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Picnic Table Decor

We are getting married at the 2011 Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival August 27, 2011. We are excited to hold both our wedding and our reception there. We don't have to worry about decorating the quaint chapel, but we do need to decorate for the reception.

The reception will be held outside in their reception area. The area will be covered by a pavillion. The tables will be picnic tables. They decorate the head table for us using multicolored materials. That leaves me needing to decorate about 9 tables. 7 for our guests to be seated at and 1 for gifts and 1 for the guest book, etc.

What is the normal size for a picnic table? Does anyone have any decor ideas? We are needing ideas for those on a "small budget"!

Thanks,

Andria

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Permalink Reply by Simple and Chic Events on November 14, 2010 at 2:29pm

There are several ways to decorate the tables, but I would need some additional information. I understand it is at a Renaissance Festival, will you be using that theme for your wedding? What colors/materials are they using for the head table?

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Permalink Reply by Andria Foster on November 14, 2010 at 2:42pm

I am using the theme for my wedding. We will all be in Renaissance costumes.

I am not sure on the colors or materials for the head table. It is multicolored. I can changed that too. I don't have to use their decor for the head table.

The colors I am using in my wedding are Ivory, light blue, gold accents, black and brown.

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Permalink Reply by Simple and Chic Events on November 14, 2010 at 2:55pm

I have had a few brides that are on a budget and what comes to mind when I think about your tables would be to use a light blue linen for the picnic tables and an inexpensive way to decorate them would be to go to your local nursery/gardening center. They have the small potted plants (begonia's i think), that are usually used for ground cover and are quite inexpensive. You can use white flowers to line the length of the table as a runner. You can bind them together with a black ribbon and you have an inexpensive elegant table runner. You can also use votives on either side of the runner. The votives would also look nice on the cake and guest book table.

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Permalink Reply by Andria Foster on November 14, 2010 at 2:58pm

I guess I should state that my wedding is during the day. I was thinking that candles wouldn't exactly work. The ceremony is at noon and the reception follows the ceremony. I wasn't sure about purchasing linens. It is a casual ceremony.

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Permalink Reply by Simple and Chic Events on November 14, 2010 at 3:16pm

In that case, why don't you add a personal touch to your reception and frame pictures of you and your fiance and use those as centerpieces on the tables. If you would like to add some small flowers that would be nice and you won't have to use any linens, it would a nice intimate reception.

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Permalink Reply by Andria Foster on November 14, 2010 at 3:27pm

I like that idea. We would need to have photos taken, if he would go for that. He isn't one to allow his photo to be taken.

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Permalink Reply by Simple and Chic Events on November 14, 2010 at 3:40pm

If he doesn't want any new ones, I am sure that you have some you have taken over the course of your relationship and you can just use those. Send me some pics...I would love to see how it turns out! How is the whole planning process going?

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Permalink Reply by Andria Foster on November 14, 2010 at 3:45pm

We only have a few photos of us together. We are both not photo people.

The planning is going pretty well. The ceremony and the reception are at the same venue, which cuts down on planning. We can only decorate the reception area and no outside foot or entertainment (which aren't needed).

I have my dress. The junior bridesmaides (our daughters) have their dresses and the groom has his outfit. My sister is my Matron of honor and is trying to get pregnant, so she will be last min.

I do believe I have my headpiece figured out and will be purchasing it from a lady on www.etsy.com.

I am still trying to figure out my shoes, favors, reception decorations, jewelry, flowers, etc.

Here is a link to the festival. They have a place that states a little about weddings held there.
http://www.pgh-renfest.com/

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Permalink Reply by Simple and Chic Events on November 14, 2010 at 3:51pm

It sounds like you are in a good place! If you don't have any photos of the two of you, since you have children you can incorporate them and use photos of them as well. The good new is that you have a little bit of time on your hands to figure out the remaining details. How many guests are you expecting?

Permalink Reply by Andria Foster on November 15, 2010 at 3:35am

I do have some time, which is great. I don't want to have everything to do at the last minute. I am expecting about 50 people.

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Permalink Reply by Rachel Corrine on November 15, 2010 at 4:47am

You can get really inexpensive glass jars and vases and fill them with organic materials. Be sure yo use different shapes and sizes and vary your materials but keep the colors consistent. You can use sand, stones, sea shells, nuts, and greenery. Its an eco-chic way to decorate!

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Permalink Reply by Andria Foster on November 15, 2010 at 5:04am

Ohhhh...I do like that idea. I like the organic ideas.

I was thinkin of things like curvy willow branches, etc.

Would you fill each jar with a single material? Or mix them up?

Do you have any examples?