Pictures of Simple and Elegant Wedding Decorations

Whether your historic wedding venue won't let you bring in a big installation, or you just want to keep the décor to a minimum, we have 15 totally doable ideas to turn your reception space into a celebration that's all you.

1.Drape the Ceilings

Pictures of Simple and Elegant Wedding Decorations

It's amazing what a little fabric can do. Keep it formal and elegant with white fabric, or if you're after a fun vibe, opt for a bright color like yellow. Bonus: Take this approach and you can go light on the table décor and still get the same decked-out reception look.

2.Pick Up Patterned Pillows

Pictures of Simple and Elegant Wedding Decorations

f you have a lounge area in your reception space (or made one with some rental furniture), get yourselves to a housewares department for some pillows. Find them on sale (IKEA-style) and cover them with your favorite patterned fabric for a few low-maintenance pops of festive color and pattern.

3.Create an Escort Card Display

Pictures of Simple and Elegant Wedding Decorations

Instead of the old escort card table idea, create a bulletin board of seating assignments and display it near the entrance of the reception space. Bonus: You won't have guests squinting at tiny tented cards, trying to decipher their table number.

4. Hang Your Flowers

Pictures of Simple and Elegant Wedding Decorations

Think flowers are just for your tables? Think again. Suspending lush arrangements a few feet above your guests' dinner plates is a fun way to create a more intimate space. (This tip is especially handy if you're not so fond of your venue's carpeting—just keep people looking up!)

5. Make Chalkboard Signage

Pictures of Simple and Elegant Wedding Decorations

Chalkboards in a photo booth are pure fun—but they're also a great way to decorate an entrance or jazz up the cocktail bar. Personalize it by thrifting an old frame and spray-painting it to match the rest of your décor. Drape with greenery or a flower garland and chalk away!

6. Use Table Lamps

Pictures of Simple and Elegant Wedding Decorations

Create height on those tables using table lamps. Tip: You can skip flowers altogether if you want, but surrounding the lamps with flowers or greenery is an easy way to hide cords.

7. Add a Sprig of Herbs

Pictures of Simple and Elegant Wedding Decorations

Just because you're having a formal wedding doesn't mean you can't have a little fun with your décor. Add herbs like rosemary or lavender for a fragrant touch on the place settings.

8. Rent Colored Glassware

Pictures of Simple and Elegant Wedding Decorations

Instead of pouring your entire reception décor budget into the centerpieces, consider using part of that budget to rent extras like colored glassware—it'll make your tables pop in an instant.

9.Order Calligraphed Menus

Pictures of Simple and Elegant Wedding Decorations

Rather than printing out your escort cards and menus, take the design one step further with calligraphy. There are different scripts for every type of affair, like traditional copperplate for black tie formal or something more free-hand for farm-to-table chic. Your budget doesn't allow for 200 professionally calligraphed place cards? Invest in young talent—post the job in your local college's art department and test out a few students for the job.

10. Use a Table Runner That Pops

Pictures of Simple and Elegant Wedding Decorations

Look for modern table décor inspiration, like this patterned table runner. Rather than having several big floral centerpieces, space them out in smaller bud vases to span the length of the runner (and show off the pattern). This colorful detail will make your rental china pop.

11. Reshape Your Table Numbers

Pictures of Simple and Elegant Wedding Decorations

Want something original for your table labels? Think about number presentation. Display your table numbers or names on unique vessels like wine bottles, lanterns, moss topiaries or festive pennant flags.

12.Make a Family Photo Wall

Pictures of Simple and Elegant Wedding Decorations

For an easy conversation starter, create a wall of family wedding photos. Devote a row to his family, one to yours or just mix them all up. Alternative idea: Showcase your (new!) family tree.

13. Hang (a Ton of) Paper Lanterns

Pictures of Simple and Elegant Wedding Decorations

We know—paper lanterns are nothing new. But multiply the number of lanterns you usually see hanging in a reception space by 100 and it's a totally different story.

14.Mood Lighting En Masse

Pictures of Simple and Elegant Wedding Decorations

When paired with some dramatic uplighting and luxe fabrics, the addition of tall taper candles turns your space into a magnificent scene of dancing lights.

15.Photo Backdrops

Pictures of Simple and Elegant Wedding Decorations

Create a stunning focal point that doubles as a photo backdrop. Layers of different colors and shapes give guests different elements to marvel at. Think about materials that are easily customizable like tissue paper tassles, balloons, garlands of greenery or paper flowers.