Rhiannon Hendricks
Planning a wedding reception at a pub? There are plenty of ways to decorate the venue to make it feel special. From tabletop decor and centrepieces to bold colours and personalised signage, you can make your wedding reception unique. If you're looking for a relaxed and laid-back wedding, a pub is a great choice, and you can put your stamp on the day with decorations, entertainment, and a unique ceremony. Many pubs offer specialist wedding services, and you can work with the existing decor to create a fun and beautiful atmosphere.
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Centrepieces and table decor
One option is to keep it simple and elegant, especially if the pub already has a lot of character. Nina, a wedding coordinator, suggests that "all it needs is candles, foliage and simple flowers". You could also add some table numbers, place settings, and flower vases to the tables. If you're looking for something more colourful, pick one or two colours and use them throughout the space. For example, you could have matching coloured tablecloths, napkins, and balloons with weighted bottoms.
If you want to get creative, you can make your own centrepieces. You could use real, artificial, or paper flowers, or try something different like a crystal wedding tree or a vintage-inspired arrangement. For a unique, personal touch, you could DIY paint thrifted vases or use items from a thrift store to create a vintage feel.
Don't be afraid to get creative and bold with your choices, especially if the pub has a neutral or understated decor. You can also add signs and a table plan to guide your guests and make the evening feel extra special.
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Signage
Firstly, consider the placement of your signs. Signs can be used to guide guests to specific areas or features of the reception, such as the bar or the guest book. For example, a sign near the bar might feature a fun illustration of an "emergency drink route", leading guests from the bar to their mouths. This not only adds a playful touch but also directs guests to the drinks area. Another idea is to use signs to keep certain areas reserved for the wedding party and guests. This is especially useful if you've only booked part of the pub.
Now, let's talk about design. You can incorporate your wedding colours or themes into the signage design. For instance, if you're serving a variety of beers, you could create a sign with a beer bottle label theme, decorated with fun drawings and beer-related puns. This adds a touch of humour and creates a light-hearted atmosphere. You could also play with words; a sign with a witty cocktail-themed pun will not only showcase your fun side but also reflect your sophisticated drink choices.
When it comes to materials, think about using a stylish chalkboard or an engraved wooden panel for your signs. These can be easily customised to match the overall vibe of your wedding. For a vintage-themed wedding, consider converting an old trunk into a drinks station, with a classy, old-world-style sign saying something like, "Love is Intoxicating". This will undoubtedly reinforce the vintage charm.
Lastly, don't be afraid to get creative and showcase your personality as a couple through the signage. Whether it's incorporating bold colours, fun illustrations, or playful puns, your signs can be a unique and memorable part of your wedding decor.
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Lighting
If you are decorating a pub for a wedding reception, you should first consider the natural light in the space. A pub with lots of natural light flooding in through large windows will give a different look and feel to an underground bar that is lit by artificial lighting all day.
If you are decorating a pub with lots of natural light, you can use candles, foliage, and simple flowers to create a romantic and elegant atmosphere. You could also use fairy lights to add a whimsical touch. If you are decorating an underground bar, you may want to use brighter, bolder lighting to create a fun and vibrant atmosphere.
To create a cosy and inviting atmosphere, you can use warm-toned lighting, such as fairy lights or candlelight. This can be complemented by table lamps or wall sconces to create a soft and romantic ambiance. If you want to create a more dramatic effect, you can use coloured lights or uplighting to add a unique touch.
Don't forget to consider the colour scheme of the pub when choosing your lighting. You can use lighting to enhance or complement the existing colours in the space. For example, if the pub has a lot of dark wood, you can use warm lighting to create a cosy and inviting atmosphere. If the pub has a more modern aesthetic with light colours, you can use bright, white lights to create a sleek and elegant feel.
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Flowers and foliage
If you're looking to repurpose your wedding flowers, a unity floral arrangement, known as a 'long and low', can be placed on the top table without taking up too much space or blocking anyone's view. Floral pillars are another way to repurpose flowers and look amazing at the entrance of a pub or on either side of the ceremony table. They also make for beautiful images when framing the wedding cake display.
When decorating a pub for a wedding reception, height, scale and impact are important. Flowers on the tables should not be an obstruction to conversation across the table. Low flowers can be lost among a sea of glasses, bottles, and table labels, so consider adding details to make them stand out. You can also decorate with flowers by hanging floral installations or creating a flower wall.
If you're looking to add a personal touch, ask your florist to create the initials of the couple in flowers or a gorgeous heart wreath to hang. You can also add flowers to the fireplace, occasional tables, and entrance hall. For a country feel, consider using hop vines to soften oak beams.
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Table settings
When it comes to table settings for a wedding reception in a pub, there are many ways to get creative and make the event feel personalised and special.
Firstly, consider the shape of the tables. Round tables are a classic choice as they are versatile and provide excellent conversational flow. They can also be mixed and matched in terms of size, for example, alternating between 60-inch and 72-inch rounds to add visual interest. If you want to create a more intimate, cosy dinner-party vibe, round tables in various sizes are a great option. On the other hand, rectangular and square tables can add modern angles to the setup and are especially useful if your wedding is outdoors, as they can help establish clear borders. For a large, formal ballroom with high ceilings, long banquet tables can add warmth and dimension to the room.
Once you've decided on the table shapes and sizes, it's time to think about decorations. Table runners are a simple yet effective way to bring colour and texture to the tables. Macramé, for instance, adds a free-spirited, boho vibe. You can also use table runners made of flowers and foliage for a whimsical, natural look. If you're on a budget, simple decorations like textured runners and table numbers can go a long way. For a more luxurious feel, candles, flowers, and favours can be added, bringing scent, light, and interest to the tables. Centrepieces are a great way to celebrate you and your partner; consider large floral arrangements or DIY painted thrifted vases. Tall candlesticks are another way to make a bold statement.
Signs and a table plan are also important, not only for aesthetics but also for helping your guests navigate the venue and keeping the public out of your reserved area. Custom signage can be a unique and intentional touch to your wedding decor.
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Frequently asked questions
Pubs can be a blank canvas, allowing you to bring your personality to the venue. Work with the existing decor and add a few personal touches to make it clearly your special day.
You can use tabletop decor and centrepieces that match your theme. You can opt for large floral arrangements, DIY painted thrifted vases, or paper flowers. You can also add personalised signage to liven up the space.
Pick a colour or two and use them to tie everything together. You can use matching colour plastic tablecloths, napkins, and balloons with weighted bottoms. You can also decorate with tablecloths and things you find at a thrift store for a vintage feel.
