Cool Table Decorations

25 Ideas for Table Names!

Table numbers are boring! Picking a genre of table names based on a couple's passions is where its at. Or even just something silly. Here are 25 ideas for table names, plus what I am highly considering doing:

25 Table Name Ideas

1. Classical composers


2. Wine varities


3. Wonders of the World


4. Impressionist painters


5. James Bond movies


6. Gemstones


7. Colors


8. Explorers


9. Scenic highways


10. Mountain peaks


11. Greek islands (or honeymoon-type theme!)


12. Vegetables


13. Herbs


14. Seashells


15. Constellations


16. Elements of the period table (love it!!)


17. Mythical creatures


18. Romantic words in a different language


19. Types of birds


20. Cities visited together or individually


21. Songs


22. Hobbies


23. Fancy Cheeses


24. Venue-inspired words


25. Types of flowers

Pros and Cons of numbering Tables

Pro: easy to navigate the room, quick finding of seat

Con: Who wants to sit at Table 9? (Wedding Singer reference!)

Number-related option: If I went with numbers I would want to put a corresponding picture of Jon and I at that age at the table. Then guests could wander around and check out the pictures, making it interactive!

What I want to do!

So Jon and I are really into hiking, so I am considering of using the names of all the hikes we've done. Granted... I need to go on a lot more hikes between now and next June, but I would use names such as "Humpback Rocks," "Crabtree Falls," "Old Rag," etc. I would probably order them alphabetically to help with finding the tables, or maybe I'll make a seating chart on a big chalk board or get a poster printed, or something of the sort. Apologies in advance for whoever is at the Old Rag table. Hah. Also I would put a picture of Jon and I at each peak at the corresponding table.

Music makes me lose control

SO I think this has got to be my biggest dilemma right now... DJ or Live band?? 

I always thought I would go with DJ, but last Saturday I went to the KD Spring Formal and they had a live band and the energy was flowing through the room. And it would also be better for older guests who wouldn't want to jive to JT. And there are so many options with bands, the one KD hired was composed of 5 very distinct individuals, whom together sounded fantastic, but when a member needed a break they would split into smaller groups of 2 or 3 players and become a whole new band. I found it very interesting. And of course they played contemporary songs too. I need to figure out the relative costs of both though!

If you've seen The Hangover (who hasn't?!) then you've seen this scene. Seriously considering this guy (not but it's hilarious!).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3Tz5M_gM9I

Exciting Send Offs

In every wedding, a bride gets two send offs. One as she walks down the aisle with the groom, and again when she leaves at night. Considering I am getting wed at a historical site, I'm sure there are restrictions. Rice is the traditional throw, but I want something a bit more, interesting. Plus I don't think Oatlands wants a bunch of rice in their gardens. Here is a list of alternatives I have come up with!

Lavender

Natural, sweet, good for a country wedding!

Rose Petals

Very romantic and sweet - epitome of love.

Bubbles

Enchanting and safe for the environment!

Sparklers

Fun, good for night.

I think I'll use these for my send-off on the way to the hotel!

Outdoor Summer Weddings 101

Since I am having a summer wedding, there are a lot of little things I can do to make guests more comfortable and to ensure no mishaps. Of course this includes fans for under the tent, plenty of fresh water... but what about those subtle details that often go overlooked but can make all the difference? Below are some interesting ways to guarantee a perfect outdoor wedding!

1. Wedding Program Fans

Easy. Cute. Simple. I prefer an actual fan as opposed to multiple sheets that fan out about an eyelit. That way it saves money on printing and won't rip apart, etc. I could either set them on each chair or put them in a wicker basket at the entrance to the wedding seating. Also I might consider getting some paper parisols (think the colorful oriental kind??) to have on hand for older guests who might have trouble with the heat.

2. Personalized Mini Water Bottles

Just so adorable. A must have!!

3. Citronella Torches

Practical and pretty - I will have to see if Oatlands will let me have them around the tent and gardens.

4. Bridesmaid Dress Weights

Easy to stitch in and remove, these will prevent bridesmaid dresses from blowing in the wind, keeping them picture perfect!

5. Fresh Fruit Centerpieces

While I personally don't see myself using all fruit center pieces like below, this is a good way to cut flower costs while representing the season!

 

Cu-etsy finds!

I am really diggin some of the unique handmade finds on etsy.com -- I definitely plan on utilizing this website for vintage accents. Here are a few interesting pieces I saw:

Seating assignments - with a twist!

An interesting idea--using personalized fortune cookie messages to direct guests to their table (that is--if I end up doing an asian flair? Or it could just be cute?). Fancy Fortune Cookies has an amazing assortment of treats ranging from cappuccino to mint to banana to black raspberry flavored. And they are really fun colors too--which would be perfect and easy to match to a wedding. They also, of course, do chocolate covered and sprinkled versions as well. But how cool would that be--finding your name card, opening the fortune cookie and seeing "Table 5" (I am also thinking of giving my tables distinct names, depending on the theme). YUM. Could be cool with the Maymont Japanese Garden! ...if only I could have multiple weddings with different themes!

Wedding Dress Chic: The short dress

While the traditional long dress can never be trumped, I am really into the newer short styles that thousands of brides are swapping as their reception wear. Much easier to dance in, the short dress is an obvious choice. Plus you get to pick TWO wedding dresses! My dream outfit is in the current issue of InStyle Weddings donned by the lovely Jaime Pressly... a sweet style, perhaps with an oversized bow (or detail not seen in the actual dress) with one of those cutesy little face veils (I'm definitely going with a long veil for the wedding - so romantic). I feel like I can't represent all the different facets of my personality in just one dress, so with the shorter reception dress I can show off another side, a more cutesy youthful style. I'll try to scan in that picture later!