square stand (i) get some builders bricks (the number will depend upon the height and diameter you require), (ii) buy a silver cardboard cake base (available from any supermarket, or dollar store), (iii) a piece of velveteen cloth (sufficient to cover the bricks). Assemble by stacking the bricks (alternate ways), drape the cloth over and place the cake base on top. If using several bricks run some florists wire through to ensure they are secure. DIY Table Settings
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