How Do I Use Gold and Bronze In Decorating My Wedding?

Question from Andrea:

How do I combine white, gold and bronze as a wedding theme for the decorations and for the table decors?

Answer from Beach Wedding Expert Angela:

Hi Andrea, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding.  There are many ways to decorate using these colours.  Let’s explore your options.

White tablecloths, white napkins, white chair covers creates a classic elegant base from which to decorate.  Now you start to add colour.  Pick one colour–gold or bronze, and dress the table with a table square or runner in that colour.  Your centrepiece will then be the next place you want to add colour.  You can add the same colour, or the other colour you are using.  For example, if you used a bronze lace table square, you might choose a centrepiece of gold foil covered rum balls or chocolate balls, and make a tower of them as a centrepiece, or fill a tall vase with them.  They can then be served to your guests as a sweet throughout the evening.  Or, just fill the tall vase with gold foil covered ping pong balls.  A few taper candles will add sparkle to the centrepiece, and create a warmth to the overall look of your decor.  A wedding party favor in your wedding colours will complete the table.  Have you seen the bronze elegance collection?  It will give you ideas on how to use bronze in your decorations.  These table top accessories might give you some other ideas.

Every room that is decorated needs a focal point.  The most logical focal point is the head table.  You need some height to create a dramatic look.  Your reception site might have some backdrops available or can tell you where to rent them.  There are many types, sizes, and styles.  I like the window style as it allows you to use lighting behind it to create a warm glow at the head of the room.  You can put a few tall flower stands (also available to rent) with flowers in your wedding colours to add interest, if you so desire.

Then there is the head table itself.  Whatever you have chosen for the guest tables, you want to do it grander at the head table.  The table should have table skirting and draping in your wedding colour(s).   Table squares or runners can also be used.  Consider lighting under the table so it echos the glow behind the backdrop.

Everyone thinks that to make the room look elegant they need to buy a lot of stuff to decorate.  Flowers and candles are still classic and beautiful.  Candleabra’s come in many different styles and sizes, and you might want a couple for behind the head table (instead of the flower stands), or you can have table sized ones.

What you really need is a focal point for the guest tables—your centrepiece.  By keeping things simple with white-on-white, any colour you add will create pop and a wow factor.  You need a focal point for the room—your head table.  Lighting is a great way to accent any design or decor element, and ‘uplights’ can be purchased for around $10, and later used in your home to illuminate a dark corner.

You can also create bows in your wedding colours to add to the backs of the chairs.  I have also seen strips of thin, net fabric in the wedding colours wrapped around the chair back, and a bow tied.  Simple and beautiful.

These ideas should make it easy for you to plan the decorations.  The cake table’s focal point is the cake, so a simple tablecloth will suffice.  Your guest book table’s focal point is the guest book and card holder, and a simple runner or table square in your wedding colours will accent it nicely.  If you want to do more, add flowers or candles, or the same centrepiece that you will be using on the guest tables.

Remember whatever decorations go up, must come down, and someone needs to do that.  Sometimes couples will hire a wedding planner for a decorating package only, so they don’t have to deal with it themselves.

Good luck and if you have further questions, feel free to ask.

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